Functional outcome after surgical treatment of orbital floor fractures

In the present article, the authors want to present the results of a retrospectively evaluated consecutive series of patients with surgically treated isolated orbital floor fractures (OFF; "blow-out fractures") concerning the functional outcome after OFF and give detailed recommendations based on the clinical and radiological findings. A series of 60 patients with isolated OFF over a 5-year period needing surgically repair at the same institution were evaluated. Patient data were analysed in terms of preoperative and postoperative clinical parameters and radiological findings. The analysed parameters were type of fracture, diplopia, gaze restriction, enophthalmos, materials used for repair, surgical approach and timing of the surgical intervention. Burst type fractures were more often found than punched-out fractures. The most frequently used surgical approach was a preseptal transconjunctival approach. An overall decrease of gaze restriction (93%), diplopia (89%) and enophthalmos (86%) was observed. According to the fracture size, we used Ethisorb patches in smaller fractures and resorbable or titanium meshes or autologous bone in larger fractures in most cases. Patients who underwent surgery more than 7 days after the trauma showed better results with regard to an improvement of diplopia and motility disturbances than patients who were treated immediately. In indicated cases, the surgical repair of OFF leads to very good results if the anatomical and functional properties of the orbit and its contents are respected. The applied strategy and means presented in our study proved of value and can therefore be recommended.     

IL28B alleles associated with poor hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance protect against inflammation and fibrosis in patients infected with non-1 HCV genotypes

Genetic polymorphisms near IL28B are associated with spontaneous and treatment-induced clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV), two processes that require the appropriate activation of the host immune responses. Intrahepatic inflammation is believed to mirror such activation, but its relationship with IL28B polymorphisms has yet to be fully appreciated. We analyzed the association of IL28B polymorphisms with histological and follow-up features in 2335 chronically HCV-infected Caucasian patients. Assessable phenotypes before any antiviral treatment included necroinflammatory activity (n = 1,098), fibrosis (n = 1,527), fibrosis progression rate (n = 1,312), and hepatocellular carcinoma development (n = 1,915). Associations of alleles with the phenotypes were evaluated by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression, accounting for all relevant covariates. The rare G allele at IL28B marker rs8099917-previously shown to be at risk of treatment failure-was associated with lower activity (P = 0.04), lower fibrosis (P = 0.02) with a trend toward lower fibrosis progression rate (P = 0.06). When stratified according to HCV genotype, most significant associations were observed in patients infected with non-1 genotypes (P = 0.003 for activity, P = 0.001 for fibrosis, and P = 0.02 for fibrosis progression rate), where the odds ratio of having necroinflammation or rapid fibrosis progression for patients with IL28B genotypes TG or GG versus TT were 0.48 (95% confidence intervals 0.30-0.78) and 0.56 (0.35-0.92), respectively. IL28B polymorphisms were not predictive of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION: In chronic hepatitis C, IL28B variants associated with poor response to interferon therapy may predict slower fibrosis progression, especially in patients infected with non-1 HCV genotypes.     

The development of the Tuebingen Cushing's disease quality of life inventory (Tuebingen CD-25). Part I: construction and psychometric properties

Objective To develop a disease‐specific questionnaire for Cushing’s disease (CD), the Tuebingen Cushing’s disease quality of life inventory (Tuebingen CD‐25). Methods Sources for item generation consisted of technical literature, interviews with patients and the rating of neurosurgeons, endocrinologists and a neuropsychologist. A preliminary inventory with 64 items was handed out to 63 CD patients. Twenty‐eight patients filled out the questionnaire preoperative, the remaining 35 patients evaluated their health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) retrospectively. Item reduction and scale generation followed the principles of classical test theory. Validation was performed with the WHOQoL‐BREF. Results The final version of the Tuebingen CD‐25 contained 25 items, showed high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0·93) and validity (r = ?0·65) and includes the subdomains Depression, Sexual Activity, Environment, Eating Behaviour, Bodily Restrictions and Cognition. The retrospective rating of the Tuebingen CD‐25 showed similar results compared to the pretreatment group. We found a non‐linear correlation between the Tuebingen CD‐25 scores and patients’ age, younger (21–30 years) and middle‐aged (51–60 years) patients having inferior HRQoL than patients between 31 and 50 years and older than 61 years. Preoperative 24 h urinary free cortisol (UFC) levels correlated significantly with the subscale Cognition and only marginally failed significance level for the subscale Eating Behaviour, while preoperative cortisol and ACTH levels did not correlate with any scale. Conclusion The Tuebingen CD‐25 is a valid and reliable instrument to evaluate HRQoL in CD. Based on impairment of HRQoL for the different subdimensions, specific support can be offered to the patients.     

Impact of donor lung quality on post-transplant recipient outcome in the Lung Allocation Score era in Eurotransplant – a historical prospective study

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an impact of donation rates on the quality of lungs used for transplantation and whether donor lung quality affects post-transplant outcome in the current Lung Allocation Score era. All consecutive adult LTx performed in Eurotransplant (ET) between January 2012 and December 2016 were included (N = 3053). Donors used for LTx in countries with high donation rate were younger (42% vs. 33% ≤45 years, P < 0.0001), were less often smokers (35% vs. 46%, P < 0.0001), had more often clear chest X-rays (82% vs. 72%, P < 0.0001), had better donor oxygenation ratios (20% vs. 26% with PaO₂/FiO₂ ≤ 300 mmHg, P < 0.0001), and had better lung donor score values (LDS; 28% vs. 17% with LDS = 6, P < 0.0001) compared with donors used for LTx in countries with low donation rate. Survival rates for the groups LDS = 6 and ≥7 at 5 years were 69.7% and 60.9% (P = 0.007). Lung donor quality significantly impacts on long-term patient survival. Countries with a low donation rate are more oriented to using donor lungs with a lesser quality compared to countries with a high donation rate. Instead of further stretching donor eligibility criteria, the full potential of the donor pool should be realized.     

Pain Medication Requirements After Sacropexy and Combination Interventions

Background and Objectives:

Laparoscopic surgery is associated with reduced morbidity, and postoperative pain is reduced. The aim of this study was to assess postoperative pain intensity, analgesic requirements, and the influence of cofactors after laparoscopic sacral colpopexy.

Methods:

The study assessed 287 patients treated with laparoscopic sacropexy for genital prolapse with a Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification grade >1. Patients were asked to evaluate their pain postoperatively using a 4-point verbal pain rating scale. In addition, medical records were analyzed regarding the requirement for analgesic medication.

Results:

Patients distinguished between abdominal pain and shoulder pain after laparoscopy. Abdominal pain reached maximum severity on day 1 and showed a good response to nonsteroidal antiphlogistics, whereas shoulder pain was rarely found (6.27%). Of the patients, 38% required no pain treatment or required 1 dose at most. The need for pain medication reached its climax on day 1 and decreased during the 5 following days. Non-opioid analgesics provided a sufficient therapeutic effect.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic sacropexy is associated with a moderate degree of postoperative pain. Non-opioid analgesics should be preferred as first-line therapy. The typical shoulder-tip pain showed only a low prevalence in our study group. From our point of view, the low rate of shoulder-tip pain corresponded with the low intra-abdominal carbon dioxide pressure.     

鼻中隔矫正术对变应性鼻炎伴鼻中隔偏曲患者生活质量的影响

目的评价鼻中隔偏曲矫正术对持续性变应性鼻炎（allergicrhinitis,AR）伴鼻中隔偏曲患者症状和生活质量的影响。方法应用症状视觉模拟评分量表（Visual Analogue Scale,VAs）和鼻结膜炎生存质量量表（Rhinocon junctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire,RQI。Q）对62例持续性变应性鼻炎伴鼻中隔偏曲患者行鼻中隔偏曲术前、术后1个月、术后6个月临床症状和生活质量进行研究。结果鼻中隔偏曲矫正术后1个月、6个月患者症状、生活质量较术前均得到改善。术后1个月、6个月RQI．Q量表中各个维度的得分较术前明显降低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;术后6个月除总评分外,其余各维度与术后1个月比较,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。VAS量表显示：术后患者症状较术前均有不同程度的改善,但改善最明显的为鼻塞,其次为打喷嚏。结论变应性鼻炎伴鼻中隔偏曲患者的生活质量降低,鼻中隔偏曲矫正术能明显的改善患者症状同时能提高患者的生活质量。     

Hypersensitivity reactions to intravenous iron: guidance for risk minimization and management

Intravenous iron is widely used for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia when oral iron is inappropriate, ineffective or poorly tolerated. Acute hypersensitivity reactions during iron infusions are very rare but can be life-threatening. This paper reviews their frequency, pathogenesis and risk factors, and provides recommendations about their management and prevention. Complement activation-related pseudo-allergy triggered by iron nanoparticles is probably a more frequent pathogenetic mechanism in acute reactions to current formulations of intravenous iron than is an immunological IgE-mediated response. Major risk factors for hypersensitivity reactions include a previous reaction to an iron infusion, a fast iron infusion rate, multiple drug allergies, severe atopy, and possibly systemic inflammatory diseases. Early pregnancy is a contraindication to iron infusions, while old age and serious co-morbidity may worsen the impact of acute reactions if they occur. Management of iron infusions requires meticulous observation, and, in the event of an adverse reaction, prompt recognition and severity-related interventions by well-trained medical and nursing staff.