Aim Scant information is available about the prevalence of diabetic polyneuropathy, as well as the applicability of screening tools in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to investigate these issues in Zanzibar (Tanzania). Methods One hundred consecutive diabetes patients were included from the diabetes clinic at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital. Clinical characteristics were recorded. Further, we investigated:...

PURPOSE Little data exist comparing the strength of traditional methods of fixation in a flexor digitorum profundus tendon with the use of a suture anchor. In vitro cyclic testing simulating a passive mobilization protocol was used to compare the repair of a flexor digitorum profundus tendon using a single micro-Mitek anchor (Mitek, Westwood, MA) or a modified Bunnell 2-strand pullout technique...

PURPOSE We wanted to summarize evidence about the diagnostic accuracy of the 5.07/10-g monofilament test in peripheral neuropathy. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of studies in which the accuracy of the 5.07/10-g monofilament was evaluated to detect peripheral neuropathy of any cause using nerve conduction as reference standard. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality A...

D iabetic peripheral neuropathy and its late sequelae cost $4 billion annually in the U.S. (1). Improved glycemic control, early detection, and preventive care can prevent or delay adverse outcomes (2–4). An annual foot exam, which may include monofilament testing, is recommended by the American Diabetes Association (5). Unfortunately, neuropathy screening is underutilized in primary care pract...

In a controlled, randomized trial in 45 cataract operations a new synthetic absorbable suture (8-0 monofilament Vicryl, made by Ethicon), was compared with monofilament nylon or virgin silk normally used. There was a higher incidence of early complications-hyphaema, shallow anterior chamber, and choroidal detachment (15-4 per cent v. 0 per cent)-with the absorbable suture. But these differences...

OBJECTIVE To determine the specific monofilament examination score that predicts the subsequent 4-year incidence of diabetic neuropathy with the highest degree of diagnostic accuracy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Longitudinal follow-up of 175 of 197 (89%) participants in the Toronto Diabetic Neuropathy Cohort without baseline neuropathy for incident neuropathy. We examined the baseline monofil...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine if sensory block following spinal anaesthesia, measured with a range of devices, corresponded to the hierarchy of nerve fibre size in the area of differential block, and to compare the distribution and variability of recorded measurements. METHODS Women with singleton pregnancies > 36 weeks of gestation undergoing elective caesarean section un...

INTRODUCTION Braided polyester suture materials have been commonly used for flexor tendon repair in the clinical setting. However, knotted braided polyester lost approximately 50% of its tensile strength according to a study by Trail et al.(1) Accordingly, 4 or 5 throws are needed to prevent slippage for a secure knot, which may result in stitch granuloma. The use of absorbable sutures avoids p...