This study was designed to determine the effect of interconnective pore size on chondrocyte proliferation and function within chitosan sponges, and compare the potential of chitosan and polyglycolic acid (PGA) matrices for chondrogenesis. Six million porcine chondrocytes were seeded on each of 52 prewetted scaffolds consisting of chitosan sponges with (1) pores 10 microm in diameter (n=10, wher...

INTRODUCTION The availability of autologous tendons for transplantation can present significant problems in the treatment of patients with tendon injuries. Studies have investigated the fabrication of tissue engineered ligaments for transplantation (1-3), but few have focused on the engineering of tendon. In 1995, Cao et al studied the feasibility of creating neo-tendons from bovine tenocytes s...

PURPOSE The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a percutaneous closure system based on a polyglycolic acid plug for achieving hemostasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study from 2011 to 2014, a percutaneous vascular closure system (ExoSeal) was used in 1000 patients (mean age 70.6 ± 10.2 years), using antegrade and retrograde techniques within t...

A 31-year-old woman presented with worsening numbness and pain in the arms and chest. Neurological findings at admission were decreased pain sensation and temperature sensation in the arms and chest. Magnetic resonance demonstrated a large cervical syrinx from the level of C4 to Th4 associated with Chiari I malformation. Occipital craniectomy and C1 laminectomy were performed for foramen magnum...

We report the subsequent course of a previously-reported (Japanese abstract) case of catamenial pneumothorax (CPT) involving seven recurrences of pneumothorax during pregnancy, treated by thoracoscopic surgery and then small thoracotomy segmental resection and pleural covering with polyglycolic acid felt and fibrin glue. The patient took an oral contraceptive (OC) from 6 months postpartum until...