Expert review of medical devices
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Expert Rev Med Devices · Nov 2012
Review Meta AnalysisPulsed dye laser for the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars: a systematic review.
Keloids and hypertrophic scars affect millions of patients. In spite of the widely accepted clinical efficacy of pulsed dye laser (PDL) in the treatment of these scars, a summary of the evidence comparing the use of PDL with conventional treatment modalities has not yet been undertaken. ⋯ Results show that treatment with PDL may be superior to conventional modalities in improving overall scar appearance, but results were comparable when scar parameters were evaluated separately. More parallel comparison trials with standardized methods of treatment and outcome assessment are recommended to evaluate long-term treatment effects and recurrence rates.
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Fecal incontinence (FI), which can severely affect a person's quality of life, is a difficult problem to treat. For some patients, limited management options exist. ⋯ During the first stage, a temporary lead is inserted into the S3 sacral foramen and the patient can monitor improvement before a permanent device is implanted. While this procedure has proven to be effective for treating FI, it is also attractive owing to the low morbidity and low infection risk reported in the literature.
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Expert Rev Med Devices · Sep 2012
ReviewNeonatal hemodynamics: monitoring, data acquisition and analysis.
Monitoring of cardiovascular function is critical to both clinical care and research as the use of sophisticated monitoring systems enable us to obtain accurate, reliable and real-time information on developmental hemodynamics in health and disease. Novel approaches to comprehensive hemodynamic monitoring and data acquisition will undoubtedly aid in developing a better understanding of developmental cardiovascular physiology in neonates. In addition, development and use of state-of-the-art, comprehensive hemodynamic monitoring systems enable the recognition of signs of cardiovascular compromise in its early stages, and provide information on the hemodynamic response to treatment in critically ill patients.
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Expert Rev Med Devices · Jul 2012
ReviewBalloon kyphoplasty in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.
Balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure indicated for treatment of painful vertebral compression fractures. During BKP, cannulae are placed percutaneously into the vertebral body, allowing insertion of inflatable balloons. Inflating the balloons partially restores vertebral body height, compacts the bone and creates a cavity for placement of bone cement after balloon removal. ⋯ Clinically significant adverse events have been rarely reported. These findings were confirmed in randomized and nonrandomized prospective controlled studies. The objective of this review is to describe the surgical procedures involved in BKP and to review the evidence supporting its use.
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Expert Rev Med Devices · Jul 2012
ReviewTransforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy: technical tips to prevent complications.
Transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy is regarded as an effective alternative to open discectomy. Remarkable technical evolution now enables selective endoscopic removal of an epidurally extruded disc fragment. As a result, the surgical indications for this technique are becoming broader. ⋯ Initial landing should be as close to the target as possible. Complete herniotomy after thorough release of annular anchorage is a key to success. The definitive end point of the procedure is free mobilization of neural tissues, not direct exposure of neural tissues.