PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Robert A Strauss

Publications and source records attributed to Robert A Strauss.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

The use of non-nutritive sucking to decrease the physiologic pain response during neonatal circumcision: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to study the effects on the physiologic pain response of the neonate during circumcision with the use of a gloved human finger. STUDY DESIGN: This was a randomized controlled trial analyzing the effect of non-nutritive sucking (NNS) on pain response during circumcision. Term neonates were randomized to 2 groups. All infants received oral Tylenol and a dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) before the circumcision. The study group was offered the addition of NNS before the DPNB and throughout the procedure. The primary outcome measured was heart rate during the circumcision. Other variables studied included crying time and salivary cortisol levels. Each circumcision was filmed to calculate pain profile scores using the Premature Infant Pain Profile. Variables were compared using Student t test, chi-square, and Wilcoxon test. A P value of < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Forty-four infants met inclusion criteria. Twenty-two infants were randomized to each arm. No difference in mean heart rate during the procedure was apparent. A significant decrease in crying time, 90-minute post-procedure salivary cortisol level, and post-penile clamping pain score was noted in the study group (all P values < .01). CONCLUSION: NNS significantly decreases some elements of measurable physiologic pain response of the neonate during circumcision. This method is a useful and inexpensive addition to DPNB and oral analgesics.

Circumcision, Male↗

Diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis from self-obtained vaginal swabs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the concordance between vaginal fluid Gram stains and pH obtained at speculum exam with similar stains and pH prepared from self-obtained vaginal swabs. METHODS: Using vaginal fluid Gram stain, 129 pregnant women were screened for bacterial vaginosis at 24 to 29 weeks' gestation. Two smears were collected from each woman during the same prenatal visit: the first was prepared from a self-obtained vaginal swab and the second from a physician-obtained speculum examination. Vaginal pH was recorded for each swab. Kappa coefficient was used to quantify agreement between the two sets of results. RESULTS: When compared with the physician-obtained smear, the ability of the self-obtained Gram stain to diagnose bacterial vaginosis had a sensitivity of 77%, specificity of 97%, positive predictive value of 71% and negative predictive value of 97%. There was substantial agreement (weighted kappa=0.82) between the two techniques in the ability to determine the grade of vaginal flora. CONCLUSION: When compared with physician-obtained vaginal smears, self-obtained smears have substantial agreement in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis.

Adolescent↗

Omphalocele: clinical outcomes in cases with normal karyotypes.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to examine neonatal outcomes in karyotypically normal cases of omphalocele with respect to mode of delivery, presence of associated anomalies, presence of extracorporeal liver, and method of abdominal wall closure. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed 36 cases of omphalocele with delivery at University of North Carolina Hospitals between 1988 and 2001. Elective terminations and pregnancies resulting in miscarriage before 20 weeks' gestation were excluded. RESULTS: Perinatal mortality rate was 19%. Rate of composite neonatal morbidity was 25%. Associated major anomalies were present in 11 (31%) cases and were associated with increased neonatal mortality. Cesarean deliveries were performed in 21 (58%) cases and were not associated with increased primary closure rates or decreased neonatal morbidity and mortality. Extracorporeal liver was present in 27 (75%) cases and was associated with decreased rates of primary closure but did not affect neonatal outcome. CONCLUSION: In cases of ongoing omphalocele, perinatal mortality rates are low in the absence of associated anomalies or genetic defects. Intracorporeal liver was not associated with increased rates of associated anomalies or was it associated with increased neonatal morbidity or mortality.

Abdominal Wall↗

Lasers in contemporary oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery has included the use of lasers since the 1960s. Over the past few decades, the use of lasers among oral and maxillofacial surgeons has grown dramatically. Their evolution within the specialty not only has enhanced current surgical options for treatment, but also contributed to a variety of new procedures that are now commonplace in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The management of patients with sleep apnea, temporomandibular joint derangements, dental implants, premalignant lesions, and posttraumatic facial scarring has improved significantly with the advent of laser surgery. As the number of laser systems grows and their technology becomes more advanced, a thorough understanding regarding the principles of their use is paramount to providing safe and effective patient care.

Cicatrix↗

A randomized trial comparing vaginal misoprostol versus Foley catheter with concurrent oxytocin for labor induction in nulliparous women.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intracervical Foley catheter with concurrent use of oxytocin versus vaginal misoprostol for labor induction in nulliparous women. Nulliparous women with Bishop score <6 who presented for labor induction were randomized to either 25 microg vaginal misoprostol every 4 hours followed by oxytocin, if indicated, or intracervical Foley catheter with simultaneous use of oxytocin. Among the 162 patients enrolled, 79 (49%) received misoprostol and 83 (51%) received Foley/oxytocin. We were unable to demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the misoprostol group and Foley/oxytocin group in the incidence of cesarean delivery (35% versus 29%; p = 0.37). The induction-to-delivery time was significantly shorter in the Foley/oxytocin group (18 versus 24 hours; p < 0.01). No differences in intrapartum complications, neonatal outcomes, or maternal morbidity were found. When compared with vaginal misoprostol, intracervical Foley catheter combined with oxytocin has a similar efficacy and safety profile for labor induction in nulliparous women. Foley/oxytocin results in a shorter induction-to-vaginal delivery time compared with misoprostol.

Administration, Intravaginal↗

Gastroschisis: the effect of labor and ruptured membranes on neonatal outcome.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between labor and ruptured membranes on the neonatal outcome of infants with gastroschisis. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the outcomes of 60 neonates who were prenatally diagnosed with gastroschisis and who were delivered at the University of North Carolina Hospitals between June 1989 and April 1999. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at delivery was 36 weeks. Four infants (7%) died in the neonatal period, and 19 infants (32%) had a major morbidity. No significant differences appeared in any of the neonatal outcomes when they were stratified by the presence or absence of labor and presence or absence of ruptured membranes. After being controlled for confounding variables, the risk of neonatal death or major neonatal morbidity because of exposure to either labor or ruptured membranes was no different than the risks caused by no labor or intact membranes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Labor and ruptured membranes do not appear to be associated with increased neonatal morbidity or mortality rates in neonates with gastroschisis.

Adolescent↗