[Surgical treatment for lymphoedema].

Lymphoedema is a frequent condition after surgical treatment for breast cancer. Lymphoedema causes great discomfort for the patients and is primarily treated conservatively with compression garments and physical therapy. Recently, surgical interventions have gained popularity in the form of lympho-lymphatic anastomoses, lympho-venous anastomoses and autologous lymph node transplantation, either as stand-alone treatment or in combination with secondary breast reconstruction.

Sternal instability measured with radiostereometric analysis. A study of method feasibility, accuracy and precision.

Background: A small, but unstable, saw-gap may hinder bone-bridging and induce development of painful sternal dehiscence. We propose the use of Radiostereometric Analysis (RSA) for evaluation of sternal instability and present a method validation.

Methods: Four bone analogs (phantoms) were sternotomized and tantalum beads were inserted in each half.

The effect of haemostatic devices on bone healing 6 months postoperatively in sternotomized pigs.

Objectives: Bone wax is frequently used to diminish bleeding after sternotomy. Water-soluble polymer wax has been shown to diminish postoperative bleeding and, unlike traditional bone wax, to be absorbed and removed by the organism in an unchanged state. We have previously shown that bone wax impairs early bone healing after sternotomy, whereas polymer wax does not.

The influence of hemostatic agents on bone healing after sternotomy in a porcine model.

Background: Sternotomy is the preferred access to the mediastinum. During sternotomy, trabecular bone is exposed, often resulting in bleeding, which can be treated with mechanical hemostatic agents; however, their influence on the healing process is relatively unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of two hemostatic agents: bone wax (BW) and a water-soluble polymer wax, Ostene (WSW), on the mechanical and histologic characteristics of healing sternal bone.

Effect of hemostatic material on sternal healing after cardiac surgery.

Background: Postoperative sternal infection and dehiscence cause increased morbidity, mortality, and socioeconomic costs as well as patient discomfort and pain. Some predisposing factors have been uncovered but others remain uninvestigated. Among these are the influence of topical hemostatic agents such as bone wax (BW) and Ostene (Ceremed Inc, Los Angeles, CA) a new, water-soluble polymer wax (WSW).

Gentamicin-enriched, water-soluble polymer wax reduces the burden of infection after sternotomy in pigs.

Objectives: One of the most frequent complications in cardiac surgery is postoperative bleeding from the sternum. To diminish the risk of bleeding, bone wax is frequently used for haemostasis. However, we have previously shown that bone wax impairs bone healing and induces inflammation in the sternum.

Bone healing after median sternotomy: a comparison of two hemostatic devices.

Background: Bone wax is traditionally used as part of surgical procedures to prevent bleeding from exposed spongy bone. It is an effective hemostatic device which creates a physical barrier. Unfortunately it interferes with subsequent bone healing and increases the risk of infection in experimental studies.