Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Average Follow-up (average + follow-up)
Terms modified by Average Follow-up Selected AbstractsOmental free flap reconstruction in complex head and neck deformities,HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 4 2002Albert Losken MD Abstract Background Microvascular free flaps continue to revolutionize coverage options in head and neck reconstruction. This article reviews our 25-year experience with omental free tissue transfers. Methods All patients who underwent free omental transfer to the head and neck region were reviewed. Results Fifty-five patients were included with omental transfers to the scalp (25%), craniofacial (62%), and neck (13%) region. Indications were tumor resections, burn wound, hemifacial atrophy, trauma, and moyamoya disease. Average follow-up was 3.1 years (range, 2 months,13 years). Donor site morbidities included abdominal wound infection, gastric outlet obstruction, and postoperative bleeding. Recipient site morbidities included partial flap loss in four patients (7%) total flap loss in two patients (3.6%), and three hematomas. Conclusions The omental free flap has acceptable abdominal morbidity and provides sufficient soft tissue coverage with a 96.4% survival. The thickness \and versatility of omentum provide sufficient contour molding for craniofacial reconstruction. It is an attractive alternative for reconstruction of large scalp defects and badly irradiated tissue. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 326,331, 2002; DOI 10.1002/hed.10082 [source] Endonasal Endoscopic Management of Contact Point Headache and Diagnostic CriteriaHEADACHE, Issue 2 2010Alireza Mohebbi MD (Headache 2010;50:242-248) Background., Some types of headaches with sinonasal origin may be present in the absence of inflammation and infection. The contact points between the lateral nasal wall and the septum could be the cause of triggering and sustained pain via trigeminovascular system. Objective., The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of endoscopic surgery in the sinonasal region for treatment of headache with special attention paid to specific diagnostic methods and patient selection. Methods., This was a prospective, non-randomized and semi-quasi experimental research study. Thirty-six patients with chronic headaches who had not previously responded to conventional treatments were evaluated by rhinoscopy and/or endoscopy, local anesthetic tests and computed tomography scans as diagnostic criteria. These patients were divided into 4 groups based on the diagnostic methods utilized. The intensity of headaches pre- and post-operatively were recorded by utilizing the visual analog scale scale and performing analysis with analysis of variance test comparison and Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Average follow-up was 30 months. Results., Our overall success rate approximated 83% while the complete cure rate was 11%. Patients in group 4 achieved the best results. In this group all diagnostic criteria were positive. In addition, patient responses were statistically significant in groups with more than one positive criteria compared with group 1 who only had positive examination. The positive response of 14 migrainous patients diagnosed with migraine prior to treatment was 64%. Conclusion., Surgery in specific cases of headaches with more positive evidence of contact point could be successful, particularly if medical therapy has failed. [source] Surgical Outcomes of Drillout Procedures for Complex Frontal Sinus Pathology,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 5 2007Pete S. Batra MD Abstract Objectives: The purpose of this report is two-fold: 1) to determine the incidence and 2) to determine the efficacy of drillout procedures in the management of frontal sinus disease in a tertiary rhinology practice. Study Design: Retrospective data analysis. Methods: Chart review was performed for all patients undergoing frontal sinus surgery from May 1999 to April 2004. The incidence of drillout surgery was determined. Demographic data, symptomatology, type of drillout procedure, and primary pathology were determined. Postoperative outcome was assessed based on subjective symptomatology and objective endoscopic patency. Results: A total of 186 patients underwent 207 frontal sinus procedures during this time period; 25 patients (13.4%) required a total of 30 (14.5%) drillout procedures. The patient population had previously undergone an average of 3.2 procedures; four cases were primary and 26 were revision procedures. The breakdown of the procedures was as follows: Draf III, 17; Draf IIB, 7; and transseptal frontal sinusotomy, 6. The major indications included mucoceles (11 cases), chronic frontal sinusitis (6 cases), and tumors (5 cases). Postoperatively, presenting symptomatology resolved in 32%, improved in 56%, and remained unchanged in 12% of the patients. Endoscopic patency of the neo-ostium was noted in 23 cases (92%). Average follow-up was 16.3 months. Conclusions: In this series, drillout procedures were successfully used in 25 patients as an important adjunct to the standard endoscopic techniques for management of complex frontal sinus disease. Because the procedure was used only 30 times during a 5-year period, it was reserved for specific circumstances in carefully selected patients. [source] 84 One year results of a French, multicentre, prospective clinical study of act® (adjustable continence therapy) for the treatment of female of stress urinary incontinence due to intrinsic sphincter deficiencyBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2006E. CHARTIER KASTLER Introduction:, This Prospective, multicentre clinical investigation sought to assess the feasibility and efficacy of the adjustable balloons ACT® for treatment of female Stress Urinary Incontinence SUI with ISD. Materials and Methods:, The ACT® implant consists of a two-lumen conduit of variable length with an expandable silicone balloon (0.5,8 cc) on the proximal end and a distal subcutaneous titanium port. Two balloons were placed periurethrally at the bladder neck. Continence rate (no leakage during direct visual stress test with 250 ml placed in the bladder), improvement, failures, quality of life (I-QoL) and morbidity were assessed. Results:, Sixty-seven patients (62 ± 9.8-years-old) were implanted in France during 75 procedures (8 revisions). Average follow-up was 12 months. At baseline, urethral closure pressure was 22.5 ± 10.8 cm H2Oand 39 patients (58%) had previously undergone at least one surgery for SUI. Continence increased from 0% at baseline to 57% at1 year and I-QoL improved from 39.4 ± 19 at baseline to 63.7 ± 23.3 at one year. Balloon adjustment was required in 64% of patients. Complications included erosion (11%), spontaneously resolved retention (2%) and infection (4%). Conclusion:, ACT® offers a viable alternative for the treatment of SUI in female with ISD. The implantation is a minimally invasive and efficient procedure and stable over time therapy for patients with severe SUI with ISD. Implantation can be done under local anaesthesia. The positioning of ACT® treatment versus artificial urinary sphincter still needs to be determined. [source] Parental history of myocardial infarction and risk of heart failure in male physiciansEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 12 2008L. Djoussé Abstract Background, Although heart failure (HF) remains a major public health issue, limited data are available on the utility of parental information on the risk of HF in offspring. Materials and methods, We prospectively examined the association between parental history of myocardial infarction (MI) and incident HF among 20 187 offspring in the Physicians' Health Study I. Parental history and age at MI was assessed by a questionnaire and a Cox regression was used to estimate relative risks of HF. Results, After an average follow-up of 19·6 years, 1036 new HF cases were documented. Overall, while a history of early parental MI (before age 55) was associated with a 32% increased risk of HF in offspring compared with subjects whose parent did not have MI, parental MI at older ages was not associated with HF risk. However, the relation between parental history of MI and HF was stronger and mainly observed for HF with antecedent MI. Compared with subjects without parental history of MI, multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) for HF with antecedent MI were 3·44 (2·15,5·51), 2·24 (1·20,4·21), 1·26 (0·63,2·51), and 1·37 (0·92,2·03) for parental MI occurred at the age of < 55, 55,59, 60,64, and 65 + y, respectively. Conclusions, Our data suggest that parental MI at an early age is a strong and independent predictor of HF with antecedent MI among US male physicians. This information, along with existing tools, may help clinicians identify patients at risk of HF with antecedent MI. [source] Fruit and vegetable consumption and pancreatic cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and NutritionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 8 2009Alina Vrieling Abstract Many case-control studies have suggested that higher consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of pancreatic cancer, whereas cohort studies do not support such an association. We examined the associations of the consumption of fruits and vegetables and their main subgroups with pancreatic cancer risk within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). EPIC is comprised of over 520,000 subjects recruited from 10 European countries. The present study included 555 exocrine pancreatic cancer cases after an average follow-up of 8.9 years. Estimates of risk were obtained by Cox proportional hazard models, stratified by age at recruitment, gender, and study center, and adjusted for total energy intake, weight, height, history of diabetes mellitus, and smoking status. Total consumption of fruit and vegetables, combined or separately, as well as subgroups of vegetables and fruits were unrelated to risk of pancreatic cancer. Hazard ratios (95% CI) for the highest versus the lowest quartile were 0.92 (0.68,1.25) for total fruit and vegetables combined, 0.99 (0.73,1.33) for total vegetables, and 1.02 (0.77,1.36) for total fruits. Stratification by gender or smoking status, restriction to microscopically verified cases, and exclusion of the first 2 years of follow-up did not materially change the results. These results from a large European prospective cohort suggest that higher consumption of fruit and vegetables is not associated with decreased risk of pancreatic cancer. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Fruits and vegetables and renal cell carcinoma: Findings from the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition (EPIC)INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 12 2006Steffen Weikert Abstract We examined the association between fruits and vegetables and risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). Dietary intake data and complete follow-up information on cancer incidence were available for 375,851 participants recruited in EPIC centers of 8 countries. During an average follow-up of 6.2 years, 306 incident cases of RCC were identified. The associations of consumption of total vegetables, total fruits, combined total fruits and vegetables and specific subtypes of vegetables with RCC risk were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards, stratified by centre and adjusted for potential confounders. No significant associations between fruit and vegetable consumption and RCC risk were observed despite a wide range of intake. The estimated relative risks (95% confidence intervals [CI]) in men and women combined were 0.97 (0.85,1.11) per 40 g increase in vegetable intake, 1.03 (0.97,1.08) per 40 g increase in fruit intake and 1.02 (0.93,1.11) per 80 g increase in fruit and vegetable intake combined. Among the vegetable subtypes, an inverse association was observed for root vegetables (RR per 8 g increase: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.78,0.99). These results suggest that total consumption of fruits and vegetables is not related to risk of RCC, although we cannot exclude the possibility that very low consumption is related to higher risk. The relationship of specific fruit and vegetable subgroups with RCC risk warrant further investigation. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Long-term results of endoureterotomy using a holmium laserINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY, Issue 9 2007Hastuki Hibi Abstract: The long-term results of endoureterotomy using a holmium laser in cases of benign ureteral stricture, uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJ-O) and ureteroenteric stricture were evaluated. Twenty procedures were carried out in 18 patients. Strictures were incised with a holmium laser using a fiber passed through the ureteroscope. Sixteen of the 20 procedures (80%) were successful at average follow-up of 60.5 months (range, 46,74). Stricture recurred in four cases. All failures occurred within 18 months. Although stricture length was not correlated with recurrence, all failures, with the exception of a single UPJ-O, involved middle ureteral strictures. Endoureterotomy using a holmium laser affords favorable results with respect to long-term patency. This procedure is recommended as a satisfactory therapeutic option for the initial management of patients presenting with ureteral stricture. [source] Incidence of Loss of Ability to Walk 400 Meters in a Functionally Limited Older PopulationJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 12 2004Milan Chang PhD Objectives: To assess the incidence of and factors related to nondisabled but functionally limited older adults aged 75 to 85 years losing the ability to walk 400 m. Design: Observational study with average follow-up of 21 months. Setting: Community. Participants: At baseline, 101 persons with objective signs of functional limitations and intact cognitive function agreed to participate in the study. Of these, 81 were able to walk 400 m at baseline, and 62 participated in the follow-up examination. Measurements: Mobility disability was defined as an inability to complete a 400-m walk test. At baseline, eligible participants (n=81) had the ability to walk 400 m, scored between 4 and 9 on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB; range 0,12), and scored 18 or more on the Mini-Mental State Examination. Demographics, difficulty in daily activities, disease status, behavioral risk factors, and muscle strength were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Results: Of 62 persons at follow-up, 21 (33.9%) developed incident mobility disability. The strongest predictors of loss of mobility were the time to complete the 400-m walk at baseline (odds ratio (OR)=1.6 per 1-minute difference, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.04,2.45), and decline in SPPB score over the follow-up (OR=1.4 per 1-point difference, 95% CI=1.01,1.92). Conclusion: Older persons with functional limitations have a high rate of loss of ability to walk 400 m. The 400-m walk test is a highly relevant, discrete outcome that is an ideal target for testing preventive interventions in vulnerable older populations. [source] Hyperkyphotic Posture and Risk of Future Osteoporotic Fractures: The Rancho Bernardo Study,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 3 2006Mei-Hua Huang Abstract It is unknown whether kyphosis of the thoracic spine is an independent risk factor for future osteoporotic fractures. In 596 community-dwelling women, we found that with increasing kyphosis, there was a significant trend of increasing fracture risk that was independent of previous history of fractures or BMD. Introduction: It is unknown whether kyphosis of the thoracic spine is an independent risk factor for future osteoporotic fractures. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of 596 community-dwelling women, 47-92 years of age. Between 1988 and 1991, BMD of the hip and spine and kyphosis were measured. Kyphosis was measured by counting the number of 1.7-cm blocks necessary to place under the occiput so participants could lie flat without neck hyperextension. New fractures were reported over an average follow-up of 4 years. Results: Using a cut-off of at least one block, 18% of the participants had hyperkyphotic posture (range, one to nine blocks). There were 107 women who reported at least one new fracture (hip, spine, wrist, clavicle, shoulder, arm, hand, rib, pelvis, leg, or ankle). In logistic regression analyses, older women with hyperkyphotic posture (defined as at least one block) had a 1.7-fold increased risk of having a future fracture independent of age, prior fracture, and spine or hip BMD (95% CI: 1.00-2.97; p = 0.049). There was a significant trend of increasing fracture risk with increasing number of blocks, with ORs ranging from 1.5 to 2.6 as the number of blocks increased from one to at least three blocks compared with those with zero blocks (trend p = 0.03; models adjusted for age, baseline fracture, spine or hip BMD). Stratification by baseline fracture status and controlling for other possible confounders or past year falls did not change the results. Conclusions: Whereas hyperkyphosis may often result from vertebral fractures, our study findings suggest that hyperkyphotic posture itself may be an important risk factor for future fractures, independent of low BMD or fracture history. [source] Stroke Prevention in Sickle Cell Disease (STOP) Study Guidelines for Transcranial Doppler TestingJOURNAL OF NEUROIMAGING, Issue 4 2001Fenwick T. Nichols MD ABSTRACT The Stroke Prevention in Sickle Cell Disease (STOP) trial used transcranial Doppler (TCD) to screen children with sickle cell disease with no history of stroke. Children (who consented) who had time-averaged mean of the maximum (TAMM) velocities in the middle cerebral artery and/or distal internal carotid artery were randomized to transfusion or standard. Over a slightly more than 20-month average follow-up, there were 11 strokes in the standard care arm and 1 stroke in the transfusion arm. This study has caused a great deal of interest in using TCD to screen children with sickle cell disease. For the STOP TCD data to be applied appropriately, it is necessary for users of TCD to understand how the STOP TCD examinations were performed, how the TCD velocities were measured, and which velocities were used. This article will review the STOP TCD scanning protocol and the reading protocol and review the TAMM velocity and how it differs from other velocity measurements. [source] Alcohol Consumption, Social Support, and Risk of Stroke and Coronary Heart Disease Among Japanese Men: The JPHC StudyALCOHOLISM, Issue 6 2009Satoyo Ikehara Background:, It is unclear whether the association between alcohol consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease is affected by social support. Methods:, The prospective data for 19,356 men aged 40 to 69 years who participated in the Japan Public Health Center-Based Prospective Study. Alcohol consumption was classified into 7 categories: never, past, occasional, 1 to 149, 150 to 299, 300 to 449, or ,450 g ethanol/wk. Associations between alcohol consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease were stratified by the median level of social support score, which was measured in emotional support score of this cohort study. Results:, During an average follow-up of 9.9 years, 629 total strokes and 207 coronary heart diseases were documented. Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption was associated with reduced risks of coronary heart disease and total cardiovascular disease, while heavy alcohol consumption was associated with increased risk of total stroke, in particular hemorrhagic stroke. When stratified by social support score, the multivariable hazard ratios of total cardiovascular disease associated with light-to-moderate alcohol consumption (1 to 299 g/wk) were 0.99 (0.72 to 1.37) in the low social support group and 0.56 (0.44 to 0.70) in the high social support group (p for interaction = 0.002), while the multivariable hazard ratios of hemorrhagic stroke associated with heavy alcohol consumption (,300 g/wk) were 2.09 (1.03 to 4.27) in the low social support group and 1.25 (0.72 to 2.15) in the high social support group (p for interaction = 0.44). There was no interaction between alcohol consumption and social support in relation to risk of coronary heart disease. Conclusions:, Social support may enhance the beneficial effect of light-to-moderate alcohol consumption on risk of cardiovascular disease. [source] Delayed immune-mediated adverse effects related to hyaluronic acid and acrylic hydrogel dermal fillers: clinical findings, long-term follow-up and review of the literatureJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 2 2008J Alijotas-Reig Abstract Introduction Implantation of dermal filler for cosmetic purposes is becoming increasingly common worldwide. It is thought that hyaluronic acid (HA) alone or combined with acrylic hydrogels (HA-AH) does not have severe nor persistent side-effects. However, recent evidence may show that major, local and/or systemic, immediate or delayed adverse effects may appear in relation with its use. Objective To evaluate the clinical complaints, laboratory data, treatment and follow-up of patients with delayed adverse effects related to HA and HA-AH implant fillers. Design Prospective, case-series study of patients filled with HA and HA-AH compounds. Setting The study has been done in a tertiary, teaching university hospital. Patients We report on a series of 25 patients, 15 of them in prospective manner, with severe, delayed side-effects related to HA-AH. Inclusion criteria have been drawn up. Patients with immediate side-effects were excluded. Patients were submitted to a clinical follow-up, battery of blood tests and thorax X-ray films. Besides, a review of the literature was made. We undertook a computed-assisted (MEDLINE), National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA, search of the literature from 1996 up to December 2005. Main outcome Clinical evaluation of granulomas, skin manifestations and other local and systemic immune-mediated disorders possibly related to HA and HA-AH fillers or their cumulative interaction with previously administered fillers. Results Of 25 cases, 16 were filled with HA alone and 9 with a HA-AH compounds. Of 15 cases analysed and with long-term follow-up, 10 were filled with HA alone, and the remaining five were filled with a HA-AH. Time latency average up to beginning of symptoms was 13.7 months. Three of these 15 cases had been filled before with silicone and another one with Artecoll. Tender nodules were seen in 14 patients. Systemic manifestations appeared in three cases. Laboratory abnormalities were noted in all studied cases. After 16-month average follow-up, seven patients seem to be cured, and six have recurrent bouts. Two cases were lost during follow-up. Conclusion Although in some cases, these clinical complications might have been associated with previous fillers or with other unknown foreign bodies, we feel that, although infrequently, delayed and recurrent chronic inflammatory and granulomatous reactions may complicate HA and HA-AH implant fillers. [source] Lamivudine after hepatitis B immune globulin is effective in preventing hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantationLIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2000S. Forrest Dodson MD The prevention of recurrent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) is expensive and requires indefinite parenteral administration. Lamivudine is a nucleoside analogue capable of inhibiting HBV replication. The aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of lamivudine in the prevention of recurrent HBV infection after a course of HBIG in patients who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) negative before OLT. Patients at high risk for recurrent HBV infection (HBeAg positive and HBV DNA positive) were excluded. Thirty HBsAg-positive, HBeAg-negative patients underwent OLT from January 1993 to June 1997. All 30 patients were administered HBIG after OLT and, after 2 years, were given the option of continuing with HBIG or switching to lamivudine. Five patients were excluded: 3 patients were lost to follow-up and 2 patients died of technical complications. Three patients terminated HBIG therapy at 8, 24, and 29 months after OLT, and reinfection with HBV occurred in 1 patient. Six patients elected to continue HBIG therapy for life; 1 patient died of melanoma and the remaining 5 patients are HBsAg negative, with an average follow-up of 73 months. Sixteen patients were converted to lamivudine after a course of HBIG, and all 16 patients are HBsAg negative, with an average follow-up of 51 months after OLT. Five patients have been on lamivudine monotherapy for more than 24 months. These results suggest that lamivudine administered after a posttransplantation course of HBIG can effectively prevent the recurrence of HBV infection in patients who are HBsAg positive and HBeAg negative before OLT. [source] Microsurgery for lymphedema: Clinical research and long-term resultsMICROSURGERY, Issue 4 2010Corradino Campisi M.D., Ph.D. Objectives: To report the wide clinical experience and the research studies in the microsurgical treatment of peripheral lymphedema. Methods: More than 1800 patients with peripheral lymphedema have been treated with microsurgical techniques. Derivative lymphatic microvascular procedures recognize today its most exemplary application in multiple lymphatic-venous anastomoses (LVA). In case of associated venous disease reconstructive lymphatic microsurgery techniques have been developed. Objective assessment was undertaken by water volumetry and lymphoscintigraphy. Results: Subjective improvement was noted in 87% of patients. Objectively, volume changes showed a significant improvement in 83%, with an average reduction of 67% of the excess volume. Of those patients followed-up, 85% have been able to discontinue the use of conservative measures, with an average follow-up of more than 10 years and average reduction in excess volume of 69%. There was a 87% reduction in the incidence of cellulitis after microsurgery. Conclusions: Microsurgical LVA have a place in the treatment of peripheral lymphedema, and should be the therapy of choice in patients who are not sufficiently responsive to nonsurgical treatment. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010. [source] Total obstetric brachial plexus palsy: Results and strategy of microsurgical reconstructionMICROSURGERY, Issue 3 2010Tarek A. El-gammal M.D. From 2000 to 2006, 35 infants with total obstetric brachial plexus palsy underwent brachial plexus exploration and reconstruction. The mean age at surgery was 10.8 months (range 3,60 months), and the median age was 8 months. All infants were followed for at least 2.5 years (range 2.5,7.3 years) with an average follow-up of 4.2 years. Assessment was performed using the Toronto Active Movement scale. Surgical procedures included neurolysis, neuroma excision and interposition nerve grafting and neurotization, using spinal accessory nerve, intercostals and contralateral C7 root. Satisfactory recovery was obtained in 37.1% of cases for shoulder abduction; 54.3% for shoulder external rotation; 75.1% for elbow flexion; 77.1% for elbow extension; 61.1% for finger flexion, 31.4% for wrist extension and 45.8% for fingers extension. Using the Raimondi score, 18 cases (53%) achieved a score of three or more (functional hand). The mean Raimondi score significantly improved postoperatively as compared to the preoperative mean: 2.73 versus 1, and showed negative significant correlation with age at surgery. In total, obstetrical brachial plexus palsy, early intervention is recommended. Intercostal neurotization is preferred for restoration of elbow flexion. Tendon transfer may be required to improve external rotation in selected cases. Apparently, intact C8 and T1 roots should be left alone if the patient has partial hand recovery, no Horner syndrome, and was operated early (3- or 4-months old). Apparently, intact nonfunctioning lower roots with no response to electrical stimulation, especially in the presence of Horner syndrome, should be neurotized with the best available intraplexal donor. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010. [source] Free vascularized fibular grafting for treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head secondary to hip dislocationMICROSURGERY, Issue 5 2009Grant E. Garrigues M.D. Traumatic dislocation of the hip results in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) or avascular necrosis (AVN) in ,40% of patients. This high-energy event causes an ischemic insult to the femoral head that may lead to ONFH. Here, we investigate use of Free-Vascularized Fibular Grafting (FVFG) in patients with ONFH after traumatic hip dislocation. Thirty-five patients with FVFG for this indication were reviewed (average follow-up 3.3 years, range 1,21). We reviewed patient injury statistics, demographics, preoperative radiographs, pre- and postoperative Harris Hip scores, complications, and rate of conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). The majority (81%) of our patients were young males (22 years) with ONFH diagnosed an average of 2 years after injury. The average preoperative Harris Hip score was 64.9 which improved by over 10 points to 76.1 at 1-year follow-up. Seven of 35 patients required conversion to THA at an average of 45 (13,86) months postoperation. After a maximum follow up of 21 years, the remainder of the patients retained their native hips and Harris Hip scores tended to show improved hip function. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009. [source] Lymphatic microsurgery for the treatment of lymphedemaMICROSURGERY, Issue 1 2006C. Campisi M.D. One of the main problems of microsurgery for lymphedema consists of the discrepancy between the excellent technical possibilities and the subsequently insufficient reduction of the lymphoedematous tissue fibrosis and sclerosis. Appropriate treatment based on pathologic study and surgical outcome have not been adequately documented. Over the past 25 years, more than 1000 patients with peripheral lymphedema have been treated with microsurgical techniques. Derivative lymphatic micro-vascular procedures has today its most exemplary application in multiple lymphatic-venous anastomoses (LVA). For those cases where a venous disease is associated to more or less latent or manifest lymphostatic pathology of such severity to contraindicate a lymphatic-venous shunt, reconstructive lymphatic microsurgery techniques have been developed (autologous venous grafts or lymphatic-venous-Iymphatic-plasty - LVLA). Objective assessment was undertaken by water volumetry and lymphoscintigraphy. Subjective improvement was noted in 87% of patients. Objectively, volume changes showed a significant improvement in 83%, with an average reduction of 67% of the excess volume. Of those patients followed-up, 85% have been able to discontinue the use of conservative measures, with an average follow-up of more than 7 years and average reduction in excess volume of 69%. There was a 87% reduction in the incidence of cellulitis after microsurgery. Microsurgical lymphatic-venous anastomoses have a place in the treatment of peripheral lymphedema and should be the therapy of choice in patients who are not sufficiently responsive to nonsurgical treatment. Improved results can be expected with operations performed earlier at the very first stages of lymphedema. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 26: 65,69, 2006. [source] Pacemaker and Defibrillator Lead Extraction: Predictors of Mortality during Follow-UpPACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2010SHOAIB HAMID M.D. Background:Extraction of cardiac implantable electric devices is an accepted procedure when systems become infected or malfunction. However, there is an associated morbidity and mortality. We report our 5-year experience and identify predictors of mortality, and long-term follow-up. Methods:We analyzed extraction data from January 2003 to November 2007. Extraction methods used were: locking stylets, telescoping sheaths ± laser, and femoral work stations. Results:One hundred and eighty-three cases were referred, aged 65 ± 16 years (range 28,83); 76% were males. Mean implant time was 75 months (range 4,312 months) and indications were: pocket infection (48%), nonfunctioning lead (22%), erosion through skin (18%), endocarditis/septicemia (11%), bilateral superior vena cava thrombosis (0.5%), and painful lead (0.5%). The number of leads extracted were 369, with complete removal in 90.7% and partial in 7.6%. There were no intraoperative deaths but five (2.7%) died within the same admission as their extraction from overwhelming sepsis. Twelve deaths (6.6%) occurred during an average follow-up of 965 days (range 40,1670). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that C-reactive protein preprocedure was predictive of acute in-hospital mortality. Conclusions:Intravascular lead extraction is a safe and efficient method of removing leads. However, there is a subgroup of patients with systemic sepsis with raised inflammatory markers who are at high risk of in-hospital mortality. Long-term follow-up demonstrates mortality which is a marker of the underlying etiology for device implantation, with heart failure patients particularly at risk. (PACE 2010; 33:209,216) [source] Safety of Pacemaker Implantation Prior to Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrioventricular Junction in a Single Session ProcedurePACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 6 2000ALESSANDRO PROCLEMER RF current delivery may cause acute and chronic dysfunction of previously implanted pacemakers. The aim of this study was to assess prospectively the effects of RF energy on Thera I and Kappa pacemakers in 70 consecutive patients (mean age 70 ± 11 years, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 48 ± 15%) who underwent RF ablation of the AV junction for antiarrhythmic drug refractory atrial fibrillation (permanent in 42 patients, paroxysmal in 28). These pacing systems incorporate protection elements to avoid electromagnetic interference. The pacemakers (Thera DR 7960 I in 20 patients, Thera SR 8960 1 in 30, Kappa DR 600,601 in 8, Kappa SR 700,701 in 12) were implanted prior to RF ablation in a single session procedure and were transiently programmed to VVI mode at a rate of 30 beats/min. Capsure SP and Z unibipolar leads were used. During RF application there was continuous monitoring of three ECG leads, endocavitary electrograms, and event markers. Complete AV block was achieved in all cases after 3.6 ± 2.9 RF pulses and 100 ± 75 seconds of RF energy delivery. The mean time of pacemaker implantation and RF ablation was 60 ± 20 minutes. Transient or permanent pacemaker dysfunction including under/oversensing, reversion to a "noise-mode" pacing, pacing inhibition, reprogramming, or recycling were not observed. Leads impedance, sensing, and pacing thresholds remained in the normal range in the acute and long-term phase (average follow-up 18 ± 12 months). In conclusion, Thera I and Kappa pacemakers exhibit excellent protection against interference produced by RF current. The functional integrity of the pacemakers and Capsure leads was observed in the acute and chronic phases. Thus, the implantation of these pacing systems prior to RF ablation of the AV junction can be recommended. [source] Latest news and product developmentsPRESCRIBER, Issue 3 2008Article first published online: 26 FEB 200 Higher risk of CV events in aspirin resistance More than one in four patients may have aspirin resistance, a new metaanalysis shows, and they face a four-to sixfold increased risk of a major cardiovascular event or death compared with aspirin-sensitive patients taking low-dose aspirin (BMJ online: 17 Jan 2008; doi:10. 1136/bmj.39430.529549.BE). The analysis included 20 studies involving a total of 2930 patients with cardiovascular disease. Of these, 28 per cent were defined as having aspirin resistance (according to the various definitions in each study). Compared with aspirin-sensitive patients, the odds ratio of any cardiovascular event or acute coronary syndrome was about 4 and the odds ratio of death was 6. Aspirin-resistant patients did not benefit from other antiplatelet treatment. ADOPT: rosiglitazone fracture risk in women A new analysis of the ADOPT trial (N Engl J Med 2006;355: 2427-43) has found that the risk of fractures during treatment with rosiglitazone (Avandia) is approximately twice as high as with metformin or glibenclamide, but mainly in women (Diabetes Care online: 25 Jan 2008; doi: 10.2337/dc07-2270). The study found a significant difference in risk between the drugs only for women, with a cumulative incidence of 15.1 per cent with rosiglitazone, 7.3 per cent with metformin and 7.7 per cent with glibenclamide after five years. No risk factors were identified although the incidence of fractures was higher among postmenopausal than premenopausal women. New from NICE Infliximab for the treatment of adults with psoriasis. Technology Appraisal Guidance No. 134, Jan 2008 Infliximab (Remicade), a monoclonal antibody against TNF-alpha, should be an option for treating very severe plaque psoriasis in adults, NICE recommends. Using its fast-track single technology appraisal procedure, NICE concluded that infliximab should be considered when standard therapies,methotrexate or ciclosporin (Neoral), or PUVA , have failed or are unsuitable. The criteria for disease severity are defined by the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score (,20) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) score (>18). Treatment response is also defined by these measures and infliximab should be continued for longer than 10 weeks only when predefined thresholds are met. Infliximab costs an average of £11 750 annually. In 2006, NICE recommended etanercept (Enbrel) and efalizumab (Raptiva) for patients with severe psoriasis (PASI ,10 and DLQI >10). Commons committee wants tougher targets Most GPs get full QOF points for medicines management even though there is inexplicably large variation in good prescribing practice between PCTs, the Public Accounts Select Committee points out in its latest report, Prescribing Costs in Primary Care. The Committee wants to see tougher QOF targets among several initiatives to reduce prescribing costs. Although most publicity centred on its endorsement of the National Audit Office claim that GPs could save £200 million by prescribing lower-cost drugs, the report contains some more far-reaching proposals. GPs should prescribe generic alternatives within a therapeutic category, so when a brand is not available generically, eg Lipitor, a different drug that is, eg simvastatin, should be used when clinically appropriate. Further, this form of substitution should be rewarded via QOF targets. There should be greater uniformity in the appearance, labelling and packaging of generic and branded equivalents. The Department of Health should consider raising awareness of the value of medicines by printing the cost on packaging, and to reduce the £100 million wasted annually in dumped medicines, it should investigate which drugs aren't used and why patients won't take them. Strategic health authorities should work with the National Prescribing Centre to develop more prescribing indicators with which to measure PCT performance and support PCTs to promulgate best practice. They should also collaborate on promoting joint primary-secondary care formularies and increase the consistency of prescribing, not only between hospital specialists and GPs but also between PCTs. To monitor the influence of the pharmaceutical industry, PCTs should keep a record of gifts and hospitality and publish a register. Questions to ask about mental health treatment The Department of Health has published a booklet designed to raise awareness of medicines management issues affecting people using mental health services and their carers, and professionals in the health and social services. Although one aim of Medicines Management: Everybody's Business is to empower people with mental health problems to ask about their medication, its formal style is better suited to staff who need to improve their person-centred approach to care. It covers what information people should expect and what questions to ask when drug treatment is being considered, what to expect at review and issues to consider when contemplating stopping treatment. Copies can be downloaded at www.dh.gov.uk. Consider statins for all patients with diabetes Treatment with a statin should be considered for all patients with diabetes unless their risk is low, say the authors of a new study (Lancet 2008;371:117-25). Their meta-analysis of 14 randomised trials involving 18 686 people with diabetes and an average follow-up of 4.3 years found that statins reduced vascular events and vascular mortality as much as in nondiabetic populations. The overall benefit was 42 fewer major events per 1000 people treated for five years. This was independent of a history of vascular disease or other baseline characteristics. No evidence for OTC cough medicines There is no evidence that over-the-counter cough medicines for adults and children are effective in relieving acute cough, a new Cochrane review has concluded (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1). The review of 17 randomised trials involving 2876 adults and eight involving 616 children reported conflicting findings of uncertain clinical relevance. The trials were heterogeneous and of low quality. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd [source] Latest news and product developmentsPRESCRIBER, Issue 3 2007Article first published online: 14 MAR 200 PPIs and hip fracture Treatment with a PPI may increase the risk of hip fracture, with longer use associated with higher risk according to a study in UK patients (J Am Med Assoc 2006;297:2947-53). The case control study compared use of PPIs by 13 556 patients with hip fracture and 135 386 controls in the UK General Practice Research Database. Use of a PPI for more than one year was associated with an increase of 44 per cent in the odds of hip fracture. The risk was higher for longer- term use (59 per cent after four years) and at higher doses (more than doubled with long-term high doses). The mechanism for this possible effect may be impaired calcium absorption associated with hypochlorhydria and reduced bone resorption. CHD NSF Statin prescribing has increased by 30 per cent every year since the publication of the Coronary Heart Disease NSF, the Department of Health says. The estimated number of lives saved attributable to statins had risen to 9700 in 2005. The proportion of patients with acute MI who were given thrombolysis within 30 minutes of admission has increased to 83 per cent. Flu jabs cut pneumonia deaths A US study suggests that flu vaccine protects against death during the flu season in patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia (Arch Intern Med 2007;167:53-9). Nineteen per cent of patients admitted with pneumonia during the winters of 1999-2003 were known to have been vaccinated against flu. Their risk of death during their hospital stay was 70 per cent lower than that of nonvaccinated individuals. After adjustment for antipneumococcal vaccination and comorbidity, the odds of death were still 39 per cent lower. Model to predict admissions The King's Fund, together with New York University and Health Dialog, has published a model that predicts the risk of emergency hospital admission (see www.kingsfund.org.uk). The model is intended for use by PCTs and draws on data from secondary and primary care to define clinical profiles, allowing patients whose condition is deteriorating to be identified before they need admission. Problem drinking The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA), a special authority within the NHS, has published a critical appraisal of the evidence for various treatments for alcohol problems (www.nta.nhs.uk). The 212-page document estimates that over seven million hazardous or harmful drinkers may benefit from brief interventions by any health workers, and over one million dependent drinkers may benefit from specialist intervention. It concludes that cognitive behavioural approaches to specialist treatment are most effective and that treatment probably accounts for about one-third of improvements made in problem drinking. of patients remained on the same treatment after one year, falling to half at two years and about 40 per cent at three years. Treatment was more frequently stopped for lack of efficacy than for adverse effects. Stopping anti-TNFs Discontinuation of treatment with anti-TNF agents is more common in clinical practice than in clinical trial populations, a French study has found (J Rheumatol 2006;33:2372-5). The retrospective analysis of a single centre's experience of treating 770 patients with etanercept (Enbrel), infliximab (Remicade) or adalimumab (Humira) found that fewer than two-thirds of patients remained on the same treatment after one year, falling to half at two years and about 40 per cent at three years. Treatment was more frequently stopped for lack of efficacy than for adverse effects. There were no statistically significant differences between the three agents but there was a trend for infliximab to be least well tolerated. Generic statin savings The Department of Health has estimated that prescribing simvastatin and pravastatin generically would save £85 million per year. Its analysis of the ,Better care, better value' indicators (see www.productivity.nhs.uk) shows that statin prescribing has increased by 150 per cent in the past five years, with costs totalling £600 million in 2005. The Department says that if every PCT prescribed pravastatin and simvastatin by generic name in only 69 per cent of cases ,the level achieved by the top quarter of trusts ,the savings would be over £85 million a year. Herceptin reporting Press reports of a two-year trial of trastuzumab (Herceptin) were generally accurate in reporting its effectiveness but few reported an increased risk of adverse effects, according to the NHS National Library for Health (www.library.nhs.uk). The Herceptin Adjuvant (HERA) trial (Lancet 2007;369:29-36) found that, after an average follow-up of two years, 3 per cent of women treated with trastuzumab died compared with 5 per cent of controls; estimated three-year survival rates were 92.4 and 89.7 per cent respectively. All four press articles reported these findings accurately, but only two mentioned the increased risk of adverse effects. Updated guidance on CDs The Department of Health has published updated guidance on the strengthened governance requirements for managing controlled drugs, taking into account new regulations that came into force on 1 January (seewww.dh.gov.uk/asset Root/04/14/16/67/04141667.pdf). Statin adherence lowers MI mortality Patients with acute myocar- dial infarction (MI) who take their statins as prescribed are significantly more likely to survive for two to three years than those with low adherence (J Am Med Assoc 2007;297: 177-86). The four-year observational study of 31 455 patients with acute MI found that, compared with those who had taken at least 80 per cent of prescribed daily doses, the risk of death in those with less than 40 per cent adherence was 25 per cent greater over 2.4 years. For individuals with intermediate adherence (40-79 per cent), the risk was 12 per cent greater. Both differences were statistically significant after adjustment for potential confounding factors. The authors believe their finding is explained by differences in adherence rather than healthier behaviour because the excess risk of low adherence was less marked with beta-blockers and not significant for calcium-channel blockers. Improving community medicines management Mental health trusts need to improve medicines management by their community teams and improve information sharing with GPs, the Healthcare Commission has found (www.healthcare commission.org.uk). Its national report revealed limited evidence of pharmacist involvement in community mental health teams, even though 90 per cent of patients were cared for in the community. Only 11 per cent of assertive outreach patients had the tests necessary to ensure safe use of their medicines. Medication reviews found that 46 per cent of patients in mental health trusts and 12 per cent of those in acute trusts were not taking their medication appropriately. The Commission also reported that acute trusts received a complete drug history from GPs for fewer than half of audited patients when they were admitted to hospital, and only 30 per cent of PCTs reported that GPs received adequate information on patients' medicines on discharge. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Interface Ltd [source] Long-term frontal sinus patency after endoscopic frontal sinusotomy,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 6 2009Yvonne Chan MD Abstract Background: The frontal recess is the drainage pathway that connects the frontal sinus to the anterior ethmoid sinus. Mechanical obstruction is the primary cause of chronic frontal sinusitis with or without a secondary inflammatory process. Eosinophilic inflammation is one of the underlying causes for chronic rhinosinusitis. Objectives/Hyphothesis: To evaluate long-term frontal sinus patency after endoscopic frontal sinusotomy in chronic rhinosinusitis patients and to assess the effect of eosinophilic inflammation on frontal sinus patency. Study Design: Retrospective chart review. Symptom assessment and archived endoscopic photographs were prospectively collected on patients who underwent frontal sinusotomy between 7-1-1999 and 12-31-2000. Subjective symptom improvements were evaluated using the SNOT-20 = 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test. Objective findings of endoscopic frontal sinus patency were documented by archived digital photography. Results: A total of 161 patients with 294 frontal sinuses who underwent endoscopic frontal sinus surgery in the 18 months had an average follow-up of 45.9 months. The patient population was divided into two groups: 58 patients had eosinophilic CRS (ECRS), and 103 patients had CRS without eosinophils (non-ECRS). The mean follow-up for patients with ECRS is 61.6 months and 37.0 months for non-ECRS patients. The non-ECRS patients had a documented endoscopic frontal sinus patency of 90%, and the ECRS patients had an endoscopic frontal sinus patency of 85%. The overall frontal ostium patency rate for all patients was 88.0%. Conclusions: Long-term endoscopic confirmation of frontal ostium patency demonstrates that endoscopic frontal sinusotomy can yield high quality, durable results. There was no significant difference in patency results between ECRS and non-ECRS patients. Laryngoscope, 2009 [source] Lateral Tympanoplasty for Total or Near-Total Perforation: Prognostic Factors,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 9 2006Dr. Simon I. Angeli MD Abstract Objective: To identify prognostic factors affecting outcome in lateral tympanoplasty for total or near-total tympanic membrane perforation. Study Design: Retrospective case series. Methods: Patients were those presenting with total or near-total tympanic membrane perforation undergoing lateral tympanoplasty from 1999 to 2004. We systematically collected demographic, clinical, audiologic, and outcome information. Student t test was used to determine group differences. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between success of grafting (dependent variable) and the independent variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) and independent variables. Results: There were seventy-seven cases (58 primary and 19 revision cases) with average follow-up of 17 months. Successful tympanic membrane grafting occurred in 91% of cases. None of the independent variables studied was predictive of the success of graft incorporation (P > .05). The mean preoperative ABG was 29.8 ± 10 dB and improved to a postoperative ABG of 16.5 ± 11 dB (P < .001). Smaller preoperative ABG and normal malleus handle were associated with smaller postoperative ABG. In revision cases, mastoidectomy was associated with better functional results. Conclusions: Successful grafting of near-total and total tympanic membrane perforations occurred in 91% of the cases and was independent of demographic, disease, and technical variables. Disease variables (preoperative ABG and status of malleus handle) had a greater prognostic value on postoperative ABG than other variables. In revision tympanoplasty, mastoidectomy is associated with a better functional outcome. [source] Salvage Conservation Laryngeal Surgery after Irradiation Failure for Early Laryngeal CancerTHE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 3 2006Mehdi Motamed FRCS Abstract Objectives: One third of recurrences after radiotherapy for early laryngeal cancer remain localized. Salvage conservation laryngeal surgery, with total laryngectomy held as reserve, is a surgical management option that is arguably underused. The aim of this review is to report the oncologic and functional results of salvage conservation laryngeal surgery, using the external or the endolaryngeal laser approach. Study Design: Review article. Methods: A computerized literature search of the Medline database from 1985 to 2005 was performed using the following search strategy: laryngeal neoplasm/AND salvage therapy/. Studies with a sample size less than 10 and an average follow-up of less than 24 months were excluded from analysis. The oncologic outcome, functional outcome, length of hospitalization, and the frequency of complications were recorded. Results: The average reported local control rate for recurrent early glottic cancer after radiotherapy salvaged by using the external or the endolaryngeal laser approach is 77% and 65%, respectively. The average reported overall local control rate, including cases that subsequently required total laryngectomy, is 90% and 83%, respectively. The endolaryngeal approach when compared with the extralaryngeal approach does have the advantage of reduced complications, lesser requirement for tracheostomy and nasogastric feeding, and shortened hospitalization time. Conclusions: Conservation laryngeal surgery is a safe and effective treatment for recurrent localized disease after radiotherapy for early stage glottic cancer. Local control may be achieved without the sacrifice of laryngeal function, and total laryngectomy may be held in reserve as the ultimate option for salvage without compromising ultimate survival significantly. [source] The Becker Technique for Otoplasty: Modified and Revisited With Long-Term Outcomes,THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 6 2000Dennis Lee MD Abstract Objectives To demonstrate a modification of the Becker technique for otoplasty and to evaluate the long-term results. Study Design Case series with follow-up survey assessment. Methods A sample of 16 patients treated by a single surgeon at an academic pediatric referral center who met the inclusion criteria was reviewed for surgical results and patient/parental satisfaction. Results A total of 30 ears underwent repair. Patients ranged from 4 to 17 years (mean age, 8.2 y) with an average follow-up of 4.6 years. One patient had an immediate postoperative hematoma from blunt trauma that was treated with good long-term results. No cases required revision surgery. Preservation of the antihelix with good to excellent ear symmetry was obtained in all patients at follow-up. All patients were happy or very happy with the surgical procedure. All patients had at least five of the six criteria for surgical success as defined by the survey. Conclusions This modification of the Becker technique of otoplasty is efficacious for correction of protruding ears with excellent long-term results. [source] Laparoscopic revision of gastric band surgeryANZ JOURNAL OF SURGERY, Issue 5 2010Stephanie Bardsley Abstract Aim:, To identify the outcome of laparoscopic revision of gastric band surgery with respect to percentage of excess weight lost (%EWL). Methods:, Analysis of a prospective database was then performed and %EWL was plotted with respect to time from initial procedure and also time from revision procedure. Results:, All revision operations were performed laparoscopically. There were no patient deaths, but two serious complications. Percentage excess weight loss after replacement of the band because of prosthetic failure or dysphagia was 57% at an average follow-up of 19 months. For repositioning of the band due to slippage, the %EWL was 72% at an average of 15 months follow-up for those who had the existing band repositioned, and 42% at an average of 23 months follow-up for those who had a new band repositioned. Conclusion:, Revision laparoscopic gastric band surgery is a safe option for patients, and results in good %EWL at an average follow-up period of 19 months. [source] Pterygium surgery long term follow-upACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2009T WOOD Purpose To determine if a pterygium surgical procedure consisting of minimal conjunctival removal, excision of the hypertrophic subconjunctival fibrovascular tissue, application of mitomycin 0.25 mg/ml for 1 minute combined with temporary nasal tarsorrhaphy, and postoperative dexamethasone/antibiotic drops achieved the following: safely simplified pterygium removal, controlled the early side effects of mitomycin, reduced the rate of recurrence, and eliminated the need for conjunctival transplantation. Methods Twenty eyes of 19 patients underwent the procedure with mitomycin; fifteen were primary and 5, recurrent. These were compared to a previous group of 28 eyes in 26 patients that underwent pterygium/tarsorrhaphy surgery without mitomycin; twenty had primary and 8 had recurrent pterygia. Postoperatively, all eyes in both groups were treated with dexamethasone/antibiotic drops. Results In the mitomycin group (average follow-up 25 months), 19 of 20 eyes healed uneventfully. At 12 months, there had been no recurrences in the mitomycin group. In the non-mitomycin group (average follow-up 43 months), 9 (32%) recurred within 12 months; four (44%) of these required a second procedure at an average of 9 months. At 23 and 33 months, 2 (10%) eyes treated with mitomycin presented with asymptomatic, one mm recurrences that required no additional treatment. Conjunctival healing, as reflected in the time from surgery until tarsorrhaphy opening, was significantly longer in the mitomycin group, 37 vs. 17 days (P = .001). Conclusion The described technique provided a safe and successful approach to pterygium management. [source] Multivitamin-mineral supplementation and age-related cataract.ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2008The Italian-American controlled clinical trial Purpose To evaluate if a multivitamin-mineral supplement at RDI dosage can prevent incidence and progression of age-related cataract. Methods Randomized, double blind, single centre clinical trial. 1020 participants of Italian descent living in Parma, 55 to 75 years old, were assigned to placebo or to a daily tablet of Centrum. Lens status was assessed at baseline and at yearly follow-up visits by lens photography.Primary outcome was a prespecified increase from baseline in N, C, or PSC opacity grades or cataract surgery. Secondary outcomes were increase in type-specific opacity grades, cataract surgery, and visual acuity loss > 15 letters. Results After an average follow-up of 9 +- 2.4 years there was a decrease in total lens events in participants assigned to Centrum (HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.68-0.98, P = 0.03). Nuclear events were significantly less common (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.50-0.88, P = 0.004) and PSC events significantly more common (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.35-2.98, P =< 0.001) in participants taking Centrum. No statistically significant treatment effects were seen for cortical opacities, moderate visual acuity loss, or cataract surgery. Conclusion Lens events were less common in participants who took Centrum, but treatment had opposite effects on the development or progression of N and PSC opacities. This and the absence of effect on a functional outcome does not allow us to recommend the use of RDI nutritional supplement to affect the risk of cataract development (Ophthalmology 115;599,2008). [source] Fibrin glue for preventing immediate postoperative hypotony following glaucoma drainage implant surgeryACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 3 2006Juha Välimäki Abstract. Purpose:,To prevent a leak of aqueous around the tube in the immediate postoperative period after glaucoma drainage implant (GDI) surgery. Methods:,A total of 42 eyes of 34 consecutive patients with refractory glaucoma requiring single-plate Molteno implantation were retrospectively reviewed. Peritubular filtration was checked intraoperatively in all filtered eyes. Fibrin glue was used over the scleral flap intraoperatively in every eye with peritubular leakage. All Molteno tubes were completely closed with an absorbable ligature. Results:,Peritubular filtration was detected in 11 eyes of 11 patients. All 11 eyes maintained intraocular pressure (IOP) ,,16 mmHg in the immediate postoperative phase. The mean IOP on the first postoperative day was 30.5 ± 10 mmHg. After an average follow-up of 6 months, the mean IOP in these 11 eyes was 19.1 ± 6 mmHg. No complications or Seidel-positive aqueous leak were observed during the follow-up period. Conclusions:,Results suggest that intraoperative use of fibrin glue is a viable option for reducing peritubular filtration and preventing immediate postoperative hypotony after GDI surgery. [source] | ||||||||||