Medicine
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Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) is an effective surgical technique for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). However, no data exist regarding long-term outcomes after ACCF with the dynamic cervical plate for CSM. This study aimed to provide minimum 5-year clinical and radiographic outcomes of anterior corpectomy and reconstruction using dynamic cervical plate and titanium mesh cage (TMC) for CSM. ⋯ Anterior corpectomy and reconstruction with dynamic cervical plate and TMC might be an effective method for the treatment of CSM at a minimum 5-year follow-up. It can maintain or restore cervical sagittal alignment. Subsidence of the TMC did not influence the clinical outcome.
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Controlled Clinical Trial Observational Study
Effect of a comprehensive plan for periodontal disease care on oral health-related quality of life in patients with periodontal disease in Taiwan.
A comprehensive plan for periodontal disease (PD) care in Taiwan provides non-surgical and supportive periodontal treatment. The aim of this study was to determine whether the care plan could improve the oral health-related quality of life of patients with PD. This study was conducted by purposive sampling and a quasi-experimental design. ⋯ The number of teeth with probing depth ≥5 mm and the percentage of dental plaque were both significantly reduced after the intervention (both P < .001). Patients with a comprehensive plan for PD care showed some improvement in QoL, including in the environmental domain, and on the total score for OHRQoL. Comprehensive periodontal treatment also alleviated periodontal symptoms.
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Observational Study
Natural course and outcomes of spontaneous isolated celiac artery dissection according to morphological findings on computed tomography angiography: STROBE compliant article.
We aimed to identify natural course and optimal management of spontaneous isolated celiac artery dissection (SICAD) according to morphologic classification determined on computed tomography angiography (CTA), and to investigate the association between symptoms and morphological classification of SICAD. This retrospective observational study included 21 consecutive patients with SICAD from January 2012 to April 2017. Demographic data, clinical features, treatment modalities, follow-up results, and CTA findings including morphologic classification, dissection length, and relative diameter of the true lumen (TLRD) were reviewed. ⋯ SICAD might be treated by conservative management in stable patients irrespective of the morphologic classification except for with type IV (dissecting aneurysm) and extension of celiac branch who may need an early intervention. Types IIb, IIIa, IIIb, and IV are TLRD are associated with patients' symptoms. Further studies on extended natural course of SICAD with a larger number of subjects are needed to draw a strong conclusion.
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Considering the risk of osteoarthritis following resection of a horizontally torn meniscus of the knee, repairing and preserving the meniscus as much as possible is preferred. We report 3 cases of restoration of horizontally torn menisci using a novel arthroscopic method we have called "all-inside interleaf vertical suture" that afforded preservation. ⋯ The all-inside interleaf vertical suture procedure is a new surgical technique that can repair posteromedial horizontal meniscal tears of the knee of young people by easy crimping of the superior and inferior leaflets without the suture knots causing complications.
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Observational Study
Clostridium difficile infection in hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease: Prevalence, risk factors, and prognosis.
To evaluate the frequency, possible risk factors, and outcome of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. There has been an upsurge of CDI in patients with IBD who has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Various risk factors have been found to predispose IBD patients to CDI. ⋯ A multivariate analysis confirmed that only hospitalization within the preceding 2 months and use of antacids were significant risk factors for CDI. The prognosis of CDI+ patients was similar to that of CDI- patients. Hospitalized IBD patients with exacerbation treated with antacids or recently hospitalized are at increased risk for CDI and should be tested and empirically treated until confirmation or exclusion of the infection.