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Biomedical subjects

G H Santos

Publications and source records attributed to G H Santos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Chest trauma during the battle of Troy: ancient warfare and chest trauma.

The Iliad is the story of the events related to the siege and battle of Troy presenting an unsurpassed view of the strengths and weaknesses of its main characters. And what a revelation it is to see that the human element that ignites and sustains the flames of war did not change through the centuries and was 3,000 years ago the same as it is today! An added source of fascination in Homer's work is his peculiar description of the injuries suffered by the combatants. That, as well as the presence of physicians in the battlefield, is of special interest for us surgeons.

Greece, Ancient↗
PubMed1996

Mediastinoscopy for the evaluation and treatment of projectile injuries.

This case report describes the first use of mediastinoscopy for the evaluation of a projectile injury and concomitant removal of the projectile. The described treatment made it possible to avoid the significant morbidity associated with mediansternotomy or thoracotomy. Complications secondary to retained mediastinal foreign bodies including infection, migration, and perforation were also avoided.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Priorities in general surgical training.

PURPOSE: We wished to determine which area of surgical resident training receives the highest priority--surgical technique, surgical judgment, or "book knowledge." We were also interested in how the programs addressed each area, particularly the teaching of surgical technique. METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to the program directors and chief residents of all 289 general surgery residency programs in the United States. RESULTS: Answers were received from 144 chief residents (50%) and 152 program directors (53%). Programs to teach surgical judgment and technique were offered by 55 (36%) and 68 (45%) of general surgical residencies. Most program directors (83%) and chief residents (72%) considered surgical judgment the most important aspect of surgical training. Sixty-four percent of chief residents felt they were receiving adequate training in the technical aspects of surgery. Approximately half of the program directors felt that residents needed better training in the technical aspects of surgery. One hundred thirty programs (86%) had specific curricula for teaching "book knowledge." CONCLUSIONS: With the advent of minimal access surgery and the constant introduction of new instruments and procedures, new demands are constantly being placed on practicing surgeons. In order to prevent the further fragmentation of general surgery, a more structured approach to the early teaching of surgical skills should be considered.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1995

Decortication for chronic postpneumonic empyema.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic empyema after pneumonia continues to be a source of morbidity and mortality. Despite the widespread use of antibiotics, more than 50 percent of empyemas are secondary to a primary pulmonary process. An empyema present for four to six weeks is considered chronic and can severely restrict the movement of the entire hemithorax. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-five adult patients with chronic, postpneumonic empyema required decortication at the Bronx Municipal Hospital Center between 1988 and 1990. Only patients with chronic postpneumonic empyema were included. All patients failed conservative treatment with antibiotics and tube drainage. Decortication was required to control infection and release the pulmonary entrapment. RESULTS: Patients were often debilitated from alcoholism (52 percent), drug addiction (32 percent), and chronic disease. Ten patients (40 percent) required additional operative procedures to control infection: two pneumonectomies, three lobectomies, three wedge resections, and two debridements of pulmonary abscess were performed. Preoperative plain roentgenographs and computed tomographic scans diagnosed the empyema in all cases; however, they were frequently unable to predict the operative findings. There was one recurrence and one mortality (4 percent). The average postoperative period of hospitalization was 18 days (seven to 30 days). CONCLUSIONS: Decortication remains a highly effective treatment for chronic postpneumonic empyema and may identify underlying complications that could account for a patient's poor response to conservative treatment. Pulmonary abscess and parenchymal necrosis may not be detected during preoperative evaluation.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Late volume changes in retrosternal colon bypass.

Esophageal obstruction by malignancy, chemical burns, or other less common entities presents a challenge for the surgeon. Either for esophageal substitution after esophageal resection or as a bypass for the obstructed esophagus, colon interposition is often the best available option. Massive colonic enlargement requiring resection of the interposed dilated colon developed recently in 2 of our patients who had a colon bypass 22 and 10 years earlier, respectively.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Percutaneous drainage of lung abscess.

Most lung abscesses are successfully treated with antibiotics. However, occasional patients with lung abscesses that drain poorly, causing persistent fever and toxic symptoms, may require surgical intervention. Lobectomy is the most frequent surgical procedure. Some patients are debilitated and have underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, chronic pulmonary disease, or liver disease that may render surgical intervention risky. Recently there have been reports of percutaneous drainage of lung abscess with good results. We have successfully carried out percutaneous drainage of lung abscess in 4 patients and an infected bulla in 1. All patients had failed to respond to therapy with antibiotics and postural drainage. There was prompt disappearance of the fluid level in the cavity, decline in temperature, and abatement of toxic symptoms with drainage. The cavities closed gradually over the next 6-12 weeks. The patients tolerated the chest tube well and there were no side effects from the tube drainage. Percutaneous tube drainage is the surgical treatment of choice in the medically complicated patient with a poorly draining lung abscess.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Axillosubclavian vein thrombosis produced by retrosternal thyroid.

Several causes of axillosubclavian vein thrombosis have been described. Trauma to the subclavian vein by pacemaker wires or central venous lines as well as the so-called effort thrombosis have been recognized as frequently diagnosed precipitating factors. A patient is herein presented with thrombosis of the subclavian vein caused by a giant substernal thyroid compressing the innominate vein.

Axillary Vein↗
PubMed1988

Treatment of displaced fractures of the sternum.

An easy technique is presented for the treatment of simple transversal fractures of the sternum when loss of alignment of the fractured extremities occurs. This technique produces instant relief and will avoid open reduction and wiring in most instances of uncomplicated fractures.

Fractures, Bone↗