The effect of alternative methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation - Cough CPR, percussion pacing or precordial thump - on outcomes following cardiac arrest. A systematic review.

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves cardiac arrest survival. Cough CPR, percussion pacing and precordial thump have been reported as alternative CPR techniques. We aimed to summarise in a systematic review the effectiveness of these alternative CPR techniques.

Reconstruction for Complex Oromandibular Facial Defects: The Fibula Free Flap and Pectoralis Major Flap Combination.

Background: Extensive through-and-through oromandibular defects after advanced oral carcinoma excision pose a reconstructive challenge for the head and neck surgeon. These complex oromandibular wounds often involve the mandible, oral and/or aerodigestive mucosa, and the external skin. As a result, these defects are often not amenable to reconstruction with a single flap due to the volume of soft tissue needed and the three-dimensional reconstructive requirement.

Next generation covered stents made from nanocomposite materials: A complete assessment of uniformity, integrity and biomechanical properties.

Covered stents are stents wrapped with a thin polymeric membrane, and are typically used to treat vessel aneurysms and seal perforated arteries. Current covered stents suffer from restenosis due to limitations in material and fabrication methods which leaves metallic struts directly exposed to blood. We have developed a biocompatible and haemocompatible nanocomposite polymer, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly(carbonate-urea) urethane (POSS-PCU).

Arterial tissue regeneration for pediatric applications: inspiration from up-to-date tissue-engineered vascular bypass grafts.

The need for a valid replacement for autologous tissues in vascular surgery has led to the development of tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs). Currently, only three kinds of TEVG have been used in clinical trials: synthetic scaffold-based TEVGs, self-assembled grafts, and decellularized exogenous tissues. This review presents the current options in the construction of TEVG and the changes that have occurred in the design following the clinical experience while focusing on the potential for pediatric applications.