ABSTRACT
Previous studies have shown that bismuth subgallate added to gauze swabs in tonsillectomy reduces the time to achieve haemostasis and probably reduces the risk of postoperative haemorrhage. All these studies have used bismuth subgallate in combination with adrenaline. In this randomised clinical study we investigated the effect of bismuth subgallate alone. A total of 204 patients were randomised into two groups. One hundred and six patients had swabs with bismuth subgallate. In the control group (n = 98), plain swabs were used. Operating time time to achieve haemostasis, peroperative blood loss, and incidence of postoperative haemorrhages were recorded. There were no significant differences between the two groups. We conclude that the evidence for using bismuth subgallate as a haemostatic agent in tonsillectomy is weak. The effect observed in previous studies can probably be ascribed to the effect of adrenaline.
Subject(s)
Bismuth/administration & dosage , Gallic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Hemostasis, Surgical , Hemostatics/administration & dosage , Organometallic Compounds/administration & dosage , Tonsillectomy , Administration, Topical , Adolescent , Female , Gallic Acid/administration & dosage , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
In a ten year period from 1986-95 433 patients were submitted to operation due to benign tumours in the parotid gland in Copenhagen County. In this study we made a retrospective analysis of the surgical outcome. The incidence was calculated to be 6.8 benign tumours in the parotid gland per 100,000 persons per year. The histological distribution showed a frequency of 54% pleomorphic adenomas, 28% adenolymphomas and 18% other tumours. In the observation period there was a 3% recurrence rate in our material, most frequently the pleomorphic adenoma. The risk of permanent damage to the facial nerve was 1% for severe injury and 3% for affection of the ramus marginalis. Frey's syndrome was present in 50% of the patients, moreover the syndrome was observed many years after surgery. The frequency rate reached its highest level about five years postoperatively.
Subject(s)
Adenolymphoma/epidemiology , Adenoma, Pleomorphic/epidemiology , Parotid Neoplasms/epidemiology , Adenolymphoma/pathology , Adenolymphoma/surgery , Adenoma, Pleomorphic/pathology , Adenoma, Pleomorphic/surgery , Adult , Denmark/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Parotid Gland/surgery , Parotid Neoplasms/pathology , Parotid Neoplasms/surgery , PrognosisABSTRACT
A 67-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis was hospitalized because of dysphagia and severe nodulosis. Over a two-year period the patient had been treated with methotrexate. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck showed a 2 x 2 cm large tumour behind the top left lateral thyroid cartilage. A biopsy taken during direct laryngoscopy showed it was a rheumatic nodule. Treatment with colchicine reduced the patient's dysphagia. As methotrexate is used increasingly in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and as this particular drug causes rheumatic nodules in five to 10 per cent of the patients, it must be foreseen that the incidence of nodules in the upper airways will increase.
