Relevance of Colonic Gas Analysis and Transit Study in Patients With Chronic Constipation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colon transit time (CTT) is a useful diagnostic tool in chronic constipation, but requires good patient compliance. We analyzed the correlation between the gas volume score (GVS) and CTT in patients with chronic constipation. METHODS: The study included 145 consecutive patients (65 men) with chronic constipation. The primary outcome was the correlation between the colon GVS and CTT. Secondary outcomes were the differences in colon GVS according to CTT and subtypes of chronic constipation. RESULTS: There were 81 patients with "CTT or = 45 hours." In addition, 88 patients were classified as having functional constipation and 57 were classified as having constipation predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). There was no significant correlation between CTT and colon GVS. However, the right colon GVS showed a positive correlation with right CTT (r = 0.255, P = 0.007). The median total colon GVS was significantly higher in patients with "CTT > or = 45 hours" than in those with "CTT < 45 hours" (5.65% vs 4.15%, P = 0.010). There were no significant differences in colon GVS between the functional constipation and IBS-C. CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to detect a correlation between GVS and CTT in patients with chronic constipation. However, total colon GVS may be a method of predicting slow transit in patients with chronic constipation.

The Changes in Anterior Chamber Depth and Refractive Error Associated with Diverse Intraocular Lenses

PURPOSE: The changes in anterior chamber depth (ACD) and refractive error in pseudophakia with 6 types of intraocular lenses (IOLs) after cataract surgery were compared in the present study. METHODS: The medical records of 108 eyes (73 patients) who underwent cataract surgery with 6 types of IOLs, 5 types of single-piece IOLs and 1 type of 3-piece IOLs between March 2007 and April 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. ACD and refractive error were measured preoperatively, and at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively and the data were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: In the case of the SN60WF lens, the ACD was significantly shallow as compared to other IOLs at each follow-up period and refractive error was significantly myopic at 3 months postoperatively. In the case of SN60WF and ZA9003 lenses, the ACD was significantly changed at 3 months postoperatively from 1 day postoperatively. In the case of the MI60 lens, refractive error was slightly hyperopic, but not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: There was difference in ACD changes after cataract surgery associated with various IOLs, which affected the postoperative refractive errors.

Long Term Clinical Results of Penetrating Keratoplasty for Macular Corneal Dystrophy

PURPOSE: To report the long term clinical results of penetrating keratoplasty as a treatment for corneal macular dystrophy. METHODS: Retrospective review of the medical record of 46 eyes (31 indivisuals) who underwent primary PK for corneal macular dystrophy at the Seoul St. Mary's Hospital between November, 1986 and December, 2011. Data extracted preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), postoperative complications (including graft rejection episodes, and recurrent dystrophy), change of endothelial cell density at 1, 6, 12, 24, 36 months and yearly thereafter. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up period of 91.59 +/- 3.2 months, the mean BCVA was significantly improved after penetrating keratoplasty. Endothelial cell loss rate was marked during the 1st year after penetrating keratoplasty. Graft survival was 40 graft (89.7%) at 8yrs. There was a statistically significant increased likelihood of graft failure if the patient was older than 40 years at the time of surgery (p = 0.03). Glaucoma as postoperative complication was 17.4%. Clinically significant recurrence was 2%. CONCLUSIONS: Penetrating keratoplasty is associated with a good visual outcome and prognosis for graft survival of long-term efficacy with a low complication rate in eyes with macular corneal dystrophy.