S Afr J Surg
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in the treatment of myofascial pain dysfunction.
The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) plus conservative therapy (ibuprofen, bite plate, self-physiotherapy) on myofascial pain dysfunction (MPD) was determined. A single-blind trial as done in 10 patients with MPD with subthreshold TENS (frequency 35 Hz, pulse width 100 milliseconds, modulation 50%) compared with sham TENS at 8 visits over 14 weeks. ⋯ A highly significant effect was seen for time (F = 4.80, P = 0.0003) but not for TENS. Subthreshold TENS did not increase the symptom relief produced by conservative treatment with the protocol used.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Postoperative management of hypothermia of intra-operative origin--experience with a forced-air convective warming device.
Hypothermia develops during the intra-operative period partly as a result of disordered thermoregulation induced by anaesthesia, and partly because of the nature of the operation or injury and the surgical environment. Both the hypothermic state and the consequences of physiological attempts to return the core temperature to normal, which take place during the postoperative period, are associated with non-beneficial effects. ⋯ This study evaluates the performance of a new device, the forced-air convective warmer, in the management of the postoperative hypothermic state. Results show that the device made a significant difference to the thermal state of a group of hypothermic postoperative patients when compared with a hypothermic control group, but only if used for at least 2 hours after the operation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Penetrating stab wounds of the chest--when should chest physiotherapy commence? A comparative study.
In an effort to optimise the physiotherapy management of patients with penetrating stab wounds to the chest, 26 male patients, aged between 18 and 30 years, were randomised to one of two groups on admission to Hillbrow Hospital. The patients in group I received chest physiotherapy immediately after insertion of the intercostal drain, while patients in group II received chest physiotherapy 9-12 hours after insertion of the drain as is currently the normal hospital procedure. Mean duration of intercostal drainage in group I was 40 hours and that in group II 65.92 hours. ⋯ There was a significant difference in the duration of hospitalisation between the two groups, this being shorter in group I than in group II. The prevalence of spiking temperatures was also significantly lower in group I than in group II, since only 2 patients in group I but 8 patients in group II developed a spiking temperature (P = 0.0207). This study suggests that an aggressive approach of immediate chest physiotherapy in these patients has definite beneficial results.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Occlusive versus semi-open dressings in the management of skin graft donor sites.
In a prospective, randomised study we compared the efficacy of a new occlusive dressing (Granuflex-E) with a semi-open dressing (tulle gras) in the management of skin-graft donor sites. The study examined 10 patients with burns, each with two donor sites. ⋯ One donor site was dressed with Granuflex-E and the other with tulle gras. The sites dressed with the occlusive dressing healed significantly faster and were more comfortable than the sites with the semi-open dressing.