Análise metalográfica e de microscopia eletrônica de varredura do fio de aço inoxidável 316L, deformado e implantado no tecido muscular de rato / Scanning electron microscopy and metalographic analysis of the 316L stainless steel wire deformed and implanted in the muscular tissue of rat

O fio de aço inoxidável 316L, reto ou deformado por torçäo, foi analisado através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e metalografia. A torçäo aumentou as linhas de segregaçäo, deformou a superfície e gerou tensäo na estrutura interna do metal. Após 120 dias de implantaçäo no tecido muscular de rato, o fio reto apresentou fendas rasas, e no torcido observaram-se fendas profundas, sugestivas de processo corrosivo. Estes resultados mostraram que o fio 316L sofre modificaçöes após a torçäo, que säo acentuadas com a implantaçäo. Períodos mais longos de observaçäo säo necessários para melhor avaliar as alteraçöes do fio 316L, particularmente corrosäo provocadas pela implantaçäo

Prótesis endoluminal autoexpansible: experiencia de la vía aérea / Autoexpandible endoluminal stent: experience in upper airway

Se presentan dos pacientes con lesiones traqueales estenóticas tratadas mediante la colocación de una prótesis endoluminal autoexpansible de alambre de acero inoxidable. La misma permitió mantener la luz traqueal observándose buena tolerancia por su inclusión en la pared y ausencia de granulomas. La fácil colocación sin necesidad de traqueostomía y su diseño que evita el riesgo de asfixia aún si se movilizara, motiva tenerlas presente para el tratamiento de algunas estenosis complejas de la vía aérea

Prótesis endoluminal autoexpansible: experiencia de la vía aérea / Autoexpandible endoluminal stent: experience in upper airway

Se presentan dos pacientes con lesiones traqueales estenóticas tratadas mediante la colocación de una prótesis endoluminal autoexpansible de alambre de acero inoxidable. La misma permitió mantener la luz traqueal observándose buena tolerancia por su inclusión en la pared y ausencia de granulomas. La fácil colocación sin necesidad de traqueostomía y su diseño que evita el riesgo de asfixia aún si se movilizara, motiva tenerlas presente para el tratamiento de algunas estenosis complejas de la vía aérea

Stainless steel wire mesh cranioplasty: ten years' experience with 183 patients (100 followed up).

We have executed 183 cranioplasties in order to repair cranial defects using stainless steel wire mesh over a period of a decade, using Gardner's technique with minor modifications. The follow-up was possible in 100 patients and it ranged from 4 to 134 months, with an average of 64.1 months (5.3 years). Among these, 8 patients developed postoperative complications (8%): 7 needed cranioplasty remotion (7%) and 1 needed cranioplasty revision without remotion (1%). The causes of morbidity were due to: infection (3%), CSF leak (1%), haematoma (1%), skin local soaking (1%), posttraumatic plastic dislodgement (2%). Our total morbidity rate (8%) may compare with that resulting from the use of different materials such as alloplastics (6-12%), osteoplastics (until 40%) and miscellaneous (5.5%). The group in which cranioplasty was done within six months following the first operation had our highest complication rate (18.2%). In our experience the stainless steel wire mesh was shown to be an effective material to repair cranial defects.

[Single-row wire suture of the sigmoid in Goodwin operations]. / Einreihige Drahtnaht des Sigma bei Goodwin-Operationen.

In Goodwin operations the authors have closed the intestinal wound resulting from longitudinal sigmoidotomy using a single-row uninterrupted transverse suture with atraumatic monofile steel wire. This suture technique has proved to be safe. No complications which might be associated with it have been observed.

Comparison of pacing electrodes of different shape and material--recommendations.

Recommendations for comparing different pacing electrodes to one another are presented. In most reported studies, such comparisons fall short of the intended goal because they are made with electrode parameters that are not constant. The suggestions presented include timetables for acute and chronic threshold measurements, conditions for measuring lead impedance, and the relationship between rheobase and chronaxy. In addition, the effects of polarization of the electrodes are discussed.

Transhepatic obliteration of esophageal varices using the stainless steel coil.

Coronary veins in seven of eight patients with bleeding esophageal varices were successfully catheterized and embolized with Gelfoam followed by multiple steel coils. Bleeding immediately ceased in all seven, but recurred within 1 month in six. One had not rebled on 3 month follow-up. Therefore, steel coils do not prevent recurrent bleeding any more effectively than other embolic materials used for this purpose.

A humeral replacement prosthesis for the elbow: results in ten elbows.

A stainless-steel or titanium prosthetic replacement for the trochlea and capitellum was developed and used in ten elbows, five with post-traumatic lesions, three with rheumatoid arthritis, and two with ankylosis secondary to hemophilia. After followups of from one to seven years, the results were found to be unpredictable or poor in the patients with inflammatory arthritis or hemophilia, while a stable, painless elbow with a functional range of motion was achieved in four of the five patients with post-traumatic lesions.