Morbidity related to the use of a protective stoma in anterior resection for rectal cancer

Objective To evaluate morbidity related to the use of a protective stoma in rectal resection for cancer. Method Seventy‐two patients undergoing anterior rectal resection for cancer combined with a protective stoma (1993–2005) were included. Loop ileostomy was applied in 61 patients, loop colostomy in 10, and end ileostomy in one. Data regarding the primary operation were recorded prospectively, and stoma complications retrospectively. Results Five patients (7%) developed stoma complications immediately after the primary operation, and 14/70 (20%) following hospital discharge. The stoma was closed in 62 (86%) patients after median 4 (range 1–11) months. Five patients (8%) developed complications in hospital after closure. Two patients (3%) died, one of ileal anastomotic leak and one of myocardial infarction. Five patients (8%) had late complications after closure. A total of 19 patients (26%) developed stoma related complications. Eight (11%) of these were reoperated. Premature stoma closure was necessary in two additional patients. Nine patients (13%) ended up with a permanent stoma. Fourteen (19%) patients developed signs of rectal anastomotic failure, six (8%) of whom needed reoperation. One died. Conclusion Significant morbidity is related to the use of defunctioning stomas. A protective stoma cannot always prevent serious complications of a rectal anastomotic leak, and a proportion of the patients will not have the stoma closed.     

Temperature measurement in soft tissue using a distributed fibre Bragg-grating sensor system

Currently used temperature sensor systems do not provide sufficient spatial resolution and can not be used as an integrated part of minimally invasive treatment. Few magnetic resonance (MR) compatible sensor systems are available. A distributed fibre Bragg-grating sensor system for use in biological tissue was constructed. Ten Bragg gratings were inscribed in the core of an optical fibre. The fibre was mounted into tubes made of MR-compatible materials. An opto-electronic unit connected to the fibre was used for signal generation and detection. Communication with a PC allowed presentation and logging of temperature data. The system was calibrated to the temperature range ‘195.8°C to 100°C. Experiments were conducted during freezing (cryoablation) of porcine liver in vivo. The system yielded a temperature profile with 6.5 mm spatial resolution and 5 s temporal resolution. Both mechanical stability and MR compatibility were acceptable and will allow routine use.     

Choroidal thickness profile in healthy Indian children

Purpose:

The purpose was to study choroidal thickness and its profile based on location in healthy Indian children using enhanced depth spectral-domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Methods:

In this cross-sectional observational study 255 eyes of 136 children with no retinal or choroidal disease were consecutively scanned using enhanced depth SD-OCT. Eyes with any ocular disease or axial length (AXL) >25 mm or < 20 mm were excluded. A single observer measured choroidal thickness from the posterior edge of the retinal pigment epithelium to the choroid/sclera junction at 500-microns intervals up to 2500 microns temporal and nasal to the fovea. Generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate the correlation between choroidal thickness at various locations and age, AXL, gender and spherical equivalent (SEq).

Results:

Mean age of the subjects was 11.9 ± 3.4 years (range: 5–18 years). There were 62 Females and 74 males. The mean AXL was 23.55 ± 0.74 mm. Mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 312.1 ± 45.40 μm. Choroid was found to be thickest subfoveally, then temporally. Age, AXL and SEq showed a significant correlation with choroidal thickness, whereas gender did not affect choroidal thickness.

Conclusion:

Our study provides a valid normative database of choroidal thickness in healthy Indian children. This database could be useful for further studies evaluating choroidal changes in various chorioretinal disorders. Age and AXL are critical factors, which negatively correlated with choroidal thickness.