PURPOSE: Brace treatment has served as a vital non-surgical procedure for immature adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with a mild or moderate curve. For the patients who fail in bracing and resort to surgery, it is unclear whether prior full-time brace treatment significantly influences outcomes. This study aims to investigate ...

AIMS: Recurrent arrhythmias after ablation procedures are often caused by recovery of ablated tissue. Robotic catheter manipulation systems increase catheter tip stability which improves energy delivery and could produce more transmural lesions. We tested this assertion using bipolar voltage attenuation as a marker of lesion quality comparing robotic and manual ...

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was constructed according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was, 'Is double or single patch for sinus venous atrial septal defect repair the better option in prevention of postoperative venous obstruction?' Altogether seventy nine papers were found using the reported search; ten ...

This population-based cross-sectional study sought to assess the epidemiology of keloids and the reasons for refusal of surgical treatment for them in 24 municipalities of Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo). The study took 3 months (from March 1 through May 31, 2011) and enrolled 71 patients (43 females and ...

A successful, euthyroid outcome after radioiodine therapy in hyperthyroid cats ranges from 83% to 95%. Thyroid volume has been reported as one of the factors influencing radioiodine therapy outcome in man and cats. The goal of this study was to describe the most reliable and practically applicable formula to determine ...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that systemic administration of vitamin C, through its action of stimulating collagen synthesis and crosslinking, would decrease the recurrence and improve the occlusion of experimental aneurysms treated with platinum coils. METHODS: Experimental aneurysms were created in female rabbits and were embolized with platinum ...

QUESTION How do oral direct factor Xa inhibitors compare with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients having total knee replacement (TKR) or total hip replacement (THR)? REVIEW SCOPE Included studies compared oral direct factor Xa inhibitors with LMWH in patients who had TKR or THR ...

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the outcome of C1-2 transarticular screws combined with C1 laminar hooks fixation. METHODS: All patients underwent atlantoaxial fixation during a 5-year period. The surgical technique and treatment procedures were intensively reviewed and clinical symptoms, neurological function and imaging appearance were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The clinical and ...

Introduction. The traditional care of patients with subacute/chronic subdural haematoma (S/CSDH) often involves delayed mobilization after burr-hole drainage. It is thought that delayed mobilization aids brain re-expansion thereby reducing the risk of recurrence. However, there is paucity of information regarding its efficacy and safety over early mobilization. We evaluated the ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: We evaluated the safety and validity of cholecystomucoclasis (CM) and compared its intraoperative characteristics with those of standard cholecystectomy (SC). METHODS: We enrolled 174 patients who underwent cholecystectomy and retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of patients in the SC and CM groups. RESULTS: Significant differences in age (71.1 vs. ...

BACKGROUND: Hemiarthroplasty is used to treat patients with Neer four-part fractures but the post-operative complication rate remains high, particularly with regard to shoulder joint instability. This study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy of a modified rotator cuff reconstruction and balance technique by comparing it with conventional rotator cuff restoration ...

Abstract Objective: Treatment of scabies is an important issue in infectious dermatology. The aim of this study was to specify whether permethrin is effective for the treatment of human scabies and to compare its effectiveness with that of 1% lindane by topical application. Methods: 220 patients with scabies with the ...

Allogeneic blood transfusion and reoperation for postoperative bleeding after the coronary artery bypass grafting have a negative impact on the patient outcome. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of reduced doses of heparin and protamine on the patient outcome, using a heparin-coated mini-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) system. Sixty patients undergoing ...

Objective : To compare nasoalveolar molding (NAM) effect employing a nasal elevator plus DynaCleft and NAM-Grayson system in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. Method : Prospective study in two groups. Group A included 20 consecutive patients treated with DynaCleft and a nasal elevator before lip surgery. Group ...

PURPOSE: Recent data comparing prenatal to postnatal closure of myelomeningocele showed a decreased need for ventriculoperitoneal shunting and improved lower extremity motor outcomes in patients who underwent closure prenatally. A total of 11 children whose spinal defect was closed in utero were followed at our spina bifida center. We hypothesized ...

OBJECTIVES: To compare the postoperative pain profile, peri-operative details, and short-term patient-reported and objective success rates of single-incision mini-slings (SIMS) versus standard mid-urethral slings (SMUS). STUDY DESIGN: In a multicentre prospective randomised trial in six UK centres in the period between October 2009 and October 2010, 137 women were randomised ...

Objective : To determine whether secondary lip revision surgery impacts sensitivity of the upper lip. Design : A three-group, parallel, prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. Setting : University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. Patients, Participants : Three groups: (1) patients with repaired cleft lip/palate who were scheduled for lip revision ...

Purpose:  Despite advances in "noninvasive" localization techniques, many patients with medically intractable epilepsy require the placement of subdural (subdural grid electrode, SDE) and/or depth electrodes for the identification and definition of extent of the epileptic region. This study investigates the trends in longitudinal seizure outcome and its predictors in this ...

Abstract Objective. To investigate the abrasive wear of surface sealants (Seal&Protect and K-0184 (experimental sealant)) and the influence of pre-treatment with mineral deposit forming prophylaxis pastes (NUPRO Sensodyne and NUPRO) on this wear. Methods. One hundred and eight bovine dentine samples were randomly allocated to nine groups (1-9). Pre-treatment (10 ...

Background: Studies comparing the procedural and clinical outcomes of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) guided by CartoMerge and that by Carto have achieved mixed results (Carto, Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, CA, USA). We collected these studies and conducted a meta-analysis to determine whether CartoMerge results in better procedural and ...

A best evidence topic in neurosurgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was: In patients undergoing craniostomy for the evacuation of chronic subdural haematoma, does the use of two burr-holes compared to one burr-hole improve clinical outcomes? A total of 238 papers were identified using reported ...

OBJECTIVES: Although total knee replacement (TKR) is cost effective and successful in most cases, patient-reported outcome measures demonstrate 20% of people remain unsatisfied at 1 year after a technically successful procedure. Our group has previously shown that patients with severe knee osteoarthritis (OA) awaiting surgery can achieve a short-term reduction ...

BACKGROUND:Arthroscopic remplissage is a novel procedure recently advocated for the treatment of large Hill-Sachs lesions with recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability. We have shown previously that infraspinatus tenodesis and Bankart repair reduce the risk of recurrent instability in high-risk patients. The ability to perform this procedure arthroscopically and without the need ...

BACKGROUND: The 2005 ATS/IDSA guidelines defined healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) as a novel category of pneumonia in patients with significant healthcare exposure in whom the risk of drug resistant bacteria may be higher. In this study, we compare clinical outcomes in patients with HCAP who were treated with guideline-concordant antibiotic regimens ...

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess a novel, new, nitinol clip for performing arteriovenous anastomoses. METHODS: This was a pilot, randomized, blinded trial. The trial was register with Clinicaltrials.gov identifier - NCT00829153. Thirty-one patients undergoing autologous arteriovenous fistulas for renal access, where the inflow artery had a ...

AIMS: To determine the rate of progression or regression of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in subjects with symptomatic POP who decline intervention (pessary or surgery) and elect observation. METHODS: Sixty-four patients choosing observation as primary management of symptomatic POP were followed with sequential pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) exams. A ...

This study sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of photoselective vaporisation (PVP) vs. transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Eligible studies were identified from electronic databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed and EMBASE). The database search, quality assessment and data extraction were performed independently ...

OBJECTIVE: To report on the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with primary infected aortic aneurysm (IAA) treated by stent graft (SG) in two centers. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Over a period of 15 years, 32 patients with IAA underwent endovascular treatment. None had undergone previous aortic surgery. The causal relationship ...

We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial of the following four regimens for controlling delayed nausea (DN): group 1: palonosetron + dexamethasone on day 1 with prochlorperazine on days 2 and 3; group 2: granisetron + dexamethasone on day 1 with prochlorperazine on days 2 and 3; group 3: aprepitant ...

Acupuncture has been provided in nurse-led group clinics in St Albans since 2008. It is funded by a commissioning group within the National Health Service, on a trial basis, for patients with knee osteoarthritis who would otherwise be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon. To evaluate the patients seen in the ...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of minimally invasive percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mPCNL) without nephrostomy drainage tubes. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 32 eligible patients with kidney stones at our hospital. Patients were randomly assigned to a conventional mPCNL group (ureteric Double-J stents and nephrostomy drainage tubes) or a tubeless mPCNL ...

BACKGROUND: /st>Postoperative monitoring of ventilation is largely restricted to the measurement of haemoglobin-oxygen saturation and respiratory rate (RR) derived from the ECG. measurement is inadequate when used with supplemental oxygen and ECG-derived RR is subject to artifacts. A new monitor measures RR by quantifying the humidity of exhaled air (respiR8(®)). ...

BACKGROUND: Our aim is to report the outcomes of hemorrhoidectomy performed via LigaSure™ with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. METHODS: A total of 666 patients underwent hemorrhoidectomy for symptomatic prolapsed hemorrhoids (grade III and IV) via LigaSure between June 2006 and June 2008. Patient demographic and operative data were ...

Less invasive dissection of the extensor apparatus, one of the aspects of minimally invasive surgical (MIS) TKA, might result in less reduction of postoperative quadriceps strength. However, it is unclear whether MIS is associated with less strength reduction. We asked whether knee strength (extensor or flexor torque) would be greater ...

STUDY DESIGN:: Historical cohort analysis. OBJECTIVE:: Evaluation of mid-term clinical outcome and radiological fusion in patients treated with a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA:: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) can be a good alternative in chronic low back pain when conservative treatment fails. Although titanium alloy cages give ...

BACKGROUND: Excessive alcohol consumption has been associated with adverse health measures after elective surgery. The effects of low or moderate consumption remain unclear. QUESTION/PURPOSES: We determined differences among patients with different consumption levels in (1) preoperative and postoperative patient-perceived outcomes and hip scores, (2) changes in those scores from preoperatively ...

BACKGROUND:The purpose of this study was to assess postsurgical outcomes in active patients after primary repair of acute and chronic proximal hamstring tears. HYPOTHESIS:Surgical treatment of both acute and chronic proximal hamstring avulsion injuries would result in improved patient outcomes using validated outcome scores and a hamstring-specific questionnaire, and operative ...

Introduction We recently reported that 5-minute work breaks every 25 minutes during long lasting laparoscopy in children (intermittent pneumoperitoneum [IPP] scheme) decrease the surgeon's stress markers such as saliva cortisol and heart rate and improve time-concentration scores significantly. Data on the impact of breaks on the patient and on the ...

PURPOSE: Recent data suggest that testicular torsion may include an element of the compartment syndrome that improves with decompression. In 2009 we instituted tunica albuginea incision with tunica vaginalis flap coverage as an alternative in cases in which the torsed testis continued to appear ischemic after detorsion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ...

PURPOSE: Long-term outcomes of hypospadias surgery, particularly urinary function, have not been examined thoroughly. Uroflowmetry can be used to evaluate long-term functional outcomes by assessing flow shape and the rate of micturition. We assessed urethral function using uroflowmetry in adolescents after undergoing hypospadias repair in infancy and compared this with ...

Background: To assess the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the progression of dementia. Methods: Sixty elderly outpatients with untreated dementia followed for 12 months. All patients underwent clinical, cognitive, functional, and nutritional assessment at the baseline and after 12 months. Patients were divided into 2 groups by baseline ...

CONTEXT: Previous research has shown that most patients are satisfied with their anaesthetic care. For those who are not the causes may be multifactorial including dissatisfaction with surgical outcomes. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify whether quality of recovery after anaesthesia and surgery measured in multiple domains affects patient satisfaction. DESIGN: ...

PURPOSE: In recent years the endoscopic injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid has become an established alternative to long-term antibiotic prophylaxis and the surgical management of vesicoureteral reflux. We determined the safety and effectiveness of the endoscopic injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid as first line treatment for high grade vesicoureteral reflux. MATERIALS AND ...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate surgery results, we established a novel method to digitize nasal morphology with the use of Hausdorff distance and analyzed nose morphology after cheiloplasty. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated the naris after primary cheiloplasty of 30 unilateral cleft lip and palate patients. Similarity between left and right sides was ...

PURPOSE: Historically the placement of testicular prosthesis during orchiectomy for torsion is delayed despite reports of safe prosthesis placement during mastectomy and orchiectomy for cancer as well as the removal of infected penile prostheses. We describe our experience with intravaginal testicular prosthesis at orchiectomy in adolescents with torsion. MATERIALS AND ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Cardiac shock wave therapy (CSWT) improves cardiac function in patients with severe coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of a new CSWT treatment regimen. METHODS: The 55 patients with severe CAD were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups. The control group (n = ...

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of medial patellar retinaculum plasty for children and adolescent patients with patellar dislocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed between October 2005 and December 2009. Sixty-one cases of children and adolescent patients with patellar dislocation were ...

CONTEXT: There is evidence that perioperative intravenous lidocaine administration can reduce analgesic requirement, improve recovery of bowel function and shorten the length of hospital stay. Its effect in laparoscopic renal surgery has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of systemic lidocaine on the length of hospital stay, readiness ...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fractionated radiofrequency (RF) induces deep dermal heating and leaves the epidermis less affected. We studied the efficacy and safety of bipolar RF and fractional diode laser followed by fractional RF in Asians with acne scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients (skin types III and IV) with acne ...

BACKGROUND: Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has long been a treatment option for patients with disease limited primarily to one compartment with small, correctable deformities. However, some surgeons presume that normal kinematics of a lateral compartment UKA are difficult to achieve. Furthermore, it is unclear whether UKA restores normal knee kinematics ...