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2.
Br J Plast Surg ; 56(5): 498-503, 2003 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12890465

ABSTRACT

Painful split-skin-graft donor sites remain a common problem for patients. We undertook a prospective randomised trial to examine the comparative comfort and ease of care of two different donor-site dressings. One dressing is the alginate Kaltostat, the standard plastic-surgical dressing in the UK and abroad, and the other is the adhesive retention tape Mefix, a novel use of a readily available dressing. We randomised 50 patients requiring split-skin grafts to receive either alginate (Kaltostat) or retention (Mefix) donor-site dressings. Dressings were assessed by interview and questionnaire at 24, 72 h and 2 weeks, and by wound review at 2 weeks. Retention dressings were found to be more comfortable, required less nursing intervention and allowed patients easier mobility with a greater range of daily activities, especially washing, without compromising wound healing. We recommend adhesive retention dressings as cost-effective comfortable dressings, which readily conform to any donor site.


Subject(s)
Bandages/standards , Pain, Postoperative/prevention & control , Skin Transplantation/methods , Activities of Daily Living , Adhesives , Alginates , Glucuronic Acid , Hexuronic Acids , Humans , Occlusive Dressings/standards , Pain Measurement , Pain, Postoperative/nursing , Patient Satisfaction , Postoperative Care/nursing , Postoperative Care/standards , Prospective Studies , Skin Transplantation/rehabilitation , Wound Healing/physiology
3.
Clin Exp Metastasis ; 19(8): 651-63, 2002.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12553370

ABSTRACT

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic growth factor with a key role in many physiological and pathological processes. Investigation into the implications of circulating levels of this cytokine is progressing at an exponential rate. However, there are important inconsistencies between reports ranging from method of sample collection, processing, software manipulation and data interpretation and controversy as to whether plasma, serum or whole blood will provide the best prognostic information. Different techniques of centrifugation and temperature on sample handling and the impact of in vitro collection of blood on subsequent VEGF results have not been fully appreciated. We provide a critical review of the literature, report the results of our further investigations, suggest a uniform protocol for handling blood samples and highlight previously unsuspected problems in data interpretation.


Subject(s)
Endothelial Growth Factors/blood , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/blood , Lymphokines/blood , Neovascularization, Pathologic , Neovascularization, Physiologic , Blood Specimen Collection/methods , Hematocrit , Humans , Platelet Count , Prognosis , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
4.
J Wound Care ; 10(2): 23-6, 2001 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-12964224

ABSTRACT

The Internet and the World Wide Web have revolutionised communication and provide a unique forum for the exchange of information. It has been proposed that the Internet has given the public more access to medical information resources and improved patient education. This study assessed the impact of the Internet on the availability of information on wound care management. The search phrases 'wound care', 'wound healing' and 'wounds' were analysed using a powerful Metacrawler search engine (www.go2net.com). Web site access was classified according to the target audience (wound-care specialists, other health professionals, patients) and the author (societies, institutions or commercial companies). The largest proportion of web sites were commercially based (32%). Of the total number, 23% specifically targeted patients, mostly by advertising. Only 20% were aimed at wound specialists. Extensive surfing was required to obtain wound-care information, and objective information sites were under-represented. Regulated, easily accessible, objective information sites on wound-healing topics are needed for improved patient education and to balance the existing commercial bias.


Subject(s)
Information Storage and Retrieval/standards , Internet/standards , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Skin Care , Wounds and Injuries/prevention & control , Advertising , Bias , Health Services Needs and Demand , Humans , Industry , Periodicals as Topic , Societies, Scientific , Wound Healing
5.
Ann R Coll Surg Engl ; 82(4): 290-2, 2000 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10932668

ABSTRACT

A reliable method of securing drain tubing is presented. Knots made from two half-hitches have been used in the sailing world for many years. They provide a strong, slip-free knot which is simple to learn, tie, teach and easy to remove.


Subject(s)
Drainage/methods , Suture Techniques , Humans
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