Effects of Chemodenervation on Ocular Synkinesis.

Chemodenervation is widely used for management of synkinesis in patients with facial palsy, but there is limited objective data assessing treatment effect. To measure the eyelid palpebral fissure height at rest and during movement after chemodenervation of the orbicularis oculi muscle among patients with ocular synkinesis, as measured on photographs with computerized facial analysis application. A retrospective review of patients who underwent initial chemodenervation to the orbicularis oculi for synkinesis was conducted from January 1, 2015, and July 26, 2023.

Opioid Prescribing Patterns Following Lateral Skull Base Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair.

Objective: To characterize the opioid prescribing patterns for and requirements of patients undergoing repair of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (sCSF) leaks of the lateral skull base.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

A Scoping Review of Otologic Manifestations of Hematologic Malignancies.

Objective: To examine the otologic and neurotologic symptoms, physical examination findings, and imaging features secondary to hematologic malignancies.

Methods: Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL, were searched for articles including patients with otologic manifestations of leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Data collected included patient and study demographics, specific hematologic malignancy, timing and classification of otologic symptoms, physical examination findings, imaging features and methods of diagnosis.

Outcomes of Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair With Concurrent Eustachian Tube Dysfunction.

Objective: To compare the presentation and outcomes of patients with and without obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction (oETD) undergoing repair of lateral skull base spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (sCSF) leaks.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Stereotactic or conformal radiotherapy for adrenal metastases: Patient characteristics and outcomes in a multicenter analysis.

To report outcome (freedom from local progression [FFLP], overall survival [OS] and toxicity) after stereotactic, palliative or highly conformal fractionated (>12) radiotherapy (SBRT, Pall-RT, 3DCRT/IMRT) for adrenal metastases in a retrospective multicenter cohort within the framework of the German Society for Radiation Oncology (DEGRO). Adrenal metastases treated with SBRT (≤12 fractions, biologically effective dose [BED10] ≥ 50 Gy), 3DCRT/IMRT (>12 fractions, BED10 ≥ 50 Gy) or Pall-RT (BED10 < 50 Gy) were eligible for this analysis. In addition to unadjusted FFLP (Kaplan-Meier/log-rank), we calculated the competing-risk-adjusted local recurrence rate (CRA-LRR).

Proteasome inhibition suppress microgravity elevated RANK signaling during osteoclast differentiation.

Microgravity (µXg) induces bone loss in astronauts during space missions. Therefore, it is necessary to delineate the underlying mechanisms which leads to bone loss for developing countermeasures. Osteoclasts (OCLs) are multinucleated cells, which resorb bone.

Concomitant chemoradiotherapy versus induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiotherapy as definitive, first line treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. A retrospective single center analysis.

Purpose: Despite the lack of evidence to support its implementation in the clinical practice, induction chemotherapy (IC) before chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is often used in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We retrospectively examined the tolerability, feasibility, and clinical outcome of both concepts in a single center analysis.

Patients And Methods: In all, 83 patients were treated between 2007 and 2010 with IC + CRT (n = 42) or CRT alone (n = 41).

To combine or not combine: the role of radiotherapy and targeted agents in the treatment for renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma is counted among the most resistant tumors to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, respectively. However, therapeutic options expanded since the introduction of molecular agents, targeting specific pathways such as the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-α, the VEGF receptor (VEGFR), or the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. These new agents almost doubled the time to tumor progression and in some trials even improved overall survival.

Large-pore PDS mesh compared to small-pore PG mesh.

Background: Currently, absorbable meshes are used as temporary closure in case of laparostoma. Unfortunately the multifilament polyglycolic acid (PG) meshes with small pores reveal little elasticity acting rather as a fluid barrier than permitting drainage of intra-abdominal fluids. Therefore, a new mesh was constructed of absorbable polydioxanon monofilaments (PDS) with increased porosity and longer degradation time.

Influence of the elasticity module of synthetic and natural polymeric tissue substitutes on the mobility of the diaphragm and healing process in a rabbit model.

Mesh implants are frequently used in congenital diaphragmatic hernia. This experimental study aimed to examine the influence of different materials on the diaphragmatic movement over time as well as their mechanical qualities after 4 months. Ultrapro®, Surgisis®, and Proceed® were implanted onto a diaphragmatic defect in growing rabbits.

Is biocompatibility affected by constant shear stress?--comparison of three commercially available meshes in a rabbit model.

Mesh implants as standard treatment for tissue defects can be adapted to patient's needs by specific bioactive coatings. The biophysical interaction with the surrounding tissue must be understood to describe the influence of coatings qualitatively and quantitatively. This study investigates the use of meshes to repair diaphragmatic defects.

Optimized high gradient magnetic separation for isolation of Plasmodium-infected red blood cells.

Background: Highly purified infected red blood cells (irbc), or highly synchronized parasite cultures, are regularly required in malaria research. Conventional isolation and synchronization rely on density and osmotic fragility of irbc, respectively. High gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) offers an alternative based on intrinsic magnetic properties of irbc, avoiding exposure to chemicals and osmotic stress.

Zinc deficiency impairs wound healing of colon anastomosis in rats.

Background: Anastomotic leakage is a relevant surgical complication. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of a controlled preoperative zinc deficiency on the extracellular matrix composition of colon anastomosis.

Materials And Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomized to either a zinc deficiency group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20).

Influence of mesh materials on the integrity of the vas deferens following Lichtenstein hernioplasty: an experimental model.

Background: The utilization of mesh reinforcement of the inguinal area with polypropylene mesh has increased drastically over the last decade. Infertility due to obstructive azoospermia is a rare but serious complication following inguinal hernia repair, especially in young patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different mesh structures on integrity of the vas deferens.

Different tissue reaction of oesophagus and diaphragm after mesh hiatoplasty. Results of an animal study.

Background: Laparoscopic mesh-reinforcement of the hiatal region in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and paraesophageal hernia (PEH) reduces the risk of recurrence. However, there are still controversies about the technique of mesh placement, shape, structure and material. We therefore compared tissue integration and scar formation after implantation of two different polypropylene-meshes in a rabbit model.

Mesh migration into the esophageal wall after mesh hiatoplasty: comparison of two alloplastic materials.

Background: Hiatal mesh implantation in the operative treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease has become an increasing therapy option. Besides clinical results little is known about histological changes in the esophageal wall.

Methods: Two different meshes [polypropylene (PP), Prolene; polypropylene-polyglecaprone 25 composite (PP-PG), Ultrapro] were placed on the diaphragm circular the esophagus of 20 female rabbits.

Modification of collagen formation using supplemented mesh materials.

Background: Formation of recurrent inguinal and incisional hernia shows an underlying defect in the wound healing process. Even following mesh repair an altered collagen formation and insufficient mesh integration has been found as main reason for recurrences. Therefore the development of bioactive mesh materials to achieve a local modification of the scar formation to improve patients outcome is advisable.

Is there a risk of infertility after inguinal mesh repair? Experimental studies in the pig and the rabbit.

The implantation of a non-absorbable polypropylene mesh during hernia repair causes chronic foreign body reaction involving the surrounding tissue. In case of inguinal hernia repair using mesh techniques, the spermatic cord is potentially affected by this chronic inflammatory tissue remodeling. This effect has been investigated using standardized animal models (pig and rabbit).

The influence of inguinal mesh repair on the spermatic cord: a pilot study in the rabbit.

The permanent implantation of a polypropylene mesh during inguinal hernia repair causes chronic inflammatory changes in the surrounding tissue. We investigated the effect of this foreign body reaction on the structures of the spermatic cord in the rabbit. Eight Chinchilla rabbits underwent unilateral inguinal hernia repair by the Lichtenstein technique using Marlex (n = 4) or Ultrapro (n = 4) mesh.

Postoperative peridural analgesia increases the strength of colonic contractions without impairing anastomotic healing in rats.

Background And Aims: Peridural analgesia (PDA) is a common treatment in postoperative management after abdominal surgery to shorten postoperative ileus and to permit early postoperative nutrition. There are conflicting opinions on the effect of early peristalsis on healing of colonic anastomoses.

Patients And Methods: A short segment of the distal colon was resected in 32 Wistar rats.

PVDF as a new polymer for the construction of surgical meshes.

Abdominal hernia repair is the most frequently performed operation in surgery. Mostly due to lowered recurrence rates mesh repairs in hernia surgery have become an integral component despite increasing mesh-related complications. Current available mesh prosthesis are made of polypropylene (PP).

Influence of postoperative epidural analgesia with bupivacaine on intestinal motility, transit time, and anastomotic healing.

Epidural application of bupivacaine has been suggested to have a sympatholytic effect on spinal reflex mechanisms that shortens postoperative paralysis and leads to an improved transit time. The influence on anastomitic healing remains controversial. Laparotomy was performed in eight dogs.

Comparison of adhesion reformation after laparoscopic and conventional adhesiolysis in an animal model.

This study set out to compare adhesion reformation after conventional and laparoscopic adhesiolysis using two different laparoscopic dissection techniques. In a first operation, 36 rabbits underwent fixation of 6 cm2 of the cecum with the serosa removed to the lateral abdominal wall to induce standardized adhesions. After 4 weeks, adhesiolysis was performed laparoscopically (n = 12) or via laparotomy (n = 12) using sharp and blunt dissection.