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Biomedical subjects

N P Coleman

Publications and source records attributed to N P Coleman.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Reducing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) patient exposure by infection control measures.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the effectiveness of infection control measures (pre-admission screening and patient segregation) on reducing in-patient exposure to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective case-control study in a district general hospital. All admissions to 3 wards over an 83-month period from September 1995 to July 2002 inclusive (a total of approximately 34,000 patients). Outcome measures were a statistical analysis of the difference in numbers of new cases of MRSA colonisation or infection between the 3 wards. RESULTS: There was a statistical significance in incidence of new MRSA cases between the ward with active infection control measures in place and the control wards. CONCLUSIONS: The described infection control measures reduced the exposure of patients to MRSA. This reduces the risk of MRSA infection, which is of importance in orthopaedics, and has further benefits that may also be applied in other surgical specialties.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2001

Treatment of unstable distal radial fractures by intrafocal, intramedullary K-wires.

Displaced distal radial fractures with extensive dorsal comminution and plastic cancellous deformation are unstable and frequently cause treatment problems since there is no single, reliable method of treatment, notably in osteoporotic bone. We present a method of holding unstable distal radial fractures with blunt ended K-wires via intrafocal and intramedullary insertion, so modifying the Kapandji technique. Wires were placed dorsally, radially and when necessary from the volar direction depending on fracture configuration. Over a 7-year period (1992-1999) we treated 102 patients with unstable distal radial fractures in this way. Of these, 80 were followed up for 6-42 weeks according to clinical need and scored radiologically and functionally using modified Lidstrom scoring system. Results showed that 92 and 95% of these patients achieved good or excellent results in these scoring systems, respectively. We present this as a useful and reliable method of treating these common fractures, particularly in osteoporotic bone.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The musculoskeletal manifestations of Werner's syndrome.

Werner's syndrome is a rare condition usually presenting as premature ageing in adults. Over a period of 30 years we have followed two siblings with extensive musculoskeletal manifestations including a soft-tissue tumour, insufficiency fractures, nonunion and tendonitis, with associated problems of management. The literature is reviewed.

Female↗
PubMed1992

Failure of acetabular cups influenced by marker wire anchorage.

Failure of an acetabular cup is uncommon and has been attributed to wear or creep, trauma or bony irregularities in the acetabulum. We report ten cases in which fracture of the cup occurred at the site of drill holes used to anchor the marker wire. The role of such indentations as stress raisers has not been previously reported; we suggest that deep indentations or grooves should not be placed in the most highly stressed areas and that the cup thickness should allow for predicted wear rates.

Acetabulum↗
PubMed1991

Technical aspects of the use of the Russell-Taylor reconstruction nail.

The introduction of the reconstruction nail has broadened the indications for the intramedullary fixation of difficult femoral fractures. The operative technique is, however, complicated. Some technical difficulties encountered during its use are presented, together with guidance to allow these problems to be avoided.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Tension-band fixation of olecranon fractures. A cadaver study of elbow extension.

The loss of extension produced by tension-band wiring was studied using cadaveric elbows. Extension loss was found to be due to impingement of the longitudinal wires against the humerus independent of the tension band. Reducing the size of the bent end of the longitudinal wire is recommended, and bending the wire into a loop achieves this. In addition, passing the tension band through the loops prevents the wire from backing out.

Bone Wires↗
PubMed1991

Accuracy and completeness of orthopaedic computer audit.

The completeness of data contained in a microcomputerized audit system has been compared with the operating theatre record book. The computerized audit system contained details of only 63% of the operations performed. Of the missing patients, 52% had never been completed. There were no failures of the computer system itself. Serious deficiencies in the methods of data entry were found and methods are described to overcome these deficits. The collection of audit information requires a disciplined approach and close supervision by a designated member of the surgical team.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗