Novel natural product-based oral topical rinses and toothpastes to prevent periodontal diseases

There is increasing public interest in natural or herbal-based healthcare products. This trend is not only visible in supermarkets and dental practices, but also in the scientific world. An improving number of clinical trials are being conducted to validate the claims made about these products in regards to periodontal health. Among single component preparations, Aloe vera and green tea are the most studied natural ingredients. Concerning polyherbal mixtures, triphala has garnered great interest. The effects of these natural products on periodontal health is encouraging, with almost all studies showing an inhibitory effect on plaque accumulation and an improvement in gingival health. However, more studies are needed to be able to design clinical guidelines to guide the use of these natural products in periodontal practice. For most of these products, few studies are available and, moreover, the available studies are limited in duration, the number of participants, and the specific composition of the natural product is often not described in detail.     

腹腔镜与开腹手术治疗老年胆囊炎患者的分析

目的观察在治疗老年急性胆囊炎患者采取开腹手术与腹腔镜手术的治疗效果并分析。方法将2017年1月—2018年9月期间医院收治的74例急性胆囊炎患者采用随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,对照组37例采取开腹手术治疗,观察组37例采取腹腔镜治疗,对比两组治疗效果。结果观察组并发症发生率5.4%、治疗总有效率97.3%优于对照组的24.3%、78.4%,P<0.05。观察组术中出血量(15.7±3.4)mL、手术时间(40.7±4.4)min、住院时间(7.1±1.8)d、术后肠道恢复时间(3.3±1.2)d均低于对照组的(46.4±3.5)mL、(68.6±14.7)min、(12.6±2.3)d、(6.1±1.5)d,P<0.05。观察组躯体疼痛(87.3±0.5)分、总体健康(85.2±1.2)分、精神状况(86.4±1.3)分、社会活动评分(90.2±1.3)分均高于于对照组(78.3±1.2)分、(70.3±10.8)分、(71.3±0.5)分、(75.5±2.1)分,对比有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论腹腔镜手术治疗老年急性胆囊炎患者效果良好,可有效减少患者病程,促进康复和提高生活质量,值得推广。     

A novel procedure combining transoral resection and set-back tongue flap for oropharyngeal cancer

Seven patients with advanced lateral oropharyngeal cancer (T3N2bM0, or T4N2bM0) underwent transoral lateral oropharyngectomy (TLO) with reconstruction performed through set-back tongue flap and polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet. TLO was performed following en bloc resection of tumors using endoscopy. To cover the resulting defect in the lateral oropharyngeal wall, the set-back tongue flap was moved posteriorly and laterally to the area of the tongue base and lateral pharyngeal wall. The tip of the set-back tongue flap was sutured to the lateral pharynx to reconstruct the elevated tongue base and altered anterior pillar. The defect on the floor of the mouth was reconstructed using a PGA sheet. Following surgery, the mean observation period was 24 months. The mean operating time was 4 h and 2 min, with an average blood loss of 68.1 ml. All oral intake resumed on the first postoperative day via gastric tube. The mean gastric tube removal time was 1.6 postoperative days as a result of sufficient oral intake. None of the patients received postoperative radiotherapy or displayed evidence of tumor recurrence. We conclude that this novel procedure is highly effective for treating advanced oropharyngeal cancer as it demonstrates good prognostic and functional outcomes.     

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and neck of femur fractures: Standardising the perioperative management and time to surgery

Demographic projections for hip fragility fractures indicate a rising annual incidence by virtue of a multimorbid, ageing population with more noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are characterised by slow progression and long duration ranging from ischaemic cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to various cancers. Management of this disease burden often involves commencing patients on oral anticoagulants to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events. The use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in clinical practice has increased due to their rapid onset of action, short half-life and predictable anticoagulant effects, without the need for routine monitoring. Safe and timely surgical intervention relies on reversal of anticoagulants. However, the lack of specific evidence-based guidelines for the perioperative management of patients on DOACs with hip fractures has proved challenging; in particular, the accessibility of DOAC-specific assays, justification of the cost-benefit ratio of targeted reversal agents and indications for neuraxial anaesthesia. This has led to potentially avoidable delays in surgical intervention. Following a literature review of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics of commonly used DOACs in our region including the role of surrogate markers, we propose a systematic, evidence-based guideline to the perioperative management of hip fractures DOACs. We believe this standardised protocol can be easily replicated between hospitals. We recommend that if patients are deemed suitable for a general anaesthesia, with satisfactory renal function, optimal surgical time should be 24 h following the last ingested dose of DOAC.     

出凝血异常普通外科病人围手术期静脉血栓栓塞症防治策略

易栓症是外科围手术期静脉血栓栓塞症(VTE)的防治重点。对于接受手术的止凝血障碍病人,需要谨慎评估VTE的个体风险,同时兼顾手术和麻醉的性质、出血障碍类型和严重程度、年龄、体重指数(BMI)、血栓形成史、恶性肿瘤和其他高危共患病。VTE风险应与已知出血障碍病人使用抗凝相关的出血风险平衡。实验室检查有助于发现和判断血栓与出血的病因,对病人的止凝血代偿能力作出评估,并对抗凝药物的合理使用提供依据。对上述病人,建议术后不常规使用药物预防血栓,尤其是血友病病人,但围手术期因子替代和止血药物的过度应用仍存在导致血栓的风险。使用低分子肝素(LMWH)和直接口服抗凝剂前应评估肾小球滤过率。当血小板计数<50×109/L,LMWH短期减量应用可能相对安全,监测抗Хa水平可用于调整中重度血小板减少症病人LMWH的剂量。主要消化道出血停止和重新使用华法林应至少相隔7 d。对于高血栓栓塞风险和术后高出血风险病人,术后当晚和术后第1天减量应用直接口服抗凝剂是一种可取的做法。