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Biomedical subjects

K M Ramakrishnan

Publications and source records attributed to K M Ramakrishnan.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Action of trypsin:chymotrypsin (Chymoral forte DS) preparation on acute-phase proteins following burn injury in humans.

A study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of trypsin: chymotrypsin (Chymoral forte DS) preparation on burn patients by analysing the changes taking place in serum acute-phase proteins. Serum proteins were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively for both control and enzyme-treated groups by the methods of Western Blot, ELISA and Turbidimetric assays. Furthermore, the trypsin inhibitory capacity (TIC) of the sera was also determined. Significant differences were observed between a control group of patients and a parallel group treated with trypsin: chymotrypsin preparation. During the first phase of burn wounds an initial rise was seen in C-reactive protein, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-macroglobulin and TIC in both the groups. In the following days, enzyme preparation inhibited the rise in C-reactive protein titres and enhanced the rise in alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-macroglobulin and TIC. The above studies clearly indicate that the changes in serum acute-phase proteins between the control and treated groups reflect the anti-inflammatory activity and hence the therapeutic efficacy of Chymoral forte DS.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1997

Management of partial-thickness burn wounds by amniotic membrane: a cost-effective treatment in developing countries.

Burns incidence in our country has been on the increase over the past two decades. Cost-effective management of burn wounds has become the prerogative as our annual budget for burn care is limited. We have used human amniotic membrane procured from HbSAg, HIV-seronegative mothers undergoing caesarean section as a temporary biological dressing on superficial and deep partial-thickness burns. The advantages of amniotic membrane cover are reduction in pain, early drying of the wound and epithelialization. This type of wound management has been used in 350 cases. It has reduced the number of days stay in hospital and the bulky dressings that are conventional. Considering the patient acceptability, reduced hospital stay and reduction in cost, we find that treatment of superficial and deep partial-thickness burns with amniotic membrane is ideal for a developing country.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Burns in Madras, India: an analysis of 1368 patients in 1 year.

Analyses were made of 1368 patients who attended Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Madras with burns between 1 May 1987 and 30 April 1988. Nine hundred and sixty-five patients were admitted, of whom 505 died. The peak age incidence was in young adults (11-30 years; 58.9 per cent of all burns). Three quarters of the patients came from the low family income group, 39.5 per cent were illiterate and 86.2 per cent of burns occurred in the home. Of those admitted 81 per cent of the injuries were flame burns; in 31.3 per cent the burn affected more than half of the body surface. Of the 505 deaths 94.8 per cent were the result of flame burns (at least 323 being caused by kerosene), and 20.4 per cent were suicide. Most of the deaths (91 per cent) occurred in the first 5 days. The urgent need for burn prevention in the Madras area is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Differentiation of keloid and hypertrophic scar; correlation of the water proton relaxation times with the duration of the scar.

Spin lattice relaxation times of water protons have been reported to correlate with the water contents of malignant as well as benign tissues. In order to investigate whether such a correlation exists in keloid and hypertrophic scars, T1 values of keloid and hypertrophic scars were measured using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and compared with that of normal skin. A linear correlation of the T1 values of the scars with their age was observed. Even though both the scars exhibited higher T1 values in the early stages of lesion, a faster return to the steady state level was observed in hypertrophic scars compared to keloids. It is suggested that the measurement of T1 values could serve to differentiate the two abnormal wound healing situations.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Electrical burns treated in an Indian hospital.

A 17-year survey of all electrical burns admitted to the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Madras between 1973 and 1990 has been made. A total of 8040 cases of burns were treated in this Department and in this group 923 were pure electrical burns. The majority of electrical burns occurred in the age group 20-40 years. Some of the clinical features of our electrical burns resembled closely those of a crush injury. Most of the patients required primary reconstruction and this was delayed when the viability of tissues was in doubt. Human error was responsible for the injury in 68 per cent of patients and all the 64 patients who were below the age of 10 years belonged to this group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Deepithelialized turnover flaps in burns.

Acute and chronic burns leave behind a full-thickness defect that always requires a flap cover. Such defects are common in electrical burn injuries of the limbs. This paper deals with 35 patients with full-thickness defects following burns in whom deepithelialized turnover dermis flaps and deepithelialized turnover flaps with deep fascia have been used. This flap is an extension of Hynes's reversed dermis graft and Smahel's deepithelialized turnover flap where there is a larger area of blood supply on the deeper aspect of the dermis. If a good hinge is provided for safe blood supply, such a flap settles well in the defect, and cumbersome multistaged procedures can be avoided. If there is less fatty tissue in the area of flap used, then reversed dermis flaps are ideal because split-skin graft take is good. When there is a lot of fatty tissue on the undersurface of dermis, the fascia is also included to make it a reversed fasciocutaneous flap to augment the blood supply and for better split-skin graft survival. Advantages of the procedure and complications are elaborated.

Arm Injuries↗
PubMed1988

Denervated palmaris longus tendon as a skeletal muscle transplant in circumferential pharyngoplasty.

The incidence of velopharyngeal incompetence (VPI) following cleft palate surgery is fairly high in our country. We have attempted to analyse the aetiology and then selected 50 cases of VPI from our group of operated cleft palates. These patients were then evaluated using cephalometry, speech rating, pressure studies and nasendoscopy. We identified 13 patients in whom there was incompetence due to failure of movement of the walls responsible for proper closure of the velopharyngeal port. In these patients we performed circumferential sling pharyngoplasty using denervated palmaris longus; since this procedure narrowed the port circumferentially. We re-evaluated these patients and the results have been gratifying. Speech rating improved and E.M.G. tracings after 6 months showed evidence of reinnervation of the Palmaris Longus.

Cephalometry↗
PubMed1986

The management of anaerobic infection in extensive burns.

A survey of 300 patients with burns covering more than 30 per cent of the body surface area indicated that 33 patients had proven wound infection with anaerobic bacteria and 11 patients showed positive blood cultures. Although metronidazole was the anti-bacterial agent of choice for treating these 33 patients, treatment was not always successful since 7 patients died. The most common sites of infection were the perineum and upper parts of the legs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Incidence of burn wound sepsis in 600 burned patients treated in a developing country.

Infection is the most important problem in the treatment of burns in a developing country. A burn compromises a major body protective mechanism, namely the skin. Hence, the susceptibility to local infection increases at these sites. The incidence of burn wound sepsis is very high in south India as the socio-economic conditions and the standard of personal hygiene are poor and the hot moist climatic conditions encourage bacterial growth. These three factors are rarely present in the temperate zone countries of Europe and North America. This study was undertaken to identify more clearly the factors that are responsible for the higher incidence of burn wound infection and to formulate methods of treatment which are appropriate for our patient population living in a tropical country.

Adolescent↗