Conservative surgical approach towards placenta accreta spectrum disorders for uterine preservation.

Objective: We previously described a technique for repair of the myometrial defect at repeat Caesarean section which increases residual myometrial thickness thereby potentially reducing future niche-related complications. Here we describe how this technique can be modified for use for placenta accreta spectrum disorders, in line with emerging evidence that this is more a disorder of myometrial deficiency than morbid adherence.

Design: The surgical performance of peripartum hysterectomy was compared with that of the modified technique in all women having repeat Caesarean delivery for placenta accreta spectrum disorder in a tertiary unit in Singapore between December 2019 and October 2021.

A comparison of in vitro cytotoxicity assays in medical device regulatory studies.

Medical device biocompatibility testing is used to evaluate the risk of adverse effects on tissues from exposure to leachates/extracts. A battery of tests is typically recommended in accordance with regulatory standards to determine if the device is biocompatible. In vitro cytotoxicity, a key element of the standards, is a required endpoint for all types of medical devices.

A review of the surgical management of heel pressure ulcers in the 21st century.

Heel ulceration, most frequently the result of prolonged pressure because of patient immobility, can range from the trivial to the life threatening. Whilst the vast majority of heel pressure ulcers (PUs) are superficial and involve the skin (stages I and II) or underlying fat (stage III), between 10% and 20% will involve deeper tissues, either muscle, tendon or bone (stage IV). These stage IV heel PUs represent a major health and economic burden and can be difficult to treat.

Design and development of an in vitro tear replenishment system.

Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the corneal tissue and translating them into effective therapies requires organotypic culture systems that can better model the physiological conditions of the front of the eye. Human corneal in vitro models currently exist, however, the lack of tear replenishment limits corneal in vitro models' ability to accurately simulate the physiological environment of the human cornea. The tear replenishment system (TRS), a micro-fluidic device, was developed to mimic the in vivo tear replenishment in the human eye in an in vitro corneal model.

Development of a curved, stratified, in vitro model to assess ocular biocompatibility.

Purpose: To further improve in vitro models of the cornea, this study focused on the creation of a three-dimensional, stratified, curved epithelium; and the subsequent characterization and evaluation of its suitability as a model for biocompatibility testing.

Methods: Immortalized human corneal epithelial cells were grown to confluency on curved cellulose filters for seven days, and were then differentiated and stratified using an air-liquid interface for seven days before testing. Varying concentrations of a commercial ophthalmic solution containing benzalkonium chloride (BAK), a known cytotoxic agent, and two relevant ocular surfactants were tested on the model.