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In the last five years, vaginosonography has become a routine procedure in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Many obstetricians, gynaecologists, radiologists and ultrasonographers have recognized the advantages of this method. A number of manufacturers of ultrasound equipment offer several types of vaginal probes. Nevertheless, the rapid development of vaginosonography has led to some disadvantages concerning a standardised terminology and image display. In this study we collected data on the current standards of vaginosonography. To gain data on the current use of vaginosonography, we sent out questionnaires to the 1107 departments of Obstetrics/Gynaecology in the FIGO Registry of 1985. In an accompanying letter we asked the chairmen to pass on the questionnaire to the appropriate specialist. The questionnaire was designed to gather information about the personnel performing vaginosonography and such as technique, transducer frequency, position of the patient and image display used. We received 366 responses. Vaginosonographic investigations are performed in 84% of the Obstetrics/Gynaecological University Departments, of which 90% of vaginosonography was performed by an obstetrician or gynaecologist, 5% by a radiologist and 5% by a technician. Predominantly end firing scanners were preferred. The number of electronic and mechanical scanners were nearly identical (55% vs 45%). The preference for a scanner with a narrow (less than 120 degrees) or wide angle (greater than 120 degrees) was very similar (53% vs 47%). More than half of the replies indicated (54%) used a transducer frequency of 5 MHz, 46% preferred scanners with a frequency between 5.5 and 7.5 MHz. In 55%, the gynaecological examination table was considered superior to a flat table.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Stellerators can be operated without the need of significant plasma current for generation of poloidal magnetic field components. Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) is optimized for stiff magnetic configurations by minimizing pressure driven currents, such as bootstrap and Pfirsch-Schluter currents. In Addition to the largely reduced plasma currents, the HELIAS-type device is a low magnetic shear configuration required for magnetic boundary islands. However, the diverting magnetic field structure is already influenced by small net plasma currents. In particular, the W7-AS divertor results revealed a significant sensitivity of the X-point location with respect to favorable edge plasma states. Thus, a precise X-point control for W7-X is envisaged and, although expected net plasma currents range in the order of 10-100 kA only, stabilization by adaptive controllers is foreseen to an accuracy of about 1 kA. This stabilization should be reliable even after 2000 s of plasma operation. A precondition for achieving this is a reliable current detection. For this purpose, W7-X will be equipped with Rogowski of which the first has now been assembled onto one of the plasma vessel sectors. The integral performance and sensitivity inhomogeneities have been tested by employing the digital integrator of W7-X [A. Werner, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 77, 10E307 (2006)] and a cable energized with 200 A, representing the plasma current.

Wendelstein 7-AS was the first modular stellarator device to test some basic elements of stellarator optimization: a reduced Shafranov shift and improved stability properties resulted in β-values up to 3.4% (at 0.9 T). This operational limit was determined by power balance and impurity radiation without noticeable degradation of stability or a violent collapse. The partial reduction of neoclassical transport could be verified in agreement with calculations indicating the feasibility of the concept of drift optimization. A full neoclassical optimization, in particular a minimization of the bootstrap current was beyond the scope of this project. A variety of non-ohmic heating and current drive scenarios by ICRH, NBI and in particular, ECRH were tested and compared successfully with their theoretical predictions. Besides, new heating schemes of overdense plasmas were developed such as RF mode conversion heating—Ordinary mode, Extraordinary mode, Bernstein-wave (OXB) heating—or 2nd harmonic O-mode (O2) heating. The energy confinement was about a factor of 2 above ISS95 without degradation near operational boundaries. A number of improved confinement regimes such as core electron-root confinement with central Te ≤ 7 keV and regimes with strongly sheared radial electric field at the plasma edge resulting in Ti ≤ 1.7 keV were obtained. As the first non-tokamak device, W7-AS achieved the H-mode and moreover developed a high density H-mode regime (HDH) with strongly reduced impurity confinement that allowed quasi-steady-state operation (τ ≈ 65 · τE) at densities (at 2.5 T). The first island divertor was tested successfully and operated with stable partial detachment in agreement with numerical simulations. With these results W7-AS laid the physics background for operation of an optimized low-shear steady-state stellarator.

This paper is a summary of some of the major results from the Wendelstein 7-AS stellarator (W7-AS). W7-AS [G. Grieger et al., Phys. Fluids B 4, 2081 (1992)] has demonstrated the feasibility of modular coils and has pioneered the island divertor and the modeling of its three-dimensional characteristics with the EMC3/EIRENE code [Y. Feng, F. Sardei et al., Plasma Phys. Controlled Fusion 44, 611 (2002)]. It has extended the operational range to high density (4×1020m−3 at 2.5T) and high ⟨β⟩ (3.4% at 0.9T); it has demonstrated successfully the application of electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) beyond cutoff via electron Bernstein wave heating, and it has utilized the toroidal variation of the magnetic field strength for ion cyclotron resonance frequency beach-wave heating. In preparation of W7-X [J. Nuhrenberg et al., Trans. Fusion Technol. 27, 71 (1995)], aspects of the optimization concept of the magnetic design have been successfully tested. W7-AS has accessed the H-mode, the first time in a “non-to...

In the scrape-off layer and outermost edge of the Wendelstein 7-AS (W7-AS) stellarator, fluctuations of, mostly, ion saturation current Isat and floating potentialΦfl have been measured with high poloidal, radial (both 2–3mm) and temporal (0.5 μs) resolution. Parallel to the magnetic field, measurements with two probe tips on the same magnetic field line were performed. The basic spatio-temporal structure of the fluctuations is presented in terms of correlation functions and of wavenumber–frequency (kf) spectra. They are characterized by the parameters of a fit function to the correlation function, which describe the spatio-temporal structure. The behaviour of these fluctuation parameters under variations of the discharge parameters is investigated. A high correlation of the fluctuations parallel to the magnetic field is documented, and we analyse, which frequency components contribute to this high correlation. In our radially and poloidally resolving measurements, we find that the fluctuation structures are inclined in the poloidal–radial plane at our position of measurement. The consequences of such inclined structures for the interpretation of measurements with one-dimensional arrays are discussed, with an emphasis on the risk of an erroneous interpretation of purely radially resolving measurements. There is strong evidence that this inclination is due to the local magnetic shear in W7-AS in conjunction with the high correlation of the fluctuations parallel to the magnetic field. A further contribution to the inclination may originate from the radial shear of the poloidal velocity of the fluctuations in the plasma edge. The different consequences of magnetic shear and velocity shear for an inclination of the fluctuations in the poloidal–radial plane are discussed.

The Wendelstein 7-X experiment is a concept test for properties of reactor relevant plasmas in advanced stellarators. Prominent features include a modular superconducting coil assembly, a five-fold toroidal symmetry, and a helical magnetic axis. Due to the optimization process, W7-X is characterized by a vacuum magnetic field configuration with smooth magnetic surfaces, improved magnetic field configuration with smooth magnetic surfaces, improved equilibrium properties with a weak dependence of rotational transform and shear on the plasma pressure β, good magneto-hydrodynamic stability properties due to magnetic well stabilization, reduced neoclassical transport losses and negligible bootstrap current in the long mean-free-path regime, good collisionless α-particle confinement in an equivalent reactor, and, as a technical aspect, good feasibility of the superconducting modular coils. W7-X will be heated by continuous electron cyclotron resonance heating and pulsed neutral beam injection and ion cyclotron ...

The correct position of an IUD in the uterine cavity is essential for the effectiveness of the method. Ultrasound examination of the thickness of the anterior and posterior wall of the uterus were carried out and their relation to a correct position of the IUD calculated. It was found that the position of the IUD is correct, if the distance between fundus and the cranial end of the IUD does not exceed the thickness of the uterine wall by more than one-third; i. e. in all 4/3 of the thickness. The correlation between the ultrasound results of length, version and flexion of the uterus and complaints and side-effects like bleeding and pain are discussed, especially if the IUD is not in correct position.

We have applied the Three-Component Dual-Deck-Model (TCDDM) to the (ΛK) channel inpp reaction. We conclude that our results are very satisfactory and take into account the experience. In this paper we take advantage of the fact that spin-structure is the same as (N π) channel which has been calculated in previous papers [3].

Mezlocillin and oxacillin have been used in combination for short-term antibiotic prophylaxis in orthopedic surgery. Antibiotic concentrations were measured in serum, wound secretions from subcutaneous tubings and bone. Half an hour after the i. v. application of 4 g mezlocillin + 2 g oxacillin, the concentrations in wound secretions were 20% of the serum levels. After four hours the levels of both antibiotics in wound secretions increased to 2.66 times the serum levels of mezlocillin, and 5.37 times those of oxacillin. After eight hours the concentrations in wound secretions dropped to about one half, but remained well within therapeutic levels. The parallel course of the concentrations of both antibiotics in wound secretions indicates that mezlocillin and oxacillin have very similar half-lives in wound secretions, although the serum half-lives (t 50% beta) of the two antibiotics are different. The concentrations obtained from cancellous bone were approximately. 10% of the serum levels one to two hours after the antibiotic infusion.

In the years 1952 to 1980 724 women were treated at the 2nd Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna, for carcinoma of the endometrium. The mean age of the 463 (64%) women operated on rose from 56 to 62 years within three decades; the mean age of the 254 (35%) patients who received primary radiation therapy rose from 68 to 72 years; 7 women (1%) were treated symptomatically only. Looking at constitutional factors an increase of the number of women with manifest diabetes from 4% to 22% was noticed above all. Body weight and mean blood pressure increased slightly although not significantly. Irregular bleeding was the most common symptom, occurring in 90% of all cases and did not show any change in frequency. During the first decade of the period under consideration 86% of the women underwent primary operation, but that percentage decreased to 51% after 1970. Equally distinct was the decrease of 34% to 4% of the vaginal in favor of the abdominal operation. The number of cases with carcinomas with deep myometrial invasion and low differentiation increased. The high significance of these parameters for prognosis is shown by survival curves. The 5-year survival rates of patients primarily operated were about 75%, that of women receiving primarily radiation therapy at about 54%. These results remained approximately the same within the observation period. The increase of complicating factors such as higher age and more frequent incidence of diabetes mellitus accounts apparently for the increase in the number of women receiving primary radiation therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

In 50--70% of the rheumatoid patients arthritis of the elbow joint can be found. Early results after surgical treatment are very successful. The late results after 29 synovectomies, partly with resection of the head of the radius and neurolysis of the ulnar nerve, are presented. The follow-up time averages 6 years. We found a good relief of pain and a moderate, but persisting gain of movement. The importance of an early operation and a consequent physical therapy is pointed out.

This report on 24 cases of sex offences on girls under 14 years of age examined and treated at the 2nd University Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Vienna covers the period between 1984 and 1987. Experience gained in these cases led to the development of a specially devised mode of management which ranges from guidelines on supplementary history taking to special examinations and deals in particular with the after care of these young girls, which is a largely neglected area. The responsibility of the examining gynaecologist towards the victim as well as towards the person suspected of a sex offence is stressed. An obvious change in the accompanying circumstances and their possible causes are discussed.

14 patients who underwent a standardized total hip joint replacement were investigated in order to detect postoperative impairment of chemotactic or phagocytic function of their polymorphonuclear leucocytes. A chemotaxis assay in modified Boyden [3] chambers and the nitroblue-tetrazolium assay were used. 25 healthy control persons served for the assessment of normal values and the reproducibility of the respective test. Patients were investigated preoperatively and on the first, third and sixth postoperative day. While phagocytosis remained unchanged throughout the period of investigation, chemotactic leucocyte function was regularly significantly depressed on the first postoperative day. The defect in postoperative chemotaxis might, despite of an unimpaired phagocytic capacity, contribute towards an increased risk of postoperative infections.

A retrospective analysis of 163 cases of operations for carcinoma of the endometrium performed at the 2nd Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Vienna, demonstrates that the clinical staging as recommended by FIGO is not conclusive, and that the subdivision according to the size of the uterus is of no prognostic significance. On the other hand, the morphological parameters listed below have a strong prognostic relevance as is shown by survival curves and survival rates: Grading parameters (histological and cytological degree of differentiation as well as the number of mitotic figures); parameters of the extent of the tumor (histologically proven involvement of the cervix; depth of invasion in relation to the thickness of the myometrium; invasion of lymphatics). In addition, patients with suspicious or positive cytological vaginal smears have less propitious survival chances, whereas the age and the menopausal status of the women as well as the type of carcinoma were only of subordinate significance within this sample. The grading parameters are closely correlated, the determination of several parameters, however, increases the weight of the prognosis. Furthermore, they show a close correlation to the parameters of the extent of the tumor. Since the grading parameters can be ascertained pre-operatively from the curetting they should be taken into consideration when planning further therapy. The post-operative staging of the carcinoma has to take into account above all the depth of the invasion. A classification to that point is proposed.

From 1967 to 1972 7.83% of the parturients delivered at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology II of the University of Vienna were foreign workers. From 1972 to 1978 the part of the foreign workers come to 21.31%. From 1967 to 1972 there was a highly significant prevalence of so-called "non-viable malformations" (p less than 0,001) among foreign workers and "severe external malformations" were significantly more common at the 5% level. In the period from 1972 to 1978 these differences were no longer as pronounced. Statistical significance was not reached for the so-called "non-viable malformations" in the period from 1972 to 1978. Only dysrhaphism continued to be significantly more common at the 1+ level. Among these malformations incomplete ventral fusion was significantly more frequent at the 5%.

In a previous retrospective analysis the rate of congenital malformations in the infants delivered at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology II of the University of Vienna between 1961 and 1971 was found to be 4.52%. In a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted under identical conditions concerning the period from 1972 to 1978 a rate of 4.47% was computed. As the difference of 0.07% is below statistical significance, the incidence of malformations has apparently remained unchanged, the rate being approximately 4.5%.

The course of pregnancy and delivery and the foetal outcome of women who smoked during pregnancy (n = 1751) were compared with nonsmokers (= 4937). The following variables were studied in retrospect: Duration of pregnancy, maternal weight gain, mode of delivery, foetal birthweight and the maturity of the newborn, Apgar scores, pH of the umbilical artery, perinatal mortality, frequency of foetal malformations, amount of amniotic fluid and the incidence of meconium staining, placental weight and the occurrence of placental infarctions. Birth weight, foetal length and head circumference were significantly smaller in the group of women who smoked. The incidence of babies with low birth weight and clinical signs of prematurity as well as placental infarctions was significantly increased in the same group. Gestational age was not different in smoking and nonsmoking gravidae. No statistical difference was found in the rate of C-sections, in Apgar scores, umbilical arterial pH, the incidence of malformations, perinatal mortality, and placental weight. Social factors were not considered in this study.

In total hip replacement arthroplasty, the implantation of the acetabular component involves problems quite different from that of the femoral component. While the femoral endoprosthesis is inserted into a rigid, bony tube that is relatively resistant to deformation, the bony acetabulum can undergo considerable deformation on loading following the preparatory destruction of sclerotic bone that necessarily occurs during implantation of the component (Huggler et al, 1974). One means of eliminating this danger is to interpose a deformable layer at the interface between the acetabular prosthesis and the bone bed — a layer that is able to compensate for interfacial movements while serving as a medium for shock absorption. With a completely rigid implant, there is a danger that pathogenic stress concentrations will develop at the interface leading to local bone resorption and the eventual formation of a more or less thick connective-tissue membrane around the implant.

Motional analysis of the spinal segments with an x-ray amplifyer and studies of mechanical stress in the spine at oarsmen show, that during the phase of driving through with the oars immersed, the direction of the resulting load in the spine is approximately vertical to the next vertebral body. While referring to the vertebral bodies the direction of the resulting load does not change essentially, the size of the load differs conspicuously during active motion. In rowing the quantity of stress in the spine is limited by the torque of the counterforce, the erector trunci. Using an exact and correct rowing technique the quality of stress is compatible with the physiologically axial stresspattern of the vertebral body and the intervertebral disque. The frequency of peakstress in active rowing may possible lead to early and augmented degenerative changes in the vertebral bodies. In 45 Austrian top oarsmen the spine was examined clinically and radiologically, 68% showed signs of a previous Scheuermann's disease, while degenerative changes of vertebral bodies were found in 48%. Comparing spinal damages in different sports used in the training of the examined oarsmen, only in bicycling a similar pathomechanical effect on the spine could be observed.

The inclusive production of vector mesons (charged ρ(770), ω(783), ϕ(1020) and neutralK*(892)) in π−p interactions at 360 GeV/c is studied. The data are based on 160 000 reconstructed events recorded in the NA 27 Experiment using the LEBC-EHS facility at CERN. The production cross sections in the forward hemisphere in c.m.s. and the longitudinal momentum distributions are determined. The results are compared with data obtained at lower energies.

In 12 sheep 21 total hip endoprosthesis were implanted, using a polyethylene acetabulum, which was provided with a continuous conique thread for implantation without cement. Out of 14 non luxated hips only 2 acetabula were loosened. After an implantation between 1 week and 18 months the remaining 12 sockets were macroscopically stable and were examined radiologically and histologically. After 3 months of increased osteogenesis a layer of collagenous tissue developed between implant and bone. In the loadbearing area this layer is from 50-80 microns thick and often the ridges of the thread are stabilised by a thin layer of fiber-cartilage, expanding around the implant with longer implantation. Bore-holes in the thread are filled with partially lamellous bone after 6 months. Though sometimes a considerable amount of polyethylene wear particles caused by the disadvantageous and small shape of the sheeparthroplasty was observed, none of the examined acetabula showed any signs of loosening.

In M. Perthes a progressive deformation and flattening of the epiphysis is caused by the stress in the hip. In the beginning stages a varisation osteotomie gives a sufficient reduction of the joint pressure and a modelling of the enlarged head by the acetabulum is possible. In later stages a detoriation of the head deformity with fixed adduction contracture can be caused by varisation osteotomie. Enlarging the acetabulum laterally and ventrally and medializing the hip-joint by means of a Chiari pelvic-osteotomy reduces the joint pressure so far, that a restitution of the hip joint with round and congruent joint surfaces can be expected. A lateralisation of the deformed femoral head with a secondary insufficiency of the acetabulum should also be treated by an additional pelvic osteotomy, if in the arthrography the lateral part of the head does not enter the acetabulum in abduction position. In secondary osteochondritis in hip luxation the treatment should be equal. Even an advanced secondary osteoarthritis after M. Perthes could be stopped by pelvic osteotomy over years.

Antibiotic concentrations in postoperative wound secretions and in serum give some indication of the local and general effects of an antibiotic additive to bone cement. Ten patients received hip endoprostheses using a prepacked mixture of the bone cement Sulfix 6 with neomycin + bacitracin (Sulfix 6 A). After operation secretions from Redon drains were collected over the next 48 hours as well as venous blood over 14 days in order to measure neomycin and bacitracin levels. Neomycin was found in sera of some patients up to the eighth postoperative day, whereby concentrations did not exceed 0.75 mcg/ml. Bacitracin was not detected in any serum samples. In secretions from Redon drains neomycin as well as bacitracin reached effective levels during the first 48 hours. The results indicate that the addition of neomycin and bacitracin to the bone cement Sulfix 6 for local antibiotic prophylaxis is justified since effective antibiotic concentrations are thereby obtained in the wound without the danger of general toxicity arising when neomycin and bacitracin are administered by the usual method of topical application.

Among 1471 women in the planned parenthood clinic, there were 149 adolescents under the age of 18 (10.1%). 34.9% had not used contraceptives up to now, 39.8% were using the pill, and 18.7% were using spermicides. The growing number of adolescents who ask for an IUD reflects the overall trend in oral contraceptive decrease and an increase in the group who prefer an IUD. According to the recommendation that IUDs be used in adolescents only in exceptional cases, 77.3% received the pill after medical counseling, and 11.3% received an IUD, 1.4% received spermicides. The recommended method of contraception reflects the attitude of the medical doctor who prefers safer methods. The dialogue between doctor and petient, openminded on both sides, should be circumstantial. Both parties should be in agreement on the method chosen. If this final point were emphasized more often, more than 40.7% would consult the clinic more than 1 time. (author's)

Antibiotic concentrations were measured in wound fluid from Redon-drains and in serum during short-time prophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery. 1. Chephaloridine and cephazolin concentrations in wound fluid rose to therapeutic levels. 3 h after i.v. application of 1 g concentrations in wound fluid and in serum were nearly identical. 6 and 12 h after application the concentrations in wound fluid were significantly higher than those in the serum. 2. At the end of the 12-h interval of administration the mean concentrations of both antibiotics as well in wound fluid as in serum remained at therapeutic levels. 3. For reasons of their good diffusion into the wounds both cephaloridine and cefazolin should be appropriate for short-time prophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery.

105 primiparous and 125 multiparous women have been asked for complaints of incontinence during their pregnancies. Multiparae suffered more often from stress incontinence, nullips reported a higher rate of urgency. The reasons and the influence of episiotomy, operative deliveries (forceps and vacuum) and pelvic floor training on incidence and recurrency of urinary incontinence during pregnancy are discussed.

40 patients with chronic osteomyelitis were treated per os with the bactericidal beta-lactam-antibiotic cephalexin during 3 to 60 weeks. In 16 patients, who were operated simultaneously, bacterial spreading was prevented by a combination of cephalexin and parenteral cephaloridin during operation and in the postoperative period. In these patients no recurrence occurred during the follow up time (2 to 5 years). In 34 patients general and local signs of inflammation diminished under cephalexin therapy and a complaint-free interval of at least 6 months followed. No serious side effects forcing a stop of therapy were observed. According to the gained experiences oral cephalexin in combination with perenteral cephaloridin is indicated for prevention of bacterial spreading during operations in chronic bone infections and in patients with acute febrile recurrence of chronic osteomyelitis refusing a surgical intervention.

Fourteen patients treated with total hip endoprosthesis were investigated for leucocyte defects. A chemotactic assay was used as an indicator of leucocyte function. Tests were carried out preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3 and 6. The chemotactic index started to decline on the first postoperative day, reached a peak on the third day after surgery and returned to almost preoperative values on the sixth day. The results might provide a clinical explanation for the data showing a high postoperative infection rate in total hip surgery.

Questionnaires were sent to the mothers of infants with congenital malformations delivered at the Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vienna University Medical School, between 1972 and 1978 and to a group of controls. The response rate was 48%. On evaluation, the incidence of maternal disease and therapeutic drug intake was found to be significantly higher in the group with congenital malformations. In addition, malformations were significantly more common in planned pregnancies. A teratogenetic role of emotional stresses was not verifiable with statistical significance. As inheritance of numerous malformations tends to be multifactorial, endogenous factors were equally considered, but failed to show significant differences.

The correct position of an IUD in the uterine cavity is essential for the effectiveness of the method. Ultrasound examination of the thickness of the anterior and posterior wall of the uterus were carried out and their relation to a correct position of the IUD calculated. It was found that the position of the IUD is correct, if the distance between fundus and the cranial end of the IUD does not exceed the thickness of the uterine wall by more than one-third; i. e. in all 4/3 of the thickness. The correlation between the ultrasound results of length, version and flexion of the uterus and complaints and side-effects like bleeding and pain are discussed, especially if the IUD is not in correct position.The correct position of an IUD in the uterine cavity is essential for the effectiveness of the method. Ultrasound examinations of the thickness of the anterior and posterior walls of the uterus were carried out and their relation to a correct position of the IUD calculated. It was found that the position of the IUD is correct if the distance between fundus and the cranial end of the IUD does not exceed the thickness of the uterine wall by more than 1/3; i.e. in all 4/3 of the thickness. The correlation between the ultrasound results of length, version, and flexion of the uterus and complaints and side effects like bleeding and pain are discussed, especially if the IUD is not in the correct position. (author's)

Firmly attached screw-in polyethylene acetabula which had been implanted for between 16 and 54 months were explanted after autopsies and subjected to macroscopic, radiologic and histologic examination. Metaplasias were seen around the threads and on the floor of the acetabulum. Their tendency to ossify represents an attempt at secondary stabilization. Due to the low stability of the polyethylene this causes increased wear on the floor of the acetabulum. The small defects in the polyethylene found in the threads, resembling damage done by mice, may be a sign of biodegradation. In view of the tissue reactions pointed out, the material stability of the polyethylene needs to be improved or implantation must be restricted to a very limited range of indications.

Mezlocillin and oxacillin have been used in combination for short-term antibiotic prophylaxis in orthopedic surgery. Antibiotic concentrations were measured in serum, wound secretions from subcutaneous tubings and bone. Half an hour after the i. v. application of 4 g mezlocillin + 2 g oxacillin, the concentrations in wound secretions were 20% of the serum levels. After four hours the levels of both antibiotics in wound secretions increased to 2.66 times the serum levels of mezlocillin, and 5.37 times those of oxacillin. After eight hours the concentrations in wound secretions dropped to about one half, but remained well within therapeutic levels. The parallel course of the concentrations of both antibiotics in wound secretions indicates that mezlocillin and oxacillin have very similar half-lives in wound secretions, although the serum half-lives (t 50% beta) of the two antibiotics are different. The concentrations obtained from cancellous bone were approximately. 10% of the serum levels one to two hours after the antibiotic infusion.

A retrospective study was performed in the context of 1,047 cases of internal foetal monitoring, using direct foetal electrocardiography and/or foetal scalp blood sampling. Seven minor foetal complications have been observed, including six cases of infection and one of haemorrhage, representing a rate of 0.66 per cent. The advantages obtainable from internal foetal monitoring appear to outweigh the low risk associated with these methods.