Background
In low-resource countries, a suture repair is still in common use due to the limited access to commercial mesh implants. The search for less expensive alternatives to the synthetic meshes ...has led to using mosquito nets. Sterilized mosquito net appears to be a low-cost and commonly available product that closely resembles commercially available meshes. However, the extent to which sterilization alters the structure of mosquito nets is still unknown. The aim of this research was to assess the effects of different sterilization types on physico-mechanical properties of mosquito nets.
Materials and methods
Nine different polymers were analyzed (six mosquito nets from low-resource countries, one European net, and two commercial meshes). The analyzed parameters included: polymer type, net surface area, fiber diameter, net thickness, mesh weight, pore size, tensile strength, and tear force. The measurements were taken before sterilization, after sterilization at 121 and at 134 °C.
Results
Sterilization altered net surface and pore size, but did not significantly alter the single fiber diameter, weave of filaments, or net thickness. Steam sterilization did not affect the tensile strength or tear force.
Conclusions
The reduction of the mosquito net surface area by more than 40% due to sterilization at 121 °C, results in a loss of macroporous structure, turning the mesh into hard, shrunken, non-pliable masses. Sterilization at 134 °C causes some mosquito nets to melt and completely destroys their porous structure. Maximum pressure in the abdominal cavity is higher than the tensile strength and tear force of some locally available mosquito nets; therefore, these nets should not be used.
Purpose
A retrospective analysis was carried out to compare the results of patch repair using ready-made, synthetic mesh (PR) and sutured repair (SR) based on standard protocols. The accumulated ...recurrence rate was accepted as the primary outcome. Pain at rest and during exercise, cosmetic effect and treatment satisfaction were chosen as the secondary endpoints.
Methods
Adult patients after elective, open surgical repair of a single, primary umbilical hernia < 2 cm in diameter were included. Patients with incarceration or strangulation, after previous umbilical hernia repair or other abdominal surgical interventions were excluded. In the SR group, single-layer sutures were placed using the short-stitch technique. In PR group, a 6.3-mm ready-made Parietene Ventral Patch (Medtronic) was used.
Results
161 patients (104 in PR and 57 in SR groups) were included in the study (22 months follow-up). Nine recurrences were observed six in PR (5.8%) and three in SR group (5.2%). In PR group, three patients (2.9%) reported complaints at rest and none in SR group, while 18 patients (17.3%) in PR group reported pain during exercises and 7 (12.3%) in SR group.
Conclusion
For the smallest umbilical hernias, the use of dense fascia suturing (short-stitch technique) may be an effective alternative to patch repair techniques in patients with no additional risk factors for recurrence. The mesh patch repair method is associated with a significantly higher risk of postsurgical pain. Diastasis recti is a factor favoring umbilical hernia recurrence after both pure tissue repair and patch repair.
Purpose
The aim of the study was to offer a prospective comparative assessment of long-term outcomes for inguinal hernia repair using Valenti and Lichtenstein techniques.
Materials and methods
568 ...surgical procedures for unilateral inguinal hernia repair using the Valenti (group V) or the Lichtenstein technique (group L) were performed. After the mean follow-up time of 9 years (8–12), 185 patients (70.1%) treated using Valenti method and 186 patients (71.3%) treated using Lichtenstein method were clinically assessed. All clinical data were registered in National Hernia Registry. The rate of recurrence was assessed as primary outcome. The secondary outcome involved chronic pain (VAS).
Results
9-year recurrence rate was 2.2% in both groups. No significant difference in recurrence rate was demonstrated in analysis adjusted for surgeon’s education, type of hernia, hernia size, hernia duration, or BMI between two groups (OR 1.0; 95% CI 0.69–1.67;
p
= 1.0). In follow-up the majority of patients reported no pain (71.9% in V; 73.7% in L). A constant pain was reported by four patients in each group. Severe pain was reported by 1.6% in V and 2.1% in L (
p
= 0.192).
Conclusions
Inguinal hernia repairs using Valenti and Lichtenstein methods show high, long-term effectiveness and do not significantly differ in the recurrence rate. Both methods ensure a low rate of chronic pain. The use of a single mesh size with a precisely defined shape and of a uniform mesh fixation method ensures the standardization of surgical technique. The Valenti method is an uncomplicated, technically reproducible procedure with a low learning curve.
Background
Current recommendations for hernia treatment suggest applying techniques aimed at reducing postoperative pain in patients experiencing intense preoperative pain. However, there is still no ...reliable stratification method of preoperative pain, its circumstances, intensity and frequency, and the current assessments of hernia symptoms are performed by means of a subjective evaluation. The aim of this work is to discuss preoperative pain before hernia repair and determine its nature depending on the type and length of hernia persistence and the patient’s age.
Materials and methods
The data from 1647 patients before inguinal hernia repairs (2010–2017) were registered prospectively in the National Hernia Repair Register (demographic data, pain score and influence on everyday activities).
Results
The most common symptom upon admission was pain (949 patients at rest; 57.6% and 1561 at physical activity; 94.8%). A significant influence of hernia persistence on the pain occurrence and intensity was not observed between patients with hernia < 12-months (60.8%;VAS5.0) and > 5-years (58.3%;VAS5.4) (
p
= 0.068). The occurrence and intensity of pain was significantly higher patients < 40-years (63.7%;VAS5.4) than patients > 60-years (54.3%;VAS4.8) (
p
= 0.008).
Conclusions
While pain at rest is not a significant problem, undertaking physical activities may intensify pain and increase the number of patients suffering from it. Preoperative assessment of pain may help determine the group of younger patients who could benefit the most from inguinal hernia repair. New indications for prompter admission for treatment should be planned in future studies of patients showing pain at rest for possible prevention of postoperative neuropathy.
Carbon nanoparticles are a promising material which finds application in different fields in industry and medicine. For medical applications, biocompatibility of nanoparticles is of critical ...importance because a lot of medical implants are coated by carbon coating. Our previous results showed that nanoparticles may induce increased production of ROS by the cells so we decided to checked if nanopowders can induce apoptosis. Apoptosis was quantified by double-staining with acridine orange and ethidium bromide. For comparison, we identified apoptotic cells with annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide. Our data demonstrate that treatment of the cells with diamond nanopowders may induce apoptosis and necrosis and this effect is dependent on the time of treatment and concentration of the nanopowders. The highest level of apoptotic cells was observed after incubation with Ultrananocrystalline Detonation Diamond (UDD) suggesting that the size is the main determinant of nanoparticle cytotoxicity.
Diamond nanoparticles find numerous applications in industry and medicine. For medical applications, biocompatibility of diamond particles is of critical importance. Various medical implants are ...coated by carbon coating. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of diamond powders, MW/RF1 (produced by the microwave/radio frequency plasma activated chemical vapour deposition method), RF1 (produced by the radio frequency plasma activated chemical vapour deposition method), UDD (manufactured by the detonation method) and GRAF (graphite powder) on the viability of immortalised human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC-ST) and production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide by these cells.
The cells were incubated in the culture medium with diamond or graphite powders (2–100
μg ml
−
1
) for 24–72
h. MW/RF1 and RF1 did not affect significantly cell proliferation, estimated by the MTT assay. However, UDD exhibited a concentration-dependent cytotoxicity. The powders did not affect significantly cellular production of ROS estimated by oxidation of H
2DCF-DA (2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate), except for UDD and GRAF. In the concentration range studied, diamond and graphite powders did not induce any statistically significant changes in the production of nitric oxide, estimated with the fluorogenic probe 3-amino-4 aminomethyl 2′,7′difluorescein diacetate (DAF-FM-DA), except for UDD and GRAF.
► Our study shows the effect of nanopowders MW/RF1, RF1, UDD and GRAF on the viability of HUVEC-ST. ► We observed also influence of nanoparticles on the ROS and RNS production by HUVEC-ST. ► The cytotoxic effects show that DPP obtained by various methods have different biological activity. ► UDD and GRAF powders show significant cytotoxic effects in contact with endothelial cells.
Body piercing is one of the most popular methods to decorate the body at present. All the time this metallic material is in contact with body fluids and living tissues. It is well documented that ...carbon coatings were examined and pointed as safe and biocompatible. In this connection the jewellery made of 316L steel was covered by diamond-like coatings using two methods of plasma activated chemical vapour deposition (PACVD). The biomedical effect of tissue contact with metallic material commonly used for body piercing modified by DLC coating was investigated in this paper.
In vivo short- and long-term investigations were carried out on WISTAR-herd male rats. Modified samples were implanted subcutaneously for 24 h, 1, 4 and 26 weeks. After that time the animals were euthanized and the modified jewellery, surrounding tissue and spleen were harvested. Evaluation of two routine stained sections of tissues and spleen revealed that: 1) carbon coating protects tissues surrounding the metallic implants against metal ion penetrations, 2) immune reaction of tissue and spleen doesn't occur while the non-coated jewellery caused strong reaction, 3) statistically significant differences (
p
<
0.05) are in the numbers and types of cellular components and degree of reaction with respect to modified and non-modified jewellery.
Carbon powders can be synthesized using variety of CVD and detonation methods. Several interesting properties of carbon powder particles make them a very attractive material examined in many ...laboratories all over the world. However there is a lack of information discussing investigation of carbon powders directed to its application in pharmaceutical-cosmetic industry and medicine. Earlier investigation results proved that diamond powders present properties fighting free radicals. Presented work discusses the influence of carbon powder particles manufactured using MW/RF PACVD, RF PACVD and detonation methods onto hydro-lipid skin coat. Before the biological examinations physicochemical properties of carbon powders were determined. Grain size, shape and chemical composition of carbon powders were determined using the scanning electron microscopy. Surface functional groups were characterized by IR Fourier-transform spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Structure and phase composition were investigated by means of the Raman spectroscopy. Results of allergy tests performed on laboratory mice proved that carbon powder particles synthesized using different methods do not cause allergy. In the following stage, the group of 20 patients applied the formula including carbon powder on their face skin. The influence of carbon powder onto hydro-lipid skin coat was determined by measurement of such parameters as: pH reaction, skin temperature, lipid fotometry and level of hydration. Additionally, macro pictures of places where the cream had been applied were registered. As the result of the investigation it was found that powders synthesized using various methods present different physicochemical properties which may individually affect the face skin parameters. The noticeable improvement of hydro-lipid skin coat kilter was observed.
The objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the morphologic characteristics of self-assemblies of diamond (nano-D), silver (nano-Ag), gold (nano-Au), and platinum (nano-Pt) ...nanoparticles with Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria) and Candida albicans (fungi), to determine the possibility of constructing microorganism-nanoparticle vehicles.
Hydrocolloids of individual nanoparticles were added to suspensions of S. aureus and C. albicans. Immediately after mixing, the samples were inspected by transmission electron microscopy.
Visualization of the morphologic interaction between the nanoparticles and microorganisms showed that nano-D, which are dielectrics and exhibit a positive zeta potential, were very different from the membrane potentials of microorganisms, and uniformly surrounded the microorganisms, without causing visible damage and destruction of cells. All metal nanoparticles with negative zeta potential had cell damaging properties. Nano-Ag showed the properties of self-organization with the cells, disintegrating the cell walls and cytoplasmic membranes, and releasing a substance (probably cytoplasm) outside the cell. Arrangement of nano-Au with microorganisms did not create a system of self-organization, but instead a "noncontact" interaction between the nanoparticles and microorganisms was observed to cause damage to fungal cells. Nano-Pt caused both microorganisms to release a substance outside the cell and disintegrated the cytoplasmic membrane and cell wall.
Nano-Ag, nano-Au, and nano-Pt (all metal nanoparticles) are harmful to bacteria and fungi. In contrast, nano-D bind closely to the surface of microorganisms without causing visible damage to cells, and demonstrating good self-assembling ability. The results indicate that both microorganisms could be used as potential carriers for nano-D.
PDF
