Injection drug use before and after liver transplantation: a retrospective multicenter analysis on incidence and outcome

Injecting drug use (IDU) before and after liver transplantation (LT) is poorly described. The aim of this study was to quantify relapse and survival in this population and to describe the causes of mortality after LT.

Retrospective comparison of maternal vs. HPA-matched donor platelets for treatment of fetal alloimmune thrombocytopenia

In fetal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FAIT), transplacental maternal antibodies cause destruction of fetal platelets. FAIT is similar to fetal Rhesus haemolytic disease, but half of the affected fetuses are born to primiparous women. In 10-20% of cases, prenatal and perinatal intracranial haemorrhages are reported. Different therapeutic approaches have been described, including maternally administered high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (high dose IVIG) without or with steroids or intrauterine transfusion (IUT) of compatible platelets. For the latter, the use of plasma-free maternal and donor platelets has been described, but a comparison of these two sources of platelets has not been reported.

Retrospective analysis of patients for development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis following conventional angiography using gadolinium-based contrast agents

The purpose was to retrospectively review the data of 27 patients with renal insufficiency who underwent conventional angiography with gadolinium-based contrast agents (GDBCA) as alternative contrast agents and assess the occurrence of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) together with associated potential risk factors.

Risk factors contributing to symptomatic miniplate removal: a retrospective study of 153 bilateral sagittal split osteotomy patients

Removal of miniplates is a controversial topic in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Originally, miniplates were designed to be removed on completion of bone healing. The introduction of low profile titanium miniplates has led to the routine removal of miniplates becoming comparatively rare in many parts of the world. Few studies have investigated the reasons for non-routine removal of miniplates and the factors that affect osteosynthesis after osteotomy in large numbers of patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate complications related to osteosynthesis after bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) in a large number (n=153) of patients. In addition to the rates of removal, emphasis was placed on investigating the reasons and risk factors associated with symptomatic miniplate removal. The rate of plate removal per patient was 18.6%, the corresponding rate per plate being 18.2%. Reasons for plate removal included plate-related complications in 16 patients and subjective discomfort in 13 patients. Half of the plates were removed during the first postoperative year. Smoking was the only significant predictor for plate removal. Patients undergoing orthognathic surgery should be screened with regard to smoking and encouraged and assisted to cease smoking, at least perioperatively.

[The thoracoscopic talc pleurodesis with intraoperative pleural biopsy - a retrospective analysis in patients with malignant pleural effusion]

The thoracoscopic pleurodesis with talc is an established therapy in case of malignant pleural effusion. With the instillation of talc a -localised inflammation is induced. However, some-times it turns into a severe systemic reaction. In this study of the postoperative course, the -question is examined whether a pleural biopsy is an additional risk factor for morbidity and mortality after talc pleurodesis.

A 10-year retrospective analysis of marginal bone-level changes around implants in periodontally healthy and periodontally compromised tobacco smokers

to compare the 10-year marginal bone loss rates around implants supporting single-unit crowns in tobacco smokers with and without a history of treated periodontitis.

A 10-year retrospective analysis of radiographic bone-level changes of implants supporting single-unit crowns in periodontally compromised vs. periodontally healthy patients

AIM: To compare the 10-year peri-implant bone loss (BL) rate in periodontally compromised (PCP) and periodontally healthy patients (PHP) around two different implant systems supporting single-unit crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective, controlled study, the mean BL (mBL) rate around dental implants placed in four groups of 20 non-smokers was evaluated after a follow-up of 10 years. Two groups of patients treated for periodontitis (PCP) and two groups of PHP were created. For each category (PCP and PHP), two different types of implant had been selected. The mBL was calculated by subtracting the radiographic bone levels at the time of crown cementation from the bone levels at the 10-year follow-up. RESULTS: The mean age, mean full-mouth plaque and full-mouth bleeding scores and implant location were similar between the four groups. Implant survival rates ranged between 85% and 95%, without statistically significant differences (P>0.05) between groups. For both implant systems, PCP showed statistically significantly higher mBL rates and number of sites with BL> or =3 mm compared with PHP (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: After 10 years, implants in PCP yielded lower survival rates and higher mean marginal BL rates compared with those of implants placed in PHP. These results were independent of the implant system used or the healing modality applied.

Permanent teeth with horizontal root fractures after dental trauma. A retrospective study

The purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the post-traumatic healing of the pulp and periodontium of 32 permanent teeth with horizontal root fractures. Twenty-nine patients, 8-48 years old, who presented at our department with a root fracture between January 2001 and April 2007, participated in the study. Root-fractured teeth with a loosened or dislocated coronal fragment were repositioned and splinted for 14-49 days (average: 34 days). In cases of severe dislocation of the coronal fragment, prophylactic endodontic treatment was performed. Follow-up examinations were conducted routinely after 1,2,3,6, and 12 months. For this study, follow-up took place for up to 7 years post trauma. Of 32 root-fractured teeth, 29 (91%) survived. 10 teeth (31%) exhibited pulpal healing; 13 teeth (41%) were prophylactically endodontically treated within 2 weeks of injury. At the fracture line, interposition of calcified tissue was evident in 6 teeth (19%), and interposition of granulation tissue was observed in 8 teeth (25%). The prognosis of the root-fractured teeth was good, and one-third of the teeth with root fractures possessed a vital pulp at the final examination.

The association between body-mass index and patient outcome in septic shock: a retrospective cohort study

It is unknown whether body-mass index (BMI) and commonly defined BMI categories are associated with mortality in patients with septic shock.

Potential influence of the anesthetic technique used during open radical prostatectomy on prostate cancer-related outcome: a retrospective study

Recently published studies suggest that the anesthetic technique used during oncologic surgery affects cancer recurrence. To evaluate the effect of anesthetic technique on disease progression and long-term survival, we compared patients receiving general anesthesia plus intraoperative and postoperative thoracic epidural analgesia with patients receiving general anesthesia alone undergoing open retropubic radical prostatectomy with extended pelvic lymph node dissection.

Trauma mechanisms, patterns of injury, and outcomes in a retrospective study of 71 burns from civil gas explosions

Although explosion injuries caused by terror attacks or in war are evaluated in many studies, limited information about civil explosion injuries can be found in the literature.

Primary tumors of the submandibular glands: a retrospective study based on 41 cases

We report our experience on the diagnostic approach, treatment, and follow-up of primary submandibular gland tumors. Retrospective review. Tertiary referral center. Forty-one adult patients, 22 male and 19 female, with primary submandibular gland tumors, 20 benign and 21 malignant. Age, gender, clinical findings, cyto- and histopathology, treatment and outcome were analyzed. Most tumors presented as a painless submandibular mass. Thirty three patients underwent a fine needle aspiration, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of which--in detecting malignant tumors--were 79%, 100% and 88%, respectively. Preoperative radiological imaging was performed in 30 cases. Patients with benign tumors were treated with surgery. Most malignant tumors were treated with a combined modality, including neck dissection and radiation therapy. Five patients developed a postoperative complication. Recurrent disease was encountered in 5 malignant tumors. The 2, 5 and 10 year disease-specific survival of patients with malignancy were 84%, 75% and 41%, respectively. The preoperative assessment of the nature of submandibular gland tumors remains challenging. Aggressive treatment of patients with malignant disease may help to avoid poor prognosis.

Efficacy of silver-bearing external ventricular drainage catheters: a retrospective analysis

Catheter-related infection of CSF is a potentially life-threatening complication of external ventricular drainage (EVD). When using EVD catheters, contact between the ventricular system and skin surface occurs and CSF infection is possible. The aim of this analysis was to compare the efficacy of silver-bearing EVD catheters for reducing the incidence of infection with standard nonimpregnated EVD catheters in neurosurgical patients with acute hydrocephalus.

On the way to light the dark: a retrospective inquiry into the registered cases of domestic violence towards women over a six year period with a semi-quantitative analysis of the corresponding forensic documentation

Domestic violence victims are increasingly identified at emergency departments (ED). Studies report a prevalence of 6-30%; women are more frequently affected and to a more serious extent than men. Studies have shown that without screening domestic violence victims are often not recognised. The primary aim of the study is to collect data descriptive of domestic violence victims and to show whether medical documentation meets the requirements of forensic medicine.