Changes in nasal tip projection and rotation after septorhinoplasty: a cephalometric analysis

PURPOSE: This prospective study reports on changes in nasal tip projection and nasal tip rotation before and after septorhinoplasty analyzed cephalometrically. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients undergoing primary septorhinoplasty were studied prospectively. Lateral cephalometric radiographs taken in the natural head position were obtained before and 6 to 45 months (mean, 17.1) after surgery. In 10 patients, serial radiographs were taken at 6 and 12 months, and in seven patients they were taken at 12 and 24 months after surgery. Nasal tip projection (NTP) was defined as the distance between articulare (Ar) and pronasion (PRN). Nasal tip rotation (NTR) was defined as the change in the angle (N-Ar-PRN) after surgery. A surgical goal to increase, decrease, or maintain NTP and NTR was assigned to each patient before surgery. RESULTS: NTP changed in the desired direction in 16 of 40 patients (40%). NTR changed in the desired direction in 25 of 40 patients (63%). In the patients studied serially, NTP decreased an average 0.7 mm between 6 and 12 months (P = .018), and 0.6 mm between 12 and 24 months (P = .071). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased NTP and NTR were the most easily achieved surgical objectives. Maintaining or increasing NTP is less predictable. Typically, there is a progressive loss of NTP after surgery independent of the surgical goal. Cephalometric analysis is a useful tool to measure changes in NTP and NTR after septorhinoplasty.     

Surgical reconstruction of the musculocutaneous nerve in traumatic brachial plexus injuries

Over the last 16 years, 345 surgical reconstructions of the brachial plexus were performed using nerve grafting or neurotization techniques in the Neurosurgical Department at the Nordstadt Hospital, Hannover, Germany. Sixty-five patients underwent graft placement between the C-5 and C-6 root and the musculocutaneous nerve to restore the flexion of the arm. A retrospective study was conducted, including statistical evaluation of the following pre- and intraoperative parameters in 54 patients: 1) time interval between injury and surgery; 2) choice of the donor nerve (C-5 or C-6 root); and 3) length of the grafts used for repairs between the C-5 or C-6 root and the musculocutaneous nerve. The postoperative follow-up interval ranged from 9 months to 14.6 years, with a mean +/- standard deviation of 4.4 +/- 3 years. Reinnervation of the biceps muscle was found in 61% of the patients. Comparison of the different preoperative time intervals (1-6 months, 7-12 months, and > 12 months) showed a significantly better outcome in those patients with a preoperative delay of less than 7 months (p < 0.05). Reinnervation of the musculocutaneous nerve was demonstrated in 76% of the patients who underwent surgery within the first 6 months postinjury, in 60% of the patients with a delay of between 6 and 12 months, and in only 25% of the patients who underwent surgery after 12 months. Comparison of the final outcome according to the root (C-5 or C-6) that was used for grafting the musculocutaneous nerve showed no statistical difference. Furthermore, statistical analysis (regression test) of the length of the grafts between the donor (C-5 or C-6 root) nerve and the musculocutaneous nerve displayed an inverse relationship between the graft length and the postoperative outcome. Together, these results provide additional information to enhance the functional outcome of brachial plexus surgery.     

Measuring peak flow in bronchial asthma

From a series of 26 diabetics selected for combined pancreas and kidney transplantations 9 died before surgery was scheduled, one died after surgery and 4 rejected the transplants. The effect of pancreas or kidney transplantation or both on vibratory perception and thermal thresholds, various motor and sensory conduction parameters were studied in 9 of the remaining 12 patients. In 6 both the pancreatic and renal grafts were functioning, in 2 the pancreas was rejected, and in 1 the kidney. At an average follow-up of 41 months after surgery, the mean total score of clinical and electrophysiological improvement in 6 patients with successful combined transplantation was 5.5 +/- 1.6 compared with -4.3 +/- 2.5 in 3 patients with one surviving transplant (P < 0.001). Similarly, the average increase in nerve conduction velocity was 5.8 +/- 1.1 m/s in patients with two functioning grafts whereas it decreased 2.9 +/- 0.7 m/s in those with only one (P < 0.001). The quality of life was considered improved in patients with successful outcome of the two organ transplantations in contrast to the statements of those with only one.     

Stent placement compared with balloon angioplasty for obstructed coronary bypass grafts. Saphenous Vein De Novo Trial Investigators

BACKGROUND: Treatment of stenosis in saphenous-vein grafts after coronary-artery bypass surgery is a difficult challenge. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of stent placement with those of balloon angioplasty on clinical and angiographic outcomes in patients with obstructive disease of saphenous-vein grafts. METHODS: A total of 220 patients with new lesions in aortocoronary-venous bypass grafts were randomly assigned to placement of Palmaz-Schatz stents or standard balloon angioplasty. Coronary angiography was performed during the index procedure and six months later. RESULTS: As compared with the patients assigned to angioplasty, those assigned to stenting had a higher rate of procedural efficacy, defined as a reduction in stenosis to less than 50 percent of the vessel diameter without a major cardiac complication (92 percent vs. 69 percent, P<0.001), but they had more frequent hemorrhagic complications (17 percent vs. 5 percent, P<0.01). Patients in the stent group had a larger mean (+/-SD) increase in luminal diameter immediately after the procedure (1.92+/-0.30 mm, as compared with 1.21+/-0.37 mm in the angioplasty group; P<0.001) and a greater mean net gain in luminal diameter at six months (0.85+/-0.96 vs. 0.54+/-0.91 mm, P=0.002). Restenosis occurred in 37 percent of the patients in the stent group and in 46 percent of the patients in the angioplasty group (P=0.24). The outcome in terms of freedom from death, myocardial infarction, repeated bypass surgery, or revascularization of the target lesion was significantly better in the stent group (73 percent vs. 58 percent, P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: As compared with balloon angioplasty, stenting of selected venous bypass-graft lesions resulted in superior procedural outcomes, a larger gain in luminal diameter, and a reduction in major cardiac events. However, there was no significant benefit in the rate of angiographic restenosis, which was the primary end point of the study.     

Apical root resorption in orthodontically treated adults

This study analyzed the relationship in orthodontically treated adults between upper central incisor displacement measured on lateral cephalograms and apical root resorption measured on anterior periapical x-ray films. A multiple linear regression examined incisor displacements in four directions (retraction, advancement, intrusion, and extrusion) as independent variables, attempting to account for observed differences in the dependent variable, resorption. Mean apical resorption was 1.36 mm (sd +/- 1.46, n = 73). Mean horizontal displacement of the apex was -0.83 mm (sd +/- 1.74, n = 67); mean vertical displacement was 0.19 mm (sd +/- 1.48, n = 67). The regression coefficients for the intercept and for retraction were highly significant; those for extrusion, intrusion, and advancement were not. At the 95% confidence level, an average of 0.99 mm (se = +/- 0.34) of resorption was implied in the absence of root displacement and an average of 0.49 mm (se = +/- 0.14) of resorption was implied per millimeter of retraction. R2 for all four directional displacement variables (DDVs) taken together was only 0.20, which implied that only a relatively small portion of the observed apical resorption could be accounted for by tooth displacement alone. In a secondary set of univariate analyses, the associations between apical resorption and each of 14 additional treatment-related variables were examined. Only Gender, Elapsed Time, and Total Apical Displacement displayed statistically significant associations with apical resorption. Additional multiple regressions were then performed in which the data for each of these three statistically significant variables were considered separately, with the data for the four directional displacement variables. The addition of information on Elapsed Time or Total Apical Displacement did not explain a significant additional portion of the variability in apical resorption. On the other hand, the addition of information on Gender to the information on the four directional displacement variables yielded an R2 value of 0.35, which indicated that these variables taken together could account for approximately a third of the observed variability in apical resorption in this sample.     

Anatomic basis and clinical implications for nasal tip support in open versus closed rhinoplasty

Successful rhinoplasty depends on nasal tip support and its influence on nasal tip projection. The factors involved in nasal tip support are numerous; however, the role of the anterior septum versus the lower lateral cartilages has been debated in the literature. The purpose of this study was to quantitate, using fresh cadavers, the critical elements for nasal tip support with open versus closed rhinoplasty techniques. Multiple nasal manipulations, including cephalic trim, cephalic trim and interruption of the lower lateral cartilages, dorsal hump resection (1 to 4 mm), submucous resection of the septum, and complete septal removal, were performed using fresh cadaver heads and using both the open and closed rhinoplasty approach. Changes in nasal tip support were recorded. In comparing similar procedures, the mean loss of tip projection for the open approach was 3.43 mm versus 1.98 mm for the closed approach (p < 0.001). There was a significantly larger loss of tip projection in open versus closed procedures for cephalic trim, cephalic trim and interruption of the lower lateral cartilages, and cephalic trim with interruption of the lower lateral cartilages and septum removal (p < 0.001, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). We attributed the differences between the open and closed approaches to the increases in ligamentous disruption and skin undermining that occur when using the open approach. Septum manipulation in general resulted in larger losses in tip support in both the open and closed approach. We conclude that the open approach for rhinoplasty results in a significantly increased loss of tip projection when compared with the closed technique due to the larger disruption of ligamentous support. Contrary to previous data, septal manipulation resulted in significant losses of tip projection, most likely secondary to lowering the nasal septal angle, and this effect may be more significant in closed rhinoplasty. The apparent clinical implications are that active measures, such as columellar struts and/or suture techniques for adding or maintaining nasal tip support during rhinoplasty, are indicated, especially when using the open approach and when any anterior septal alteration is performed using the open or endonasal approach.     

Purification and characterization of NfrA1, a Bacillus subtilis nitro/flavin reductase capable of interacting with the bacterial luciferase

BACKGROUND: Posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PT-LPDs) are a well-known complication of immunosuppression associated with solid organ transplantation. The clinical course of PT-LPDs is unpredictable; some patients experience regression of all lesions with a reduction in immunosuppression, whereas other patients, despite chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or surgery, rapidly die of their disease. In this study, the authors attempted to establish whether the previously described morphologic and molecular genetic categories of PT-LPD--plasmacytic hyperplasia (PH), polymorphic PT-LPD (polymorphic), and malignant lymphoma/multiple myeloma (ML/MM)--are clinically relevant and helpful in predicting the clinical outcome of patients who develop these lesions. METHODS: To determine the clinical significance of the morphologic and molecular genetic categories of PT-LPDs, the clinical characteristics of 32 solid organ transplant recipients (26 heart, 5 kidney, and 1 lung), including age, time from transplantation to development of PT-LPD, stage of disease, and clinical outcome, were compared with the morphologic and molecular genetic features of the 41 PT-LPDs that they developed (15 PH in 12 patients, 19 polymorphic in 16 patients, and 7 ML/MM in 6 patients). Clinical outcome was defined by the following categories: 1) regression (after a reduction in immunosuppression) and surgical resolution (by surgical excision, with or without a reduction in immunosuppression); 2) medical resolution (by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy); and 3) no response. RESULTS: Although there was no difference in the time from transplantation to PT-LPD development among patients belonging to the three morphologic and molecular genetic categories, there was a significant difference in patient age at the time of PT-LPD development (P < 0.0098). Younger patients developed PH (mean age of 19 years), whereas older patients developed polymorphic PT-LPD (mean age of 35 years) and ML/MM (mean age of 56 years). Patients with PH presented with lower stages of disease (Stages I-II) than patients with ML/MM (P < 0.0004). Furthermore, there was a statistically significant trend between morphologic and molecular genetic category and clinical outcome, with decreased likelihood that lesions categorized as PH, polymorphic, or ML/MM would regress with a reduction in immunosuppression or be resolved by surgery, whereas those classified as ML/MM were more likely to exhibit no response to aggressive clinical intervention (P < 0.00006). Furthermore, no patients with PH died, whereas 20% with polymorphic PT-LPD and 67% with ML/MM died as a direct result of their PT-LPDs. CONCLUSIONS: This study strongly suggests that classification of PT-LPDs into the morphologic and molecular genetic categories PH, polymorphic, PT-LPD and ML/MM is clinically relevant.     

Simultaneous construction of an internal and external nose in an infant with arhinia

We report on the simultaneous construction of an internal and external nose in an infant born with arhinia. The indication for this very early reconstruction was due to respiratory distress and the associated feeding problems. It was possible to create two nasal cavities separated by a septum and to form an external nose from pre-expanded skin and a secondary arm flap for the tip supported by a frontal bone flap with intrinsic growth potential and auricular cartilage grafts for the tip. The 4-year-old child has excellent function of the nose with an acceptable appearance. Her psychological development is normal. Respiratory distress and associated feeding problems necessitated the use of oropharyngeal and orogastric tubes in a female infant born without a nose (arhinia). Over a period of many weeks, with attempts to remove the tube resulting in aspiration, we decided to create a functional nasal airway and an external nose simultaneously at this early stage. At the age of 20 weeks, two nasal cavities were created by using a buccal sulcus incision and connected to the existing nasopharynx and partially lined with split skin grafts. An external nose was created using the expanded midfacial skin and supporting it, an osteoperiosteal flap from the frontal bone. Later, a Tagliacozzi flap had to be added for the nasal tip. The newly constructed nose functions well and appears to aid favorably in the normal psychosocial development of the now 4-year-old girl.     

Experiences with a new bone drill for surgery of the ear and nose (author's transl)

Surgical drilling similar to that developed by Kaltenbach and Voigt for bone work on the ear, nose, maxilla, hand and vertebrae can be used at up to 80,000 rev/min without undesirable heat production. Drill-bits with the normal shaft length of 45 mm remain steady at 80,000 rev/min, but drill-bits of 70 mm length sometimes vibrate. The size of drill head and rate of revolution in this respect are related proportionately especially with cutting as opposed to diamond drill-heads. In ear surgery this method is only suitable on certain conditions. In nasal surgery it is useful for the transverse osteotomy with a 45 mm long circular saw.     

The outcome of operatively treated anterior cruciate ligament disruptions in the skeletally immature child

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of transphyseal ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature children with midsubstance anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) disruption. Five consecutive patients (mean age, 12.9 years; range, 8 to 14 years) with radiographically documented "wide" open growth plates and a minimum of 5 cm of expected remaining growth, underwent intra-articular reconstruction of the ACL. Operative treatment included three ACL reconstructions using hamstring tendons and two with quadriceps patellar tendon. All involved a centrally placed 6-mm or smaller tibial drill hole through an open physis and graft placement in an over-the-top position on the femur. At an average follow-up of 7.4 years (range, 4.5 to 9.9 years), no patient had a positive anterior drawer, Lachman, or pivot shift test. On KT-1000 arthrometer testing, all patients had 3 mm or less of increased anterior-posterior displacement (mean +/- SD = 1.0 +/- 1.6 mm). Magnetic resonance imaging showed that four tibial physes had fused in a symmetric fashion and one was still open. Orthoroentgenograms showed that no patient had a significant leg length discrepancy (-0.8 mm +/- 3.4 mm). The mean increase in height postoperatively was 17.7 cm (range, 7.6 to 31.0 cm). Overall, using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) evaluation form, there were four patients with grade A and one with grade C. The one patient with a poor IKDC grade had sustained a subsequent patellar dislocation with osteochondral fracture. In conclusion, ACL reconstruction using small drill holes placed through open tibial physes does not seem to adversely affect outcome or future growth.     

Effect of the NSAID flurbiprofen on remodelling after periodontal surgery

The aim of the present experiment was to assess the effect of the administration of the NSAID flurbiprofen (Froben) on tissue healing after periodontal surgery. Sites from patients with the same treatment modality (modified Widman flap) but receiving a placebo drug and sites within each patient not exposed to surgery served as controls. Nineteen patients suffering from moderate to severe periodontal disease were recruited and they signed informed consent forms. These patients required periodontal surgery as assessed at the periodontal re-evaluation. The sites chosen for the study were all diagnosed with PPD > or = 5 mm and were bleeding on probing. During the healing phase 10 patients received 50 mg Froben 3 times per day for 30 d whereas 9 patients received a placebo drug. Two sites with PPD > or = 5 mm after initial therapy and bleeding on probing served as surgical sites, whereas 2 similar sites were not exposed to surgery. The study design was set up double-blind. The radiographic examination consisted of 2-4 standardized vertical bitewings obtained at the periodontal re-evaluation (BL) at 1, 3 and 6 months post-surgically for digital subtraction and computer assisted densitometric image analysis (CADIA). The regions of interest analysed were mesial or distal crestal sites. Minimal remodelling activity was observed radiographically after periodontal surgery in both patient groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the four groups of sites regarding the mean changes in density when analysing the pairs of radiographs 0-1, 0-3, 0-6 months. A frequency analysis was performed to list the number of sites with different ranges of density change. No differences in the distributions of the numbers of sites were observed when comparing the 4 site groups (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, p > 0.05). A significant reduction of the probing pocket depth and a significant amount of clinical attachment gain was noted at the surgically treated sites irrespective of whether the patients had used flurbiprofen or placebo. Whereas the pathways leading to bone resorption in periodontally diseased sites have been shown, in other studies, to be influenced by NSAID, the results of the present study could not justify general administration of Froben for the purpose of reduction of bone resorption after periodontal surgical procedures in patients with adult periodontitis.     

Ultrasonic assessment of rhinostomy size following external dacryocystorhinostomy

AIM: To assess the dimensions and patency of the surgical epithelial fistula after external dacryocystorhinostomy, using B mode ultrasonography to define the postoperative soft tissue anastomosis. METHODS: 12 patients undergoing 16 external dacryocystorhinostomies, with the creation of large osteotomies, were included in a prospective study. The horizontal and vertical dimensions of the bone ostium was recorded during surgery and compared with the ultrasonographic dimensions of the soft tissue anastomosis at 1 day, 2 weeks, and 6 months after surgery. Functional patency was confirmed with dye testing and irrigation. RESULTS: Compared with an osteotomy of between 100 and 380 mm2 (mean 235 mm2), the soft tissue anastomosis on the day after surgery was, in all cases, markedly smaller (72-252 mm2; mean 144 mm2, or 61% of the bone window). The soft tissue anastomosis decreased to between 8 and 208 mm2 (mean 98 mm2; 68% of immediate postoperative value) at 2 weeks and 3-208 mm2 (mean 71 mm2; 49% of immediate postoperative value) at 6 months. 14 of the 16 (88%) dacryocystorhinostomies were functional at the end of the study, the two failures being associated with marked contracture of the soft tissue anastomosis; the outcome of surgery correlated significantly with the area of the anastomosis at 2 weeks (chi 2 = 16.3; p < 0.01) and at 6 months (chi 2 = 16.0, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: B mode ultrasonography provides a simple and effective method for assessing the size of the soft tissue anastomosis after external dacryocystorhinostomy and there is a significant reduction in size after surgery, to which the functional outcome of surgery appears related. As the initial soft tissue anastomosis cannot be larger than (and is, on average, about 60% of) the area of the osteotomy, this emphasises the paramount importance of a large rhinostomy to the success of lacrimal surgery.     

Elaboration of an alternative, segmental, cartilage-sparing tip graft technique: experience in 405 cases

Despite the value of tip grafting in many rhinoplasty patients, adequate donor cartilage may be unavailable in secondary and even primary patients whose donor sites have been harvested previously or whose septal cartilage is calcified. Furthermore, by enlarging the lobule, tip grafts can create undesirable postoperative disproportions in some patients. These two observations have stimulated the elaboration of a tip graft method (which evolved from the Sheen technique) that uses small amounts of autogenous donor material to augment only those lobular segments that require increased contour or support, without necessarily increasing overall lobular volume. This article reports experience with; the technique in a 405-patient study group. Segmental tip grafting is performed endonasally through access incisions along the caudal edge of one alar cartilage. Grafts augment each third of the tip lobule and anterior columella (corresponding to each of the alar cartilage crura) depending on the aesthetic objective; multiple grafts are always placed. Selective augmentation limits the overall increase in lobular size. The method is not suitable for those patients needing substantial augmentation (58 of 463 tip-grafted patients in the 6-year study period), in which case the author still prefers the Sheen technique. The records of the 405-patient study group (40 percent primary rhinoplasty, 60 percent secondary rhinoplasty) indicate a total nasal revision rate of 14 percent; 6 percent were tip revisions. Tip revisions were more frequent in secondary patients but not in patients with thin skin. Reoperation percentages decreased during the study term, so that the tip revision rate was 12 percent in the first 12 months of study but only 4 percent in the last 12 months (p < 0.0008). The primary indication for tip grafting has evolved since the author's earlier practice experience: in the past 3 years of the study, 77 percent of primary patients and 80 percent of secondary patients underwent grafting principally to improve lobular contour, not tip projection (p < 0.0005). A segmental, cartilage-sparing tip graft technique can provide both projection and contour for primary and secondary rhinoplasty patients. Nevertheless, tip imperfections remain the most common reason for revision in the author's practice.     

Periodontal repair in intrabony defects treated with a calcium sulfate implant and calcium sulfate barrier

THIS RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED, CLINICAL STUDY was designed to evaluate outcome following surgical implantation of an allogeneic, freeze-dried, demineralized bone matrix-calcium sulfate (DBM+CS) composite with a CS barrier in intrabony periodontal defects. Twenty-six patients contributing 26 deep intrabony defects completed the study. Thirteen patients received the DBM+CS implant. Thirteen patients received gingival flap surgery alone (GFS; control). Clinical outcome was assessed at 6 and 12 months postsurgery. At 12 months postsurgery, probing depth (PD) reduction (mean +/-SD) for the DBM+CS and GFS group was to 4.3+/-0.5 and 3.0+/-1.3 mm; clinical attachment gain was to 2.9+/-0.8 and 1.7+/-1.5 mm; and probing bone level gain was to 2.9+/-1.4 and 1.2+/-1.2 mm, respectively. There were no apparent differences between evaluations at 6 and 12 months postsurgery. Clinical improvements were significantly different from presurgery for both groups at both observation intervals (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between groups in PD reduction and clinical attachment gain. Probing bone level gain was significantly greater in the DBM+CS group compared to controls (P < 0.05). In summary, surgical implantation of DBM+CS with a CS barrier resulted in reduced PD and improved attachment levels comparable to that achieved by gingival flap surgery alone. However, gain in probing bone levels in deep intrabony periodontal pockets assessed by clinical parameters was greater than that observed by gingival flap surgery alone. These changes were noted at both 6 and 12 months after surgery. This regenerative technique needs further biologic evaluation before being generally accepted.     

Correction of the crooked nose

Correcting the crooked nose remains one of the most challenging problems in rhinoplasty. When faced with a twisted nose, rhinoplasty surgeons tend to be divided into those who perform an anatomic reconstruction and those who prefer camouflage techniques. Regardless of the approach used, the revision rate remains fairly high. An anatomic correction of the twisted nose through an open approach was performed. The septum was freed from the extrinsic forces of the deformed nasal bones and upper and lower lateral cartilages. The residual true septal injury was then evaluated. The septal deformity was addressed through quadrangular cartilage resection, repositioning of the caudal septum in the anatomic midline, and correction of the dorsal septal deformity with horizontal control sutures. The skeletal support was then reconstructed with the use of a spreader-extension graft on the concave side and a batten graft on the opposite side. The nasal tip was set relative to the dorsum by fixation to the extension grafts. Residual lateral crus deformities were corrected by a combination of lateral crural spanning sutures or alar spreader grafts. With this approach, straightening the crooked nose without compromising skeletal support or nasal aesthetics was successful.     

Volume reduction surgery in the native lung after single lung transplantation for emphysema

The natural history of emphysema suggests that progression of disease in the native lung may contribute to late deterioration in respiratory function after single lung transplantation. In this report, we describe our experience with unilateral volume reduction surgery in three single lung transplant recipients with emphysema. Each patient had had a late decline in lung function with a recurrence of symptoms. Chest radiographs demonstrated hyperinflation of the native lungs with encroachment on the grafts. Serial pulmonary function testing documented progressive reduction in expiratory flows with increases in residual volumes. Exercise testing confirmed severe intolerance to maximal exercise. Unilateral volume reduction surgery was undertaken at 36, 39, and 55 months after transplantation without incident. Radiographs obtained after the procedures demonstrated restoration of normal diaphragmatic contour, decreased aeration of the native lungs, and improved inflation of the allografts. Exercise testing at 3 months documented a mean improvement in maximal oxygen consumption of 35%. Expiratory flows improved by a mean of 60%. Quantitative ventilation and perfusion scans, however, were essentially unchanged. This experience suggests that unilateral volume reduction surgery may be considered as an alternative strategy in single lung transplant recipients with emphysema who exhibit clinically significant functional deterioration. Differentiation of the adverse effects of hyperinflation of the native lung from other potential causes of late deterioration might not be necessary but may be predictive of the degree of functional improvement after volume reduction. The relief of thoracic overdistention seems to play a primary role in the improvement pulmonary function.     

Natural history of the residual infrarenal aorta after infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

PURPOSE: We determined the natural history of the residual native infrarenal aortic segment after conventional abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. METHODS: For the retrospective arteriographic case series, 800 hundred translumbar aortograms (TLAs) were obtained for 272 patients, before and after conventional AAA repair. The main outcome measures were changes in the aortographic diameter and the length of the infrarenal aortic segment, corrected and uncorrected for magnification by normalization to the first lumbar vertebral body height. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time from the preoperative TLA to the most recent postoperative TLA was 42 months (range, 1 to 257 months). Vertebral body height did not change (p = 0.35). The length of the native infrarenal aorta cephalad to the proximal anastomosis increased a mean of 3 mm, from 23 to 26 mm (p = 0.001). However, in 115 patients (43%), this aortic segment elongated more than 5 mm, and in 63 patients (24%), it elongated more than 10 mm. The native residual infrarenal aorta above the proximal anastomosis dilated a mean of 1 mm, from 23 to 24 mm (p = 0.001), but in 21 patients (8%), it dilated more than 5 mm. There was a weak positive correlation between the increase in residual native aortic diameter and duration of follow-up. There was a negative correlation between this increase and the initial size. The diameters of the proximal anastomosis and proximal graft did not change. Marked variability in the changes in aortic dimensions was observed. CONCLUSIONS: A mean period of 42 months after conventional AAA repair, the native infrarenal aortic segment elongates and dilates. Although such enlargement is statistically significant, the average increase appears to be small. However, residual aortic cuff diameter increased more than 5 mm and neck length more than 10 mm in a significant number of patients, with potentially serious implications for endovascular treatment of AAA.     

Clinical evaluation of bioactive glass in the treatment of periodontal osseous defects in humans

The purpose of this study was to compare the use of bioactive glass to demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) in the treatment of human periodontal osseous defects. Fifteen systemically healthy patients (6 males and 9 females, aged 30 to 63) with moderate to advanced adult periodontitis were selected for the study. All patients underwent initial therapy, which included scaling and root planing, oral hygiene instruction, and an occlusal adjustment when indicated, followed by re-evaluation 4 to 6 weeks later. Paired osseous defects in each subject were randomly selected to receive grafts of bioactive glass or DFDBA. Both soft and hard tissue measurements were taken the day of surgery (baseline) and at the 6-month re-entry surgery. The clinical examiner was calibrated and blinded to the surgical procedures, while the surgeon was masked to the clinical measurements. Statistical analysis was performed by using the paired Student's t test. The results indicated that probing depths were reduced by 3.07 +/- 0.80 mm with the bioactive glass and 2.60 +/- 1.40 mm with DFDBA. Sites grafted with bioactive glass resulted in 2.27 +/- 0.88 mm attachment level gain, while sites grafted with DFDBA had a 1.93 +/- 1.33 mm gain in attachment. Bioactive glass sites displayed 0.53 +/- 0.64 mm of crestal resorption and 2.73 mm bone fill. DFDBA-grafted sites experienced 0.80 +/- 0.56 mm of crestal resorption and 2.80 mm defect fill. The use of bioactive glass resulted in 61.8% bone fill and 73.33% defect resolution. DFDBA-grafted defects showed similar results, with 62.5% bone fill and 80.87% defect resolution. Both treatments provided soft and hard tissue improvements when compared to baseline (P < or = 0.0001). No statistical difference was found when comparing bioactive glass to DFDBA; however, studies with larger sample sizes may reveal true differences between the materials. This study suggests that bioactive glass is capable of producing results in the short term (6 months) similar to that of DFDBA when used in moderate to deep intrabony periodontal defects.     

Long-term stability of the mucogingival complex following guided tissue regeneration in gingival recession defects

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the stability of soft tissue conditions in gingival recession defects treated with guided tissue regeneration (GTR). The study population was selected among those patients who had been treated with GTR procedures for Miller's class I or II, deep (> or =3 mm), buccal gingival recession defects. Defects were included only when they had revealed recession depth reduction > or =2 mm and root coverage > or =60% at 6 months following GTR treatment. These defects were regarded as successfully treated and scheduled for further monitoring. 20 patients, 11 male and 9 female, aged 23 to 57 years (mean age: 33.2 years), each contributing 1 defect, were selected. 9 patients were smokers (> or =10 cigarette per day). Recession depth (RD), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and width of keratinized gingiva (KG) were assessed immediately before surgery, at 6 months post-surgery (baseline examination), and at 4 years post-surgery (4-year examination). At baseline examination, RD reduction was 3.6+/-0.9 mm (mean root coverage: 80%). CAL gain amounted to 4.2+/-1.3 mm, 60% of the defects showing CAL gain > or =4 mm. KG increased from 1.9+/-1.2 mm at presurgery examination to 3.1+/-0.9 mm at baseline examination. At 4-year examination, no significant changes from baseline RD, CAL and KG recordings were observed. Differences in baseline-4 year changes between smokers and non-smokers were not statistically significant. The results of the present study demonstrate that clinical outcome achieved following GTR procedure in gingival recession defects can be maintained over periods up to 4 years.     

Upper airway changes in snorers and mild sleep apnea sufferers after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

OBJECTIVES: We used upper airway (UA) imaging in 20 patients to determine (1) whether an effective enlargement of the UA is obtained after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), and (2) whether UA modifications explain the results of such surgery. METHODS: Cephalometric measurements were made to assess the posterior airway space, the length and width of the soft palate, and the distance between the hyoid bone and the mandibular plane. Pharyngeal CT measured the airway cross-sectional area (CSA) at each 10-mm slice from 10 mm above (-10) to 40 mm below (+40) the hard palate. Polysomnography was performed before and after surgery (10+/-10 [SD] months). Good responders were defined by an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of <10 postsurgery or, in patients in whom AHI was initially <10, a reduction of AHI >50% of the initial AHI. RESULTS: Twenty patients (age=45+/-11 years) were studied. For the whole group, the mean body mass index (26+/-4 kg/m2) and AHI (14+/-13 vs 18+/-16/h) were unchanged after UPPP. The results of the surgery were mediocre with 7 good responders (35%) and 13 nonresponders (65%) defined by polysomnographic criteria. The only changes on UA imaging for the group as a whole after UPPP were decrease in length (40+/-6 vs 29+/-5 mm, p< or =0.0006) and increase in width of the soft palate (11.5+/-2.7 vs 13.6+/-3.5 mm, p< or =0.006). The increase or decrease in minimal CSA at the oropharyngeal (OP) level after UPPP was significantly correlated with the change in AHI (r=-0.54, p<0.02). Moreover, the changes in CSA obtained at the OP level were significant only in the patients who responded favorably to UPPP (7 vs 13 nonresponders). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative OP enlargement is associated with a good outcome of UPPP. Persistent narrowing in nonresponders could be due to the increase in soft palate width after surgery.