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Arch augmentation via median sternotomy is a safe and effective procedure that can be accomplished with low morbidity and mortality. The reconstructed arch retains excellent growth potential resulting in a very favorable physiologic outcome.

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A liberal policy of DSC does not adversely affect surgical outcomes, including infectious complications and length of stay. We submit that need for DSC should not, by itself, be considered a source of morbidity.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (STS CHSD) is the largest congenital and pediatric cardiac surgical clinical data registry in the world. It contains data pertaining to more than 435,000 total operations. The most recent biannual feedback report to participants (Spring 2017, Report of the Twenty-Sixth Harvest) included analysis of data submitted from 127 hospitals in North America. That represents nearly all centers performing pediatric and congenital heart operations in the United States and Canada. As an unparalleled platform for assessment of outcomes and for quality improvement activities in the subspecialty of surgery for pediatric and congenital heart disease, the STS CHSD continues to be a primary data source for clinical investigations and for research and innovations related to quality measurement. In 2016, several major original publications reported analyses of data in the CHSD pertaining to various processes of care, including assessment of variation across centers and associations between specific practices, patient characteristics, and outcomes. Additional publications reported the most recent development, evaluation, and application of metrics for quality measurement and reporting of pediatric and congenital heart operation outcomes and center level performance. Use of the STS CHSD for outcomes research and for quality measurement continues to expand as database participation has grown to include nearly all centers in North America, and the available wealth of data in the database continues to grow. This article reviews outcomes research and quality improvement articles published in 2016 that are based on STS CHSD data.

Gd 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ·8H 2 O , Gd 2 O 2 SO 4 , and Gd 2 O 2 SO 4 :Eu 3+ nanoparticles have been synthesized in the presence of Gd 3+ ion and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) by the simple complexationthermal decomposition (CTD) method. The structural analysis, growth mechanism and optical properties of the Gd 2 (SO 4 ) 3 ·8H 2 O, and Gd 2 O 2 SO 4 is described by diffraction pattern, functional group analysis, Raman, morphology, elemental analysis, and absorbance spectra. The most intriguing future was that the Gd 2 O 2 SO 4 nanoplates are in the range of 42-50 nm without adding any external stabilizer. The study results revealed that the Gd 2 O 2 SO 4 nanoparticles with orthorhombic structure are having a band gap of 3.12 eV. Furthermore, Gd 2 O 2 SO 4 shows an intense red photoluminescence associated with the 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 transition in the presence of Eu 3+ .The results suggest that the Gd 2 O 2 SO 4 :Eu 3+ nanophosphors, may have a beneficial approach in the field of biomedical application as luminescent probe/labels.

Background: Mandibular reconstruction of segmental defects caused by trauma or tumor excision is a challenge despite numerous advances in surgical and fixation techniques. Bone grafts from fibula or iliac crest are most frequently used to reconstruct mandible.