Lower body negative pressure chamber: Design and specifications for tilt-table mounting

Specifications for a lower body negative pressure chamber for mounting on a tilting table are presented. The main plate is made from HEXEL honeycomb board 1.0 inch thick. The plate, supported at three edges, will be subjected to a uniform pressure differential of -4.7 lb/sq in. A semi-cylindrical Plexiglass top (chamber) is attached to the main plate; the pressure within the chamber will be about 10lb/sq in during operation. The stresses incurred by the main plate with this partial vacuum were calculated. All linear dimensions are in inches

The analysis of the outcomes and factors related to iliac-obturator involvement in cutaneous melanoma patients after lymph node dissection due to positive sentinel lymph node biopsy or clinically detected inguinal metastases

Background: We assessed clinical-pathological features and outcomes of cutaneous melanoma patients after ilio-inguinal lymph node dissection (LND) in relation to the presence of metastases in iliac-obturator nodes. Methods: We analyzed 390 consecutive patients who underwent ilio-inguinal therapeutic LND [TLND] (237) due to clinical/cytologically detected metastases or after completion LND [CLND] (153) due to positive SLN biopsy (in one cancer centre 1994-2009). Median follow-up time was 60 months. Results: The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 49% and median OS - 52 months in the entire group of patients. According to univariate analysis following factors had significant negative influence on OS: presence of metastases to iliac-obturator nodes (5-year OS for positive versus negative: 54.5% and 32%, respectively), macrometastases, higher Breslow thickness, ulceration, higher Clark level, male gender, number of metastatic lymph nodes, extracapsular extension, and, additionally in the CL Conclusions: Metastases to iliac-obturator nodes have additional negative prognostic value for melanoma patients with inguinal basin involvement. We are able to identify the subgroup of patients after positive SLN biopsy without metastases to iliac-obturator nodes, probably requiring only inguinal LND. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved