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Biomedical subjects

I H Thomas

Publications and source records attributed to I H Thomas.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

PIS and DRGs: coding inaccuracies and their consequences for resource management.

Accurate information is important for the successful implementation of the Resource Management Initiative and the NHS White Paper. A review of 153 joint replacements performed in a three-month period in Leicester showed that 24 per cent of 139 procedures for which medical notes were available had been given incorrect Diagnosis-Related Groupings (DRGs). Of these, 64 per cent could be ascribed to errors in allocating OPCS-3 codes and 36 per cent to errors in converting OPCS-3 codes to DRGs by computer. It is of concern that inaccurate information may in future be used to allocate resources. The resource implications of assiduous quality control of recording, coding and computing is pointed out, and it is suggested that improved classification systems should be assessed for use in the NHS.

Diagnosis-Related Groups

Function after partial pelvic resection for Ewing's sarcoma.

Seven patients with Ewing's sarcoma of the pelvis were treated by chemotherapy followed by wide resection of the primary tumour. Although good function after operation is possible, survival in this series reflects the poor prognosis associated with the disease; two patients died, two are alive with local recurrence and metastases and three patients are alive with no evidence of disease.

Adolescent

The Gruca operation for congenital absence of the fibula.

An alternative to Syme's amputation for congenital absence of the fibula is described in this paper. Nine children have had the ankle reconstructed using the Gruca technique with a very satisfactory result in eight. This procedure is not suitable for every patient and in most unilateral cases the operation can only be regarded as an interim procedure because of progressive leg-length inequality. The decision to remove the foot may be delayed and it allows childhood to be spent without resort to prostheses. However, the procedure can be considered as the definitive operation in cases of bilateral deformity.

Amputation, Surgical

A prospective trial of prophylactic povidone iodine in lacerations of the hand.

A series of 418 patients with lacerations of the hands were allocated randomly to a control group or to a group where the injury was treated with povidone iodine before suture. The incidence of infected and imperfectly healed wounds was determined seven days later. As well as the effect of povidone iodine on infection, thirteen other factors were also analysed. The overall infection rate of 5.0% and the 38.5% imperfect healing rate were not significantly affected by povidone iodine treatment, although both were reduced. The figures of four other trials were combined with this trial and this showed a significant effect of povidone iodine treatment. There were no adverse reactions to povidone iodine. It is therefore recommended that hand lacerations should be treated with povidone iodine prior to suture. Other factors found to be significantly important in wound infection or imperfect healing were the condition of the dressing, the part of the hand injured and pain. Patients should be strongly advised to keep their dressing clean and dry.

Adolescent

Giant cell reparative granuloma of the humerus.

A 14-month-old girl presented with a fracture through a giant cell reparative granuloma of the distal humerus. This is the first report of such a lesion in a long bone in childhood. Following curettage, the lesion healed with full restoration of elbow function and normal growth.

Diagnosis, Differential

Avascular necrosis after open reduction for congenital dislocation of the hip: analysis of causative factors and natural history.

We analysed the causative factors and natural history of avascular necrosis (AVN) after open reduction of 87 dislocated hips. AVN was observed in 37% of the hips, yet open reduction did not appear to contribute to the development of AVN and its prevalence was similar in hips treated by open or closed reduction in our institution. Only 45% of hips with AVN had a good late result. More containment procedures were required if AVN had occurred. Premature physeal closure was one late manifestation of this complication, which occurred following apparent partial AVN changes.

Acetabulum