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Biomedical subjects

D E Cutright

Publications and source records attributed to D E Cutright.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

Segmental neogenesis of the dog esophagus utilizing a biodegradable polymer framework.

This study evaluated the ability of biodegradable implants fabricated from polymers and co-polymers of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA) to induce regeneration of surgically created defects in the dog esophagus. The study utilized 12 mongrel dogs that had a 5 cm segment of the esophagus removed. Implants were fabricated by spray casting the polymers on a spinning Teflon mandril. The defects were repaired by suturing the biodegradable implants to the proximal and distal ends of the esophagus. Ten of the dogs were sacrificed from 3 days to 8 weeks after surgery while 1 of the dogs died after 3 years and 1 dog was sacrificed 4 years after graft placement. Endoscopic and histologic examination of the grafts 3 days after placement showed minimal inflammatory response and an apparent seal between the esophagus and implant at the suture lines. Two weeks after surgery a fibrous connective tissue sheath, continuous with the proximal and distal segments of the esophagus, could be seen surrounding the graft. One month after placement, the implants were partially degraded leaving a connective tissue repair continuous with the proximal and distal ends of the esophagus. The repair area was lined with epithelium and enabled the dogs to drink freely and eat semisolid foods. In conclusion, it has been shown that it is possible to fabricate a biodegradable implant which can stimulate regeneration of a hollow organ and which is compatible with long term survival.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Effect of surgical scrub on microbial population under the fingernails.

The effectiveness of two methods of presurgical hand preparation, the 10 minute routine scrub and the 90 second Hydroscrub, in reducing microbial numbers under the fingernails was determined. Bacteriologic cultures of 162 subungual areas of nine subjects revealed prescrub microbial counts of up to 1.9 X 10(5) colony-forming units per area. After the surgical scrub, bacterial concentrations were reduced to a different degree among the persons tested. The mean values of 3.0 X 10(3) to 7.8 X 10(3) colony-forming units immediately after scrub indicated that neither of the two methods tested reduced the microbial population under the fingernails of most persons to acceptable levels. The finding of high postscrub microbial counts under the fingernails is of particular interest and significance in view of the relatively low counts on the fingertips. On the basis of the results of this study, we conclude that degerming of the areas under the fingernails by present methods is not satisfactory. The implication of these findings is discussed.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed1979

Healing of the oral mucosa with the use of collagen artificial skin.

Wounds were prepared in the oral cavity of 15 rabbits and five dogs, and an enzyme-solubilized calfskin collagen was placed over the surgery sites on one side. The contralateral sides acted as controls. Results indicated that the membrane was biologically acceptable to the oral mucosa of rabbits and dogs. Th collagen did not cause any adverse reaction and may have been responsible for the clinical impression of slightly more rapid healing of the gingivae in dogs. Clinical implications of this material's utilization produce some exciting ideas for future research.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Biodegradable cuff an adjunct to peripheral nerve repair: a study in dogs.

This is a report of a study in which cuffs of biodegradable copolymers were placed about ulnar and peroneal nerves in legs of ten adult mongrel dogs. The results were evaluated by clinical response, electromyographic observations, nerve conduction studies, and light microscopic examination.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

A rapid method for the presurgical cleansing of hands.

A new rapid method of presurgical cleansing of the hands has been evaluated in a clinical setting. The effectiveness of a 90 second jet wash has been compared with a standard 10-minute presurgical scrub. Bacteriologic cultures were obtained from the fingertips of interns, residents, and staff of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Walter Reed Army Medical Center before and after 90-second jet washings and 10-minute conventional scrubs. The results showed that the 90-second jet wash was more effective in degerming the hands than the 10-minute standard brush scrub. Other advantages of the new method, such as the amount of time saved, the standardization of cleansing, and reduced skin irritation are discussed.

Antisepsis↗
PubMed1977

Degradation rates of oral resorbable implants (polylactates and polyglycolates): rate modification with changes in PLA/PGA copolymer ratios.

This study determined the difference in rate of degradation between pure polymers of lactic acid (pla), glycolic acid (PGA), and various ratios of copolymers of these two substances. Fast-cured and slow-cured polyglycolide was compared with copolymers of glycolide/lactide intermixed in ratios of 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75, as well as pure polylactide. A total of 420 rats were implanted with carbon-14 and tritium-labeled polymers in bone and soft tissue. At intervals of 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 months, groups of five animals with the implants in bone and five with the implants in the abdominal wall were sacrificed. The implant area as well as tissue from the liver, spleen, kidney, lung and some muscle tissue was analyzed for radioactivity along with the urine and feces collected throughout the experiment. Half-lives of the different polymers and copolymers were calculated from the radioactivity present in the implant area for each time interval. Half-life of the polymers and copolymers decreased from 5 months for 100% PGA to 1 week with 50:50 PGA:PLA copolymer and rapidly increased to 6.1 months for 100% PLA. Fast-cured PGA had a half-life in tissue of 0.85 months. No difference in rate of degradation was seen in soft tissue or bone. No significant radioactivity was detected in urine, feces, or tissue samples. From this study, it is concluded that control of degradation rate of the implant could best be attained by varying the composition of PLA and PGA between 75% and 100% PLA along with a corresponding 25% to 0% PGA. This would provide a half-life range of the implant of from 2 weeks to 6 months.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Evaluation and comparisons of biodegradable substances as osteogenic agents.

This study compared the osteogenic potential and tissue compatibility of biodegradable copolymers--PLA/PGA--and a biodegradable ceramic--Ca3(PO4)2. These compounds were placed in experimentally created defects in rat tibias, both in combination and singly, and evaluated at 14, 28, and 42 days. The ceramic served as a format to result in uniform osteogenesis throughout the defect. The copolymer implants resulted in a more gradual bone formation, progressing slowly from the would peripheries. The ceramic and copolymer combination behaved little differently from the copolymer alone. All experimental materials were extremely tissue tolerant, with minimal inflammation and no foreign-body reactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

The effects of length of surgery on healing of full and partial thickness flaps.

Partial and full thickness flaps which were were made in the facial gingiva of 10 dogs were reflected for 15 or 90 min. Specimens were examined histologically and biochemically from 3 to 28 days after initial surgery. The results indicate that flaps refelected for 15 min exhibited faster epithelial closure than those reflected for 90 min. Partial thickness flaps reflected for both 15 and 90 min showed less inflammation than full thickness flaps at 3 and 7 days post surgery and healed faster in respect to epithelial closure, mesenchymal healing, and bone regeneration. Biochemical analysis of the collagen concentration of the tissure flaps revealed similar collagen content in full and partial thickness flaps reflected for 15 min; however, the collagen concentration of partial thickness flaps opened for 90 min was higher than that in full thickness flaps.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Characterization of airborne particles from irreversible hydrocolloids.

Airborne particles of irreversible hydrocolloid powders were monitored and characterized. Ten to fifteen percent of the particles were siliceous fibers with dimensions of less than 3mum in diameter and more than 20mum in length. These dimensions conform closely to the dimensions of the fibrogenic and carcinogenic fibres of asbestos, glass, and aluminum oxide. With almost daily utilization of irreversible hydrocolloid materials in the dental office, the improper handling of the materials could be hazardous to the health of dental personnel. It is recommended that inhalation of aerosols arising from irreversible hydrocolloid powders be avoided.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1977

Clinical examination of the head and neck.

In the head and neck examination portion of the ADA health screening program approximately 6% of the examinees were found to have at least one abnormality. Three patients had lesions that were highly suspected of being malignant. Most of the examinees were unaware of their condition, but a small percentage were aware and had chosen to have no diagnostic or curative procedures initiated. Three patients had manifestations of systemic disease of which they were unaware. A method of doing a head and neck examination was demonstrated to the dentists, and the finding of 6% of the dentists with some abnormality indicates the significance of the head and neck examination.

Head↗
PubMed1976

Tissue pressure under complete maxillary dentures.

This preliminary report has shown the following interesting points: (1) Measurements of tissue pressures beneath dentures are possible using the Sanborn 350 recorder. (2) Stable dentures produce high pressures on the supporting tissues and transmit these pressures from region to region, varying with how the patient uses the dentures. (3) Most often, an opposite large or negative pressure immediately followed the production of positive pressure at the same site beneath the denture. Thus, each movement actually traumatizes the tissue twice. (4) Nonmasticatory pressures produced under dentures are as great as or greater than masticatory pressures. (5) Wave forms for each biting maneuver or sound produced can be charted and are typical for each patient, probably representing denture movement. (6) Swallowing unassociated with eating or drinking produced very high positive and very low negative pressures, giving the greatest ranges of pressures recorded in this experiment. (7) Smoking (recorded in only one patient) also produced a great range of pressures. (8) Sticky foods such as cheddar cheese produced greater negative pressures than the other foods tested. (9) The one patient with natural teeth opposing his denture gave much more uniform and lower pressures than did the patients with complete dentures. (10) This method allows visualization of pressure movement under dentures. The effect of these continually occurring, nonmasticatory, induced pressure changes and pressure waves beneath the dentures may well be of greater significance than that of mastication.

Adult↗