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Biomedical subjects

F Duminy

Publications and source records attributed to F Duminy.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Significance of the portal vein helix.

BACKGROUND: The portal venous system plays a major role in a variety of disease processes. Although the anatomy, histology and physiology of the portal vein have been extensively studied over the last century, very little attention has been given to its unique helical structure. Previous documentation of the helical structure has been based on microscopic, macroscopic and radiological appearances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A more refined method than the above was used to image the portal vein helix. Resin casts of the portal venous system were performed in 6 rats, 1 baboon and 1 human. RESULTS: All species had a clearly demonstrated helical structure of the portal vein situated above the splenic vein. CONCLUSION: The unique structure of the portal vein and its subsequent helical flow has been neglected in medical research. The significance of the activated portal helix and its effect on the blood flow into the liver needs further investigation.

Animals↗

Hot water burns in Cape Town.

Scalds are common in South Africa and accounted for 21.6 per cent of the admissions to the Burns Unit of the University of Cape Town. Two hundred and forty adult patients (160 males, 80 females) with a mean age of 34.2 years were admitted for treatment of scalds between 1985 and June 1992. One hundred and thirteen sustained their scalds accidentally while 127 patients were assaulted with hot water. Epilepsy accounted for 11 per cent of the accidental burns. The head and neck was involved in 16.8 per cent of accidental burns and in 84.9 per cent of assaults. A quarter of the scalds to the trunk and limbs were caused by assault compared with 75 per cent caused by accidents. Beta haemolytic streptococcus was the second commonest organism isolated from the burn wound (57 patients). In 19 per cent of these patients a weekly course of penicillin and erythromycin did not eradicate the streptococcus and clindamycin was required. Accidental scalds usually affect the lower body and limbs whereas assault with hot water commonly involves the head and neck. Streptococcus is a common organism in the Burns Unit and is becoming more difficult to eradicate.

Adolescent↗

New rapid technique for renal transplantation in the rat.

Present techniques for renal transplantation in the rat include a period of 20-25 minutes warm ischemia. Our method combines a recently described sleeve anastomotic technique for the renal artery, conventional end-to-end anastomosis of the renal vein, and implantation of the ureter into the bladder. This has resulted in a reproducible ischemic interval of 12-14 minutes. Plasma creatinine and histological features in animals sacrificed from 10 to 30 days after transplantation were within normal limits with no evidence of ischemic damage. A further advantage of the technique is that kidneys can be exchanged between the donor and recipient. It is recommended that this procedure, which reduces the ischemic interval by up to 50%, should be learned and employed in studies of renal transplantation in the rat, especially if such studies include the prior administration of cyclosporine, which may aggravate the effects of ischemia.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

[Stromal luteoma of the ovary. Differential diagnosis of steroid cell tumors].

An observation of a stromal luteoma of the ovary is reported. It is a rare tumor (only about thirty cases of it have been published yet), occurring mostly in post menopausal women. Endocrine symptoms and sometimes virilizing signs may be observed. Abnormal vaginal bleeding is the most frequent clinical manifestation. This macroscopically observed tumor is surrounded by ovarian stroma and entirely composed of luteinized cells devoid of crystals of Reinke. Hyperthecosis of ovarian stroma is often observed. Its evolution is always benign. The authors recalled the place of stromal luteoma of the ovary among steroid (lipid) cell tumors and the elements of a differential diagnosis. These tumor might derive from ovarian stromal cells.

Adrenal Rest Tumor↗

The mini rhytidectomy.

A technique is described in which superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) is plicated from the deep temporal fascia above the zygoma to the level of the earlobe. This procedure requires only an extended preauricular incision. The neck is dealt with by liposuction. This technique is ideally suited to the younger patient requesting facelift and is based on a sound understanding of the anatomy of SMAS. The outcome of 35 patients who underwent this procedure during a 3.5-year period are described. There were no cases of facial nerve paresis or hair loss. There were no cases of skin necrosis but two patients developed small hematomas and one patient complained of a stretched preauricular scar. The mini facelift leads to a satisfactory result in the younger patient requesting rhytidectomy. The technique is simple and safe and can easily be performed on an ambulatory basis. Complications are uncommon and of a minor nature.

Female↗