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Biomedical subjects

A Lipp

Publications and source records attributed to A Lipp.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies (PEG) maintain nutrition in the short or long term. A PEG is a feeding tube, placed surgically through the anterior abdominal wall, which delivers a liquid diet, or medication, via a clean or sterile delivery system. Those undergoing PEG placement are often vulnerable to infection because of age, compromised nutritional intake, immunosuppression and underlying disease processes such as malignancy and diabetes mellitus. The increasing incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contributes both an additional risk to the placement procedure, and also to the debate surrounding antibiotic prophylaxis for PEG placement. The aim of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis is to establish a bactericidal concentration of an antimicrobial drug in the patients serum and tissues, via a brief course of an appropriate agent, by the time of PEG placement. OBJECTIVES: The review seeks to establish whether prophylactic use of systemic antimicrobials reduces the risk of peristomal infection in people undergoing placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (July 2006); The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2006, Issue 2); handsearched wound care journals relevant conference proceedings, and bibliographies of relevant publications identified by these strategies for further studies; and contacted manufacturers and distributors of PEG products. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the use of prophylactic antimicrobials for PEG placement, with no restrictions for language, date or publication status. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Both authors performed data extraction and assessment of study quality. Meta-analysis was performed where appropriate. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 10 eligible RCTs evaluating prophylactic antimicrobials in 1100 patients. All trials reported peristomal infection as an outcome, and a pooled analysis resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of peristomal infection with prophylactic antibiotics (pooled OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.44). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Administration of systemic prophylactic antibiotics for PEG placement reduces peristomal infection.

Anti-Infective Agents↗

Osmosensitive mechanisms contribute to the water drinking-induced pressor response in humans.

BACKGROUND: Water drinking elicits a sympathetically mediated pressor response in multiple-system atrophy patients through an unknown mechanism. We reasoned that gastrointestinal distention, hyposomotic stimulation, or both contribute to the water-induced pressor response. METHODS: We compared the response to normal saline and water on blood pressure in 10 patients with probable multiple-system atrophy. Patients featured moderate to severe autonomic dysfunction. EKG and finger arterial blood pressure were recorded continuously, and 500 mL normal saline and distilled water were each given in a single-blinded fashion. Fluids were applied through a previously inserted nasogastric tube within a 5-minute period. RESULTS: Blood pressure began to increase within 10 minutes after water administration and reached a maximum after 20 minutes. Blood pressure did not change after saline administration. The blood pressure change after 20 minutes was 8 +/- 9/2 +/- 5 mmHg with water and -1 +/- 11/-1 +/- 7 mmHg with normal saline administration (p = 0.02 between interventions). Heart rate did not change with either intervention. CONCLUSION: Ingestion of water elicits a greater pressor response than the ingestion of normal saline. Thus, gastric distention is probably not the crucial mechanisms for the water-induced pressor response. Instead, the response may be mediated through osmosensitive afferent structures in the gastrointestinal tract, portal vein, and liver.

Autonomic Nervous System Diseases↗

Preoperative skin antiseptics for preventing surgical wound infections after clean surgery.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 15% of elective surgery patients and 30% of patients receiving contaminated or dirty surgery are estimated to develop post-operative wound infections. The costs of surgical wound infection can be considerable in financial as well as social terms. Preoperative skin antisepsis is performed to reduce the risk of post-operative wound infections by removing soil and transient organisms from the skin. Antiseptics are thought to be both toxic to bacteria and aid their mechanical removal. The effectiveness of preoperative skin preparation is thought to be dependent on both the antiseptic used and the method of application, however it is unclear whether preoperative skin antisepsis actually reduces post-operative wound infection and if so which antiseptic is most effective. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether preoperative skin antisepsis reduces post-operative surgical wound infection. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Trials Register and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in April 2004. In addition we handsearched journals, conference proceedings and bibliographies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials evaluating the use of preoperative skin antiseptics applied immediately prior to incision in clean surgery. There were no restrictions based on language, date or publication status. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three reviewers independently undertook data extraction and assessment of study quality. Pooling was inappropriate and trials are discussed in a narrative review. MAIN RESULTS: We identified six eligible RCTs evaluating preoperative antiseptics. There was significant heterogeneity in the comparisons and the results could not be pooled. In one study, infection rates were significantly lower when skin was prepared using chlorhexidine compared with iodine. There was no evidence of a benefit in four trials associated with the use of iodophor impregnated drapes. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient research examining the effects of preoperative skin antiseptics to allow conclusions to be drawn regarding their effects on post-operative surgical wound infections. Further research is needed.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗

A randomized trial of botulinum toxin A for treatment of drooling.

The authors compared the efficacy of three different doses (18.75, 37.5, and 75 MU per parotid gland) of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A; Dysport, Ipsen Pharma, Germany) injections vs vehicle in patients with sialorrhea (n = 32) using a single-center, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled dose-finding study. The primary endpoint was achieved with 75 MU BTX-A without treatment-related adverse events, suggesting BTX-A is a safe and effective treatment for patients with sialorrhea.

Botulinum Toxins, Type A↗

Disposable surgical face masks for preventing surgical wound infection in clean surgery.

BACKGROUND: Surgical face masks were originally developed to contain and filter droplets of microorganisms expelled from the mouth and nasopharynx of healthcare workers during surgery, thereby providing protection for the patient. However there are several ways in which surgical face masks could potentially contribute to contamination of the surgical wound. OBJECTIVES: To identify and review all randomised controlled trials evaluating disposable surgical face masks worn by the surgical team during clean surgery to prevent post-operative surgical wound infection. SEARCH STRATEGY: All relevant publications about disposable surgical face masks were sought through the Specialised Trials Register of the Cochrane Wounds Group (March 2001). Manufacturers and distributors of disposable surgical masks as well as professional organisations including the National Association of Theatre Nurses and the American Operating Room Nurses Association were contacted for details of unpublished and ongoing studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomised controlled trials comparing the use of disposable surgical masks with the use of no mask were included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted independently by AL and PE. MAIN RESULTS: Two randomised controlled trials were included involving a total of 1453 patients. In a small trial there was a trend towards masks being associated with fewer infections, whereas in a large trial there was no difference in infection rates between the masked and unmasked group. Neither trial accounted for cluster randomisation in the analysis. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: From the limited results it is unclear whether wearing surgical face masks results in any harm or benefit to the patient undergoing clean surgery.

Disposable Equipment↗

Theatre nursing in Finland.

As part of the Socrates exchange system three students from the School of Care Sciences, University of Glamorgan visited Finland for a 15-week placement. They were based in two areas Hameenlinna and Kuopio. As part of the exchange I visited the students, did some teaching and observed some of the clinical areas.

Clinical Competence↗

An enquiry into a combined approach for nursing ethics.

A definitive theory for ethical decision making in nursing is still only conjecture. The literature confirms that there have been numerous examinations of ethical decision making in nursing, with most proposing either the justice or the care orientation, or a combination of both. In the absence of a definitive theory, this exploratory work sets out, via grounded theory, to shed some light on the methods used every day by nurses to make ethical decisions in the clinical area. The data show that some factors, such as doctors, colleagues and the organization, profoundly influence ethical decision making. The informants used both care and justice to formulate decisions, which is known as the combined approach. As a result of these findings, this article concludes with tentative suggestions and recommendations for practice.

Beneficence↗