Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
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J R Coll Surg Edinb · Jun 1993
Review Case ReportsAir-weapon crimes and accidents: a source of preventable injury.
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Conservative management of splenic injuries following blunt abdominal trauma is receiving increasing support following delineation of the role of the spleen in preventing infections. This report describes experience with the treatment of 215 consecutive cases treated between 1982 and 1989. A total of 38 patients underwent non-operative management (NOM), 16 splenorrhaphy, 16 partial splenectomy, 60 splenectomy with autotransplantation and 85 splenectomy alone. ⋯ No major complications were observed in the autotransplantation group; a good function and morphology of the re-implanted splenic tissue was always evident by radioisotopic, echographic and histological studies. A conservative approach should always be considered in splenic trauma. In cases where NOM, splenorrhaphy and partial resection are unsafe, splenectomy with autotransplantation should be considered as this simple and reliable technique allows preservation of splenic function.
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J R Coll Surg Edinb · Jun 1993
Comment Letter Comparative StudyPassive tube and suction drainage after elective cholecystectomy--a comparison using ultrasonography.
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J R Coll Surg Edinb · Apr 1993
Removal of metal implants after fracture surgery--indications and complications.
In a study of 297 internal fixation operations for fractures or joint injuries performed during 1982, a second operation for implant removal was undertaken in 42% of cases. Significant complications occurred following the second procedure in 19%. Implants which were retained did not give rise to appreciable problems. It is suggested that implants should only be removed when there are clear clinical indications for doing so.
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J R Coll Surg Edinb · Apr 1993
Review Clinical TrialCombined predeposit and salvage autotransfusion in elective aortic aneurysm repair.
In this study assessing the safety and value of the routine use of autotransfusion in elective aortic aneurysm surgery, the first 16 patients (control group) received homologous transfusion only, while the subsequent 38 patients (autotransfusion group) received a combination of predeposit and salvage autotransfusion (Solcotrans device). Between 1 and 3 units of blood were venesected preoperatively, and a median of 0.80 (0.20-2.75) litres of unwashed shed blood was salvaged and re-infused (48% of the measured blood loss). ⋯ There were no haematological or biochemical complications. Predeposit and salvage autotransfusion is simple and safe, and reduces banked blood requirement in aortic aneurysm surgery.