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Biomedical subjects

R F Edlich

Publications and source records attributed to R F Edlich.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Efficacy of burned surface area estimates calculated from charts--the need for a computer-based model.

An accurate estimation of burn surface area is needed to correctly calculate initial fluid resuscitation, nutritional requirements, prognosis, and comparisons of treatment protocols among burn centers. The following experiment was conducted to test the accuracy of physicians compared to a computer-assisted method. Twenty-seven physicians were asked to estimate the per cent of burned surface area from an adult patient diagram. Physicians were found to consistently overestimate the percentage of burned surface area. The average physician estimate was 42% compared to 29.6% calculated by a computer-assisted program. The degree of error between physician estimates and actual TBSA burned is significant and may critically affect patient management. Additional benefits of computer assistance include a permanent record of injury, burn wound trend analysis, and meaningful statistics involving morbidity, mortality, and comparative treatment protocols among burn centers.

Body Surface Area↗
PubMed1985

Improving the accuracy of burn-surface estimation.

A user-friendly computer-assisted method of calculating total body surface area burned (TBSAB) has been developed. This method is more accurate, faster, and subject to less error than conventional methods. For comparison, the ability of 30 physicians to estimate TBSAB was tested. Parameters studied included the effect of prior burn care experience, the influence of burn size, the ability to accurately sketch the size of burns on standard burn charts, and the ability to estimate percent TBSAB from the sketches. Despite the ability for physicians of all levels of training to accurately sketch TBSAB, significant burn size over-estimation (p less than 0.01) and large interrater variability of potential consequence was noted. Direct benefits of a computerized system are many. These include the need for minimal user experience and the ability for wound-trend analysis, permanent record storage, calculation of fluid and caloric requirements, hemodynamic parameters, and the ability to compare meaningfully the different treatment protocols.

Body Surface Area↗
PubMed1985

Clinical syndromes caused by staphylococcal epidermolytic toxin.

Coagulase-positive staphylococci of phage group II produce an epidermolytic toxin that results in a spectrum of diseases that include localized bullous impetigo, generalized scarlatiniform syndrome without exfoliation, and staphylococcal scalded-skin syndrome (SSSS). The mechanism of action of the toxin occurs at the level of the lower stratum granulosum, resulting in intraepidermal cleavage. Generalized exfoliative dermatitis, or SSSS, is one of the most severe infections characterized by generalized epidermolysis with desquamation. Generalized scarlatiniform syndrome is an erythematous rash without exfoliation. A localized infection that results in a bulla larger than 5 mm in diameter is bullous impetigo.

Bacterial Toxins↗
PubMed1985

Lightning injuries.

Lightning causes more deaths than any other weather phenomenon. It is an electrical current that will choose the shortest paths between the contact points of the human body and may involve vital structures in its pathway. Almost every organ system can be injured by the electrical current of lightning. A broad spectrum of complications resulting from damage to the various organ systems has been reported. The sequelae peculiar to this specific type injury will dictate the choice of therapy.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1985

Electric burns of the oral cavity.

Low-voltage electric burns are the leading cause of electric burn injury in childhood and can result in an injury to the oral cavity that can heal with a noticeable deformity. The mechanisms of burn injuries to the oral cavity are either due to the electric arc or current or both. Electric burns of the oral cavity can involve the lip, tongue, mucous membranes, and underlying bone. Therapy for these injuries should include management of systemic sequelae and treatment of the local burn injury. Our therapeutic approach to this injury is dictated by the pathophysiology of the electric burn of the oral cavity.

Burns, Electric↗
PubMed1984

The trapezius musculocutaneous flap in head and neck reconstruction: potential pitfalls.

Defects resulting from bulky tumor resection of the head and neck region represent a reconstructive challenge. The trapezius musculocutaneous paddle flap based on the transverse cervical vessels is a useful tool for the reconstructive surgeon. Failure to recognize the variable anatomy is discussed in relation to other musculocutaneous flaps used for the purpose of head and neck reconstruction. The trapezius muscle has a variably located vasculature and diverse nomenclature. The knowledge of the variance of its anatomical vasculature is essential in the successful use of the trapezius musculocutaneous flap.

Arteries↗
PubMed1984

Surgical cautery revisited.

A new hemostatic scalpel has been developed to control bleeding between the cut edges of wound tissue. The scalpel blade resembles conventional scalpel blades, except that it can be heated and its temperature controlled within narrow limits. Cutting is accomplished by the blade's sharp edges, and hemostasis results from the direct transfer of heat from the blade to the tissue. This experimental study has demonstrated that the hemostatic effect of the scalpel is associated with damage to the tissue's defenses against infection and impaired wound healing.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Evaluation of a new hydrogel coating for drainage tubes.

The performance of silicone drains has been improved by coating their surfaces with a hydrogel polymer. This hydrogel is formed by reacting polyvinylpyrrolidone with an isocyanate prepolymer. By absorbing water, the hydrogel creates a drain surface with a low coefficient of friction. The results of this experimental study demonstrate that the surface coating reduces the adherence of blood clots to the drain and facilitates its removal from the wound. On the basis of these and other experiments, the Food and Drug Administration has allowed the use of hydrogel for coating surgical drains for use in patients.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Bacteriologic evaluation of electric clippers for surgical hair removal.

Clipper blade assemblies for electric clippers used repeatedly without sterilization demonstrated high levels of bacterial contaminations that are potential sources of infection. A technique of sterilization of the clipper blade has been reported that eliminates the exogenous bacterial contamination.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Epidemiology of flame burn injuries.

This study examines the epidemiology of flame burn injuries in 173 patients treated in four regional burn centres. During this study, recurring and predictable burn accident scenarios were found identifying who was being burned, the circumstances surrounding the burn injury, the burn victim's response to the flame burn situation and the role of garments in the burn injury. This data base should now provide a sound basis for targeted educational programmes on the population that is prone to burn injury.

Accidents↗
PubMed1984

Search for a nontoxic surgical scrub solution for periorbital lacerations.

The purpose of this study was to identify a skin wound cleanser that could be used safely to cleanse lacerations of the periorbital region. The irritation and toxicity to the eye of the commercially available skin wound cleansers were quantitated using numerical values and weights for the ocular lesions in experimental animals. Shur Clens did not elicit lesions in experimental animals or in a series of 20 patients with periorbital lacerations. On the basis of this study, Shur Clens is recommended as a safe skin wound cleanser for periorbital lacerations.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Evaluation of an emergency medical service referral system for burn patients.

It is the purpose of this report to examine the process of burn care of hospitalized burn patients in the Commonwealth of Virginia over a 21 month period. Eighty-nine per cent of the hospitals within the state participated in the study, the results of which provide a positive indication of the performance of our statewide emergency medical service referral system. This system was successful in redistributing patients, with the more severely burned patients being treated in the specialty burn treatment facilities. The process of burn care within the hospital setting was also consistent with the patient's severity of injury.

Burns↗
PubMed1984

Quantitation of skin-flap survival: a computer-based method.

We have proposed a standard scheme for presenting data on experimental skin flap survival in pharmacologic studies that will aid in comparing results. In addition, we have presented a method using desktop computer accessories for accurately measuring the area of any flap.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Puncture wounds.

Puncture wounds are common and challenging problems facing the physician. In general, puncture wounds can be classified into two distinct types. In one type a child usually sustains a puncture wound of the foot. The other group of puncture wounds occurs among hospital employees. These seemingly innocuous injuries may have serious sequelae that can be averted by prompt appropriate care of the wound. The fundamental trends of treatment of puncture wounds include cleansing the wound, debridement of any necrotic or devitalized tissue, and appropriate immunoprophylaxis.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1984

A user-oriented information system for emergency medicine.

A user-oriented Emergency Medical Services Information System ( EMSIS ) has been developed in our medical center that can readily be established by any interested medical center. This minicomputer based system provides online registration of poison center calls, access to the Poisindex (C) data base, concise patient information sheets, access to EMS treatment protocols, assistance in the differential diagnosis of acute poisoning, dosage recommendations for drugs with a narrow therapeutic margin, and kinetic analysis of drug overdoses. Video terminals access EMSIS in the Emergency Department, pharmacy, outpatient medicine clinic, pediatric clinic, medicine wards, poison control center, and biomedical engineering. A PDP 11/70 with 256 Kb core and 48 ports running under RSTS /E V7 .0 supports an average of 20 simultaneous users.

Computers↗