A biological or a synthetic mesh in immediate breast reconstruction? A cohort-study of long-term Health related Quality of Life (HrQoL)

ObjectivesMeshes/matrices are commonly used in immediate breast reconstruction. There are few studies comparing biological and synthetic meshes and it is unknown what type of mesh gives the best long-term results. The aim of this study was to compare long-term health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and patient satisfaction in implant-based immediate breast reconstruction with a biological mesh (Surgisis®) with that of patients reconstructed with a synthetic mesh (TIGR ® Matrix Surgical Mesh).Material and methodsBoth cohorts were prospectively included and consecutively operated. Clinical data was collected. HrQoL was evaluated with EuroQoL-5 dimension – 3 levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Breast-Q.Results and conclusionSeventy-one patients were operated on in the biological group and 49 in the synthetic group. The response rates were 75 and 84 per cent, respectively. Mean follow-up time was 74 months and 23 months, respectively. There were no statistical differences in satisfaction and quality of life between the two groups. Complications and radiation seem to lead to a lower satisfaction. Our findings could indicate that biological and synthetic meshes give an equal long-term result as regards patients’ perceived quality of life.     

The effect of immediate postpartum levonorgestrel contraceptive implant use on breastfeeding and infant growth: a randomized controlled trial

Objective

This study assessed whether immediate postpartum insertion of levonorgestrel contraceptive implants is associated with a difference in infant growth from birth to 6 months, onset of lactogenesis, or breastfeeding continuation at 3 and 6 months postpartum compared to delayed insertion at 6 to 8 weeks postpartum.

Comparison between conventional CT and grayscale inversion CT images in the assessment of the post-operative spinal orthopaedic implants

AimTo compare the accuracy of the inverted greyscale CT versus the conventional CT in the assessment of post-operative spinal orthopaedic implants and osseous fusion.Methods50 patients who had CT as part of their routine spinal implant follow up were evaluated for the presence of fusion, fracture and loosening with conventional CT and with greyscale inverted CT images. 3 independent observers assessed the images 2 months apart. Diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity) of the conventional and greyscale inversion images relative to the reference standard were calculated. Agreement with the reference standard was assessed using Cohen's kappa for conventional and greyscale inversion images.ResultsCorrect classifications increased when using the greyscale inverted CT images for each reader compared to conventional CT images (40–46, 39 to 42 and 41 to 44 (out of 50)). Inverted images demonstrated better agreement with the reference standard than conventional grayscale images for assessment of fusion (kappa of 0.588 for inverted CT versus 0.484 for conventional CT) and loosening (kappa 0.386 for inverted versus 0.293 for conventional). Sensitivity was increased for assessment of fusion and loosening. McNemar's test performed for assessment of sensitivity differences showed statistical significance (p = 0.038 for fusion and p = 0.0313 for loosening).ConclusionGreyscale inversion CT is a useful adjunct which has advantages (improved sensitivity and better agreement) over conventional CT imaging in cases of fusion and loosening of metallic implants following spinal instrumentation. We recommend the use of both the greyscale inversion CT images and conventional CT imaging when assessing post-operative spinal orthopaedic implants.     

组织工程用外科植入物-高分子材料的加工、改性及应用

介绍了组织工程用外科植入物-生物医用高分子材料基本情况．重点从三个方面介绍了我们的工作，首先我们合成了三种可降解材料：聚羟基烷酸酯、两亲性聚氯酯弹性体、可注射性水凝胶．利用各种方法制造了多种复杂形状的组织工程支架，并对医用支架材料表面进行了改性。     

微型种植体支抗愈合期稳定性的比较

目的比较不同愈合时间种植体支抗的稳定性。方法10只新西兰大白兔应用种植体60枚,均分为种植即刻组、种植后1周组、2周组、4周组、8周组进行拉出实验和转矩实验。采用单因素方差分析组间差异,相关性分析愈合时间、最大剪切力、最大力矩两两之间的相关性。结果4周与8周组最大剪切力分别为(179·68±24·65)N、(212·06±42·51)N;4周与8周组的最大力矩分别为(0·47±0·13)N·m、(0·61±0·16)N·m,与其他组相比差异均有统计学意义(P<0·05)。愈合时间、最大剪切力、最大力矩两两之间均呈正相关。结论4周是种植体愈合期生物稳定性的一个关键时间点。8周内种植体的生物力学性能与愈合时间呈正相关。     

种植义齿修复的医学伦理问题

种植义齿是一项新的修复缺失牙方法，本文从医学伦理学的角度出发，探究种植又齿修复过程中应遵循的医德原则，医师高度的责任心、精湛的医术和正确的口腔宣教是保证种植义齿修复成功的关键。     

Aspects of silicone rubber as an encapsulant for neurological prostheses

Silicone rubber is not, at first sight, a promising material with which to encapsulate a piece of implantable microelectronics expected to last ten or twenty years. It is well known to be very permeable to water. In fact, if correctly applied, it performs very well for ten years, possibly longer. The paper considers the part player by osmosis in achieving satisfactory performance combined with simple technology.