Effect of incorporating seed oils on the antifungal property, surface roughness, wettability, weight change, and glucose sorption of a soft liner.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The colonization of Candida albicans on soft liners causes the deterioration of material surface properties and denture stomatitis. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of incorporating seed oil on the antifungal properties, surface roughness, wettability, weight changes, and glucose adsorption/absorption of a soft liner. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Centratherum anthelminticum, Ocimum sanctum Linn, and Linum usitatissimum seed oils were incorporated into a soft liner, and the diameter of the inhibition zone (DIZ) was calculated relative to the growth of C albicans at 24, 48, and 72 hours and 7 days. The effect of incorporating oil on wettability was evaluated with the contact angle analyzer, and effect on surface roughness was evaluated with scanning electron microscopy. Weight changes and absorption/adsorption of glucose to the soft liner were estimated. Data were analyzed by using paired Student t tests and 2-way ANOVA (α=.01). RESULTS: Soft liner with 800 µL each of C anthelminticum and O sanctum oils showed complete inhibition at 72 hours; the DIZ on day 7 were 31.66 ±1.20 mm and 29.66 ±1.46 mm, respectively. The change in weight between time intervals differed significantly between conditions (P<.01). The addition of oils decreased the surface roughness and improved wettability significantly for O sanctum and C anthelminticum specimens (P<.01). At 72 hours, 5.5 mg of glucose was detected in the positive control, whereas no glucose was detected in the oil specimens. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of the seed oils of C anthelminticum and O sanctum to the soft liner significantly reduced the growth of C albicans, improved wettability, reduced surface roughness, and minimized the absorption and adsorption of glucose.

Should we use a vaginal pack to reduce blood loss at the time of prolapse surgery?

OBJECTIVE: Vaginal packs are commonly inserted after pelvic organ prolapse (POP) surgery to absorb excess blood loss and to reduce haematoma formation. Randomised trials have shown little benefit in terms of reduced haematoma formation. However, the amount of blood loss absorbed on the pack has not been studied. The use of packs has financial costs and is associated with catheterisation and may delay hospital discharge. If packs are not effective in reducing blood loss and haematoma formation there could be an argument that packs should not be used at all. This study was designed to identify how much blood is actually absorbed onto packs after POP surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive patients undergoing elective vaginal surgery for POP were prospectively recruited by the lead author. Demographics were recorded. Vaginal packs inserted after POP surgery in 63 women were weighed before insertion and at the time of removal the day after surgery. Pain score were noted and the difference in the weight of packs recorded. Any complications were reported by the patients at the 6 week routine post operative visit and cross referenced with the clinical records. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in pack weight of 6.7g (p<0.01). Five percent of the patients had a bleed of more than 25g into the pack. Removal of the pack was associated with minor discomfort. Complications in the post operative period were low with 11% of patients seen in the first 6 weeks with bleeding or discharge. CONCLUSION: The majority of women undergoing prolapse surgery have minimal bleeding onto a routinely introduced vaginal pack placed after POP surgery. Packs are probably not required for controlling post operative blood loss in the majority of patients.