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Background: A full lateral brow-eyelid complex may help rejuvenate and feminize the face. Objectives: To compare periorbital volume change of patients as measured by three-dimensional (3D) stereophotogrammetry before and after blepharoplasty with or without internal browpexy sutures. Methods: This is a prospective randomized controlled study of 124 eyelids of 62 adult female patients who underwent cosmetic upper eyelid blepharoplasty by a single surgeon. Subjects were randomized to blepharoplasty alone (control) or blepharoplasty with an adjunctive "brassiere suture" internal browpexy (intervention). An observer masked to the intervention measured the brow-eyelid volume using standardized images obtained with a 3D camera, before and after surgery. The minimum follow-up was 6 months postoperatively. Results: Sixty eyelids (30 patients) were treated with upper blepharoplasty alone and 64 eyelids (32 patients) had blepharoplasty plus internal browpexy. The mean volume gain was 0.85 mL in the internal browpexy intervention group and 0.19 mL in the control group. The volume increased in all patients receiving browpexy and this change was greater than after blepharoplasty alone ( p  < 0.05). The mean follow-up time was 16.8 months (range 6-24 months). Conclusions: Adjunctive internal browpexy during blepharoplasty was associated with increased volume of the lateral brow-eyelid complex.

Background: This study aims to evaluate three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry measured volume changes in the tear trough area after lower blepharoplasty with midface lift with or without orbital fat manipulation. Objective: Among patients undergoing midface lift surgery, volume change by three-dimensional photography in the tear trough region was compared between those having no orbital fat manipulation, fat transposition, or fat resection. Methods: This is a prospective study of 260 eyelids of 130 patients who underwent cosmetic midface surgery. All patients had an external skin muscle flap midface lift. During the procedure, medial inferior orbital fat was resected, repositioned to a preperiosteal dissection pocket, or not manipulated. Forty-six patients (35.4%) had no fat manipulation, 42 patients (32.3%) had fat preservation with repositioning to the preperiosteal pockets on the medial inferior orbital rim, and 42 patients (32.3%) had fat resection without repositioning. Results: All patients had volume gain in tear trough volume. The amount was not statistically significantly different between fat treatment groups. Mean follow-up time was 12 months (range 6-20 months). Conclusions: Midface lifting improved tear trough volume irrespective of how fat was manipulated.

Objective: The present study aimed to develop and validate an instrument for assessing the communication skills of oncology physicians from a patient's point of view., Methods: A first draft of the questionnaire was compiled based on skills reflecting good physician-patient communication identified in the literature. The questionnaire was critically revised by experts to ensure the validity of its contents. The revised questionnaire was completed by a sample of 153 cancer patients. The questionnaire was developed in German and later translated into English., Results: After analysis using classical test theory and an exploratory factor analysis, four different factors could be extracted. These factors were labelled setting, patient-centeredness, empathy and consulting competencies. Unsuitable items were eliminated within the analysis. All remaining items hold an appropriate degree of selectivity, item difficulty and reliability/consistency., Conclusion: A novel questionnaire for evaluating communication skills of physicians was developed. It contains 36 items and is named 'Com-On Questionnaire: Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Physician's Communication Skills in Oncology'., Practice Implications: The questionnaire is suitable for measuring both the strengths and deficits within the physician-patient communication in oncology from the patients' perspective., (© 2022 The Authors. European Journal of Cancer Care published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: The resection of the primary colorectal tumor and liver metastases is the only potentially curative strategy. In such cases, there is no consensus on whether the resection of the primary tumor and metastases should be performed simultaneously or whether a staged approach should be performed (resection of the primary tumor and after, hepatectomy, or the "liver first" approach). The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of hepatectomy associated with colectomy in colorectal neoplasms, comparing simultaneous and staged resection., Methods: A systematic literature review was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Lilacs, and manual reference search. The last search was in July/2021. Inclusion criteria were: studies that compared simultaneous and staged hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis; studies that analyze short and/or long-term outcomes. Exclusion criteria were reviews, letters, editorials, congress abstract, and full-text unavailability. Perioperative outcomes and overall survival were evaluated and, for staged resections, the outcomes associated with each procedure were added. The ROBINS-I and GRADE tools were used to assess the risk of bias and quality of evidence. Synthesis was performed using Forest plots. The PRISMA criteria (PROSPERO: CRD42021243762) were followed., Results: The initial search collected 5655 articles and, after selection, 33 were included, covering 6417 patients. Simultaneous resection was associated with shorter length of stay (DR: -3.48 days [95% confidence interval {CI}: -5.64, -1.32]), but with a higher risk of postoperative mortality (DR: 0.02 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.02]). There was no difference between groups for blood loss (risk difference [RD]: -141.38 ml [95% CI: -348.84, 66.09]), blood transfusion (RD: -0.06 [95% CI: -0.14, 0.03]) and general complications (RD: 0.01 [95% CI: -0.06, 0.04]). The longest operating time in staged surgery was not statistically significant (RD: -50.44 min [95% CI: -102.38, 1.49]). Regarding overall survival, there is no difference between groups (hazard ratio: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.71-1.04)., Conclusion: Patients must be well selected for each strategy. Simultaneous approach to patients at high surgical risk should be avoided due to increased perioperative mortality. However, when the patient presents a low surgical risk, the simultaneous approach reduces the hospital stay and guarantees long-term results equivalent to staged surgery., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Purpose: The benefits of laparoscopic approaches to treat colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) separately are well established. However, there is no consensus about the optimal timing to approach the primary tumor and CRLM, whether simultaneously or staged. The objective of this review with practical reports is to discuss technical aspects required for patient selection to perform simultaneous laparoscopic approaches for CRC and CRLM., Methods: Literature review of oncological factors associated with patient selection for surgical treatment of CRLM and the use of laparoscopy in those cases, and report of technical aspects for simultaneous CRC and CRLM approaches., Results: Simultaneous laparoscopic resection has been successful in many series of selected patients, although it seems to be safer to perform minor and major liver resection with non-extended colorectal resections, and to avoid two high-risk procedures at the same time., Conclusions: Simultaneous CRC and CRLM resections seem to be safe when patients are carefully selected, also considering the risk of recurrence concerning oncologic outcomes. The pre-planning of simultaneous resection is mandatory to plan trocar positioning, procedure sequencing, and patient position.

Purpose: To provide an overview of the efficacy and safety of available presbyopic excimer laser ablation profiles., Methods: Literature review., Results: Monovision with excimer laser traditionally applies near correction to the non-dominant eye. Different excimer laser presbyopic approaches include the increase in depth of focus, through the controlled change of spherical aberration or asphericity, or multifocal ablation patterns with central or peripheral near vision zones. The studies investigating different excimer laser ablation patterns applied in previously myopic eyes revealed high levels of efficacy with all ablation profiles (between 68% and 99% achieving binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity [UDVA] of 20/25 or better, and between 70% and 100% achieving uncorrected near visual acuity [UNVA] presenting J3 or better). In hypermetropic eyes, most of the studies revealed high levels of efficacy with different platforms (between 78% and 100% achieving binocular UDVA of 20/25 or better and between 70% and 100% achieving UNVA presenting J3 or better). Loss of two or more lines of corrected distance visual acuity varied between 0% and 10% in the myopic eyes and between 0% and 14% in the hyperopic eyes., Conclusions: There is evidence that excimer laser presbyopic strategies accomplish spectacle independence at reasonable levels. There are reliable and safe options for both myopic and hyperopic eyes with satisfactory outcomes regarding near and distance vision. [J Refract Surg. 2018;34(10):698-710.]., (Copyright 2018, SLACK Incorporated.)

Purpose: Increased tarsal platform show (TPS) and decreased brow fat span (BFS) are associated with favorable results in women undergoing cosmetic blepharoplasty. We conducted a study to evaluate the efficacy of upper blepharoplasty with or without a technique (brassiere sutures) to increase TPS and decrease BFS., Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, comparative, case series study of 100 eyelids (50 consecutive women patients) treated with cosmetic upper blepharoplasty performed by a single surgeon. Patients were randomized to receive traditional upper blepharoplasty with a single running suture skin closure versus orbicularis oculi muscle fixation to the periosteum (brassiere sutures) prior to skin closure. Data on patient age, duration of follow-up, complications, and treatment were analyzed. The mean TPS, mean BFS, and mean TPS/BFS ratio were measured at three anatomic landmarks before and after surgery., Results: Fifty-six eyelids (28 patients) were treated with traditional single suture blepharoplasty, and 44 eyelids (22 patients) had brassiere sutures. In both groups, paired t-tests indicate significant differences between preoperative and postoperative evaluations (p<0.05) for eyelid parameters in each location. However, when TPS, BFS, and TPS/BFS ratio were compared between groups with two-way ANOVA, there were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05)., Conclusions: Brassiere sutures during upper blepharoplasty and traditional blepharoplasty were associated with postoperative increase in TPS, decrease in BFS, and increase in TPS/BFS, without statistically significant differences between these surgeries.

Sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) is traditionally diagnosed after de sixth decade of life, although a small percentage of cases are diagnosed in patients under 40 years of age, and incidence is increasing. There exists a great volume of controversy regarding clinical outcome of young patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) when compared to elder counterparts. Our aims were to evaluate the rate of CRC in young patients, to review the pertaining literature and to discuss outcomes and clinical prognosis. A retrospective review involving patients with CRC was undertaken, focusing on age at diagnosis. The information extracted from this literature review showed a trend towards a decreased incidence in older people with an opposite effect among adolescents and young adults. Moreover, biological aggressiveness in young adults diagnosed with CRC has not been fully recognized, although it is usually diagnosed later and in association with adverse histological features. Besides that, these features don't affect outcome. These apparent increase in CRC incidence among young patients during the last decades raises the need for a greater suspicious when evaluating common symptoms in this group. Thus, educational programs should widespread information for both population and physicians to improve prevention and early diagnosis results.

Background: There are very few studies and no consensus concerning the choice between two- and three-stage ileal pouch-anal anastomosis [IPAA] in inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD]. This study aimed to compare operative results between both surgical procedures., Methods: Only patients who underwent a laparoscopic IPAA for IBD were included. They were divided into two groups: two-stage [IPAA and stoma closure] [Group A] and three-stage IPAA [subtotal colectomy, IPAA, stoma closure] [Group B]., Results: From 2000 to 2015, 185 patients (107 men, median age of 42 [range, 15-78] years) were divided into Groups A [n = 82] and B [n = 103]. Patients in Group B were younger than in Group A (39 [15-78] vs 43 [16-74] years; p = 0.019), presented more frequently with Crohn's disease [16% vs 5%; p < 0.04], and were more frequently operated in emergency for acute colitis [37% vs 1%; p < 0.0001]. Cumulative operative time and length of stay were significantly longer in Group B (580 [300-900] min, and 19 [13-60] days) than in Group A (290 [145-490] min and 10 [7-47] days; p < 0.0001). Cumulative postoperative morbidity, delay for stoma closure, and function were similar between the two groups. Long-term morbidity was similar between Group A [13%] and Group B [21%; p = 0.18]., Conclusions: Our study suggested that postoperative morbidity was similar between two- and three-stage laparoscopic IPAA. It suggested that the three-stage procedure is probably safer for high-risk patients [ie in acute colitis]., (Copyright © 2016 European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Aim: To perform a systematic review focusing on short-term outcomes after colorectal surgery in patients with previous abdominal open surgery (PAOS)., Methods: A broad literature search was performed with the terms "colorectal", "colectomy", "PAOS", "previous surgery" and "PAOS". Studies were included if their topic was laparoscopic colorectal surgery in patients with PAOS, whether descriptive or comparative. Endpoints of interest were conversion rates, inadvertent enterotomy and morbidity. Analysis of articles was made according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses., Results: From a total of 394 citations, 13 full-texts achieved selection criteria to be included in the study. Twelve of them compared patients with and without PAOS. All studies were retrospective and comparative and two were case-matched. The selected studies comprised a total of 5005 patients, 1865 with PAOS. Among the later, only 294 (16%) had history of a midline incision for previous gastrointestinal surgery. Conversion rates were significantly higher in 3 of 12 studies and inadvertent enterotomy during laparoscopy was more prevalent in 3 of 5 studies that disclosed this event. Morbidity was similar in the majority of studies. A quantitative analysis (meta-analysis) could not be performed due to heterogeneity of the studies., Conclusion: Conversion rates were slightly higher in PAOS groups, although not statistical significant in most studies. History of PAOS did not implicate in higher morbidity rates.

In the setting of Hemorrhoidal Disease treatment, the option of conventional hemorrhoidectomy is highly effective, but it is still associated with postoperative pain and discomfort. For this reason, technical alternatives have been developed in order to reduce complications and to provide better postoperative recovery. To accomplish this aim, non-excisional techniques such as stapled hemorrhoidectomy and Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal ligation have been introduced into clinical practice with high expectations. The aim of this article is to revise the literature about transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization technique in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease, looking into its evolution, results and possible benefits over other modalities of surgical treatment. The literature review showed that Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal dearterialization is a safe and effective method to treat grades II to IV hemorrhoidal disease. Outcomes in patients presenting prolapse are satisfactory and the association of anopexy is an important aspect of this operation. Anal physiology disturbances are rarely observed and mainly transitory. This technique is an excellent option for every patient, especially in those with previous anal surgeries and in patients with previous alterations of fecal continence, when an additional procedure might represent a risk of definitive incontinence.

Background: Neoadjuvant CRT may lead to significant tumor regression in patients with rectal cancer. Different CRT regimens with consolidation chemotherapy may lead to increased rates of complete tumor regression. The purpose of this study was to understand tumor metabolic activity following two different neoadjuvant CRT regimens using sequential PET/CT imaging in two different intervals following RT., Methods: Patients with cT2-4 N0-2 M0 rectal cancer treated by standard CRT (54Gy and 2 cycles of 5FU-based chemotherapy) or extended CRT (54Gy and 6 cycles of 5FU-based chemotherapy) underwent sequential PET/CT imaging at baseline, 6 weeks and 12 weeks from radiation completion., Results: 99 patients undergoing standard CRT were compared to 12 patients undergoing CRT with consolidation chemotherapy. Patients treated with consolidation CRT had increased rates of complete clinical or pathological response (66 % vs. 23 %; p < 0.001). SUVmax variation between baseline and 6 weeks (88 % vs. 63 %; p < 0.001) and between baseline and 12 weeks (90 % vs. 57 %; p < 0.001) were significantly more pronounced among patients undergoing extended CRT with consolidation chemotherapy. An increase in SUVmax between 6 and 12 weeks was observed in 51 % of patients undergoing standard and 18 % of patients undergoing consolidation CRT (p = 0.04)., Conclusions: Most of the reduction in tumor metabolism after neoadjuvant CRT occurs within the first 6 weeks from RT completion. In patients undergoing CRT with consolidation chemotherapy, tumors are less likely to regain metabolic activity between 6 and 12 weeks. Therefore, assessment of tumor response may be safely postponed to 12 weeks in patients undergoing extended CRT with consolidation chemotherapy., Trial Registration: NCT00254683.

Background: There is no consensus regarding the best timing for temporary stoma closure after proctectomy for rectal cancer, especially if the patient requires adjuvant chemotherapy. This study aimed to assess whether the timing of stoma closure could influence postoperative morbidity., Methods: Patients with rectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic proctectomy with temporary stoma were included and divided into three groups according to the delay of stoma closure after proctectomy: ≤60 days (Group A), 61-90 days (Group B), and >90 days (Group C)., Results: From 2008 to 2013, 259 patients (146 men, median age 61 years) were divided into Groups A (n = 65), B (n = 115), and C (n = 79). At the time of stoma closure, seven (11%) patients received adjuvant chemotherapy in Group A versus 42 (37%) in Group B (p = 0.0002) and 24 (30%) in Group C (p = 0.004), and peristomal hernia was noted in four patients (6%) in Group A versus 14 (12%) in Group B and 21 (27%) in Group C (p < 0.0001). Although overall postoperative morbidity was similar between groups, anastomotic leakage (at the stoma closure site) was noted in one patient in Group A versus zero in Group B versus four in Group C (p = 0.03). Median hospital stay was 5 days in Group A versus 6 in Group B versus 6 in Group C (p = 0.004)., Conclusions: Our results suggested that timing of temporary stoma closure can influence postoperative morbidity. Best results were obtained if stoma closure was performed before 90 days, even during adjuvant chemotherapy. There is no benefit in delaying stoma closure after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation to correct ectasia in eyes with prior refractive surgery., Methods: Forty-one eyes of 25 patients (13 men, 12 women; mean age, 28.66 years) with ectasia after refractive surgery [photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK)] were included in a nonrandomized, retrospective, observational case series. Corneal tunnels were created by mechanical dissection in all eyes. Main outcome measures included uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, keratometry, and computerized analysis of corneal topography. Patients were divided into two groups by the type of refractive surgery (Group A: PRK, Group B: LASIK)., Results: The mean preoperative manifest astigmatism decreased from -1.88 to -0.84 D in Group A (p=0.096) and -3.18 to -1.77 D in Group B (p=0.000). The mean keratometric astigmatism decreased from -2.58 to -1.66 D in Group A (p=0.010) and -4.80 to -2.78 D in Group B (p=0.000). The mean spherical equivalent decreased from -2.97 to -2.05 D in Group A (p=0.065) and -3.31 to -2.42 D in Group B (p=0.014). No significant between-group differences were noted on the comparison of preoperative and postoperative results. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed., Conclusion: ICRS implantation is a useful treatment option for ectasia following refractive surgery, and it has significantly reduced the refractive cylinder and increased best spectacle-corrected visual acuity.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world, and approximately 5% of them develop in a context of inherited mutations leading to some form of familial colon cancer syndromes. Recognition and characterization of these patients have contributed to elucidate the genetic basis of CRC. Polyposis Syndromes may be categorized by the predominant histological structure found within the polyps. The aim of the present paper is to review the most important clinical features of the Hamartomatous Polyposis Syndromes, a rare group of genetic disorders formed by the peutz-Jeghers syndrome, juvenil polyposis syndrome and PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (Bannayan-Riley-Ruvalacaba and Cowden Syndromes). A literature search was performed in order to retrieve the most recent and important papers (articles, reviews, clinical cases and clinical guidelines) regarding the studied subject. We searched for terms such as "hamartomatous polyposis syndromes", "Peutz-Jeghers syndrome", "juvenile polyposis syndrome", "juvenile polyp", and "PTEN hamartoma tumour syndrome" (Cowden syndrome, Bananyan-Riley-Ruvalcaba). The present article reports the wide spectrum of disease severity and extraintestinal manifestations, with a special focus on their potential to develop colorectal and other neoplasia. In the literature, the reported colorectal cancer risk for Juvenile Polyposis, Peutz-Jeghers and PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndromes are 39%-68%, 39%-57% and 18%, respectively. A review regarding cancer surveillance recommendations is also presented.

Background: Local excision may offer the possibility of organ preservation for the management of select patients after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. The oncological outcomes of this strategy have been largely associated with the risk of nodal metastases. Therefore, in addition to final ypT status, baseline staging has been suggested to potentially influence the outcomes of this treatment modality., Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the pathological and oncological outcomes of patients following neoadjuvant chemoradiation and incomplete clinical response managed by transanal endoscopic microsurgery according to baseline staging., Design: This study is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data., Settings: The study was conducted at a single center., Patients: Forty-six patients with distal rectal cancer cT2-4N0-2M0 underwent 5-fluorouracil-based neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Assessment of response was performed at least 8 weeks from radiotherapy completion. Patients with a complete clinical response were not operated on immediately. Patients with an incomplete clinical response were managed by surgery. Those with small (≤3 cm) residual cancers (ycT1-2N0M0) were managed by transanal endoscopic microsurgery., Main Outcome Measures: Patients undergoing local excision following chemoradiation were compared according to baseline staging., Results: Fifteen patients (32%) were cT2N0 at baseline. Final ypT status was ypT0 in 3 (20%) patients, ypT1 in 2 (13%) patients, ypT2 in 9 (60%) patients, and ypT3 in 1 (7%) patient. There were no differences in final ypT status in comparison with patients with baseline cT3-4 or cN+ undergoing chemoradiation followed by transanal endoscopic microsurgery (p = 0.38). Local recurrence was observed in 1 patient with baseline cT2N0 (7%) and in 7 patients (23%) with stage II and III (p = 0.18)., Limitations: This study was limited by the short follow-up, its limited sample size, and its retrospective and nonrandomized nature., Conclusions: Patients with baseline cT2N0 that do not develop complete response to chemoradiation (ycT0-2N0; ≤3 cm) frequently present unfavorable pathological features for transanal local excision (ypT2 or 3 in >66%). In the presence of incomplete clinical response following chemoradiation, patients with baseline cT2N0 have pathological and oncological outcomes similar to patients with baseline stage II or III and are probably not ideal candidates for local excision (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/DCR/A159).

Background: Surgery of small-bowel neuroendocrine (SBNE) tumors is demanding because of the need for associated extensive node dissection and assessment of possible synchronous lesions. For this reason, possible benefit of laparoscopy in SBNE tumors has not been reported to date., Methods: From 1996, all patients operated on in Beaujon Hospital for SBNE tumors were retrospectively extracted from a prospectively maintained database of intestinal resections., Results: Overall, 73 patients [55 % males, median age 55 years (range 27-79)] underwent small bowel resection (n = 38; 54 %), ileocolectomy (n = 25; 36 %), or both (n = 7; 10 %). In 18 patients, resection of synchronous liver metastasis was performed simultaneously. Resection was performed laparoscopically in 12 patients (16 %). Resection was R0 in 40 patients (55 %), R1 in 1 patient (1 %), and R2 in 32 patients (44 %) because of unresectable liver metastases (n = 29), nodal involvement (n = 1), or both (n = 2). Laparoscopy was associated with similar R0 (p = 0.06) and morbidity (p = 0.95) rates, but a shorter hospital stay (p = 0.003) compared with laparotomy. Median follow-up was 39 months. Progression-free survival (PFS) at 1, 3, and 5 years were 95, 83 and 75 %, respectively, for R0 patients without liver metastasis; 92, 83, and 57 %, respectively, for R0 patients with resected liver metastasis; and 82, 58 and 30 %, respectively, for R2 patients (p = 0.045). Overall survival and PFS did not show any difference when comparing the laparoscopic and open groups., Conclusion: Complete resection of primary SBNE tumors with or without liver metastasis is associated with good long-term survival. In selected patients, laparoscopy for SBNE tumors is feasible and associated with a shorter hospital stay than laparotomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcome(s) and complication(s) of subconjunctival bevacizumab treatment in patients with recurrent pterygium., Methods: This prospective case series included patients who had undergone pterygium surgery and were diagnosed with recurrent pterygium. All patients received one subconjunctival injection of 0.5 mL of bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 mL). The main outcome was the change in size and clinical appearance. The clinical appearance of the pterygium was graded according to Tan and colleagues. The horizontal size of the pterygium (from limbus to apex) was recorded from baseline to 2 months after injection. Treatment-related complications and adverse events were reported., Results: We included 36 eyes of 36 patients (18 males) with a mean age of 58.75 ± 10.98 years. Totally, 30.6% patients developed recurrent pterygium in both eyes (only the worst eye was treated), with 47.2% developing it in the left eye and 22.2% in the right eye. More than half the patients (58.3%) had a family history of pterygium. There was a significant difference in the size of pterygium at different intervals (P<0.05). Approximately two-thirds (66.7%) of patients presented with hyposphagma on the 2nd day after subconjunctival application; this value decreased to 30.6% by day 7 and to 0% at 1 month. Most patients (69.4%) exhibited amelioration of irritative symptoms within 2 days, 88.9% after 7 days, and 97.2% after 1 month., Conclusions: Subconjunctival bevacizumab injection is useful for the management of patients with recurrent pterygium, with no significant local or systemic adverse effects.

Purpose: To evaluate the thinnest corneal thickness changes during and after corneal collagen cross-linking treatment with ultraviolet-A irradiation, using hypo-osmolar riboflavin solution in thin corneas., Methods: Eighteen eyes of 18 patients were included in this study. After epithelium removal, iso-osmolar 0.1% riboflavin solution was instilled to the cornea every 3 minutes for 30 minutes. Hypo-osmolar 0.1% riboflavin solution was then applied every 20 seconds for 5 minutes or until the thinnest corneal thickness reached 400 µm. Ultraviolet-A irradiation was performed for 30 minutes. During irradiation, iso-osmolar 0.1% riboflavin drops were applied every 5 minutes. Ultrasound pachymetry was performed at approximately the thinnest point of the cornea preoperatively, after epithelial removal, after iso-osmolar riboflavin instillation, after hypo-osmolar riboflavin instillation, after ultraviolet-A irradiation, and at 1, 6 and 12 months after treatment., Results: Mean preoperative thinnest corneal thickness was 380 ± 11 µm. After epithelial removal it decreased to 341 ± 11 µm, and after 30 minutes of iso-osmolar 0.1% riboflavin drops, to 330 ± 7.6 µm. After hypo-osmolar 0.1% riboflavin drops, mean thinnest corneal thickness increased to 418 ± 11 µm. After UVA irradiation, it was 384 ± 10 µm. At 1, 6 and 12 months after treatment, it was 372 ± 10 µm, 381 ± 12.7, and 379 ± 15 µm, respectively. No intraoperative, early postoperative, or late postoperative complications were noted., Conclusions: Hypo-osmolar 0.1% riboflavin solution seems to be effective for swelling thin corneas. The swelling effect is transient and short acting. Corneal thickness should be monitored throughout the procedure. Larger sample sizes and longer follow-up are required in order to make meaningful conclusions regarding safety.

Background and Objective: Platelets contain factors, including VEGF and endostatin, that can modulate the healing process. We evaluated the effects of severe thrombocytopenia on periodontal healing in rats and determined the contribution of VEGF and endostatin to the healing process., Material and Methods: Rats were distributed into three test groups and two control groups. Cotton ligatures were placed at the gingival margin level of the lower first molar in the test groups. Sham-operated rats and rats in one of the periodontitis groups were killed 15 days later. Rats in the remaining two periodontitis groups had the ligatures removed in order to study the spontaneous recovery from the periodontal disease 15 days later, and these rats were treated with rabbit antiplatelet serum, in order to induce thrombocytopenia, or normal rabbit serum. An additional group without ligatures received antiplatet serum in the same period., Results: After ligature removal, rats treated with normal rabbit serum showed reduced myeloperoxidase activity, decreased alveolar bone loss and increased numbers of blood vessels. Thrombocytopenia caused a delay in alveolar bone regeneration, a decrease in the number of vessels and a modest decrease in myeloperoxidase activity. In the rats with periodontitis, serum endostatin concentrations were slightly decreased and serum VEGF remained unchanged compared with sham-operated animals. After ligature removal, a significant VEGF increase and endostatin decrease were observed in the rats treated with normal rabbit serum. Thrombocytopenia led to a dramatic fall in both VEGF and endostatin concentrations., Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia leads to a delay of periodontal healing in the situation of experimental periodontitis, which might be mediated in part by a decrease in the serum concentration of VEGF and endostatin derived from the platelets. However, other factors derived from the platelets may also have contributed to a delay of periodontal healing in the rats with thrombocytopenia.