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Biomedical subjects

G R Meeks

Publications and source records attributed to G R Meeks.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Laparoscopic Pomeroy tubal ligation as a teaching model for residents.

We reviewed our preliminary experience with laparoscopically directed bilateral midtubal resection for tubal ligation (endoscopic Pomeroy) as a potential teaching tool for the acquisition of endoscopic skills during residency training. Thirty-five laparoscopic Pomeroy and 206 banding procedures were reviewed. Age, parity and weight were similar in the two groups. The operative time for banding was reduced slightly after experience with > 10 procedures. In contrast, the operative time for laparoscopic Pomeroy procedures decreased dramatically after individual experience with only a few (< or = 5) procedures. The mean operative time for the Pomeroy group approached that of the more traditional banding technique at five procedures. Our data indicate that laparoscopic Pomeroy sterilization can be an effective teaching tool for operative laparoscopy, allowing residents to repeatedly perform an easy and safe procedure that incorporates basic techniques. Advanced operative endoscopic procedures could then be taught more efficiently after the acquisition of basic skills.

Adult↗

Extrafascial wound dehiscence: deep en bloc closure versus superficial skin closure.

OBJECTIVE: To determine closure time, pain experienced during closure, and healing time in patients undergoing deep en bloc closure or superficial skin closure of extrafascial would dehiscence. METHODS: Patients with extrafascial wound dehiscence on the obstetrics and gynecology service of the University of Mississippi Medical Center were randomized to deep en bloc closure or superficial skin closure. A 1:2 ratio was used to evaluate superficial skin closure, as deep en bloc closure is known to be effective. The wounds of patients in the deep en block group were closed with no. 1 polypropylene placed through the entire wound thickness as simple interrupted sutures. The wounds of patients in the superficial closure group were closed with 2-0 polypropylene placed through the skin as vertical mattress sutures. The wounds were closed on the patient care unit under local anesthesia. Closure was timed in minutes from initiation of local anesthesia to cutting of the last suture. Patients assessed pain by placing a mark on a 100-mm line (0 = none; 100 = maximum). Time for complete healing was measured from wound disruption to skin reepithelialization. RESULTS: During an 8-month period, seven patients were randomized to deep en bloc closure and 16 to superficial skin closure. The en bloc group required 27.1 +/- 5.5 minutes (mean +/- standard deviation) for closure, compared with 18.9 +/- 3.4 minutes in the superficial group (P < .001). The mean pain score in the en bloc group was 43.4 +/- 23.2 mm, compared with 16.6 +/- 11.4 mm in the superficial group (P < .001). The en bloc group required 22.7 +/- 7.7 days for complete healing, compared with 19.8 +/- 5.3 days in the superficial group, a nonsignificant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial skin closure of extrafascial wound dehiscence appears to be superior to deep en bloc closure in terms of closure time and pain experienced during the procedure. These benefits are achieved with minimal risk while allowing timely wound healing.

Abdomen↗

Sexual assault.

Sexual assault continues to represent the most rapidly growing violent crime in America. Vital legal reforms are underway, but statistics prove a persistent rise in rape incidence with poor conviction rates. This knowledge, along with the vast multitude of emotional sequelae of rape and self-perceived inferior legal status of women, results in a high percentage of unreported cases. It is imperative that health care providers understand the horrific nature of sexual assault in order to provide appropriate care. All medical care personnel involved in the care of potential rape victims should be briefed in historic and modern legalities of sexual assault. Specific training in emergent and chronic care, both physical and mental, in conjunction with an understanding of rape legislation is vital if health care professionals are to appropriately care for victims of rape.

Child↗

Evaluation of endometrial biopsy using an aspiration curet without cervical tenaculum.

In a study of 132 women having endometrial biopsy with either a Novak or Randall aspiration curet before hysterectomy, a tenaculum was not used initially if the curet could be passed easily through the cervix. One biopsy specimen was taken from the anterior endometrium and one from the posterior endometrium. Biopsy was successful in 80 women (61%) and unsuccessful in 52 (39%). Women who are premenopausal, who do not have cervical stenosis, and who have a uterus that sounds to 3.5 inches or less are significantly more likely to have a successful biopsy. Excluding six women in whom the curet could not be passed through the cervix, adequate tissue for histologic evaluation was obtained in 101 of 126 women (80%). Furthermore, endometrial biopsy accurately reflected histopathologic features of the surgical specimen in 98% (98/101) of the women who had sufficient tissue obtained for evaluation. Endometrial biopsy done with an aspiration curet but without placing a tenaculum on the cervix should be attempted in women who require evaluation. Endometrial biopsy would appear to rival dilation and curettage for obtaining endometrial tissue that accurately reflects endometrial histopathology.

Adult↗

Testicular vein and peripheral vein testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin concentrations in a patient with androgen insensitivity syndrome.

Androgen insensitivity syndrome (testicular feminization) is classically diagnosed by history, physical examination, karyotype and ultimately exploratory laparotomy. In this case, the diagnosis was verified by amenorrhea, female phenotype, Barr body negative buccal smear, and finally, exploratory laparotomy which revealed bilateral abdominal testes. Testicular vein blood samples obtained at the time of surgery were analyzed for testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin and compared to peripheral vein blood samples. The testosterone concentration in the testicular vein was twice the concentration in the peripheral sample, reflecting gonadal function. The other testicular vein hormone concentrations mirrored the peripheral vein concentrations.

Adolescent↗

An assessment of obstetric services in Mississippi.

Seven hundred and six (80.6% response rate) obstetricians, family physicians, and general practitioners responded to a survey designed to elicit information regarding their obstetric practice. Results of the study were compared to a similar survey conducted in 1985. The proportion of obstetricians offering obstetric care has remained relatively constant since 1985. Among family physicians and general practitioners, however, there was a significant decrease in the proportion who practice obstetrics (p < .01), and a significant increase in the proportion who have discontinued obstetric practice in the last five years (p < .01) and who plan to discontinue obstetric care in the next five years (p < .05). Consistent with the 1985 data, cost of malpractice insurance, threat of litigation, and time demand were the three most frequently reasons for discontinuing obstetric care. Without changes in the current system, the provision of obstetric care in rural areas will continue its current dramatic decline.

Adult↗

The relationship of ovarian steroids, headache activity and menstrual distress: a pilot study with female migraineurs.

Fourteen female volunteers who met diagnostic criteria for migraine headache monitored their headache activity and menstrual distress symptoms for one menstrual cycle. Serum estradiol and progesterone levels, and menstrual distress measures were collected at four points of the menstrual cycle: menstrual, ovulatory, luteal and premenstrual. Results indicated that one patient (7.1%) had menstrual migraine, 10 patients (71.4%) had menstrually-related headache and 3 (21.4%) had migraine headache unrelated to their menstrual cycle: subsequent analyses were conducted with the first two groups. Headache activity for the sample was highest during the premenstrual phase. Headache activity during the luteal and premenstrual phases was related to luteal phase progesterone levels. Menstrual distress was highest during the menstrual and premenstrual phases of the cycle, and these symptoms were related to higher estradiol levels, higher estradiol/progesterone ratios, and increased headache activity. These results indicated that for women with menstrual migraine or menstrually-related migraine, luteal progesterone and estradiol and the estradiol/progesterone ratio may be significantly related to menstrual distress during the premenstrual phase of the cycle. The estradiol/progesterone ratio was not more related to headache or menstrual distress than either of these ovarian hormones alone. Suggestions for future research in this area are offered.

Adult↗

Acute urinary retention due to a free-standing broad ligament leiomyoma.

A 38-year-old woman who had used oral contraceptives continuously since age 22 presented with acute urinary retention. Physical examination revealed a bladder outlet obstruction due to a large paravaginal/broad ligament mass. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated that the mass was separate from the uterus which was confirmed at surgery when an isolated free-standing leiomyoma was removed.

Adult↗

A randomized comparison of secondary closure and secondary intention in patients with superficial wound dehiscence.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether secondary closure or secondary intention results differ with respect to time for complete healing and number of postoperative visits in patients with superficial wound dehiscence. METHODS: A randomized trial involved 33 obstetric and gynecologic patients at the University of Mississippi Medical Center who experienced superficial wound dehiscence. Subjects were assigned to secondary-closure or secondary-intention groups. The two groups were similar in age, absolute body weight, percent ideal body weight, length of the primary surgical procedure, estimated blood loss at the primary surgical procedure, portion of the would that opened, preoperative hemoglobin concentration, and preoperative hematocrit. RESULTS: Patients randomized to secondary closure required a mean (+/- standard deviation) of 17.6 +/- 7.2 days from dehiscence to complete healing, whereas those assigned to secondary intention required 61.2 +/- 35.8 days (P less than .001). The secondary-closure group required a mean of 2.0 +/- 0.7 postoperative visits, compared with 8.4 +/- 6.2 visits in the secondary-intention group (P less than .001). CONCLUSION: Secondary closure of superficial wound dehiscence is superior to healing by secondary intention.

Adult↗

Unscheduled hospital admission following ambulatory gynecologic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To identify causes of unscheduled admission following ambulatory gynecologic surgery. METHODS: We compared each patient admitted on an unscheduled basis with two patients who did not require admission. Thirty demographic and clinical factors were evaluated by univariate analysis. Significant factors (P less than .05) were then analyzed using multivariate stepwise logistic regression. RESULTS: During a 4-year period, 90 patients required unscheduled admission. This represented 3.64% of 2470 patients who underwent ambulatory gynecologic surgery. Factors associated with admission by multivariate analysis included: 1) previous abdominal surgery, 2) significant medical illnesses, 3) preoperative hemoglobin concentration, 4) general anesthesia, 5) procedure length, and 6) blood loss. Sensitivity was 60.0%, specificity was 90.6%, and the overall correct rate of prediction was 80.4%. Postoperative emesis, the most common reason for unscheduled admissions, occurred in 23.4% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Previous abdominal surgery and significant medical illnesses are factors that cannot be altered preoperatively. The need for general anesthesia, procedure length, and blood loss are functions of the procedure and cannot be easily modified. Postoperative emesis may warrant further investigation. Successful antiemetic therapy may reduce unscheduled admissions.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

Treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancy with methotrexate.

Medical treatment is appropriate for patients with an unruptured tubal pregnancy who wish to preserve fertility or have medical problems associated with increased risk of anesthesia. Patients with persistent trophoblast after conservative surgery should be treated with methotrexate rather than undergo a repeat surgery. All nine of our patients with ectopic pregnancies who were treated with MTX were cured with one course of therapy. Little toxicity was observed and subsequent reproductive performance after medical treatment was comparable to that reported in the literature. Direct injection of MTX into an ectopic pregnancy under sonographic control provided an option for treatment which required little anesthesia, reduced the amount of drug and allowed the treatment of a gestation which would otherwise not be considered a candidate for the 3 dose intramuscular injection protocol (see Table 3).

Female↗

Extraovarian Brenner tumor.

Extraovarian Brenner tumors are exceedingly rare. Only four cases of extragonadal tumors have been reported in women, and three cases in men. We describe an extraovarian Brenner tumor discovered incidentally in the broad ligament at vaginal hysterectomy.

Brenner Tumor↗

Alcoholism in women.

Women differ from men in their drinking patterns and in the biologic consequences of alcohol use. Women more often drink at home and conceal their drinking behavior. Because women have a higher percentage of body fat and a lower percentage of body water than men, the same amount of alcohol causes more severe toxic effects in women than in men. Heavy alcohol consumption in women is associated with gynecologic dysfunction and fetal alcohol syndrome. Depression, anxiety or other psychiatric illness is also common in women alcoholics. Family physicians should be alert to the subtle behaviors that suggest alcoholism and be familiar with the available community resources and treatment options.

Alcoholism↗

Oral contraceptive pills. Part I: Formulations, selection and common side effects.

Development of hormonal contraception as a safe and effective means of birth control has evolved during the past 50 years. The first effective oral contraceptive pill was Enovid which was introduced by Searle in 1960. Now, low-dose OCP are the most popular reversible method of contraception. Some 50 million women worldwide and 10 million in the United States utilize them. Understanding effectiveness, side effects, complications, and benefits has led to substantial changes in these preparations. Part II of this article will be printed in the future. It will address serious complications and health benefits.

Adolescent↗