Compressed air injury of the colon, a case report.

A case of compressed air injury to the bowel resulting in large bowel perforation necessitating resection is presented. The mechanism of injury is discussed and the attention of health care delivery personnel is drawn to this new type of industrial accident in Nigeria. The need for education of the workers handling compressed air appliances in a developing country like Nigeria is emphasized.

Postoperative pain relief by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

In prospective, random assignment of 2 groups of 15 patients, relief of postoperative pain with narcotic medications was evaluated and compared with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for 2 days immediately following surgery. Presence of ileus and hospital stay were identical in both groups. Patients on TENS demonstrated a marked significant decrease in the amount of narcotics administered. There was favorable nursing, physician and patient acceptance to these devices. Further clinical evaluation is, therefore, in progress.