ABSTRACT
In this study, efficacy of two hernia mesh implants viz. conventional Prolene and a novel Prolene-Vicryl composite mesh was assessed for experimental ventral hernia repair in dogs. Twelve healthy mongrel dogs were selected and randomly divided into three groups, A, Band C [n=4]. In all groups, an experimental laparotomy was performed; thereafter, the posterior rectus sheath and peritoneum were sutured together, while, a 5 × 5 cm defect was created in the rectus muscle belly and anterior rectus sheath. For sublay hernioplasty, the hernia mesh [Prolene: group A; Prolene-Vicryl composite mesh: group B], was implanted over the posterior rectus sheath. In group C [control], mesh was not implanted; instead the laparotomy incision was closed after a herniorrhaphy. Postoperative pain, mesh shrinkage and adhesion formation were assessed as short term complications. Post-operatively, pain at surgical site was significantly less [P<0.001] in group B [composite mesh]; mesh shrinkage was also significantly less in group B [21.42%, P<0.05] than in group A [Prolene mesh shrinkage: 58.18%]. Group B [composite mesh] also depicted less than 25% adhesions [Mean +/- SE: 0.75 +/- 0.50 scores, P
ABSTRACT
The objective of the present study was to compare longitudinally the simplified dental examination involving the use of a wooden spatula and a tooth pick with the conventional dental mirror and probe examination for the detection of cavitated carious lesions, dental plaque [with and without gingival bleeding] and calculus. This was a quasi-experimental study that involved 632 children having a mean age of 10 4 years at the start of the study and studying in eight different secondary schools of Karachi, Pakistan The children were subjected to two types of dental examination on three occasions with intervals of six and twelve months in between to detect cavitated carious lesions, dental plaque [with and without gingival bleeding] and calculus. All examinations were conducted by a single examiner who was trained and calibrated for both types of examination. One type of examination involved the use of a wooden spatula and a toothpick [TS examination] while the other type was carried out using the plain mouth mirror and CPI [Community Periodontal Index] probe [MP Examination]. All examinations were performed under identical conditions using natural light Teeth' and 'sextants of oral cavity' were considered as the units of measurement for data analysis. The WHO recommended criteria for decayed, missing and filled teeth were followed for caries detection. A dichotomous scale was used for plaque [with and without gingival bleeding] and calculus with 'present' or 'absent categories. The sensitivity of TS examination for detecting cavitated carious lesions in three examinations ranged from 88.35% to 90.86%; and for Plaque [with and without bleeding] and calculus from 92-99%, the lowest value being for 'calculus' and the highest for 'plaq 1 ue with bleeding' The specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were between 98-99% for both caries and the three components of oral hygiene status, The TS examination can provide a desirable substitute to conventional MP examination in order to undertake regular dental check-ups of school children including detection of cavitated various lesions and assessment of oral hygiene status