Assessment of a novel alternative to conventional formocresol-zinc oxide eugenol pulpotomy for the treatment of pulpally involved human primary teeth: diode laser-mineral trioxide aggregate pulpotomy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a diode laser pulpotomy with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) sealing could be an acceptable alternative to the conventional formocresol pulpotomy and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) sealing in human primary teeth. METHODS: A randomized, single-blind, split-mouth study was used with a sample of 16 children aged from 3 to 8 years (mean age=5.10 years). A total of 26 pairs of teeth from these 16 patients were selected based on clinical and radiographic criteria. One tooth from each pair was randomly assigned to either the laser-MTA pulpotomy group or the formocresol-ZOE pulpotomy group. All teeth were followed up clinically and radiographically at 2.3, 5.2, 9.5 and 15.7 months. All extracted failures were sectioned and photographed to assess possible reasons for this. RESULTS: A total of seven laser-MTA-treated teeth were deemed to be radiographic failures (mean time until failure=9.1 months) compared to three formocresol-ZOE treated teeth (mean time until failure=12.5 months). These results were not significant using Fisher's exact test (P>0.05). Six of the laser-MTA failures and all three formocresol-ZOE failures exhibited furcal and/or periapical radiolucencies with or without pathologic root resorption. One of the laser-MTA failures displayed premature root resorption and is being observed for exfoliation. Analysis of photographs of teeth available for extraction revealed errors in clinical technique in addition to expected signs of a disease process such as the presence of granulation tissue and areas of pathologic root resorption. CONCLUSIONS: The laser-MTA pulpotomy showed reduced radiographic success rates compared to the formocresol-ZOE pulpotomy at 15.7 months; however, these results were not statistically significant. Improved success rates among a larger patient sample and a longer follow-up period would be required for the laser-MTA pulpotomy to be considered a routine alternative to the conventional formocresol-ZOE procedure. Meticulous restorative techniques must be followed to ensure the success of laser-MTA pulpotomies.

Indium light source for curing composite resins.

There is an existing problem of cumulative hazardous effect of violet and near ultra-violet light which is produced by standard polymerisation units. Another restrict is shallow depth of cure, particularly of darker composite shades in premolar and molar region. Searching for better light source we used indium resonance lines from several indium high pressure lamps and tested curing effect on three different composite resins. The overall results are better with the lamp in which two strong resonance lines of indium are present, rather than with a lamp with just one strong resonance line. The improvements in lamp design are necessary to overcome conventional polymerisation lamps.

Zinc and sodium high pressure lamps for curing composite resins.

Polymerisation characteristics of conventional units for curing composite resins are insufficient considering handling feasibilities particularly in the premolar and molar region. There is also hazardous ocular effect of near ultra-violet part of visible spectra. Sodium high pressure lamp technology has been applied to develop a new high pressure zinc lamp, which is for the first time used for curing composite materials. The results of polymerisation measurements show that future improvements over the usual halogen light sources are possible. Zinc lamp was also compared with the high pressure sodium lamp filled with mercury or cadmium.

[Use of the EEA stapler in surgery of the rectum and rectosigmoid junction]. / Upotreba EEA sivaca (staplera) u kirurgiji rektuma i rektosigmoidnog prijelaza.

The application of mechanic sewing apparatus has obtained significant position in surgery of gastrointestinal tract. The EEA stapler (ILS Proximate) is improved, suitable and useful instrument for the performance of anastomosis after resection, and technically is equivalent to the normal suture techniques. It is especially convenient for the creation of low rectal anastomoses, thus definitive anus preter can be avoided. In 10 cases of rectal carcinoma, anterior resections and stapled anastomoses (3 were below 7 cm from anal border) were applied. In spite of insufficient number of surgically treated cases, surgical treatment was without technical problems and without postoperative dehiscence. Especially at low anastomoses, the importance of satisfactory suture techniques, adequate vascularization, avoidance of tissue tension, adequate selection and regulation of instruments are emphasized.

[Incarcerated hernia in the left groin associated with acute gangrenous appendicitis]. / Koincidencija ukljestenja lijevostrane preponske kile i akutnog gangrenoznog apendicitisa.

Discussed is a patient with both a mechanical and paralytic ileus as a result of a gangrenous appendicitis with perforation and a circumscribed peritoneum and incarceration of an inguinal hernia on the opposite side. The patient's heart too was suffering a disease. The postoperative course was difficult. It was complicated by pleural hemorrhaging and by lung infiltrations because of embolisms. With an emergency operation involving the entire team, the patient was saved. Although the pathology is rare, the patient was saved. Although the pathology is rare, the authors discuss its significance.