Morphologic findings and causes of failure in 24 explanted Ionescu-Shiley low-profile pericardial heart valves.

From 1981 to 1987 just over 608 Ionescu-Shiley low-profile bovine pericardial bioprostheses were implanted at the Toronto Hospital. Twenty-four prostheses (11 aortic and 13 mitral) were surgically explanted from 1988 to 1990 from 20 adults (10 men and 10 women). Prosthesis failure was caused by primary tissue failure in 17 valves or by other mechanisms in seven valves. Variable degrees of tissue failure were also seen in four of the seven valves from the latter group. Primary tissue failure was characterized by fluid insudation between collagen bundles, para stent post tears (alignment stitch related, 20 valves), cusp perforation with prolapse, and calcification. The earliest cusp tears occurred at 28 months. Calcification (10 of 24 cases) was minimal in seven of 10 valves (occurring primarily at the margins of the torn cusp), moderate in two, and severe in one. Tissue overgrowth (pannus) was seen in all but three prostheses. Like its predecessor, the Ionescu-Shiley standard pericardial valve, this prosthesis failed at 2 to 5 years largely due to design-related (alignment stitch) causes and tissue degeneration. Calcification was less prominent, while tissue overgrowth (pannus) was more marked.

[Effects of periodontal disease and its treatment on the condition of the pulp]. / Influence de la maladie parodontale et de son traitement sur l'état de la pulpe.

Since there is a close relationship between the periodontium and the pulp, formed by the apical foramen, dentinal tubules, lateral and accessory canals, it is evident that both compartments influence one other. In this article, the influence of periodontal disease and its treatment on the dental pulp is described. The review shows that periodontal disease and its treatment, very seldom compromise the vital functions of the pulp, but can cause local pulpal response. A more common reaction is dentinal hypersensitivity. Although there's no clear treatment for dentinal hypersensitivity, this article presents a few guidelines for treatment.

Management of vulvar condylomata acuminata with argon laser.

One hundred and one female patients with vulvar condylomata acuminata were treated with the argon laser. Most were managed under regional or general anesthesia because of the large size and extent of the warts. Ten patients were lost to follow-up after the first session. Of 91 other patients, 78 (86%) were free of lesions on follow-up examinations after one or two treatments. The 13 other patients had recurrent lesions: seven patients underwent three laser sessions; four required four sessions, and 2 others required five and six sessions, respectively. These results were comparable with those achieved with the carbon dioxide laser.