A Review of the Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implant and Comparison with Other Surgical Operations

The Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) is a popular glaucoma drainage implant used for the control of intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. While in the past AGV implantation was reserved for glaucoma patients poorly controlled after one or more filtration procedures, mounting evidence has recently encouraged its use as a primary surgery in selected cases. AGV has been demonstrated to be safe and effective in reducing intraocular pressure in patients with primary or secondary refractory glaucoma. Compared to other glaucoma surgeries, AGV implantation has shown favorable efficacy and safety. The aim of this article is to review the results of studies directly comparing AGV with other surgical procedures in patients with glaucoma.     

Children with celiac disease and high tTGA are genetically and phenotypically different

AIM:To investigate whether celiac disease(CD)patients with tissue-transglutaminase antibody(tTGA)≥100 U/mL are different from patients with lower tTGA levels.METHODS:Biopsy-proven(MarshⅢ)pediatric CD patients(n=116)were prospectively included between March 2009 and October 2012.The biopsies were evaluated by a single pathologist who was blinded to all of the patients’clinical data.The patients were distributed into 2 groups according to their tTGA level,which was measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay:tTGA≥100 U/mL and Ttga<100 U/mL.The patients’characteristics,symptoms,human leukocyte antigen(HLA)genotype and degree of histological involvement were compared between the 2 groups.RESULTS:A total of 34(29.3%)children had tTGA values<100 U/mL and 82(70.7%)tTGA levels of≥100 U/mL.Patients with high tTGA levels had lower average body weight-for-height standard deviation scores(SDS)than did patients with tTGA<100 U/mL(-0.20±1.19 SDS vs 0.23±1.03 SDS,P=0.025).In the low tTGA group,gastrointestinal symptoms were more common(97.1%vs 75.6%,P=0.006).More specifically,abdominal pain(76.5%vs 51.2%;P=0.012)and nausea(17.6%vs 3.7%,P=0.018)were more frequent among patients with low tTGA.In contrast,patients with solely extraintestinal manifestations were only present in the high tTGA group(18.3%,P=0.005).These patients more commonly presented with aphthous stomatitis(15.9%vs 0.0%,P=0.010)and anemia(32.9%vs 11.8%,P=0.019).In addition,when evaluating the number of CD-associated HLA-DQ heterodimers(HLA-DQ2.5,HLA-DQ2.2 and HLA-DQ8),patients with low tTGA levels more commonly had only1 disease-associated heterodimer(61.8%vs 31.7%,P=0.005),while patients with high tTGA more commonly had multiple heterodimers.Finally,patients with tTGA≥100 U/mL more often had a MarshⅢc lesion(73.2%vs 20.6%,P≤0.001)while in patients with low tTGA patchy lesions were more common(42.4%vs6.8%,P≤0.001).CONCLUSION:Patients with tTGA≥100 U/mL show several signs of more advanced disease.They also carry a larger number of CD     

Critical care providers' opinion on unsafe abortion in Argentina

ObjectiveTo survey the opinion of critical care providers in Argentina about abortion.MethodsAn anonymous questionnaire was distributed to critical care providers attending the 20th National Critical Care Conference in Argentina.Results149 of 1800 attendees completed the questionnaire, 69 (46.3%) of whom were members of the Argentine Society of Critical Care (ASCC). 122 (81.9%) supported abortion decriminalization in situations excluded from the current law; 142 (95.3%) in cases of congenital defects; 133 (89.3%) in cases of rape; 115 (77.2%) when women's mental health is at risk; 71 (47.7%) when pregnancy is unintended; and 61 (40.9%) for economic reasons. 126 (84.6%) supported abortion in public and private institutions, and 121 (81.2%) before 12 weeks of pregnancy. Variables independently associated with abortion support among female versus male attendees were abortion to preserve women's mental health (OR 4.47; 95% CI, 1.61–12.42; P = 0.004) and abortion before 12 weeks of pregnancy (OR 3.93; 95% CI, 1.29–11.94; P = 0.015). Abortion at request was independently associated with ASCC membership (OR 2.63; 95% CI, 1.07–6.45; P = 0.034).ConclusionCritical care providers would support abortion in situations excluded from the current abortion law and before 12 weeks of pregnancy, in both public and private hospitals.     

Hemostasis by Bipolar Coagulation Versus Suture After Surgical Stripping of Bilateral Ovarian Endometriomas: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Study objectiveTo estimate whether the suture of the ovary is superior to bipolar coagulation in preserving ovarian reserve in infertile women undergoing laparoscopic stripping of bilateral endometriomas.DesignRandomized controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I).SettingUniversity teaching hospital.Patients100 patients with bilateral endometriomas.InterventionsPatients underwent stripping of bilateral endometriomas and were randomized to undergo hemostasis by use of either laparoscopic suturing (LS group) or bipolar coagulation (BC group). Changes in ovarian reserve were investigated by measuring the levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) before surgery and at 3, 6 and 12 months from surgery.Measurements and Main ResultsAt 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up, in both study groups, postsurgical AMH levels were significantly lower and basal FSH levels were significantly higher than before surgery. There was no significant difference in the mean percentage decrease of AMH levels in the BC group and LS group at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. The mean percentage increase in basal FSH was higher in the BC group than in the LS group at both 3-month (p = .023) and 6-month follow-up (p = .029), but not at 12-month follow-up. Pregnancy rate, time to conception, and rate of endometrioma recurrence was similar in the 2 study groups.ConclusionLaparoscopic stripping of ovarian endometriotic cyst significantly decreases serum AMH levels and increases basal FSH levels independent from the method used to obtain hemostasis on the ovarian tissue.     

2008 WHO骨髓增殖性肿瘤及骨髓增生异常综合征分型

2008年WHO骨髓增殖性肿瘤(MPN)/骨髓增生异常综合征(MDS)分型共分成4大类,每类又分多种不同疾病:     

Continuous positive airway pressure in the treatment of postoperative hypoxia

The physiopathology of postoperative hypoxia has been analysed, the cause being identified in the worsening of the V/Q ratio consequent on the reduction in CFR. By increasing CFR, CPAP reduces the superimposition of Tidal Volume and Closing Volume, thus reducing dysventilated zones and thereby improving the V/Q ratio and oxyaemia. With these premises, 18 patients undergoing cholecystectomy were examined; 8 of them were treated in the postoperative period with CPAP at pre-established intervals. The results confirm its effectiveness in terms of PaO2 improvement and the need for constant administration, considering that the benefits are lost when the patient is disconnected from the mask.     

US-guided percutaneous biopsy: use of a screw biopsy stylet to aid needle detection

Insertion of a screw biopsy stylet into a thin-walled biopsy needle greatly enhances detection of the needle during ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy. This technique is helpful when precise needle-tip localization is needed for biopsies of small lesions.