Thermal panting in dogs: the lateral nasal gland, a source of water for evaporative cooling.

Two lateral nasal glands appear to provide a large part of the water for evaporative cooling in the panting dog; their function is analogous to that of sweat glands in man. Each gland drains through a single duct which opens about 2 centimeters inside the opening of the nostril. This location may be essential to avoid desiccation of the nasal mucosa during thermal panting. The rate of secretion from one gland increased from 0 to an average of 9.6 g (gland . hour)(-1) as air temperature was increased from 10 degrees to 50 degrees C. Evaporation of the fluid from the paired glands could account for between 19 and 36 percent of the increase in respiratory evaporation associated with thermal panting. The fluid secreted by the gland was hypoosmotic to plasma.

Psammomatoid ossifying fibroma.

Fibro-osseous lesions represent a variety of bone proliferations each characterized by different morphologic patterns of osteoid production. Psammomatoid ossifying fibroma (POF) is characterized histologically by numerous small round ossicles resembling psammoma bodies and is a locally invasive lesion of facial and cranial bones. Two cases of POF arising in the ethmoid sinus and involving the orbit are presented to emphasize the importance of complete surgical removal of involved bones. Histologically, portions of POF may demonstrate other patterns of osteoid production, which resemble fibrous dysplasia and Paget's disease of bone. The variation in radiodensity in POF on computed tomography is a function of the density of psammomatoid ossicles and of the coexistence of other "minor" forms of bone proliferation.

The biologic basis for the clinical application of the silicones. A correlate to their biocompatibility.

The polysiloxanes (silicones) are a group of inert and inorganic compounds that were introduced over two decades ago. The pure form, termed medical-grade silicone, has a wide variety of clinical applications. Almost all surgical fields have used a product made of silicone. Silicone has been found to be an inert material, with minimal reaction of the biologic system to its presence. However, multiple clinical problems still exist due to certain applications of silicone products. The problems are related to its surface properties; In the blood thrombi form around silicone implants that may dislodge and cause symptoms around the implants. Scar formation may occur, and internal wound healing problems in the breast cause spherical contracture. In the eyes, where transparencies are needed, as in the intraocular lens implant, the scar interfaces with the visual image transmissions. Some of these internal problems relate to the hydrophobic nature of the silicone surface and have been resolved in part by adsorbing a wetting agent, such as povidone, to the surface. Such obviation has gained wide clinical application in surface coating of the intraocular lens. In search of an ideal implantable material, silicone, the most applicable, is still far from being called the ideal implant. Perhaps with the changes of its surface properties, such as introducing wetting agents to its surface, a new dimension in clinical applications will open the horizons of silicone in the 1980s.

Peritoneal adhesions: prevention with the use of hydrophilic polymer coatings.

Postoperative adhesions, especially peritoneal adhesions, pose an increasingly serious surgical problem. Modern surgical studies have generally attempted to deal with the problem after extensive surgical tissue damage has already occurred. This report focuses on our preliminary findings from exploratory laparotomies with canine and rat animal models, which suggest (1) that inadvertent and generally unappreciated serosal trauma may occur by contact adhesion as well as abrasion and drying mechanisms and (2) that hydrophilic polymer coatings, such as providone (polyvinylpyrrolidone), may be effective in protecting the peritoneal surface from damage. This opens up an important new approach to dealing with the problem: application of adhesive and lubricating tissue and surgical material coatings prior to surgical manipulations to limit tissue damage and thereby minimize postoperative complications. The implications of this study to many other surgical procedures may also be of considerable consequence.

Combined cranio-orbital surgery for extensive malignant neoplasms of the orbit.

Extensive, invasive neoplasms of the cranio-orbital region are generally considered to be inoperable and are treated with local radiation therapy and occasionally with chemotherapy. Upon local recurrence of these neoplasms, further treatment efforts are usually deemed futile. Over the past 4 years, 10 patients with extensive neoplasms of the cranio-orbital region that were previously thought to be inoperable were referred to us for further evaluation. Five of these patients had failed an intensive course of radiation therapy. Radical regional cranio-orbital resection was performed. The resection included the skin, globe, sphenoid wings, and orbitofrontal bone. The maxillary sinus and nasal septum were left exposed. The exposed dura mater and the frontal and temporal bones were resurfaced with split-thickness skin grafts. All patients in this series have survived free of local disease to date. Combined cranio-orbital resection offers both palliation and a possible cure for patients with extensive, invasive neoplasms of the cranio-orbital region. Reconstructive surgery can be performed using full-thickness flaps after 2 years of observation for local recurrence.

Microanatomy of the optic canal.

The human optic canal, an intricate anatomical structure with several normal variations, was studied in 83 individual cadaver specimens. The landmarks and dimensions of the adjacent structures were noted and correlated with surgical exposure of the area. The transorbital-ethmoidal route for extracranial decompression of the optic canal was also studied.

A simple trocar tor transcutaneous interosseous wiring in limited exposure sites.

A simple trocar with inner canula is used in limited exposure sites for transcutaneous drilling. The trocar has an outer cannula which allows the special "air-powered" drill tip to pass through for transcutaneous interosseous drilling. No complications have been encountered by its use on numerous occasions.

The management of inadvertent subcutaneous adriamycin infiltration.

Once the inadvertent infiltration of Adriamycin occurs, it is recommended to immediately treat the problem. This has been accomplished by wide excision and meshed split thickness skin grafting for resurfacing of the defect. Obtaining a healed wound alleviates the stiffness from lack of motion or ruptured tendons. Pain from the open ulcer, which is prone to infection in the immunosuppressed patient, is lessened. An analogy between pit viper envenomization and Adriamycin infiltration is discussed.

Craniofacial and mandibular osseous contour reconstruction: the use of a new "combination" graft.

The use of autogenous bone graft to repair major defects is most feasible biologically. When the bone could not be shaped or carved to fit a given defect, the use of solid alloplastic biomaterial implants gained wide popularity. We are describing a new method wherein a "combination" graft is used. It possesses the advantage of the dependence on autogenous cancellous bone graft, and the added bone inducing capability of a recently developing biomaterial implant (Polyurethane-Terephthalate). The results obtained in the repair of major defects in patients after ablative surgery, or as sequelae of trauma, document the advantages of this new mode of treatment. In selected patients with major defects due to deficiency or absence of the osseous framework of the face, the use of "combination" grafts has proven to be the most appropriate form of repair.

Inhibition of experimental tumor growth in hamsters by small direct currents.

The effect of three electric current levels (3 mamp, 500 micronamp, and 960 mmicronamp) on the growth of A-Mel-4 tumor was evaluated in hamsters as a mode of therapy. Direct current (dc) was applied for one hour a day from the third to sixth posttumor implant day by the introduction of a shielded point electrode directly into the tumor site. Tumor growth was inhibited, and metastases were reduced in the exposed animals. The higher dl levels produced necrosis in the tumors, and in several animals, the implantation site tumor was completely destroyed. These effects were most pronounced with the positive electrode.