During the past 20 years, a variety of alloplastic materials have been introduced for chin augmentation. Mersilene mesh (Ethicon, Sommerville, NJ), introduced in 1950, demonstrates many qualities that make it an ideal implant. This article reviews the senior author's (S.W.P.) successful 14-year experience using Mersilene mesh chin implants. Between 1983 and 1997, 264 patients underwent chin implantation procedures. The results show a low rate of infection (0.8%) and displacement (1.5%). There were 14 temporary paresthesias and no cases of permanent anesthesia. There were no incidences of absorption, rejection, or extrusion. Mersilene provides a soft, natural appearance to the chin, and it continues to be our choice for chin implantation.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Rapid recovery from cognitive deficits in abstinent alcoholics: a controlled test-retest study.

The pattern of cognitive deficits and their time-dependent recovery were investigated in a cohort of 49 male alcohol-dependent patients using a repeated measurement design with 49 healthy male controls matched for age, education, and marital status. We combined parts of the Halstead Reitan Battery and the Wechsler Memory Scale with tests that are widely used in German-speaking countries. Patients were tested in the first week (T1) and 5 weeks later (T2) at the end of the in-patient treatment programme. Matched controls were tested also at T1 and T2, which enabled us to take learning effects into account. At T1, the patients showed distinct cognitive deficits on 5 of 12 neuropsychological parameters (perceptual-motor speed, verbal short-term memory, verbal knowledge, non-verbal reasoning, spatial imagination). At T2, significant improvements had occurred in four of the five dysfunctional domains with a significant difference remaining in verbal short-term memory. Duration of dependency and length of abstinence prior to testing had no essential effects on neuropsychological functions. Our results provide evidence for the well-established fact that chronic alcoholism has detrimental effects on cognitive performance, but that performance improves with neuropsychological recovery which occurs rapidly within weeks when abstinence is maintained. Cognitive deficits seem to be similar across different studies and cultures.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Influence of age, alcohol consumption and abstinence on the sensitivity of carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, gamma-glutamyltransferase and mean corpuscular volume.

Duration of abstinence before blood test, alcohol consumption and age was examined in 177 male alcohol-dependent patients as factors influencing serum carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT), serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). The strongest influence on all markers was the factor 'duration of abstinence before blood test'. In patients who had been abstinent for >4 days before the blood test, the markers had low sensitivities (GGT, 33%; CDT, 14%; MCV, 42%), whereas in patients with < or = 4 days of abstinence the markers had reasonably good sensitivities (GGT, 72%; CDT, 56%; MCV, 48%). GGT was more sensitive than CDT (P < 0.05) and MCV (P < 0.001). The combined use of CDT and GGT had sensitivity of over 90%. Mean alcohol consumption in the 30 days prior to the blood test had a significant effect on CDT and GGT, but not on MCV. Age did not have a clear effect on CDT and GGT. For MCV, a significant and linear increase with age was shown. We conclude that GGT is the most sensitive of these three markers. Using GGT and CDT combined, sensitivity can be enhanced to over 90%. The period of abstinence before the blood test has a strong influence on CDT and GGT. If a longer period of abstinence is suspected, MCV should also be measured, in order to detect evidence of earlier heavy drinking.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Aggressiveness, onset of dependence, and treatment outcome in socially well-adapted alcoholics.

Current typologies of alcoholism derive from the whole spectrum of afflicted persons. One type is characterized by variables such as early onset of dependence, violence, and aggressiveness. In previous research, this has been shown to be correlated with poorer prognosis. We tested this association in a fairly homogeneous subgroup of 258 socially rather well-adjusted male inpatients. Aggressiveness was assessed psychometrically. As a group, patients did not differ from general population norms. However, age was negatively correlated with aggressiveness. Even after taking patients' age and duration of dependence into account, aggressiveness was associated with an early onset of dependence and further aspects of drinking history, thus confirming results from previous typology research. Overall treatment outcome after 6 and 12 months was quite good, but was not influenced by aggression.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

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[Computer-supported cleft lip and palate documentation].

In the interdisciplinary treatment of cleft lip and palate patients large data sets are compiled, the storage and management of which seems to be most appropriately done by a computer system. An efficient and PC-compatible system is introduced which features simplicity of use, clearness of structure and suitability for clinic and practice.

Cleft Lip↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Statistical results of the treatment of carcinoma of the mouth].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Carcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in the self-concept of alcohol dependent women and men during inpatient psychotherapy].

At the beginning and at the end of a six week treatment programme, the self-concepts of 82 male and 31 female alcoholic inpatients were assessed. The Giessen test (a 40 item questionnaire comprising six scales oriented towards psychosocial aspects of personality) was applied. Compared to normative data from the general population, patients described themselves as being more depressed, less controlled, less socially responsive and more reserved. During inpatient treatment, patients approached the levels of the general population. With regard to control and depressiveness, however, there were still significant differences at the end of inpatients treatment. Changes on scales relating to interpersonal contact (social responsiveness, openess) are discussed as specific effects of group psychotherapy. Social potency showed a significant interaction effect, with women responding better to treatment than men.

Adult↗