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Invasive Surgical Procedures (invasive + surgical_procedure)
Selected AbstractsOrthogonal polarization technique in the assessment of human skin microcirculationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2008Omar Lupi MD Background The "gold standard" for the study of the in vivo microcirculation is intravital microscopy. The recently developed method of orthogonal polarization of light [orthogonal polarization spectral (OPS) imaging] allows for the in vivo transcutaneous evaluation of the microcirculation without the need for invasive surgical procedures. Methods The application of polarized light originating from a 100 W halogen tungsten lamp is able to penetrate tissues at a depth of up to 3 mm, and generates reissued light from this depth. The evaluation of this depolarized light, from a deeper origin, may be carried out separately from the light reflected by the more superficial layers of the tissue under study because this light retains photon polarization, whereas the former light undergoes real depolarization. Results The process of validation of the OPS technique, when compared with intravital microscopy, the "gold standard" for the in vivo observation of the microcirculation, has shown that it is as effective and reliable as the gold standard, reaching the same resolution level in the visualization of blood vessels, but without the need for invasive surgical procedures. Conclusions The OPS technique is a very promising tool for dermatologists and researchers, especially in the study of vasculitis, chronic venous insufficiency, and skin tumors. [source] Tailored (Meth)Acrylate Shape-Memory Polymer Networks for Ophthalmic ApplicationsMACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE, Issue 10 2010Li Song Abstract The unique features of shape-memory polymers enables their use in minimally invasive surgical procedures with a compact starting material switching over to a voluminous structure in vivo. In this work, a series of transparent, thermoset (meth)acrylate shape-memory polymer networks with tailored thermomechanics have been synthesized and evaluated. Fundamental trends were established for the effect of the crosslinker content and crosslinker molecular weight on glass transition temperature, rubbery modulus and shape-recovery behavior, and the results are intended to help with future shape-memory device design. The prepared (meth)acrylate networks with high transparency and favorable biocompatibility are presented as a promising shape-memory ophthalmic biomaterial. [source] The impact of the evolution of invasive surgical procedures for low back pain: a population based study of patient outcomes and hospital utilizationANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 9 2009Rachael Elizabeth Moorin Abstract Background:, Low back pain (LBP) is a ubiquitous health problem in Western societies, and while clinical decision making for patients requiring hospitalization for LBP has changed significantly over the past two decades, knowledge of the net impact on patient outcomes and health care utilization is lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of changes in the medical control of lumbar back pain in Western Australia in terms of the rate of patient readmission and the total bed days associated with readmissions. Methods:, A record linkage population-based study of hospitalization for LBP from 1980,2003 in Western Australia was performed. The rate of admission for LBP, changes in re-admission rates and number of bed days accrued 1 and 3 years post-initial admission over time adjusted for potential confounders was evaluated. Results:, The annual rate of first-time hospitalization for LBP halved. The proportion of females admitted increased (+6%). The disease severity increased and the proportion of individuals having an invasive procedure also increased (+75%) over the study period. While rate of readmission for non-invasive procedures fell, readmission for invasive procedures increased over the study period. Overall, the number of bed days associated with readmission reduced over time. Conclusion:, Between 1980 and 2003, there has been a shift from non-invasive procedural treatments towards invasive techniques both at the time of initial hospitalization and upon subsequent readmission. While overall readmission rates were unaffected, there was a reduction in the number of bed days associated with readmissions. [source] Identifying and overcoming the potential barriers to the adoption of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgeryASIAN JOURNAL OF ENDOSCOPIC SURGERY, Issue 2 2010S. D. Schwaitzberg Abstract Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is an emerging innovative approach to performing minimally invasive surgical procedures. In its full potential, the concept of incisionless surgery will have mass appeal to patients. However, the barriers to adopting NOTES will have to be overcome before widespread acceptance of these techniques can occur. These potential barriers include infection, visceral leakage, difficulties in tissue manipulation, and increased cost. The history of surgical innovation has continuously overcome similar problems in other settings, and all of these potential obstacles are likely solvable. Training surgeons will be an additional barrier that will need to be overcome, but this obstacle will need to be approached differently than when laparoscopy was introduced, as standards are higher today for privileging and credentialing in most hospitals than 20 years ago. Alternative technologies that were not adopted prior to the introduction of NOTES may now appear more viable making the competitive environment more complex. Increased funding for comparative effectiveness studies and training for competency in innovation will also need original solutions, but are clearly in our patients' best interest. [source] | ||||||||||