An objective outcome measure in reduction mammaplasty.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adult↗
Biomedical subjects
G V Scerri
Publications and source records attributed to G V Scerri.
Initial plastic surgery experience with the first telemedicine links for the British Forces.
In January 1998, the first telemedicine link for the British Defence Medical Services was established between the British military hospital in Sipovo, Bosnia and the Royal Hospital Haslar, the main triservice hospital in the UK. Further links were established later in the year. These simple links use a high-resolution digital camera, the Olympus C1400L and the C1400XL, to capture still images. These are then transmitted without loss of definition as electronic mail attachments to obtain specialist opinions in plastic surgery as well as in radiology, dermatology, orthopaedics, urology, ophthalmology, general medicine, maxillofacial surgery and pathology. Its use is illustrated by representative case reports from the first 11 referrals from Sipovo and elsewhere to the Plastic Surgery Department at Haslar. This system is suitable for use within both a military and a civilian context, anywhere in the world. It can readily be adapted for use by general practitioners and hospital doctors to facilitate referrals to plastic surgery departments.
Humans↗
What do plastic surgeons do?
The image of plastic surgery as portrayed by the media is of concern to all plastic surgeons. In order to assess knowledge about the specialty, a questionnaire was devised and given to five groups of participants: general practitioners, medical students, nurses, plastic surgical out-patient attendees, and the general public. The results revealed that general practitioners, nurses and medical students in the Cambridge area are, on the whole, knowledgeable about the role of plastic surgery. However, the general public are not so well educated and 23.7% of them could not think of five conditions treated by plastic surgeons, and felt that burns and cosmetic problems were the commonest conditions dealt with. Improved liaison with general practitioners, other specialties and more teaching of undergraduates, coupled with more effective promotion of the skills on offer might permit better use to be made of the specialty.
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice↗
Munchausen's syndrome--masquerading as necrotizing fasciitis.
We would like to present a novel form of Munchausen's syndrome which presented us with a difficult problem in the midst of the recent media hysteria regarding flesh eating bacteria. This condition, first described by Richard Asher in 1951, is often very difficult to diagnose and it is not, therefore, surprising that the victims have been through several episodes of treatment before the suspicions of staff are raised. It owes its name to a fictitious character, Baron Karl Friedrich Hieronymus Freihess von Munchausen, who recounted extraordinary and wildly exaggerated exploits of adventure and daring, not unlike patients who present with this condition. Our enquiries revealed that the laid down procedure when faced with a patient with this condition is that the regional medical officer (RMO) should be contacted. It is then his responsibility to contact other RMOs, who in turn pass the information on to accident and emergency consultants in their area.
Adult↗
A flap for segmental loss of a digital nerve. The Venkataswami flap revisited.
The use of a V-Y advancement flap for reconstruction of a volar/lateral soft tissue defect in a digit involving segmental loss of the neurovascular bundle of up to 10 mm at middle phalangeal level is described. This flap allows immediate reconstruction with primary repair of the nerve and gives good functional results. Two cases are presented.
Adult↗
The goalkeeper's fear of the nets.
The soccer goalkeeper is particularly prone to injuries of the hands. We report three cases in which soccer goal-posts were the cause of a hitherto unrecorded type of accident, which resulted in severe ring avulsion injuries requiring surgical amputation or replantation. In each case the injury occurred when a ring worn by the goalkeeper caught on one of the hooks by which the netting is attached to the goal-posts. Proposals made for the prevention of such injuries include increased awareness through education, discouragement of the wearing of rings during sporting activities and the redesign of the attachment systems of goal nets.
Adolescent↗
Burn injuries in boating accidents.
We report a series of burn injuries sustained on boats and admitted to Stoke Mandeville Hospital over a 4-year period. Nine patients are presented, aged between 27 and 65 years. Total body surface area burned ranged from 1.5 to 83 per cent. The causes of the injuries, and the factors leading to the accidents which caused them, are discussed. Interviews with a number of private boat owners and hirers revealed an inadequate level of fire and safety precautions taken. There is at present no legal requirement for private boats to carry five fighting equipment. We believe there is a need for definition of the minimum legal level of such equipment to be carried on board. Increased awareness of correct fuel storage and handling requirements is felt to be important, especially with the increasing popularity of boating as a leisure and sporting activity.
Accident Prevention↗
First dorsal metacarpal artery flap cover for extensive pulp defects in the normal length thumb.
Use of the first dorsal metacarpal artery flap to cover extensive pulp defects in the normal length thumb in five patients is described. The advantages of the procedure include provision of sensate cover of exposed distal phalanx to the tip of the thumb with minimal donor site morbidity. Its use, particularly in the older patient, with immediate postoperative mobilisation and the avoidance of nerve repair or more complicated microsurgical procedures, is discussed.
Accidents, Occupational↗
Burns following cigarette lighter fluid abuse.
Seven patients with burns associated with butane cigarette lighter fluid abuse, in a group setting within an enclosed space, are presented. In all patients there was a reluctance to admit that butane vapour was in use as an intoxicant immediately prior to the injury. It is obvious from the circumstances of these injuries that the hazardous nature of cigarette lighter fluid is not fully appreciated. Since the resultant injuries are usually minor (all patients recovered spontaneously with conservative management, the hospital stay averaging 2 days), it is probable that many more occur, but do not present to accident departments as the victims are wary of repercussions should they admit to intoxicant vapour abuse. In view of the medical sequelae that can follow butane inhalation, burns unit staff should be aware of the problems, their recognition and treatment.
Adolescent↗