Pediatric Laparoscopic Surgery

May 20, 2011

Laparoscopy (pronounced lap-a-ross-coe-pee) is a surgical procedure commonly used in pediatric patients due to the limited operating space in comparison to fully grown adults. This procedure utilizes thin, fine instruments inserted through small incisions. In addition, a camera is inserted that provides the surgeon with a clear view of the interior of the patient’s abdominal cavity via a digital monitor. This laparoscope uses lenses, similar to those on a telescope, to magnify the structures and organs within the body while providing bright illumination to the working space.

Pediatric Laparoscopic Surgery – Minimally Invasive with a Massive Impact

While this type of surgery is referred to as minimally invasive surgery due to the small incisions used during the procedure, there are major procedures performed on pediatric patients as well as adults using laparoscopic surgery. The term actually refers to minimally invasive procedures performed on the abdomen. The name changes depending on the location. For example, for the chest wall the procedure is known as thoracoscopic. For the joints it’s arthroscopy and for any procedure performed through a natural opening like the mouth or nose it’s called endoscopy.

Many procedures once commonly performed through open surgery – a large cut in the abdomen – can now be performed using these small incisions and laparoscopy. For some procedures such as bowel resection, and the treatment of gallbladder disease, laparoscopy is the preferred surgical technique.

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Ice Grips For Shoes Are Essential To Avoid Injury

May 10, 2011

Most of us are aware of the increasing number of road accidents that only seem to rise year after year. But how many of us know about accidents that take place every winter that do not involve any vehicle but are caused purely because of the individual’s own carelessness and lethargy in not getting the proper ice grips for their shoes fixed on time?

Indeed, statistics of the past few years reveal a very disturbing trend of increasing number of people slipping on pavements and injuring themselves grievously. The numbers are particularly high in North UK where the build up of ice and snow has been pretty high due to successive harsh winter seasons after a long gap.

Consequently, both the local authorities as well as the people were ill prepared to take the necessary steps in terms of using ice grips or making available the resources to ensure there is no pile up of snow on the pavements respectively.

To their credit, the local authorities have been doing a wonderful job in gritting the roads and vehicular movement has not been affected at all. But the same cannot be said of their pavement management system. Perhaps they have been constrained due to lack of funds and have been truly surprised by the rather arctic winters!

People too have been guilty of being rather complacent in the manner they have gone about preparing for the winter. If only they had made use of ice grips for their shoes, the number of accidents would have shown a far lesser figure.

It is well recognised as to how difficult it is to walk on pavements with ice even with proper footwear. Slippage is high and a fall from even a couple of feet can cause severe bone injuries that can take weeks to heal. The collateral damages in terms of medical costs, leave of absence from work and the physical as well as mental trauma are pretty significant. It is surprising and very frustrating that many in the UK are unaware of these ice grips and the huge benefits they offer.

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