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Suture Removal (suture + removal)
Selected AbstractsEqual Cosmetic Outcomes with 5-0 Poliglecaprone-25 Versus 6-0 Polypropylene for Superficial ClosuresDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 7 2010LAURA B. ROSENZWEIG MD BACKGROUND Cutaneous sutures should provide an aesthetically pleasing result. After placing subcutaneous sutures, enough absorbable suture often remains for the superficial closure. Mohs surgeons often use a nonabsorbable suture to close the superficial layer to obtain cosmetically elegant results, but using this additional suture is less cost effective than using the remaining absorbable suture. OBJECTIVES To compare the cosmetic results of simple running sutures using an absorbable suture material (5-0 poliglecaprone-25) with those of a nonabsorbable suture (6-0 polypropylene) in primary closures of suitable facial Mohs defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-two patients with 57 facial Mohs surgery defects appropriate for multilayer primary repair had the defects prospectively randomized into a side-by-side comparison. After closure of the deep layers with 5-0 poliglecaprone-25 sutures, half of the wound was closed with a 5-0 poliglecaprone-25 simple running suture, and the other half of the wound was closed with a 6-0 polypropylene simple running suture. The investigators blindly determined the cosmetically superior side of the closure at 1 week and 4 months after suture removal. RESULTS Forty-four patients (48 total defects) completed the study. At the 4-month follow-up, 85% (41/48) did not show any difference between poliglecaprone-25 and polypropylene, 4% (2/48) had better outcomes with poliglecaprone-25, and 10% (5/48) had better outcomes with polypropylene. There was no statistically significant cosmetic difference between the two closure types. Wound complications such as infection, hematoma, and dehiscence did not occur in any of the patients. CONCLUSION In primary closures of facial defects, using 5-0 poliglecaprone-25 or 6-0 polypropylene for the superficial closure did not affect the cosmetic result. Therefore, 5-0 poliglecaprone-25 provides a comparable and cost-effective alternative to nonabsorbable sutures for epidermal approximation in layered closures. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters. [source] 585-nm Pulsed Dye Laser in the Treatment of Surgical Scars Starting on the Suture Removal DayDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 1 2003Keyvan Nouri MD Background The optimal time frame to improve the quality and cosmetic appearance of scars by laser therapy has not been clearly elucidated by prior controlled clinical trials. Objective To determine the efficacy of the 585-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of surgical scars starting on the day of suture removal. Methods Eleven patients (skin types I,IV) with 12 postoperative linear scars that were greater than 2 cm were treated three times on monthly intervals with the 585-nm PDL (450 ,s, 10-mm spot size, 3.5 J/cm2 with 10% overlap) on one scar half, whereas the other half received no treatment. Scars were later evaluated by a blinded examiner using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) for pigmentation, vascularity, pliability, and height. Scars were then blindly examined for cosmetic appearance using a visual analog scale. Results One month after the last treatment, final scar analysis by the blinded examiner revealed a significant difference between treated and untreated sites, with the treated halves scoring better in all scar parameters in the VSS and in cosmetic appearance. The treated halves demonstrated an overall average improvement in the VSS between the first treatment score and the final score of 54% versus 10% in the controls (P=0.0002). The cosmetic appearance score (0=worst; 10=best) at final assessment was significantly better for the treated scars, scoring 7.3 versus the averaged control score of 5.2 (P=0.016). Conclusion The 585-nm PDL is effective and safe in improving the quality and cosmetic appearance of surgical scars in skin types I,IV starting on the day of suture removal. [source] Sutured wounds: Factors associated with patient-rated cosmetic scoresEMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA, Issue 3 2006Tatiana Lowe Abstract Objective: To determine the association between wound characteristics, wound management in the ED and patient-rated cosmetic appearance of sutured wounds. Our hypothesis was that practitioner seniority would most strongly predict outcome. Methods: Prospective recruitment of patients with lacerations sutured at the primary ED visit was performed. Data collected included patient demographics, wound characteristics and wound management. A standardized telephone questionnaire was administered 14 days and 3 months later. Scar appearance was scored using a verbal rating scale from zero to 10. Data were obtained about suture removal, antibiotic compliance, infection and dehiscence rates at 2 weeks. Associations of variables with cosmetic scores were analysed using multivariate linear regression. Results: One hundred and thirty-two patients were evaluated. Mean cosmetic scores were not significantly associated with seniority (P = 0.07). Lacerations repaired by senior practitioners were more likely to result from glass or general trauma (P = 0.007), be shorter (P = 0.03), be cleaned with antiseptic (P = 0.03), not to re-open (P = 0.01) or require re-suturing (P = 0.03). Following multivariate regression factors significantly associated with cosmetic scores at 14 days and 3 months were site of injury (P < 0.003) and time from injury to repair (P < 0.009). Wounds of the torso, leg or foot had lower cosmetic scores at both time-points. An association with age (P = 0.04) was present at 3 months. Conclusions: Previous research found improvement between short-term doctor-rated cosmesis and training beyond internship. Our study demonstrated a non-significant trend relationship between seniority and patient-rated outcome, both short and long-term. However, staff seniority was overshadowed by the site of laceration and time from injury to repair. [source] Complications of Methylprednisolone Sodium Succinate Therapy in Dachshunds with Surgically Treated Intervertebral Disc DiseaseJOURNAL OF VETERINARY EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE, Issue 2 2001Amanda K. Boag MA VetMB, MRCVS; Abstract Objective: To compare the incidence of clinically evident post-operative complications, financial cost and length of hospital stay for Dachshunds with acute intervertebral disc disease treated with decompressive surgery with and without the use of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS). Design: Retrospective clinical study Setting: Veterinary Teaching Hospital Animals: Dachshunds that presented to the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania between January 1994 and December 1999 with acute intervertebral disc disease that were treated with decompressive surgery. Intervention: None Measurements and Main Results: Dogs were divided into 2 groups dependent upon whether they had received MPSS. Medical records were examined for evidence of post-operative complications. Other parameters recorded included details of drugs administered (principally corticosteroids and gastrointestinal protectant drugs), length and cost of hospital stay and neurological status at 24 hours post-operatively and at suture removal. Compared to other corticosteroids, dogs receiving MPSS had a significantly higher incidence of clinically evident post-operative gastrointestinal complications, an increased use of gastrointestinal protectant drugs, and an increased cost for hospital stay (p<0.01). Conclusions: The use of MPSS inDachshunds with acute intervertebral disc disease is associated with an increased post-operative complication rate and an increased financial cost to the client. The use of MPSS should be carefully evaluated for each patient. [source] Trabeculectomy with an active postoperative regimen: results and resource utilizationACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 5 2009Amelie B. Taube Abstract. Purpose:, To evaluate intraocular pressure (IOP) and resource utilization after trabeculectomy, using an active postoperative regimen, in a Swedish population. Methods:, A retrospective analysis was performed on the patient charts of all patients who underwent trabeculectomy in a Swedish university hospital during 1 year (November 2000,December 2001). Trabeculectomy was performed in 34 eyes and trabeculectomy in combination with phacoemulsification in 10 eyes. Intraocular pressure, visual acuity, complications and numbers of injections of 5-fluorouracil, suture removal, needling procedures and visits to ophthalmologists were recorded for 2 years. Results:, Mean IOP before surgery was 30.4 mmHg (standard deviation [SD] 9.5) in eyes with capsular glaucoma and 28.7 mmHg (SD 9.3) in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma. Mean IOP after 2 years was 15.3 mmHg (SD 3.9) in all eyes. Intraocular pressure of < 18 mmHg was achieved in 65% of the eyes after 2 years, as was IOP , 13 mmHg in 37%. Flap or suture manipulation was performed in 41 of 44 eyes. Needling procedures were carried out a mean of 2.3 times in 31 eyes. The mean number of visits to an ophthalmologist was 14.1 during the first postoperative year and 4.4 during the second. Conclusions:, The results were encouraging, with few complications and modest resource utilization. [source] Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty for Fuchs' endothelial dystrophyACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 3 2009Jesper Hjortdal Abstract. Purpose:, To compare the outcome of Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) to that of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in patients with Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy. Methods:, The first 20 patients who underwent DSAEK at the Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital were compared to 20 patients treated with classic PK. Best-corrected visual acuity, subjective spectacle refraction and corneal thickness were registered before surgery and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after DSAEK surgery; they were also measured before surgery and 12 months and 2,3 years after PK. Endothelial cell density was measured 12 months after surgery in both groups. Results:, Two primary graft failures were observed in the DSAEK group; no failures were seen in the PK group. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) at 12 months after surgery was significantly better in the DSAEK group (0.56 ± 0.04) than in the PK group (0.33 ± 0.06). At this time, 70% of the DSAEK-treated eyes but only 25% of PK-treated eyes had obtained a BSCVA of 0.5 or better. Two to three years after surgery, BSCVA was 0.5 or better in 55% of PK-treated eyes. Refractive ametropia and astigmatism were significantly smaller in DSAEK-treated eyes than in PK-treated eyes, even after suture removal and arcuate keratotomy. Endothelial cell density (cells/mm2) after 1 year was lower in DSAEK-treated (1.338 ± 113) than in PK-treated eyes (1.610 ± 124), but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion:, DSAEK seems to be superior to PK in treating Fuchs' endothelial keratoplasty, although primary graft failure may be more common. Visual recovery is faster, and major ametropia and astigmatism is not induced. Long-term follow-up studies are essential to assess whether this conclusion also holds true more than 1 year after surgery. [source] Longterm survival of transplanted human corneal epithelial cells and corneal stem cellsACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 4 2005Maria Egarth Abstract. Purpose:,To investigate the survival of donor-derived epithelial cells in conventional penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and in homologous penetrating central limbal keratoplasty (HPCLK). Methods and Patients:,Epithelial cells from 26 eyes of 26 patients were analysed. All cases were sex-mismatched (i.e. the transplant and patient were of different genders). At suture removal more than 1 year post surgery, epithelial cells were obtained by gently wiping the removed sutures on glass slides. The cell samples were analysed using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) of the sex chromosomes. This technique makes it possible to allocate the origin of each cell nucleus to either the donor or the recipient. Results:,All 19 conventional PKPs were clear and seven had donor-derived epithelial cells at suture removal. Five of the seven HPCLK grafts were clear at the time of investigation (365,1355 days post surgery), and donor-derived epithelial cells were found in two grafts. Conclusion:,Harvesting cells from removed sutures in combination with FISH enables the clinical study of cell survival in corneal transplants without jeopardizing functioning grafts. From the limited sample investigated, the following tentative conclusions can be made. Donor-derived epithelial cells can remain in conventional PKP for over 1 year. In combined stem cell and corneal grafts (HPCLK), donor-derived epithelial cells may also be retrieved at 1 year or beyond following surgery but the correlation between their presence and a remaining clear graft is uncertain. [source] Intraocular lens power prediction for triple procedures in Fuchs' dystrophy using multiple regression analysisACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 3 2005Anja Viestenz Abstract. Purpose:,To develop a correcting term for intraocular power (IOLP) prediction for penetrating keratoplasty combined with simultaneous extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation (triple procedure). Methods:,As part of a prospective clinical study, triple procedures were performed in 42 eyes with Fuchs' dystrophy. Only eyes with readable preoperative K-values were included in this study. Differences (DEV) between achieved and target refraction (TR) depending on the values of the theoretical-optical formula according to HAIGIS were investigated using multiple regression analysis in a linear anova model: DEV = a + b CP + c AL + d IOLP + e TR. CP represents central corneal power, AL represents axial length. Results:,Spherical equivalent after suture removal was , 1.39 ± 2.86 D (TR: , 1.64 ± 1.72 D). A multiple regression formula was developed for correction of conventionally calculated IOL power. CP (b = , 1.391, p = 0.028), AL (c = , 4.733, p = 0.007), IOLP (d = , 1.301, p = 0.009) and TR (e = , 1.804, p = 0.005) correlated significantly with DEV (a = 198.684). Conclusion:,Proposed correcting multiple regression formula for IOL power prediction may help to improve the postoperative refractive outcome in patients undergoing triple procedures. [source] A Multicenter Comparison of Tap Water versus Sterile Saline for Wound IrrigationACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE, Issue 5 2007Ronald M. Moscati MD ObjectivesTo compare wound infection rates for irrigation with tap water versus sterile saline before closure of wounds in the emergency department. MethodsThe study was a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial conducted at two Level 1 urban hospitals and a suburban community hospital. Subjects were a convenience sample of adults presenting with acute simple lacerations requiring sutures or staples. Subjects were randomized to irrigation in a sink with tap water or with normal saline using a sterile syringe. Wounds were closed in the standard fashion. Subjects were asked to return to the emergency department for suture removal. Those who did not return were contacted by telephone. Wounds were considered infected if there was early removal of sutures or staples, if there was irrigation and drainage of the wound, or if the subject needed to be placed on antibiotics. Equivalence of the groups was met if there was less than a doubling of the infection rate. ResultsA total of 715 subjects were enrolled in the study. Follow-up data were obtained on 634 (88%) of enrolled subjects. Twelve (4%) of the 300 subjects in the tap water group had wound infections, compared with 11 (3.3%) of the 334 subjects in the saline group. The relative risk was 1.21 (95% confidence interval = 0.5 to 2.7). ConclusionsEquivalent rates of wound infection were found using either irrigant. The results of this multicenter trial evaluating tap water as an irrigant agree with those from previous single institution trials. [source] Provisional Implants: A Clinical Prospective Study in 45 Patients, from Implant Placement to Delivery of the Final BridgeCLINICAL IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND RELATED RESEARCH, Issue 3 2004Par-Olov Östman DDS ABSTRACT Background: Protocols for submerged healing of dental implants often require the patient to have no teeth until suture removal and to wear a removable prosthesis during the remaining healing period. This may be inconvenient for the patient, and healing may be influenced negatively by the removable prosthesis. Purpose: The aim of the present prospective clinical study was to evaluate the use of provisional implants (PIS) to provide patients with a provisional fixed bridge during the healing of permanent implants. Materials and Methods: Twenty female and 25 male patients were consecutively included in the study. The 45 patients were treated for either partial (16 patients) or total (29 patients) edentulism in the maxilla. The permanent implants were placed first; as many PIS as possible were then installed between the permanent implants. After suturing, impressions from which to manufacture provisional bridges (to be cemented to the PIS) were taken. The patients were monitored with clinical and radiographic follow-up from implant placement to delivery of the final prosthesis. Results: Five (2.2%) of the 230 permanent Brånemark System® implants (Nobel Biocare AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) did not integrate. None of the failures could be related to the presence of PIS between the permanent implants. Seven PIS failed during the observation period. In addition, 17 (9%) of the 192 PIS showed mobility at the second-stage surgery although they had supported the provisional bridges without clinical symptoms. Forty-four of 45 patients showed stabile PI bridges at the time of second-stage surgery. Conclusion: Based on our experiences we concluded that provisional implants can be successfully used to provide patients with a fixed provisional bridge during the healing of permanent implants. [source] |