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To facilitate the delivery of fluids during labour, obstetric anaesthetists from Coventry designed a triple IV peripheral connector with a central high-flow anti-reflux valve. This connector, now rightly known as the Coventry valve, can be used for all theatre settings and is especially useful in obstetrics, ICU, HDU and orthopaedics. More details on www.mediplus.co.uk
Surgery to treat men with prostate cancer is often followed by months of difficulty controlling urine flow, a condition known as urinary incontinence. But new research suggests that this problem may go away more quickly if the men perform certain exercises to strengthen their pelvic floor muscles.
Researchers from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, found that men who were taught how to perform pelvic floor exercises before and after surgery were more likely to have regained continence three months later.
Men Doing Pelvic Exercises Recover Earlier
In the current study, the researchers randomly assigned 38 men scheduled for radical prostatectomy to either a treatment group or a control group. The men in the treatment group were referred to a physical therapist. They were instructed how to do Pelvic Floor Exercises both before and after surgery, using biofeedback to ensure they were using the proper muscles. The control group did not receive any formal instruction. All of the men completed questionnaires regarding bladder function at regular intervals over the next year.
Overall, 82% of the patients had regained continence (defined as not needing to use any absorbent pads) by the end of the year, including about equal numbers in both groups. But on average the men who had been educated about Pelvic exercises regained continence about one month earlier than those in the control group (at 12 weeks vs. 16 weeks).
Most of the men who did not regain continence within a year were still using at least three absorbent pads a day, indicating continued severe incontinence. The study authors explained that these men probably had extensive damage to the bladder sphincter or severe dysfunction of the bladder after surgery, and the exercises alone were unable to compensate for this.
But the exercises seemed to be effective. Pelvic floor exercise and education initiated prior to surgery is an effective noninvasive intervention useful for improving early return of urinary continence, the authors concluded. It would certainly have a positive impact on our patients undergoing radical prostatectomy in an effort to improve quality of life after major urological surgery.
The results of the study were published in the Journal of Urology (Vol. 170, No. 1: 130-133)
When foreign organisms such as bacteria enter the body, the immune system sends white blood cells to fight the infection. This causes swelling (inflammation) at the site of infection and the death of nearby tissue, creating a hole called a cavity, which fills with pus to form an abscess.
This video shows Prof Dan Reinstein, MD MA(Cantab) FRCSC DABO FRCOphth FEBO performing a ReLEx SMILE keyhole LASIK procedure using the latest surgical instrument that he helped to develop (Malosa MMSU1297 - Reinstein Lenticule Separator: http://www.malosa.com/en/reinstein-le...). This instrument enables the procedure to be performed with one instrument, through one 2mm incision, using only one sweep per plane, and taking about 30 seconds to separate and withdraw the lenticule, improving day 1 uncorrected vision over other lenticule extraction techniques that require more corneal manipulation.
A new well designed randomized study has suggested that long term baby aspirin usage may aid in fight against cancer. The suggested mechanism is that cancers induce inflammatory responses so the anti-inflammatory mechanism of prostaglandins inhibitors may cease the progress of many cancers. There are some concerns about the study because despite the well-designed randomized study; the study didn't include a satisfying number of female participants. The study was also conducted on esophageal, colorectal and lung cancers.
There many concerns and questions about how a breast augmentation procedure works. Dr. Linder a highly qualified plastic surgeon based in Beverly Hills, demystifies those worries. Dr. Stuart Linder is a Beverly Hills board certified plastic surgeon, specializing in body sculpting and reconstructive procedures including breast augmentation, reduction, lift, liposuction and tummy tuck. He is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is affiliated with the American College of Surgeons, the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and the American Medical Association. Website: www.drlinder.com
CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure, is a treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep the airways open. CPAP typically is used by people who have breathing problems, such as sleep apnea. CPAP also may be used to treat preterm infants whose lungs have not fully developed.
What Happens During an Erection?
In order to attain an erection, messages from the brain and other sense organs trigger the arteries of the penis to dilate. This allows an increased amount of blood to flow into three columns of spongy tissue in the penis.
As the arteries supplying blood to the corpus spongiosum and to the two larger columns, the corpus cavernosa, become filled with blood; the penis grows and becomes rigid. Pressure of the engorged tissue against the veins in the penis effectively traps blood within the penis until climax is reached or the sensation wanes.
What Are Penile Implants?
Impotence, or the inability to attain or maintain an erection, can be caused by a disruption at any stage in this process. Several types of penile implants are available that create an artificial erection. Two common types of implants are the semi-rigid malleable rod and the inflatable implant.
•The semirigid malleable rod is usually made of plastic with a core of flexible wire. These rods can be bent down to conceal the penis under clothing or raised to form an artificial erection.
•The inflatable implant is more complex and involves several working parts: a reservoir of fluid that is implanted into the abdomen, a pump system located in the scrotal sac near the testes, and two inflatable cylinders.
How Penile Implants Help Erectile Fuctioning
In order to attain an erection, the scrotal pump must be squeezed repeatedly to propel fluid into the penile cylinders. When an erection is no longer desired, a release valve is pressed on the side of the pump and the cylinders deflate.
Before Having Penile Implant Surgery
Persons considering these types of implants should speak with their physician or healthcare professional about possible risks and complications.
Rhabdomyolysis is a condition in which damaged skeletal muscle (Ancient Greek: rhabdomyo-) tissue breaks down rapidly (Greek –lysis). This damage may be caused by physical (e.g. crush injury), chemical, or biological factors. Breakdown products of damaged muscle cells are released into the bloodstream; some of these, such as the protein myoglobin, are harmful to the kidney and may lead to kidney dysfunction. The severity of the symptoms (which may include muscle pains, vomiting and confusion) depends on the extent of the muscle damage, and whether kidney failure develops. The mainstay of treatment is generous intravenous fluids, but could include dialysis or hemofiltration.
Rhabdomyolysis and its complications are significant problems for those injured in disasters such as earthquakes and bombing. Relief efforts in areas struck by earthquakes often include medical teams with skills and equipment for treatment of survivors with rhabdomyolysis. The disease and its mechanisms were first fully elucidated during the Blitz of London in 1941.
Tongue and lip-tie are common causes of nipple pain, uneven breast drainage, slow weight gain and low milk supply. Many physicians do not properly assess for tongue or lip-tie or recognize their impact on the breastfeeding relationship, leaving babies vulnerable to early weaning. Ultrasound studies have shown that the tongue movements used by tongue-tied babies are qualitatively different from those used by by babies who are not tongue-tied. These movements are not as effective at removing milk from the breast and can cause significant pain and nipple damage. In these studies, tongue-tied babies also did not draw the nipple as deeply into the mouth as babies who were not tongue-tied.