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Biomedical subjects

R P Clifford

Publications and source records attributed to R P Clifford.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Injuries sustained during major evacuation of the high-speed catamaran St Malo off Jersey.

The difficulties and injuries sustained during the emergency evacuation of 308 passengers and crew from the fast passenger catamaran M.V. St Malo are described. The vessel had hit a rock off Jersey and was listing severely. Fifty-three passengers were injured, 32 requiring hospital admission; one with a myocardial infarction and 31 with musculoskeletal injuries. Eighteen patients required operation for severe lower limb injuries. Increased numbers of emergency exits and the introduction of evacuation chutes to this type of twin-hulled vessel are recommended.

Accidents↗

Plate fixation of open fractures of the tibia.

The results of immediate plate fixation of 97 open fractures of the tibial shaft in 95 patients are reported. Significant joint stiffness occurred in 11.4% and angular malunion of greater than 5 degrees in any plane was seen in 3.1%. The infection rate was 10.3%. However, even in those cases which develop delayed union or other complications, plate fixation of open fractures can produce excellent recovery of limb function.

Adolescent↗

Complications of external fixation of open fractures of the tibia.

Forty-two cases of open fractures of the tibia treated by external fixation are presented. Forty-three per cent of patients developed sepsis around one or more pins. Pin track sepsis occurred in 78 per cent of cases involving transfixion pins through muscle and bone but in only 17 per cent of cases using transcutaneous half-pins. Malalignment of more than 5 degrees in any plane was seen in 38 per cent of cases, almost half of which increased in plaster after removal of the fixator.

Adolescent↗

Traumatic rupture of the pericardium with dislocation of the heart.

Isolated rupture of the parietal pericardium with herniation of the heart may occur following closed injury of the chest. Such a case is presented here. Clinical suspicion should be aroused by the presence of low cardiac output with localizing signs of cardiac displacement. X-ray films of the chest may reveal important clues and provide an indication for cardiac angiography, which may be diagnostic.

Angiocardiography↗