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Biomedical subjects

H H Sherk

Publications and source records attributed to H H Sherk.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Holmium:YAG laser arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint.

A new pulsed midinfrared laser has become available for use in arthroscopic surgery of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This article reviews holmium:YAG (yttrium-aluminum-garnet) laser physics, its tissue effects, and reports initial experience with its use in TMJ arthroscopy. Because the Ho:YAG laser can precisely and rapidly resect cartilaginous tissues with only moderate necrosis, can function in a saline environment, and can be transmitted through conventional optical fibers, it has the potential of becoming a useful and adaptable system for TMJ arthroscopic surgery.

Arthroscopy↗
PubMed1992

Laser arthroscopy.

Lasers have become widely used in several medical and surgical disciplines. In ophthalmology and plastic surgery, their use has permitted the development of therapeutic modalities that would have been otherwise impossible. In such specialties as gynecology and general surgery, lasers provide advantages that make certain procedures more convenient and easier to perform. In contrast, orthopaedic surgeons have, to date, been slow to accept these devices into the therapeutic armamentarium. The purpose of this paper is to describe the status of laser use in the orthopaedic subspecialty of arthroscopy.

Arthroscopy↗
PubMed1992

Accurate compartment pressure measurement using the Intervenous Alarm Control (IVAC) Pump. Report of a technique.

This study demonstrates the accuracy of a common, readily available pressure transducer system (IVAC pump) for the measurement of compartment syndromes. An in vitro assay was used to compare the accuracy of the IVAC pump manometer with the Hewlett-Packard monometer (HP78532B) and a miniaturized digital fluid pressure manometer (Stryker). The IVAC pump was accurate within 2.4 mm Hg difference of the HP78532B and Stryker manometers. Twenty-five patients suspected of having compartment syndrome posttibial fracture had compartment pressures measured using the IVAC pump. In all the patients, compartment syndrome was accurately assessed (positive in one case and negative in the remainder). The IVAC pump is readily available in most hospitals. It is easy to use and provides accurate measurements of compartment pressures.

Compartment Syndromes↗
PubMed1991

Treatment versus non-treatment of hip dislocations in ambulatory patients with myelomeningocele.

Thirty myelomeningocele patients with untreated hip dislocations who had functional quadriceps and good ambulatory capability were evaluated for hip pain, hip motion and sitting ability: they had no pain, good to excellent hip motion and no difficulty in sitting. Three were wheelchair-bound. Nine had a limb-length inequality requiring a shoe lift. They were compared with a similar series of 11 patients who underwent open reduction of a dislocated hip with a two-year follow-up. Two patients in this group had improved and three had worse sitting balance. Serious perioperative complications occurred in six patients. The authors conclude that surgical reduction of paralytic hip dislocations in ambulatory myelomeningocele patients is costly and offers little obvious benefit.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Contamination of operating room personnel during total arthroplasty.

The authors prospectively evaluated the degree of contamination to the operating room team during 60 consecutive total joint arthroplasties. Each member of the team was required to wear a hood, mask, protective eyewear, and shoecovers. At the conclusion of each procedure, all members were assessed in terms of degree and location of contamination. One hundred percent of the surgeons and first assistants were exposed. The face and eyewear were noted to be the area of greatest contamination. The authors found orthopedic surgeons to be at significant risk of contamination with blood and body fluids during total joint arthroplasty.

Blood↗
PubMed1979

Internal fixation versus nontreatment of hip fractures in senile patients.

Institutionalized senile patients with hip fractures have a high mortality regardless of whether treatment consists of internal stabilization or is non-operative. In an effort to select the best therapeutic approach in this type of patient, 150 patients were examined in 3 comparable groups. In the first group of 50 patients treatment consisted of surgical stabilization of the fracture. In the second group of 45 patients treatment was non-operative; mortality in these 2 groups was over 50% at the end of 16 weeks. In an effort to improve this degree of risk we transferred 53 patients from the psychiatric hospital to a general hospital for prompt internal stabilization of the hip fractures. There was a striking decrease in mortality to 28% in the third group. We have concluded that under optimal conditions, prompt surgical stabilization of hip fractures in elderly senile individuals offers them the best opportunity of surviving the injury and is preferable to nontreatment.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Kyphectomy in myelodysplasia.

The techniques used and results obtained in the surgical treatment of the kyphotic deformities of fourteen patients with paraplegia and myelomeningocele are presented. The best results were obtained by vertebral resection at the apex of the deformity, wiring together the facing vertebrae to promote interbody fusion, and correction and maintenance of the realignment with a Harrington distraction rod.

Child↗
PubMed1978

Vertebra plana and eosinophilic granuloma of the cervical spine in children.

Eosinophilic granuloma of the cervical spine in children is a rare lesion which presents both diagnostic and therapeutic problems. The report describes three additional cases. Open biopsy is recommended instead of attempted needle aspiration in children. Laminectomy is likely to result in spinal deformity, and is not advised unless a second stage fusion is planned. Radiotherapy is effective in controlling the lesion. The ultimate outcome is usually good.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Fractures of the odontoid process in young children.

We reviewed eleven patients less than seven years old with fractures of the odontoid process in an effort to establish a more standard form of treatment for the injury and to determine what complications, if any, occur as a result of fractures of the odontoid process in pediatric patients. Our study showed that children with odontoid fractures that are recognized and treated promptly usually do well. The fracture can usually be reduced by passive manipulation or by the "hanging head technique". Support in the reduced position for two to three months in a Minerva jacket or halo cast should be long enough to permit healing. Our study suggests that fractures of the odontoid process in young patients almost always heal.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1977

Treatment of severe rigid contractures of cerebral palsied upper limbs.

Flexion contractures caused by cerebral palsy in adult patients can become so rigid and so severe that skin breakdown and infection on the flexor surfaces of the palm and elbow can result. In 11 such patients we have utilized tendon resections, ray amputations, elbow resection arthroplasties and other techniques to correct deformities. Because improvement of hygiene and not functional rehabilitation was the goal in these patients, these aggressive measures could be utilized more freely than usual without fear of jeopardizing the patient's ability to use the hand post-operatively. Treatment of combined intrinsic and extrinsic contracture usually required resection of the sublimi and metacarpal head resection. Thumb-in-palm deformities were difficult to correct and required osteotomies of the first metacarpal or greater multangular resection. Elbow resection was useful in correcting flexion deformities of that joint but deformity recurred unless the biceps tendon was released as part of the procedure.

Cerebral Palsy↗
PubMed1976

Fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine in children.

Correct diagnosis of fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine in children requires an awareness of the pseudosubluxation and other normal variants noted in x-ray films of patients in this age group. Fractures of the odontoid process occur frequently and almost always can be treated by closed reduction and external fixation until union occurs. Fractures of the lower cervical spine are difficult to detect roentgenographically, and x-ray changes can belie the severity of soft tissue injury and cord trauma. Instability tends to persist in adolescent patients after cervical spine injury because of the combination of epiphyseal and posterior ligamentous disruption. Neoplastic, inflammatory, and congenital lesions render the cervical spine vulnerable to injury and can permit major damage to result from minor stress.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Lesions of the atlas and axis.

The atlas and axis support the head on the lower cervical spine while providing for considerable mobility in flexion, extension, rotation and lateral bending. The first two vertebrae also function as conduits for the cervical cord and vertebral arteries. Lesions of the atlas and axis, therefore, can cause instability with loss of support and encroachment on the upper cord and vertebral arteries, or less often stiffness with restricted motion. Congenital lesions of the occipito-cervical spine such as occipitalization of the atlas or accessory occipital vertebrae can constrict the upper cord with osseous, dural, or fibrous compression. Such encroachment on the cord at this level produces a varying array of clinical complaints and findings frequently difficult to interpret. Instability of the upper cervical spine can result from congenital, traumatic, inflammatory or neoplastic disruptions of the interlocking mechanism of the atlas and axis. Such factors as the loss of structural integrity of the dens or stretching or tearing of the transverse ligament can permit instability with cord involvement. Because of the serious potential of these lesions, patients with abnormalities of the atlas and axis require prompt recognition and treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Fractures of the proximal humeral epiphysis.

Displacements of the proximal humeral epiphysis at the epiphyseal plate result from extension injuries. The configuration of the epiphyseal plate and the thickness of the periosteum surrounding the epiphysis make slight to moderate displacements relatively stable injuries, which can be treated successfully with external support. In patients with more severe displacement, flexion, abduction, and slight external rotation of the distal fragment bring the metaphysis into alignment with the proximal fragment, correcting the anterior angulation. The thick periosteal sleeve attached to the physis through which the metaphysis tears out anteriorly has great potential for remodeling the persistant bowing that remains after healing of the fracture. Although shortening and residual angulation results from closed treatment are almost always good and open surgery is rarely indicated.

Adolescent↗