Development of a prediction model for deep vein thrombosis in a retrospective cohort of patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: Early and accurate prediction and diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is essential to allow for immediate treatment and reduce potential complications. However, all potentially strong risk factors have not been included in pretest probability assessments such as the Wells score. In addition, the Wells score might not be suitable for use in primary care because it was developed for secondary care. We hypothesized that the addition of more risk factors for DVT to existing diagnostic approaches could improve the prediction of DVT. METHODS: All consecutive patients suspected of having DVT from 2004 to 2016 in a primary care setting were included in our retrospective study. All the patients had undergone Wells score, D-dimer, and duplex ultrasound assessments. The available recorded data of the patients were used to develop a model to predict DVT. RESULTS: Of 3381 eligible patients, 489 (14.5%) had confirmed DVT. The developed model, which included the D-dimer level, Wells score, gender, anticoagulation use, age, and family history of venous thrombosis, was able to distinguish patients with DVT among those with suspected DVT with a sensitivity of 82% (95% confidence interval, 78%-86%) and specificity of 82% (95% confidence interval, 80%-83%). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed model was able to predict for the presence of DVT among all patients with suspected DVT in a primary care setting with reasonable accuracy. Further validation in prospective studies is required.

A risk score for iliofemoral patients with deep vein thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common condition with a high risk of post-thrombotic morbidity, especially in patients with a proximal thrombus. Successful iliofemoral clot removal has been shown to decrease the severity of post-thrombotic syndrome. It is assumed that earlier thrombus lysis is associated with a better outcome. Generally, the earlier IFDVT is confirmed, the earlier thrombus lysis could be performed. d-Dimer levels and Wells score are currently used to assess the preduplex probability for DVT; however, some studies indicate that the d-dimer value varies depending on the thrombus extent and localization. Using d-dimer and other risk factors might facilitate development of a model selecting those with an increased risk of IFDVT that might benefit from early referral for additional analysis and adjunctive iliofemoral thrombectomy. METHODS: All consecutive adult patients from a retrospective cohort of STAR diagnostic center (primary care) in Rotterdam suspected of having DVT between September 2004 and August 2016 were assessed for this retrospective study. The diagnostic workup for DVT including Wells score and d-dimer were performed as well as complete duplex ultrasound examination. Patients with objective evidence of DVT were categorized according to thrombus localization using the Lower Extremity Thrombolysis classification. Logistic regression analysis was done for a model predicting IFDVT. The cut-off value of the model was determined using a receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: A total of 3381 patients were eligible for study recruitment, of whom 489 (14.5%) had confirmed DVT. We developed a multivariate model (sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 82%; area under the curve, 0.90; 0.86-0.93) based on d-dimer, Wells score, age, and anticoagulation use, which is able to distinguish IFDVT patients from all patients suspected of DVT. CONCLUSIONS: This multivariate model adequately distinguishes IFDVT among all suspected DVT patients. Practically, this model could give each patient a preduplex risk score, which could be used to prioritize suspected IFDVT patients for an immediate imaging test to confirm or exclude IFDVT. Further validation studies are needed to confirm potential of this prediction model for IFDVT.

A multicenter, randomized, dose-finding study of mechanochemical ablation using ClariVein and liquid polidocanol for great saphenous vein incompetence.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to identify the ideal polidocanol (POL) concentration for mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) using the ClariVein system (Merit Medical, South Jordan, Utah). METHODS: We performed a multicenter, randomized, controlled, single-blind trial with a follow-up period of 6 months. Patients with symptomatic primary truncal GSV incompetence were randomized to MOCA + 2% POL liquid (2% group) or MOCA + 3% POL liquid (3% group). The primary outcome was technical success (TS), defined as an open part of the treated vein segment of ≤10 cm in length. The secondary outcomes were alternative TS, defined as ≥85% occlusion of the treated vein segment, postoperative pain, venous clinical severity scores, Aberdeen varicose vein questionnaire scores, and short-form 36-item health survey questionnaire scores, and complications. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2018, 364 patients (375 limbs) were included, of which, 189 limbs were randomly allocated to the 2% group and 186 to the 3% group. The TS rate at 6 months was 69.8% in the 2% group vs 78.0% in the 3% group (P = .027). A higher overall TS rate was seen in GSVs of ≤5.9 mm compared with GSVs >5.9 mm (84.3% vs 59.5%, respectively; P < .001). The alternative TS rate at 6 months was 61.4% in the 2% group and 67.7% in the 3% group (P = .028). The venous clinical severity scores, Aberdeen varicose vein questionnaire scores, and most short-form 36-item health survey questionnaire domains had improved in both groups (P < .002). Postprocedural pain was low. Two pulmonary embolisms and two deep vein thromboses were seen. Superficial venous thrombosis had occurred more often in the 3% group (18 vs 8 in the 2% group; P = .033). CONCLUSIONS: The results from the present study showed a higher success rate for MOCA with 3% POL liquid than for MOCA with 2% POL liquid at 6 months of follow-up. However, the difference in quality of life was not significant. Long-term follow-up studies are required to investigate whether these results will be sustained in the future.

Does sinus rhythm conversion after cardiac surgery affect postoperative health- related quality of life?

BACKGROUND: We investigated the impact and the predictive value of sinus rhythm at 12 months (SR12) on subscales of three different HrQoL questionnaires: SF-36., EuroQoL and MFI 20. METHODS: Data of 125 cardiac surgery patients with pre-operative AF from our previous randomized trial were used. Based on their rhythm outcome patients were divided in two groups: SR12 or AF at 12 months follow up (non-SR12). All questionnaires were self-administered pre-operatively and at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Synus rhytm at 12 months was predictive of improvement of SF36- mental score (MS, p = 0.021), Euro-QoL-MS (p = 0.009), VAS (p = 0.006), and MFI 20-MS (p = 0.009). We failed to find any significant interactions between SR12 and any of the other significant risk factors: age <65 years, paroxysmal type of AF and preoperative AF duration <12 months. In contrast, SR12 was not significant in predicting physical score (PS) subscales of any of the questionnaires (all, p > 0.05) which were predicted by age <65 years (SF36-PS, p = 0.029) by paroxysmal type of AF and age <65 years (Euro-QoL-PS, p = 0.017 and p = 0.04, respectively) and by AF duration <12 months, paroxysmal type of AF and age < 65 years (MFI 20-PS, p = 0.019, p = 0.020 and p = 0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Specific mental-related HrQoL scales are much more sensitive to sinus rhythm conversion. Sinus rithm mantainance shows significant effects on mental scores independently of other cofactors. Successful conversion to sinus rhythm after surgical ablation during cardiac surgery does not significantly affect phisical health related quality of life during 1 year follow up.

An overview of the most commonly used venous quality of life and clinical outcome measurements.

BACKGROUND: Modern medicine should no longer rely solely on technical success to evaluate treatments. The treatment of venous disease has seen many new developments, insights, and treatment modalities. Combining clinical scores with quality of life (QoL) outcome measurements is becoming the new norm for evaluation of treatments. Many different outcome assessment instruments are currently available, indicating a lack of consensus. METHODS: We set out to find the most reliable and comprehensive scoring instrument for clinical and QoL measurement in venous disease. In this review, we focus on the eight most widely used instruments. For clinical assessment, these are the Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, and Pathologic (CEAP) classification, Villalta scale, and Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS); for generic QoL, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and EQ-5D questionnaires; and for disease-specific QoL, the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ), Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire (CIVIQ), and VEnous INsufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study on Quality of Life/Symptoms (VEINES-QOL/Sym) questionnaire. Each instrument is reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: For the accurate evaluation of treatment outcomes, socioeconomic, QoL, and clinical aspects must be assessed. None of the available disease-specific instruments is suited to use in uniform outcome measurement for the whole spectrum of venous disease. A new combined QoL and clinical instrument is needed to validly assess and compare the outcomes of venous treatments. The VEINES-QOL/Sym is currently the most valid instrument to assess disease-specific QoL.

A prospective randomized controlled trial on the incidence and predictors of late-phase postoperative atrial fibrillation up to 30 days and the preventive value of biatrial pacing.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is considered to be a transient arrhythmia in the first week after cardiac surgery. OBJECTIVE: To determine the 30-day incidence and predictors of POAF and the value of postoperative overdrive biatrial pacing in the prevention of POAF. METHODS: Patients (n = 148) without a history of atrial fibrillation undergoing aortic valve replacement or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) were randomized into a pacing group (n = 75) and a control group. Patients were treated with standardized sotalol postoperatively. Rhythm was continuously monitored for 30 days by a transtelephonic event recorder. RESULTS: POAF occurred in 73 (49.3%) patients, of whom 60 (40.5%) patients showed POAF during postoperative days (PODs) 0-5 and 37 (25%) patients during PODs 6-30. Prolonged aortic cross-clamp time was an important univariate predictor of 30-day and of late POAF (PODs 6-30; P = .017 and P = .03, respectively). Best-fit model analysis using 15 predetermined risk factors for POAF showed different positive interactive effects for early POAF (ie, baseline C-reactive protein levels with a history of myocardial infarction or low body mass index) and late POAF (ie, high body mass index, diabetes mellitus, baseline C-reactive protein, early POAF, creatinine levels, type of operation, smoking, and male gender). Biatrial pacing reduced the late POAF incidence in patients with aortic cross-clamp time >50 minutes (P = .006). CONCLUSION: POAF is not limited to the first week after cardiac surgery but also occurs frequently in the postoperative month. It is desirable to regularly follow patients with POAF for atrial fibrillation recurrences after discharge.

Effect of supervised exercise therapy for intermittent claudication in patients with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Primary treatment for patients with intermittent claudication is exercise therapy. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a frequently occurring comorbidity in patients with intermittent claudication, and in these patients, exercise tolerance is decreased. However, there is little literature about the increase in walking distance after supervised exercise therapy (SET) in patients with both intermittent claudication and DM. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of SET for intermittent claudication in patients with DM. METHODS: Consecutive patients with intermittent claudication who started SET were included. Exclusion criteria were Rutherford stage 4 to 6 and the inability to perform the standardized treadmill test. SET was administered according to the guidelines of the Royal Dutch Society for Physiotherapy. At baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up, a standardized treadmill exercise test was performed. The primary outcome measurement was the absolute claudication distance (ACD). RESULTS: We included 775 patients, of whom 230 had DM (29.7%). At 6 months of follow-up, data of 440 patients were available. Both ACD at baseline and at 6 months of follow-up were significantly lower in patients with DM (P < 0.001). However, increase in ACD after 6 months of SET did not differ significantly (P = 0.48) between the DM group and the non-DM group (270 m and 400 m, respectively). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, SET for patients with intermittent claudication is equally effective in improving walking distance for both patients with and without DM, although ACD remains lower in patients with DM.

Sacral neuromodulation therapy: a promising treatment for adolescents with refractory functional constipation.

BACKGROUND: Sacral neuromodulation therapy has been successfully applied in adult patients with urinary and fecal incontinence and in adults with constipation not responding to intensive conservative treatment. No data, however, are available on sacral neuromodulation therapy as a treatment option in adolescents with refractory functional constipation. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the short-term results of sacral neuromodulation in adolescents with chronic functional constipation refractory to intensive conservative treatment. DESIGN: This is a retrospective review. SETTING: This study took place at the Department of Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands. PATIENTS: Thirteen patients (all girls, age 10-18 years) with functional constipation according to the ROME III criteria not responding to intensive oral and rectal laxative treatment were assigned for sacral neuromodulation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: When improvement of symptoms was observed during the testing phase, a permanent stimulator was implanted. Patients were prospectively followed up to at least 6 months after implantation of the permanent stimulator by interviews, bowel diaries, and Cleveland Clinic constipation score. Improvement was defined as spontaneous defecation ≥ 2 times a week. RESULTS: At presentation, none of the patients had spontaneous defecation or felt the urge to defecate. All patients had severe abdominal pain. Regular school absenteeism was present in 10 patients. After the testing phase, all but 2 patients had spontaneous defecation ≥ 2 times a week with a reduction in abdominal pain. After implantation, 11 (of 12) had a normal spontaneous defecation pattern of ≥ 2 times a week without medication, felt the urge to defecate, and perceived less abdominal pain without relapse of symptoms until 6 months after implantation. The average Cleveland Clinic constipation score decreased from 20.9 to 8.4. One lead revision and 2 pacemaker relocations were necessary. LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its small sample size, single-institution bias, and retrospective nature. CONCLUSION: Sacral neuromodulation appears to be a promising new treatment option in adolescents with refractory functional constipation not responding to intensive conservative therapy. Larger randomized studies with long-term follow-up are required.

Liver-test abnormalities in sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic inflammatory granulomatous disease. The prevalence of hepatic involvement is not clear. AIM: The aim of this study was to establish the presence and severity of the liver-test abnormalities in sarcoidosis. METHODS: Retrospectively, patients with confirmed sarcoidosis (n=837) presented with the liver-test abnormalities [alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transaminase, alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase >1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN)] who were classified according to severity into mild (zero liver tests ≥3×ULN), moderate (one or two liver tests ≥3×ULN) and severe (three or four liver tests ≥3×ULN) were evaluated. Moreover, the relationship between severity of liver tests and histology was examined. RESULTS: Liver-test abnormalities were found in 204 of 837 patients with chronic sarcoidosis (24.4%), among which 127 (15.2%) were suspected of having hepatic sarcoidosis (79 of 127 males, 111 Caucasian, eight African-American). In 22 of 127 patients (17.3%), a liver biopsy was obtained; 21 were compatible with hepatic sarcoidosis. In these 21 patients, severity of liver-test abnormalities was significantly associated with extensiveness of granulomatous inflammation (ρ=0.58, P=0.006) and degree of fibrosis (ρ=0.64, P=0.002). These results remained in the multiple regression analysis when controlled for treatment status, sex, genetics, ethnicity and age. CONCLUSION: Liver-test abnormalities were present in 24% of the studied patients; in 15% highly because of hepatic involvement of sarcoidosis. Moderate and severe liver-test abnormalities seemed to be associated with more advanced histopathological disease. Therefore, in the management of sarcoidosis, for patients with moderate or severe liver-test abnormalities a liver biopsy is recommended.

Early loss of peritubular capillaries after kidney transplantation.

Inflammation, interstitial fibrosis (IF), and tubular atrophy (TA) precede chronic transplant dysfunction, which is a major cause of renal allograft loss. There is an association between IF/TA and loss of peritubular capillaries (PTCs) in advanced renal disease, but whether PTC loss occurs in an early stage of chronic transplant dysfunction is unknown. Here, we studied PTC number, IF/TA, inflammation, and renal function in 48 patients who underwent protocol biopsies. Compared with before transplantation, there was a statistically significant loss of PTCs by 3 months after transplantation. Fewer PTCs in the 3-month biopsy correlated with high IF/TA and inflammation scores and predicted lower renal function at 1 year. Predictors of PTC loss during the first 3 months after transplantation included donor type, rejection, donor age, and the number of PTCs at the time of implantation. In conclusion, PTC loss occurs during the first 3 months after renal transplantation, associates with increased IF and TA, and predicts reduced renal function.

Cost-effectiveness of ablation surgery in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac surgery.

This study was performed to assess the cost-effectiveness of concomitant ablation surgery (AS) compared to regular cardiac surgery in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients over a one-year follow-up. Cost analysis was performed from a societal perspective alongside a prospective, randomised, double-blinded, multicentre trial. One hundred and fifty patients with documented AF were randomly assigned to undergo cardiac surgery with or without AS. One hundred and thirty-two patients were included in the cost-effectiveness study. All costs (medical and non-medical) were measured during follow-up. Costs data were combined with quality adjusted life years (QALYs) to obtain the incremental costs per QALY. Total costs of the AS group were significantly higher compared to the regular cardiac surgery group [cost difference bootstrap: €4,724; 95% uncertainty interval (UI), €2,770-€6,678]. The bootstrapped difference in QALYs was not statistically significant (0.06; 95% UI: -0.024 to 0.14). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio is €73,359 per QALY. The acceptability curve showed that, even in the case of a maximum threshold value of €80,000 per QALY gained, the probability of AS being more cost-effective than regular cardiac surgery did not reach beyond 50%. Concluding that concomitant AS in AF is not cost-effective after a one-year follow-up compared to regular cardiac surgery.

Health-related quality of life after fast-track treatment results from a randomized controlled clinical equivalence trial.

PURPOSE: This randomized clinical equivalence trial was designed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after fast-track treatment for low-risk coronary artery bypass (CABG) patients. METHODS: Four hundred and ten CABG patients were randomly assigned to undergo either short-stay intensive care treatment (SSIC, 8 h of intensive care stay) or control treatment (care as usual, overnight intensive care stay). HRQoL was measured at baseline and 1 month, and one year after surgery using the multidimensional index of life quality (MILQ), the EQ-5D, the Beck Depression Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. RESULTS: At one month after surgery, no statistically significant difference in overall HRQoL was found (MILQ-score P-value=.508, overall MILQ-index P-value=.543, EQ-5D VAS P-value=.593). The scores on the MILQ-domains, physical, and social functioning were significantly higher at one month postoperatively in the SSIC group compared to the control group (P-value=.049; 95%CI: 0.01-2.50 and P-value=.014, 95% CI: 0.24-2.06, respectively). However, these differences were no longer observed at long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: According to our definition of clinical equivalence, the HRQoL of SSIC patients is similar to patients receiving care as usual. Since safety and the financial benefits of this intervention were demonstrated in a previously reported analysis, SSIC can be considered as an adequate fast-track intensive care treatment option for low-risk CABG patients.

Recurrence and functional results after open versus conventional laparoscopic versus robot-assisted laparoscopic rectopexy for rectal prolapse: a case-control study.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate recurrence and functional outcome of three surgical techniques for rectopexy: open (OR), laparoscopic (LR), and robot-assisted (RR). A case-control study was performed to study recurrence after the three operative techniques used for rectal procidentia. The secondary aim of this study was to examine the differences in functional results between the three techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent a rectopexy between January 2000 and September 2006 enrolled in this study. Peri-operative data were collected from patient records and functional outcome was assessed by telephonic questionnaire. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (71 females, mean age 56.4 years) underwent a rectopexy for rectal procidentia. Nine patients (11%) had a recurrence; one (2%) after OR, four (27%) after LR, and four (20%) after RR. RR showed significantly higher recurrence rates when controlled for age and follow-up time compared to OR, (p = 0.027), while LR showed near-significant higher rates (p = 0.059). Functional results improved in all three operation types, without a difference between them. CONCLUSIONS: LR and RR are adequate procedures but have a higher risk of recurrence. A RCT is needed assessing the definitive role of (robotic assistance in) laparoscopic surgery in rectopexy.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for oropharyngeal cancer: radiation dosage constraint at the anterior mandible.

Because the survival of endosseous implants in irradiated bone is lower than in non-irradiated bone, particularly if the irradiation dose exceeds 50Gy, a study was carried out to assess the irradiation dose in the anterior mandible, when intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is used. The hypothesis was that adequate IMRT planning in oropharyngeal cancer patients is allowing sufficiently low anterior mandibular bone radiation dosages to safely insert endosseous implants. Ten randomly selected patients with oropharyngeal cancer, primarily treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), were included in this study. First, at five determined positions distributed over the anterior mandible, the appropriate radiation dosages were calculated according to the originally arranged fractionated radiation schedule. Second, for each patient an adjusted fractionated radiation schedule was established with an extra dose constraint which allowed a lower dose in the mandible taking into account that the anterior mandible needs protection against radiation-induced osteoradionecrosis. The goal for the adjusted fractionated radiation schedule was similar as that of the original fractionated radiation schedule, including a desired tumour target dosage of 70Gy and maximum mean local dosages for organs at risk. The data revealed a considerable and statistically significant, irradiation dose reduction in the anterior mandible without compromising the other constraints. As a result of this study it is strongly advised to maximize dose constraint to the anterior mandible when planning irradiation for oropharyngeal cancer patients, using IMRT. This would greatly facilitate successful implant treatment for this group of patients. The fractionated radiation schedules used, should also be used for the planning of the best implant positions by integrating them in the implant planning software.

Surgical excision versus Mohs' micrographic surgery for primary and recurrent basal-cell carcinoma of the face: a prospective randomised controlled trial with 5-years' follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer and its incidence is still rising worldwide. Surgery is the most frequently used treatment for BCC, but large randomised controlled trials with 5-year follow-up to compare treatment modalities are rare. We did a prospective randomised controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of surgical excision with Mohs' micrographic surgery (MMS) for the treatment of primary and recurrent facial BCC. METHODS: Between Oct 5, 1999, and Feb 27, 2002, 408 primary BCCs (pBCCs) and 204 recurrent BCCs (rBCCs) in patients from seven hospitals in the Netherlands were randomly assigned to surgical excision or MMS. Randomisation and allocation was done separately for both groups by a computer-generated allocation scheme. Tumours had a follow-up of 5 years. Analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. The primary outcome was recurrence of carcinoma, diagnosed clinically by visual inspection with histological confirmation. Secondary outcomes were determinants of failure and cost-effectiveness. This study is registered as an International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial, number ISRCTN65009900. FINDINGS: Of the 397 pBCCs that were treated, 127 pBCCs in 113 patients were lost to follow-up. Of the 11 recurrences that occurred in patients with pBCC, seven (4.1%) occurred in patients treated with surgical excision and four (2.5%) occurred in patients treated with MMS (log-rank test chi(2) 0.718, p=0.397). Of the 202 rBCCs that were treated, 56 BCCs in 52 patients were lost to follow-up. Two BCCs (2.4%) in two patients treated with MMS recurred, versus ten BCCs (12.1%) in ten patients treated with surgical excision (log-rank test chi(2) 5.958, p=0.015). The difference in the number of recurrences between treatments was not significant for pBCC, but significantly favoured MMS in rBCC. In pBCC, Cox-regression analysis showed no significant effects from risk factors measured in the study. In rBCC, aggressive histological subtype was a significant risk factor for recurrence in the Cox-regression analysis. For pBCC, total treatment costs were euro1248 for MMS and euro990 for surgical excision, whereas for rBCC, treatment costs were euro1284 and euro1043, respectively. Dividing the difference in costs between MMS and surgical excision by their difference in effectiveness leads to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of euro23 454 for pBCC and euro3171 for rBCC. INTERPRETATION: MMS is preferred over surgical excision for the treatment of facial rBCC, on the basis of significantly fewer recurrences after MMS than after surgical excision. However, because there was no significant difference in recurrence of pBCC between treatment groups, treatment with surgical excision is probably sufficient in most cases of pBCC.

Implant stability during osseointegration in irradiated and non-irradiated minipig alveolar bone: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVES: Primary implant stability is related to local bone density. After insertion of an implant, implant stability is subject to changes due to bone remodeling. In patients who have undergone radiotherapy in the head and neck region, implant stability is impaired because irradiation reduces bone vitality. The current study was designed to monitor and test implant stability immediately after implant placement and during osseointegration in irradiated and non-irradiated minipig alveolar bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All maxillary and mandibular premolars and molars of six adult Göttingen minipigs were extracted. The maxilla and mandible of three minipigs received three irradiation exposures at a total dose of 24 Gy. After irradiation, five initial implant holes were drilled in the residual alveolar ridge of each edentulous site. In order to assess bone vascularity, laser Doppler flowmetry recordings were carried out in the initial holes. A total of 120 implants were placed in the six minipigs. Subsequently, and at 8, 16, and 24 weeks after implant placement, implant stability was recorded by resonance frequency analysis (RFA). RFA values were expressed as an implant stability quotient (ISQ). RESULTS: ISQ values recorded immediately after implant placement showed no differences between irradiated and non-irradiated minipigs. Repeated measurements at the four recording moments showed a decrease of ISQ values in all minipigs, being more pronounced in irradiated bone, when compared with non-irradiated bone. The results at the third and fourth recording moments showed a stabilization or even a slight increase of ISQ values. CONCLUSIONS: The results document the negative effect of irradiation on bone vascularity and hence on implant stability.

Assessment of vascularity in irradiated and nonirradiated maxillary and mandibular minipig alveolar bone using laser doppler flowmetry.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this animal study was to confirm that laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) is a reproducible method for the assessment of maxillary and mandibular alveolar bone vascularity and that there is less vascularity in irradiated mandibular and maxillary bone compared to nonirradiated bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All maxillary and mandibular premolars and molars of 6 Göttingen minipigs were extracted. After a 3-month healing period, 3 minipigs received irradiation at a total dose of 24 Gy. Three months after irradiation, 5 holes were drilled in the residual alveolar ridge of each edentulous site in each minipig. Local microvascular blood flow around all 120 holes was recorded by LDF prior to implant placement. In 1 irradiated and 1 nonirradiated minipig, an additional hole was drilled in a right maxillary site to enable repeated LDF recordings. RESULTS: The alveolar bone appeared less vascularized in irradiated than in nonirradiated minipigs. The effect of radiation appeared more pronounced in the mandible than in the maxilla. LDF was demonstrated to be a reproducible method for assessing alveolar bone vascularity. However, recordings varied by edentulous site as well as by minipig. CONCLUSION: The authors' hypotheses regarding LDF and vascularity were supported. Further research validating the use of LDF in human beings, especially in those who have undergone radiation therapy for head and neck cancer, is necessary.

Is the treatment of keloid scars still a challenge in 2006?

BACKGROUND: Several options are described to treat keloid scars, none of them being 100% successful. Radiotherapy is suggested to have the most significant effect on recurrence rate. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study is to confirm the effectiveness of iridium brachytherapy combined with surgery and to evaluate patient satisfaction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 24 patients with 30 keloids, treated by surgical excision and iridium 192 high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy. RESULTS: We observed a significant difference in scar thickness before and after the treatment (P < 0.001). With regard to patient satisfaction and complaints, 79.1% of them had no pain and irritation after treatment, 79.2% of patients would recommend this treatment to other patients, and 87.5% would undergo this treatment again if necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the effectiveness of surgical keloid excision followed by HDR brachytherapy in primary treatment or if other alternative methods have failed.

Cost-effectiveness of Mohs Micrographic Surgery vs Surgical Excision for Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Face.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) compared with the surgical excision for both primary and recurrent basal cell carcinoma (BCC). DESIGN: A cost-effectiveness study performed alongside a prospective randomized clinical trial in which MMS was compared with surgical excision. SETTING: The study was carried out from 1999 to 2002 at the dermatology outpatient clinic of the University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 408 primary (374 patients) and 204 recurrent (191 patients) cases of facial BCC were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The mean total treatment costs of MMS and surgical excision for both primary and recurrent BCC and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, calculated as the difference in costs between MMS and surgical excision divided by their difference in effectiveness. The resulting ratio is defined as the incremental costs of MMS compared with surgical excision to prevent 1 additional recurrence. RESULTS: Compared with surgical excision, the total treatment costs of MMS are significantly higher (cost difference: primary BCC, 254 euros; 95% confidence interval, 181-324 euros; recurrent BCC, 249 euros; 95% confidence interval, 175-323 euros). For primary BCC, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was 29,231 euros, while the ratio for recurrent BCC amounted to 8094 euros. The acceptability curves showed that for these ratios, the probability of MMS being more cost-effective than surgical excision never reached 50%. CONCLUSIONS: At present, it does not seem cost-effective to introduce MMS on a large scale for both primary and recurrent BCC. However, because a 5-year period is normally required to determine definite recurrence rates, it is possible that MMS may become a cost-effective treatment for recurrent BCC.