The dental management of patients with bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder (manic depressive disease) affects 1% of the United States population. These persons suffer from prolonged episodes of extreme elation and depression. There is a significant incidence of dental pathosis and a need for dental care among these patients. The medications used for the treatment of this disease, their physiologic effects, and their interactions with the drugs used in dentistry are reviewed.     

Differences in aerodynamic characteristics of new and dysfunctional Provox®2 voice prostheses in vivo

Tracheoesophageal voice prostheses need to be replaced due to increased airflow resistance or retrograde leakage of fluid into the trachea as a consequence of biofilm formation. Previous in vitro studies show a change of aerodynamic features of biofilm covered voice prostheses after removal of the prostheses out of the patient. To assess these changes in an in situ situation, aerodynamic characteristics were measured within 45 patients at the beginning and at the end of the wearing process of the Provox 2 voice prosthesis. As a consequence, the influence of biofilm formation on aerodynamic characteristics can be evaluated. In the majority of cases, leakage through the prosthesis was the reason for replacement. No differences were found in the total flow, volume range and intratracheal pressure (ITP) of the voice prostheses measured. The airflow resistance of biofilm covered prostheses was significantly reduced compared to new clean prostheses. However, no correlation was found between the extent of biofilm and the different aerodynamic features measured. Biofilm formation on the Provox 2 is responsible for both reduction in airflow resistance and leakage through the prosthesis by deterioration of the silicone rubber material.     

逆行岛状皮瓣修复手部软组织缺损

目的报道手部软组织缺损逆行岛状皮瓣修复方式的选择及临床效果。方法根据手部软组织缺损的不同部位，应用六种不同的手与前臂逆行岛状皮瓣进行修复。结果本组57块皮瓣中，除4块皮瓣远端部分坏死外，其余皮瓣成活良好，外观满意，弹性、质地良好，两点辨别觉6～12mm。结论手与前臂逆行岛状皮瓣切取简便，创伤小。根据手部软组织缺损不同部位，选择不同的逆行岛状皮瓣进行修复，可获得满意的临床效果。