Group 2 ITI Consensus Report: Technological developments in implant prosthetics.

OBJECTIVES: Group-2 reviewed the scientific evidence in the field of «Technology¼. Focused research questions were: (1) additive versus subtractive manufacturing of implant restorations; (2) survival, complications, and esthetics comparing prefabricated versus customized abutments; and (3) survival of posterior implant-supported multi-unit fixed dental prostheses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Literature was systematically screened, and 67 publications could be critically reviewed following PRISMA guidelines, resulting in three systematic reviews. Consensus statements were presented to the plenary where after modification, those were accepted. RESULTS: Additively fabricated implant restorations of zirconia and polymers were investigated for marginal/internal adaptation and mechanical properties without clear results in favor of one technology or material. Titanium base abutments for screw-retained implant single crowns compared to customized abutments did not show significant differences concerning 1-year survival. PFM, veneered and monolithic zirconia implant-supported multi-unit posterior fixed dental prostheses demonstrated similar high 3-year survival rates, whereas veneered restorations exhibited the highest annual ceramic fracture and chipping rates. CONCLUSIONS: For interim tooth-colored implant single crowns both additive and subtractive manufacturing are viable techniques. The clinical performance of additively produced restorations remains to be investigated. Implant single crowns on titanium base abutments show similar clinical performance compared to other type of abutments; however, long-term clinical data from RCTs are needed. The abutment selection should be considered already during the planning phase. Digital planning facilitates 3D visualization of the prosthetic design including abutment selection. In the posterior area, monolithic zirconia is recommended as the material of choice for multi-unit implant restorations to reduce technical complications.

Predicting complicated appendicitis based on clinical findings: the role of Alvarado and Appendicitis Inflammatory Response scores.

PURPOSE: The pre-interventional differentiation between complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis is decisive for treatment. In the context of conservative therapy, the definitive diagnosis of uncomplicated appendicitis is mandatory. This study investigates the ability of clinical scoring systems and imaging to differentiate between the two entities. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of two cohorts from two tertiary referral centers in Switzerland and Germany. All consecutive patients underwent appendectomy between January 2008 and April 2013 (in the first cohort) or between January 2017 and June 2019 (the second cohort). Exclusion criteria did not apply as all patients found by the database search and received an appendectomy were included. Diagnostic testing and calculation of a receiver operating curve were performed to identify a cutoff for clinical scores that resulted in a minimum sensitivity of 90% to detect complicated appendicitis. The cutoff was combined with additional diagnostic imaging criteria to see if diagnostic properties could be improved. RESULTS: Nine hundred fifty-six patients were included in the analysis. Two hundred twenty patients (23%) had complicated appendicitis, and 736 patients (77%) had uncomplicated appendicitis or no inflammation. The complicated appendicitis cohort had a mean Alvarado score of 7.03 and a mean AIR of 5.21. This compared to a mean Alvarado of 6.53 and a mean AIR of 4.07 for the uncomplicated appendicitis cohort. The highest Alvarado score with a sensitivity of > 90% to detect complicated appendicitis was ≧ 5 (sensitivity = 95%, specificity 8.99%). The highest AIR score with a sensitivity of > 90% to detect complicated appendicitis was ≧ 3 (sensitivity 91.82%, specificity 18.53). The analysis showed that additional CT information did not improve the sensitivity of the proposed cut-offs. CONCLUSION: AIR and Alvarado scores showed limited capability to distinguish between complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis even with additional imaging in this retrospective cohort. As conservative management of appendicitis needs to exclude patients with complicated disease reliably, appendectomy seems until now to remain the safest option to prevent undertreatment of this mostly benign disease.

Global parental leave in surgical careers: differences according to gender, geographical regions and surgical career stages.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of information regarding the provision of parental leave for surgical careers. This survey study aims to evaluate the experience of maternity/paternity leave and views on work-life balance globally. METHODS: A 55-item online survey in 24 languages was distributed via social media as per CHERRIES guideline from February to March 2020. It explored parental leave entitlements, attitude towards leave taking, financial impact, time spent with children and compatibility of parenthood with surgical career. RESULTS: Of the 1393 (male : female, 514 : 829) respondents from 65 countries, there were 479 medical students, 349 surgical trainees and 513 consultants. Consultants had less than the recommended duration of maternity leave (43.8 versus 29.1 per cent), no paid maternity (8.3 versus 3.2 per cent) or paternity leave (19.3 versus 11.0 per cent) compared with trainees. Females were less likely to have children than males (36.8 versus 45.6 per cent, P = 0.010) and were more often told surgery is incompatible with parenthood (80.2 versus 59.5 per cent, P < 0.001). Males spent less than 20 per cent of their salary on childcare and fewer than 30 hours/week with their children. More than half (59.2 per cent) of medical students did not believe a surgical career allowed work-life balance. CONCLUSION: Surgeons across the globe had inadequate parental leave. Significant gender disparity was seen in multiple aspects.

The burden on public emergency departments during the economic crisis years in Greece: a two-center comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of the Greek economic crisis on the emergency departments (EDs) of public hospitals have not been evaluated. The study aims to evaluate the burden of the financial crisis on public hospital's EDs. STUDY DESIGN: The present study is a retrospective two-center comparative study. METHODS: ED visits, related admissions per year, and the admissions/visits ratio at two public Greek hospitals, the Sismanogleio of Athens (SHA) and the University Hospital of Crete (UHC), from 2008 to 2016 were retrospectively studied. A linear model was fitted for each variable, and the slope values of the linear equations were calculated and compared between the two institutions. RESULTS: ED visits of the UHC exhibited 8.9% increase during the study period, whereas related admissions and admissions/visits ratio increased by 23.4% and 12.5%, respectively. ED visits at the SHA exhibited 5.4% increase, whereas related admissions showed 6% decrease and the admissions/visits ratio was decreased by 8%. Significant differences between the rates of admissions (P < 0.001) and admissions/visits ratio (P = 0.001) among the two hospitals were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Both institutions showed similarly increased ED visits. However, the UHC serving mainly rural, but also suburban and urban population, exhibited different changes regarding admissions and admissions/visits ratio compared with the SHA serving mainly an urban and suburban one, reflecting the way the crisis affected each social group. Depression has amplified the Greek National Health System structural problems and exposed the problematic urban primary health care. Improvement of primary urban health care, autonomy of EDs, and establishment of emergency medicine as independent specialty in Greece could serve better patients seeking care in public hospitals' EDs.

Microbiological, chemical and sensory spoilage analysis of raw Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) stored under modified atmospheres.

During fish spoilage, microbial metabolism leads to the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), characteristic off-odors and eventual consumer rejection. The aim of the present study was to contribute to the development of intelligent packaging technologies by identifying and quantifying VOCs that indicate spoilage of raw Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) under atmospheres (%v/v CO2/O2/N2) 60/40/0, 60/5/35 and air. Spoilage was examined by microbiological, chemical and sensory analyses over storage time at 4 or 8 °C. Selected-ion flow-tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) was used for quantifying selected VOCs and amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used for the characterization of the cod microbiota. OTUs classified within the Photobacterium genus increased in relative abundance over time under all storage conditions, suggesting that Photobacterium contributed to spoilage and VOC production. The onset of exponential VOC concentration increase and sensory rejection occurred at high total plate counts (7-7.5 log). Monitoring of early spoilage thus calls for sensitivity for low VOC concentrations.

Combined Littre and Richter's femoral hernia: an extremely rare intra-operative finding.

Littre hernia is defined as the herniation of a Meckel's diverticulum, while Richter's hernia is the herniation of a portion of the bowel wall. An extremely rare case of a combined Littre and Richter's femoral hernia is reported. An 82-year-old male presented at the emergency department with a painful golf ball-like mass at the right inguinofemoral region. With the diagnosis of incarcerated femoral hernia, he was urgently taken to the operating room. Intraoperatively, an incarcerated Littre, as well as a Richter's hernia were revealed. Enterectomy and side-to-side small bowel anastomosis were performed. The patient made an uneventful recovery. To the best of our knowledge, the present is the first report of a combined Littre and Richter's femoral hernia. Such findings should be reported to raise the awareness of surgeons for complicated cases. It is of utmost importance to have a high suspicion index for strangulated hernias, to minimize the time between admission and surgery.

Malakoplakia of the large intestine: an incidental extremely rare finding.

Malakoplakia is a rare inflammatory disease, most commonly found in the urinary tract. It appears be related to a functional deficiency of macrophages, resulting in an inability to destroy digested bacteria and it is associated with various conditions that cause immunodeficiency. A rare case of malakoplakia of the colon in a healthy 68-year old male is presented. The patient underwent emergency surgery with colon resection and an end stoma with closure of the distal bowel (Hartmann's procedure), due to incarcerated ventral hernia and sigmoid-colon rupture. He underwent reversal of the Hartmann's procedure four months after the initial operation. The histological examination from the anastomotic rings revealed Michaelis-Gutmann bodies that are pathognomonic of malakoplakia. He received per os ciprofloxacin, bethanecol and ascorbic acid for 12 months. Follow-up endoscopy did not exhibit any signs of the disease. A case of a healthy patient presenting with malakoplakia without any underlying disease that causes immunodeficiency is extremely rare. Treatment of malakoplakia involves the eradication of microorganisms. Cholinergic agonists, such as bethanechol and ascorbic acid, as well as antimicrobial treatment with trimpethoprim/sulphamethoxazol and rifampicin are most commonly being used. Long-term antimicrobial treatment has been reported (6 months to 3 years).

Mesothelial cyst of the round ligament.

Mesothelial cyst of the round ligament is a rare finding in females, with only a few cases reported so far. A case of a 25 year old female patient presenting with a palpable mass in her right inguinal region is presented. The preoperative investigation through ultrasound (U/S), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the presence of an intraabdominal cystic lobular mass in the inguinal canal, in contact with the femoral vessels. The mass was excised and the diagnosis of a benign mesothelial cyst was made through pathological examination. Even though it is a rare condition, it is advisable that clinicians consider in the differential diagnosis when evaluating a non-reducible mass in the inguinal region of a female patient.

Parathyroid adenoma in pregnancy: A case report and systematic review of the literature.

Objective: Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common disorder of the parathyroid glands. Parathyroid adenoma (PA) in pregnancy is a relatively rare disease, whose diagnosis and treatment is a challenging task. The aim of the present study is to present a new case of parathyroid adenoma during pregnancy and to give a detailed account of all reported cases of parathyroid adenoma during pregnancy in the literature. Study design: A bibliographic research was performed, and characteristics of parathyroid adenomas in pregnancy such as age, gestational week at diagnosis, ionized calcium levels, genetic testing result, symptomatology, radiological method of localization, treatment method, gestational week at operation, and maternal/fetal complications were recorded. Results: A 34-year-old woman at her 25 weeks' gestation was diagnosed with parathyroid adenoma and was referred to our Surgical Department due to contraindication for conservative treatment. A parathyroidectomy was performed, and the maternal and fetal postoperative period was uneventful. Two hundred eleven cases of parathyroid adenoma in pregnancy were recorded in the literature, and statistical analysis was performed. The median gestational week at diagnosis was 21 ± 9.61 weeks. The mean level of ionized calcium was 2.69 mmol/l [SD = 0.75 (2.55-2.84 95% CI)]. Most cases were familiar (72.4%), while surgery was the preferred treatment option (67.3%). The majority of cases were asymptomatic (21.7%), and the main radiological method applied for localization was ultrasound (63.4%). Conclusion: Parathyroid adenoma in pregnancy is a rare condition. The early diagnosis is of great importance as surgical treatment at the second trimester of pregnancy outweighs the maternal and fetal risks.

Surgical management of rectal prolapse.

PURPOSE: Rectal prolapse is uncommon; however, the true incidence is unknown because of underreporting, especially in the elderly population. Full-thickness rectal prolapse, mucosal prolapse and internal prolapse are three different clinical entities, which are often combined and constitute rectal prolapse. The aim of the study is to present our experience in the surgical management of rectal prolapse. METHODS: In a 6-year period (2004-2010), 27 patients were surgically treated for rectal prolapse. The majority of patients were women (25 women, two men) and their mean age was 72.36 years. The operations performed were two Delorme's procedures, five STARR (Stapled TransAnal Rectal Resection), 14 Wells procedures, two Wells combined with Thiersch, one Altemeier, one sigmoid resection combined with Wells and two Thiersch. RESULTS: An emergency sigmoidostomy was performed on a patient after Wells operation due to obstructive ileus. One death occurred on the 5th postoperative day due to pulmonary embolism. Two recurrences observed 8 months postoperatively, one in a patient after STARR operation and one in a patient after Thiersch technique. The great majority of patients are completely relieved of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The application of different modalities in the treatment of rectal prolapse is attributed to the fact that cause, degree of prolapse and symptoms, vary from one patient to another. Successful approach depends on many factors, including the status of a patient's anal sphincter muscle before surgery, whether the prolapse is internal or external and the overall condition of the patient.

Cecal volvulus after twin gestation: laparoscopic approach.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal obstruction in pregnancy is not common. Colonic volvulus occurs in 24% of such cases. Due to the rare incidence and lack of imaging during pregnancy, correct diagnosis is often delayed. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 33-year-old female with a twin pregnancy gestation, who presented with acute abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed a gravid uterus and tenderness in the lower abdominal quadrants. Due to intense uterine contractions, the patient was urgently submitted to cesarean delivery, giving birth to two healthy infants. Twelve hours after the cesarean section, right lower quadrant abdominal pain was persistently severe. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal dilatation were also present. Abdominal X-ray and CT scan showed bowel obstruction, possibly secondary to cecal volvulus. The patient was subjected to explorative laparoscopy, cecal volvulus detorsion, and laparoscopic appendectomy. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Cecal volvulus in pregnancy is a rare, difficult to diagnose, clinical entity. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality, both of mother and fetus, because of delayed diagnosis. A high index of clinical suspicion is required in pregnant or puerperant women with signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction and persistent pain at the right low abdominal quadrant. As long as diagnosis is timely set, laparoscopy is a safe and successful means of surgical treatment.

Surgical management of colorectal injuries: colostomy or primary repair?

PURPOSE: Several factors have been considered important for the decision between diversion and primary repair in the surgical management of colorectal injuries. The aim of this study is to clarify whether patients with colorectal injuries need diversion or not. METHODS: From 2008 to 2010, ten patients with colorectal injuries were surgically treated by primary repair or by a staged repair. RESULTS: The patients were five men and five women, with median age 40 years (20-55). Two men and two women had rectal injuries, while 6 patients had colon injuries. The mechanism of trauma in two patients was firearm injuries, in two patients was a stab injury, in four patients was a motor vehicle accident, in one woman was iatrogenic injury during vaginal delivery, and one case was the transanal foreign body insertion. Primary repair was possible in six patients, while diversion was necessary in four patients. CONCLUSIONS: Primary repair should be attempted in the initial surgical management of all penetrating colon and intraperitoneal rectal injuries. Diversion of colonic injuries should only be considered if the colon tissue itself is inappropriate for repair due to severe edema or ischemia. The role of diversion in the management of unrepaired extraperitoneal rectal injuries and in cases with anal sphincter injuries is mandatory.

Relationship between internal accuracy and load-bearing capacity of minimally invasive lithium disilicate occlusal veneers.

PURPOSE: To test whether internal accuracy affects the load-bearing capacity of 0.5-mm-thick occlusal veneers made out of milled or heat-pressed lithium disilicate (LS2). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Extracted human molars (N = 80) were divided into four groups (n = 20 each) depending on the bonding substrate (enamel [E] or dentin [D]) and the fabrication method (milling [CAD] or heat pressing [PRE]) for the occlusal LS2 veneers: (1) E-CAD, (2) D-CAD, (3) E-PRE, or (4) D-PRE. After restoration fabrication, the abutment teeth and the corresponding restorations were scanned and superimposed in order to measure the marginal and internal accuracy. After adhesive cementation, the specimens were thermomechanically aged and thereafter loaded until fracture. The load-bearing capacities (Fmax) were measured. Fmax and the marginal and internal accuracy between the groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test (P < .05) and pairwise group comparisons. In addition, the relationship between Fmax and the internal accuracy was analyzed using Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS: Median Fmax values (and first and third quartiles) per group were as follows: 1,495 N (Q1: 932; Q3: 2'318) for E-CAD; 1,575 N (Q1: 1,314; Q3: 1,668) for E-PRE; 1,856 N (Q1: 1,555; Q3: 2,013) for D-CAD; and 1,877 N (Q1: 1,566; Q3: 2,131) for D-PRE. No statistical difference was found between the groups (P = .0981). Overall, the internal accuracy in the areas of the cusp (P < .0007) and fossa (P < .0001) showed significant differences. While no significant differences were detected in the marginal area (P = .3518), a significant correlation with a negative linear relationship was found between the 3D internal accuracy and the Fmax values (P = .0007). CONCLUSION: An increase in the internal accuracy raised the load-bearing capacity of minimally invasive LS2 occlusal veneers. In general, the restorations bonded to dentin in the occlusal regions showed a better accuracy compared to those bonded to enamel.

Comparative antimicrobial susceptibility of biofilm versus planktonic forms of Salmonella enterica strains isolated from children with gastroenteritis.

In the present study, 194 Salmonella enterica strains, isolated from infected children and belonging to various serotypes, were investigated for their ability to form biofilms and the biofilm forms of the isolated strains were compared to their corresponding planktonic forms with respect to the antimicrobial susceptibility. For the biofilm-forming strains, the minimum inhibitory concentration for bacterial regrowth (MICBR) from the biofilm of nine clinically applicable antimicrobial agents was determined, and the results were compared to the respective MIC values of the planktonic forms. One hundred and nine S. enterica strains out of 194 (56%) belonging to 13 serotypes were biofilm-forming. The biofilm forms showed increased antimicrobial resistance compared to the planktonic bacteria. The highest resistance rates of the biofilm bacteria were observed with respect to gentamicin (89.9%) and ampicillin (84.4%), and the lowest rates with respect to ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin (2.8% for both). A remarkable shift of the MICBR(50) and MICBR(90) toward resistance was observed in the biofilm forms as compared to the respective planktonic forms. The development of new consensus methods for the determination of the antimicrobial susceptibility of biofilm forms seems to be a major research challenge. Further studies are required in order to elucidate the biofilm antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of the bacterial biofilms and their contribution to therapeutic failure in infections with in vitro susceptible bacteria.

Prospective clinical trial comparing sphincterotomy, nitroglycerin ointment and xylocaine/lactulose combination for the treatment of anal fissure.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to compare the ability of three treatments in patients with anal fissure, sphincterotomy, nitroglycerin ointment and combination of gel xylocaine and lactulose. METHODS: Ninety adults divided in three groups of 30 patients each group, received one of the three treatments in a 3-year interval (2007-2009) and the follow-up was for 2 months. Group A received nitroglycerin ointment, Group B underwent sphincterotomy and Group C received gel xylocaine and lactulose. RESULTS: Concerning pain, after treatment 60% of patients in Group A did not complain of pain, 20% had transient pain, another 10% moderate pain and the remaining 10% had severe pain. In Group B, 95% of the patients had no pain and only 5% had mild, transient pain. In Group C 60% of the patients had moderate pain and the other 40% suffered from severe pain. Concerning fissure healing, in 60% of the patients of Group A, the fissure was healed. In Group B fissure healed in 93.3% and in Group C only in 16.6% of the patients. CONCLUSION: The "gold standard" for anal fissure treatment is the lateral internal sphincterotomy and that each one of the three methods has its advantages and disadvantages.

Light sensitivity and pain sensation during cataract surgery. A comparative study of two modes of anaesthesia.

The objective of this study was to compare the light sensitivity and pain experienced by patients undergoing cataract surgery under subtenon and topical with intracameral anaesthesia. Fifty-four patients were randomly assigned to receive either two drops of proxymethacaine 0.5% as topical anaesthesia with 0.5 ml preservative-free 1% intracameral lidocaine or 4 ml 2% lignocaine as subtenon anaesthesia. Light sensitivity and overall pain perception were recorded at the end of surgery. The mean pain score in the subtenon group (0.11; range 0-1) was lower than in the topical group (1.07; range: 0-3, P < 0.001). The mean light-sensitivity score was lower in the subtenon group (0.26; range: 0-4) than in the topical group (1.29; range: 0-4, P = 0.001). Subtenon anaesthesia was more effective in suppressing light sensitivity and pain during cataract surgery than topical with intracameral anaesthesia. This suggests that use of subtenon anaesthesia may lead to a more comfortable operative experience.

Load-bearing capacity of CAD/CAM 3D-printed zirconia, CAD/CAM milled zirconia, and heat-pressed lithium disilicate ultra-thin occlusal veneers on molars.

OBJECTIVES: The load-bearing capacity of ultra-thin occlusal veneers made of 3D-printed zirconia were compared to the ones obtained by fabricating these reconstructions by CAD/CAM milling zirconia or heat-pressing lithium-disilicate. METHODS: On 60 extracted human molars, the occlusal enamel was removed and extended into dentin. Occlusal veneers of 0.5 mm thickness were digitally designed. The specimens were divided into 3 groups (n = 20 each) differing in the restorative material and the fabrication technique of the occlusal veneer. (1) 3DP: 3D-printed zirconia (Lithoz); (2): CAM: milled zirconia (Ceramill Zolid FX); (3) HPR: heat-pressed lithium disilicate (IPS e.max Press). After conditioning procedures, the restorations were adhesively bonded onto the conditioned tooth. Thereafter, all specimens were aged in a chewing simulator by exposure to cyclic fatigue and temperature variations. Subsequently the specimens were statically loaded and the load which was necessary to decrease the maximum load by 20% and initiate a crack (Finitial) and the load which was needed to fracture the specimen (Fmax) were measured. Differences between the groups were compared applying the Kruskal-Wallis (KW) test and the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney-Test (WMW: p < 0.05). RESULTS: The median Finitial values for the groups 3DP, CAM and HPR were 1'650 N, 1'250 N and 500 N. The differences between all three groups were statistically significant (KW: p < 0.0001). The median Fmax values amounted to 2'026 N for the group 3DP, 1'500 N for the group CAM and 1'555 N for the group HPR. Significant differences were found between 3DP and CAM (WMW: p = 0.0238). SIGNIFICANCE: Regarding their load-bearing capacity, 3D-printed or milled zirconia as well as heat-pressed lithium disilicate can be recommended as restorative material for ultra-thin occlusal veneers to prosthetically compensate for occlusal tooth wear. Despite statistically significant differences between the restoration materials, all load-bearing capacities exceeded the clinically expected normal bite forces.

Insights in clinical examination and diagnosis of Athletic Pubalgia.

Athletic pubalgia presents with groin and/or pubic pain mainly in athletes. The purpose of this review is to analyze, by evaluating current literature, the clinical examination and differential diagnosis of athletic pubalgia, in an effort to better understand this clinical entity. Diagnosis is challenging due to the anatomical complexity of the groin area, the biomechanics of the pubic Romasymphysis region and the large number of potential sources of groin pain. Clinical examination and medical history are of utmost importance. Differential diagnosis includes intra-and-extra-articular hip and intra-abdominal pathology, as well as non-myoskeletal disorders, such as femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), acetabular labral tears, osteitis pubis, adductor muscles injuries and true inguinal hernia. A thorough clinical examination should be performed in such cases, including the "Resisted sit-up" and the "Single or Bilateral Resisted Leg Adduction" test. Regarding imaging, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be performed when athletic pubalgia is suspected, especially in athletes. Other imaging techniques, such as plain radiographs and ultrasonography may add to the diagnostic process.