Detailed three-dimensional orthodontic tooth repositioning to improve restorative outcome:

ABSTRACT The case describes the interdisciplinary treatment of a 23-year-old woman with a Class III malocclusion, missing an upper right lateral incisor, abrasion of the maxillary incisal edges, anterior gingival margin discrepancies, and gingival recession. Initially, the patient was treated with fixed appliances combined with orthognathic surgery. The extraction of the upper left lateral incisor and bilateral canine substitution plan was chosen. At the end of the surgical and orthodontic treatment, the restorative treatment with six veneers was accomplished to improve smile esthetics. Despite the missing lateral incisors, the patient showed a natural, good-looking final result. A symmetric incisal plane was established, a functional occlusion with average vertical and horizontal overlap was set, and the bone scallop and consequently the gingival margins were leveled. The interdisciplinary approach hid all of the initial esthetic defects of the case. The result highlights how to obtain a remarkable improvement of the smile outcome with a well-functioning masticatory system.

Analysis of the CONKO-001 trial: Is the validity of the study sufficient to recommend adjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer?

BACKGROUND: Since randomized controlled trials have indicated that adjuvant chemotherapy prolongs survival and reduces recurrence rates after surgical resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, a gemcitabine based chemotherapy has become part of the interdisciplinary treatment concept for pancreatic cancer in accordance to current guidelines. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this project was to analyse the validity of the CONKO −001 trial as a basis for the recommendation of adjuvant chemotherapy in many international guidelines. METHODS: We analysed the validity of the CONKO - 001 trial regarding study design, recruitment period, participating institutions, patient selection, randomisation, stratification, standardization of surgical treatment and histological examination, statistical methods and interpretation of results. We additionally analysed the study regarding the risk of bias using the RoB 2 Tool. Finally we reviewed the influence of the pharmaceutical industry and potential conflicts of interest. RESULTS: We identified several shortcomings of the study concerning the study protocol, the participating clinics, the patient recruitment, the randomization pattern, the standardization of surgical treatment and histological examination, the statistical methods, the evaluation of the results and the influence of the pharmaceutical industry. According to the Cochrane RoB 2 Tool the study was judged to raise some concerns in three of the five risk domains for the outcome “overall survival”. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our review, the results of the CONKO-001-study should be revisited and critically reviewed. The recommendation to include adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine deserves a critical appraisal.

Current epidemiological trends and in-hospital mortality of acute pancreatitis in Germany: a systematic analysis of standardized hospital discharge data between 2008 and 2017

Background Acute pancreatitis (AP) represents a common gastrointestinal disorder. Complicated disease courses in particular still represent a major clinical challenge and are associated with high mortality. Evaluation of existing data sets and their careful interpretation can support a rational discussion to optimize outcomes of this common gastrointestinal disease. Methods We used standardized hospital discharge data provided by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany to evaluate hospital mortality and current developments of AP in Germany between 2008 and 2017. Results In this analysis, 516,618 hospitalized AP cases were included. Main disease etiologies featured biliary (29.9%) and alcoholic (22.7%) AP. The annual frequency of AP increased from 48,858 (2008) to 52,611 (2017), mainly due to a rising incidence of biliary AP. Average hospital mortality was 2.85% and significantly improved over time. While uncomplicated AP had low hospital mortality (1.38%), the presence of organ complications was associated with a mortality of 12.34%. The necessity of mechanical ventilation dramatically increased hospital mortality to 44.06%. Hospital mortality was significantly higher in female patients (3.31%) than males (2.55%) and showed a stepwise increase with patient age. We further identified type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity as factors associated with increased hospital mortality. Hospital mortality was lowest among patients treated at departments specializing in gastroenterology. Finally, high case volume centers (defined as >98 annual AP cases) had the lowest hospital mortality for patients with complicated courses of AP. Conclusion With over 50,000 annual hospitalization cases, AP is one of the most important inpatient treatment indications in gastroenterology in Germany. Overall, AP mortality has improved in recent years, presumably due to improved interdisciplinary treatment concepts. In this study, we identified important clinical and epidemiological risk factors for an unfavorable course, which could help to improve risk prediction and triaging, and thus the management of AP.

Factors That Influence Adherence to Medication in Adults With Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD)

Objective: Innovative operative and interventional procedures have improved survival in congenital heart disease (CHD), and today more than 90% of these children reach adulthood. Consequently, adherence and psychosocial issues are becoming increasingly important because non-adherence to treatment recommendations worsens morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify factors modifying adherence to medication in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD).Methods: This cross-sectional study included 451 outpatients (female 47.9%, average age ± SD: 37.9 ± 12 years) from the ACHD department, who completed a questionnaire assessing medication non-adherence and individual barriers to treatment. Further assessments included psychological well-being (Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale; HADS), childhood traumatization, sociodemographic, and clinical data. Binary logistic regression analysis calculated the impact of these factors on drug adherence.Results: Of the 451 patients 162 participants (35.9%) reported to be non-adherent. In univariate analysis non-adherence to treatment was associated with smoking (P = < 0.001) and internet addiction (P = 0.005). Further factors negatively influencing adherence were the presence of depressive symptoms (P = 0.002), anxiety (P = 0.004), and childhood traumatization (p = 0.002). Factors positively associated with adherence were older age (P = 0.003) and more advanced heart disease as indicated by NYHA class (P = 0.01), elevated NT-proBNP (P = 0.02), device therapy (P = 0.002) and intermittent arrhythmias (P = 0.01). In multivariate analysis especially psychopathological factors such as depression (P = 0.009), anxiety (P = 0.032) and childhood traumatization (P = 0.006) predicted non-adherence.Conclusion: Adherence is a critical issue in the long-term management of ACHD. Identifying modifiable factors that worsen adherence offers the opportunity for targeted interventions. Depressive symptoms, anxiety, and adverse childhood experiences are amenable to psychosocial interventions, as well as cigarette smoking. Our study suggests that a multimodal and interdisciplinary treatment concept for the long-term management of adults with congenital heart disease could be beneficial. Whether it will further improve morbidity and mortality, should be assessed in prospective interventions.

An Approach to Interdisciplinary Orthodontics

Patient seeking orthodontic treatment in the present era comprises of both children and adults, thereby increasing the importance of multidisciplinary approach in orthodontics immensely. The interdisciplinary approach requires active involvement of various specialists like Prosthodontist, Oral and maxillofacial Surgeon, ENT surgeon, Paediatrician, Pedodontist, Endodontist, Periodontist, Audiologist, Physiotherapist etc. A combined interdisciplinary treatment approach will yield a result best suited for the patient as well as clinicians. Orthodontist in such Interdisciplinary treatment approach can play a primary or secondary role. So, the purpose of this article is to briefly summarize interdisciplinary approach for the management of dentofacial problems. Keywords: Interdisciplinary Orthodontics, Orthodontist, multidisciplinary approach in orthodontics

Ethical Considerations in Psychological Consultation to Critical Care Settings

This chapter discusses the ethical and professional standards affecting psychologists who provide consultation as members of interdisciplinary treatment teams in critical care and intensive care settings. The authors describe the unique characteristics of critical and intensive care units and how they contribute to complex life and death decisions, which in turn can result in unique moral, ethical, and clinical psychological dilemmas. In particular, this chapter focuses on the ethical quandaries that are commonly faced by psychologists in these highly specialized medical settings, and provides a mechanism for resolving ethical conflicts when they occur. Case examples are provided, each of which illustrate one of the ten ethical standards listed in the American Psychological Association’s code of ethics. Lastly, a model for maintaining ethical situational awareness in psychological consultations in critical care settings is proposed to serve as a guide for psychologists as they navigate and ultimately resolve challenging ethical dilemmas.

Management of Ruptured Arteriovenous Malformation During Pregnancy- Case Report.

Background: Over the years care of pregnant woman has improved all over the world. However, still a significant percentage of the causes of pregnant mortality are subarachnoid haemorrhages due to rupture of arteriovenous malformation (AVM). According to available data, the percentage is as high as 5-12%. Neurosurgical operations in pregnant women require the cooperation of doctors of many specializations and are associated with close supervision of the patient due to the increased risk of complications. There are no guidelines regarding brain hemorrhages in pregnancy. This is the reason why case reports in this field are valuable as source of medical knowledge.Case presentation: A 28-year-old patient was admitted in a severe condition, GCS: 3, to the ICU due to massive intracerebral bleeding with a puncture into the ventricular system from the AVM in left frontal lobe. The family informed about the possibility of patient’s pregnancy, TVUS was performed and the sixth week fetus was visualized in the uterus. After gynaecological and neurosurgical consultation the successful surgery was made.The patient was hospitalized for 5 months at the ICU. The stay was complicated by pneumonia and an urinary tract infection that were successfully cured. The patient was under supervision of gynaecologists, the pregnancy was developing properly, tests were carried out as recommended. The patient underwent psychotherapy, rehabilitation and music therapy.At 35th week of gestation elective caesarean section was performed. A female infant of 2400 g was born, on the Apgar scale in 1st, 3rd, 5th minutes, 6,10,10 points respectively. Labour was complicated by mothers seizures and respiratory distress. After three days the patient's condition improved. Currently patient is rehabilitated as an outpatient.Conclusions: The above case emphasizes the need for cooperation between many specialties, physiotherapists and midwives, which enabled effective therapy of a pregnant woman and saving her life in such a critical situation. In addition interdisciplinary treatment ended positively for both mother and child.