Portable Ophthalmic Device for Remote Slit-Lamp Examinations and Visual Acuity Screening

A multi-functional self-examination ophthalmic device for remote eye examinations has been studied in this paper. The device integrates two standard ophthalmic examinations: slit-lamp and visual acuity. Testing of the device has been performed in a preliminary clinical study. The results show good and comparable images to those of conventional instruments routinely used in ophthalmic clinics. The device can be used in a myriad of remote settings including home monitoring.

Suspension sutures facilitate single-incision laparoscopic-assisted rectal pull-through for Hirschsprung disease

Background To present a surgical technique of single-incision laparoscopic-assisted endorectal pull-through (SILEP) with suspension sutures using conventional instruments for Hirschsprung disease (HD) and its long-term follow-up outcomes. Methods The procedure began with a 1 cm transumbilical skin incision. Three separate punctures were made in the fascia with a 5 mm scope in the middle and 5 mm and 3 mm ports for working instruments on the left and right, respectively. The first suspension suture was placed to secure the sigmoid colon to the abdominal wall. A window was created through the rectal mesentery, and dissection around the rectum was carried out. The second suspension suture was performed to suspend the rectovesical peritoneal fold or the rectovaginal peritoneal fold to the abdominal wall. Dissection around the rectum was continued downward to approximately 1 cm below the peritoneal fold. Then, the operation was completed by a transanal approach. Results Forty patients underwent SILEP from March 2013 to April 2015. The median age was 2.7 months (ranging from 1 to 17 months). The mean operative time was 96 ± 23 min. No conversion to an open operation was required. The average hospitalization time was 4.5 ± 2 days. There were no intraoperative or perioperative complications. Long-term follow-up results were obtained from 38 patients. A frequency of defecation from every other day to twice a day was noted for 33 patients (86.8%) and more often for 5 patients (13.2%). Two patients had enterocolitis (5.2%). Conclusion Single-incision laparoscopic rectal pull-through with suspension sutures using conventional instruments is feasible and safe for HD with good long-term outcomes.

Usefulness of an accelerometer-based navigation system in bilateral one-stage total knee arthroplasty

Background Bilateral one-stage total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) have increased because it provides a number of advantages. Recently, Accelerometer-based navigation (ABN) system which guide the cutting plane without intramedullary disturbance might result in less endothelial and microvascular damage. Therefore, we hypothesized that the ABN may reduce blood loss, reduce postoperative pain, and better restore BTKA alignment compared to conventional instruments. Methods We retrospectively compared 44 consecutive patients receiving ABN assisted BTKA (iBTKA) to 57 patients with conventional instruments (cBTKA). Identical pre- and post-operative care was utilized to all patients. The outcome measures assessed were hemoglobin (Hb), calculated blood loss (CBL), blood transfusion, VAS score for pain, morphine consumption, knee flexion angle, and length of stay (LOS). Radiographic assessment included mechanical axis (MA) and component positioning at 3–6 months of follow up. Results Both iBTKA and cTKA groups had equivalent demographic data. Postoperative Hb of the cBTKA group was significantly lower than those in the iBTKA group at 24 h (p = 0.02), but there was no significant difference in drain volume, CBL, and blood transfusion rate. For radiographic measures, the iBTKA group had more accurate MA and component orientation, and had a lower number of outliers than those in the cBTKA group (p ≤ 0.01), except for the sagittal femoral component angle. Conclusion The ABN assisted BTKA could not reduce blood loss or postoperative pain more than cBTKA, nor improve functional recovery. However, the ABN significantly improved the accuracy of MA and prostheses positioning. Trial registration The protocol of this study was registered in the Thai Clinical Trials Registry database No. TCTR20180731001# on 25 July 2018.

Suspension Sutures Facilitate Single Incision Laparoscopic-Assisted Rectal Pull-Through for Hirschsprung Disease

BackgroundTo present the surgical technique and long-term follow-up outcomes of single incision laparoscopic-assisted endorectal pull-through (SILEP) with suspension sutures using conventional instruments for Hirschsprung disease. MethodsThe procedure began with a 1cm transumbilical skin incision. Three separate punctures were made onto the fascia for a 5mm scope in the middle, a 5mm and 3mm ports for working instruments on the left and right, respectively. The first suspension suture was performed to secure the sigmoid colon to the abdominal wall. A window was created through the rectal mesentery, and dissection around the rectum was carried out. The second suspension suture was performed to suspense the rectovesical peritoneal fold or the rectovaginal peritoneal fold to the abdominal wall. Dissection around the rectum was continued downward to approximately 1cm below the peritoneal fold. The operation was completed by a transanal approach. Results40 patients underwent SILEP from March 2013 to April 2015. The median age was 2.7 months (ranged from 14 days to17 months). The mean operative time was 94.7 ± 20 minutes. No conversion to open operation was required. Mean hospital stay was 4.1±1.3 days. There were no intraoperative or perioperative complications. Long term follow-up results were obtained in 38 patients. The number of defecation from 1-2 times per day was noted in 36 patients (94.7%) and from 3-4 times per day in 2 patients (5.2%). Two patients had enterocolitis (5.2%).ConclusionSingle site laparoscopic rectal pull-through with suspension sutures using conventional instruments is feasible and safe for Hirschsprung disease with good long-term outcomes.

Influence of Different Coronal Preflaring Protocols on Electronic Foramen Locators Precision

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different coronal preflaring protocols (absent, conservative and conventional) on the accuracy of Root ZX II, Raypex 6, and RomiApex A-15 electronic foramen locators (EFLs). Twenty mandibular molars with Vertucci’s type IV mesial roots were subjected to endodontic exploration and foraminal patency confirmation. Under 16x magnification, its real lengths (RL) were measured and registered (RL1). The canals were then irrigated with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and electronically measured (EM1) employing the alginate model; all measurements were performed in triplicate by a blind operator using adjusted endodontic hand-files introduced until the apex foramen. Coronal preflaring procedures were sequentially performed with #25/.06 (conservative) and #25/.12 (conventional) instruments; new RLs extents were performed after each coronal preparation protocol (RL2/RL3), as same as electronic measurements (EM2/EM3). The devices error (mm) was evaluated considering the difference between RLs and EMs at each preparation stage; their precision was stablished adopting ±0.5 mm as tolerance margin. The EFLs error significantly reduced after conventional coronal preflaring protocol (p<0.05), which not occur after the conservative one. The best precisions values were noted after conventional preparation as 90% (Root ZX II), 97.5% (Raypex 6), and 92.5% (RomiApex A-15). No significant differences were found in EFLs comparisons, regardless of the coronal protocol tested (p>0.05). Under the conditions tested it can be concluded that the EFLs evaluated were precise. Moreover, the preflaring protocols influences its accuracy’s, where the less conservative one produced the best results.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with two mini incisions: an innovative, feasible and safe technique with superior cosmetic outcomes

The conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) is usually performed with four incisions in a simple and safe way. Minimally invasive surgery for gallbladder disease with advantages of less pain and smaller scars, has become increasingly popular in patients. This study aimed to describe our experience in performing a new technique of two-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TILC) with conventional instruments and make a comparison with CLC. In this study, forty-three prospective patients undergoing TILC and another forty-three historical cases operated by CLC were involved. The patients were examined in respect of operative time, postoperative pain, cosmesis and complications. We found that there was no significant difference in the gender, age, body mass index, bile duct damage, blood loss and days of postoperative hospital stay between TILC and CLC. The mean operation time in TILC was longer than that in CLC, but not statistically different. Significantly lower postoperative pain scores were reported in the TILC group than those in the CLC one (p = 0.019). The mean cosmetic satisfaction score was significantly higher in TILC group than that in CLC group (p < 0.05). These results confirm that TILC is a safe and feasible technique with less postoperative pain and a significant improvement in cosmesis for patients, only by using conventional instruments. It may be a good alternative to CLC in the future.