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Selected AbstractsCatheter-Assisted Vein Sclerotherapy: A New Approach for Sclerotherapy of the Greater Saphenous Vein with a Double-Lumen Balloon CatheterDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 4 2007JENS P. BRODERSEN MD OBJECTIVE We sought to optimize sclerotherapy of the greater saphenous vein (GSV) by targeted application of foamed sclerosant by using a catheter. METHODS We designed a new double-lumen catheter that is inserted into the GSV. Via one lumen, a balloon at the tip of the catheter can be inflated to stop the blood flow. Via the second lumen, the sclerosing agent can be injected and aspirated. This method enabled us to perform a targeted application of the sclerosing agent [catheter-assisted vein sclerotherapy (KAVS)]. In an open study, outpatients suffering from varicosis of the GSV received a foam sclerotherapy under ultrasound guidance, using the newly developed KAVS catheter. RESULTS Thirty patients with an insufficiency (reflux) of the GSV were treated with the newly developed KAVS method using foamed polidocanol. The intervention was well tolerated in all patients without the occurrence of serious side effects. In 27 of the 30 treated patients (90%), we found a closure of the GSV at control visits 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS The KAVS method represents a feasible approach for sclerotherapy of the GSV. The efficiency and treatment modalities need to be explored in further studies. [source] Use of Percutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (PENS) in the Short-term Management of HeadacheHEADACHE, Issue 4 2000Hesham E. Ahmed MD Objective.,To evaluate the short-term effects of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) in the management of three types of chronic headache. Background.,Traditional electroanalgesic therapies have been reported to be effective in the management of acute headache symptoms. However, no controlled studies have been performed in patients with chronic headache. Methods.,Thirty patients with either tension headache, migraine, or posttraumatic headache symptoms of at least 6 months' duration were randomized to receive PENS (needles with electricity) or "needles alone" according to a crossover study design. All treatments were administered for 30 minutes, three times a week for 2 consecutive weeks with 1 week off between the two different treatments. For the PENS treatments, an alternating electrical stimulation frequency of 15 and 30 Hz was used. Pain, activity, and sleep scores were assessed using a 10-cm visual analog scale, with 0 corresponding to the best and 10 to the worst, during the 48-hour period prior to the beginning of the two treatments, immediately before and after each treatment session, and 48 hours after completing each treatment modality. Results.,Compared with the needles alone, PENS therapy was significantly more effective in decreasing the overall VAS pain scores for tension-type headache, migraine and posttraumatic headache (58%, 59%, and 52% versus 20%, 15%, and 20%, respectively). Similarly, PENS therapy produced greater improvement in the patients' physical activity (41% to 58% for PENS versus 11% to 21% for needles only) and quality of sleep (41% to 48% for PENS versus 12% to 20% for needles only). However, there were no differences in the pattern of the response to PENS therapy among the three headache groups. Conclusions.,Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation appears to be a useful complementary therapy to analgesic and antimigraine drugs for the short-term management of headache. Interestingly, the analgesic response to PENS therapy appears to be independent of the origin of the headache symptoms. [source] Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Visceral Abdominal PainPAIN MEDICINE, Issue 3 2010Leonardo Kapural MD Abstract Background., Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may reduce pain scores and improve function in patients with chronic visceral abdominal pain. We thus present our large clinical experience in SCS for visceral abdominal pain. Methods., We trialed spinal cord stimulation in 35 patients, each of whom was shown by retrograde differential epidural block to have either visceral pain (n = 32) or mixed visceral and central pain (n = 3). SCS trials lasted 4 to 14 days (median 9 days). SCS lead tips were mostly positioned at T5 (n = 11) or T6 (n = 10). Results., Thirty patients (86%) reported at least 50% pain relief upon completion of the trial. Among these, pretrial visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores averaged 8.2 ± 1.6 (SD) and opioid use averaged 110 ± 119 mg morphine sulfate equivalents. During the trial, VAS pain scores decreased to 3.1 ± 1.6 cm (P < 0.001, Mann,Whitney Rank Sum Test) and opioid use decreased to 70 ± 68 mg morphine equivalent a day (P = 0.212). Five patients failed the trial, one was lost to follow-up, and 19 were followed for the whole year. Seven patients were either followed for less than a year (n = 3) or the SCS system was removed due to infection or lead migration (n = 4). One patient despite the successful trial felt no improvements at 6 months after the implant and requested an explant of the SCS device. Among the 28 patients who received permanent implant, 19 were followed at least a year. Their VAS pain scores remained low (3.8 ± 1.9 cm; P < 0.001) at 1 year, as did opioid use (38 ± 48 mg morphine equivalents; P = 0.089). Conclusions., Spinal cord stimulation may be a useful therapeutic option for patients with severe visceral pain. [source] New Enhancements of the Scrotal One-Incision Technique for Placement of Artificial Urinary Sphincter Allow Proximal Cuff PlacementTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2010Steven K. Wilson MD ABSTRACT Introduction., Urinary incontinence impairs sexual functioning and sexual satisfaction. Traditional artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) implantation requires perineal incision for cuff placement and a second inguinal incision for reservoir and pump placement. We believed AUS could be placed easier and quicker through one scrotal incision. Aim., In an effort to effect more proximal placement of the cuff while keeping the advantages of the one scrotal incision technique, we report enhancements to the original surgical technique. Methods., Thirty patients have been operated upon using the enhanced technique. A modification of the SKW retractor system (AMS) facilitates deep bulbar exposure. Twenty patients were first time implantations and 10 were revisions with five of the revisions having had the original AUS placed by traditional two-incision technique. Two of the first time AUS patients received an inflatable penile prosthesis through the same incision. Main Outcome Measures., We evaluated site of cuff placement, sizes of cuffs used, postoperative continence status. Results., All of the virgin AUS required dissection of the bulbocavernosus muscle prior to cuff placement. In scrotally placed revisions, replacement cuffs were situated considerably proximal (4.5,7.5 cm) to the original cuff site. The perineal placed revisions were accomplished through a scrotal incision with replacement of two cuffs in the same site and the three other patients immediately distal. No intraoperative complications were seen. One patient developed scrotal hematoma requiring drainage. Only 15 patients are available for follow-up and all are socially continent (one pad or less). Conclusions., Transscrotal approach is used safely and efficiently for penile implants and AUS implantation. The new enhancements to the one-scrotal incision technique allow more proximal cuff placement as evidenced by the bulbocavernosus muscle dissection and use of larger cuffs. Continence rate is similar to rates achieved with perineal placement of cuff found in the literature. Wilson SK, Aliotta PJ, Salem EA, and Mulcahy JJ. New enhancements of the scrotal one incision technique for placement of artificial urinary sphincter allow proximal cuff placement. J Sex Med 2010;7:3510,3515. [source] |