Analgesic effect of intra-articular magnesium sulphate compared with bupivacaine after knee arthroscopic menisectomy

AbstractThis work aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of intra-articular injection of magnesium sulphate (4%) compared with equivalent volume of bupivacaine (0.5%) after outpatient knee arthroscopic meniscectomy. Forty patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Group M (n=20) received intra-articular magnesium sulphate 4%, group B (n=20) received bupivacaine (0.5%). Analgesic effect was evaluated by analgesic duration, and by measuring pain intensity at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24h both at rest and on knee movement to 90°. The primary outcome variable was pain intensity on the VAS at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24h post arthroscopy at rest and on movement (flexion of knee to 90°), although the magnesium group had lower time weighted averages (TWAs) at rest and on movement, these TWAs were not statistically significant. The median duration of postoperative analgesia was significantly longer in the patients treated with magnesium sulphate (528min) than in the bupivacaine group (317min) (p<0.0001), with less number of patients needing supplementary analgesia in magnesium group (8/20) than those of the bupivacaine group (16/20) (p<0.022). Also analgesic consumption was significantly lower in the magnesium sulphate group (p<0.002). We concluded that the use of magnesium sulphate is rational and effective in reducing pain, and is more physiological and shortens convalescence after outpatient arthroscopic meniscectomy, however our hypotheses that analgesic efficacy of intra-articular isotonic magnesium sulphate would be superior to intra-articular local anaesthetic cannot be supported with this study

European Vitreoretinal Society Macular Hole Study, Prognostic Factors for Anatomical and Functional Success

Background: To identify prognostic preoperative and intraoperative factors for anatomical and visual success of idiopathic macular hole (MH) surgery. Methods: We conducted a non-randomized, collaborative multicenter study using data of 4207 MH surgery from 140 surgeons. Main study outcomes were anatomical closure and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improvement postoperative at 6-12 months. Results: Information on anatomical success was available for 4138 eyes of 4207 operations. Anatomical closure of MH was achieved in 85.7% (3546 eyes). Closure was higher in smaller MH (stages 1-2 versus stage 3: OR=0.35; stage 2 versus stage 4: OR=0.16, and in MH with shorter duration before the operation (OR=0.94). Macular Holes were more likely to close when dyes were used to facilitate internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling (odds ratio=1.73 to 3.58). The most important predictors of postoperative BCVA were the preoperative BCVA (estimate=0.39, p&lt;0.001) and closure of the macular hole (estimate=0.34, p&lt;0.001). We observed Larger improvement in BCVA in combined vitrectomy and phacoemulsification (estimate = 0.10) and post cataract surgery in phakic eyes (estimate=0.05). Retinal tears occurred in 5.1% of eyes, and were less with use of trocars (OR= -1.246) and in combined vitrectomy/ phacoemulsification surgery (OR= -0.688). Conclusion: This international survey confirmed that staining with dyes improves anatomical results but not visual outcomes. After surgery, visual acuity improved during the first year, and final visual acuity was better in both pseudophakic eyes and eyes that underwent cataract surgery during the first year following MH repair

A Database Study of Visual Outcomes and Intraoperative Complications of Postvitrectomy Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To analyze the visual outcomes and rate of intraoperative complications of phacoemulsification surgery after prior pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). DESIGN: Retrospective, multicenter database study. PARTICIPANTS: Eyes that underwent phacoemulsification between June 2005 and March 2015 at 8 sites in the United Kingdom. METHODS: Study eyes were classified as vitrectomized (prior PPV group) or nonvitrectomized (reference group) depending on the vitreous state at the time of cataract surgery. Eyes with multiple intraocular surgeries or history of ocular diseases known to cause cataract progression or increased risk of intraoperative complications during phacoemulsification were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity (VA), rate of intraoperative complications, and time interval to cataract surgery. RESULTS: Eyes in the prior PPV group (n = 2221) had worse preoperative logMAR VA (0.96±0.60 vs. 0.62±0.52, P \u3c 0.0001), were from younger patients, and had longer axial lengths than the nonvitrectomized group (n = 136 533). At all postoperative time points measured up to 24 weeks, mean vision was poorer in the prior PPV group (0.41±0.47 vs. 0.17±0.29 at 4-12 weeks, P \u3c 0.0001) and a smaller proportion of eyes achieved postoperative VA ≤0.30 logMAR (Snellen, ≥20/40) (60.8% vs. 86.5% at 4-12 weeks, P \u3c 0.0001). The rate of posterior capsular rupture was not different between the prior PPV (1.5%) and the nonvitrectomized (1.7%) groups, but the incidences of zonular dialysis (1.3% vs. 0.6%) and dropped nuclear fragments (0.6% vs. 0.2%) were higher in the prior PPV group (P \u3c 0.0001). The mean time interval between PPV and cataract surgery was 399 days. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant improvement in VA with postvitrectomy cataract surgery. However, compared with eyes without prior PPV, there was a worse mean postoperative vision of 0.2 logMAR units, a higher rate of zonular dialysis and dropped nuclear fragments, and a similar rate of posterior capsule rupture

Meat Consumption and Cancer Risk

The authors review the key studies on the association between meat intake and cancer risk, including a new prospective cohort study by Amanda Cross and colleagues published inPLoS Medicine

A Prospective Study of Red and Processed Meat Intake in Relation to Cancer Risk

Using data from a large cohort study, Amanda Cross and colleagues found that both red and processed meat intakes were positively associated with cancers of the colorectum and lung

The Generation R Study: design and cohort update 2010

The Generation R Study is a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life until young adulthood. The study is designed to identify early environmental and genetic causes of normal and abnormal growth, development and health during fetal life, childhood and adulthood. The study focuses on four primary areas of research: (1) growth and physical development; (2) behavioural and cognitive development; (3) diseases in childhood; and (4) health and healthcare for pregnant women and children. In total, 9,778 mothers with a delivery date from April 2002 until January 2006 were enrolled in the study. General follow-up rates until the age of 4 years exceed 75%. Data collection in mothers, fathers and preschool children included questionnaires, detailed physical and ultrasound examinations, behavioural observations, and biological samples. A genome wide association screen is available in the participating children. Regular detailed hands on assessment are performed from the age of 5 years onwards. Eventually, results forthcoming from the Generation R Study have to contribute to the development of strategies for optimizing health and healthcare for pregnant women and children

The second record of a natural apogamous moss sporophyte worldwide

An apogamous sporophyte is reported on a gametophore of the moss Fissidens crassipes subsp. warnstorfii (M.Fleisch.) Brugg.-Nann. The apogamous sporophyte is developed in lateral position near the base of the stem of the gametophore. The seta is relatively short and delicate and the capsule without spores. The moss was found growing in a greenhouse in Cairo, Egypt. This is the second record of a natural apogamous moss sporophyte worldwide. A relevant discussion on the phenomenon of apogamy is given.</p