Biomedical subjects

G Demarest

Publications and source records attributed to G Demarest.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Antibiotic bead production.

We are reporting a practical technique for the production of antibiotic beads for use in combating musculoskeletal infections. The technique utilizes bead molds with tobramycin powder mixed with polymethylmethacrylate on twisted wire strands to produce strands of 25 beads of various sizes. These beads are gas sterilized and available for use "off the shelf" in a manner that is much more efficient than traditional production by hand on the back table in the operating room. Our technique was also utilized at a second institution to demonstrate its efficacy at another site.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1989

New Mexico safety restraint law: changing patterns of motor vehicle injury, severity, and cost.

The impact of the New Mexico safety belt law on patterns of injury, severity, and cost was evaluated (using an emergency department data base). Data collected from November 1985 through February 1986 compared the 2 months before the January 1986 law with 2 months after. Before the law, 22.2% of the 379 injuries included abrasions, contusions, and lacerations to face, neck, and head. Following the law, this category constituted only 13.8% of 356 injuries, representing a reduction of 38% (P less than .05). Cost and injury severity scores (ISS) for 436 injured patients covered by the law were not significantly different between the pre- and post-seatbelt law periods. However, significant cost and severity differences were observed after the law between belted and nonbelted occupants: +2,569 compared with +662; ISS of 3.6 compared with 2.0 (P less than .05). Methodologic problems of an emergency department-based study and the need for E coding (external causes of injury) are discussed.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1989

Mauling by pit bull terriers: case report.

A child with extensive soft-tissue defects following an attack by four pit bull terriers is presented. Some future procedures are required and she will have a permanent gait disability. The multidisciplinary management of this patient is described. The escalating problem of dog attacks in the United States is discussed. It is hoped that increased physician and public awareness will expedite the enactment and enforcement of effective vicious-dog legislation.

Animals↗

PubMed1988

Traumatic asphyxia in New Mexico: a five-year experience.

Compression of the chest causing facial petechiae, violaceous facial hue, subconjunctival hemorrhages, and frequent mental status abnormalities has been termed traumatic asphyxia. We identified 35 such cases occurring in the State of New Mexico from 1980 to 1985 from records of the Office of the Medical Investigator (n = 30) and from cases presenting to the University of New Mexico Trauma Center (n = 5). Among those found at highest risk for traumatic asphyxia were people ejected from motor vehicles, men working under cars that were inadequately supported and fell onto the victims, children under the age of 5 years who were crushed under household furniture, and people involved in construction activities. Traumatic asphyxia following a moving motor vehicle accident was significantly associated with alcohol ingestion (p less than 0.001). Preventive and therapeutic strategies should focus on the groups and events identified.

Accidents↗

PubMed1988

Trauma in the elderly.

One hundred geriatric patients who suffered injury severe enough to necessitate hospitalization were compared retrospectively to a random group of 100 younger patients. The elderly suffered different types of injury and died six times as often as their younger peers, even when controlled for injury severity. The PRE method was employed to examine outcome in both groups and was found to be strongly predictive of death in young patients. Age stratification aided significantly in predicting mortality in elderly patients. Regression analysis was employed to examine the data set to determine the relative importance of several variables in the prediction of ultimate mortality. By incorporating all the data from the entire data set, curves describing the contribution of age and shock to mortality corrected for all factors is possible. Increasing age after 65 increases mortality and this effect is dramatically increased by the presence of shock. This information may be useful in counselling the injured elderly and their families.

Adolescent↗