Dacriocistorrinostoma externa. Nuestros resultados / External dacryocystorhinostomy. Our results

Objetivo. Evaluar la eficacia del tratamiento de la obstrucción del conducto nasolagrimal adquirida, por dacriocistorrinostomía (DCR) externa en el Servicio de Oftalmología del CHUC-HG. Material y Métodos. Se evaluaron retrospectivamente 58 DCR externas realizadas a 52 pacientes. Se estudiaron seis variables: edad, sexo, manifestaciones y síntomas iniciales (lagrimeo, secreciones, dacriocistitis); história oftalmológica (trauma lagrimal), complicaciones intra y post-operatorias (sangrado, infección, dehiscencia de sutura); re-intervención/ fracasode la primera cirugía; tratando de relacionarlos con los resultados quirúrgicos obtenidos: éxito o fracaso. Resultados. La edad media de los pacientes fue de 59 años, con un predominio del sexo femenino (75,00%). La queja más frecuente fue la epífora (94,83%). Las complicaciones intra y post-operatorias ocurrieron en 8,62% de los pacientes. En 4,26% de los pacientes fue necesaria una segunda intervención. Conclusión. La tasa de éxito de la DCR externa fue 93,62%. Consideramos esta técnica una buena opción para la corrección de las obstrucción del conducto nasolagrimal adquirida debido a la baja tasa de complicaciones y fracaso quirúrgico (AU)

Objective. Evaluate the efficacy of treatment of the nasolacrimal acquired obstructions, with external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in the CHUC-HG Ophthalmology Service. Material and Methods. A retrospective study was made with 58 external DCR’s performed to 52 patients. Six variables were studied: age, sex, initial signs and symptoms (epiphora, secretions, dacryocystitis); past ophthalmic history (lacrimal trauma), intraoperative and postoperative complications (bleeding, infection, suture dehiscence); reoperations; trying to relate them with the surgery results: success or unsuccess. Results. The mean age of patients was 59 years old, with female predominance (75.00%). The most frequent complaint was epiphora (94.83%). The intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred in 8.62% of patients. In 4.26% of patients operated, a reintervention was necessary. Conclusion. The success rate with external DCR was 93.62%. We considered that this technique is a good option for the correction of the nasolacrimal acquired obstructions due to low rates of complications and surgical unsuccess (AU)

Assessment of essential and nonessential metals and different metal exposure biomarkers in the human placenta in a population from the south of Portugal.

The general population is exposed to metals as trace amounts of metallic compounds are present in air, water, and food. Information on background exposures and biomarker concentrations of environmental chemicals in the general Portuguese population is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the levels of important nonessential metals with recognized toxicity cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) and essential metals copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), and zinc (Zn) in placentas of mothers living in south Portugal (Algarve). Due to the difficulty in establishing the effects of chemicals in a complex and variable environment, this study also aimed to examine the response of biomarkers, such as biochemical changes that occurs at subcellular levels in the presence of contaminants. The investigated biomarkers in placentas indicative of metal exposure or damage included the metallothioneins (MT), delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) (specific for Pb), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) as an index of oxidative stress damage. Moreover, HJ-BIPLOT was applied in order to identify and categorize mothers vulnerable to environmental contamination in this region. Metal concentrations in the placenta were not excessive but within the range found in most European studies. In general, the biomarkers MT and LPO were positively correlated with metal levels, while with ALAD the opposite occurred, indicating the selected battery of biomarkers were suitable to study the effects of metals on human placenta. Further, the application of multivariate analysis with HJ-BIPLOT showed that most significant factors contributing to maternal and fetal exposures via placenta were dietary and smoking habits.

[Reconstruction of anophthalmic socket]. / Reconstruction de l'orbite anophtalme.

PURPOSE: Evaluate different surgical techniques in the management of the contracted anophthalmic socket. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study including 12 patients with acquired anophthalmic socket presenting inadequate fornices and/or orbital volume loss. The surgeries performed were conjunctival suture to the periosteum (mild fornix contraction), buccal mucosa graft (moderate fornix retraction), auricular cartilage graft (severe fornix retraction), and dermis-fat graft (loss of orbital volume). RESULTS: Fornix retraction was mild in two patients, moderate in three patients, and severe in two patients. We observed five patients with loss of orbital volume. Successful correction was achieved in all patients with fornix retraction who were able to wear an external prosthesis. One patient with orbital volume loss developed graft atrophy. CONCLUSION: Autologous grafts are useful in the rehabilitation of the contracted socket.