Free-flap reconstitutions of head and neck defects after oncologic ablation

Background: Head and neck cancers are the sixth most common cancers worldwide. The primary treatment modality for most head and neck cancers is surgery with reconstruction of resultant defects. Reconstruction of these defects is a unique challenge as it has to not only restore integrity but also function and often cosmesis. The objective of this study was to assess the utility of free flaps in the reconstruction of these defects, done in a tertiary care centre in a three-tier city in India. Methodology: We analyzed the computerized medical records of the last 3 years in this retrospective study carried out in the department of head and neck oncology at the cancer centre. The study included cases that had undergone surgery for head and neck cancer and underwent free flap reconstruction. Results: Out of the 1061 cases requiring reconstruction after an oncologic ablation, 201 cases underwent free flap reconstruction. For defects requiring Facio cutaneous reconstruction, the radial forearm was the preferred donor free flap site, while the fibula was the preferred donor site for mandibular reconstructions survival rate was 94.5%, with factors like age and comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension or habits like cigarette smoking or tobacco chewing not affecting survival rates. Twenty cases of minor flap complications were observed. Conclusions: Free flap reconstructions for head and neck defects after oncologic ablation have been a boon with good survival rates and immense flexibility of use, giving good cosmetic and functional outcomes. Our study shows that a significant number of free flap reconstructions can be done in a tertiary care centre in a three-tier city in India with an internationally comparable survival rate

Free-flap reconstitutions of head and neck defects after oncologic ablation

Background: Head and neck cancers are the sixth most common cancers worldwide. The primary treatment modality for most head and neck cancers is surgery with reconstruction of resultant defects. Reconstruction of these defects is a unique challenge as it has to not only restore integrity but also function and often cosmesis. The objective of this study was to assess the utility of free flaps in the reconstruction of these defects, done in a tertiary care centre in a three-tier city in India. Methodology: We analyzed the computerized medical records of the last 3 years in this retrospective study carried out in the department of head and neck oncology at the cancer centre. The study included cases that had undergone surgery for head and neck cancer and underwent free flap reconstruction. Results: Out of the 1061 cases requiring reconstruction after an oncologic ablation, 201 cases underwent free flap reconstruction. For defects requiring Facio cutaneous reconstruction, the radial forearm was the preferred donor free flap site, while the fibula was the preferred donor site for mandibular reconstructions survival rate was 94.5%, with factors like age and comorbidities like diabetes and hypertension or habits like cigarette smoking or tobacco chewing not affecting survival rates. Twenty cases of minor flap complications were observed. Conclusions: Free flap reconstructions for head and neck defects after oncologic ablation have been a boon with good survival rates and immense flexibility of use, giving good cosmetic and functional outcomes. Our study shows that a significant number of free flap reconstructions can be done in a tertiary care centre in a three-tier city in India with an internationally comparable survival rate

Soil pH Sensing Techniques and Technologies A Review

This paper presents the review on different concepts of soil pH detection techniques and technologies. Soil pH is a key parameter for crop productivity therefore its spatial variation should be adequately addressed to improve precision agriculture management system. Soil pH affects the soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes, and thus plant growth. Soil pH, a measure of hydronium ion (H+) concentration traditionally tested in labs to decide how much fertilizer to apply to a field. Recently, with increased emphasis on precision agriculture, economics, and the environment, soil tests are also a logical tool to determine areas where adequate or excessive fertilization has taken place. In addition, they are used to monitor the impact of past fertility practices on changes in a field’s nutrient status. Therefore, developing rapid tools which can detect pH variations on a site-specific basis has become pressing need of the hour because laboratory based methods are inadequate, time consuming, laborious, and expensive. From above perspective, this paper attempts to present review of existing suitable methods, deliberations on pros and cons, and a proposal for pH sensor development which could transmit data wirelessly

Facial Synthesis of Nano Sized ZnO by Hydrothermal Method

In this contribution we are presenting a simple precipitation hydrothermal method to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using zinc nitrate and starch solution. The obtained precipitated compound was calcined and structurally characterized by Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques. The powder X-ray data indicates that the calcined compound exhibits hexagonal (Wurtzite) structure with space group of P63mc (No. 186). Scanning electron micrographs show uniform spherical like morphology of ZnO. The SEM results reveal that the particle sizes were in the order of 30–50 nm and the average particle size is around 35 nm. The FT-IR result shows the existence of OH-, NO2-,CO, CO2 groups in unclaimed sample. The band gap was higher for synthesized ZnO particles than their bulk counterparts. The results indicate that starch is an attractive material that can be used as precipitation agent for preparing ZnO

Effect of martensitic reversal and grain size on the corrosion and wear behaviour of Cr-Mn steel

In this study, the effect of corrosion and wear behaviour of Cr-Mn steel on fine grains were investigated. The sample were solution annealed (SA) for 1 h at 1050 °C and then cold rolled (CW) to 30%. Further the cold rolled sample were thermally aged (CW + TA) 900 °C for four hours. The findings showed that under the 10 N applied load, wear resistance increased with an increase in hardness and martensite fraction of the cold worked (CW) samples. However, the Cr-Mn steel had the superior wear resistance after thermal ageing (TA). In microstructural examination deformation bands can also be visible in cold work samples. The analysis implies that the γ -phase is apparent across all peaks within the spectra of SA samples. In instances involving 30% cold work, prominent α ′ martensite peaks were observed, accompanied by minimal ε -martensite peaks. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis discloses a reduction in impedance and a concurrent increase in the defect density of the passive film. The CW+TA structure with good inclusive performances created an early constant hardened layer, which didn’t delaminate and peel off prematurely, thereby effectively increasing the wear resistance, according to analysis of the wear mechanism. The results also concluded that the corrosion resistance of CW sample decreases due to SIM formation, however CW+TA sample provide better corrosion resistance due to smaller and refined grain size