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A longitudinal stretch or ‘pre-tensioning’ is a method employed by some surgeons to improve the handling characteristics of a suture. We used a tensile tester to assess the effect of pre-tensioning on the mechanical properties of two suture materials (3-0 Prolene and 3-0 Ethibond) commonly used for flexor tendon repair. A cyclical loading programme was used to simulate an early rehabilitation regime. All sutures were subsequently tested to failure (for ultimate tensile strength). The pre-tensioned Prolene sutures showed significantly less creep after cyclical loading in comparison to controls. Conversely pre-tensioning had no measurable effect on the deformation of Ethibond by creep. There was no effect on ultimate tensile strength for either material. The propensity of Prolene to creep (and thereby form a ‘gap’ in tendon repairs) can be reduced by pre-tensioning. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article relates on the author's experience in visiting Castell Coch in Cardiff, Wales. At the age of eighteen the author visited Castell Coch where he met a girl named Jenny who lived nearby their house. The author and Jenny became close friends and has shared much time with each other. They both experienced danger of life, where the author realized the importance of living and the potential of healing.

To assess the reasons for and outcomes of referrals concerning the foreskin, 100 consecutive patients seen in paediatric clinics were followed to discharge. 18 referrals were for circumcision on religious grounds. Of the other 82, the main reason for referral was non-retractability or phimosis. At clinic, 24 (29%) of these were deemed normal for age, 31 (38%) were treated with topical steroid (successfully in 25), 9 (11%) were listed for preputioplasty, 7 (9%) were listed for adhesiolysis, 7 (9%) were listed for circumcision, and 4 were listed for other forms of surgery. 6 patients were identified as having balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO), a condition that had not been suggested on referral. With the advent of new treatments for foreskin disorders, circumcision is decreasingly necessary. Knowledge of the natural history of the foreskin, and the use of topical steroids, could shift the management of paediatric foreskin problems from the hospital outpatient department to primary care. BXO is not sufficiently recognized as a form of phimosis that requires operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of 30 junior house officers questioned, 21 had obtained patients' consent for colonoscopy. Of these 21, about one-third did not routinely discuss with patients the risks of perforation and haemorrhage. Ideally, consent should be obtained by a person capable of performing the procedure. If it is to be obtained by junior house officers, they need to know exactly what must be disclosed about each procedure. This could easily be done as part of the induction package. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article relates a fairy story concerning the problems of the Animal Health Service in Great Britain. Medical professionals and heads engaged in different animal specialization discussed the things to be done to modernize the facilities and equipments to provide high quality care and service to its patients. The delegates who attended in the meeting also cited specific problems of the animals which are restrictions on staff cart-parking, nursing shortages and stagnant air.