Evaluation of lower blepharoplasty treated with the SmartLipo 1064-nm system and its clinical implications: A retrospective review

Introduction: This study used the SmartLipo 1064-nm system to remove herniated orbital fat tissue to improve lower eyelid appearance. A retrospective review of 128 patients was performed to evaluate the size of prominent fat pads and complications. Materials and methods: Altogether, 128 patients underwent a procedure using the SmartLipo 1064-nm system via postseptal access, which helped locate fat tissue more precisely. Digital photographs were taken preoperatively and at one week and six months postoperatively. Eyebag sizes were determined preoperatively and six months postoperatively using the Non-Contact 3D Digitizer. Results: Altogether, 118 primary and 10 revision patients (average age 31 years) were placed in one of two groups: mildly protruding fat pads (group 1, 86 patients) and moderately protruding fat pads (group 2, 42 patients). After injection of about 1 ml of anesthetic and 1 ml of 0.9% iced saline on each side, the patients received an average 450 joules of energy delivered at 20 Hz and 3 W. Postoperatively, the eyebag's height, depth, and area were significantly reduced in both groups (р = 0.000). The main symptoms (swelling, chemosis, engorgement, and pain) subsided within 5–7 days. Conclusion: The SmartLipo 1064-nm system with postseptal access, a minimally invasive procedure, can be used to correct mildly and moderately prominent fat pads.     

日本血吸虫虫卵杀灭剂筛选及快速杀灭技术的研究 Ⅰ化学杀卵剂的筛选

目的从市售的农药或其他化学药品中筛选日本血吸虫虫卵杀灭剂,为建立快速杀卵技术提供物质基础。方法将待筛选化学样品分别配制成浓度为1000、100、10、1mg/L的溶液;分别加入4000～8000只日本血吸虫活虫卵,室内浸泡24h后经盐水和冰水洗涤,常规法孵化,收集所有孵出毛蚴,计算相对孵化率。结果共筛选了6大类41种化学药物,其中35种对日本血吸虫虫卵孵化有不同程度抑制作用。经浓度为1mg/L80%敌敌畏乳油、25%氯硝柳胺悬浮剂和杀虫丁浸泡后的虫卵相对孵化率分别为0、1.01%和6.61%。结论 80%敌敌畏乳油对日本血吸虫虫卵有较强抑制作用,可作为候选杀卵剂对其杀卵条件进行优化研究。     

Laser technology in the ART laboratory: a narrative review

To improve success rates, assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures continually undergo optimization and enhancement such that the best quality gametes and embryos can be identified and manipulated, thus improving clinical outcomes. Laser technology is now being applied across ART to reduce procedure times and increase the consistency and reproducibility of traditional ART techniques such as assisted hatching, embryo biopsy, intracytoplasmic sperm injection cryopreservation and sperm immobilization/selection. This review examines the current status of cutting-edge laser-assisted reproductive technologies, investigates experimental techniques that are increasingly being applied clinically. It highlights the benefits of lasers as a powerful technology at the forefront of both diagnostic and therapeutic treatments for general subfertility and male-factor infertility. However, it is important to note that although lasers are becoming increasingly commonplace in ART units, there is comparatively little information in the existing literature pertaining to the potential negative effects that laser application might have on the developing human embryo, thus creating the need for further investigative research.     

Effect of laser uvulopalatoplasty on middle ear function

OBJECTIVES: Palatal musculature is known to be responsible for the active opening of the eustachian (auditory) tube. Because laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) may involve partial division of these muscles, the effect of this procedure on middle ear pressures (MEPs) and middle ear volumes (MEVs) was investigated. STUDY DESIGN: A controlled interventional trial with one limb receiving treatment and the other none. Preoperative and postoperative measurements were carried out in both groups. METHODS: A control group of 15 normal volunteers and a study group of 22 patients undergoing LAUP all of whom had normal ears and type A tympanograms before the trial were recruited. Repeat tympanometry was carried out after 3 months in both groups. The results of MEP and MEV were recorded for both groups and analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: A trend toward reduced MEP and MEV was noted in the LAUP group, but did not achieve statistical significance. A study with more patients may achieve significance. CONCLUSIONS: No significant effects on middle ear pressures or volumes 3 months after LAUP were demonstrated. A much larger study may, however, arrive at a statistically significant result and further work is warranted. Relevant palatal and tubal anatomy is discussed and a brief review of the relevant literature is given.     

Routine laser assisted hatching results in significantly increased clincal pregnancies

Purpose: To elucidate the appropriateness of current indications for assisted hatching (AH) in cleavage stage human embryos and to confirm our preliminary findings that only young patients (about 67%) benefit from AH. Methods: Prior to transfer, 2 of 3 embryos selected for ET were subjected to laser assisted hatching (LAH). Control group consisted of patients matched by similar characteristics and protocol except LAH was not performed. Results: The clinical pregnancy rate in women 36 years was 64.9% (24/37) for embryos subjected to LAH but was significantly lower (p = 0.029) in the control (33.3%; 10/30). The implantation rate in women 36 years in the test group was 38.1% (40/105) that was significantly higher than that of the control group (17.5%, 14/80; p = 0.0039). Conclusions: LAH is beneficial for women 36 years but not for women 37 years, for embryos with thin zonae (16) but not with thick zonae (17), and for those with repeated failures (37–50%).     

高渗盐水剥离法与乙醇剥离法准分子激光上皮瓣下角膜磨镶术治疗近视的对比研究

目的 分析比较高渗盐水（5%氯化钠）剥离法与乙醇（20%乙醇）剥离法准分子激光上皮瓣下角膜磨镶术治疗近视的异同。方法 采用自身对照法观察46例（92眼）接受LASEK的近视患者,一眼应用5%氯化钠浸泡剥离上皮作为试验组,对侧眼常规应用20%乙醇浸泡剥离上皮作为对照组,术后随访6个月。结果 盐水组上皮愈合时间为（3.74±0.57）d,乙醇组为（4.45±0.66）d,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.001）。平均疼痛指数盐水组为1.11±0.60,乙醇组为1.52±0.59,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。术后6个月内两组视力、屈光度及术后Haze程度的差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,术中术后均无严重并发症。结论 高渗盐水（5%氯化钠）剥离法的LASEK手术治疗近视术后刺激症状轻,上皮愈合及视力恢复快且有很好的安全性、有效性和可预测性。