Effect of photopolymerized glaze application on bacterial adhesion on ocular acrylic resin surfaces submitted to accelerated ageing.

Conditions of the acrylic resin (AR) surface, such as roughness, can promote a favourable environment for the adhesion of micro-organisms, even on the surface of ocular prostheses. This study evaluated the influence of photopolymerized glaze application on the roughness of ARs and adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis on ocular AR surfaces submitted to accelerated ageing. Two hundred and eighty-eight samples of white colour (N1) and colourless ARs were distributed in eight groups (n = 9), based on surface treatments (glaze or ARs submitted to only a final polishing), accelerated ageing (before and after) and periods of microbial growth (24- and 48-h). The roughness average (Ra) and total height of roughness profile (Rt) values were greater for the groups with glaze and increased for all groups after ageing. The microbial adhesion among the groups with and without glaze did not present a statistically significant difference. The ageing did not statistically affect the adhesion of Staph. epidermidis, but affected the adhesion of Staph. aureus, which presented an increase after 24 h of growth on only N1 AR with glaze. These results demonstrate that the glaze did not contribute to adhesion of Staph. aureus and Staph. epidermidis, which are responsible for most ocular prosthetic infections. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Some recent evidence suggested that the surface finish of ocular prostheses influences the accumulation of deposits that can affect the interaction with pathogenic bacteria, increasing the probability of infections. In addition, surface deterioration over time can increase the roughness and, consequently, biofilm formation. Thus, a better understanding of the influence of surface finish on bacterial adhesion becomes extremely important. In this study, we tested a glaze for surface polishing compared to mechanical polishing, before and after ageing. The results suggest that the glaze did not contribute to microbial adhesion and might be useful in preventing possible prosthetic infections.

[Surgery of the hand in Poland--a controversial issue]. / W sprawie specjalizacji z chirurgii reki--artykul dyskusyjny.

Since hand surgery separated from orthopedic and general surgery as an independent subspeciality, the problem of training new surgery came into life. Many studies indicate that a country with Poland's population should have about 250-300 trained hand surgeons. Current estimates show that there are three to four times less hand surgeons than necessary. The establishment of the Section of Hand Surgery by the Polish Orthopedic Society in 1965 and the founding of the Polish Society for Surgery of the Hand (1998) made formal ground for taking up both training in hand surgery and assenting it as a separate clinical sub-category. No official statement has been made in this matter neither by the Ministry of Health or by any scientific society. The authors suggest the need for organizing a system for training and achieving certified qualifications in hand surgery, for example like the FESSH European diploma in hand surgery. It seems that this matter should be discussed broadly among both general and orthopedic surgeons in order to create a separate sub-category for hand surgery.

[Various possibilities for taking advantage of the Chinese flap in reconstruction of post-traumatic soft tissue defects in the upper extremity]. / Rózne mozliwosci wykorzystania plata chinskiego w rekonstrukcjach pourazowych ubytków tkanek w obrebie konczyny górnej.

A forearm flap based on radial artery (Chinese Flap) is one of the most often used flaps in reconstruction of posttraumatic tissue defects within upper extremity. It may be used as free flap or pediculated one. Long vascular pedicle allows easy transposition of the flap within upper extremity. Microsurgical techniques do not have to be employed. Flap anatomy enables one stage reconstruction of majority of posttraumatic defects both during acute or planned operations. The material includes 10 patients. Satisfactory functional results have been achieved in all cases.

[2-stage operative treatment of Dupuytren contracture]. / Die zweizeitige operative Behandlung der Dupuytren'schen Kontraktur.

The incidence of Sudeck-like complications after surgery for Dupuytren's contracture is discussed. In a series of 209 operations for Dupuytren's contracture some complications were observed in 26 cases. In 12 patients these complications could not be precisely explained. In the author's opinion they may illustrate the creation of a nerve-irritating source within the operative field. In order to avoid these complications a two-stage operation was proposed, especially for severe contractures in elderly patients. A preliminary fasciotomy relieves most of symptoms of the disease and may also serve as a so-called tissue test for eventual more radical procedures. The observation of 42 patients with severe contractures so treated confirms the usefulness of the method.

[An unusual post-traumatic contracture of the hand--2 cases]. / Eine ungewöhnliche posttraumatische Kontraktur der Hand--2 Fälle.

Extreme flexor tendon contractures following blunt injury are seldom described. Unsatisfactory final results after such an injury in the hand and wrist regions in two young female patients with mental defect are described. All conservative methods of treatment were useless and extensive MP- and PIP-arthrodeses were necessary.