Masticatory efficiency after rehabilitation of acquired maxillary and mandibular defects.

The effect of oral cancer with its therapeutic intervention involves significant facial and functional disabilities. It is customary to rehabilitate these patients by surgical or prosthetic means. Studies have been done to assess mastication and other functions after rehabilitation. A review of these studies for assessing masticatory function has been done under separate sections for maxillary and mandibular defects. Different masticatory tests are mentioned. Further scope for research has been highlighted.

Decolonisation of MRSA and its effect on surgical site infections--a study in a tertiary care institute.

BACKGROUND: Two-thirds of surgical site infections (SSI) because of Staphylococcus aureus are caused by Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study was done to assess the efficacy of topical 2% mupirocin with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate body wash in decolonizing MRSA and its impact in preventing SSI because of MRSA. The various risk factors associated with MRSA carriers and SSI were also studied because of paucity of data in the developing world. METHODS: We did a non-randomised interventional trial in 602 patients undergoing elective general surgical operations. All patients in case (297) group were screened for MRSA and those positive were decolonised with topical 2% mupirocin calcium ointment and daily baths with 2% chlorhexidine antiseptic solution for 5 days. Control (305) group patients underwent surgery without decolonisation. Postoperatively, all patients were followed up for SSI for 30 days. RESULTS: Prevalence of MRSA carriers was 7.5% with decolonisation rate of 95.2%. The SSI incidence was 21.3%. The significant risk factors for SSI were type of anaesthesia (p = 0.002), duration of surgery (p = 0.001) and preoperative hospital stay (p = 0.001). There was a significant association between MRSA carrier positivity at the time of surgery and SSI (p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: There was no reduction in rate of SSI or other nosocomial infections in patients undergoing elective general surgical operations following preoperative MRSA decolonisation with 2% mupirocin and 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in MRSA carriers. MRSA carrier status was a significant risk factor for SSI but not for other nosocomial infections.

The acute effects of Waterpipe smoking on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the acute effects of smoking in Waterpipe (WP) smokers in Ajman, United Arab Emirates (UAE). CONTEXT: 202 male volunteers aged > 17 years were included. Blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate values of each participant, before and after a 30 minute smoking session, were measured and compared. Standardized questionnaires were also answered. RESULTS: Mean increases in systolic blood pressure (16 +/- 1 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (2 +/- 0.7 mmHg), heart rate (6.30 +/- 0.60 bpm) and respiratory rate (2 +/- 2 breathes/min) were observed (p < 0.001). 92% of smokers believed Waterpipe smoking (WPS) to be harmful to health and 77% of smokers took up WPS for reasons of leisure. Results from the questionnaire revealed a significant relationship between smokers' beliefs of WPS and attempts to quit smoking ie. smokers who believed waterpipe to be harmful were more likely to try to quit. Education had influence on smokers ideas on WPS. 69% of smokers who claimed hookah is harmful had university qualification and further 23% has highschool qualification. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking Waterpipe has significant effects on both the cardiovascular and respiratory system. Waterpipe smokers despite sound knowledge, show little concern towards health. Education plays an important role and creates awareness about the hazards of smoking practices, including Waterpipe.