https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39187 2026-04-06T04:15:47Z 2026-04-06T04:15:47Z Attard, Gerhardt Zammit, Jason Sciberras, Carmel https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/412 2020-07-01T10:23:30Z 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Case of Monostotic Fibrous Dysplasia in the hand Authors: Attard, Gerhardt; Zammit, Jason; Sciberras, Carmel Abstract: A case of monostotic fibrous dysplasia in the proximal phalanx of an otherwise healthy, twenty-five year old is discussed. Fibrous dysplasia in the hand is rarely seen. Our patient presented with a swelling in his proximal phalanx. Xrays showed a lytic lesion. The lesion was treated with excision biopsy and cancellous bone grafting. Histological examination excluded malignancy but was diagnostically inconclusive. At recurrence, two and a half years later, a diagnosis of fibrous dysplasia was made. Intractable pain necessitated a ray amputation of the affected phalanx. The indications for surgical intervention in cases of fibrous dysplasia are discussed.

2002-01-01T00:00:00Z Savona-Ventura, Charles Sawyer, Roy T. Schembri, Patrick J. https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/411 2021-03-16T15:58:45Z 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The medicinal use of leeches in Malta Authors: Savona-Ventura, Charles; Sawyer, Roy T.; Schembri, Patrick J. Abstract: The medical practice based on the Greek doctrine of the four humors considered that disease was due to alterations in the composition of these humors, and therapy was therefore based on attempting to restore the balance. Bleeding was the first resort in the treatment of a large majority of diseases ­ a therapeutic measure that persisted throughout the centuries. Bloodletting generally took the form of using a knife or lancet to open a vein, a procedure referred to as venesection or phlebotomy. A gentler and more desirable form of bleeding was to put a leech on the affected part and to let the animal engorge itself with the bad blood thought to dwell below the point of application. Leeches have been used medically for centuries; in Europe the use of leeches to drain off blood reached its height of popularity in the 19th century. The practice of bloodletting in the Maltese Islands dates at least to about the 2nd century AD. A tomb-slab from the late Roman/Palaeo-Christian period depicts a set of surgical instruments that include two Roman cupping vessels 1. Only 93 kilometers away from Sicily and 290 km from Northern Africa, the Maltese archipelago with its central position in the Mediterranean was an important meeting place for the various cultures that dominated the region. Malta's location at the crossroads of culture is reflected by the medical practices in use throughout the centuries. The practice of venesection in Malta persisted through the ages and during the medieval period (1539), the procedure was being carried out by the barbersurgeons against payment of one unza2. The barber-surgeons or barberotti remained responsible for venesection well into the 19th century and were only removed from the list of medical practitioners in 19213. The gentler form of bloodletting through the use of leeches was also practiced in Malta.

2002-01-01T00:00:00Z Debono, Joseph Gatt, Dennis https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/408 2025-12-29T13:48:42Z 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Surgery and Ulcerative Colitis Authors: Debono, Joseph; Gatt, Dennis Abstract: The management of ulcerative colitis requires the collaboration of various teams looking after the patient and any decision regarding surgery should involve not only the patient and the surgeons but also various other professionals looking after the patient. Surgery may be needed in the acute setting or in patients with chronic disease and the management in these two scenarios is different. This article will look at the indications for surgery in patients with both acute and chronic colitis and the various options available, together with the results expected. We will also give an overview of the results on 27 cases of chronic colitis with restorative proctocolectomy operated on in our unit.

2002-01-01T00:00:00Z Attard Montalto, Simon https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/407 2020-06-05T12:54:17Z 2002-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Breastfeeding, Malta 2002 Authors: Attard Montalto, Simon Abstract: Although the scientific and economic benefits in support of breastfeeding over formula feeds is overwhelming, Malta retains one of the lowest rates for breastfeeding in almost all developed and several under-developed countries. Recently, this rate had begun to improve: from just 45% of maltese mothers breastfeeding (exclusively or mixed feeding) at the time of discharge from St. Luke's Hospital in 1995, to 64% in 2000. Nevertheless, this improvement was not sustained and only 18% of maltese mothers were still exclusively or partbreastfeeding 9 months after delivery in 2000. Of greater concern is the apparent reversal of the improving trend with a decrease to 56% total/partial breastfeeding at discharge from hospital in the first half of 2002. This article reviews the reasons for these low rates and discusses the efforts being made to improve the situation. Organisation (WHO), amongst others. National health departments have, in the main but with varying commitment, taken on this responsibility with the establishment of national breastfeeding committees and programmes. Malta is no exception, although the changing trend toward breastfeeding has yet to gather momentum and the breastfeeding rate remains bottom of the European league table. Indeed, as shown in table 1, in 1995 just 45% of maltese mothers breastfed (including exclusive breast or mixed feeding) at the time of discharge from St. Luke's hospital 3, and that this rate dropped precipitously to 20% by the first month of life 4. The rates for gozitan mothers were approximately 5-10% less, whereas those for infants born in private institutions approximately 10-20% higher. These figures had improved in 2000, when up to 64% of mothers offered their newborns either exclusive breast milk or mixed feeds on discharge from the maternity unit at St. Luke's3 . Disappointingly, this improvement was not sustained and, of this cohort in 2000, 35% still exclusively or part-breastfed 2 months after delivery, and just 18% seven months later4. Furthermore, the breastfeeding rate at discharge has since dropped further to 56% in the first six months in 20023 . These dismal figures stem from several factors and can only improve with widespread changes in socio-cultural attitudes, national education and support facilities in the hospital, home and at work. This article discusses those issues that need to be addressed if the percentage of maltese infants receiving the benefits of breast milk is to increase.

2002-01-01T00:00:00Z