Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to B Strohecker.
Craniofacial surgery is an integrated approach to correct anomalies that include a range of deformities in the growth of the cranium and facial bones. The goal of surgery is to achieve a maximum result with the best possible functional and aesthetic results with minimal scarring in the least amount of time.
Frostbite may be defined as acute freezing of tissues as a result of exposure to temperatures below the freezing point of intact skin. Severity of injury is due to the degree of cold and the duration of exposure. Tissue injury occurs during freezing due to the actual formation of ice crystals within the extracellular fluid. In addition, ice crystals form in the blood and lead to sludging and cessation of capillary blood flow. However, the most severe tissue damage comes with rewarming the tissues. Reperfused capillaries, with their damaged endothelium, leak fluid and protein leading to edema. Blisters form, and prostaglandins and thromboxanes in the blister fluid cause platelet aggregation. Rapid rewarming of the part is now the acceptable practice. Immersion of the injured part in a whirlpool bath is recommended at a temperature of 100 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Eventual care may include debridement and tissue transfers if amputation is required. A case is presented of a woman with frostbitten hands.
Robin sequence is the combination of micrognathia (small jaw), retrognathia (posterior displacement of the chin) and glossoptosis (falling backward of the tongue) in newborns, and is often found in combination with clefting of the palate. Mandibular elongation by bone distraction, described in this article, is one treatment for mandibular hypoplasia with Robin sequence.
Skull molding helmets can be used to correct abnormal skull shapes due to craniosynostosis. The helmets can be used alone, or in conjunction with surgery. The skull molding helmets are light-weight, inexpensive and custom-fitted. This article provides information regarding the history of these helmets and their construction, along with complications and the nurse's role in patient care.
Cutis laxa causes premature aging of the skin, which results in an abnormal appearance. Corrective, not aesthetic, surgery is one treatment option. A blepharoplasty and facelift would be two procedures that can be performed.
Crouzon's Syndrome is an inherited craniofacial deformity. Unfortunately, like with many other complex disorders, there is no quick fix. Treatment consists of numerous surgeries over a long period of time. Nurses are crucial team members as they are best educated to balance the physical, psychosocial, and developmental needs of patients and families.
Extramammary Paget's Disease is a rare lesion of the genital, axillary or thorax skin that is a counterpart of Paget's Disease of the breast. It is often misdiagnosed as eczema or other skin rashes. The lesion may appear as a red, crusted, sharply demarcated area with submucosal thickening. This case study describes the surgical repair of a perianal wound in a patient with Paget's Disease.
The treatment of the child with craniofacial deformities is multifaceted. Health care professionals must take a "team approach" in providing care, and address the physical, psychological, and sociological needs of the child and family.
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