Background: Alkali burns are severe injuries of the eyes. Recently, using topical steroid in treatment of ocular alkali burns has provided better outcomes. However, there is no study on treating ocular alkali burns by topical steroid in Vietnam. Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and assess the outcome with topical steroid used in the treatment of ocular Alkali burns. Subject and Method: The author performed a prospective analysis of 45 alkali eye burns at the Trauma department of the National Institute of Ophalmology, Hanoi. All patients were treated with topical steroid and vitamin C. Results: There were 19 eyes were mild injures, 26 eyes were severe injuries. 32.5% had a good visual acuity. None of patients with severe injuries had a good visual acuity. Complications: corneal opacity: 42.2%, elevated IOP 17.8%. Conclusion: Treatment of ocular alkali burns with topical steroid and vitamin C is not associated with corneal perforating and provide a good outcome.
Alkali burn ; Steroid

Background: Mitral valve diseases are the most frequent in the cardiac valvular acquired diseases. Valvuloplasty is a very good surgical treatment, also its techniques are difficult. Objective: (1) To describe features of valvular lesion and technique of valvuloplasty. (2) To evaluate the effects of these operations. Subject and Method: 95 cases of mitral valve reconstruction were studied and described retrospectively about pre- operative features, mitral valvuloplasty, and post-operative results. Results: Pre-operative cardiac failure >=2 nd level (NYHA) is 96.8%, with 100% of mitral valve insufficiency, 28.4% associated with valvular stenosis. Mean age of patient is 34.5 +/- 13.2. Each case must do an average 4/15 valvuloplasty techniques, the most frequent are: mitral valvular ring (67.4%), commissurotomy (57.9%), cordage section (45.3%)\u2026 Early post \u2013 operative result is very good: no mortality, mitral valvular function is improved significantly than pre-operative (p<0.001), no severe mitral stenosis or insufficiency. Long-term post operative control (3 months, 3 years, 5 years post \u2013 operation) present the stability of this valvuloplasty with high survival frequency (96.8% in 3 months, 96.2% in 3 years, 93.4% in 5 years), in the 78.5% ranges a good level, re-operation is only required in 3 cases with valvular replacement. Conclusions: Although the difficult technique of valvuloplasty \u2013 especially in rheumatic lesion, mitral valve reconstruction is a good and safe technique to treat the mitral valve diseases.
Alkali burn ; Steroid