A nice demonstration of how to take temperature. The video also explains different types of thermometers and how to take temperrature in different age groups.
Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy Causes Less Morbidity Than Open Technique
June 14, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A new meta-analysis has confirmed that doing a distal pancreatectomy laparoscopically reduces the morbidity. The study has been published in Annals of surgery June 2012 issue.
For this metanalysis, Dr Raghunandan et al analysed 18 published studies including 1814 patients comparing laproscopic distal pancreatectomy and open surgery. [Read more...]
FDA Expands H Pylori Breath Test To Include Children Between 3-17 Years Old
February 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment
US Food and Drug Administration has approved breath test that screens for H Pylori[Organism that casues gastric ulcers] in children aged between 3 years to 17 years.
In addition to causing gastric ulcer, H pylori is also increases person’s risk of gastric cancer and a certain form of lymphoma. The BreathTek UBT test tests for H pylori was approved for adults in 1996.
It is estimated that more than two-thirds of the world’s population is infected with the H. pylori.
The test is produced by Otsuka America Pharmaceutical.
The BreathTek UBT detects urease associated with H. pylori in the human stomach.
Here is a video explaining about H Pylori breath test.
What Is Leukapheresis ?
October 8, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Leukapheresis comes from Leuk+apheresis. Apheresis is the general term for separating out one particular constituent of blood and returning the remainder to the circulation. Leukapheresis is a laboratory procedure in which white blood cells are separated from a sample of blood.
Uses
- To decrease a very high white blood cell count [Hematological malignancies]
- Obtain patients white blood cells for later transplant back into the patient
- Obtain cells for research purposes.
- Obtain the patient’s own blood cells for later transplant.
- For removing white blood cells for protection before high-dose chemotherapy[Cells are then transfused back into the patient after chemotherapy]
- For obtaining cells for processing them to stimulate a patient’s immune system to target prostate cancer cells.
- Removal of granulocytes, macrophages and monocytes as a treatment for autoimmune diseases such as ulcerative colitis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Overview of Procedure
Blood is drawn from one arm with the help of a catheter that is placed in one of the veins.
Following removal the blood is placed in the.
The centrifuge spins the blood and separates it into various components making. As a result, the blood can be separated into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
The white blood cells are removed and the rest of the cells and the rest is returned to the body through another catheter.
Leukapheresis usually takes about two to four hours.
For Further Knowledge
An apharesis machine simulation
Clinical Photograph of Nasal Endoscopy
February 18, 2011 by Leave a Comment
A photgraph of nasal endoscopic examination.
Nasal Endoscopy Being Performed
The endoscopy was done for diagnostic purpose only.
Central Venous Catheter In Right Subclavian Vein
February 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment
A central venous catheter is a catheter placed into a large vein in the neck like internal jugular vein, external jugular vein or chest (subclavian vein) or groin (femoral vein).
A central venous catheter is used to administer medication or fluids, to draw blood samples and to directly obtain cardiovascular measurements such as the central venous pressure.
Central Venous catheter In Internal Jugular Vein
The above photograph shows a central venous catheter on right side of the neck. It was inserted in subclavian vein.
Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Counseling In Hemophilia
January 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Hemophilia is a disease of inheritance. Therefore genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis are important measures to help people.
Genetic counseling helps people with hemophilia, carriers, and their families make more informed choices about having children where there is a possibility of having a child with hemophilia. It includes a wide range of tests for diagnostic and carrier detection, as well as individual counseling. [Read more...]
Osseocartilaginous Rib Graft Rhinoplasty A Stable, Predictable Technique for Major Dorsal Reconstruction
January 1, 2011 by Leave a Comment
In a new study published in Archives Of Facial Plastic Surgery, the data suggests that osseocartilaginous dorsal onlay rib grafts used for augmentation rhinoplasty is a stable and predictable technique for dorsal reconstruction.
In this study, 58 rib graft rhinoplasties were performed in the 10-year review period, 39 of which used dorsal onlay grafts. The patient were followed for 24 months and the median duration of clinical follow-up was 16 months.
Osseocartilaginous onlay grafts showed 100% viability at the last follow up. In contrast only 83% cartilaginous onlay grafts were viable, rigid, and had maintained dorsal projection at last follow-up.
None of the grafts warped.
The relief of nasal obstruction was almost same. It was 88% in osseocartilaginous flaps and 83% in cartilaginous onlay grafts had persisting relief of their nasal obstruction. [Read more...]
Important Considerations In Surgery In Hemophilia
December 17, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Surgery in hemophilia should be done with following considerations
- Surgical procedures should be performed in co-ordination with a team experienced in the management of hemophilia.
- The procedure should be done in a center with adequate laboratory support
- Pre-operative inhibitor screening should be done.
- It is preferable to perform the surgery early in the day so as maximum resources could be utilized
- Availability of sufficient quantities of clotting factor concentrates should be checked before procedure is started.
Ultrasound Not Necessary When Undescendent Testis Not Palpable
December 15, 2010 by Leave a Comment
A recent meta analysis published in Pediatrics has recommended against investigating by ultrasound if undescended testis is not palpable in the child.
Ultrasound does not reliably localize nonpalpable testes.
Cryptorchidism or undescended testis affects 1% to 3% in term and 15% to 30% of premature male infants.
It is a usual practice to locate the testes if they are not palpable.
The present authors argue that the ultrasound lacks diagnostic power to clearly locate the testes because it cannot differentiate with certainty, the testes from other tissues.
For their meta-analysis the authors included 591 testes in 12 studies.
Pediatrics published online December 13, 2010 (10.1542/peds.2010-1800)
