Three-dimensionally-printed models in reproductive surgery: systematic review and clinical applications.

INTRODUCTION: 3D printing has wide application in medicine while it provides customizability and precision for anatomical model development. Our aims were to perform a systematic review and to explore the use of 3D printing applications on human reproduction and reproductive surgery. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We have performed a systematic review in PubMed database to assess previous publications within 3D printing in human reproduction and gynecology. We have developed 3D models according to patients' magnetic resonance images (MRI). MRI were transformed into DICOM images that originated our 3D virtual models and PolyJet technology was applied for the printing process. We included two infertile patients in reproductive age with surgical indication for hysteroscopy septoplasty and myomectomy. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Of 1965 studies searched, we excluded 1934 publications based on their titles. Abstracts of 31 remained studies were read, and 24 studies were selected for full-text analysis. We included 11 studies for the systematic review, based on our eligibility criteria. We have designed four 3D models (uterus, ovaries, uterine cervix and uterus with fibroids) that provided enriched information to improve pre-surgical planning, medical training, fertility-sparing surgery, patient comprehension of surgical procedures and assisted reproduction applications. CONCLUSIONS: 3D models for human reproduction are feasible. They might improve assisted reproductive techniques, help in pre-surgical planning for reproductive surgeries, and provide accurate measures of ovarian reserve. Besides, we see future applications in endometrioma research and in the fabrication of devices, such as embryo transfer catheter and a 3D printed embryo.

Titanium implants: a removal torque study in osteopenic rabbits.

CONTEXT: Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue. It may affect the craniomaxillofacial complex and result in less bone-implant contact. AIMS: The objective of this study was to measure the endosseous integration of titanium implants using the removal torque test in low-mineral density experimental animal models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty female New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two groups: control (n=14), sham-operated; and test (n=16), ovariectomized. All animals received 2.2 mm Χ 4.0 mm titanium implants in the right tibia, 120 days after ovariectomy or sham surgery. Animals were killed at 7 and 14 weeks of postimplant insertion, when implants were removed by reverse torque rotation using a digital torque meter. Statistical analysis used was Student's t-test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At the 7-week period, the mean torque values for the control and test groups were 11.6 Ncm and 10.4 Ncm, respectively, with no statistical significance. Implant removal torque analysis showed statistically lower values (P < 0.05) for the test group at the 14-week period (control=16.7 Ncm and test=9.7 Ncm). The results of this study indicate that hormonal privacy compromise implants biomechanical performance.

Prevalence of pigs infected by Salmonella Typhimurium at slaughter after an enterocolitis outbreak.

A cross-sectional study was performed to estimate the prevalence of slaughter pigs infected by Salmonella typhimurium after an enterocolitis outbreak in a commercial pig farm, which was characterised by diarrhoea during the growing phase. Anatomopathological and histopathological findings were suggestive of salmonellosis, which was further confirmed by isolation of S. typhimurium from organs and faeces samples from diseased animals. Ileocolic lymph nodes were aseptically collected from 43 pigs during slaughter procedures. The estimated prevalence of Salmonella-infected pigs was 53.48% [confidence interval (CI): 42.94:64.02%]. This finding demonstrates that the carriage of S. typhimurium at slaughter might be high if pigs originate from a batch previously affected by Salmonella-enterocolitis outbreak at the pre-harvest pork production chain.

Displasia de quadril em áreas endêmicas / Hip dysplasia in endemic regions

Os autores relatam os resultados observados em pesquisa de D.Q., realizada em uma populaçao de 517 R.N. da Maternidade de HEUCS, no período de outubro de 1991 até maio de 1992, com o intuito de comprovar a suspeita de que a populaçao de Caxias do Sul poderia ser mais afetada em virtude de ser, na sua maioria, integrada por descendentes de habitantes de uma área dita endêmica. Foram detectadas D.Q. em 3 dos 517 R.N. (0,58 por cento) determinando uma incidência significativamente alta da patologia, da ordem de 1 para cada 172 nascimentos. Além dessa incidência, relatam ainda o relacionamento dessa entidade com fatores conhecidamente implicados na sua gênese, tais como o sexo e a apresentaçao fetal.