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A continuous, noninvasive device for blood pressure measurement using pulse transit time has been recently introduced. We compared blood pressure measurement determined using this device with simultaneous invasive blood pressure measurements in 35 patients undergoing general endotracheal anesthesia. Data were analyzed for accuracy and tracking ability of the noninvasive technique, and for frequency of unavailable pressure measurements by each method. A total of 25,133 measurements of systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) by each method were collected for comparison from 35 patients. Accuracy was expressed by reporting mean bias (invasive pressure minus noninvasive pressure) and limits of agreement between the two measurements. After correction for the offset found when measuring invasive and oscillometric methods of arterial pressure measurement, the mean biases for systolic, diastolic, and mean pressures by the pulse wave method were -0.37 mm Hg, -0.01 mm Hg, and -0.05 mm Hg, respectively (p < 0.001). The limits of agreement were: -29.0 to 28.2 mm Hg, -14.9 to 14.8 mm Hg, and -19.1 to 19.0 mm Hg, respectively (95% confidence intervals). When blood pressure measured invasively changed over time by more than 10 mm Hg, the noninvasive technique accurately tracked the direction of change 67% of the time. During the entire study, 3.2% of the invasive measurements were unavailable and 12.9% of the noninvasive measurements were unavailable. The continuous noninvasive monitoring technique is not of sufficient accuracy to replace direct invasive measurement of arterial blood pressure, owing to relatively wide limits of agreement between the two methods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blauth Type II thumb hypoplasia is defined by first web space narrowing, deficiency of thenar musculature, and instability of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ). This instability can be uni-axial (type IIA) or multi-axial (type IIB). The aim of this study was to assess the results of treating type II thumb hypoplasia using an algorithm based on the type of instability present. Cases of uni-axial MCPJ laxity (type IIA) underwent stabilization as part of a flexor digitorum superficialis opposition transfer. Type IIB cases with multi-axial instability were treated with an MCPJ chondrodesis and an abductor digit minimi transfer for opposition. First web space release was achieved using a z-plasty approach in all patients. An analysis was carried out of all cases of type II thumb hypoplasia treated by the senior author within the setting of a tertiary referral children's hospital over a 9 year period. Using our management algorithm, equivalent functional results were seen in each subgroup in terms of first web space release, MCPJ stabilization, and opposition.

Congenital radial angulation deformity of the thumb in Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome is generally corrected by a wedge osteotomy of the delta phalanx and a redistribution of the overlying skin using a Z-plasty or, rarely, skin grafting. We describe a new application of the bilobed flap in the reconstruction of the thumb and discuss its advantages over traditional methods in providing tension-free skin cover, excellent access to the delta phalanx and aesthetically acceptable scars.

II.

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Children with clefts, especially those with a cleft palate, have an impaired sucking mechanism and are therefore prone to nutritional problems. This study was undertaken to determine whether children with clefts of the lip and/or palate are underweight for age at the time of primary surgery. Underweight for age was defined as being less than 80 percent of expected weight for age or below the 3rd percentile as plotted on standard percentile charts. The records of all children with clefts seen at the Red Cross Children's Hospital between 1976 and 1996 were reviewed. Of these 740 records, 100 were excluded for inadequate data (47), severe systemic syndrome (27), no operation done (22), or craniofacial cleft (4). The records of 640 children were thus included; 195 (30.5 percent) were underweight for age. By comparison, only 13.7 percent of a similar group of noncleft controls (n = 872) were underweight for age. The difference between these two groups was highly significant (p < 0.01). Factors that influenced weight at the time of primary surgery were type of cleft and age at the time of surgery. Children with cleft palate, whether associated with a cleft lip or not, were found to be more underweight for age than those with an isolated unilateral cleft lip (p = 0.008). Children who had surgery after the age of 1 year were 1.5 times more likely to be underweight for age than children who had surgery under 1 year of age (p < 0.01). Children with isolated cleft palates who were underweight for age had a tendency toward a higher fistula rate (36 percent) than those of normal weight (24 percent) (p = 0.18).