Time Of Suture Removal Research Articles

Delayed Regression of Effect in Myopic Epikeratophakia vs Myopic Keratomileusis for High Myopia

We compared the effectiveness and stability of our first six consecutive myopic epikeratophakia procedures (mean follow-up 18 months, range 14 to 26) with our first four consecutive cryolathe myopic keratomileusis procedures (mean follow-up 28 months, range 14 to 35). Myopic keratomileusis reduced preoperative myopia (range -8.9 to -12.1 diopters) by 77% to 94% in four patients. Refraction and visual acuity remained stable for over 1 to 3 years. In contrast, only three of the six myopic epikeratophakia procedures had stable results. The remaining three eyes which were within 0.38 D of emmetropia at the time of suture removal showed a loss of effect, resulting in myopia worse than their preoperative values in two eyes and a small correction in one eye. Only one of the six eyes achieved an uncorrected visual acuity better than 20/200. We conclude that myopic keratomileusis may be the procedure of choice for treating individuals with myopia of -8 to -15 D, because the incidence of late regression of effect after myopic epikeratophakia using the techniques in this study is unacceptable.

Arthroscopic treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus.

A retrospective study of the arthroscopic treatment of transchondral fractures of the talar dome in 18 patients was conducted. Followup ranged from 3 months to 3 years; 10 patients had an average followup of 2 years (Group A) and 8 of 6.5 months (Group B). The 10 male and 8 female patients ranged in age from 14 to 40 years. Thirteen lesions were posteromedial while five were anterolateral. Fourteen of the 18 patients reported an inversion type injury to the ankle from playing various sports on weekends. One patient had a bimalleolar fracture of the ankle sustained in a car accident 18 months prior to referral, while the last patient in the series had a bilateral fracture of the os calcis from a work-related falling incident. All patients underwent conservative care for at least 4 months prior to referral. Arthroscopic treatment consisted of partial synovectomy, debridement of osteochondral lesions with removal of loose fragments, curettage, abrasion, and, in one case, drilling. For analysis of postoperative management, patients were divided into two groups, 10 with the 2 year followup comprising Group A and the 8 with the 6.5 month followup in Group B. Group A was nonweightbearing for 6 weeks while Group B was ambulatory 2 weeks postoperatively. Group A was fully ambulatory when the 6 week nonweightbearing period expired. All patients had a full range of motion at the time of suture removal (1 week to 10 days). Both groups were evaluated objectively and subjectively. Excellent or good results were obtained in 88% of the patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Clinical comparison of TAC anesthetic solutions with and without cocaine

Two preparations of a topical anesthetic solution were compared with regard to their relative effectiveness, the incidence of side effects, and the occurrence of wound infection. Solution A contained tetracaine 0.5%, adrenalin 1:2,000, and cocaine 11.8%; solution B contained the same amounts of tetracaine and adrenalin but no cocaine. Children less than 10 years old who presented with facial or scalp lacerations were randomized into the A and B groups. Solution A was significantly more effective (P = .01) in producing adequate anesthesia; 8.9% of these patients required supplemental xylocaine injection, compared with 27.5% of B patients. Clinical evidence of wound infection, manifested by erythema at the time of suture removal, occurred in 7% of group A patients; none of the group B patients showed these signs. Drowsiness or excitability following the use of solutions A and B occurred in 10.7% and 7.8%, respectively. There was no convincing evidence, however, that these were causally related, nor was there any statistical correlation. Because of the effectiveness of cocaine-based topical anesthetics in the pediatric population and the relatively low incidence of side effects, including wound infection, it is recommended that topical anesthesia for dermal laceration repair be considered as an alternative to injectable xylocaine.

A Prospective Study of the Rehabilitation of the Above-Knee Amputee with Rigid Dressings

Twenty-four above-knee amputees (AKA) treated with rigid plaster dressings were randomized to receive ambulation on pylon within 24 hours of surgery or at time of suture removal. Casts were applied by physical therapists in half of each group, and by a prosthesist in the other half. There were no statistically significant differences among the groups with respect to age, sex, stump length, gait characteristics and wound healing. Time to prescription of final prosthetis was similar in all groups. Specifically, there was no delay in the group ambulated immediately. The immediate ambulators did have significantly greater stump pain requiring more analgesia than the group ambulated after suture removal. Patients with case applied by physical therapists used their prostheses more than patients with cases applied by prosthetists. There was no detectable difference among treatment groups with regard to participation in therapy, acceptance of prosthesis, and psychological status. Recommendation for management of AKA's include: use of rigid dressing; ambulation on pylon after suture removal; utilization of physical therapist for application of rigid dressings and alignment of pylon.

Evaluation of Through-and-Through Corneal Sutures

Sutures placed at the level of Descemet's membrane were compared with sutures placed through and through the full corneal thickness in 42 rabbit corneas using cataract and corneal wounds. The rabbits were killed, and sutures were removed at various postoperative periods up to four weeks. Evaluation of the wounds demonstrated that although the through-and-through technique provided good wound closure in the immediate postoperative period, the technique produced more damage to Descemet's membrane and to the endothelial cells, both at the time of suturing and at the time of suture removal, and tended to produce greater retrocorneal membrane formation. In addition, the through-and-through suturing technique was technically more difficult. In this study performed in rabbits, the one advantage of the through-and-through suture, ie, immediate posterior wound closure, was outweighed by its many disadvantages.