"Pharyngolab": a new surgical simulator for pharyngoplasties.

Pharyngoplasty represents one of the most widely performed surgical procedures for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the presence of palate-oropharyngeal collapse. The learning curve for pharyngoplasties is steep and success is conditional on the correct use of the sutures and the careful application of the surgical steps in a narrow surgical field. The use of synthetic models may be conveniently and safely employed for hands-on surgical practice in pharyngoplasties, especially when fresh frozen cadaveric specimens are not available. We present the "Pharyngolab", a new simulator for pharyngoplasties.

Feasibility and value of non-locking retrograde nail vs. locking retrograde nail in fixation of distal third femoral shaft fractures: radiographic, bone densitometry and clinical outcome assessments.

Aim Distal femoral shaft fractures are characterized by increasing incidence and complexity and are still considered a challenging problem. No consensus on best surgical option has been achieved. The aim of this study is to investigate mineral bone densitometry, radiographic and clinical outcomes of locking retrograde intramedullary nailing (LRN) and non-locking retrograde intramedullary nailing (NLRN) regarding surgical treatment of distal femoral shaft fractures in adults based on the hypothesis that there is no statistical difference among the results of both surgical options. Methods Retrospective study: 30 patients divided into 2 groups (Group 1 LRN, Group 2 NLRN). Average age was 42.67±18.32 for Group 1 and 44.27±15.11 for Group 2 (range of age 18-65 for both groups). Gender ratio (male:female) was 2.75 (11:4) for both groups. AO Classification, Non Union Scoring System (NUSS) and Radiographic Union Score Hip (RUSH), Visual Analogic Score (VAS), Dexa scans, plain radiographs were used. Evaluation endpoint: 12 months after surgery. Results No statistical difference was obtained in terms of surgery time, transfusions or wound healing. There were similar results regarding average time of bone healing, RUSH scores, VAS, regression between RUSH and VAS, average correlation clinical-radiographic results and patients outcomes. Only one patient of LRN group had reduction of mineral bone densitometry values. Conclusion No statistical difference in terms of radiographic, bone densitometry and clinical outcomes among LNR and NLNR for the treatment of distal femur fractures was found. The presence of no statistical difference regarding radiological findings is the main factor supporting our hypothesis given their strong objectivity.

Transient osteomyelitis of the distal radius in a three-year-old patient.

Aim Reporting on an atypical case of a three-year-old patient affected by osteomyelitis of the distal radius, completely healed without antibiotic therapy. Methods The clinical case is related to a three-year-old patient, whose clinical picture began with fever, pain and swelling of the right wrist. After three days, fever and swelling disappeared, but pain persisted. Plain x-rays of the right wrist, hematologic analyses, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast medium and biopsy were performed in order to make a differential diagnosis between acute osteomyelitis and a malignant neoplasm, i.e. Ewing's sarcoma. Results The plain x-rays of the right wrist showed an osteolytic area of the distal radio, with blurred rim. Haematology showed high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP); MRI confirmed the presence of a lesion, of no certain origin, therefore a biopsy was done. The histology was that of an inflammatory tissue. The patient, after the biopsy, was completely asymptomatic, ESR and CRP were back to normal. Before starting antibiotic therapy, it was preferred repeating x-rays. From the latter, the osteolysis completely disappeared. On the basis of the x-rays, blood exam and symptomatology, it was decided not to submit the patient to any treatment. After two years, the patient never had similar episodes. Conclusion Patient presented with all characteristics of an osteomyelitis of distal radius, was unexpectedly spontaneously healed, without antibiotic therapy. Two years after the onset of the disease the patient recovered without clinical and radiographic sequelae. No similar cases are found in the literature .

New low-cost magnifying device for temporal bone laboratory.

Temporal bone dissection has important role in educating and training oto and skull base surgeons. Mounting of a temporal bone laboratory is expensive. A dedicated magnifying system, such as a surgical microscope or an endoscopic equipment, represents one of the most significant costs. The aim of this study is to test and demonstrate the utility of a commercial USB as a low-cost solution to equip the laboratory with a good magnifying system and illumination.

Canadian spontaneous coronary artery dissection cohort study: in-hospital and 30-day outcomes.

AIMS: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) was underdiagnosed and poorly understood for decades. It is increasingly recognized as an important cause of myocardial infarction (MI) in women. We aimed to assess the natural history of SCAD, which has not been adequately explored. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a multicentre, prospective, observational study of patients with non-atherosclerotic SCAD presenting acutely from 22 centres in North America. Institutional ethics approval and patient consents were obtained. We recorded baseline demographics, in-hospital characteristics, precipitating/predisposing conditions, angiographic features (assessed by core laboratory), in-hospital major adverse events (MAE), and 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). We prospectively enrolled 750 SCAD patients from June 2014 to June 2018. Mean age was 51.8 ± 10.2 years, 88.5% were women (55.0% postmenopausal), 87.7% were Caucasian, and 33.9% had no cardiac risk factors. Emotional stress was reported in 50.3%, and physical stress in 28.9% (9.8% lifting >50 pounds). Predisposing conditions included fibromuscular dysplasia 31.1% (45.2% had no/incomplete screening), systemic inflammatory diseases 4.7%, peripartum 4.5%, and connective tissue disorders 3.6%. Most were treated conservatively (84.3%), but 14.1% underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and 0.7% coronary artery bypass surgery. In-hospital composite MAE was 8.8%; peripartum SCAD patients had higher in-hospital MAE (20.6% vs. 8.2%, P = 0.023). Overall 30-day MACE was 8.8%. Peripartum SCAD and connective tissue disease were independent predictors of 30-day MACE. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection predominantly affects women and presents with MI. Despite majority of patients being treated conservatively, survival was good. However, significant cardiovascular complications occurred within 30 days. Long-term follow-up and further investigations on management are warranted.

Platelets Contribute to the Accumulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase Type 2 in Synovial Fluid in Osteoarthritis.

Inflammation plays a role in the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis (OA), a chronic degenerative joint disorder. Platelets are inflammatory cells, contain and release matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and favour the release of these enzymes, key effectors of cartilage and subchondral bone degradation, by other cells; however, their role in OA has not been investigated yet. Our aims were (1) to assess the presence of platelets and of MMP-2 in synovial fluid (SF) of OA patients; (2) to evaluate the contribution of platelets to MMP-2 release by fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS); and (3) to investigate if hyaluronic acid (HA) interferes with these processes. SF was collected from 27 OA patients before and after treatment with intra-articular HA (20 mg/2 mL). Moreover, FLS were co-cultured with platelets, and the release of MMP-2 in supernatants was measured. Our results show that platelets are present in OA SF and show markers of activation. OA SF also contains relevant amounts of MMP-2. Co-incubation of platelets with FLS favours the release of MMP-2 by the interaction of platelet surface P-selectin with FLS CD44 by a mechanism involving the activation of pAkt and pSrc in FLS. Administration of HA to OA patients decreased the infiltration of platelets in SF and reduced the levels of MMP-2. The addition of HA in vitro inhibited the release of MMP-2 by FLS triggered by the interaction with platelets. In conclusion, our data show that platelets may contribute to joint degeneration in OA by favouring the accumulation of MMP-2 in SF.

Diagnostic accuracy and discrimination of ischemia by fractional flow reserve CT using a clinical use rule: results from the Determination of Fractional Flow Reserve by Anatomic Computed Tomographic Angiography study.

BACKGROUND: Fractional flow reserve (FFR) is the gold standard for determining lesion-specific ischemia. Computed FFRCT derived from coronary CT angiography (coronary CTA) correlates well with invasive FFR and accurately differentiates between ischemia-producing and nonischemic lesions. The diagnostic performance of FFRCT when applied in a clinically relevant way to all vessels ≥ 2 mm in diameter stratified by sex and age has not been previously examined. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-two patients and 407 vessels underwent coronary CTA, FFRCT, invasive coronary angiography, and invasive FFR. FFRCT and FFR ≤ 0.80 were considered ischemic, whereas CT stenosis ≥ 50% was considered obstructive. The diagnostic performance of FFRCT was assessed following a prespecified clinical use rule which included all vessels ≥ 2 mm in diameter, not just those assessed by invasive FFR measurements. Stenoses <30% were assigned an FFR of 0.90, and stenoses >90% were assigned an FFR of 0.50. Diagnostic performance of FFRCT was stratified by vessel diameter, sex, and age. RESULTS: By FFR, ischemia was identified in 129 of 252 patients (51%) and in 151 of 407 vessels (31%). Mean age (± standard deviation) was 62.9 ± 9 years, and women were older (65.5 vs 61.9 years; P = .003). Per-patient diagnostic accuracy (83% vs 72%; P < .005) and specificity (54% vs 82%, P < .001) improved significantly after application of the clinical use tool. These were significantly improved over standard coronary CTA values before application of the clinical use rule. Discriminatory power of FFRCT also increased compared with baseline (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve [AUC]: 0.93 vs 0.81, P < .001). Diagnostic performance improved in both sexes with no significant differences between the sexes (AUC: 0.93 vs 0.90, P = .43). There were no differences in the discrimination of FFRCT after application of the clinical use rule when stratified by age ≥ 65 or <65 years (AUC: 0.95 vs 0.90, P = .10). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy and discriminatory power of FFRCT improve significantly after the application of a clinical use rule which includes all clinically relevant vessels >2 mm in diameter. FFRCT has similar diagnostic accuracy and discriminatory power for ischemia detection in men and women irrespective of age using a cut point of 65 years.

A home assistance model for dementia: outcome in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease after three months.

The treatment of dementias, which are currently incurable pathologies, requires an approach to care that involves both the patients and their families. The effect of alternative interventions, besides the pharmacological approach, therefore warrants evaluation. In this paper, we describe one such intervention, which was provided by our home care team for Alzheimer's Disease. Patients were granted a three-month period of home care assistance, which included physical and cognitive rehabilitation as well as interventions on the home environment and the family, such as psychological support for the main caregivers. The assistance was provided in thrice-weekly sessions, each lasting six hours. Twenty-two patients (age 78.4±6.5 yrs), all of whom had received a diagnosis of probable AD, were enrolled. There was a statistically significant improvement in the NPI score (p = 0.004), Barthel index (p = 0.01), Tinetti's scale (p = 0.013) and CBI score (p = 0.016) at the end of the 3-month treatment period. The patients' caregivers also reported a significant improvement in the physical and social burden at the CBI at the end of the period of home care assistance (p = 0.026 and p = 0.006). In a further evaluation performed 3 months after the end of the treatment period, the beneficial effect previously observed in both patients and caregivers was no longer present.

Application of piezoelectric device in endoscopic sinus surgery.

New applications of piezoelectric device have been already documented from otologic and ophthalmic endoscopic studies. The authors describe a first experience in endoscopic sinus surgery with piezosurgery to approach the paranasal sinus. Patients involved in this study presented for rhinogenous headache, rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and sinusitis. Radiological studies such as computed tomography of paranasal sinus and a correct clinical examination with a rigid endoscope 0 degrees were carried out, to exclude from the procedure patients with polyposis or other soft-tissue diseases. In fact, because of piezosurgery properties of micrometric and selected cutting on mineralized tissues, it has been used only to treat bone or cartilage anomalies of nasal sinus. The main advantages of the technique include soft-tissue protection and optimal visibility in the surgical field with decreased blood loss. From this preliminary report, the stability of mucous membrane previously cut has been documented by endoscopic follow-up, and the resolution of the main symptom of headache was referred. The main indications for piezosurgery shown in literature are in oral surgery, such as sinus lift, bone graft harvesting, osteogenic distraction, ridge expansion, endodontic surgery, and periodontal surgery. Other applications have been shown in otology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, and orthopedics. Authors describe as a promising technique the piezoelectric device use in functional endoscopic paranasal sinus surgery in selected cases, with a minimal mucosal approach and thus the preservation of ventilation.

Implant treatment in grafted and native bone in patients affected by ectodermal dysplasia.

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is a congenital syndrome characterized chiefly by abnormalities of tissues of ectodermal origin, namely skin, nails, hair, and teeth. Dental treatment of patients with ED is necessary because it affords the opportunity to develop normal forms of speech, chewing, swallowing, and normal facial support. Because there are few reports focusing on implants inserted in bone grafted in patients with ED, we therefore performed a retrospective study on 44 implants inserted in 4 patients to detect those variables acting on survival and crestal bone remodeling around implant neck in such subjects. Forty-four fixtures were analyzed. Several patient-related (age and sex), anatomic (maxilla and mandible and tooth site), implant (type, length, and diameter), surgical (sites and types of grafts), and prosthetic (type of loading) variables were investigated. Implant failure and peri-implant bone resorption were considered as predictors of clinical outcome. Kaplan-Meier algorithm and Cox regression were then performed to detect those variables statistically associated with the clinical outcome. Implant length and diameter ranged from 11.5 to 15 mm and from 3.5 to 4.0 mm, respectively. Implants were inserted to replace 12 incisors, 12 cuspids, 11 premolars, and 9 molars. No implant was lost. On the contrary, implant's length, grafted sites, and type of loading affected univariate analysis, but these data were not confirmed by multivariate algorithm. Dental implants and bone grafts to orally rehabilitate patients with ED are valuable devices with no difference if compared with unaffected patients, at least in adults.

Ectodermal dysplasia treated with one-step surgical rehabilitation: a case report.

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) comprises a large heterogeneous group of inherited disorders that are characterized by primary defects in the skin, hair, nails, eccrine glands and teeth. The most characteristic findings are the reduced number of teeth. All rehabilitative programmes involve proper evaluation of skeletal relationships. Prosthetic-implantological treatment at the end of bony growth can be used. In this article a case of ED treated with Le Fort I for maxillary advancement, femur homografts, implants' insertion and immediate loading is described. In December 2007, a 38-year-old female was referred to the Maxillofacial Department of Galeazzi Hospital (Milan, Italy) who had a diagnosis of ED. Twelve implants were inserted in one-step surgical procedure. No implant was lost and all are stable. The occlusion is stable after 15 months of follow-up. The results indicate that the one-step oral rehabilitation can be performed in adults who are affected by ED. Also, this significantly reduces the time of oral and facial rehabilitation.

Sexual dysfunction in women during dialysis and after renal transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Disorders of the reproductive system and menstrual abnormalities often associated with loss of libido and inability to reach orgasm are common in adults of both sexes with an end-stage renal disease. These symptoms may significantly contribute to depression and reduce the sexual activity of women. AIM: To determine if sexual function, as well as hormonal status, improves after kidney transplantation, comparing a group of pre-menopausal women during dialysis and after a successful renal transplantation. METHODS: We enrolled 58 women that received kidney transplantation. Patients included were 18-45 years old, on hemodialysis for more than 6 months following a fully functioning kidney transplantation, and on a stable corticosteroids immunosuppressive regimen for at least 6 months. All women underwent a general and urogynecological examination, a hormonal profile determination, and filled out the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and a Beck Depression Inventory questionnaire administered during dialysis and 12 months after transplantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We evaluated the prevalence of Female Sexual Dysfunction according to the FSFI cutoff points, sexual hormonal status, and menstrual status during dialysis and 12 months after kidney transplantation. RESULTS: Nineteen out of 58 women left the study prematurely. Thirty-nine women (mean age 36 +/- 5.9 years) completed the study. A total of 74% of the patients had menstrual disturbances during dialysis, as opposed to 45% after transplantation (P < 0.001). Sixteen out of 39 (41%) patients acknowledged having an active sexual life during dialysis. Thirty-four out of 39 (88%) transplanted patients acknowledged having an active sexual life (Fischer's exact test P = 0.000039). The hormonal profile and FSFI results improved significantly after transplantation. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a successful transplantation should improve the sexual life in women with chronic renal failure.

International open-label studies to assess the efficacy and safety of single-pill amlodipine/atorvastatin in attaining blood pressure and lipid targets recommended by country-specific guidelines: the JEWEL programme.

BACKGROUND: Single-pill amlodipine/atorvastatin targets the two most common modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, hypertension and dyslipidaemia. We evaluated the clinical utility of this single pill to help patients across Europe and Canada achieve country-specific targets for blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). DESIGN: Two 16-week, open-label studies conducted in 122 study centres across the United Kingdom and Canada (JEWEL 1) and 113 centres across 11 European countries (JEWEL 2). METHODS: Patients with uncontrolled BP and controlled/uncontrolled LDL-C qualifying for treatment according to local governing guidelines were administered single-pill amlodipine/atorvastatin with appropriate lifestyle modification. Eight dosages of amlodipine/atorvastatin (5/10-10/80 mg) were titrated to achieve country-specific BP and LDL-C targets. The primary outcome was the percentage of patients reaching country-specific BP and LDL-C targets in 16 weeks. RESULTS: Among 2245 patients enrolled in the studies (JEWEL 1, n = 1138; JEWEL 2, n = 1107), 62.9% in JEWEL 1 and 50.6% in JEWEL 2 achieved both country-specific BP and LDL-C goals. BP was reduced by 20.4/10.7 and 21.8/12.6 mmHg in JEWEL 1 and JEWEL 2, respectively, and reductions in LDL-C were 0.90 mmol/l (34.8 mg/dl) and 1.09 mmol/l (42.2 mg/dl), respectively. The most common adverse events were peripheral oedema (11.0%), joint swelling (2.9%) and headache (2.9%), of which, only oedema was linked to study treatment. CONCLUSION: Single-pill amlodipine/atorvastatin is an effective and well-tolerated treatment, which in a real-world setting helped more than half of the patients achieve both BP and LDL-C targets as recommended by local guidelines. Although fewer patients met their goals in JEWEL 2 than JEWEL 1, reductions in BP and LDL-C were slightly greater in JEWEL 2, suggesting that the observed differences are likely because of more stringent targets in Europe than in the UK/Canada.