An amputation is the removal of an extremity or appendage from the body. Amputations in the upper extremity can occur as a result of trauma, or they can be performed in the treatment of congenital or acquired conditions. Although successful replantation represents a technical triumph to the surgeon, the patient's best interests should direct the treatment of amputations. The goals involved in the treatment of amputations of the upper extremity include the following : Preservation of functional length Durable coverage Preservation of useful sensibility Prevention of symptomatic neuromas Prevention of adjacent joint contractures Early return to work Early prosthetic fitting These goals apply differently to different levels of amputation. Treatment of amputations can be challenging and rewarding. It is imperative that the surgeon treat the patient with the ultimate goal of optimizing function and rehabilitation and not become absorbed in the enthusiasm of the technical challenge of the replantation, which could result in poorer outcome and greater financial cost due to lost wages, hospitalization, and therapy.

This is the incredible moment a new-born baby arrived still inside its amniotic sac, completely intact. The tiny infant can be seen moving and stretching still inside the sac, as medics prepare to snip the new born free. The amniotic sac is a thin but durable membrane filled with fluid which helps keep a baby warm and safe from bumps during pregnancy. When it breaks, this is typically referred to as a woman's 'waters breaking' shortly before she gives birth. But in rare cases, less than 1-in-80,000 births, the baby is delivered with the membranes still intact and this is known as a 'caul birth'. Some babies are born with part of the membrane still attached to them, but to be born completely encased in the intact membrane is incredibly rare. Many people still believe the phenomenon to be a good omen for the child's infancy and it is has even been suggested, but not proven, that caul babies will always have a natural affinity for water. The video was taken in Spain on Saturday and captures the rare moment the baby was born with the membrane covering its entire body, just minutes after its twin was delivered normally.

Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) produces the symptoms of sore throat, fever, neck stiffness, and stridor. RPA occurs less commonly today than in the past because of the widespread use of antibiotics for suppurative upper respiratory infections. The incidence of RPA in the United States is rising, however. Once almost exclusively a disease of children, RPA is observed with increasing frequency in adults. It poses a diagnostic challenge for the emergency physician because of its infrequent occurrence and variable presentation.

A new procedure, laparoscopic hysterectomy, means there's no reason for a woman to undergo an invasive abdominal hysterectomy unless she has a severe medical problem. ~ Detroit Medical Center

In this video, Professor Dan Reinstein performs a bilateral LASIK procedure filmed in real-time to demonstrate the full 8 and-a-half minute procedure from multiple angles. The superior design and experience of the Carl Zeiss Meditec Visumax femtosecond Laser for flap creation is seen, where the patient is only in contact with the device for about 30 seconds with extremely low contract force such that the patient feels effectively nothing, there are no red splodges (subconjunctival haemorages) left behind. From the surgeons' standpoint there is no device that is easier to use or faster for LASIK flap creation. The Carl Zeiss Meditec MEL80 excimer laser portion of the procedure is seamlessly integrated and incorporates all the features that make clinical outcomes so reproducible including the unique cone-for-controlled-atmosphere (CCA) and high efficiency, high sensitivity calibration test which can be performed for each individual patient to compensate for minor changes in energy that occur with excimer laser devices during the course of a day.

For reference to the clinical outcomes for LASIK with the MEL80 in presbyopia using PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision see:

Reading glasses presbyopia (ageing eyes) only:
LASIK for presbyopia correction in emmetropic patients using aspheric ablation profiles and a micro-monovision protocol with the Carl Zeiss Meditec MEL 80 and VisuMax.
J Refract Surg. 2012 Aug;28(8):531-41. Reinstein DZ, Carp GI, Archer TJ, Gobbe M.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22869232

Short sighted, astigmatism and presbyopia (ageing eyes)
LASIK for Myopic Astigmatism and Presbyopia Using Non-Linear Aspheric Micro-Monovision with the Carl Zeiss Meditec MEL 80 Platform.
J Refract Surg. 2011 Jan;27(1):23-37. Epub 2010 Mar 1.
Reinstein DZ, Archer TJ, Gobbe M.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20205360

Long-sighted, astigmatism and presbyopia (ageing eyes)
LASIK for hyperopic astigmatism and presbyopia using micro-monovision with the Carl Zeiss Meditec MEL80 platform.
J Refract Surg. 2009 Jan;25(1):37-58. Reinstein DZ, Couch DG, Archer TJ.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19244952

For more information about laser eye surgery and PRESBYOND Laser Blended Vision, please contact the London Vision Clinic on 020 7224 1005.

A subdural hematoma is a collection of blood outside the brain. Subdural hematomas are usually caused by severe head injuries. The bleeding and increased pressure on the brain from a subdural hematoma can be life-threatening.

Ophthalmoscopy - Eye Clinical Examination - OSCE - Dr Gill

Direct Ophthalmoscopy use of the eyes is a very challenging clinical skill, incorporating both the examiner's knowledge of the retina, but also understanding the use of the ophthalmoscope

In this clinical skills tutorial, we look at the use of the direct ophthalmoscope as part of an ophthalmic examination

it should be noted that in the ideal circumstances, the room lights will be dimmed during the examination, and dilating eye drops used to improve the visualisation of the fundus

Some people may notice an ASMR effect from this clinical examination

#DrGill #Ophthalmoscopy #ClinicalSkills #EyeExam

An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. The resulting bulge can be painful, especially when you cough, bend over or lift a heavy object. However, many hernias do not cause pain.

An inguinal hernia isn't necessarily dangerous. It doesn't improve on its own, however, and can lead to life-threatening complications. Your doctor is likely to recommend surgery to fix an inguinal hernia that's painful or enlarging. Inguinal hernia repair is a common surgical procedure.

Your First Baby

The spleen is an organ in the upper far left part of the abdomen, to the left of the stomach. The spleen varies in size and shape between people, but it’s commonly fist-shaped, purple, and about 4 inches long. Because the spleen is protected by the rib cage, you can’t easily feel it unless it’s abnormally enlarged. The spleen plays multiple supporting roles in the body. It acts as a filter for blood as part of the immune system. Old red blood cells are recycled in the spleen, and platelets and white blood cells are stored there. The spleen also helps fight certain kinds of bacteria that cause pneumonia and meningitis.

There are several reasons that your doctor may recommend that you have your spleen removed. These include having: a spleen that’s damaged from injury an enlarged spleen or ruptured spleen, which can occur from trauma certain rare blood disorders cancer or large cysts of the spleen infection

Spina bifida is a type of birth defect called a neural tube defect. It occurs when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) don't form properly around part of the baby's spinal cord. Spina bifida can be mild or severe. The mild form is the most common.

The gastric balloon procedure (endoscopic intragastric balloon) leaves an inflated silicon balloon in the stomach for 6 months, making less room for food. As a result, patients: Feel full sooner while eating and therefore eat less. Lose about 30% of their excess weight in 6 months.

A breech birth occurs when a baby is born bottom first instead of head first. Around 3-5% of pregnant women at term (37–40 weeks pregnant) will have a breech baby. Most babies in the breech position are born by a caesarean section because it is seen as safer than being born vaginally.

During open-heart valve surgery, the doctor makes a large incision in the chest. Blood is circulated outside of the body through a machine to add oxygen to it (cardiopulmonary bypass or heart-lung machine). The heart may be cooled to slow or stop the heartbeat so that the heart is protected from damage while surgery is done to replace the valve with an artificial valve. The artificial valve might be mechanical (made of man-made substances). Others are made out of animal tissue, often from a pig.

Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes your body to excrete too much protein in your urine. Nephrotic syndrome is usually caused by damage to the clusters of small blood vessels in your kidneys that filter waste and excess water from your blood. Nephrotic syndrome causes swelling (edema), particularly in your feet and ankles, and increases the risk of other health problems. Treatment for nephrotic syndrome includes treating the underlying condition that's causing it and taking medications. Nephrotic syndrome can increase your risk of infections and blood clots. Your doctor may recommend medications and dietary changes to prevent these and other complications of nephrotic syndrome.

Narrated animation of stroke intervention. Video supplied by Covidien, showing the Solitaire mechanical thrombectomy device, which was the first FDA-approved device for such an indication.

Esophageal varices are abnormal, enlarged veins in the tube that connects the throat and stomach (esophagus). This condition occurs most often in people with serious liver diseases. Esophageal varices develop when normal blood flow to the liver is blocked by a clot or scar tissue in the liver. To go around the blockages, blood flows into smaller blood vessels that aren't designed to carry large volumes of blood. The vessels can leak blood or even rupture, causing life-threatening bleeding. A number of drugs and medical procedures can help prevent and stop bleeding from esophageal varices.

Ever considered getting laser eye surgery, but didn’t know how it worked? Allow us to help!

There are three different main types of laser eye surgery: LASIK, SMILE, and Surface Laser Treatments, and each can be explained pretty easily.

LASIK uses two lasers to open up a thin flap on the surface of the cornea, and then reshapes the cornea underneath. The flap is then placed back over the reshaped cornea, and heals independently with time.

SMILE uses one laser to reshape the cornea through a small, self-healing hole.

And Surface Eye Treatments remove the clear skin over the eye, to then reshape the cornea underneath with - you guessed it - a laser!