A technique for thoracoscopic aortopericardiosternopexy.

BACKGROUND: A left thoracotomy is the standard access for aortosternopexy in severe tracheomalacia. We report a modified technique for thoracoscopic aortopericardiosternopexy. METHODS: The thymus is mobilized, and the needle is passed through the sternum and back. In extensive or recurrent tracheomalacia, not only the ascending aorta but also the innominate artery and pericardial base are fixed to the sternum. The effect is monitored bronchoscopically. RESULTS: This technique showed dramatic success in two children, one 4-year-old and a 2-year-old. In the younger child, the thoracoscopy was a redo procedure after a previous open aortosternopexy. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoscopic aortopericardiosternopexy is an effective procedure that does not impair postoperative respiration. It should therefore be considered for severe tracheomalacia or even redo operations.

LAVA--the system for all-ceramic ZrO2 crown and bridge frameworks.

All-ceramic restorations in the posterior region are an increasingly important area of dental care. However, no real suitable ceramics or economic processing procedures have been available so far. With the new LAVA system, it will be possible to satisfy these demands in the future. The system is based on the machining of presintered zirconia, which, due to its outstanding mechanical properties, its biocompatibility, and its excellent esthetics in combination with a specially designed veneer ceramic, is the ideal candidate for these applications. In combination with a corresponding CAD/CAM unit, the use of an easy-to-machine presintered ceramic material (which is sintered to full density after shaping, thus eliminating the need for extensive use of diamond tools) allows for the first time reliable, fully-automated and thus fast manufacturing of such restorations.

[Animal experimental studies on the restoration of bladder function in neurologic bladder disorders]. / Tierexperimentelle Untersuchungen zur Restauration der nerval gestörten Blasenfunktion.

On German country pigs by subarachnoidal alcohol injection a neurogenic disturbance of the function of the urinary bladder was produced, the size of which was judged by clinical, rodynamic and histologic examinations. Between the 3rd and 83rd day after the subarachnoidal alcohol injection a 5 times 10 cm large sigment of the detrusor was substituted by a pediculated transponat of the muscle of the small intestine (ileum). The result of the following examinations in a period between 3 and 192 days after this intervention were the result that neither functionally nor histologically an involution of the changes typical for a disturbance of the innervation at the bladder was to be observed.

[A new operative method for urinary diversion in the non-excluded intestine--preliminary report on experimental studies in swine]. / Ein neues Operationsverfahren zur Harnableitung in den nicht ausgeschalteten Darm--vorläufiger Bericht über experimentelle Untersuchungen an Schweinen.

The hyperchloremic acidosis is a frequent complication of the urinary elimination through the non-excluded bowels. The dimensions are dependent on the renal function and on the quantity of the reabsorbed urine ingredients. A reduction of the absorbent surface of the intestine will aspire to for the lessening of the reabsorption. The urinary contamination of the proximal parts of the intestine is prevented by means of a telescopelike invagination of the colon sigmoideum creating some kind of a flutter valve. The operative technique is described. X-ray examinations demonstrate the effectiveness of the invagination.