1/93. Special problems associated with abdominal aneurysmectomy in spinal cord injury patients.There were 8 patients with spinal cord injury in the last 100 consecutive patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm resected at the Long Beach veterans Administration Hospital. Emphasis is placed upon the problems in management not found in individuals without spinal cord injury. A successful outcome is dependent upon: (a) aggressive control of foci of infection, (b) early diagnosis and planned surgical intervention, (c) continuous intraoperative arterial and central venous pressure monitoring and (d) alertness to the prevention of postoperative complications, with emphasis upon careful tracheal toilet and anticipation of delayed wound healing.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/93. Using seat contour measurements during seating evaluations of individuals with SCI.Measuring the shape of the buttock-cushion interface has been used successfully in research to study tissue loading and as a means to fabricate custom contoured cushions. Seat contours are also able to provide useful clinical information on the weight-bearing surface of the cushion, which can be used to address posture. This article offers specific case studies that demonstrate how the analysis of seat contours can be used to identify pelvic tilt, pelvic obliquity, and areas of high loading. Seat contour measurements complement other clinical measures, such as seat interface pressures and general postural assessments, to form a more complete picture of the buttock-cushion interface. They have become useful in the clinical management of various pressure and posture problems experienced by individuals with spinal cord injury and other wheelchair users.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/93. paraplegia: prolonged standing using closed-loop functional electrical stimulation and Andrews ankle-foot orthosis.One T10 paraplegic male (CS) implanted in 1991 with a Nucleus FES-22 stimulator has been able to achieve closed-loop standing for 1 h. The knee angles are monitored by electrogoniometers, resulting in the quadriceps stimulation time being less than 10%. Stance stability is achieved by the Andrews anterior ankle-foot orthosis (AFO). The use of accelerometers for trunk inclination and vertical acceleration during controlled stand-to-sit, diminishes slamming onto the seat. CS does one-handed tasks with objects of 2.2 kg. In another T10 paraplegic male (FR), surface stimulation was applied over 1.5 years to both femoral nerves at the groin for conditioning and prolonged standing. With quadricep conditioning, 55 Nm at 45 degrees of knee flexion is produced. With the AFO and knee monitoring, FR can stand uninterrupted for up to 70 min and perform one-handed tasks. In August 1998, he was implanted with the multifunctional Praxis FES 24-A stimulator for restoration of limb movements, bladder and bowel function, and pressure sore prevention.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/93. Catecholamine-induced hypertension in lumbosacral paraplegia: five case reports.hypertension in the patient with SCI is relatively rare and generally restricted to patients with high-level injuries where autonomic dysreflexia can occur. Resting blood pressure in individuals with SCI has been described as lower than that in the normal population. This report describes five previously normotensive teenagers with subsequent paraplegia as a result of gunshot wounds who presented with hypertension secondary to idiopathic elevation of plasma or urinary catecholamine levels. A clonidine suppression test was used as a neuroprobe to inhibit centrally mediated sympathetic outflow, excluding the probability of an extra-axial autonomous catecholamine-secreting tumor as the possible source of hypertension. Positive suppression was achieved in four patients (41%, 37.2%, 4.8%, and 37.2% decreases). One patient had values corresponding to orthostatic changes (an increase of 63%) because of poor compliance with the test. This patient was lost to follow-up; in the remaining four, hypertension resolved at 12, 8, 9, and 6 weeks postinjury. The increased circulating catecholamine level appears to be promoted by a centrally mediated response to the SCI. Elevated blood pressure probably results from an upgraded receptor regulation or an increased receptor sensitivity on the affected cells in the absence of restraining spinal reflexes. The pathophysiology of such hypertension seems to be secondary to autonomic dysfunction and, although it may be transient, it should be treated promptly and reevaluated periodically until stabilization is achieved.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/93. Reversal of twice-delayed neurologic deficits with cerebrospinal fluid drainage after thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair: a case report and plea for a national database collection.Delayed neurologic deficits are an uncommon yet devastating complication of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. The mechanisms involved in the development of delayed spinal cord ischemia remain ill defined. We report a case of complete reversal of delayed neurologic deficits with postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage. After a thoracoabdominal aneurysm extent I repair, the patient experienced delayed paraplegia at 6 hours and again at 34 hours after the operation, with elevated CSF pressure (>10 mm Hg) on both occasions. Prompt CSF decompression completely reversed the neurologic deficits within hours after onset. The findings in this case further support the role of CSF drainage in spinal cord protection for patients who undergo thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair and make a plea for a national database collection.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/93. naloxone infusion and drainage of cerebrospinal fluid as adjuncts to postoperative care after repair of thoracoabdominal aneurysms.The mechanisms that produce paraplegia in patients after TAA repair are complex and involve alterations in regional blood flow to the spinal cord, CSF dynamics, and reperfusion. Although neither the minimal level of blood flow nor the maximal spinal cord pressure that can be tolerated by the spinal cord is known, adjuncts such as CSF drainage and naloxone infusions may allow longer durations of aortic cross-clamping before irreversible ischemia occurs. Because paraplegia is multifactorial and none of the recommended adjuncts alone provides complete protection of the spinal cord, a combination of treatments may be necessary to reduce the prevalence of neurological complications after thoracoabdominal aortic reconstruction. critical care nurses thus must be acquainted with the advanced monitoring techniques and the pathophysiology behind these new treatment modalities. Advanced assessment skills are also essential to recognize the potential neurological complications that may occur in these patients. Care of patients with TAA is a challenge. critical care nurses must use multidimensional skills in the areas of hemodynamic monitoring, physical assessment, and psychological counseling to effectively manage postoperative care of these patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/93. rotation flaps in the treatment of ischial pressure sores--the bigger the better.Pressure sores are a common problem in paraplegic patients or those otherwise immobilised for long periods of time. Their surgical management is predominantly undertaken by plastic surgeons but other surgeons will also treat them from time to time. We present a case of an ischial pressure sore treated by a general surgeon with a small buttock rotation flap that subsequently broke down with recurrence of the pressure sore. The subsequent surgical management under our care was compromised by his earlier surgery but nevertheless achieved a satisfactory outcome. The need to perform repeat surgery in the future must therefore be borne in mind when planning the initial operation, so that the maximum number of reconstructive options are preserved.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 6keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/93. paraplegia caused by painless acute aortic dissection.OBJECTIVES: Painless acute aortic dissection in which paraplegia is the only presenting sign is rare, with limited reported cases. CASE REPORT: The authors report a patient with painless acute aortic dissection who presented with sudden onset paraplegia. Ischemic diseases of the spinal cord were suspected as the cause. MRI revealed extensive acute aortic dissection with an intramural hematoma. The patient was treated conservatively by strictly controlling his blood pressure. The treatment was successful, although the motor function of the lower extremities could not be rescued. Although 3% to 5% of patients with acute aortic dissection present with paraplegia as a result of spinal cord infarction, most of these patients experience severe pain prior to presentation. CONCLUSION: Painless acute aortic dissection in which paraplegia is the only presenting sign is very rare. However, aortic diseases, including acute aortic dissection, should always be considered as a differential diagnosis of patients with sudden onset, painless paraplegia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/93. A case study in evidence-based wound management.On the first of July 1998, Frank Dobson, the then Secretary of State for health, revealed the consultation document 'A First Class Service' (Department of health (DoH), 1998). This article describes a wound management case study which showed how a first class service was provided for a patient with very severe pressure ulcers and complex medical problems. A multiprofessional approach to her complex and challenging problems was maintained. Evidence-based guidelines for the prevention and management of pressure damage were followed, supported by modern researched-based wound management and pressure relief. In addition, risk management strategies were observed, and provided the basis for planning and evaluating her individualized care.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/93. Pressure ulcers: an unusual complication of indwelling urethral catheter.INTRODUCTION: Pressure ulcers are common among patients with spinal cord disorders (SCD) and occur due to unrelieved pressure on soft tissues. case reports: Two ladies with paraplegia following acute transverse myelitis developed pressure ulcers over medial aspects of thighs due to indwelling urethral catheter. Absence of sensation, weakness of both legs and lack of knowledge about catheter care contributed to ulcer formation. CONCLUSION: Indwelling urethral catheter may unusually result in pressure ulcers over the thighs in patients with SCD. Among health professionals involved in the care of these subjects awareness is essential for preventing this complication.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3keywords = pressure (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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