Long term results of pneumatic retinopexy

Amin F EllakwaMenoufiya University, Shibin el Kom, Al-Menoufiya, EgyptBackground: Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment is a commonly encountered retinal problem where rapid treatment can prevent irreversible vision loss. Pneumatic retinopexy (PR) is a simple, minimally invasive procedure for retinal reattachment.Purpose: This study aimed to assess the long-term anatomical and functional outcome of pneumatic retinopexy in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.Patients and methods: A prospective interventional study was performed. Subjects with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment who underwent pneumatic retinopexy from May 2006 to May 2007 at Menoufiya University Hospital were included in this study with at least 3 years follow-up.Results: A total of 40 cases were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 44.25 ± 10.85 years. Reattachment of the retina was achieved in 100% of cases. In 75% of cases, the primary intervention was successful. However, the retina redetached in 20% of these during the first 6 months, requiring reinjection or another procedure. Three years after the first intervention, follow-up measurement of the mean visual acuity of the eyes without reoperation was 0.40 ± 0.21 while the mean visual acuity of the eyes which needed additional operations was 0.22 ± 0.13.Conclusion: Sixty percent of the cases obtained long-term retinal reattachment with a single operation success (SOS), with good visual recovery and less morbidity than other more invasive procedures like scleral buckling or pars plana vitrectomy, translating to higher productivity for the patient. This procedure, being quicker than the alternatives, also saves the surgeon's time, making PR a good choice for managing primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in developing countries.Keywords: pneumatic, retinopexy, rhegmatogenous, retinal detachmen

Intravitreal bevacizumab alone or combined with triamcinolone acetonide as the primary treatment for diabetic macular edema

Hatem M Marey, Amin F EllakwaOphthalmology Department, Minoufiya University, EgyptPurpose: To compare the efficacy of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab alone or combined with intravitreal triamcinolone as the primary treatment for cases with diabetic macular edema (DME).Methods: Ninety eyes were enrolled in one of the three study arms; where intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVT) was used in group I, IVT/intravitreal bevacizumab (IVT/IVB) in group II, and IVB in group III. The visual acuity (VA) and central macular thickness (CMT) were used as the outcome measures, where the results of each group were calculated and compared with the results of the other.Results: There was significant improvement in the VA in the three study groups at weeks 6 and 12; with regards to the intraocular pressure (IOP), there was significant difference at week 6 in the IVT and IVT/IVB groups, and at week 12 in IVT/IVB group, and nonsignificant difference at week 6 in the IVB group and at week 12 in IVT and IVB groups.Conclusion: From this study, we conclude that IVB is an effective drug for treatment of DME, and has a long lasting effect when compared with IVT and when compared with combined IVT/IVB; adding IVT does not affect the outcome measures except for elevating the IOP in treated patients in the early post-injection period.Keywords: visual acuity, central macular thickness, intraocular pressure, IVT, IV

Vascular endothelial growth factor correlation with clinicopathological parameters in ovarian cancer

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most lethal gynaecologic malignancies with an increasing incidence worldwide; there is an increasing need for the identification of novel prognostic biomarkers in EOC patients. Given the key role of angiogenesis and growth factors in the biology of tumorigenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is considered a milestone in the process of ovarian cancer progression and invasiveness. Authors aimed in the present study to evaluate the relevance of serum level of VEGF with clinicopathological parameters in patients with EOC. VEGF is reported to be correlated with variable parameters in EOC patients including International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification, lymph nodal involvement and ascites formation. In the following review, authors discussed these correlations and distinguished the possible future role of VEGF as a promising prognostic biomarker for EOC patients

Próteses parciais fixas reforçadas por fibras: um estudo clínico retrospectivo preliminar

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance (retention rate) of fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures (FPDs). Polyethylene fiber (Ribbond®) was used combined with restorative composite during FPDs fabrication. FPDs were placed in thirteen patients in a private clinic. Nineteen FPDs were evaluated. The prosthetic space was filled with only one pontic using extracted teeth (2 cases), acrylic resin teeth (11 cases), or with composite resin (6 cases), combined with Polyethylene fiber. The clinical criterion used was based on retention rate of FPDs. If FPDs were in function in the mouth at the time of examination without previous repair they were classified as Complete Survival (CS) restorations. A classification of Survival with Rebonding (SR) was assigned in the event of an adhesive failure, but after rebonding the FPD still remained under evaluation. Treatment was classified as a Failure (F) if the FPD restoration was lost. The time of evaluation was 41.15 months (±15.13). The FPDs evaluated were retained (CS=94.75%), and no failure was found except for in one situation which required rebonding (SR=5.25%). According to the survival estimation method of Kaplan-Meyer the mean survival time was 42.3 months. At the time of evaluation investigated, polyethylene-reinforced FPDs showed a favorable retention rate in preliminary data.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a performance clínica (percentagem de retenção) de próteses parciais fixas reforçadas por fibras. Fibras de polietileno (Ribbond®) foram usadas em combinação com resina composta durante a confecção das próteses. Os tratamentos foram realizadas em 13 pacientes, em uma clínica privada., sendo que 19 próteses foram reavaliadas. O espaço protético era preenchido com um pôntico usando o próprio dente extraído (2 casos), dentes de acrílico (11 casos) ou confeccionados com resina composta (6 casos), em todas as situações eram empregadas fibras de polietileno. Os critérios clínicos usados foram baseados na percentagem de retenção das próteses parciais fixas. As próteses que estavam em função no momento da avaliação, sem nunca necessitar de qualquer reparo prévio, foram classificadas como sobrevivência completa (SC). A classificação de sobrevivência com nova colagem (SR) foi utilizada para os casos de falha adesiva, com posterior cimentação da peça, a qual permanecia em função. O tratamento era classificado como falha (F) quando a restauração era perdida. O tempo médio de avaliação foi de 41,15 meses (±15,13). Nenhum caso de falha foi detectado, em apenas um caso houve falha adesiva com posterior colagem da peça (SR=5,25%) e em 94.75% dos casos as próteses permaneciam em função.. De acordo com o método de sobrevida de Kaplan-Meyer o tempo médio de sobrevida foi de 42,3 meses. As próteses parciais fixas reforçadas por fibras mostraram uma percentagem de retenção favorável neste estudo preliminar

Removable partial dentures: The clinical need for innovation

Statement of problem: The number of partially dentate adults is increasing, and many patients will require replacement of missing teeth. Although current treatment options also include fixed partial dentures and implants, removable partial dentures (RPDs) can have advantages and are widely used in clinical practice. However, a significant need exists to advance materials and fabrication technologies because of the unwanted health consequences associated with current RPDs. Purpose: The purpose of this review was to assess the current state of and future need for prosthetics such as RPDs for patients with partial edentulism, highlight areas of weakness, and outline possible solutions to issues that affect patient satisfaction and the use of RPDs. Material and methods: The data on treatment for partial edentulism were reviewed and summarized with a focus on currently available and future RPD designs, materials, means of production, and impact on oral health. Data on patient satisfaction and compliance with RPD treatment were also reviewed to assess patient-centered care. Results: Design, materials, ease of repair, patient education, and follow-up for RPD treatment all had a significant impact on treatment success. Almost 40% of patients no longer use their RPD within 5 years because of factors such as sociodemographics, pain, and esthetics. Research on RPD-based treatment for partial edentulism for both disease-oriented and patient-centered outcomes is lacking. Conclusions: Future trials should evaluate new RPD materials and design technologies and include both long-term follow-up and health-related and patient-reported outcomes. Advances in materials and digital design/production along with patient education promise to further the application of RPDs and improve the quality of life for patients requiring RPDs

Intravitreal bevacizumab with or without mitomycin C trabeculectomy in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma

Hatem M Marey, Amin F EllakwaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufiya University, Shibin el Kom, EgyptPurpose: To demonstrate the role of intravitreal bevacizumab in regression of iris neovascularization, and intraocular pressure (IOP) control in neovascular glaucoma.Methods: A retrospective random case series study was performed. Twenty eyes of 20 patients who presented with neovascular glaucoma were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab 2.5 mg in 0.1 mL. Retinal photocoagulation was performed for all cases as soon as possible after intravitreal injection and subscleral trabeculectomy with mitomycin C 0.4 mg/mL for 3 minutes for cases having peripheral anterior synechiae. Cases were followed up for 12 months when regression of iris neovessels, IOP control, improvement in visual acuity, and success of filtering surgery were recorded.Results: All cases showed complete regression of iris neovessels at 2 months after injection; recurrence of iris neovessels was observed in 4 cases (20%) at 4 months and in 14 cases (70%) at 8 months follow-up. The mean IOP dropped from 41.45 ± 5.89 mmHg preoperatively, to 19.3 ± 5.5 mmHg and 17.75 ± 3.74 mmHg at 6 months and 12 months postoperatively, respectively. The success rate of subscleral trabeculectomy with mitomycin C after intravitreal bevacizumab was 77.8%. Visual acuity was improved in 17 cases (85%) from preoperative 0.12 ± 0.11 to 0.26 ± 0.2 postoperative.Conclusion: Intravitreal bevacizumab has a role in regression of iris neovessels and IOP control in neovascular glaucoma cases and also in increasing the success rate of subscleral trabeculectomy with mitomycin C; however this role has a limited time and reinjection is needed to maintain this effect.Keywords: bevacizumab, intravitreal injection, mitomycin C, neovascular glaucoma, subscleral trabeculectom