Results of liver transplantation: analysis of 140 cases at a single center.

The Shiraz Organ Transplant Center in southern Iran has been performing all liver transplantations in Iran and certain neighboring countries for 12 years. This study evaluated the 140 operations performed from April 1993 through November 2004. Sixty-one percent of the recipients were men and 39% were women. The average recipient age was 29.9 +/- 14.0 years. One hundred twenty-eight patients has a full-size cadaveric transplant. Most frequent causes of cirrhosis were cryptogenic and viral. An acute rejection episode occurred in 47.5% of cases, and two episodes in 8%. Most frequent short-term complications included respiratory, neurologic, and biliary problems. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year patient survival rates were 92%, 89%, and 85%, respectively. The experience that the Shiraz Organ Transplant Center has had with liver transplantation indicated success comparable to that noted in other reports. The calculated trend suggests that a goal of 100 transplantations for 2005 is within reach.

Assessment of a breast cancer screening programme in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.

A breast cancer screening programme was evaluated for approximately 10,000 women aged 35 years and older. There were 67 cases of breast cancer. Highest rates of attendance were seen among younger women (35-44 years) and middle socioeconomic groups. Lowest rates were among those aged over 65 years and low socioeconomic groups. The rate of detection by self-examination was similar to that by health personnel examination. At all stages of screening, positive findings were most common among the high socioeconomic class. Attendance decreased steadily from first to last stages of serial screening. Although mammography is the most sensitive method of detection, because of its high cost we suggest establishing breast self-examination education programmes and encouraging women to self-examine.

Assessment of a breast cancer screening programme in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran

A breast cancer screening programme was evaluated for approximately 10,000 women aged 35 years and older. There were 67 cases of breast cancer. Highest rates of attendance were seen among younger women [35-44 years] and middle socioeconomic groups. Lowest rates were among those aged over 65 years and low socioeconomic groups. The rate of detection by self-examination was similar to that by health personnel examination. At all stages of screening, positive findings were most common among the high socioeconomic class. Attendance decreased steadily from first to last stages of serial screening. Although mammography is the most sensitive method of detection, because of its high cost we suggest establishing breast self-examination education programmes and encouraging women to self-examine

Reproductive behaviour in women in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Data on the reproductive behaviour of women in Shiraz are presented. A total of 9934 randomly selected women aged > or = 35 years of all socioeconomic levels were interviewed. The mean age at menarche +/- standard deviation was 13.96 +/- 1.23 years, mean age at first marriage was 17.10 +/- 4.24 years and mean age at first pregnancy was 19.50 +/- 3.90 years. The mean number of children was 4.56 +/- 1.70 children, although for illiterate women it was 6.76 +/- 1.76 children and for high-school- or university-educated women it was 3.36 +/- 1.70 children. The mean age at menopause was 47.80 +/- 3.78 years.

Surgical management of low-grade lytic spondylolisthesis with C-D instrumentation in adult patients.

In this retrospective study, 45 patients with low-grade (I-II) isthmic spondylolisthesis are reported. Spinal decompression, stabilization and fusion were performed in 19 patients (group I). Stabilization and fusion without decompressive laminectomy were performed in 26 patients (group II). The results, which are mostly encouraging, show no significant difference between the two groups.

Intraosseous schwannoma of T12 with burst fracture of L1.

Intraosseous schwannoma of T12 with burst L1 fracture is extremely rare. Here we present a report of the successful treatment and 18-month follow-up of a 46-year-old man with this complication.

Lumbar spine fusion and pedicle fixation with C-D screws for lumbar iatrogenic instability.

In this retrospective study, ten patients with lumbar iatrogenic instability are reported who were treated by pedicular fixation and bone grafting with an average follow-up of 18 months. Early results, which are mostly encouraging, show relief of symptoms, solid fusion of spine, and maintenance of lumbar curve with no major complications.

Surgically treated acetabular fractures in adult patients.

In this retrospective study, 27 acetabular fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation with an average follow-up of 3.7 years (1.5-4.0) are reported. Reduction leaving a displacement of < or = to 2 mm was achieved in 9 hips (30%). Good or excellent results were obtained in 22 hips (82%), and in 2 patients who were referred to us after 3 weeks, we performed supra-acetabular osteotomy to obtain congruent joints with fairly good results. The most common complication was heterotopic ossification in 59% of the patients, which led to poor results in 2 patients with grade IV. Avascular necrosis of the hip occurred in 2 patients, and 1 patient developed a late deep infection, which led to osteomyelitis and fused hip.