A method for fabricating an implant-retained orbital prosthesis using the existing prosthesis

This article describes a time-saving technique for fabricating a new implant-retained orbital prosthesis using the patient's existing prosthesis. The location of the ocular component is transferred; the position and openings of the palpebral anatomic structures and the precise anatomic details of the existing orbital prosthesis are duplicated. Making the impression, fabricating the definitive cast, alignment of the ocular component, and completing the wax sculpture of the prosthesis are accomplished in one appointment.     

Decreased small dense LDL levels in Gilbert's syndrome

Objective

To investigate the role of small dense low density lipoprotein cholesterol (sd-LDL-C) in the mechanism of decreased incidence of cardiovascular disease in Gilbert's syndrome (GS).

Design and methods

sd-LDL-C, ox-LDL, and high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were investigated in subjects with GS (n = 42) and compared to healthy controls (n = 52).

Results

Age, gender and body mass index (BMI) distributions were similar between the two groups. sd-LDL-C, ox-LDL and hs-CRP levels were lower in GS than the healthy controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Unconjugated bilirubin was negatively correlated with sd-LDL-C, ox-LDL and hs-CRP (r = −0.594, p < 0.001; r = −0.249, p = 0.016 and r = − 0.373, p < 0.001 respectively). In addition, sd-LDL-C was positively correlated with ox-LDL (r = 0.307, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

The findings of this preliminary study suggest that reduced sd-LDL-C, ox-LDL and hs-CRP levels may have a role in preventing atherosclerosis in subjects with GS.     

Use of canonical variate analysis biplot in examination of choline content data of some foods

Adequate intake (AI) of choline as part of the daily diet can help prevent major diseases. Low choline intake is a major risk factor for liver and several neurological disorders. Extreme choline consumption may cause diseases such as hypotension, sweating, diarrhea, and fishy body odor. The AI of choline is 425 mg/day for adult women; higher for pregnant and lactating women. The AI for adult men is 550 mg/day. The total choline content of foods is calculated as the sum of free choline, glycerophosphocholine, phosphocholine, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. These are called the choline variables. Observed values of choline variables may be different in amounts of nutrients. So different food groups in terms of choline variables are useful to compare. The present paper shows the advantages of using canonical variate analysis biplot to optimally separate groups and explore the differentiality of choline variables amounts in foods.     

Use of additional oxytocin to reduce blood loss at elective caesarean section: A randomised control trial

Objective:  The purpose of this prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to assess the effects of a 5-IU oxytocin bolus and placebo infusion versus a 5-IU oxytocin bolus and 30 IU infusion on the control of blood loss at elective lower segment caesarean section (C/S).
Methods:  Participants with indication for elective C/S were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A, 360 women, received oxytocin 5 IU bolus and placebo; group B, 360 women received oxytocin 5 IU bolus and 30 IU infusion. Blood loss was estimated based on the haematocrit values before and 48 h after delivery. The primary outcome was the incidence of excessive bleeding (estimated blood loss of >1000 mL), while secondary outcomes included use of additional uterotonics, estimated blood loss, need for blood transfusion, duration of hospital stay and the incidence of adverse effects.
Results:  No demographic difference was observed between groups. Mean estimated blood loss ( P  < 0.001) and the proportion of women with blood loss estimated to be greater than 1000 mL were significantly less for group B than for group A (relative risk (RR) 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20–0.63). In addition, more women in the group A required additional uterotonic agents (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.22–0.56) and blood transfusion (RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01–0.98).
Conclusion:  An additional oxytocin infusion after 5 IU oxytocin bolus infusion at elective C/S may reduce blood loss and required blood transfusion.     

Use of cone beam computed tomography in otolaryngologic treatments

Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) allows us to evaluate 3-dimensional (3D) morphology of the maxillofacial skeleton and also used in dentomaxillofacial imaging to solve complex diagnostic and treatment planning problems such as craniofacial fractures, temporamandibular dysfunctions or sinus imaging. CBCT uses a rectangular or round 2D detector, which allows a single rotation of the gantry to generate a scan of the entire region of interest. Technological and application-specific factors such as development of compact, relatively low-cost, high-quality, large, flat-panel detector arrays; the availability of low-cost computers with processing power sufficient for cone beam image reconstruction; the fabrication of highly efficient radiograph tubes capable of multiple exposures necessary for cone beam scanning at prices lower than those currently used for fan beam CT; and limited volume scanning (e.g., head and neck) eliminating the need for subsecond gantry rotation speeds make this possible. The objective of this study is to review published evidence for CBCT having an important role in ORL treatments. We aimed to review all the available literature about the CBCT imagination in ORL treatments. Systematic literature search was performed using PubMed and Ovid. Additional literature was retrieved from reference lists in the articles. Systematic analysis of the literature from 1998 to 2010 was performed. A total of 40 abstracts were evaluated independently by two members of the project group, and 38 articles were included in the review.     

Results of the tension-free vaginal tape procedure for treatment of female stress urinary ıncontinence: a 5-year follow-up study

Objective  We evaluated the long-term cure rates, surgical complications rates after treatment of urodynamically confirrmed primary genuine stress incontinence with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT). Methods  We performed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing the TVT procedure over a 5-year period to report intraoperative complication, postoperative complications and subjective cure rates. Results  TVT was performed on 600 patients under general anesthesia. Among these patients, 563 were followed up for least 5 years; the remaining 47 patients could not be followed up. The mean follow-up interval was 63.1 ± 3.1 (range 60–70) months. The mean age of the women was 51.7 ± 11.6 years and mean body mass index 31.7 ± 3.0 kg/m². Sixty-two percent (347) of women underwent the TVT procedure in conjunction with other vaginal surgery, and 38% (216) underwent TVT alone. The subjective analysis of the effect of surgery on the symptom of GSI was that, overall, 86.7% were completely cured, 6.0% were significantly improved and 7.3% found no change in the severity of her incontinence. No major nerve or vessel injury occurred, but 17 patients (3.0%) incurred bladder injury during the surgery. De novo voiding urgency occurred in 36 patients (6.4%). Thirty patients (5.3%) developed voiding problem, of which 19 patients had short-term voiding problem. Conclusion  The TVT procedure is a relatively safe and effective, minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of female urinary stress incontinence.     

Is routine cervical dilatation necessary during elective caesarean section? A randomised controlled trial

Objective: The purpose of this prospective randomised study was to determine the effect of routine cervical dilatation during elective caesarean section on maternal morbidity.
Methods: Participants with indication for elective caesarean section were randomly allocated to two groups. Group A ( n  = 200) women with intraoperative cervical dilatation; group B ( n  = 200) women with no intraoperative cervical dilatation.
Results: No demographic differences were observed between groups. There was no significant difference between groups in infectious morbidity ( P  = 0.87) (relative risk (RR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58–2.11), endometritis ( P  = 0.72) (RR 1.68, 95% CI 0.39–7.14), febrile morbidity ( P  = 0.66) (RR 1.21, 95% CI 0.51–2.87), wound infection ( P  = 0.82) (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.44–2.81), endometritis ( P  = 0.72) (RR 1.68, 95% CI 0.39–7.14) or urinary tract infection ( P  = 1.00) (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.28–3.50), and estimated blood loss ( P =  0.2). However, group A had longer operative times compared with the group B ( P =  0.01).
Conclusion: Intraoperative digital cervical dilatation during elective caesarean section did not reduce blood loss and postoperative infectious morbidity. The routine digital cervical dilatation during elective caesarean section is not recommended.