The Influence of Prosthesis Design on the Outcomes of Tooth Implants Immediately Placed and Loaded by Means of One-Piece Titanium Machined Restoration.

Our purpose was to evaluate the occurrence of complications and the degree of bone loss in a cohort of patients treated with fixed prostheses supported by immediately loaded dental implants. The primary aim was to compare partial versus full-arch fixed dental prostheses. We then tested the effect of sinus lifting. In the present retrospective cohort study, the patients had their implants restored with fixed dental prostheses supported by dental implants positioned in the posterior maxilla and mandible. When necessary, the maxillary sinuses were grafted with particulate autogenous bone. Patients were then ranked according to the following predictors: length of prosthesis, crown-to-implant ratio, number of crowns to number of implants ratio, and presence of sinus lifting. Outcomes were evaluated for up to 2 years regarding the peri-implant marginal bone loss and implant/prosthesis survival rates. Fifty-eight subjects (209 implants) were rehabilitated with 25 fixed full-arch prostheses and 33 partial fixed dental implant bridges (16 supported by implants placed in grafted sinus). The mean marginal bone loss for implants supporting partial fixed dental prostheses amounted to 0.81 mm, whereas that for implants within the group of full-arch fixed dental prostheses was 1.21 mm; the comparison of the levels in the 2 groups showed a significant difference ( P = .0055). A statistically significant difference ( P = .0006) was found between the bone loss around maxillary implants (1.53 mm) and the bone loss around mandibular implants (1.10 mm). Two implants and 4 prostheses failed; 2-year survival rates of partial and of full-arch fixed dental prostheses, respectively, were 94.1% and 96%. Bone loss in full-arch prostheses appeared to be higher than in that of partial prosthesis. Implant-supported prostheses in the maxillae exhibited a bone loss higher than that registered in mandibles.

Ileal intubation with a transnasal endoscope.

Transnasal upper endoscopy has been implemented in the last decade as it is perceived as less fastidious than peroral endoscopy, and small-caliber gastroscopes are widely available in the endoscopic centres. We report the feasibility of performing a full colonic study with ileal intubation, using a small-caliber endoscope commonly used for transanal endoscopy, after failing with a standard gastroscope.

Immediate/Early function of Neoss implants placed in maxillas and posterior mandibles: an 18-month prospective case series study.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of studies show that immediate/early function of dental implants can be as successful as two-stage procedures. However, the results may not be universal for all implant types and it is important that new implants are tested for this treatment modality. PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate an immediate/early function protocol in the maxilla and in the posterior mandible using Neoss implants (Neoss Ltd., Harrogate, UK). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients were provided with 69 Neoss implants (4 mm in diameter and 9-15 mm in length) and a provisional bridge within 7 days (mean 4.6 days). Sixteen implants were placed in immediate extraction sites where seven were treated with autologous bone grafts (n = 6) or bone grafts + resorbable membrane (n = 1). A final fixed prosthesis was made 3 to 6 months later. The patients were followed-up with clinical examinations for 18 months. In addition, the implants were monitored with resonance frequency analysis (RFA) measurements at surgery and after 1, 2, and 6 months. Intraoral radiographs were taken after surgery and after 1, 6, and 18 months. RESULTS: One implant in an extraction site in the maxilla failed after 1 month, giving a survival rate of 98.5% after 18 months. The mean marginal bone loss was 0.7 mm (SD 0.7) after 18 months. RFA showed a mean implant stability quotient (ISQ) value of 68.1 (SD 8.8) at surgery, which increased to 73.7 (SD 5.7) after 6 months. The primary stability for maxillary and mandibular implants was similar, although mandibular implants showed slightly higher values with time. Implants in extraction sockets showed a lower initial stability than in healed sites, ISQ 65.8 (SD 7.5), which increased to ISQ 67.5 (SD 6.9) after 6 months. The failed implant showed an ISQ of 74 at placement, which decreased to 42 1 month after surgery. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the present study, it is concluded that immediate/early function with Neoss implants is a reliable method with an implant survival rate comparable to that of the traditional two-stage protocol.

Congenital tumors of the retrorectal space in the adult: report of two cases and review of the literature.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: To describe and discuss, on the basis of the authors' experience and a review of the literature, the main aspects regarding the etiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of congenital tumors of the retrorectal space. METHODS: We present 2 cases of congenital retrorectal tumors, a sacrococcygeal teratoma and a dermoid cyst, which represent, from the pathogenetic point of view, the most frequent presentation of the rare tumors of the retrorectal space. RESULTS: The reported cases are typical. The teratoma presented as an encapsulated, mixed mass located in the pelvic cavity behind the rectum and the vaginal canal, without signs of sacral involvement. The dermoid cyst appeared as a unilocular lesion filled with sebum and hair, which extended laterally to the iliopubic branch, medially to the urethra and anal canal, and posteriorly to the adipose tissue of the right buttock. Pelvic MRI produced a precise picture of the extension of the lesion and of the relationship between the mass and the pelvic organs and surrounding bony structures. Both lesions were completely removed via the perineal approach without coccygectomy. No recurrences were observed at 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital retrorectal tumors are rare. MRI is crucial for diagnosis and preoperative planning. Complete surgical removal is the treatment of choice. Resection of the coccyx is necessary only in case of its involvement by the neoplastic mass or suspected malignant transformation.

Immediate loading of maxillary fixed prostheses retained by zygomatic and conventional implants: 24-month preliminary data for a series of clinical case reports.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the success rate of immediately loaded conventional implants placed in the premaxilla in association with 2 zygomatic implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients included had worn complete maxillary dentures for at least 2 years. They were required to have no severe systemic pathologies and could not be on any drugs. They could not have any oral infection, uncontrolled periodontal disease, sinusitis, parafunctional signs, alteration of the occlusal plane, or smoking habits. They had to be good candidates for the insertion of 4 or 5 traditional implants in the premaxilla and 2 zygomatic implants without guided bone regeneration. Primary stability had to be achieved. Impressions for prosthetic rehabilitation were made during first-stage surgery. Temporary fixed cross-arch prostheses were inserted 12 to 24 hours after surgery. Permanent cross-arch screw-retained prostheses were placed after 6 months. RESULTS: Seven patients met all the inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study (Caucasian, 4 males and 3 females, mean age 56.8 years). In total, 14 zygomatic and 34 conventional implants were placed. The survival rate for zygomatic and conventional implants and fixed prostheses was 100% after 24 months of functional loading. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results are encouraging, but the long-term clinical prognosis remains to be determined.

Laparoscopic approach to recurrent incisional hernia repair: a 3-year experience.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernias are one of the most frequent complications of open abdominal surgery. The incidence of relapses after a conventional repair procedure is higher in recurrent than in primary cases (30%-50% vs. 11%-20%). The laparoscopic approach can prevent the complications associated with the conventional approach when dealing with recurrent incisional hernias. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic treatment in such cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively analyzed data from 41 consecutive patients with recurrent incisional hernias, who submitted to a laparoscopic repair procedure with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene Dual Mesh (Gore-Tex Dual Mesh Plus Biomaterial; W.L. Gore 8 Associates) from December 2001 to December 2004. All of the patients underwent clinical follow-up at 1, 6, and 12 months and then yearly. An ultrasound scan of the abdominal wall was performed at 6 and 12 months after the procedure. The parameters considered for the analysis were: mesh size, operating time, hospital stay, postoperative complications, and recurrences. RESULTS: The defects were usually localized along midline laparotomies. The mean mesh size was 400 cm2, the mean operating time was 68 minutes, and the mean length of hospital stay was 2.7 days. Complications were encountered in 17% of patients. The mean follow-up was 38 months (range, 18-54). Recurrence was reported in 1 case only (2.4%), which occurred within the first 6 months after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic repair of recurrent incisional hernia seems to be an effective alternative to the conventional approach, as it can give lower recurrence and complication rates.

Giant bladder diverticulum presenting with recurrent acute urinary retention--a rare event in adult patients: case report.

Acquired giant bladder diverticula of obstructive genesis are not particularly unusual. On the other hand, acute urinary retention due to bladder diverticula is an extremely rare event in adult patients, since most cases are paediatric. A 40-year-old white male with a history of invasive urological procedures presented with recurrent acute urinary retention. Diagnostic procedures including cystourethrography and cystoscopy revealed a giant bladder diverticulum causing ab extrinseco compression of the urethra. The iatrogenic aetiology of the vicious circle of chronic urethral obstruction and increased luminal pressure promoting diverticular growth is discussed.

Long-term results after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy for locally advanced resectable extraperitoneal rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate long-term outcome in locally advanced resectable extraperitoneal rectal cancer treated by preoperative radiochemotherapy. METHODS: Eighty-three consecutive patients who developed locally advanced resectable extraperitoneal rectal cancer underwent preoperative concomitant radiochemotherapy followed by surgery, including total mesorectal excision. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 108 (range, 10-169) months. The living patients underwent complete follow-up of, at least, nine years. Fourteen patients developed local recurrence. The time to detection was longer than two years in eight cases and longer than five years in four. Twenty-one patients developed metastases, 19 within the first five years from surgery. At the univariate analysis, clinical stage at presentation, lymph node involvement at clinical restaging after neoadjuvant therapy, and pT and pN stage were found positively correlated to the incidence of metastases. At the multivariate analysis, the only factors which confirmed a positive correlation were pT stage and pN stage. The actuarial overall survival at five, seven, and ten years was 75.5, 67.8, and 60.4 percent, respectively. The same figures for cancer-related survival were 77.9, 70, and 65.8 percent. At the univariate analysis, factors directly correlated with worse survival were: TNM stage at clinical restaging after neoadjuvant therapy (in particular lymph node involvement) pTNM, pT, and pN. At the multivariate analysis the only factors that confirmed a correlation with worse survival were pTNM, pT, and pN. CONCLUSIONS: Long- term follow-up allows to individuate 28 percent of all local relapses after the first five years from surgery. Postoperative stage is highly predictive of prognosis.

Impact of emergency surgery in the outcome of rectal and left colon carcinoma.

The negative results in terms of morbidity, mortality and survival among emergency treated patients affected by colorectal cancer are well known. The specific contribution of emergency surgery to adverse outcome is not clear because of the presence in all series of other possible determinants of a poor prognosis. We used a case-control study design to compare a group of 50 patients operated on for cancer of the rectum and left colon presented as emergencies in our department during the last 14 years, and an equal number of patients who underwent elective procedures during the same period. All records of these patients were reviewed and matched for age, stage, tumor location, and medical comorbidities (coronaropathy, diabetes mellitus, cerebral vascular deficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Outcome measures included length of hospital stay, morbidity, mortality, and actuarial 5-year survival. Univariate and multivariate analysis of factors potentially influencing survival was performed on the entire population of 100 patients. Age, tumor location, stage of disease, and medical comorbidities were well matched by intent of the study design. Overall surgical morbidity (44% versus 12% P = 0.0004), length of hospital stay (16, 64 versus 10, 97 days P = 0.0026) and postoperative mortality (4% versus 0% P = 0.4949) resulted higher in the emergency group. Actuarial overall 5-year survival was not different between the two groups. The only variables independently predictive of survival in multivariate analysis were age and rectal location of the tumor. Postoperative surgical mortality and long-term survival appear not to be influenced by emergency presentation of colorectal cancer; the negative impact of the emergency procedures is confined to the immediate postoperative period and is probably connected to the acute medical pathology often presented by patients in emergency situations. Dealing with this kind of patient's accurate preoperative assessment and solution of acute medical pathologies before surgical treatment are mandatory.

Metastatic tumors of the umbilicus: report of two cases and review of the literature.

An umbilical nodule may be an early or late sign of metastatic spread from an internal malignancy. Usually it appears when the internal malignancy is widely disseminated and has been previously diagnosed. More rarely, such a nodule is the first sign of disease and eventually results in the diagnosis of the primary tumor. We present two cases which document examples of both events, in order to focus on the most relevant aspects of this condition.

Use of a new type of PTFE mesh in laparoscopic incisional hernia repair: the continuing evolution of technique and surgical expertise.

We present the results of our first 44 laparoscopic incisional hernia repairs. This study examines the effectiveness of this technique in patients presenting with a first-time or recurrent incisional hernia. From October 2001 to November 2002, a total of 45 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic incisional hernia repair with a new form of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh. Patient data, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative records, were recorded and analyzed. Mean defect size was 84 cm2, mean mesh size was 311 cm2, mean surgical time was 65 minutes, and mean hospital stay was 2.25 days. Postoperative complications occurred in four patients (9.1%). The laparoscopic approach is a safe, effective, and relatively complication-free option in the management of first-time and recurrent incisional hernias. The use of modified ePTFE mesh with a dual surface in incisional hernia repair enables early tissue attachment, reduces adhesions, and could reduce the incidence of recurrences.

Early function of splinted implants in maxillas and posterior mandibles, using Brånemark System Tiunite implants: an 18-month prospective clinical multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Immediate or early loading of implants placed in maxillas and posterior mandibles has been a concern as bone density is often low in these areas, making it difficult to establish good initial implant stability. By adapting implant design and insertion protocols, however, high initial implant stability may be achieved in these regions. Further, a modified implant surface texture has been proved to help in maintaining stability during the initial healing period. PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical performance of oxidized titanium implants (TiUnite, Nobel Biocare AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) when used for early function in the maxilla and in the posterior mandible, locations where the bone density often is low. A further aim was to evaluate the marginal bone level at oxidized implants and compare it with that of machined-surface implants used in a previous study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients were consecutively included in the study, and 37 edentulous areas in maxillas and posterior mandibles were treated. Bruxism and uncontrolled periodontal disease were exclusion criteria. Temporary prostheses were generally placed within 9 days but not after 16 days from implant placement. A previous study applying the same study design and clinical protocol but using machined-surface implants was used for comparisons. RESULTS: Of the 111 implants installed, 1 failed, giving an overall survival rate of 99.1% after 18 months. The prosthesis survival was 100%. The marginal bone resorption was 0.8 mm (standard deviation [SD], 1.0), as opposed to 1.6 mm (SD, 1.3) in the previous study with machined-surface implants, but was not statistically significantly different (p = .10). CONCLUSION: The present clinical protocol (aiming at high primary stability) and the use of oxidized titanium implants for early functional loading in the maxilla and the posterior mandible resulted in a high implant survival rate and a favorable marginal bone level during a follow-up of 18 months. The difference in marginal bone resorption between the oxidized implants in the present study and the machined implants from a previous investigation with the same study design was not statistically significant.