Objectives To assess the histomorphometric outcomes obtained in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) with different biomaterials used for maxillary sinus augmentation (MSA). Materials and Methods A search of the existing medical literature until October 1, 2019, was performed. Inclusion criteria were (a) RCTs assessing a two‐stage MSA from the lateral approach using autologous bone or biomaterials for grafting and (b) reported histomorphometric outcomes based on crestal bone core biopsy samples. The Bayesian method was used to perform pairwise meta‐analyses and network meta‐analysis (NMA). The primary outcome, the new bone percentage (NB %), was calculated as mean differences with 95% credible intervals. The interventions were ranked by their posterior probability by calculating the surface under the cumulative ranking curve values. Results Thirty‐four RCTs (842 MSAs) were included in the analysis with a normal healing period (5–8 months). All comparisons were presented in a league table. On the basis of the ranking probability, the most effective bone grafting material for NB% was bovine xenograft + bone marrow concentrate (BMC) (81%), followed by bovine xenograft + platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) (77%), bioactive glass ceramic + autologous bone 1:1 (70%), nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite in silica gel (70%), and bioactive glass ceramic (70%). Autologous bone graft alone took the twelfth position with 57%. Conclusion Within the limitations of the present NMA, the analysis did not confirm autologous bone alone as the gold standard for MSA and showed superiority of composite grafts such as bovine xenograft + BMC after 5–8 months of healing.

The records of 14 pancreatic abscess patients infected with Candida albicans were reviewed. The incidence of fungal infection in the overall pancreatic abscess cases was 11 %. The study considered the most frequent risk factors, the treatment and the overall mortality. With one exception all the cases involved mixed bacterial and fungal infections. Disseminated Candida infection was noted in 6 cases and 2 of these died. These patients were treated with fiucytosine. No mortality appeared after fluconazole medication. The combination of adequate surgical treatment with effective antibiotics and early anti-fungal therapy is the ideal therapy in such circumstances.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex disease associated with chronic pain. Many patients treat their joint pain at a symptomatic level with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, often without the knowledge of their physicians. The aim of this study was to provide physicians with data about osteoarthritic patients’ habits of pain management and to examine the explanatory factors of various ways of self-treatment. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 189 patients with hip or knee OA and scheduled for joint replacement surgery was carried out. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire consisting of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and questions about their methods of alleviating pain. Results: 2.6% of patients did not use anything to alleviate their pain, while 63% practiced a non-pharmacological method. Diclofenac was the most frequently used drug, followed by ibuprofen. Profession had the greatest impact on medication habits; patients doing manual work were significantly more likely to take OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and use topical analgesics. Conclusions: Patients utilized a wide variety of pain management techniques. They seemed to use well-known painkillers, even if their side effects were less desirable. Such patients require comprehensive pain management, including educational and behavioural interventions, complemented by topical and oral medication.

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the primary causes of pain and disability worldwide leading to patients having some of the worst health-related quality of life (QOL). The purpose of our study was to investigate the progression of the generic and disease-specific QOL of osteoarthritic patients going through total hip or knee replacement surgery and the factors that might alter the effect of surgery on QOL. Methods A longitudinal study was performed based on data collected from 120 OA patients who filled in the short version of the WHO’s generic measure of quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) and the disease-specific Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) before and after surgery. Results Domains related to physical health status showed relatively lower scores in patients before surgery. Patients reported a significant increase of QOL after surgery in the WHOQOL-BREF physical domain, especially if they were from the younger group (< 65 years, p = 0.022) or had a manual job (p = 0.008). Disease-specific QOL outcome results indicate that overall patients gained significantly better QOL in all domains of the WOMAC score. Patients with hip OA seemed to have the most benefit of their operation as they reported better outcome in WOMAC pain (p = 0.019), stiffness (p = 0.010), physical function domains (p = 0.011) and total score (p = 0.007) compared to knee OA patients. Conclusion There was a statistically significant improvement in all domains concerning physical functions in the study population. Patients also reported significant improvement in the social relationship domain, which indicates that OA itself as well as its management might have a profound effect on patients’ life beyond the reduction of their pain.