Hyperbaric oxygen as adjunctive therapy for osteomyelitis.

Mechanistically, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) appears useful for the treatment of osteomyelitis. HBO increases the oxygen tension in infected tissue, including bone. An adequate oxygen tension is necessary for oxygen-dependent killing of organisms by the polymorphonuclear leukocytes and for fibroblast activity leading to angiogenesis and wound healing. HBO has a direct bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic effect on anaerobic organisms. In addition, HBO augments the killing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by the aminoglycoside--tobramycin. At the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, adjunctive HBO is used for the Cierny Mader stage 3B and 4B osteomyelitis.

Comparison of a polyglycolic-polylactic acid suture to black silk and plain catgut in human oral tissues.

A polylactic-polyglycolic acid synthetic absorbable suture material (Vicryl, Polyglactin 910) was compared with black silk and plain catgut in human oral tissues. Inflammation was graded clinically and histologically after seven days. Handling characteristics, including suture retention, were evaluated. Vicryl and black silk sutures produced comparable inflammation after seven days. Plain catgut sutures were usually absorbed before seven days, but when retained generally produced a more severe reaction. The polylactic-polyglycolic acid suture is braided and dyed, and has handling characteristics similar to those of black silk. Although they are absorbable, Vicryl sutures may be retained longer than desired and probably should be used like silk when exposed to the oral cavity.

The manpower survey of oral surgery in 1974. Part 1 of two parts. 1. Introduction and some general characteristics of oral surgeons.

Questionnaires requesting much data about oral surgeons and their practice of the specialty were mailed to the members of the American Society of Oral Surgeons. A total of 2,251 usable questionnaires were returned. The methods used in the survey and to summarize the data have been described and some general characteristics of the responding oral surgeons have been supplied in this report. Almost 76% (75.8%) of the oral surgeons returned usable questionnaires. Only 2.4% of the respondents were younger than 30 years and 60.5% were in the age range of 30 to 44 years. The average age of all respondents was 43.0 years. Slightly more than 80% participate in private practice either full-time or part-time teaching. Only 5.1% of the respondents aged 65 to 69 had retired. Almost 82% (81.7%) were active members of the Society. More respondents (24.7%) practiced in cities with populations larger than 500,000 and only 4.5% practiced in cities with populations less than 25,000. More than half of the 2,251 respondents (53.8%) practiced in cities with populations less than 150,000, and 44.4% were in cities with populations less than 100,000.

Use of bupivacaine hydrochloride in oral surgery-a clinical study.

A study was developed in an attempt to investigate the possible usefulness of the local anesthetic agent, bupivacaine hydrochloride, for oral surgery. The results show that bupivacaine hydrochloride is an effective local anesthetic agent. It has a rapid onset time, a high frequency of surgical anesthesia, a long duration, and a low incidence of side effects. In comparison to lidocaine, bupivacaine has a greater potency, a lower toxicity at equipotent doses a longer duration, a possible pain-free period after return of normal sensation, and it does not require a vasoconstrictor for consistent profoundness.