The outcomes of superior cavopulmonary connection operation: a single center experience

Abstract Introduction: The superior cavopulmonary connection operation is one of the stages of the palliative surgical management for patients with functionally single ventricle. After surviving this stage, the patients are potential candidates for the final palliative procedure: the Fontan operation. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the outcomes of superior cavopulmonary connection operations in our center and to identify factors affecting the survival and the progression to Fontan stage. Methods: The outcomes of 161 patients were retrospectively analyzed after undergoing superior cavopulmonary connection operation in our center between 2005 and 2015. Results: The early mortality rate was 2.5%. Five (3.1%) patients underwent takedown of the superior cavopulmonary connection. The rate of exclusion from the Fontan stage was 8.3%. Statistical analysis revealed that elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure preoperatively and the prior palliation with pulmonary artery banding were risk factors for both early mortality and takedown; however, the age, the morphology of the single ventricle and the type of operation were not considered risk factors. Conclusion: The superior cavopulmonary connection operation can be performed with low rate mortality and morbidity; however, the elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure preoperatively and the prior pulmonary artery banding are associated with poor outcomes.

Effect of nano titanium dioxide on self-cleaning and antibacterial properties of dental mirrors

Objective: Surface coating of dental mirrors using nanotechnology has been done to render them self-cleaning properties. Nano-scaled titanium dioxide particles [Ti02]show antimicrobial properties when exposed to ultra-violet [UV] light. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of surface coating of dental mirrors with nano titanium dioxide on their self-cleaning (from dentists' perspective] and antibacterial properties against Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus

Methods: In this laboratory study, nano structured titanium dioxide films were used for surface coating of half the understudy dental mirrors using sol-gel dip coating technique. To assess the self- cleaning property, 45 conventional and 45 nano Ti02 coated mirrors were coded. The two types of dental mirrors were compared by dentists during cavity preparation with a high speed hand piece and the related questionnaire was filled out. The opinions of 9 clinicians each comparing the dental mirrors on 5 patients were collected. For antimicrobial testing, a 0.5 Mcfarland standard of microbial suspension and 100 times dilution of the solution were prepared of the two understudy microorganisms; 50 ?l drop of each dilute was transferred to the center of each dental mirror in the two groups. Dental mirrors were exposed to UV light for 30, 60, 90 and 120 min [3 mirrors in each group for each time period] and then immersed in 5ml of distilled water. Next, 50?l of the mentioned solution was cultured on blood agar culture medium. Number of colonies was counted after 24h. T- test with a significance level of 0.01 was used for microbial evaluation. Normal distribution tests [NPAR tests] were used for the assessment of improved vision and Friedman test was applied for comparison of the two groups

Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of antibacterial properties against S. mutans and S. aureus [P>0.05]. No significant difference existed between the two types of mirrors in terms of clinical vision improvement from the dentists' perspectives [P>0.05]

Conclusion: Nano Ti02 coated mirrors did not have any superiority over the conventional types in terms of self-cleaning or antimicrobial properties