Correlation of orthodontic treatment demand with treatment need assessed using two indices

The orthodontic treatment need of 105 first year university students (51 males and 54 females, mean age 19.75 years) at the University of Hong Kong was assessed using the Occlusal Index (OI) and the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN). The results were compared with the subjects' orthodontic treatment demand derived from a questionnaire. The OI assessment correlated better with the individuals' own perceptions of appearance than did the IOTN, and the treatment need indicated by the OI also correlated better with the individuals' actual treatment demands.link_to_OA_fulltex

Oral misoprostol for induction of labor in prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) at term: A randomized control trial

Objective. To compare the efficacy of two different dosages of oral misoprostol (50 and 100μg) with control, in medical induction of labor for patients with prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) at term. Methods. One hundred women with PROM at term were randomized to receive placebo (vitamin B6 50 mg, control), 50μg (treatment group 1), or 100 μg (treatment group 2) of oral misoprostol every 4 h to a maximum of six doses. The main outcome measures included time interval from onset of PROM to delivery, duration of first stage of labor, and occurrence of vaginal delivery within 24 h from PROM. Results. The time intervals from PROM to delivery were significantly reduced in both treatment groups compared to control (control, 25.1±10.5 h; treatment group 1, 14.5±6.2 h; and treatment group 2, 13.0±6.1 h, p <0.0001 for both). The duration of the first stage of labor was significantly shortened only in treatment group 2 compared to control (3.3±2.5 versus 6.2±3.4 h, p = 0.01). Of those who delivered vaginally (93% in treatment group 1 and 97% in treatment group 2), significantly more women delivered within 24 h of PROM in the treatment group compared to the control group (50%, p <0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in neonatal or maternal outcomes amongst the three groups. Conclusions. Oral misoprostol 50 μg every 4 h is safe, cheap, and as effective as 100 μg in reducing the PROM to delivery time interval and labor duration in primiparous women. The same effect is not observed in a multiparous group. © 2006 Taylor & Francis.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

A comparison of two regimens of intravaginal misoprostol for termination of second trimester pregnancy: A randomized comparative trial

A prospective randomized trial was conducted in 148 women to compare the efficacy of two regimens of vaginal misoprostol for termination of second trimester pregnancy. Women aged 16-40 years requesting termination of second trimester pregnancy were randomized into two groups. Women in group 1 were given vaginal misoprostol 400 μg every 3 h for a maximum of five doses in 24 h. Women in group 2 were given vaginal misoprostol 400 μg every 6 h for a maximum of three doses in 24 h. If women did not abort in 24 h, the same regimen was repeated. The median induction-abortion interval in group 1 (15.2 h) was significantly shorter (P < 0.01) than that in the group 2 (19.0 h). The percentage of women who achieved successful abortion within 48 h in group 1 (90.5%) was also significantly higher (P < 0.02) than that in group 2 (75.7%). The incidence of fever was more common in group 1 (P = 0.01). It is concluded that the regimen of vaginal misoprostol 400 μg every 3 h with maximum of five doses in 24 h was more effective than the regimen of misoprostol every 6 h in termination of second trimester pregnancy.link_to_OA_fulltex

The accuracy of intraoperative frozen section in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors

A retrospective study of 316 ovarian neoplasms which had frozen section evalutation between January 1, 1990 to December 31, 1995 was conducted to determine the accuracy of frozen section diagnosis of ovarian neoplasms. The frozen section results were compared with final diagnoses from paraffin sections. The frozen section diagnosis was accurate in 95.2% of all cases and inaccurate in 4.8%. The positive predictive value of a positive (or malignant) frozen section was 100%, the negative predictive value of a negative (or benign) frozen section was 98.2%. The sensitivity for malignant tumors was 87%. For tumors of borderline malignancy, the sensitivity and specificity were 60% and 98.6% respectively. Of the false negative frozen section diagnoses, 73% (8 cases) occurred in tumors of borderline malignancy. We concluded that with the exception of the sensitivity for the diagnosis of tumors of borderline malignancy, the sensitivity and specificity of frozen section diagnosis for benign and overtly malignant ovarian neoplasms are high.link_to_subscribed_fulltex