Acne and smoking: is there a relationship?

BACKGROUND: There are contradictory reports on the relationship between acne vulgaris and cigarette smoking. The objective of this study was to examine the relation between acne and cigarette smoking in a case-control study. METHODS: A questionnaire on smoking habits was offered to 350 patients with acne vulgaris and 350 patients suffering from skin diseases other than acne, aged 15 – 40 years, attending in a skin clinic in Tehran, Iran. The patients completed the questionnaires anonymously in the waiting room. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-three patients with acne (response rate 83.7 %) and 301 patients with other skin diseases (response rate 86.0 %) completed the questionnaires. Twelve acne patients (4.1 %) and 27 control patients (9.0 %) were current smokers (odds ratio = 0.43, 95% confidence limits 0.22 – 0.87, p < 0.05). But after adjustment for sex, this difference was not significant (odds ratio: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.30–1.26, p > 0.05, Mantel-Haenszel test). CONCLUSION: An association between acne and cigarette smoking was not found in this study

Ultrasound - guided access during percutaneous nephrolithotomy: entering desired calyx with appropriate entry site and angle

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the success of ultrasonography directed renal access in entering the target calyx from proper entry site and in the direction of renal pelvis during percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Materials and Methods: PCNL cases who were operated on by one fellow from May-June 2014 were included in this study. A vertically placed ultrasound probe on the patient flank in prone position was used to identify the preselected target calyx. Needle was advanced through needle holder and fluoroscopy was used to document the entered calyx, site and angle of entry. Results: Successful entering to the target calyx was achieved in 43 cases (91%). Successful entry with appropriate entry site and angle was observed in 34 cases (72%). Reasons for failure were minimal hydronephrosis, upper pole access and high lying kidneys. Conclusions: Although it is feasible to access a preselected calyx by ultrasonography guidance during PCNL, but entry to the calyx from the appropriate site and direction is another problem and needs more experience. In cases of minimal hydronephrosis, superior pole access or high lying kidneys, ultrasonography is less successful and should be used with care

The Use of Unaltered Appendix Transfer in Ileal Continent Reservoir: 10 Years Experience, A Novel Technical Modification

Introduction: We report a new modified technique of unaltered appendix transfer to ileal pouch and preserving ileocecal segment. This modification enables us to use ileum as the popular type of enteric segment instead of ileocecal segment while using appendix as a catheterizable stoma. Materials and Methods: Forty-five patients (30 men) who needed reconstruction of the lower urinary tract were enrolled for using appendix as a catheterizable stoma. Reservoir was reconstructed using ileal segment. The appendix was circumcised from its base over its pedicle. The spatulated appendix tip was exteriorized as a catheterizable stoma to the skin, preferably umbilicus, and its base was implanted to the ileal pouch. Results: Follow-up records of 38 of 45 patients were available. The median follow-up period was 29 months. The mean intermittent catheterization interval was 4.19 ± 1.6 hours. Urodynamic parameters were evaluated for 18 out of 38 patients. The median maximal pouch capacity determined as 380 mL. The median appendiceal closure pressure was 61 cm H2O. No pouch perforation occurred. Stomal stenosis occurred in 3 patients. They did not catheterize their appendiceal stoma because they restarted catheterization through the urethra. Conclusion: This novel approach enabled us to use ileum as today's more popular type of bowel segment to reconstruct enteric pouch rather than using ileocecal segment, while using appendix as a catheterizable stoma. One of the unique advantages of this technique is that the postponement of clean intermittent catheterization will not result in pouch perforation since the urine will leak when the pouch becomes overfill