Search

Objective:The effects of topical tea tree oil (TTO) on the healing of pressure ulcers (PUs) in an animal model was evaluated.Method:To induce PUs, ischaemia-reperfusion cycles were performed by the external application of magnetic plates, with an ischaemic period of eight hours and a reperfusion period of 16 hours. Male and female Wistar rats were divided into three equally sized groups (n=20): one group received topical glycerin twice daily, another group received topical 10% (volume/volume (v/v)) TTO in glycerin twice daily; and the remaining group was untreated. The animals were assessed after one, four, seven and 14 cycles of ischaemia-reperfusion by thermal camera imaging, and then euthanised and sampled to investigate the degree of inflammation, collagen synthesis and apoptosis in the PUs.Results:Although topical glycerin alone suppressed local inflammation and apoptosis, this suppressive effect was accentuated at all timepoints by the application of topical TTO + glycerin. Similarly, an increase in collagen synthesis was observed in the glycerin group and this was accentuated by TTO at all timepoints. Parallel to the histological findings, the local temperature had decreased significantly on days 4 and 7 for both treatment groups (glycerin and TTO+glycerin).Conclusion:In this study, treatment with 10% (v/v) TTO in glycerin effectively suppressed skin inflammation and apoptosis, while it increased collagen synthesis during PU formation.

ABSTRACT Stenosis of the internal carotid artery due to atherosclerosis can cause embolic stroke or cerebral ischemia, both of which may result in significant morbidity, mortality, and long-term disability. Although [...]

Pain is a problem frequently encountered by patients with cancer. For more than 30 years, the percutaneous chordotomy procedure has been a nonpharmacological approach to the management of intractable cancer pain. Nursing care of patients before, during, and after the percutaneous chordotomy procedure is challenging. Patients and their family members need to be educated about the intent and outcomes of the procedure, as well as its complications. The purpose of this article is to review the theoretical aspect of pain perception and outline the anatomical background and basic steps of the percutaneous chordotomy procedure. Preoperative patient education and preparation, intraoperative nursing interventions, and postoperative patient care are discussed. AORN J 74 (Sept 2001) 363-372., An estimated 25% of all patients with cancer die while experiencing pain. (1) Pain management is one of the fundamental services that enhances patients' ability to cope with cancer and [...]

The aim of the study was to determine the quality of life (QOL) of nursing staff working in oncology units in Turkey. The study was a descriptive study and included 89 oncology nurses from 12 different cities in Turkey who participated in the course “Basic Chemotherapy Courses for Oncology Nurses” in zmir. This course was organized by Ege University Faculty of Medicine and the Turkish Ministry of Health. Quality of life was assessed with the Questionnaire for Socioeconomic Status and the World Health Organization QOL Scale (WOQOL-BREF). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including Student ttests, analysis of variance, and the Scheffe test for post hoc analysis. Mean scores for QOL were 14.52 for the physical health domain, 14.3 for the psychologic domain, 13.57 for the social relationships domain, and 11.78 for the environment domain. It has been concluded that providing care for patients with cancer has a negative impact on the QOL of oncology nurses.