Clinical and demographic profile Volkmann's ischemic contracture presenting in Tigray (Ethiopia).

Objective: Volkmann's ischemic contracture (VIC) represents the outcome of a compartment syndrome, not adeguately managed during the acute phase. It is still to be found in the developing contries, while it is rarely present in the developed countries. In this report we refer on our african experiences on VIC, because we beleive might be useful for last generation of italian orthopaedics which rarely have a chance to see Volkmann's cases.

Straight and angulated abutments in platform switching: influence of loading on bone stress by three-dimensional finite element analysis.

Purpose: In view of reports in the literature on the benefits achieved with the use of platform switching, described as the use of an implant with a larger diameter than the abutment diameter, the goal being to prevent the (previously) normal bone loss down to the first thread that occurs around most implants, thus enhancing soft tissue aesthetics and stability and the need for implant inclination due to bone anatomy in some cases, the aim of this study was to evaluate bone stress distribution on peri-implant bone, by using three-dimensional finite element analysis to simulate the influence of implants with different abutment angulations (0 and 15 degrees) in platform switching.

Methods: Four mathematical models of an implant-supported central incisor were created with varying abutment angulations: straight abutment (S1 and S2) and angulated abutment at 15 degrees (A1 and A2), submitted to 2 loading conditions (100 N): S1 and A1-oblique loading (45 degrees) and S2 and A2-axial loading, parallel to the long axis of the implant. Maximum (σmax) and minimum (σmin) principal stress values were obtained for cortical and trabecular bone.

Prevalence, incidence and types of mild anemia in the elderly: the "Health and Anemia" population-based study.

Background: Hemoglobin concentrations slightly below the lower limit of normal are a common laboratory finding in the elderly, but scant evidence is available on the actual occurrence of mild anemia despite its potential effect on health. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and incidence of mild grade anemia and to assess the frequency of anemia types in the elderly.

Design And Methods: This was a prospective, population-based study in all residents 65 years or older in Biella, Italy.

Association of mild anemia with hospitalization and mortality in the elderly: the Health and Anemia population-based study.

Background: Mild anemia is a frequent laboratory finding in the elderly usually disregarded in everyday practice as an innocent bystander. The aim of the present population-based study was to prospectively investigate the association of mild grade anemia with hospitalization and mortality.

Design And Methods: A prospective population-based study of all 65 to 84 year old residents in Biella, Italy was performed between 2003 and 2007.

Association of mild anemia with cognitive, functional, mood and quality of life outcomes in the elderly: the "Health and Anemia" study.

Background: In the elderly persons, hemoglobin concentrations slightly below the lower limit of normal are common, but scant evidence is available on their relationship with significant health indicators. The objective of the present study was to cross-sectionally investigate the association of mild grade anemia with cognitive, functional, mood, and quality of life (QoL) variables in community-dwelling elderly persons.

Methods: Among the 4,068 eligible individuals aged 65-84 years, all persons with mild anemia (n = 170) and a randomly selected sample of non-anemic controls (n = 547) were included in the study.

Clinical evaluation of a hyaluronan-based gel following microsurgical reconstruction of peripheral nerves of the hand.

A controlled clinical trial was performed to investigate the safety and efficacy of the hyaluronate-based gel polymer Hyaloglide after microsurgical reconstruction of peripheral nerves of the hand. Thirty patients were randomized to receive either no postsurgical treatment (n = 16) or Hyaloglide (n = 14) and were clinically evaluated at various intervals for 1 year. The application of Hyaloglide posed no safety concerns.

Delayed cervical anastomosis of the esophagus for esophageal carcinoma.

Background: The surgical approach for patients with advanced epidermoid esophageal carcinoma should provide an effective palliative effect with morbidity ratio as low as possible. Anastomotic leakage is a frequent complication and may be responsible for both early and late morbidity and, therefore, we assessed the role of delayed cervical esophagovisceral anastomosis technique in relation to the incidence of anastomotic complications.

Methods: Eight patients (Group 1) and 12 patients (Group 2) submitted to one-stage or two-stage operation, respectively, were selected by an intraoperative assessment by the surgeon, considering mainly tissue blood flow of the replacement organ after its placement in the cervical region.

Breast cancer screening: characteristics and results of the Italian programmes in the Italian group for planning and evaluating breast cancer screening programmes (GISMa).

In 1990, GISMa (Italian Group for planning and evaluating Mammographic Screening - Gruppo Italiano per la pianificazione e la valutazione dei programmi di Screening Mammografico), a working group of operators (radiographers, radiologists, epidemiologists, clinicians, surgeons) involved in screening programmes ongoing in Italy, was created within the Italian School of Senology. The aim of this study is to illustrate data, presented at the GISMa meeting held in April 1994, concerning the characteristics of each programme and some early indicators of effectiveness. To assess these parameters (concerning compliance level, recall rate, benign/malignant biopsy ratio, detection rate, stage distribution, nodal involvement and number of cancers with a diameter under 1 cm, rate of cancer, etc.