Soft tissue healing after parasagittal palatal incisions in segmental maxillary surgery: a review of 311 patients.

PURPOSE: This study retrospectively evaluated the soft tissue healing after using parasagittal soft tissue incisions for surgical segmental maxillary expansion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 311 patients (224 females, 87 males), with an average age of 28.5 years (range, 12 to 62 years) who had transverse maxillary hypoplasia, were retrospectively evaluated. All patients underwent segmental maxillary osteotomies, surgical maxillary expansion greater than 5 mm, and placement of midpalatal porous block hydroxyapatite (PBHA). Parasagittal palatal soft tissue incisions were used to facilitate expansion, minimize soft tissue damage, and maintain soft tissue coverage over the PBHA implants. At postoperative follow-up visits, any signs or symptoms of complications associated with the use of the parasagittal incisions were recorded. RESULTS: Average patient follow-up was 3.4 years (range, 1.0 to 7.2 years). In 293 patients (94%), the palates healed uneventfully without complications. Eighteen patients (6%) had complications; 9 (2.9%) had infections associated with the midpalatal implants, 8 (2.6%) had oronasal communications, and 1 (0.3%) had problems associated with a palatal wire. Six patients with midpalatal implant problems required removal of the implant, 4 patients required closure of their oronasal communications, and 1 patient required removal of a palatal wire. Therefore, 11 patients (3.5%) required minor secondary surgical procedures. No teeth or alveolar bone were lost in any of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: The use of parasagittal palatal incisions appears to be a safe technique for soft tissue management during large surgical maxillary expansions associated with segmental maxillary osteotomies and midpalatal placement of PBHA implants.     

Biliary stent causing colovaginal fistula: case report.

OBJECTIVES: Perforation of the bowel during placement of a biliary stent is a known complication of this procedure. We report the endoluminal loss of a biliary stent during routine stent extraction that ultimately led to a chronic colovaginal fistula. This case emphasizes the need for evaluation of fecal passage of stents in patients with a known dislodged prosthesis. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old white female underwent biliary stent placement for an episode of choledocholithiasis. The stent was lost in the duodenum during routine extraction. The patient was managed expectantly. She denied ever passing this stent via the rectum and began to develop symptoms of colovaginal fistula. Evaluation found a retained biliary stent in the sigmoid colon and a fistula into the vagina. The patient underwent elective low anterior resection and colovaginal fistula repair. DISCUSSION: Reports exist of migration of stents that lead to acute colonic perforation and the need for emergent surgery. For this reason, it has been suggested that dropped or migrated stents be purposefully retrieved. However, if the option of expectant observation is used, it is important to clearly document the fecal passage of these stents and be prepared to retrieve these objects if they have a prolonged bowel transit time.     

Nitrobid therapy in sudden sensorineural hearing loss

The efficacy of local application of Nitrobid oinment in the treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss has been presented Overall good to fair recovery occured in 40% of the patients, important prognostic indicators were found to be severity of initial hearing loss, time from onset to initial visit, age of the patient and hearing status of the opposite ear.     

Brainstem Evoked Response audiometry in diabetes mellitus

This study was undertaken to record the Brainstem Evoked Responses in a group of 20 diabetic patients with normal hearing and were compared with responses of another group of 20 normal individuals. Eighth nerve transmission till the level of cochlear nucleus was found to be normal in diabetics. The delay in latency of Wave III, IV and V and interpeak latencies (I–III, I–V) were noted to be statistically significant, thus suggesting the presence of central neuropathy in patients with diabetes. No significant sex difference on latency of waves was observed.     

Total central keratolysis.

Central keratolysis is a rare entity. An interesting case of unilateral central keratolysis in an aphakic patient is reported.     

Recrudescent Tobacco Exposure Following Heart Transplantation: Clinical Profiles and Relationship with Athero-Thrombosis Risk Markers

To identify tobacco recidivism among 86 heart transplant recipients who were smokers but demonstrated compliance with a smoking cessation program pre-transplant, we used a questionnaire and randomly tested urine for nicotine and its by-products. In 36 patients, we also evaluated circulating levels of HS-CRP, homocysteine and MPV. Twenty-eight (32.5%) of 86 patients met our definition for tobacco exposure. In this cohort, 28 (32.5%) of 86 patients met our definition for tobacco exposure. Of these 28, 12 patients self-reported tobacco use and demonstrated biochemical verification; 14 patients demonstrated only biochemical evidence of significant tobacco exposure; 2 patients self-reported tobacco use but did not demonstrate biochemical positivity. Smoking cessation within 6 months of transplantation (r = 0.52) and time post-transplantation (r = 0.43) were independent predictors for recidivism of tobacco use, p < 0.01. No differences in HS-CRP, homocysteine and MPV levels were noted among the groups. Our investigation demonstrates a high rate of tobacco recidivism among heart transplant recipients, yet few admit to it. The adverse effects of tobacco do not appear to be directly modulated by an effect on athero-thrombotic risk markers.     

Distribution of HLA antigens in a sample of the North Indian Hindu population

The Indian population can be divided broadly into Dravidians and the Aryans. In this report, we have attempted to analyze the HLA genetic profile of 400 native North Indian Hindus of Aryan descent. The gene frequencies of a majority of class I and II antigens show similarity to the Caucasoid population. An interesting finding was a complete lack of antigen B14 while B16 and B41 occurred with the least frequency. Haplotype A10, B8 with significant positive linkage disequilibrium as well as showing the highest incidence is characteristic of North Indians.