Sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer: a population-based study in Taiwan.

Background/aims: Sphincter-preserving surgery (SPS) has been considered a surrogate for surgical quality for rectal cancer. This study aims to assess its rate for rectal cancer between centers and over time in Taiwan.

Methodology: Data from 1997 to 2006 on patients undergoing sphincter-preserving surgery (anterior resection or AR) and proctectomy with colostomy (abdominoperineal resection or APR) were extracted from a national health insurance database.

Differences between children and adults with otitis media with effusion treated with CO(2) laser myringotomy.

Background: The safety and advantages of CO(2) laser myringotomy for otitis media with effusion (OME) are well described. The goal of such treatment is to avoid unnecessary ventilation tube insertion. Comparisons between different age groups treated with this modality are lacking, and prognostic factors for treatment outcomes are not available.

The effects of continuous combined oral estradiol and norethisterone on pulsatility index in internal carotid and uterine arteries in early postmenopausal Taiwanese women---a preliminary study.

Objective: This study analyzed whether continuous combined oral estradiol and norethisterone had any effect on the pulsatility index (PI) of the internal carotid and uterine arteries in Taiwanese early postmenopausal women.

Materials And Methods: A group of 40 healthy postmenopausal women with no history of hormone therapy (HT) participated in this study and were randomly subdivided into two groups: HT treatment group (n = 20) and placebo group (n = 20). PI was evaluated with color Doppler ultrasound at the beginning of the study and after 4 months of HT (2 mg 17beta-estradiol + 1 mg norethisterone acetate) or placebo.

A comparison of binary models dealing with an extraneous effect relating to the main risk factor, but not relating to the outcome variable.

In a binary model relating a response variable Y to a risk factor X, account may need to take of an extraneous effect Z that is related to X, but not Y. This is known as the association pattern Y-X-Z. The extraneous variable Z is commonly included in models as a covariate.

Fetal nasal bone length and Down syndrome during the second trimester in a Chinese population.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to build a database of reference ranges of fetal nasal bone length (NBL) in a Chinese population. The accuracy rate of detecting Down syndrome was also analyzed using fetal NBL as a marker.

Methods: The control group of fetuses included 342 normal singleton pregnancies with no chromosomal or congenital anomalies.

Ductus venosus blood flow resistance and congenital heart defects in the second trimester.

Purpose: To study the association between fetal cardiac defects and the presence of abnormal blood flow resistance of the ductus venosus during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study included 72 pregnancies with fetal cardiac anomalies and 267 normal pregnancies. In fetuses with cardiac anomalies, Doppler velocimetry resistances of the ductus venosus were serially determined prior to birth.

Long-term efficacy and safety of very-low-dose amiodarone treatment for the maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation after successful direct-current cardioversion.

Background: Long-term maintenance of sinus rhythm after successful conversion of chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF), often ameliorates patients' symptoms, reduces the risk of ischemic stroke and improves cardiovascular hemodynamics. This prospective study aims to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of very low-dose amiodarone (100 mg daily) for the maintenance of sinus rhythm after successful direct-current (DC) cardioversion in patients with CAF and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) post intervention.

Methods: This study was a randomized prospective trial.

Combination of fetal Doppler velocimetric resistance values predict acidemic growth-restricted neonates.

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of combination Doppler velocimetric resistance values of the umbilical artery and ductus venosus in predicting growth-restricted neonates with acidemia.

Methods: This retrospective case-control study included 61 gravidas complicated by intrauterine growth restriction with acidemia and 65 control pregnancies. The Doppler velocimetric resistance values obtained from the growth-restricted and control fetuses were in turn compared with the median values derived from another 192 normal pregnancies to adjust the biometric bias due to gestational age.

Comparison of two interbody fusion cages for posterior lumbar interbody fusion in a cadaveric model.

Although the Brantigan cage and Bagby and Kuslich (BAK) cage have different geometrical characteristics, clinical observations suggest that they are equally effective in restoring disc height and stability across the involved spinal segments. This study was designed to compare their performance as posterior lumbar interbody fusion devices at two levels in fresh ligamentous cadaver lumbar spines (L2-S1). After mounting in a testing frame, the three-dimensional load-displacement behaviour of each vertebra was quantified using the Selspot II Motion Measurement System for; the intact state, posterior decompression, and stabilisation, using a pair of Brantigan or BAK cages across L4-S1, additional stabilisation using Isola spinal instrumentation across L4-S1, and cyclic loading in flexion/extension.

Posterior instrumentation reduces differences in spine stability as a result of different cage orientations: an in vitro study.

Study Design: A multisegmental cadaveric spine model was used to quantify the load-displacement behavior of intact spine specimens, specimens injured and stabilized using Bagby and Kuslich (BAK) cages as lumbar interbody fusion devices with or without posterior instrumentation across two levels.

Objectives: To compare the stabilities imparted by the cages placed using an oblique and conventional posterior approaches and to determine the effects of supplementary posterior instrumentation.

Summary Of Background Data: The BAK cage as posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) has been used to restore disc height, reduce morbidity, provide immediate stability to the patients, and enhance fusion rates.

Nuchal translucence incorporated into a one-stage multifactorial screening model for Down syndrome prediction at second-trimester pregnancy.

The aim of this study was to achieve one-stage screening for trisomy 21 using a combination of nuchal translucency (NuT) measurement and maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and free beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) biochemistry levels in the second trimester among a high-risk study population. From January 1998 to June 2001, 45 cases of trisomy 21 were prenatally found and confirmed in the hospital-based cytogenetic diagnosis laboratory. A total of 867 normal singleton pregnancies were enrolled as controls from the antenatal care clinics in the hospital.