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Van der Weijden GA, van Bemmel KM, Renvert S. Implant therapy in partially edentulous periodontally compromised patients: a review. J Clin Periodontol 2005; 32: 506–511. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2005.00708.x.© Blackwell Munksgaard, 2005.The purpose of the present study was to perform a review using a systematic approach to evaluate the long-term (⩾5 years) success of implants placed in partially edentulous patients with a history of periodontitis as evidenced by loss of supporting bone and implant loss.An electronic search of the National Library of Medicine, Washington DC (Medline-PubMed) was performed using specific search terms to identify studies assessing, in periodontitis patients, the success of implants with regard to bone level outcomes. Search was performed on abstracts registered up to October 2003.The searches identified 877 abstracts. Titles and abstracts were independently screened by two reviewers (G.A.W.&K.M.B.) to identify publications that met the inclusion criteria. Review of these abstracts resulted in 13 publications for detailed review. These papers were reviewed by the three authors. Finally four papers which met the criteria of eligibility were independently selected by the three reviewers.Based on the limited data, it seems justified to conclude that the outcome of implant therapy in periodontitis patients may be different compared to individuals without such a history as evidenced by loss of supporting bone and implant loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Permacol™ collagen paste (Permacol paste) is a new option for the treatment of anorectal fistula. It functions by filling the fistula tract with an acellular crosslinked porcine dermal collagen matrix suspension. The MASERATI 100 study group was set up to evaluate the clinical outcome of Permacol paste in the treatment of anorectal fistula. This paper reports the results from the initial 30 patients enrolled in the MASERATI 100 prospective, observational clinical trial. Method Patients ( N = 30) with anal fistula presenting to 10 European academic surgical units were treated with a sphincter-preserving technique using Permacol paste. Fistula healing was assessed at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, with the primary end-point of fistula healing at 6 months post-surgery. Faecal continence and patient satisfaction were recorded at each follow-up visit and adverse events were monitored throughout the follow-up. Results Of the 28 patients with data at 6 months post-surgery, 15 (54%) were healed, and the healing rate was maintained at 12 months. Healing after treatment with Permacol paste was similar for intersphincteric to transsphincteric fistulae and primary or recurrent fistulae. Only one patient exhibited an adverse event (perianal abscess) that was possibly related to the treatment. At the last outpatient visit, over 60% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the operation. Conclusion Permacol paste is shown to be effective in treating primary and recurrent cryptoglandular anorectal fistula with minimal unwanted side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

dunning t.l. & ward g.m. (2004) Journal of Advanced Nursing 47(5), 467–474 Testosterone replacement therapy – perceptions of recipients and partners The androgenic hormones are important determinants of sexual behaviour in men. Testosterone replacement is important treatment for pituitary disease to maintain normal functioning. Although the physical effects of testosterone replacement have been well documented, little is known about the effects on relationships, particularly from the point of view of the sexual partners of men receiving testosterone replacement. This paper reports a study exploring the perceptions of testosterone replacement on well-being and sexual functioning. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five men receiving testosterone implants (recipients), their permanent partners, and five recipients without partners. Recipient serum testosterone concentration was measured at 0, 1 and 4 months after testosterone implantation. The three groups reported similar effects of testosterone on well-being and sexual functioning. Recipient and partner ratings were also similar. Strength was less affected by decreasing testosterone concentration than energy in men with partners, but both strength and energy declined in men without partners. Decreased testosterone levels had a statistically significantly different effect on libido at time zero between men with and without partners ( P < 0·015) and on ability to sustain an erection, but the ability to achieve an erection persisted over the 6 months in both male groups. Intercourse frequency increased from once per week at time 0 to ≥3 per week between 1 and 4 months after implant in men with partners. There were important effects of testosterone deficiency on general and sexual relationships, and these differed between men with partners and those without. Testosterone has important physical and psychological benefits that may be related to the age at which testosterone replacement commences and the indications for its use. The small sample size may limit the ability to generalize the findings outside the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using a two-stage implant system in a single-stage procedure and to study the impact of the microgap at crestal level and to monitor the microflora in the peri-implant area. Forty edentulous patients (Cawood & Howell class V–VI) participated in this study. After randomisation, 20 patients received two IMZ implants inserted in a single-stage procedure and 20 patients received two ITI implants. After 3 months, overdentures were fabricated, supported by a bar and clip attachment. A standardised clinical and radiographic evaluation was performed immediately after denture insertion and 6 and 12 months later. Twelve months after loading, peri-implant samples were collected with sterile paper points and analysed for the presence of putative periodontal pathogens using culture techniques. One IMZ implant was lost due to insufficient osseointegration. With regard to the clinical parameters at the 12 months evaluation, significant differences for plaque score and probing pocket depth (IMZ: mean 3.3 mm, ITI: mean 2.9 mm) were found between the two groups. The mean bone loss in the first year of functioning was 0.6 mm for both groups. Prevotella intermedia was detected more often in the ITI group (12 implants) than in the IMZ group (three implants). Porphyromonas gingivalis was found in three patients. In one of these patients an implant showed bone loss of 1.6 mm between T0 and T12. Some associations were found between clinical parameters and the target microorganisms in the ITI group. These associations were not present in the IMZ group. The short-term results indicate that two-stage implants inserted in a single-stage procedure may be as predictable as one-stage implants. The microgap at crestal level in nonsubmerged IMZ implants seems to have no adverse influence on the peri-implant microbiological colonisation and of crestal bone loss in the first year of functioning. The peri-implant sulcus can and does... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an easy to install nerve cuff electrode dedicated to functional electrical stimulation (FES). In this new device, a shape memory alloy (SMA) armature is used to perform the closing of the electrode. This technique makes the electrode installation around the nerve much easier, quicker, and safer. Both remarkable mechanical properties of SMA materials, namely, shape memory effect and superelasticity, can be used to obtain the desired mode of electrode closing. The fabrication procedure of the new electrode is described. It does not require any expensive or complex techniques. Bipolar and tripolar electrodes have been manufactured with an inner diameter of 1.6 mm and a cuff wall thickness of 0.8 mm. These electrodes are to be used for FES of the bladder in spinal cord injured patients. Acute studies in dogs are being carried out to validate the device and the implantation procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]