A Study of the Importance of Clonus Symptoms in Patients with Tramadol Poisoning.

OBJECTIVES: Clinical studies to reduce the side effects of tramadol, such as seizure, are necessary. Owing to the high prevalence of tramadol consumption and subsequent complications that result from seizures, the aim of the present study was to find a relationship between clonus and prediction of seizure outcome in patients with tramadol overdose. This can be used to determine the need for essential actions if a significant indicator of preventive medical measures is observed. METHODS: In this case-control study, three groups of patients poisoned with tramadol and with marked ankle clonus were evaluated. A sample size of 50 patients per group was calculated using the Cohen first method. The data were analyzed using SPSS16 software. RESULTS: All patients with ankle clonus were evaluated. Seizures occurred most commonly in patients aged 21-25 years or younger. The patients who received the preventive medication of magnesium sulfate were seizure-free for 72 h after admission. CONCLUSION: It is recommended that, for all patients referred with tramadol poisoning who have symptoms of ankle clonus, the administration of magnesium sulfate should be considered in addition to medication for the prevention of seizures and arrhythmias.

Characterization and assessment of hyperelastic and elastic properties of decellularized human adipose tissues.

Decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) has shown potential as a regenerative scaffold for plastic and reconstructive surgery to augment or replace damaged or missing adipose tissue (e.g. following lumpectomy or mastectomy). The mechanical properties of soft tissue substitutes are of paramount importance in restoring the natural shape and appearance of the affected tissues, and mechanical mismatching can lead to unpredictable scar tissue formation and poor implant integration. The goal of this work was to assess the linear elastic and hyperelastic properties of decellularized human adipose tissue and compare them to those of normal breast adipose tissue. To assess the influence of the adipose depot source on the mechanical properties of the resultant decellularized scaffolds, we performed indentation tests on DAT samples sourced from adipose tissue isolated from the breast, subcutaneous abdominal region, omentum, pericardial depot and thymic remnant, and their corresponding force-displacement data were acquired. Elastic and hyperelastic parameters were estimated using inverse finite element algorithms. Subsequently, a simulation was conducted in which the estimated hyperelastic parameters were tested in a real human breast model under gravity loading in order to assess the suitability of the scaffolds for implantation. Results of these tests showed that in the human breast, the DAT would show similar deformability to that of native normal tissue. Using the measured hyperelastic parameters, we were able to assess whether DAT derived from different depots exhibited different intrinsic nonlinearities. Results showed that DAT sourced from varying regions of the body exhibited little intrinsic nonlinearity, with no statistically significant differences between the groups.

Surgical treatment of hydatid cyst of the liver: drainage versus omentoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Liver is the most common site of infection and several methods of surgery have been described to treat this common disease. In this study we aim to compare the results of two common methods of surgery; simple drainage versus omentoplasty. METHODS: In this prospective study 65 patients with hepatic hydatid cyst underwent surgery from 10 May 1995 to 1 July 2002. 35 patients were treated with omentoplasty(group I) and 30 of them were treated with drainage(group II). The results of surgery including mortality, complications and recurrences were recorded. RESULTS: There was no case of mortality in each group of patients. Postoperative complications were seen in 5.7% of group I, 16.6% of group II patients. The mean duration of hospital stay was 6.5 and 15.6 days in group I and group II patients. During a mean period of 18.6 month follow up there was no recurrence in each group of patients. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study we suppose that omentoplasty of cyst cavity--if feasible--is preferred to tube drainage.