Positive nasal culture of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a risk factor for surgical site infection in orthopedics

Background Although nasal carriage of MRSA has been identified as one of the risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) with MRSA, there have been no reports of this in the orthopedics field

Routine inclusion of level IV in neck dissection for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx: is it justified? Head Neck 2004;26: 309–312

Abstract: Background. Dissection of levels II -IV as part of an elective or therapeutic neck dissection is common practice during laryngectomy for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The necessity of routine dissection at level IV has recently been questioned. The purpose of this study was to find the incidence of level IV metastases in patients with transglottic and supraglottic SCC who underwent neck dissections. Methods. The charts of 71 suitable patients were reviewed. Forty-two had supraglottic primary cancers, and 29 had transglottic primary tumors. Levels II -IV had been removed in them all, and their neck specimens were marked according to the levels of the neck. The surgical specimens were pathologically diagnosed. Results. Of 43 patients who underwent elective lateral neck dissection, the only one (2.3%) with level IV metastases also showed metastases at level II. Nine (32%) of the other 28 patients with clinical adenopathy had level IV metastases. Conclusions. Dissection of level IV as part of a therapeutic neck dissection for supraglottic and transglottic SCC is recommended for patients with clinically enlarged lymph nodes, but its necessity in the absence of detectable adenopathy is challenged.

Repair of PIG DURA In Vivo Using Temperature Controlled CO 2 Laser Soldering

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that laser soldering might be successfully used for closing holes or cuts in the dura layer, which encapsulates the brain. Study Design/Materials and Methods: A temperature controlled fiberoptic CO 2 laser system and albumin solder were used for spot soldering of fascia patches to holes in the dura of farm pigs, in vitro and in vivo. Results: The mean burst pressure of the soldered patches in the in vitro experiments was 190 AE 88 mm Hg-significantly higher than typical maximum CSF pressure of 15 mm Hg. In the in vivo experiments the pigs showed no postoperative complications. Histopathological studies exhibited an accepted level of inflammatory reaction and showed no thermal damage to the underlying brain tissue. Conclusions: It has been clearly demonstrated that temperature controlled laser soldering is a very useful technique for the repair of the dura. It provides significant advantages over standard closure techniques: it is easy to apply, the bond is strong and watertight and the procedure is likely to be much faster than suturing. This research work will lead to clinical trials. Lasers Surg. Med. 00:1-7, 2005. ß 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc