A biological or a synthetic mesh in immediate breast reconstruction? A cohort-study of long-term Health related Quality of Life (HrQoL)

ObjectivesMeshes/matrices are commonly used in immediate breast reconstruction. There are few studies comparing biological and synthetic meshes and it is unknown what type of mesh gives the best long-term results. The aim of this study was to compare long-term health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and patient satisfaction in implant-based immediate breast reconstruction with a biological mesh (Surgisis®) with that of patients reconstructed with a synthetic mesh (TIGR ® Matrix Surgical Mesh).Material and methodsBoth cohorts were prospectively included and consecutively operated. Clinical data was collected. HrQoL was evaluated with EuroQoL-5 dimension – 3 levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Breast-Q.Results and conclusionSeventy-one patients were operated on in the biological group and 49 in the synthetic group. The response rates were 75 and 84 per cent, respectively. Mean follow-up time was 74 months and 23 months, respectively. There were no statistical differences in satisfaction and quality of life between the two groups. Complications and radiation seem to lead to a lower satisfaction. Our findings could indicate that biological and synthetic meshes give an equal long-term result as regards patients’ perceived quality of life.     

The effect of immediate postpartum levonorgestrel contraceptive implant use on breastfeeding and infant growth: a randomized controlled trial

Objective

This study assessed whether immediate postpartum insertion of levonorgestrel contraceptive implants is associated with a difference in infant growth from birth to 6 months, onset of lactogenesis, or breastfeeding continuation at 3 and 6 months postpartum compared to delayed insertion at 6 to 8 weeks postpartum.

Comparison between conventional CT and grayscale inversion CT images in the assessment of the post-operative spinal orthopaedic implants

AimTo compare the accuracy of the inverted greyscale CT versus the conventional CT in the assessment of post-operative spinal orthopaedic implants and osseous fusion.Methods50 patients who had CT as part of their routine spinal implant follow up were evaluated for the presence of fusion, fracture and loosening with conventional CT and with greyscale inverted CT images. 3 independent observers assessed the images 2 months apart. Diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity) of the conventional and greyscale inversion images relative to the reference standard were calculated. Agreement with the reference standard was assessed using Cohen's kappa for conventional and greyscale inversion images.ResultsCorrect classifications increased when using the greyscale inverted CT images for each reader compared to conventional CT images (40–46, 39 to 42 and 41 to 44 (out of 50)). Inverted images demonstrated better agreement with the reference standard than conventional grayscale images for assessment of fusion (kappa of 0.588 for inverted CT versus 0.484 for conventional CT) and loosening (kappa 0.386 for inverted versus 0.293 for conventional). Sensitivity was increased for assessment of fusion and loosening. McNemar's test performed for assessment of sensitivity differences showed statistical significance (p = 0.038 for fusion and p = 0.0313 for loosening).ConclusionGreyscale inversion CT is a useful adjunct which has advantages (improved sensitivity and better agreement) over conventional CT imaging in cases of fusion and loosening of metallic implants following spinal instrumentation. We recommend the use of both the greyscale inversion CT images and conventional CT imaging when assessing post-operative spinal orthopaedic implants.     

种植义齿修复的医学伦理问题

种植义齿是一项新的修复缺失牙方法，本文从医学伦理学的角度出发，探究种植又齿修复过程中应遵循的医德原则，医师高度的责任心、精湛的医术和正确的口腔宣教是保证种植义齿修复成功的关键。     

Aspects of silicone rubber as an encapsulant for neurological prostheses

Silicone rubber is not, at first sight, a promising material with which to encapsulate a piece of implantable microelectronics expected to last ten or twenty years. It is well known to be very permeable to water. In fact, if correctly applied, it performs very well for ten years, possibly longer. The paper considers the part player by osmosis in achieving satisfactory performance combined with simple technology.     

Contact finite element stress analysis of porous ingrowth acetabular cup implantation, ingrowth, and loosening

Two-dimensional linear and contact finite element analyses were conducted of total hip arthroplasty using metal-backed, porous ingrowth acetabular components. The stress transmission characteristics from the component to the surrounding bone were given special attention. Resultant loads of 20 and 40 degrees medial of vertical were studied, and the influence of adding a metal flange to the rim of the cup was evaluated. The results indicated that when a conventional metal-backed component (without a flange) is initially implanted and subjected to normal loading, these components may experience distraction between the component and the surrounding bone at inferior sites. Compressive stresses in the superior dome cancellous bone, however, will be substantial. If complete porous ingrowth is achieved, the superior dome compressive stresses will be reduced and substantial shear stresses created. In addition, high local bone stresses were found at the component rim. If bone ingrowth is achieved only in specific locations, stress transmission will be dictated by those locations and may differ markedly from the case of complete bone ingrowth. In the event that no porous ingrowth is achieved and a fibrous layer forms around the component, the interface stresses will be similar to those calculated for the natural hip. The addition of a flange to the rim of the cup will reduce the magnitude of the radial stresses transmitted to the cancellous bone superiorly and medially by directly transferring some of the load to the lateral wall of the pelvis. The flange will also help to relieve the high local stresses that are found at the component rim.