选择性断流加大网膜包肾术治疗门静脉高压症的随机对照研究

目的 随机对照选择性断流加大网膜包肾术治疗门静脉高压症的临床评估.方法 回顾1998年至2004年间,我院行门静脉高压症手术510例,其中选择性断流术式200例(即高选择离断穿支血管),断流术式160例,缝扎术式140例,脾肾分流术式10例,对照各种术式患者手术前、后门静脉血流量(PVF),自由门静脉压力(FPP).观察近期术后出血、肝性脑病、腹腔感染情况.5年后,随访再出血率、门静脉高压性胃病、肝纤维化指标(PCⅢ)、腹水发生率、食管静脉曲张程度.结果 选择性断流加大网膜包肾术治疗效果较其他术式的PVF、FPP显著降低(P＜0.01),近期出血、肝性脑病发生率下降(P＜0.05),腹腔感染差异无统计学意义.5年后,复发出血、门静脉高压性胃病、门静脉血栓发生率均显著下降(P＜0.01),食管胃底静脉曲张程度、腹水情况,肝纤维化指标(PCⅢ)、生存率差异无统计学意义.结论 选择性断流加大网膜包肾术既可高选择离断穿支血管止血彻底,术后复发出血率低,又可保留机体自发性分流,兼有分流术及断流术的特点,且手术操作简单.术后随访,远期疗效明显改善.     

透光技术在胃底静脉结扎术中的应用(附28例报告)

目的探讨透光法胃底静脉结扎＋贲门周围血管离断术治疗门静脉高压症食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血的可行性。方法收集我院2001年7月～2（1（15年7月门静脉高压症食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血52例,分为2组：传统断流术组（24例,对照组）和透光断流术组（28例,实验组）。观察所有病人住院期间术后并发症发生率、平均住院天数、平均费用以及食管再出血的例数。术后所有病人随访3年。结果两组之间平均住院天数和平均费用无显著性差异。在随访期内对照组再出血发生率高于实验组（P〈0．01）,实验组再出血时间间隔长于对照组（P〈0．01）。结论透光法胃底静脉结扎＋贲门周围血管离断术治疗门静脉高压症食管胃底静脉曲张破裂出血是一种可行的手术方式,可以减少术后并发症的发生。降低再次出血的风险。     

Effect of hypoventilation on bleeding during hepatic resection: a randomized controlled trial

HYPOTHESIS: Blood loss in hepatic resection is an important determinant of operative outcome. OBJECTIVE: To clarify whether reducing the tidal volume would be effective in decreasing blood loss during liver transection. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Eighty patients scheduled to undergo hepatic resection were randomly assigned to receive liver transection under normoventilation (n = 40) or hypoventilation (n = 40). INTERVENTIONS: During liver transection, in the normoventilation group, the tidal volume was 10 mL/kg and the respiratory rate was 10/min; in the hypoventilation group, the tidal volume was reduced to 4 mL/kg and respiratory rate was increased to 15/min. Liver transection was performed under total or selective inflow occlusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Blood loss. RESULTS: Between the normoventilation and hypoventilation groups, no significant difference was found in total blood loss (median [range]: 630 mL [72-3600 mL] vs 630 mL [120-3520 mL]; P =.44) or blood loss per transection area (median [range]: 7.3 mL/cm(2) [1.2-55.4 mL/cm(2)] vs 9.8 mL/cm(2) [0.9-79.9 mL/cm(2)]; P =.55). During liver transection, the central venous pressure was significantly reduced in the hypoventilation group than in the normoventilation group (median [range]: -0.7 cm H(2)O [-3.0 to 1.8 cm H(2)O] vs -0.2 cm H(2)O [-4.0 to 2.0 cm H(2)O]; P =.007). The maximum end-tidal carbon dioxide level in the hypoventilation group was significantly higher than that in the normoventilation group (maximum [range]: 50 mm Hg [28-66 mm Hg] vs 37 mm Hg [27-60 mm Hg]; P<.001). Transection time, postoperative liver function, hospitalization length, morbidity, and mortality were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: This randomized trial suggested no beneficial effect of reduction of tidal volume on bleeding during hepatic resection.     

Emergency splenic arterial embolization for massive variceal bleeding in liver recipient with left-sided portal hypertension.

Splenic vein thrombosis with gastric variceal bleeding is difficult to manage, and splenectomy may be necessary to stop variceal bleeding. The authors report the case of a post-orthotopic liver transplant patient with bleeding gastric varices secondary to splenic vein thrombosis treated by partial splenic artery embolization. Successful embolization was performed via transcatheter approach depositing Gianturco coils into the intrasplenic artery resulting in immediate cessation of variceal bleeding. No recurrence of bleeding was noted postembolization. In conclusion, splenic artery embolization can be used as treatment for postliver transplant variceal bleeding with hypersplenism.     

改良脾-肺固定联合外周血干细胞移植治疗门静脉高压症上消化道出血的疗效分析

目的探讨改良脾-肺固定联合外周血干细胞移植（APBSCT）治疗门静脉高压症上消化道出血的疗效。 方法收集2010年3月至2014年12月在郑州大学第一附属医院就诊且随访资料完善的门静脉高压症上消化道出血患者资料,其中行改良脾-肺固定术的31例患者设为对照组,联合应用APBSCT的17例患者为试验组。对比分析两组患者术后3、6个月时天冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、总胆红素（TBIL）、白蛋白（ALB）水平,应用超声多普勒检测术后3个月时脾-肺之间侧支循环形成情况,采用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线和Log-rank检验比较两组患者再出血时间差异。 结果两组患者术后3、6个月时AST、TBIL水平比较,差异无统计学意义;但试验组ALB水平均高于同期对照组,差异有统计学意义（t=-2.399、2.152,P=0.021、0.037）。术后3个月时,对照组中11例无明显侧支循环形成,未形成率为35.48%（11/31）,显著高于试验组的5.88%（1/17）,两组比较差异有统计学意义（χ²=5.131,P=0.024）。试验组中1例于术后12个月时发生消化道再出血,对照组中10例发生消化道再出血,其中3例于术后3个月内出现,两组再出血时间比较差异有统计学意义（χ²=4.362,P=0.037）。 结论外周血干细胞移植能够促进改良脾-肺固定术后脾-肺之间侧支循环的建立,减少再出血风险,改善肝脏合成功能,值得进一步推广应用。     

Preeminence of lesser splanchnic blood flow in selected patients with generalized portal hypertension

Although restricted transhepatic portal flow is necessary for development of generalized portal hypertension (GPH), increased splanchnic arterial inflow also contributes to GPH and its clinical sequelae. In this context, we describe 7 male and 6 female patients (mean age 48 years) in whom the lesser splanchnic (gastrosplenic) system played a key role in the signs and symptoms of GPH. These 13 patients (9 with hepatic cirrhosis, 3 with primary myeloproliferative disorder, and 1 with extrahepatic portal block) shared common features of massive splenomegaly, huge splenofundic gastric varices, often with a prominent natural shunt to the left renal vein. Total or near total splenectomy alone or combined where appropriate with coronary vein ligation was effective in controlling varix hemorrhage (10 patients), ascites (3), or complications of an enlarged spleen-anorexia and abdominal pain (3), hemolytic anemia (1) and profound thrombocytopenia with severe epistaxis (1). Intraoperative jejunal portal venography was crucial in operative management in order to establish definitively the presence or absence of coronary venous collaterals, and when present, to verify their operative ligation. These distinctive patients illustrate: 1) GPH is a heterogeneous syndrome of divergent splanchnic circulatory patterns, a feature which should be taken into account in selecting operative treatment; 2) one well-defined subgroup displays prominent hyperdynamic lesser splanchnic and specifically, splenic blood flow as a major contributor to clinical complications; and 3) within this subgroup, splenectomy combined with documented absence or surgical interruption of coronary venous collaterals as corroborated by intraoperative portography is effective alternative treatment.     

“围巾式”食管-胃吻合术治疗食管下段静脉曲张出血

目的介绍“围巾式”食管－胃吻合术预防术后吻合口瘘的临床经验。方法回顾性分析2002年1月至2014年1月对75例门静脉高压症并食管下段静脉曲张出血病例行食管下段及胃底切除术时使用“围巾式”食管－胃吻合术治疗的结果。观察术后并发症发生率和病死率。结果75例手术无吻合口瘘发生,吻合口狭窄3例,术后复发出血2例,手术死亡1例。结论“围巾式”食管－胃吻合术可减少食管下段及胃底切除术后吻合口并发症,安全、有效。     

Marsupialization of fistulotomy and fistulectomy wounds improves healing and decreases bleeding: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Marsupialization of anal fistulotomy/fistulectomy wound leaves less raw unepithelialized tissue. The suture results in a more rapid healing and is likely to reduce the risk of bleeding but at the cost of an increased pain and infection. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the outcomes of marsupialization and open wound. METHODS: Forty-six consecutive patients with anal fistulae were recruited in a randomized controlled trial. Fistula tracks were treated by fistulotomy and/or fistulectomy. The resulting wounds were marsupialized to the skin edges with locking continuous absorbable sutures (M group) or left open (O group). The clinical outcome was then evaluated. The intra-operative effect of the suture on wound size was recorded as well as the postoperative pain using a 0-10 visual analogue scale (VAS) and the occurrence of both wound bleeding and infection. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were randomized to the M group and 24 to the O group. There were no differences in the age, sex and fistula type between the groups. Mean follow-up times were 10.5 and 13.8 months, respectively. No significant difference was observed in postoperative pain, the VAS being 3.5 +/- 1.5 in the M group and 3.4 +/- 1.6 in the O group at 12 h (mean +/- s.e.m.; n.s). The marsupialization nearly halved the size of the wound intra-operatively from an area of 1749 +/- 66 mm2 to 819 +/- 38 mm2 (P < 0.001), which subsequently decreased to 217 +/- 15 mm2 after 4 weeks (P < 0.01). No significant reduction of wound size was observed in the O group (from 1171 +/- 31 mm2 to 543 +/- 19; n.s). Bleeding occurred less frequently in M group than in O group (36%vs 46%, P < 0.05), whereas the difference in the postoperative sepsis rate was not significant, being 14% in M vs 21% in the O group. Three reinterventions were needed in both groups due to wound sepsis. CONCLUSION: Marsupialization after fistulotomy/fistulectomy significantly reduces the size of the wound and the risk of bleeding, without increasing postoperative pain and sepsis.     

A randomized controlled trial comparing a modified Burch procedure and a suburethral sling: long-term follow-up

The aim of this study was to compare the long-term results of a modified Burch procedure with a sling procedure for the treatment of stress incontinence with a low-pressure urethra. Thirty-six women with urodynamic stress incontinence, low-pressure urethra, urethral hypermobility and no significant pelvic organ prolapse were randomly assigned to undergo either a modified Burch procedure (n=19) or a sling placement (n=17). Cure of the stress incontinence (defined as a negative stress test and negative pad-weight test) was the primary long-term endpoint. Secondary endpoints included subjective cure of stress incontinence (defined as no incontinence episodes on a 1-week voiding diary) and voiding function studies. Comparisons of group means were performed with the Mann–Whitney U-test, pooled variance t-tests and separate variance t-tests. Proportions were compared with Fisher's exact test. A logistic regression analysis was performed to control for covariates that differed in our two groups despite randomization. Long-term follow-up (mean=72.6 months) was available for 82% (28/34) of the original study group. The objective cure rates for the Burch and sling groups were 84.6% and 100%, respectively (P=0.17). Mean uroflowmetry rates for the Burch and sling groups were 7.38 and 6.8 ml/s, respectively (P=0.58, 95%CI –2.5, 4.4). Mean postvoid residual volumes for both groups were 35 ml (P=0.97, 95% CI –23.8, 65.9). Two sling patients (12%) required partial resection of their slings because of erosion. Both patients remained continent. In terms of voiding function and stress incontinence cure, there were no differences between groups undergoing modified Burch or sling procedures for treatment of urodynamic stress incontinence with low-pressure urethra.Abbreviations SI Stress incontinence - UI Urge incontinencePresented at the American Urogynecologic Society 21st Annual Scientific MeetingEditorial Comment: The authors have to be congratulated on their effort to provide evidence-based results. They used different techniques to perform the Burch procedure from used in the 1987 paper, and compared it to another technique they no longer use. Their power calculation is based on unsatisfactory results reported in 1987 for the Burch colposuspension. These results made the difference in outcome, thereby decreasing the number of subjects needed for the study. In addition, they did not report results as ITT. In spite of these shortcomings the study provides clinically useful data that can be built on for future research. I find it interesting that the super-Burch is good for low-pressure urethras, contrary to the belief that excessive tension can lead to ISD.     

血吸虫病门静脉高压兔食管下端血管病变的研究

目的:探讨血吸虫性门静脉高压兔食管下端的血管病变。方法:以腹部敷贴法感染血吸虫尾蚴的家兔为血吸虫性门静脉高压症的动物模型。采用HE染色、Masson三色染色、透射电镜观察食管下端黏膜下血管的病理变化。应用免疫组化和半定量Western免疫印迹方法检测ET1、cNOS、iNOS在食管下端的表达。结果:感染尾蚴120d后,食管下端黏膜下血管已有明显病理变化,与正常对照组相比ET1、cNOS、iNOS的表达明显增加(P<0.01),主要表达于食管黏膜毛细血管、黏膜下血管壁的内皮细胞。结论:门静脉高压症时,血管病变的产生可能既是血管对高动力循环状态的适应与代偿的结果,也是静脉曲张进一步发展和破裂出血的原因之一。ET1、cNOS、iNOS的高表达可能参与了血管病变的形成。     

Three-hour interval drain clamping reduces postoperative bleeding in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure that has a risk of significant blood loss and blood transfusion, and carries a substantial risk for immunologic reactions and disease transmission. Drain clamping is a popular method that is applied to reduce blood loss after TKA. However, the clamping protocol remains controversial. Therefore, we established a new protocol, 3-h interval clamping, and compared the bleeding control efficacy of this protocol following TKA with the non-clamping technique.

Methods

Between March and July 2008, we enrolled 100 patients (100 knees) who underwent uncomplicated TKA using a minimally invasive surgical technique. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups based on the draining protocol: non-clamping (group A) and 3-h interval clamping (group B). For group A, a vacuum drain was connected to a container and was run continuously during the first postoperative day, whereas the vacuum was stopped twice (for ~3 h each time) for group B. Demographic characteristics and clinical data were collected, including the levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit, the total blood loss volume, the number of patients who required a blood transfusion, and any complications that developed. The perioperative data were compared between the two groups.

Results

The drainage blood volume in the interval-clamping group (group B) was significantly lower than that in the non-clamping group (group A) during the first 48 h following the procedure (p < 0.001 and p = 0.005 for first and second postoperative days, respectively). The mean fall in hemoglobin levels at 12 h in the interval-clamping group (2.8 ± 0.9 g/dL) was also lower than in the non-clamping group (3.2 ± 0.8 g/dL). In the 3-h interval clamping protocol, the number of patients requiring a transfusion was 2.2 times less than the number in the non-clamping protocol, but was not significantly different (odds ratio = 2.20, p = 0.24), and the significant predictor of blood transfusion was the preoperative hemoglobin level (odds ratio = 7.73, p < 0.001). No wound infection or clinical venous thromboembolisms were detected in our study.

Conclusion

The 3-h interval clamping is a newly developed protocol for reducing blood loss after TKA. The protocol lessens the decrease in postoperative hemoglobin levels. This protocol can be applied easily without increasing clinical thromboembolic events and wound complications.     

Effective control of hepatic bleeding with a novel collagen-based composite combined with autologous plasma: results of a randomized controlled trial

HYPOTHESIS: A novel collagen-based composite of bovine microfibrillar collagen and bovine thrombin combined with autologous plasma is more effective than standard hemostasis (collagen sponge applied with pressure) in controlling diffuse hepatic bleeding after hemihepatectomy or segmental resection of the liver. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Seven university-affiliated medical centers. PATIENTS: Sixty-seven adult patients scheduled for hemihepatectomy or segmental resection who received hemostatic intervention with an investigational treatment (n = 38) or control (n = 29). INTERVENTION: Bleeding hepatic tissue was managed in all control subjects with a collagen sponge with manual pressure. Subjects in the experimental group had the sprayable liquid composite intraoperatively applied to the surgical site. The liquid immediately formed a collagen-fibrin gel that was used without concomitant tamponade. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hemostatic success was defined as the proportion of subjects in each treatment group who achieved complete hemostasis within 10 minutes. Success rates and median times required to achieve controlled bleeding (ie, slight oozing) and complete hemostasis were compared between treatment groups. RESULTS: All 38 subjects in the experimental group achieved complete hemostasis within 10 minutes compared with only 69% (20/29) of control subjects (P<.001). The median time to controlled bleeding was approximately 4 times longer (250 vs 62 seconds) for control subjects than for experimental group subjects (P<.001). The median time required to achieve complete hemostasis also favored the experimental group (150 vs 360 seconds; P<.001). No adverse events related to the use of the experimental hemostatic agent were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The experimental composite is more effective at controlling and stopping diffuse hepatic bleeding than a collagen sponge applied with pressure; it may be a useful hemostatic agent for patients undergoing hemihepatectomy, segmental resection, and related surgical procedures.     

Improved intraoperative management of anastomotic bleeding during aortic reconstruction: results of a randomized controlled trial

In a randomized controlled trial, the effectiveness of a polymeric surgical sealant (CoSeal) was compared to Gelfoam/thrombin for managing anastomotic bleeding after implantation of Dacron grafts during aortic reconstruction for nonruptured aneurysms. Each treatment was directly applied to the suture line after confirmation of anastomotic bleeding. The proportion of suture line sites that achieved immediate sealing and the proportion sealed within 5 minutes were determined among 37 experimental (59 sites) and 17 control subjects (27 sites). A significantly greater proportion of bleeding suture line sites treated with the polymeric sealant achieved immediate sealing following reestablishment of blood flow compared with control-treated sites [48 of 59 (81%) vs 10 of 27 (37%); P = 0.002]. The difference between treatment groups was maintained after 5 minutes with approximately 85 per cent (50 of 59) of CoSeal sites compared to just over one-half (14 of 27) of control sites demonstrating ultimate sealing (P = 0.01). There were no adverse events related to the use of the polymeric sealant in this study. These results support the use of this novel sealant for the intraoperative management of anastomotic bleeding during aortic reconstruction procedures.     

Telephonic management of rectal bleeding in young adults – a prospective randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: The majority of young adults referred with rectal bleeding to a colorectal specialist clinic have a very low risk of serious disease such as cancer, and a high chance of gaining symptom relief by simple dietary changes. To determine whether young low-risk patients with rectal bleeding can be managed with a structured telephonic interview and dietary advice, rather than an outpatient visit. METHOD: A single-blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial was performed in two stages. Patients under 40 years with rectal bleeding only were offered inclusion. Part-I trial: Patients were interviewed on telephone by the colorectal nurse specialist (CNS) and randomized to receive dietary advice (Advice Group) or not (Control Group). All patients were seen in clinic 6 weeks later by a doctor 'blinded' to their trial status. Part-II trial: Patients were interviewed on telephone by the CNS and again randomized to an Advice Group or a Control Group. The Control Group were seen in clinic 6 weeks later. The Advice Group were telephoned again 6 weeks later, and if their bleeding had stopped, were not brought to clinic. All patients were tracked for a year after the study to ensure no adverse diagnoses came to light. RESULTS: Part-I trial: 63 of 89 eligible patients were contactable and none refused the study. Seventy per cent of the Advice Group compared with 33% (P = 0.001) of the Control Group had symptomatic improvement when seen in clinic. Approximately 30% of each group required further treatment. Part-II trial: 54 of 94 eligible patients were contactable. However a further nine declined to enter the trial; 90% of patients in the Advice Group had improved at 6 weeks as judged by telephone interview compared with 56% of patients in the Control Group (P = 0.024) who were seen in clinic. The 90% of patients who improved in the Advice Group did not need to come to clinic to be seen. In both parts of the trial, the CNS identified a small number of patients with urgent symptoms at interview and brought them to clinic. The majority had anal fissures or haemorrhoids although in Part-II, one patient had ulcerative colitis and one had colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Telephonic consultation is an effective way of identifying those patients with urgent symptoms among a cohort of young adults referred to the hospital with rectal bleeding. Telephonic dietary advice leads to resolution of rectal bleeding in the majority of patients without urgent symptoms.     

The impact of sleep deprivation on product quality and procedure effectiveness in a laparoscopic physical simulator: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: To compare the impact of sleep deprivation after 24-hour duty (post-call) with that of 8-hour work (post-work) on product quality (PQ) and procedure effectiveness (PE) in a laparoscopic physical simulator. METHODS: Voluntary surgeons and nurses were pretested with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Minimally Invasive Surgical Trainer-Virtual Reality (MIST-VR). Surgical task was suturing perforated ulcer on a foam stomach in a physical simulator. PQ and PE were measured by accuracy error (AE), tissue damage (TD) leak rate (LR), goal- (GDA) non-goal-directed actions (NGDA), and operating time (OT), respectively. Construct validity was assessed comparing measures when surgeons and nurses performed the surgical task. Inter-rater reliability (IRR) was assessed by Kendall's tau b coefficient. An 80% power parallel block randomization design at alpha = .05 required 60 subjects. RESULTS: Thirty-two post-call surgeons and 32 post-work surgeons were well matched for age, gender, practice duration, and ESS and MIST-VR scores. The amount of time slept in the previous 24 hours was 1.5 versus 6.5 hours (P < .05). AE (1.0 mm vs. .5 mm), TD (2.18 mm vs. 2.18 mm), LR (56.2% vs. 65.6%), GDA (33.5 vs. 32.5), NGDA (.56 vs. .31), and OT (381.0 seconds vs. 364.5 seconds) were not significantly different when 32 surgeons in the post-call arm were compared with their 32 counterparts in the post-work arm, respectively. Construct validity was shown by significant improvement in 4 outcome measures (AE 1.0 mm vs. 2.0 mm, P = .00001; GDA 32.5 vs. 39.0, P = .07, NGDA .43 vs. .96, P = .045; and OT 377.5 vs. 557.0, P = .0005) when 64 surgeons performed the task as compared to 64 nurses. Tau b for IRR was 1.0 (P < .0001) for AE, TD, LR, and OT, .75 (P = .325) for GDA, and .77 (P = .305) for NGDA. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep deprivation had no impact on the studied outcome measures of a surgical task performed in a laparoscopic simulator.     

Patient controlled analgesia in children and adolescents: a randomized controlled trial.

In children, patient controlled analgesia (PCA) and continuous infusion (CI) of morphine are well established methods of relieving postoperative pain. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of PCA plus background infusion (BI) (15 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) and bolus doses of 15 microg x kg(-1) with a lock-out interval of 10 min) with CI (20 to 40 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) in terms of analgesia, morphine needs and side-effects. A stratified randomized controlled trial was carried out. 47 children aged 5-18 years undergoing major elective lower/upper abdominal or spinal surgery were allocated. The magnitude of surgery was assessed by the Severity of Surgical Stress scoring (SSS) system. Pain was assessed by self-report every three h. Side-effects compatible with morphine as well as morphine consumption were recorded. Morphine consumption was significantly increased in the PCA group compared with the CI group. Moreover, morphine consumption was associated with SSS, independent of the technique of administration. There were no significant differences between groups in pain scores or in the incidence of side-effects.     

Laser acupuncture in patients with temporomandibular dysfunction: a randomized controlled trial

A prospective, double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients with chronic temporomandibular disorder (TMD) to check the analgesic efficacy of infrared low-power GaAlAs diode laser applied to acupuncture points. Forty female subjects, ranging in age from 20 to 40 years, with diagnoses of chronic myofascial pain and arthralgia were randomly allocated to two groups: an experimental group (EG) who received the laser acupuncture as adjunct to reversible occlusal splint therapy and a control group (CG) who received a placebo laser associated with occlusal splint therapy. Both approaches were applied once a week for 3 months. Laser acupuncture was defined by the following parameters: 50-mW continuous radiation for 90 s to acupoints ST6, SI19, GB20, GB43, LI4, LR3, NT3, and EX-HN3; defining 4.5-J energy; 1250-W/cm² density point; and 112.5-J/cm² total density. The outcome measurements included a symptom evolution assessment carried out by checking spontaneous and palpation pain intensity, which was indicated on a visual analog scale (VAS). All evaluations were made by an assessor who was blind to the treatment. The symptom reduction was significant in both groups (EG: VAS?=?0, n?=?20; CG: VAS between 2 and 4, n?=?18). The measurements showed significantly faster and lower pain intensity values in the EG (p?≤?0.002), where there was a higher proportion of patients with remission of symptoms related to the action of laser acupuncture. For patients in whom conservative treatment was adopted, the laser acupuncture is a secure, noninvasive, and effective treatment modality because it improves the chronic pain associated with TMD and has no side effects.     

Equality of the left and right renal venous flow predicts the severity of variceal bleeding in portal hypertensive children

Portasystemic collaterals develop as a result of portal hypertension. The collaterals in the cardioesophageal region is the leading cause of bleeding from esophageal varices. Some of the portal hypertensive patients present with bleeding episodes but the others do not, and some of the bleeders do not respond to endoscopic sclerotherapy procedure, although the underlying pathology is the same. The capacity of the natural collateral vessels might be a determining factor about the hemorrhagic events. Since the first step of portasystemic collateralization takes place in the naturally existent vascular channels, the present study, with its anatomic and clinical parts, was focused on these venous structures.