South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde
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Uncertainty exists regarding the immunological consequences of vasectomy and the long-term effects of the operation on the hormonal status, genital organs and tract of man. The information available from the literature is summarized. The evidence favours the safety of vasectomy in the human male.
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Review Case Reports
High-voltage electrical injury. A case report and review of the literature.
A 25-year-old Black man was exposed to an 11 000 V electrical injury. The rapid development of neurogenic pulmonary oedema, haemolysis and disseminated intravascular coagulation is outlined. The importance of early prophylaxis and treatment in order to decrease the high morbidity associated with high-tension injury is stressed. A review of the literature follows.
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Adult respiratory distress syndrome is being recognized more frequently as a complication of a number of conditions. The causes, pathophysiology, pathology, clinical manifestations and management are reviewed in this article. The use of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and super-PEEP is discussed. The value of measurements of mixed venous oxygen partial pressure (PVO2) in the treatment of respiratory failure, especially in the presence of high inspired oxygen tensions, is explained and emphasized.
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Review
Anaesthesia for caesarean section. An updated review of its special problems and their management.
We have attempted to update a previous review of the hazards and problems confronting the mother, fetus and anaesthetist at caesarean section. A recent survey of obstetric anaesthesia within the Republic and South West Africa indicates that a significant proportion of anaesthetic services for midwifery are provided by non-specialist practitioners in hospitals outside major population centres. We believe that both mothers and their infants will gain from the careful perusal by their doctors of this review.
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The morbidity and mortality of illegal abortion are briefly discussed with reference to South Africa, where it seems that 1 in every 8-10 pregnant women deals with an unwanted pregnancy in this way. A review of the literature regarding legal abortion has been undertaken, detailing mortality and morbidity with various methods in many countries. The medical problems resulting from a permissive abortion policy have been highlighted, and an attempt has been made to define the place of medically induced abortion in health services, as it is understood by countries with extensive experience in this field. It is hoped that this contribution will help to define the real issues in the current abortion debate in South Africa.