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Psychologic stress and recurrent aphthous ulceration.

The present study was undertaken in order to test the hypothesis that psychological stress is a provoking factor in attacks of recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU). The population consisted of 22 patients (17 women, 5 men; mean age 39 yr, variation 17-69) with minor RAU. Psychologic stress was evaluated by means of the social readjustment rating scale (SRRS) and a visual analog scale (VAS). In each subject evaluation took place twice: once in the presence of new ulcer(s) and once in the absence of subjective and objective symptoms of RAU. At both stages, the SRRS scores were obtained on the basis of the preceding 2 wk and, VAS scores on the basis of the preceding week. The results showed no statistically significant differences in neither SRRS nor VAS scores between the two stages. Thus, no association between psychologic life stress and recurrences of RAU could be demonstrated, and it is concluded that more standardized circumstances are needed if any such association should be demonstrated.

Adolescent↗

Arthroscopic procedures for the treatment of anterior shoulder instability: local experiences.

OBJECTIVE: To review the outcomes of arthroscopic stabilisation procedures for the treatment of recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Regional hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Patients receiving arthroscopic stabilisation procedures for recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation between 1999 and 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional outcomes including pain, range of motion, and activity level were assessed using the Constant score. Intra-operative findings were also discussed. RESULTS: A total of 18 arthroscopic stabilisation procedures were performed for the treatment of recurrent shoulder instability. Two cases converted to open procedures were excluded from this review. The overall outcomes were good and seven patients reported a full recovery. Fourteen out of 16 patients reported minimal or no pain, and the mean Constant score was 80. There were no cases of re-dislocation and no major complication was noted. CONCLUSION: All the reviewed patients had a satisfactory functional recovery. Therefore, we believe that the use of arthroscopic stabilisation procedure can produce a favourable outcome for appropriate shoulder pathologies.

Adolescent↗

Prediction of survival after liver retransplantation for late graft failure based on preoperative prognostic scores.

The current policy for determining priority for organ allocation is based on the model for end stage liver disease (MELD). We hypothesize that severity of graft dysfunction assessed by either the MELD score or the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score correlates with mortality after liver retransplantation (re-OLT). To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the outcome of 40 consecutive patients who received re-OLT more than 90 days after primary orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The Kaplan-Meier 1-year and 5-year survival rates after re-OLT were 69% and 62%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) values generated by the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were 0.82 (CI 0.70-0.94) and 0.68 (CI 0.49-0.86), respectively (P =.11), for the CTP and MELD models in predicting 1-year mortality after re-OLT. The 1-year and 5-year survival rates for patients with CTP scores less than 10 were 100% versus 50% and 40%, respectively, for CTP scores of at least 10 (P =.0006). Patients with MELD scores less than or equal to 25 had 1-year and 5-year survival rates of 89% and 79%, respectively, versus 53% and 47%, respectively, for MELD scores greater than 25 (P =.038). Other mortality predictors include hepatic encephalopathy, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and creatinine level of 2 mg/dL or higher. Analysis of an independent cohort of 49 patients showed a trend for a correlation between CTP and MELD scores with 1-year mortality, with AUC of 0.59 and 0.57, in respective ROC curves. In conclusion, our results suggest that severity of graft failure based on CTP and MELD scores may be associated with worse outcome after re-OLT and provide a cautionary note for the "sickest first" policy of organ allocation.

Adult↗

Lichtenstein inguinal hernioplasty using butyl-2-cyanoacrylate versus sutures. Preliminary experience of a prospective randomized trial.

The Lichtenstein hernioplasty has become a popular method in inguinal hernia repair. This study compared two methods of mesh fixation and wound closure. Forty-six men with unilateral inguinal hernia were randomized into two groups. In the control group polypropylene mesh was anchored with 3/0 Dexon sutures, fascia and skin were closed with sutures 3/0 Dexon and 3/0 Monosof. In the study group, the mesh was secured with butyl-2-cyanoacrylate adhesive and the fascia and skin were also glued with the adhesive. The costs of materials, duration of the operation, amount of postoperative analgesic doses, pain score after the first and the 7th postoperative day and return to daily activity were recorded. No recurrences during the mean follow-up of 4.7 months were observed and the cosmetic effect was very good. In the study group with tissue adhesive the patients had significantly lower pain score after the first postoperative day and had a tendency to require less analgetic doses and to return earlier to their daily activity. Duration of the operation was similar in both groups. The cost of sutures and tissue adhesive used in both procedures was comparable. The use of tissue adhesive in mesh fixation and wound closure seems to be a promising technique in Lichtenstein hernia repair.

Adult↗

[Secondary biological recurrence after radical prostatectomy: multivariate analysis of prognostic clinical, biological, and histologic factors].

OBJECTIVES: To define the clinical, laboratory and histological variables associated with secondary elevation, after an undetectable phase, of PSA after radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study of 83 consecutive patients undergoing retropubic radical prostatectomy with an undetectable postoperative PSA at 3 months. The predictive value of five preoperative criteria (age, total PSA, Gleason score on biopsies, positive apical biopsies, clinical stage) and four postoperative criteria (pathological stage, Gleason score on the operative specimen, positive margins, follow-up) for secondary laboratory progression was studied by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 36 months, the laboratory recurrence rate was 19%. Laboratory recurrence was associated with a biopsy Gleason score greater than or equal to 7 (p = 0.04), a high pathological stage (p = 0.03), a high histological score (Gleason > or = 7) (p < 0.01) and positive margins (p = 0.04). Logistic regression identified a Gleason score on the operative specimen greater than or equal to 7 to be the only element predictive of secondary laboratory progression. CONCLUSION: The concept of positive margins or high pathological stage is insufficient to identify the risk of laboratory progression after radical prostatectomy. The Gleason score, which evaluates tumour aggressiveness, the risk of micrometastases or periprostatic extension, therefore appears to be more useful.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Independent prognostic value of the extent and severity of systolic wall thickening abnormality at infarct site after thrombolytic therapy.

BACKGROUND: The prognostic value of systolic wall thickening abnormality after acute myocardial infarction in the thrombolytic era is not clearly known. METHODS AND RESULTS: Accordingly, 119 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction who underwent thrombolysis were investigated with exercise electrocardiography and rest echocardiography at predischarge evaluation and were followed up for cardiac events. During a mean follow-up period of 19 months, 43 patients had cardiac events. Multivariate analysis with clinical, exercise electrocardiographic, and rest echocardiographic parameters showed that the independent predictors of cardiac events were systolic wall thickening score at the site of infarct (p = 0.02), end-systolic volume (p = 0.03), and exercise time (p = 0.02). The only independent predictor for both recurrent ischemic (death, unstable angina, and reinfarction) and nonischemic events (congestive heart failure and ventricular tachycardia) was systolic wall thickening score at the site of infarct (p = 0.02 and p = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Systolic wall thickening abnormality at rest is an important independent predictor of cardiac events in patients who have undergone thrombolysis after acute myocardial infarction.

Echocardiography↗

Depressed heart rate response to vasodilator stress for myocardial SPECT predicts mortality in patients after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: As heart rate (HR) response during vasodilator stress myocardial perfusion studies can be a marker of HR variability, we investigated its prognostic value in patients after myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: Subjects were 147 survivors of MI who underwent vasodilator stress thallium-201 scintigraphy. HR response was measured as peak to basal (P/B) ratios during vasodilator infusion. End points for survival analysis were all-cause deaths, non-fatal recurrent MI, and soft events. RESULTS: HR response was significantly depressed in the post-MI patients compared to controls (p<0.0005). HR response correlated to LVEF (r=0.37, p<0.0001) and summed stress scores (r=-0.18, p<0.05), but not with antianginal medication. During 58+/-30 mo of follow-up, there were 15 deaths, 7 recurrent MI, and 11 soft events. Low HR response, old age, low LVEF, and high difference score were significant univariate risk factors for death. Multivariate analysis identified low HR response (p=0.03), high stress score (p=0.02), and low LVEF (p=0.05) as independent predictors of mortality. The predictive value of HR response was incremental to that offered by other variables (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: HR response, readily attained during vasodilator stress myocardial perfusion studies, may provide useful additional prognostic information in post-MI patients.

Analysis of Variance↗

[Clinical study of endocrine therapy in stage B and C prostate cancer].

To evaluate the usefulness of endocrine therapy for stage B and C prostate cancer, we carried out a retrospective study on overall survival rate, cause-specific survival, PSA recurrence-free rate, and their predictive factors in 118 patients with stage B prostate cancer, 61 with stage C prostate cancer who underwent endocrine therapy at our department between 1985 and 2001. The cause-specific survival rate and PSA recurrence-free rate of stage B patients who underwent endocrine therapy were well, and they will take a good clinical course. Thus, in this stage of prostate cancer, aged patients and patients with complications may be good candidates for endocrine therapy. The cause-specific survival rate and PSA recurrence-free rate in the stage C patients who underwent endocrine therapy were significantly low. In stage C patients, endocrine therapy should be combined early with other methods such as radiotherapy. In the stage B patients who underwent endocrine therapy, PSA and Gleason score appeared to be associated with the cause-specific survival rate and PSA recurrence-free rate.

Aged↗

Mesalazine and/or Lactobacillus casei in preventing recurrence of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon: a prospective, randomized, open-label study.

GOALS: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of mesalazine, with or without Lactobacillus casei, in preventing recurrence of symptomatic diverticular disease of the colon. BACKGROUND: Both mesalazine and probiotics showed recently their effectiveness in obtaining remission of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon. Consistent data are not available on the optimal therapy to prevent recurrence of symptomatic diverticular disease of the colon. STUDY: Multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label study. Ninety consecutive patients (36 men, 54 women, mean age 67.5 y, range 39 to 84 y), previously affected by symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon (remission obtained with rifaximin 800 mg/d plus mesalazine 2.4 g/d for 10 d, followed by mesalazine 1.6 g/d for 8 wk), were enrolled in a 12-month follow-up. The following symptoms were assessed at entry and through follow-up by using a quantitative scale: (1) constipation, (2) diarrhea, (3) abdominal pain, (4) rectal bleeding, and (5) mucus with the stools. After recruitment, the patients were randomly assigned to one of the following 3 groups: mesalazine 1.6 g/d (group M), L. casei DG 16 billion/d for 15 d/mo (group L); mesalazine 1.6 g/d+L. casei DG 16 billion/d for 15 d/mo (group LM). RESULTS: Eighty-five patients completed the study (94.5%): 2 patients (2.22%, 1 of group M and 1 of group LM) were withdrawn from the study for protocol violation and 1 (1.11%) for hospital admission due to acute pulmonary disease (group L); 2 patients (2.22%) were lost to follow-up. Seventy-five patients (88.2%) were symptom free after the 12th month of treatment (overall symptomatic score: (0): 23/27 patients of group M [on intention to treat: 76.7% confidence interval (CI 95%: 61.5 to 91.8)], 23/29 of group L [on intention to treat: 76.7% (CI 95%: 61.5 to 91.8)], 29/29 of group LM [on intention to treat: 96% (CI 95%: 94.2 to 100)] (P < 0.05). Only 10 patients (11.1%) showed recurrence of symptoms (overall symptomatic score: 68). CONCLUSIONS: Both mesalazine and L. casei DG seem to be effective in preventing recurrence of symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon, but their association seems to be more promising in this field.

Adult↗

[Main grade of Gleason's 7 score of the surgical sample correlated with biologic progression in patients treated for total prostatectomy].

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the influence of the main grade of Gleason score 7 of the operative specimen correlated with the blood PSA level on the laboratory progression-free survival of patients treated by radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 331 patients consecutively treated by radical prostatectomy and presenting a Gleason score 7 were analysed. Exclusion criteria were the use of radiotherapy and/or preoperative and/or postoperative endocrine therapy. The main grade (3 or 4), histological stage, and blood PSA level were analysed for their predictive value of laboratory progression-free survival. The mean follow-up was 3.5 years (range: 13.6 to 72.8 months). Laboratory recurrence was defined by a PSA > 0.4 ng/ml. RESULTS: The main grade of Gleason score 7 was 3 in 199 (60%) patients and 4 in 132 (40%) patients with a mean follow-up of 3.6 years. Laboratory progression-free survival rates were 89% and 72% for main grades 3 and 4, respectively (p = 0.03). When the cancer was confined to the prostate, the progression-free survival rates were 96% and 88% for main grades 3 and 4, respectively (p = 0.01). For a PSA < 10 ng/ml, main grade 3 was associated with a better laboratory progression-free survival rate than main grade 4 (p = 0.0007). No difference in terms of laboratory progression was observed in the presence of extraprostatic extension or PSA > 10 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: A high correlation was observed between the main grade of Gleason score 7 and laboratory progression-free survival. Main grade 3 constituted a factor of better prognosis than main grade 4.

Disease Progression↗

Small molecule glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors as upstream therapy in acute coronary syndromes: insights from the TACTICS TIMI-18 trial.

Glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors are beneficial in unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (UA/NSTEMI). In large trials, the GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors tirofiban and eptifibatide were each found to reduce the risk of death or myocardial infarction (MI) in these patients at 30 days. These agents appear to be of greatest benefit in patients with a positive troponin at baseline, diabetes or ST-segment depression, recurrent angina, prior aspirin use, or a Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score > or = 4. The Treat angina with Aggrastat and determine Cost of Therapy with an Invasive or Conservative Strategy (TACTICS) TIMI-18 trial was designed to compare the benefits of an early invasive versus a conservative strategy in high-risk UA/NSTEMI patients treated with GP IIb/IIIa inhibition. Patients were treated with tirofiban (for 48 h) plus aspirin and heparin and randomized to either invasive therapy (coronary angiography and revascularization when feasible) or conservative treatment (angiography only for patients with recurrent ischemia at rest or a positive stress test). A significant reduction in death or MI was demonstrated at 30 days (p = 0.02) and at 6 months (p = 0.0498). Death, MI, or rehospitalization for an acute coronary syndrome was also reduced with the invasive therapy at six months (p = 0.025). These results provide evidence to physicians that early GP IIb/IIIa inhibition in combination with a prompt invasive approach should be used more widely in UA/NSTEMI patients, particularly those at high risk.

Abciximab↗

[The study of diagnosis and treatment of interstitial cystitis].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the diagnosis and treatment interstitial cystitis (IC). METHODS: The clinical date of 10 cases of IC (all women) were analyzed. Their age ranged from 31 to 63 years, with a mean of 41 years. Their courses ranged from 1.5 to 7 years, with a mean of 3.4 years. The symptom criteria of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) was met for IC and no patients had Hunner's ulcer. Potassium sensitivity tests (PST) were performed in all cases. Eight were positive. The O'Leary-Sant Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI) was used as treatment outcome measures. ICSI score was from 9 to 20 (mean, 14 +/- 4) at baseline. All the patients were treated with hydrodistention initially. Efficacy was evaluated at 1 month after hydrodistention. The patients who failed to respond to the treatment and recurrence after the treatment were treated by oral or intravesical therapy. RESULTS: The 10 cases were followed up for 3 to 26 months (mean, 7.8 months) after hydrodistention. Five patients obtained symptom relief. Among them, symptom significantly relieved or disappeared in 2, with the score decreased > 7; symptom partially relieved in 3, with the score decreased > 3. Five cases failed to respond to the treatment. Two cases had recurrence 3 and 6 months after the treatment. The effective rate was 50%. The ICSI score was decreased to 11 +/- 6 at 1 month (t = 4.394, P < 0.05) after the treatment. Those who failed to respond or recurrence after hydrodistention were treated by other methods. Two case were treated with oral Pentosan Polysulfate, effective. Three cases were treated with amitriptylin, 2 effective. Three cases were treated with intravesical Dimethyl sulfoxide plus heparin plus dexamethasone, all effective. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of IC should meet the symptom criteria of the NIDDK. PST has significant high positive rate in IC patient, which can be used not only for diagnosis but also for instruction. There are a lot of strategies in the management of patients with IC. Hydrodistention is the first choice.

Adult↗

Argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region in proliferating cell has a predictive value for local recurrence in superficial bladder tumor.

PURPOSE: It has been shown in many carcinomas that the proliferation rate and number of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNOR) are associated with tumor aggressiveness. However, in bladder tumor the significance of the correlation between the number of AgNOR and tumor behavior remains controversial. Therefore, it would be helpful if a new technique could be developed that would allow for more accurate AgNOR counting in association with tumor behavior. We established the simultaneous staining technique of AgNOR with Ki-67 labeling to reveal the significance of AgNOR count in superficial bladder tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 paraffin sections of superficial bladder tumor were stained with AgNOR and Ki-67 (MIB-1). The numbers of AgNORs in proliferating (MIB-1 positive) or resting (MIB-1 negative) cells were counted from a total of 100 nuclei. Correlations between MIB-1 associated AgNOR count and clinicopathological parameters were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The AgNOR count in proliferating cells was significantly higher than that in resting cells (p<0.01), and the count significantly increased with tumor grade (p<0.01). Based on recurrence-free survival analyses the local recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with high proliferating cell NOR but not for those with resting or whole cells. However, no AgNOR score helped to select patients at high risk for disease progression. CONCLUSIONS: Proliferating cell NOR had a predictive value for local recurrence in patients with superficial bladder tumor.

Adult↗

Nonsurgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with bladder calculi.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the outcome of men with bladder calculi who did not undergo transurethral resection of the prostate after endoscopic stone removal. Bladder calculi associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have historically been an absolute indication for transurethral resection of the prostate. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the results of 23 men who underwent endoscopic removal of bladder calculi with subsequent medical management of BPH symptoms was performed. Inclusion criteria included men with bladder stones secondary to BPH, serum creatinine 1.6 mg/dL or less, no evidence of hydronephrosis, and no history of acute urinary retention or neurogenic bladder. The International Prostate Symptom Score and postvoid residual urine volume before and after treatment and the incidence of bladder stone recurrence and associated complications were recorded. All patients were treated with either an alpha-receptor blocker or alpha-receptor blocker and finasteride after bladder stone removal. RESULTS: The follow-up after endoscopic removal of the bladder calculi averaged 30.0 months (range 6 to 96). The International Prostate Symptom Score before and after treatment was 18.3 and 9.4 (P <0.01), respectively. The postvoid residual urine volume before and after treatment was 354 and 179 mL (P <0.01), respectively. Urinary tract infection, acute urinary retention, recurrent calculi, chronic renal insufficiency, or renal failure developed in 21.7% (n = 5), 17.4% (n = 4), 17.4% (n = 4), 4.3% (n = 1), and 0% (n = 0) of the 23 men, respectively. Overall, 18 (78%) did not have any complications. CONCLUSIONS: Many men with bladder stones can be successfully and safely treated with transurethral stone removal and medical management of BPH.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

Overexpression of c-Myc and Bcl-2 during progression and distant metastasis of hormone-treated breast cancer.

The aim of this study was to identify molecules involved in the proliferation and survival of recurrent estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer at the site of metastasis. Most studies of biomarkers are done using the initial primary breast tumor whereas pathological studies of breast cancer lesions after distant recurrence are scarce. Here we evaluated the expression of the oncogenes c-Myc and Bcl-2, mediators of estrogen-dependent proliferation and survival, during breast cancer progression and relapse after adjuvant hormonal therapy. Using a preclinical model of tamoxifen-resistant growth, we found overexpression of c-Myc in all (3/3) and of Bcl-2 in most (2/3) tamoxifen resistant-breast cancer variants. To determine whether c-Myc and Bcl-2 are expressed during breast cancer progression in the clinics we identified breast cancer patients who had received adjuvant hormonal therapy for the treatment of their localized disease and had later experienced relapse. From 583 patients who had received adjuvant hormonal therapy a total of 82 experienced recurrence. Nevertheless, only 22 patients had had a biopsy of their metastatic lesion done after relapse. Twenty-one biopsies were useful for this biomarker study. These biopsies were obtained mostly (20) from breast cancer patients who had received tamoxifen as their adjuvant hormonal therapy. One patient had received an aromatase inhibitor instead. Our results showed that almost all (20) metastatic recurrences expressed ER. Expression of c-Myc was observed in 18 out of 19 metastatic lesions scored while expression of Bcl-2 was detected in 17 out of 21 metastatic tumors. A correlation between ER expression and Bcl-2, but not with c-Myc, was found in these recurrent metastatic lesions. In addition, c-Myc expression was correlated with the nuclear grade of the metastatic lesion. Thus, the frequent expression of c-Myc and Bcl-2 in metastatic breast cancer recurrences suggests that combining hormonal therapy with strategies to block c-Myc and Bcl-2 may prevent growth of ER-positive breast cancer at the site of metastasis.

Adult↗

Radiation therapy after radical prostatectomy: a review of the issues and options.

The role of postoperative radiation therapy after radical prostatectomy is controversial. Radiation can be delivered as an adjuvant therapy in the immediate postoperative period for high-risk patients or as salvage therapy in the setting of a rising prostate-specific antigen. There are important issues that must be addressed when considering radiation therapy after prior prostatectomy. One issue is the determination of whether a patient has local disease amenable to salvage pelvic radiation or whether the patient has occult metastatic disease. In addition, the radiation oncologist must decide if an acceptable dose of radiation therapy can be administered safely to the prostate bed. There are no published randomized clinical trials on the topic of postprostatectomy radiation therapy, although several have completed accrual or are in progress. Based on the available literature, postoperative radiation is a safe option in the patient at high risk for local recurrence based on adverse pathology or clinical features (eg, extensive extracapsular disease, positive margins, high volume Gleason score >7, and so on). Administration of an adequate dose of prostate bed radiation (ie, >64 Gy) in men with these adverse prognostic features appears to effectively reduce prostate-specific antigen (PSA) recurrence rates. The protracted natural history of prostate cancer requires longer follow-up to determine if survival will be ultimately affected by adjuvant or salvage radiation therapy. Some urologists have advised a "wait and watch policy" for high-risk postprostatectomy patients. Administration of radiation therapy is done only if and when the PSA rises. However, data suggest this approach may have limited durability in high-risk prostate cancer and could reduce the likelihood of prolonged progression-free survival. This review summarizes published retrospective and prospective data to guide decision making in selecting appropriate candidates for postprostatectomy radiation therapy.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Autonomic reflexes in preterm infants.

Some autonomic nervous reflexes often tested in adult medicine have been studied in 21 preterm infants (25-37 gestational weeks). The aim was to develop such tests for preterm infants and see if there were any differences in babies with recurrent apnea and bradycardia and babies who had been exposed to sympathicolytic drugs before birth. To test sympathetic nervous activity the peripheral vascular resistance was measured before and during 45 degrees of head-up tilting. To test parasympathetic nervous activity the degree of bradycardia was measured in response to cold face test (application of an ice-cube on the fore-head) and laryngeal stimulation with saline. Finally the heart rate changes after a sudden noise (85 dB) were studied as an indicator of both sympathetic and vagal activity. The peripheral resistance was found to be relatively low in these preterm infants, particularly in some infants tested at the postnatal age of about two months. Heart rate and mean blood pressure did not change during tilting, while the peripheral resistance increased significantly mainly due to lowered limb blood flow. The median decrease of the heart rate during the cold face test was 20.0% and during laryngeal receptor stimulation 23.7%. The sudden noise usually caused a biphasic heart rate response. An autonomic nervous reflex score was calculated and found to be negative (parasympathetic) in infants with recurrent prolonged apnea and bradycardia and positive in infants with clinical signs of increased sympathetic nervous activity.

Apnea↗

Modification of Bankart reconstruction with lateral capsulotomy and selective anatomic repair using suture anchors.

Twenty consecutive patients (17 male, 3 female) with a diagnosis of traumatic recurrent anterior instability of the shoulder were treated by a modified Bankart procedure using suture anchors. The technique consists of vertical incision of the capsule, just medial to the lateral insertion on the humerus and anatomic repair of the Bankart lesion. Humeral-based capsular shifting was performed in patients with anterior-inferior instability. The average age was 24 years (range: 14 to 39 years), and average follow-up period 68 months (range: 2 to 8 years). The average Bankart rating score was 92.5 (range: 70 to 100); with 16 (80%) excellent (score 90 to 100), 2 (10%) good (score 75 to 89), and 2 (10%) fair results. Failure in terms of recurrent dislocation was not reported. Eleven patients (55%) had a loss of 5 degrees to 10 degrees of external rotation either with the extremity at the side or at 90 degrees of abduction. Nine (45%) patients had external rotation equal to the contralateral side. We believe selective anatomic Bankart reconstruction by lateral capsulotomy and humeral-based capsular shifting in cases with marked inferior laxity is a more anatomic and physiologic technique.

Adolescent↗