Standardization of the Rat Dorsal Random Pattern (McFarlane) Flap Model and Evaluation of the Pharmacological Agents Aiming to Salvage Partial Flap Necrosis: A Systematic Review and a Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Partial flap necrosis is a common complication after surgery. McFarlane flap model has been used for assessment of various agents' effects on random flap survival. The aim of this study was to review the methodology of studies using this flap model and reveal the most successful agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were screened for words "McFarlane flap," "flap survival," and ("flap" and "rat") by using time limits between 1965 and 2019. A total of 71 original articles were reviewed. Dimensions and base (cranial/caudal) of the flap, treatment protocol, follow-up period, and survival rates were extracted. Modified survival rates were calculated. Coefficients of variation of cranial/caudally based control group flaps and most commonly used flap models were calculated to assess interstudy variability. RESULTS: A total of 165 different treatment regimens were studied. One-hundred twelve regimens (67.9%) were found to increase flap survival. Most common flap dimensions were 9 cm × 3 cm, followed by 10 cm × 3 cm, 8 cm × 2 cm and 6 cm × 2 cm. Studies using caudally based flaps showed less interstudy variability, but survival rates were similar. Pentoxifylline, sildenafil, chlorpromazine, phenoxybenzamine, and phentolamine were reported to be successful in multiple studies. CONCLUSIONS: There are numerous agents found to be effective for treatment of partial flap necrosis, but further clinical research is needed. To overcome standardization problems, use of commonly used flap dimensions with a caudal base and interpretation of results after 7 days of follow-up seems appropriate.

Correlation between Overactive Bladder Syndrome and Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Postmenopausal Women.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the correlation of overactive bladder (OAB) and severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) by using Gensini score in postmenopausal women. STUDY DESIGN: Observational correlation study design. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, from January 2016 to January 2018. METHODOLOGY: Female patients in postmenopausal status, who had undergone coronary angiography due to CAD in tertiary academic care centre cardiology unit, were enrolled in the study. The Gensini score of each patient was calculated by two different cardiologists and the average score was taken. All participants filled the OAB-V8 questionnaire (Validated Turkish form). The participants were separated into two groups according to the severity OAB symptoms. Patients with OAB-V8 score ≥8, were included into OAB Group and patients with OAB-V8 score <8, were enrolled into group 2 Non-OAB Group. Two groups were compared according to patients' demographic characteristics, Gensini scores, OAB-V8 scores, blood test outcomes, urinary system ultrasound, and uroflowmetry findings. RESULTS: One hundred and two patients with OAB ≥8 score and 71 patients with OAB <8 score were compared. The median BMI was 28.7 (27.3-32.7) kg/m2 in OAB group and 27.5 (27.0-31.1) kg/m2 in non-OAB group (p=0.150). Additionally, OAB-V8 score and Gensini score were significantly higher in OAB group, compared to non-OAB group (25.0 (15.0-28.3) vs 4.0 (3.0-5.0), p<0.001 and 32.5 (27.8-42.7) vs. 10.0 (10.0-12.0), p<0.001, respectively). In blood chemistry, LDL level was the only marker found significantly different between groups and was significantly higher in patients with OAB (120.0 (90.0-148.5) mg/dl vs 97.0 (70.0-125.0) mg/dl, p<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that Gensini score ≥ 20 was an independent risk factor for presence of OAB. Additionally, LDL level ≥100 m/dl was the only other predictive factor for presence of OAB (2.8 times). CONCLUSION: The frequency of OAB significantly correlated to severe CAD in postmenopausal women. Moreover, as an additional finding, postmenopausal women with higher LDL levels faced OAB syndrome more frequently. Key Words: Atherosclerosis, Coronary artery disease, Gensini score, Menopause, OAB-V8 form, Overactive bladder.

Major Structural Airway Pathologies of Patient Complaining Nasal Obstruction: Analysis of Frequency, Preoperative Complaints and Benefit from Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Modern rhinoplasty has an aesthetic and a functional component that cannot be separated. Functional rhinoplasty generally concentrates on optimizing nasal airflow. Numerous techniques have been described for correction of each pathology. There seems to be a consensus on the benefit of surgery to patients with nasal obstruction. Present study aimed to determine if specific airway pathologies have differential effects on patient complaints and techniques addressing them have differential effects on perceived benefit from surgery. PATIENTS/METHOD: The records of 300 patients complaining nasal obstruction and had computerized tomography (CT) between April 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Based on surgical notes, surgical techniques used for each patient were recorded. A survey using Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale is done by phone. After descriptive statistics, preoperative complaint-diagnosed pathology, and postoperative relief-treated pathology relationships were evaluated. RESULTS: Preoperative and postoperative NOSE scores showed statistically significant difference (P <0.001). The CT analysis showed that septal deviation rate among patients complaining nasal obstruction is 85%, internal valve insufficiency rate is 34.4%, mild and severe inferior turbinate hypertrophy was 71% and 6%, respectively. Bullous and total concha bullosa of middle turbinate was 17.3%. Nearly 90% of patients had 2 or more types of pathology in CT analysis. Preoperative and postoperative NOSE scores showed no statistically significant relationship with singular intranasal pathologies and techniques used for correcting them, respectively. CONCLUSION: Despite general fall in NOSE scores in the whole study group, treatment of a specific pathology does not change NOSE score more than a patient who already does not have the pathology. None of the pathologies or treatments addressing them have a dominating effect on preoperative complaints or obtained relief after the surgery. So, success of functional rhinoplasty cannot rely on correction of a specific pathology. A comprehensive analysis and correction of every pathology is paramount.

Comparison of Frequency of Silent Cerebral Infarction After Coronary Angiography and Stenting With Transradial Versus Transfemoral Approaches.

Silent cerebral infarction (SCI) can be seen after coronary procedures. We investigated whether vascular access sites have an impact on the risk of SCI. A total of 255 consecutive patients who underwent diagnostic or interventional coronary procedures through transfemoral (n = 126 patients) or transradial (n = 129 patients) approach were evaluated. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels were studied before and 12 hours after the procedure. Elevation of greater than 12 ng/ml was considered as SCI. Patients were mainly men (60%) with a mean age of 62 years. SCI was observed in 74 of 255 patients (29%). It was significantly more prevalent among transradial group. Elevation of NSE was observed in 36% of transradial group (n = 47) and 21% of the transfemoral group (n = 27) (p = 0.008). Patients with SCI were more likely to have male sexuality, hyperlipidemia, history of smoking, and previous myocardial infarction. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that patients who underwent coronary procedures through transradial approach were 2.1 times more likely to have an SCI than patients with transfemoral approach (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.205 to 3.666; p = 0.008). Other independent predictors of NSE elevation were previous myocardial infarction (odds ratio 8.6; 95% CI 4.209 to 17.572; p <0.001) and smoking history (odds ratio 7.251; 95% CI 3.855 to 13.639; p <0.001). The present study suggests that transradial coronary procedures carry higher risk of SCI when compared with transfemoral route.