Complications and outcome of tibial lengthening using the Ilizarov method with or without a supplementary intramedullary nail

We compared the complications and outcome of tibial lengthening using the Ilizarov method with and without the use of a supplementary intramedullary nail. In a retrospective case-matched series assembled from 176 patients with tibial lengthening, we matched 52 patients (26 pairs, group A with nail and group B without) according to the following criteria in order of importance: 1) difference in amount of lengthening (± 2 cm); 2) percentage difference in lengthening (± 5%); 3) difference in patient’s age (± seven years); 4) aetiology of the shortening, and 5) level of difficulty in obtaining the correction. The outcome was evaluated using the external fixator index, the healing index and an outcome score according to the criteria of Paley. It was found that some complications were specific to group A or B respectively, but others were common to both groups.

The outcome was generally better in lengthenings with a nail, although there was a higher incidence of rectifiable equinus deformity in these patients.

Clinical assessment of early tooth demineralization using polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography

INTRODUCTION

The aims of this study were to test the hypothesis that polarization sensitive-optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) can be used to non-destructively measure and quantify the severity of the early demineralization of enamel on buccal and occlusal surfaces and assess the inhibitory effect of fluoride varnish in vivo.

METHODS

A split mouth design was used to assess the effects of fluoride varnish on inhibiting dissolution on 20 test subjects. Orthodontic bands with a buccal window were cemented on the premolars and small incisions were produced on occlusal surfaces to serve as sites for plaque retention for enhanced demineralization. Bands were removed after 30 days and PS-OCT scans were acquired in vivo of occlusal and buccal areas. Teeth were extracted, sectioned, and analyzed using polarized light microscopy (PLM) and transverse microradiography (TMR) for comparison with the PS-OCT images.

RESULTS

High contrast PS-OCT images were acquired of both occlusal and buccal surfaces in vivo. Both occlusal and buccal surfaces, showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the integrated reflectivity (ΔR) between the "sound" and "carious" enamel groups. Although the mineral loss (ΔZ) and ΔR measured using TMR and PS-OCT were less for the fluoride varnish-treated buccal surfaces the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that PS-OCT can non-destructively measure early enamel demineralization on the buccal and occulsal surfaces in vivo.