Issue - Southern Medical Association

Editorial

Use of Sedatives and Hypnotics Prescribed in a Family Practice

ABSTRACT: The subsequent misuse and abuse of sedatives and hypnotics prescribed to 190 patients of the family practice program at the Medical University of South Carolina was investigated by medical record abstract and patient interviews. Results indicated little misuse and no abuse, with most respondents indicating they took fewer doses…

Primary Article

Effect of Hickman Catheters on the Self-Esteem of Patients With Leukemia

ABSTRACT: Hickman right atrial catheters are useful in providing prolonged access for chemotherapy. Their presence does alter body image, however, and the maintenance of catheter patency during periods of outpatient care demands patient cooperation and participation. To determine whether the alterations in body image and life-style brought about by catheter…

Primary Article

Differential Diagnosis of Medullary Sponge Kidney

ABSTRACT: The diagnosis of medullary sponge kidney (MSK) is usually made as an incidental finding on pyelogram. The essential abnormality of this condition is a “paintbrush” appearance of the calyces due to the presence of contrast within dilated collecting ducts. Since the radiologic features are similar to those of papillary…

Primary Article

Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Cholelithiasis: The Association in Patients With an Ileostomy

ABSTRACT: Sixty-nine patients were evaluated prospectively by sonography and history to determine the presence of cholelithiasis. Sixteen patients (23%) had a positive diagnosis. A control group was also prospectively evaluated. We have determined that patients above age 50 with a permanent ileostomy are at statistically significant risk of having cholelithiasis,…

Primary Article

Staphylococcal Bacteremia: Current Patterns in Nonuniversity Hospitals

ABSTRACT: We studied 390 consecutive episodes of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in the four nonuniversity hospitals of one metropolitan area between 1977 and 1981. Overall mortality was 31%, with 52% of deaths being attributed to the infection. The 4.9% incidence of recognized endocarditis was lower than that previously reported. Although 41%…

Primary Article

Management of Abdominal Wall Clostridial Myonecrosis: The Role of Total Gastrointestinal Diversion

ABSTRACT: We report the successful management of two patients with abdominal wall gas gangrene and emphasize the principles of proximal gastrointestinal diversion and the initial use of 100% fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2). Each patient lacked an abdominal wall and intractable fistulas developed. Complete diversion of their gastrointestinal tracts at…

Primary Article

Intraoperative Antibiotic Irrigation as Prophylaxis in Abdominal Hysterectomy: A Preliminary Report

ABSTRACT: A preliminary report regarding the use of an intraoperative, intraperitoneal antibiotic solution in patients having transabdominal hysterectomy reveals that the postoperative morbidity assessed by the diagnosis of cuff cellulitis or pelvic abscess was 4.7%. This morbidity represents a substantial reduction in the incidence of cuff cellulitis (27.0%) noted in…

Primary Article

Intra-articular Calcified Bodies: Detection by Computed Arthrotomography

ABSTRACT: We used computed tomography (CT) in six cases to detect and localize intra-articular calcified bodies after double-contrast arthrography and pneumoarthrography. The cases consisted of one wrist, three ankles, and two knees. In one knee, one wrist, and two ankles, CT scanning after double-contrast arthrogram or air arthrogram accurately diagnosed…

Primary Article

Abdominal Colectomy With Ileorectal Anastomosis

ABSTRACT: From 1980 to 1983, 20 patients had abdominal colectomy with primary ileorectal anastomosis. Fourteen operations were elective and six were emergency. Elective indications included familial polyposis (five), inflammatory bowel disease (four), colon cancer associated with multiple polyps (four), and colon cancer associated with diverticulosis and a history of massive…

Primary Article

Right Atrial Rupture Due to Blunt Chest Trauma

ABSTRACT: Violent injury currently accounts for the majority of deaths among young people. Cardiac trauma is responsible for 15% of deaths from thoracic injury, and the incidence of cardiac injury in blunt chest trauma is as high as 76% in some clinical series. Many of these cardiac injuries consist of…

Primary Article

Comparison of Two Prostaglandins Used to Terminate Midtrimester Pregnancy

ABSTRACT: One of the most widely used methods of pregnancy termination has involved the use of prostaglandin drugs. Vaginal suppositories containing prostaglandin E2(PGE2) have been used successfully by many investigators. Because of problems with a long delay between induction and abortion, as well as minor side effects, other prostaglandin agents…

Primary Article

Efficacy of Bromocriptine Versus Breast Binders as Inhibitors of Postpartum Lactation

ABSTRACT: Fifty postpartum patients were randomly given either bromocriptine (2.5 mg by mouth b.i.d. x 30 doses) or breast binders for inhibiting lactation. The breast binder group had a high incidence of symptoms (breast pain, engorgement, secretion) for the first week postpartum; these symptoms rapidly decreased by the second week….

Primary Article

Regression Analysis in Medical Research

ABSTRACT: Even the most respected medical journals continue to publish articles containing unwarranted conclusions, which thus appear validated. This often results from the unfamiliarity of medical investigators with statistics leading to improper study design, data collection, analysis, and presentation. The increased use of multivariate analysis adds to the perplexity of…

Primary Article

Pediatricians Attitudes Toward Maternal Employment and Substitute Child Care

ABSTRACT: In 1979 more than 54% of women with children less than 18 years old were in the labor force. The purpose of this study was to study the attitudes of pediatricians toward maternal employment and substitute child care arrangements. To survey their attitudes toward maternal employment and substitute child…

Review Article

The Umbilical Cord: Care, Anomalies, and Diseases

ABSTRACT: The umbilical cord is the lifeline of the fetus and of the neonate in the first few minutes after birth. Care of the cord and stump in the immediate neonatal period varies according to social, cultural, economic, and geographic factors. Measures taken to insure sterility in cutting, tying, and…