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Biomedical subjects

M E Schafer

Publications and source records attributed to M E Schafer.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Immediate unrestricted feeding of infants following cleft lip and palate repair.

Postoperative feeding regimens after cleft lip and palate repair continue to be a controversial issue. This study was designed to test the feasibility of immediate unrestricted feeding after lip and palate closure with attention to operative outcome or complications. A retrospective analysis of two feeding protocols involved 80 infants with both unilateral and bilateral defects. Protocol A utilized tube and syringe feedings, and protocol B utilized unrestricted bottle or breast feedings. There were no instances of lip or palate wound complications in the unrestricted group. We conclude that immediate unrestricted feeding may be instituted safely, thus improving and simplifying postoperative management after cleft lip and/or palate repair.

Bottle Feeding

Iliac versus cranial bone for secondary grafting of residual alveolar clefts.

Secondary bone grafting of the maxilla in the mixed transitional dentition stage has become a well-accepted procedure in the surgical protocol for rehabilitation of patients with residual alveolar clefts. This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the long-term results obtained with iliac or cranial cancellous bone graft material in the area of alveolar clefts and was based on the independent experience of two plastic surgeons from the same center using exclusively cranial or iliac cancellous bone, respectively. The criteria for surgery were similar. The surgical technique, with the exception of the bone-grafting material, also was similar, and all patients were treated by the same group of orthodontists. Fifteen patients from each group, from a total of over 100 patients, were randomly selected and included in the study. All patients were followed up from 18 to 60 months. Operative and perioperative parameters, donor-site morbidity, and long-term results were evaluated, compared, and analyzed. There were no significant differences between the two groups, and equally good results in terms of bone incorporation, tooth eruption, and appearance were obtained with both iliac and cranial bone grafts. We conclude from our study that successful bone grafting is primarily achieved by adherence to meticulous surgical technique, simultaneous closure of coexisting oronasal or palatal fistulae, use of cancellous bone particles only, and coverage of the grafts with well-vascularized flaps. The source of bone graft does not seem to primarily influence the success of the outcome.

Alveolar Process

Tissue expansion for the reconstruction of burn defects.

Tissue expansion has emerged recently as an alternative reconstructive procedure and has been used for the treatment of a variety of defects. This paper presents our experience with the use of tissue expansion exclusively for the treatment of secondary burn defects. The technique was used in 22 consecutive patients. The technical aspects of the procedure are described. The advantages of tissue expansion, including the superior quality of reconstruction, cost effectiveness, and absence of donor site scar are presented. The disadvantages, including the need for two stages, multiple office visits, its application for relatively small defects, and the objectionable temporary appearance, are discussed. Finally, patient selection, and refinements of the technique and tailoring of the expanded flaps to achieve the best possible reconstructive and esthetic results and limit the possibility of complications are discussed.

Adolescent

Factors affecting the choice of preamplification for ultrasonic hydrophone probes.

This paper gives a systematic analysis of the effects of including an integrated (built-in) preamplifier into the ultrasonic piezoelectric probes (hydrophones) that are finding increasing use in biomedical applications. The design parameters considered include the end-of-cable sensitivity, gain, dynamic range, power supply requirements, construction intricacy, and cost. The rationale behind the inclusion of a preamplifier is given, and it is shown that the additional complexity introduced with the preamplifier into the measurement chain may not be warranted in all applications. Both the drawbacks and advantages of hydrophone preamplification are demonstrated, especially for the case of high pressure amplitude ultrasonic field measurements. Guidelines are developed for the potential user to identify the need for preamplification and the factors that influence the selection of the appropriate circuitry.

Amplifiers, Electronic

Congenital embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the hand and Apert's syndrome.

A unique case of congenital embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the hand in a patient with Apert's syndrome is presented. Immediately after birth a 1 cm soft, bluish mass of the right thenar eminence was clinically diagnosed as a hemangioma. Several months later when the lesion started rapidly enlarging the nature of the tumor was identified, and it was treated with a multidisciplinary approach that included surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Acrocephalosyndactylia

Craniofacial surgery. Its evolution and application.

Craniofacial surgery is a relatively new subspecialty that offers correction for many complex congenital, traumatic, and tumor-related deformities of the head and face. An experienced and extensive craniofacial team is imperative to the long-term success of a craniofacial surgery program. A greater awareness of the syndromes and deformities involved, and of the corrections possible, leads to earlier diagnosis, appropriate early care (sometimes life-sustaining), and the establishment of proper long-term treatment plans.

Acrocephalosyndactylia

Brain malformations in linear nevus sebaceous syndrome: an MR study.

A case is presented of a 16-year-old girl who had unilateral linear nevus sebaceous syndrome and ipsilateral brain malformations. These consisted of unilateral megalencephaly, white matter hypoplasia and excessive gray matter, deficient sulcation, and focal areas of pachygyria of the frontal lobe best seen on magnetic resonance imaging.

Adolescent