[Effect of autologous platelet concentrates on the anatomical and functional outcome of late stage macular hole surgery: A retrospective analysis].

Background: The macular hole (MH) is a disorder of the visual center of the retina in humans. An untreated MH leads to loss of central visual acuity and reading ability. Surgery for early-stage macular holes has been very successful for many years and leads to very good anatomical and functional results.

Donor vigilance data of a blood transfusion service: A multicenter analysis.

Background: Donor vigilance is an important part of the quality management system of blood transfusion services. The evaluation of donor side effects helps to improve the donation process and donor compliance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate donor vigilance data in whole blood and plasmapheresis donors of a blood donor service.

[Acoustic-mechanical trauma during cochleostomy: animal experimental studies].

Introduction: When performing cochlear implant (CI) surgery in ears with residual hearing, cochlear function should be preserved as far as possible. Besides non-traumatic electrode insertion the acoustic-mechanical trauma of the cochleostomy should be minimized. According to experiences from temporal bone preparations the hypothesis that thorough exposition of the endosteal membrane with the drill prior to opening the cochlea might constitute a bigger acoustic mechanical trauma than direct drilling of the inner ear was examined.

How reliable is visual assessment of the electrically elicited stapedius reflex threshold during cochlear implant surgery, compared with tympanometry?

Objectives: To assess the reliability of visually assessed thresholds of the electrically elicited stapedius reflex, recorded during cochlear implant surgery, compared with intra-operative tympanometric threshold assessment. Intra-operatively recorded electrically elicited stapedius reflex thresholds vary considerably, and differ from those measured post-operatively by means of impedance changes (i.e.

Pressure changes in the human middle ear without opening the eustachian tube.

Conclusion: By means of a direct, though non-invasive experiment on healthy humans we could demonstrate that middle ear (ME) pressure decreases when the eustachian tube (ET) does not open. Thus with a very simple method the basic theory of continuous gas loss from the ME into the circulation and the replenishment of the loss through the ET could be validated.

Objectives: To record changes in ME pressure over a period of time in normal human ears, while the ET is kept closed.