Does hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose (HA-CMC) membrane interfere with the healing of intestinal suture lines and abdominal incisions?

Although hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose (HA-CMC) membrane has the advantage of preventing intraabdominal adhesions, it has theoretical risk of negative effects on the healing of intestinal suture lines by forming a barrier between the suture lines and neighboring serosal surfaces. This study evaluated the effect of HA-CMC on bowel anastomoses, scar healing, and intraabdominal adhesion formation. Two groups of 10 male Sprague-Dawley rats were examined. In the first group, laparotomy was performed with a median incision. Colotomy on the cecum and a single-layer repair of the bowel wall was performed. HA-CMC membrane was placed on the cecal suture line and under the laparotomy incision before abdominal closure. The second group had the same procedure but no HA-CMC membrane was placed. The animals were killed on postoperative day 14. Intraabdominal adhesions, laparotomy suture line endurance, bursting pressure of the repaired cecal wall, and tissue hydroxyproline levels were determined. The repaired cecal wall was also examined histopathologically. The statistical analyses revealed that HA-CMC prevented intraabdominal adhesions significantly. No negative effects of this material on the healing of the bowel and laparotomy suture lines were observed. HA-CMC appears to be a safe material to prevent intraabdominal adhesions, without negative effects on the healing of abdominal incisions and bowel suture lines.     

Risk factors for stroke following coronary artery bypass operations

BACKGROUND: Although the overall complication rates have been decreased significantly in recent years, stroke rates still remain high in patients undergoing coronary bypass operations. This study is designed to evaluate the risk factors for stroke in patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery in an 8-year period in our clinic. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2003, 8547 coronary artery operations under cardiopulmonary bypass were performed. Retrospective analysis of the patient files revealed that 75 (0.9%) patients had stroke in the early postoperative period. RESULTS: Mean age of these patients was 62.3 +/- 9.5 years, and 54 (72%) were males. Stroke rate was 1.2% between 1995 and 1998 and this was significantly higher from the stroke rate (0.7%) of the period 1998 to 2003 (p = 0.03). Major technical differences between these two periods were the routine application of preoperative carotid arteries Doppler evaluation and intraoperative epiaortic echocardiography after 1998. Higher age (p = 0.000), female sex (p = 0.005), smoking (p = 0.03), presence of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.01), hypertension (p = 0.008), and left main coronary artery disease (p = 0.001), carotid surgery (p = 0.000), and peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.049) were identified as important risk factors in univariate analysis for stroke development. Higher age (p = 0.000; OR = 21.38), left main coronary artery disease (p = 0.007; OR = 7.26), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.050; OR = 3.08), and operation date before 1998 (p = 0.012; OR = 6.33) were identified as important risk factors in logistic regression analysis. According to intraoperative epiaortic ultrasonography, operative strategy was changed in 9% of patients. Thirty-seven (49.3%) of the stroke patients died. Female sex (p = 0.023; OR = 5.18) and preoperative hypertension (p = 0.045; OR = 4.03) were observed as significant risk factors for mortality after stroke. CONCLUSION: Development of stroke is one of the major reasons of mortality after coronary artery bypass operations. It is essential to take all the measures to prevent this complication, especially in patients with known risk factors. Evaluation of carotid arteries prior to operation and application of routine intraoperative epiaortic echocardiography may in part eliminate stroke.     

Dosimetric evaluation of the effect of dental implants in head and neck radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the dose enhancement from scattered radiation at bone-dental implant interfaces during simulated head and neck radiotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: Four cylindrical titanium dental implants with 3 different sizes and lengths were implanted into a human mandible in 4 different positions. Ionization measurements for 6 MV X, 25 MV X, and Co-60 gamma rays were done. Thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD 100 ) chips were used to measure radiation dose enhancement due to the scattered electrons from titanium and electronic disequilibrium at the tissue-metal interface. RESULTS: The results showed that for Co-60, there is a 21% maximum increase in dose to alveolar mandibular bone at the close proximity to the titanium. For 6-MV x-rays the dose enhancement increase was almost the same or slightly lower than for Co-60, while for 25-MV high-energy x-rays, dose enhancement was lower than that of others. This increase in dose enhancement fell off rapidly and became insignificant at 2 mm from the interface. CONCLUSION: Total dose that may lead to osteoradionecrosis risk of the mandible is slightly but not significantly affected by the scattered dose of the dental implants of lower jaw in the radiation field exposed to 3 different radiation beams.     

Effect of rimonabant on progression of atherosclerosis in patients with abdominal obesity and coronary artery disease: the STRADIVARIUS randomized controlled trial

Context  Abdominal obesity is associated with metabolic abnormalities and increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, no obesity management strategy has demonstrated the ability to slow progression of coronary disease. Objective  To determine whether weight loss and metabolic effects of the selective cannabinoid type 1 receptor antagonist rimonabant reduces progression of coronary disease in patients with abdominal obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Design, Setting, and Patients  Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 2-group, parallel-group trial (enrollment December 2004-December 2005) comparing rimonabant with placebo in 839 patients at 112 centers in North America, Europe, and Australia. Interventions  Patients received dietary counseling, were randomized to receive rimonabant (20 mg daily) or matching placebo, and underwent coronary intravascular ultrasonography at baseline (n = 839) and study completion (n = 676). Main Outcome Measures  The primary efficacy parameter was change in percent atheroma volume (PAV); the secondary efficacy parameter was change in normalized total atheroma volume (TAV). Results  In the rimonabant vs placebo groups, PAV (95% confidence interval [CI]) increased 0.25% (–0.04% to 0.54%) vs 0.51% (0.22% to 0.80%) (P = .22), respectively, and TAV decreased 2.2 mm³ (–4.09 to –0.24) vs an increase of 0.88 mm³ (–1.03 to 2.79) (P = .03). In the rimonabant vs placebo groups, imputing results based on baseline characteristics for patients not completing the trial, PAV increased 0.25% (–0.04% to 0.55%) vs 0.57% (0.29% to 0.84%) (P = .13), and TAV decreased 1.95 mm³ (–3.8 to –0.10) vs an increase of 1.19 mm³ (–0.73 to 3.12) (P = .02). Rimonabant-treated patients had a larger reduction in body weight (4.3 kg [–5.1 to –3.5] vs 0.5 kg [–1.3 to 0.3]) and greater decrease in waist circumference (4.5 cm [–5.4 to –3.7] vs 1.0 cm [–1.9 to –0.2]) (P < .001 for both comparisons). In the rimonabant vs placebo groups, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased 5.8 mg/dL (4.9 to 6.8) (22.4%) vs 1.8 mg/dL (0.9 to 2.7) (6.9%) (P < .001), and median triglyceride levels decreased 24.8 mg/dL (–35.4 to –17.3) (20.5%) vs 8.9 mg/dL (–14.2 to –1.8) (6.2%) (P < .001). Rimonabant-treated patients had greater decreases in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (1.3 mg/dL [–1.7 to –1.2] [50.3%] vs 0.9 mg/dL [–1.4 to –0.5] [30.9%]) and less increase in glycated hemoglobin levels (0.11% [0.02% to 0.20%] vs 0.40% [0.31% to 0.49%]) (P < .001 for both comparisons). Psychiatric adverse effects were more common in the rimonabant group (43.4% vs 28.4%, P < .001). Conclusions  After 18 months of treatment, the study failed to show an effect for rimonabant on disease progression for the primary end point (PAV) but showed a favorable effect on the secondary end point (TAV). Determining whether rimonabant is useful in management of coronary disease will require additional imaging and outcomes trials, which are currently under way. Trial Registration  clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00124332      

Corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame counts in diabetic patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (CTFC) in patients with angiographically normal coronary arteries and diabetes mellitus, a condition known to be associated with microvascular dysfunction. METHODS: Patients who underwent coronary angiography in Gazi University Hospital, Ankara, Turkey between January 2000 and January 2005 were studied. Corrected TIMI frame count was calculated over the left anterior descending (LAD), left circumflex (Cx) and right coronary arteries (RCA) in 118 diabetic and 122 non-diabetic patients with normal coronary angiogram. RESULTS: The mean CTFC values of the LAD, Cx, and the RCA were similar in diabetics and nondiabetics 21.0 +/= 7.5 versus 21.3 +/= 9.6, 23.3 +/= 9.7 versus 23.5 +/= 10.8, 17.9 +/= 6.7 versus 18.7 +/=7.4 respectively, p>0.05 for all comparisons. In stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis, body surface area had a significant correlation with CTFC of all the 3 coronary arteries. CONCLUSION: We conclude that CTFC in diabetics and non-diabetics with angiographically normal coronary arteries is similar. Since microvascular disease is an inherent component of diabetes, our finding may reflect the inadequacy of CTFC in predicting microvascular disease in diabetic patients with normal coronary angiograms.     

The role of surface ECG and transthoracic echocardiography for predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the roles of surface electrocardiogram (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiography (ECHO) for prediction of atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: This study was conducted from 2002-2004 at the Cardiovascular Department of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey. Seventy consecutive patients were enrolled in this study that underwent elective CABG. A 12-lead ECG was recorded one day before cardiac surgery and was repeated during the 5 days after CABG. P-wave dispersion (PWD) was defined as the difference between maximum and minimum P-wave duration. Differences in P-wave duration were compared between the pre- and postoperative 12-lead ECG measurements. RESULTS: Postoperative AF developed in 17 (24%) cases of 70 patients. The PWD was found to be significantly higher in patients with AF preoperatively (60+/-19 versus 47+/-13, p=0.003), postoperative first day (56+/-12 versus 44+/-11, p<0.002) and fifth day (51+/-29 versus 41+/-11, p<0.001). Patients with AF were significantly older, the mean age of the AF group was (68+/-7) years and of the sinus rhythm (SR) group was (59+/-10 years) (p<0.001). The AF group had left ventricular systolic dysfunction (56+/-13% versus 56+/-8%, p=0.042, preoperatively; 49+/-8% versus 60+/-10%, p=0.001, postoperatively) and a larger left atrium (46+/-5 versus 39+/-5 mm, p<0.001, preoperatively and 44+/-7 versus 39+/-5 mm, p=0.046, postoperatively) than the SR group. CONCLUSION: This prospective study demonstrated that PWD on surface ECG and additional echocardiographic parameters are simple and reliable indexes to predict the development of AF after CABG.     

Mini-open technique for the achilles tenotomy in correction of idiopathic clubfoot: a report of 25 cases

Achilles tenotomy is performed for the residual equinus deformity in the Ponseti method of clubfoot treatment. In the present article, we describe a mini-open Achilles tenotomy technique to prevent complications that could occur during tenotomy. This technique was performed on 15 patients (25 feet) during a 3-year period in our clinic on patients whose equinus deformities could not have been corrected by manipulations. Clear improvement (mean angle, 30 degrees ) was observed in equinus in our patients, and we have not seen any complication in this method. We conclude that direct visualizing of the tendon with mini-open incision may reduce the risk of neurovascular injury, especially for surgeons who are not experienced.     

Internalized Stigma in Pediatric Psoriasis: A Comparative Multicenter Study

BackgroundInternalized stigma, adoption of negative attitudes and stereotypes of the society regarding persons'' illness, has not been studied previously in pediatric psoriasis patients.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the internalized stigma in pediatric psoriasis patients and to determine differences according to factors affecting internalized stigma compared to adult psoriasis patients.MethodsThis multicenter, cross-sectional, comparative study included 125 pediatric (55 female, 70 male; mean age±standard deviation [SD], 14.59±2.87 years) and 1,235 adult psoriasis patients (577 female, 658 male; mean age±SD, 43.3±13.7 years). Psoriasis Internalized Stigma Scale (PISS), Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), Perceived Health Status (PHS), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ)-12 were the scales used in the study.ResultsThe mean PISS was 58.48±14.9 in pediatric group. When PISS subscales of groups were compared, the pediatric group had significantly higher stigma resistance (p=0.01) whereas adult group had higher scores of alienation (p=0.01) and stereotype endorsement (p=0.04). There was a strong correlation between mean values of PISS and DLQI (r=0.423, p=0.001). High internalized stigma scores had no relation to either the severity or localization of disease in pediatric group. However, poor PHS (p=0.007) and low-income levels (p=0.03) in both groups, and body mass index (r=0.181, p=0.04) in the pediatric group were related to high PISS scores.ConclusionInternalized stigma in pediatric patients is as high as adults and is related to poor quality of life, general health, and psychological illnesses. Unlike adults, internalized stigma was mainly determined by psoriasis per se, rather than disease severity or involvement of visible body parts, genitalia or folds.     

冠心病合并其他器质性心脏病的外科治疗

目的分析冠心病合并其他器质性心脏病的临床特点,探讨一期外科治疗的方法和临床疗效。方法分析2004年4月至2006年4月冠心病合并其他器质性心脏病患者13例,其中风湿性心脏病联合瓣膜病1例,二尖瓣病变4例,二尖瓣退行性病变3例,主动脉瓣关闭不全3例,升主动脉瘤1例,继发孔房缺1例。因冠心病首诊入院5例,以其他器质性心脏病首诊入院8例。术前有心绞痛症状者8例,无心绞痛5例。体外循环下一期外科治疗。结果无死亡病例,13例均顺利出院。冠脉搭桥+瓣膜置换8例,冠脉搭桥+瓣膜成形3例,冠脉搭桥+Bentall+室壁瘤切除1例,冠脉搭桥+房缺修补1例。手术中搭桥1～3支,平均(1.92±0.73)支。术后1周,左心室舒张末内径(LVDD)为(51.77±2.64)mm,较术前[(58.92±3.81)mm]明显缩小(P<0.05)。随访3个月,心绞痛症状完全消失,心功能(NYHA)明显提高(P<0.05)。结论冠心病合并其他器质性心脏病临床症状无特异性,容易漏诊。虽然手术风险性和难度增加,但未得到血液重建,对患者更将是致命性的灾难,应争取一期手术。