Comparison of bite force evaluation for mandibular angle fracture fixation by conventional miniplates versus new design miniplates: a clinical study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate postoperative masticatory efficacy of a new design non-compression titanium miniplate compared to conventional non-compression titanium miniplate on the basis of bite force for treatment of mandibular angle fractures. METHODOLOGY: The prospective study included 20 patients with mandibular angle fractures randomly categorized into 2 groups: Group I, fixation of angle fractures by conventional miniplates, and Group II, fixation of angle fractures by new design miniplates. Evaluation was done for clinical outcome, primarily bite force; radiological outcome; and associated postoperative morbidities at different time intervals. RESULTS: The results showed to be highly significant in terms of mean operating time for plate adaptation and fixation and bite force adaptation (p = 0.003 at follow-up of 6 months) for the newer miniplate compared to the conventional miniplate. No statistically significant difference was seen for postoperative paresthesia, malunion, non-union, occlusal discrepancy, or hardware failure. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of the study, it appears that the single, monocortical, non-compression, superior border new design miniplate proved to be a successful procedure for treating non-comminuted mandibular angle fractures specifically in terms of enhanced postoperative masticatory efficiency as compared to conventional miniplates. Further clinical studies with larger sample size can derive a more comprehensive conclusion.

First reported case of Robinsoniella peoriensis pyometra and bloodstream infection: A case report and review of the literature.

We report on a 47-year-old woman with jejunal adenocarcinoma and concurrent endometrial cancer, admitted with sepsis. Uterine fluid and blood cultures were positive for Robinsoniella peoriensis. This is the first case report of Robinsoniella peoriensis in Canada. We encourage clinicians to publish their experience treating gynecologic infections caused by Robinsoniella peoriensis. Failure to recognize this pathogen as causative for pyometra, may result in insufficient antimicrobial treatment, and death.

Salmonella Thompson splenic abscess in a healthy female.

A 26-year-old woman presented with a 5-day history of fever and 3-day history of left upper quadrant abdominal pain and cough associated with left shoulder tip pain. Initial blood cultures did not display growth. On CT imaging, there was a cyst measuring 7.2×8 cm originally interpreted to be haemorrhagic in nature. Repeat cultures during admission revealed Salmonella Thompson. Percutaneous drainage and antibiotic treatment, rather than splenectomy, was successfully pursued with the patient afebrile and in no pain at 6 weeks follow-up.

Conceptual framework for health-related quality of life assessment in acute gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To date, most trials in pediatric acute gastroenteritis have evaluated short-term clinical disease activity (eg, duration of diarrhea or vomiting, level of dehydration), laboratory outcomes (eg, rotavirus, norovirus), or a composite of these outcomes. Measuring health-related quality of life may also be important in evaluating the effect of interventions for acute gastroenteritis in children. The objectives of this study were to conduct individual interviews and, when possible, focus group discussions, with parents of children with acute gastroenteritis; to determine how parent and child quality of life is negatively affected by acute gastroenteritis; and, from the perspective of parents and children, to develop a conceptual framework for quality of life instrument specific to pediatric acute gastroenteritis. METHODS: We conducted interviews and focus groups with parents of children (3 months-5 years of age) given a diagnosis of gastroenteritis in a hospital emergency department. Interviews and focus groups were conducted to determine the effect of gastroenteritis on quality of life in parents and children (as perceived by the parents). RESULTS: Interviews and focus groups involving 25 parents suggested a conceptual framework that, for children, includes 2 domains (physical and emotional function) and 14 subdomains. For parents, our framework includes 3 domains (physical, emotional, and social function) with physical function including 4 subdomains, emotional function including 7 subdomains, and social function including 2 subdomains. The framework has been used to develop a preliminary quality of life questionnaire for parents and children. CONCLUSIONS: Acute gastroenteritis has an important adverse effect on health-related quality in both children and parents involving physical symptoms and restrictions in physical function and disturbed emotional function. Upon further research on the psychometric properties of the proposed questionnaires, future trials of effectiveness should consider measuring patient important outcomes such as health-related quality of life.