Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S J Key.
A simple method for the protection of the surrounding soft tissue during activation of a percutaneously ported distractor arm is presented. This reduces tissue damage, enhances patient compliance and could improve the overall success rate of the technique.
The use of pipe bombs by terrorist organisations around the world has risen dramatically. The pipe bomb is simple and easy to make and details of bomb construction are freely available from the Internet. Components can be found in most hardware stores and thus give little forensic information. Despite the increasing use of pipe bombs, clinicians may be unfamiliar with the type of injuries they cause. This paper describes two incidents of pipe bomb explosions and illustrates the type of injuries sustained by both terrorists and victims.
The use of topical desensitizing agents and the placement of superficial restorations at cervical margins are part of a conventional treatment plan for hypersensitive teeth. This case report describes a dental-phobic patient who employed a rather peculiar 'do-it-yourself' approach to alleviate the problems of hypersensitivity, by covering her teeth with a mixture of candle wax and 'household' glue.
Bilateral mandibular coronoid hyperplasia is a rare cause of restricted mouth opening. Diagnosis of the condition prior to general anaesthetic is essential, as oral intubation may be impossible. The reported case illustrates the role of computed tomography in assessment of the disorder and effective treatment by coronoidectomy.
The physiological and physical principles involved in the management of facial lacerations are reviewed. Because there have been no previously published descriptions of the actual problems encountered in clinical practice in A & E Departments, a prospective clinical survey of 100 consecutive patients with facial lacerations repaired by oral & maxillofacial house surgeons was undertaken and a series of lacerations was studied in detail. These included periorbital, nasal, labial and neck injuries. High magnification revealed irregularity of wound margins in almost all cases, frequent localised ischaemia, necrosis, localised dehiscence and infection or inadequate closure. Because all of these problems are likely to increase scarring and deformity, this study suggests the need for a re-appraisal of the management of facial lacerations, particularly in relation to local skin edge excision, prevention of infection, and the use of magnification during closure.
Patients are referred to hospital for dento-alveolar surgical procedures requiring supplemental corticosteroid administration. However, it has been reported that medically compromised patients who require routine dental treatment are being referred unnecessarily. This article reports a retrospective study undertaken at a Regional Maxillofacial Unit over a 24-month period, which reveals the referral pattern and management of patients specifically referred for outpatient dental treatment with corticosteroid supplementation. The paper highlights the dilemma confronting practitioners when reviewing the literature on corticosteroid supplementation and the confusion that still exists in both the primary and secondary care settings as to which patients should be prescribed supplemental corticosteroids. A simplified guide is proposed for the clinical management of these patients.
Historically, it has been a relatively simple matter to assess students' classroom performance via internally developed evaluations. However, procedures laboratory proficiency of a student has been grossly neglected and has often fallen prey to the subjectivity of the evaluator. Accurate evaluation of students in the laboratory setting requires use of an effective evaluation instrument. The evaluation format described in this article was developed to effectively evaluate and critique the student's proficiency in radiographic positioning.