Stress-relaxation is a well-established mechanism for laboratory skin stretching, with limited clinical application in conventional suturing techniques due to the inherent, concomitant induction of ischemia, necrosis and subsequent suture failure. Skin defects that cannot be primarily closed are a common difficulty during reconstructive surgery. The TopClosure tension-relief system (TRS) is a novel device for wound closure closure, providing secured attachment to the skin through a wide area of attachment, in an adjustable manner, enabling primary closure of medium to large skin defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the TopClosure TRS as a substitute for skin grafting and flaps for primary closure of large soft tissue defects by stress-relaxation. We present three demonstrative cases requiring resection of large to huge tumors customarily requiring closure by skin graft or flaps. TRS was applied during surgery serving as a tension-relief platform for tension sutures, to enable primary skin-defect closure by cycling of stress-relaxation, and following surgery as skin-secure system until complete wound closure. All skin defects ranging from 7 to 26 cm in width were manipulated by the TRS through stress-relaxation, without undermining of skin, enabling primary skin closure and eliminating the need for skin grafts and flaps. Immediate wound closure ranged 26 to 135 min. TRS was applied for 3 to 4 weeks. Complications were minimal and donor site morbidity was eliminated. Surgical time, hospital stay and costs were reduced and wound aesthetics were improved. In this case series we present a novel technology that enables the utilization of the viscoelastic properties of the skin to an extreme level, extending the limits of primary wound closure by the stress-relaxation principle. This is achieved via a simple device application that may aid immediate primary wound closure and downgrade the complexity of surgical procedures for a wide range of applications on a global scale.

To diagnose COPD, your doctor will probably do the following tests: Medical history and physical exam. These will give your doctor important information about your health. Lung function testsLung function tests, including an FEV1 test. These tests measure the amount of air in your lungs and the speed at which air moves in and out. Spirometry is the most important of these tests. Chest X-rayChest X-ray. This helps rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as lung cancer.

Slicosis is caused by inhalation of unbound (free) crystalline silica dust and is characterized by nodular pulmonary fibrosis. Chronic silicosis initially causes no symptoms or only mild dyspnea but over years can advance to involve most of the lung and cause dyspnea, hypoxemia, pulmonary hypertension, and respiratory impairment. Diagnosis is based on history and chest x-ray findings. No effective treatment exists except supportive care and, for severe cases, lung transplantation.

As the liver becomes more severely damaged, more obvious and serious symptoms can develop, such as: yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice) swelling in the legs, ankles and feet, due to a build-up of fluid (oedema)

A wet mount is the suspension of a small amount of vaginal discharge in a liquid medium. Two liquids are commonly used, normal saline and potassium hydroxide. Each has it's own unique properties that make it useful in this setting

Before ovulation occurs, the average diameter of the dominant follicle is 22 to 24 mm (range 18-36 mm). It is the only marker that can predict ovulation with ease. * In stimulated cycle (hormonal treatment), generally, all or most of the antral follicles grow. The growth rate will be different for each of them.

They are the leaders of the pack when it comes to minimally invasive surgeries. Laparoscopic and robotic. Different techniques with the same benefits.

"There's significantly less blood loss, it's a quicker procedure, quicker recovery, less scarring, less chance for post operative wound complications or infections," says Dr. Darren Miter, laparoscopic surgeon with Lee Memorial Health System.

In a laparoscopic procedure surgeons operate through a series of poke holes, manually inserting thin cutting tools and a camera to provide magnified vision. It's used in a variety of surgical specialties.

"The vast majority of gallbladder surgeries are performed laparoscopically. A single incision in the belly button, one up under the breastbone and either one or two in the right upper side of the belly. Using long skinny instruments and looking up at a TV monitor, remove the gallbladder that way," says Dr. Miter.

While laparoscopic is a hands-on approach, robotic procedures are surgeon-controlled. Working at a console, surgeons direct the robotic arms, which have super-human capabilities and 3D, hi def vision.

"I mean you have to see it to believe it, that's a great tool to have. You got a very good depth perception. Plus the other thing when you're working with your hands it's more intuitive," says Dr. Nagesh Ravipati, colorectal surgeon with Lee Memorial Health System.

The robotic system performs maneuvers the human hand can't.

"Especially if you have to do any suturing, it is so much simpler with the robots because you can just turn around 360 degrees," says Dr. Ravipati.

Robotic surgery is gaining momentum in precise procedures, including the field of cancer.

"The robot is good when you're going to operate on just one field. For rectal surgery you're in one place, it's docked. It gives you the best 3 dimensional vision," says Dr. Ravipati.

Robotic and laparoscopic. Both cutting edge options, with less cutting.

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Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we've been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

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a video of abdominal physical examination including all the required items:
-Inspection
-Palpation
-Percussion
-Auscultation

Your doctor says your chest pain (angina) is caused by blockages in your heart arteries and that you need to get those blockages taken care of. What are your options? First, it's important to determine what type of angina you have. Different types of angina may need different treatments. Common types of angina are chronic stable angina — a type of angina that occurs when your heart is working hard — and unstable angina, which is new chest pain or chest pain that is getting worse. Other types of angina include variant angina — a rare type of angina caused by a spasm in the coronary arteries — and microvascular angina, which can be a symptom of disease in the small coronary artery blood vessels. Unstable angina is a serious situation and requires emergency treatment. Treatment for unstable angina involves hospitalization with medications to stabilize your condition. Some people with unstable angina may require a procedure called angioplasty (also known as percutaneous coronary intervention), usually combined with the placement of a small metal tube called a stent. In some cases of unstable angina, heart surgery (coronary bypass surgery) may be needed. Generally, if you have mild stable angina that is controlled by medications, you may not need further treatments. If you're experiencing symptoms of chronic stable angina even after taking medications and making lifestyle changes, or if you're at higher risk of serious heart disease, your doctor may recommend angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery. Making a decision on how to treat your angina can be difficult, but knowing the benefits and risks of stents and medications may help you decide.

Scissor gait is a form of gait abnormality primarily associated with spastic cerebral palsy.

A decade ago we thought that Chikungunya was a tropical disease restricted to the rain forests. However, after the 2007 epidemic in Italy and later in the Reunion islands, this dreaded condition has now spread to the Carribean and the Americas. Its an arthropod borne alpha virus which causes fever, polyarthralgia and arthritis. There could be serious complications in the adult such as meningoencephalitis or GBS as well as in neonates. This presentation discusses in detail the clinical features, diagnosis and management of Chikungunya fever. A detailed discussion of its complications is also included. Check out our other videos

A drug allergy is the abnormal reaction of your immune system to a medication. Any medication — over-the-counter, prescription or herbal — is capable of inducing a drug allergy. However, a drug allergy is more likely with certain medications. The most common signs and symptoms of drug allergy are hives, rash or fever. A drug allergy may cause serious reactions, including anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that affects multiple body systems. A drug allergy is not the same as drug side effects, the known possible reactions that are listed on a drug label. A drug allergy is also distinct from drug toxicity caused by an overdose of medication.

Visualization of the larynx by direct or indirect means is referred to as laryngoscopy and is the principal aim during airway management for passage of a tracheal tube. This paper presents a brief background regarding the development and practice of laryngoscopy and examines the equipment and techniques for both direct and indirect methods. Patient evaluation during the airway examination is discussed, as are predictors for difficult intubation. Laryngoscope blade design, newer intubating techniques, and a variety of indirect laryngoscopic technologies are reviewed, as is the learning curve for these techniques and devices.

This is a technique of correcting knock knee (genu valgum) deformity by surgery. Highligh of the technique is that the bone is not cut, but merely weakened. The advantage is that it provides accuracy to the surgeon, and rapid healing. Once corrected, the bone is held in place with a special plate (Tomofix), which permits walking with crutches the very next day.

If you are a medical student, a resident, a primary care physician or you practice in an emergency department, you can improve your suture skills with this detailed instruction. As you practice towards a cosmetically perfect technique, your confidence will increase, especially when dealing with complex wounds. Areas of study include: methods of closure, closure materials, anesthetics, suture removal, infection, prophylaxis, when to call in a plastic surgeon, recapping techniques and more

This video demonstrates tongue piercing procedure done OUTSIDE a clinical setting

Genital warts are soft growths that appear on the genitals. Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). These skin growths can cause pain, discomfort, and itching. They are especially dangerous for women because some types of HPV can also cause cancer of the cervix and vulva.

Second-degree burns (also known as partial thickness burns) involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin. The burn site appears red, blistered, and may be swollen and painful.

Dr. Horacio Asbun, Mayo Clinic in Florida, explains the Whipple procedure using this animated graphic of a pancreas. Cancer of the pancreas affects 45,000 people every year in the U.S., and it is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The five-year overall survival rate if a tumor is detected early and surgically removed is 22 percent, versus 6 percent without early detection and surgery. To learn more, visit http://mayocl.in/2zk7FDi.

This video in Spanish/español: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_zWboNMKWk

Urological surgeons have become proficient at performing complex pelvic urological procedures, such as radical prostatectomy, using the laparoscopic approach. Declan Murphy and Daniel Moon share their experience of four less common procedures they have performed recently using laparoscopic techniques. These include: excision of a urachal cyst; partial cystectomy for endometriosis (combined endoscopic-laparoscopic approach); repair of an intra-peritoneal bladder rupture; and repair of a ureteric injury (combined endoscopic-laparoscopic approach).