Exposure method of operative wounds

Without the use of dressings, there was very little postoperative wound infection among clean surgical cases. The infection rate rose only with the severity of contamination and infection of the operative fields during surgery. The authors strongly recommend the practice of non-dressings in the Philippines, especially in charity government hospitals considering mainly the savings in economy besides the other advantage of easy wound inspection and conservation of time and personnel. (Author)

Changing trends in bacterial flora and sensitivity patterns among surgical patients with open wounds

Clinical effectivity of an antibacterial cannot be based on in-vitro sensitivity tests. What has been attempted in this paper is to show a change in bacterial flora from one period of time to another, with the change in the topical antibacterial agent used. What has also been shown is a distinct change in the sensitivity of organisms to one antibiotic (framycetin), concomitant with the shift to another topical agent (mafenide). Staphylococcus aureaus has been shown to be senstive to nitrofurazone; while gram-negative organisms, resistant. (Summary)

Study of the effect of .5. silver nitrate on Filipino burn patients

1. During a six-month study period, silver nitrate was tried out on sixteen Filipino patients who had suffered deep second and third degree burns2. Burn cultures showed predominantly Staphylococcus and rarely Pseudomonas3. Out of nine blood cultures, only one was positive4. There were no cases of frank septicemia5. Some patients tended to have low serum sodium and chloride6. The advantages of silver nitrate seen were the prevention of Pseudomonas overgrowth and development of septicemia, the conservation of epidermal remnants with consequent prevention or reduction of areas requiring grafting, and the abolition of the usual odor of burn patients7. Some disadvantages encountered were staining, big volume of dressing material, voluminous quantities of silver nitrate, huge load on time and personnel, and need for electrolyte monitoring and salt supplementation8. Silver nitrate should not be routinely used in all cases and should be reserved for more extensive and deeper burns. (Summary)

Philippine experience with Sulfamylon in thermal trauma

The results of a pilot study of the use of Sulfamylon on 55 burn patients accumulated during a six month period are presented. Bacteriologic data, from the burn wound and blood, shows a changing pattern from the previous year. Findings in this study are essentially similar to experience of others from abroad. The evidence gathered here seems to show that there is nothing to prevent Sulfamylon from being an effective and useful adjunct in the treatment of burns in the Philippines. (Summary)

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome

The first locally reported case of Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome in a Filipino male was presented. He complained of bilious vomiting, a history of weight loss, spasmodic epigastric pain, and a history of peptic ulcer disease. An initial trial of medical management was unsuccessful and necessitated definitive surgery that led to a relief of symptoms. The diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome was confirmed by radiologic findings of partial obstruction at the third portion of the duodenum, dilated proximal duodenum delay in emptying of the duodenum and straight line cut-off at the point of obstruction. A literature review of the causative factors, diagnosis and treatment was presented

Preoperative phlebotomy

This report of 56 surgical patients serving as a blood donor has shown that it can be done on Filipinos and has shown the usefulness as well as the safety of such a procedureMinimum requirements before a subject is bled have been enumarated. (Summary)

Clinical study of the use of oral pentazocine for postoperative pain among Filipinos

117 postoperative patients were studied, in a double-blind fashion, comparing the analgesic effects as well as untoward side reactions of oral pentazocine and placebo. There was a total of 314 treatmentsComparisons of analgesics efficacy were made using the incidence of responses in each group at four different periods of observationIncidence of side effects was also compared between the three groups using three levels of severityDetermination of statistical signficance between proportions was accomplished using the Z test. (Summary)