Evaluation of Fractional CO2 Versus Long Pulsed Nd:YAG Lasers in Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Keloids and hypertrophic scars are challenging to both patients and physicians. They can be aesthetically disfiguring, functionally debilitating, and emotionally distressing. Lasers have introduced new mechanisms to improve scars both on aesthetic and symptomatic levels. AIM OF WORK: Comparing the efficacy of fractional CO2 laser, long-pulsed Nd:YAG laser and their combination in the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids on clinical, histopathological, and biochemical basis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with hypertrophic scars and keloids were enrolled in the study. Three scars in each patient were randomly assigned to treatment modalities (i) Fractional CO2 , (ii) Nd:YAG laser, (iii) Combined CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers. For each treatment area four sessions, 4-6 weeks apart were performed. Clinical evaluation was done before and 1 month following last session using the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). Routine hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Orcein stains were used to evaluate the appearance and pattern of dermal collagen and elastic fibers. Image analysis was used to quantitatively assess the density of collagen and elastic fibers. Biochemical evaluation of tissue level of transforming growth factor-ß I (TGF-ß I) and TGF-ß III was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay studies. RESULTS: Both VSS and POSAS showed significant improvement following treatment with the three used modalities. Collagen fibers showed significant improvement as regards appearance and pattern while it was insignificant as regards density. Elastic fibers density improvement was only significant in fractional CO2 (treatment area A). Hypertrophic scars showed more significant improvement with fractional CO2 laser, while in keloids there was no significant difference between the three modalities regarding improvement. Level of TGF-ß I showed significant reduction after treatment in all treatment modalities, while TGF-ß III levels showed insignificant elevation in all treatment modalities. Side effects were significantly higher in treatment area C (combined treatment). CONCLUSION: Long pulsed Nd:YAG laser is effective and safe treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Fractional CO2 laser yields better improvement in hypertrophic scars, while in keloids both fractional CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers achieve comparable improvement. Combination in the same session did not add significant additional benefit and the side effects profile was higher. LIMITATIONS: small sample size and short follow-up period. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cost-effectiveness of six months versus 1-year adjuvant trastuzumab in HER2 positive early breast cancer in Egypt.

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in Egypt. Trastuzumab is administered with chemotherapy for patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer (HER2 + ve ABC) in the metastatic and adjuvant settings resulting in improved treatment outcomes, and long-term follow-up. Some studies have evaluated whether equivalent outcomes can be achieved with reduced treatment duration. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of 6-month versus 1-year trastuzumab treatments from payer perspective over a 10 year time horizon.Methods: A half-cycle corrected Markov model was developed with five mutually exclusive health states; patient with HER2 +ve ABC, disease-free survival (DFS), local or regional relapse, metastatic relapse, and death. A cycle length of 6 months was applied, direct medical costs including cost of treatments, day-care, surgery, health states and follow-up visits were collected, and indirect costs such as lost productivity were not estimated. The transition probabilities and utilities were extracted from published literature, and deterministic sensitivity analyses were conducted.Results: Among the HER2 +ve ABC patient population in Egypt, the total QALYs of the 6-month trastuzumab were estimated to be 2.99 compared with 2.93 for the 1-year trastuzumab which resulted in a difference of 0.06 QALYs. The total costs were EGP 271,647 ($106,947) and EGP 381,248 ($150,097), respectively. These costs yielded an ICER of -109,600 EGP/QALY (-43,149 $/QALY) for the 6-month trastuzumab. The 6-month trastuzumab is a dominant strategy when compared to 1-year trastuzumab, resulting in improved effectiveness at a reduced cost. All analyses results confirmed the dominance of 6-month trastuzumab and our model robustness.Conclusions: This study concluded that 6-month trastuzumab is a cost-effective option when compared to 1-year trastuzumab in patients with HER2 +ve ABC in Egypt. Our findings provide health care decision makers with additional insights to best allocate available resources concurrently with the improvement of the Egyptian patient's outcomes.

Influence of CAD/CAM Material and Preparation Design on the Long-term Fracture Resistance of Endocrowns Restoring Maxillary Premolars / Influência do material de CAD / CAM e tipo de preparo na resistência à fratura a longo prazo de coroas endodônticas adesivas na restauração de pré-molares superiores

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different occlusal preparation designs and CAD/CAM materials on the fracture resistance of maxillary premolars end crowns. Materials and Methods: sixty-four endodontically treated upper first premolars were randomly divided into four groups according to ceramic materials (Vita Enamic and IPS emax CAD) and occlusal preparation designs (Anatomical and horizontal butt joint). After teeth preparation, the restorations were all made by CAD/CAM system (Cerec MCXL). Half of each group had undergone cyclic fatigue testing of 105 cycles with 50N loading force at a frequency of 0.5Hz in a mechatronic chewing simulator machine, and then all samples were loaded to fracture using a universal testing machine with a cross head speed of 0.5 mm/min recording the fracture resistance values in N . The specimens were measured and statistically analyzed using using three-way analyses of variance (ANOVA), followed by serial two-way and one-way ANOVAs at each level of the study. P-values were adjusted for multiple comparisons using BENFORRONI correction and the significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05 for all tests. Results: Vita Enamic endocrowns showed higher fracture resistance values than IPS e max specimens. Conclusions: Vita Enamic endocrowns with anatomical preparations were found to be more favourable restoring endodontically treated maxillary premolars (AU)

Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de diferentes tipos de preparo oclusal e materiais CAD/CAM na resistência à fratura de coroas endodônticas adesivas em pré-molares. Materiais e Métodos: Sessenta e quatro primeiros pré-molares superiores tratados endodonticamente foram divididos randomicamente em quatro grupos de acordo com os materiais cerâmicos (Vita Enamic e IPS emax CAD) e tipos de preparo oclusal (Recobrimento Incisal Anatômico e Horizontal). Após o preparo dental, as restaurações foram confeccionadas pelo sistema CAD/CAM (Cerec MCXL). Metade de cada grupo foi submetido a testes de fadiga cíclica de 105 ciclos com força de carga de 50N a uma frequência de 0,5Hz em uma máquina simuladora de mastigação mecatrônica, e então todas as amostras foram submetidas a fratura por uma máquina de teste universal com uma velocidade de 0,5 mm / min registrando os valores de resistência à fratura em N. As amostras foram medidas e analisadas estatisticamente usando análises de variância de três fatores (ANOVA), seguidas por ANOVAs de dois fatores e de um fator em cada nível do estudo. Os valores de p foram ajustados para comparações múltiplas usando a correção BENFORRONI e o nível de significância estabelecido foi de P ≤ 0,05 para todos os testes. Resultados: Coroas endodônticas adesivas da Vita Enamic mostraram maiores valores de resistência à fratura do que as amostras de IPS emax. Conclusões: Verificou-se que as coroas endodônticas adesivas da Vita Enamic com preparos com recobrimento incisal anatômico foram mais favoráveis para restaurar os pré-molares superiores tratados endodonticamente (AU)

Prospective evaluation of the management of bowel dysfunction in children with neuropathic lower urinary tract dysfunction and its effect on bladder dynamics.

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: Children with neuropathic lower urinary tract dysfunction usually suffer from associated bowel dysfunction, urinary tract infection and vesicoureteral reflux. This work aimed to highlight the impact of bowel management on bladder dynamics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the period from January 2011 to January 2013, 30 patients, 21 girls and 9 boys with neuropathic lower urinary tract dysfunction were studied. All suffered from urinary tract and bowel dysfunctions. All children were on urological treatment. They had their bowel managed by assurance and psychological support, dietary modification, retrograde or antegrade enemas and maintenance therapy. They were evaluated initially and on follow up by history, physical examination, ultrasound, urodynamics, Wexener score and bowel control chart. RESULTS: Mean age was 8.3 ±â€¯3.47 years (range from 4 to 18). There was a significant decrease in bowel dysfunction (Wexener score decreased from 12.67 ±â€¯1.54 to 10.17 ±â€¯1.76, p = 0.00), rectal diameter (decreased from 34.83 ±â€¯5.91 to 27.90 ±â€¯5.32 mm, p = 0.00), and frequency of UTI (p = 0.00). Detrusor leak point pressure decreased from 37.33 ±â€¯24.95 to 30 ±â€¯17.35 cmH2O, (p = 0.42). The cystometric capacity increased from 136.63 ±â€¯45.69 to 155.17 ±â€¯39.29 ml. (p = 0.001). Reflux and kidney function improved but was not statistically significant (p = 0.25 and p = 0.066 respectively). CONCLUSION: Management of bowel dysfunction is of utmost importance in the treatment of children with neuropathic bladder dysfunction. It has a positive effect on lower urinary tract function and decreasing the incidence of complications. This is a LEVEL III prospective study.

Real-time ultrasound-guided retrobulbar block vs blind technique for cataract surgery (pilot study).

BACKGROUND: Retrobulbar regional eye block aims to ensure eye globe akinesia and anesthesia during ophthalmic surgery, and despite the rarity of occurrence of complications due to the blind needle passage while performing either peribulbar or retrobulbar block, some of them are serious and may be life threatening. AIM: The aim of this study was to estimate the accuracy and safety of real-time ultrasound-guided retrobulbar regional anesthesia in comparison with the blind technique for cataract surgery. DESIGN: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. METHODOLOGY: A total of 30 patients who met the inclusion criteria were registered in our research and were divided into two groups: 15 patients received real-time ultrasound-guided retrobulbar block compared to 15 patients who received the block using the blind technique. RESULTS: One patient out of the 30 was excluded from the analysis, and no statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding the onset of akinesia, numeric pain rating scores, rate of complications, and degree of patient and physician satisfaction. CONCLUSION: There were no statistically significant difference between real-time ultrasound-guided and blind retrobulbar regional eye blocks concerning the onset of action, total volume of injected local anesthetic solution, supplemental injection required, pain scores, and degree of patient satisfaction.