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Biomedical subjects

D I Mitchell

Publications and source records attributed to D I Mitchell.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Potential role for advanced trauma life support programme in improving trauma care in Jamaica.

Data from the Road Safety Unit in the Ministry of Transport and Works, Jamaica, show an increase in road traffic accidents from 7861 in 1991 to 11,010 in 1999. The average number of deaths annually was 380 +/- 48 (SD) while injuries averaged 3320 +/- 262 per year. This represents an injury to death ratio of 8.7 compared with 24.9 for Trinidad and Tobago and 40 for Canada. During the period 1991 to 2000, an average of 796 +/- 159 (SD) murders were committed annually. The number of murders increased by over 280 per cent between the decade of the seventies and the nineties. Data from the trauma registry of the University Hospital of the West Indies showed that 29.6 per cent of all admissions to the surgical ward between January 1998 and December 31, 2000, were due to injuries. There were 97 deaths (3%) during this period and 33 occurred in the Accident and Emergency Department with 70 per cent occurring within 120 minutes of their arrival. The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Programme emphasizes the resuscitation and stabilization of injured patients in the first few hours after injury. Most Emergency Departments in Jamaica are staffed by relatively junior medical officers and the low injury to death ratio among victims of motor vehicle accidents may be due to suboptimal care. Introduction of an ATLS programme in Jamaica may reduce the number of preventable deaths and also stimulate interest in trauma care thus increasing preventative measures to decrease the high incidence of trauma in Jamaica.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2003

Thymic surgery in Jamaica 1992-2000.

The treatment for thymic tumours and/or myaesthenia gravis (MG) includes thymectomy. Controversy exists as to the optimal timing and operative approach to thymectomy. At the University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica, the results of thymic surgery during the period 1992 to 2000 were studied retrospectively. There were 26 patients operated on, 17 females and nine males. Twenty-three underwent thymectomy to treat MG, and three to remove a thymoma. The average age for females was 30.7 years, and 25.1 years for males. Average duration of symptoms prior to surgery was 16 months (all patients), and the interval between diagnosis and referral averaged 2.6 months. All patients underwent thymectomy via median sternotomy with a cervical extension of the incision if required. A policy of phrenic nerve preservation, even if residual tumour was left behind, was followed. Patients with thymomas were given post-operative radiotherapy. Chemotherapy was not given to any patient. The medium and long term results of thymic surgery in a developing country are presented. The results are within international norms, although the small patient population makes statistical analysis difficult. There appears to be no need to change current practice, despite the reported efficacy of less invasive approaches to thymic surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

A case of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

A case of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (PLAM) occurring in a 48-year-old Jamaican female is presented. The clinical, radiological, and pathological findings are typical of this rare condition, and serve to emphasize the need for a high index of suspicion in order to make the diagnosis and commence therapy early in the course of the disease. The outlook for patients with PLAM continues to be poor.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2001

Colonic lipomas at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Lipomas of the colon are uncommon but cause diagnostic difficulty when they are symptomatic. The clinical and pathological features of 17 cases of colonic lipomas diagnosed at the University Hospital of the West Indies between 1970 and 1999 are reported. Ten cases were symptomatic, two of these being diagnosed with adult intussusception. Six patients had incidental lipomas in bowel resected for other pathology while one lipoma was diagnosed on sigmoidoscopy. Increased awareness of these lesions will enhance pre-operative diagnostic accuracy.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Compartment syndrome of the thigh. A case report and review of the literature.

A case of compartment syndrome of the thigh following a gunshot injury that resulted in significant morbidity is presented. Early diagnosis of this uncommon condition requires a high index of suspicion in order to reduce morbidity and mortality. Timely diagnosis, emergency three-compartment decompression, prophylaxis against reperfusion syndrome and aggressive rehabilitation are necessary for a favourable outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Cholecystectomy in Jamaican children with homozygous sickle-cell disease.

Twenty-seven children aged 18 years and under with homozygous sickle-cell disease had open cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones over the 12-year period 1985-1997. Emergency procedures (done during period of acute exacerbation of symptoms) were performed on 16 patients. Four with haemoglobin levels greater than 1 g/dl below their steady state received a simple blood transfusion preoperatively designed to raise haemoglobin levels to 10 g/dl. All had acute or acute on chronic cholecystitis based on histological examination of gallbladder specimens. Twelve had common bile duct stones. In two patients calculi were missed intraoperatively but these subsequently passed into the duodenum after a period saline irrigation via an in-situ t-tube. Six developed the acute chest syndrome (aetiology not determined) and this progressed to multi system failure and death in one. This high level of postoperative mobility and mortality may in part be due to the high proportion of emergency procedures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Chronic relapsing pancreatitis in a child. Use of the Puestow procedure to achieve ductal drainage.

A case of chronic relapsing pancreatitis presenting in an 8-year-old African Jamaican girl is outlined. Aggressive supportive management failed to control pain and vomiting. The Puestow Procedure effectively procedure aborted these symptoms. The use of the Puestow procedure should not be inordinately delayed in chronic relapsing pancreatitis if symptoms persist, since it may not only control pain but also halt declining pancreatic function.

Child↗
PubMed1999

Trauma aetiology and cost in the Accident and Emergency Unit of the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Trauma accounted for 37% of 22,311 patients seen in the Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E Unit) at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) during 1996. Thirty-nine per cent of injuries were intentional and 18% were due to motor vehicle accidents. Knives, machetes and rocks accounted for 75% of the injuries compared with 5% for gunshot wounds. Passengers were injured in about 40% of motor vehicle accidents and pedestrians in 19%. The admission rate was 16% and the orthopaedic clinic received 75% of the patients referred to specialist clinics. Victims of motor vehicle accidents made up a greater proportion of admissions (24%) than those of intentional violence (13%). The average cost of caring for each patient in the A&E unit was US$70 resulting in an annual cost of US$578,000.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Alcohol, cannabis and cocaine usage in patients with trauma injuries.

Sera from 111 patients with trauma injuries, who presented to the Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E), University Hospital of the West Indies, during a 3-month period, were screened for blood alcohol. Urine specimens were analysed for metabolites of cannabis and cocaine. Sixty-two per cent (62%) of patients were positive for at least one substance and 20% for two or more. Positivity rates were as follows: cannabis (46%), alcohol (32%) with 71% of these having blood alcohol levels (BAC) greater than 80 mg per decilitre; cocaine (6%). Substance usage was most prevalent in the third decade of life. The patients who yielded a positive result were significantly younger than those who were negative. There was no significant difference in age or substance usage between the victims of interpersonal violence or road traffic accidents. In the group designated "other accidents", patients were significantly older and had a lower incidence of substance usage than the other two groups. Cannabis was the most prevalent substance in all groups. Fifty per cent (50%) and fifty-five per cent (55%) of victims of road accidents and interpersonal violence, respectively, were positive for cannabis compared with 43% and 27% for alcohol, respectively. There was no significant difference in Hospital Stay or Injury Severity Score between substance users and non-users.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Jamaica. The initial experience. UHWI/KPH Laparoscopic Surgery Group.

This review of all laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed between 1993 and 1995 in Jamaica records the experience of local surgeons following an accelerated training programme. Special attention was paid to operating time, conversions, complications, analgesic requirements, time to discharge and cost. Comparisons were made of the local experience with the international experience. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been found to be a safe and viable option for Jamaican patients with gall bladder disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Spinal epidural abscess. Diagnosis and management.

Three cases of spinal epidural abscess managed at the University Hospital of the West Indies are presented. This disorder, a neurosurgical emergency, runs a variable course, and, if improperly managed, may lead to paraplegia and death. The aetiology, diagnosis and management of this disease are discussed.

Abscess↗
PubMed1994

Aneurysm of the gluteal artery.

One case of atherosclerotic gluteal artery aneurysm (GAA) is presented. The diagnosis was made preoperatively, and treatment involved ligation and division of the internal iliac artery only. This therapeutic option is discussed as the preferred one compared to the conventional two-step procedure.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Benign colovesical fistulae.

Two successfully treated cases of benign colovesical fistula are presented. The condition should be suspected whenever patients with colorectal disease develop urinary symptoms. Flexible colonoscopy and a lateral abdominal X-ray should be the initial investigations; but barium enema, cystoscopy and, rarely, CT scan may be necessary to confirm the presence of a colovesical fistula. Patients should be managed conservatively during the acute phase, and then be treated definitively by a single-stage bowel resection. Simple closure or resection and closure is used for the bladder-defect.

Aged↗