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Biomedical subjects

J P Fitzgerald

Publications and source records attributed to J P Fitzgerald.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

An evaluation of the nasolabial angle and the relative inclinations of the nose and upper lip.

The purpose of this study was to develop a consistent and reproducible method of constructing a nasolabial angle that would also permit an evaluation of the relative inclination of the lower border of the nose and the upper lip, as well as their relationship to each other. Comparison of repeated individual measurements of soft tissue profile landmarks on 15 subjects, as completed by four orthodontists, revealed that the proposed method of constructing the nasolabial angle was consistent and reproducible by the same orthodontist and among different orthodontists. Normative data for the three nasolabial parameters were produced from a sample of 104 young white adults determined by the authors to have well-balanced faces. Mean and standard deviation values from this pooled sample demonstrated a lower border of the nose to Frankfort horizontal plane angle at 18 degrees +/- 7 degrees, upper lip to Frankfort horizontal plane angle 98 degrees +/- 5 degrees, and nasolabial angle 114 degrees +/- 10 degrees. No statistically significant difference was demonstrated between the values for men and women in this study, but the women did have a slightly larger nasolabial angle. A linear comparison of the three nasolabial parameters with six skeletal measurements revealed no significant relationship between the soft tissue profile of the nasolabial region and the underlying skeletal relationships.

Adult

Distraction resection arthroplasty of the wrist.

Proximal row carpectomy should not be done if wrist degeneration includes cartilage destruction of the capitate or lunate fossa of the radius; yet total wrist arthroplasty has been disappointing for treatment of osteoarthritis. We have used a technique we call distraction resection wrist arthroplasty in such cases. We retrospectively reviewed distraction resection wrist arthroplasty in 14 wrists and compared them to nine patients who had PRC; average follow-up was 32 months. Three patients had spastic contractures and 20 had operation for painful osteoarthritis. Patient satisfaction was high but there were four failures requiring arthrodesis (1 PRC, 3 DRA). Average postoperative wrist motion was 41 degrees of extension, 38 degrees of flexion, 11 degrees of radial deviation, and 13 degrees of ulnar deviation. Static strength averaged almost two thirds of the uninvolved side and dynamic power more than half. Differences between the DRA and PRC patients were not statistically significant in single or aggregate analysis. We believe that distraction technique extends the indications for biologic arthroplasty to patients whose only prior option was wrist arthrodesis.

Adult

Determinants of the initial comfort of hydrogel contact lenses.

A double-masked, randomized study was conducted to determine the effects of power and water content on the initial comfort of hydrogel contact lenses in 10 unadapted subjects. Three lens powers (-0.50, -5.00, and -10.00 D) were used in each of three water contents (38, 55, and 70%). A significant negative correlation (p less than 0.05) was found between lens comfort and lens water content; that is, lower water content lenses of lesser bulk were more comfortable than higher water content lenses. These data will allow practitioners to predict patient awareness to various lens types. When fitting hydrogel lenses to an apprehensive patient who has not worn contact lenses previously, it may be advisable to insert a thin, low water content lens initially, thereby maximizing lens comfort.

Adult