Infection risk factors in pediatric cardiac surgery.

Cardiac operations were preformed in 499 children from January 1998 through December 1999. Their median age was 263 days. A positive culture from blood, bronchoalveolar lavage, wound, or central catheter was obtained in 110 patients (22%). Age, sex, presence of pulmonary hypertension, body surface area, ratio of body surface area to oxygenator surface area, whether heart surgery was open or closed, and the duration of the operation, cardiopulmonary bypass, intubation, and intensive care were analyzed. Patients who developed infections were significantly younger, with smaller body surface areas and disparity with the oxygenator surface area, longer operative and bypass times, extended intubation, and prolonged intensive care. There was a significant correlation between infection and pulmonary hypertension. Sex and type of operation were not predictors of infection.

[Diode laser cyclophotocoagulation--effect on intraocular pressure in comparison with cyclodiathermy under the scleral flap]. / Cyklofotokoagulacja laserem diodowym--ocena skutecznosci w obnizaniu cisnienia wewnatrzgalkowego w porównaniu z cyklodiatermia pod platkiem.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze intraocular pressure and state of the eyeball in patients treated with diode laser, and to compare the outcomes with a group of patients after cyclodiahtermy under the scleral flap. We analyzed: visual acuity, IOP, percentage of lowering the IOP from the beginning, subjective patients' feelings of pain and complications. CONCLUSIONS: TSCPC is safe for patients and may be repeated, if needed. Laser cyclodestruction gives new possibilities in noninvasive IOP lowering with less complications than cyclodiahtermy, without changes in patient's visual functions.

[Phacoemulsification combined with trabeculectomy from personal material]. / Fakoemulsyfikacja z jednoczesna trabekulektomia w materiale wlasnym.

AIM: The aim of the study was to establish the efficiency of phacoemulsification combined with trabeculectomy in patients with cataract and glaucoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 102 patients (112 eyes) with cataract and glaucoma, who were operated between 1998 and 2001. The follow up time--from 6 month to 3 years. Intraocular pressure (IOP), drug therapy and visual acuity were analysed. RESULTS: Mean intarocular pressure after phacotrabeculectomy dropped from 21.6 mmHg to 14.9 mmHg. The average number of medications dropped from 2.6 to 1.2. Visual acuity improvement was achieved in 93.7% of the eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsification combined with trabeculectomy is safe and efficacious method of treatment of patients with coexisting cataract and glaucoma; shortens visual rehabilitation period and secures long-term postoperative IOP.