Intravitreal recombinant tPA before vitrectomy for diabetic tractional retinal detachment: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of intravitreal recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) injection before vitrectomy on surgical facility and outcome in diabetic tractional retinal detachments (TRD). METHODS: Prospective, randomized, interventional clinical trial. A total of 38 eyes with diabetic TRD were candidates for vitrectomy. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive intravitreal rt-PA, five to seven days before vitrectomy or no injection. Intraoperative surgical facility and anatomic success at month 3 after surgery were assessed. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 54.2 ± 9.4 years. There was no statistically significant difference between rt-PA and no injection groups with regard to anatomic success (89% versus 95%, respectively, P = 0.547) and best corrected visual acuity at 3 months (2.0 versus 2.1 logMAR, respectively, P = 0.840). However, surgical facility score was statistically significantly lower in rt-PA injection group compared to no injection group (4.1 ± 1.7, 5.8 ± 2.0, respectively, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Vitrectomy for TRD was easier after preoperative rt-PA injection, without affecting the anatomic and visual outcomes.

High dose Senna or Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG) for elective colonoscopy preparation: a prospective randomized investigator-blinded clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of two methods of colon preparation for colon cleansing in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: In this prospective randomized investigator-blinded trial, consecutive outpatients indicated for elective colonoscopy were randomized into two groups. Patients in Senna group took 24 tablets of 11 mg Senna in two divided doses 24 hour before colonoscopy. In Poly Ethylene Glycol (PEG) group they solved 4 sachets in 4 liters of water the day before the procedure and were asked to drink 250 ml every 15 minutes. The overall quality of colon cleansing was evaluated using the Aronchick scoring scale. Difficulty of the procedure, patients' tolerance and compliance and adverse events were also evaluated. RESULTS: 322 patients were enrolled in the study. There was no significant difference in the quality of colon cleansing, patients' tolerance, compliance and the difficulty of the procedure between two groups (p > 0.05). The incidence of adverse effects was similar between two groups except for abdominal pain that was more severe in Senna group (p < 0.05) and nausea and vomiting that was more common in PEG group (p < 0.05) CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion we deduce that Senna has the same efficacy and patient's acceptance as Polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution (PEG-ES) and it could be prescribed as an alternative method for bowel preparation.