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Background: Despite advances in surgical techniques and risk management practices in recent years, wound dehiscence following abdominal laparotomy has still high prevalence. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of retention sutures on wound dehiscence of emergent abdominal laparotomy.

Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 160 patients scheduled for emergency laparotomy for peritonitis or trauma were enrolled. Half of the patients randomly underwent retention suture and the other half underwent routine sutures. Finally, the amount of surgical wound dehiscence and complications were assessed. 

Results: Three patients (3.7%) in retention group and 11 patients (13.7%) in the control group developed wound dehiscence which there was a significant difference between them (p=0.025). It was determined by multivariate logistic regression that wound dehiscence is correlated with hemodynamic status, type of trauma and injury to the abdominal organs, and sex. The incidence of wound dehiscence, early hemodynamic instability, penetrating abdominal trauma and damage to the intestines were higher in males. 

Conclusion: In general, it seems that the preventive use of retention sutures in patients with multiple risk factors for postoperative wound dehiscence can be useful.

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Background and Aim: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the most common mental health condition, with a severe decline in performance, disability, and a 15% risk of suicide. Allopurinol increases the level of tryptophan in the body by inhibiting xanthine oxidase, and by elevating the level of tryptophan, i.e., a precursor to serotonin. Accordingly, it can improve the symptoms of depression. This study aimed to investigate the impact of allopurinol on MDD.
Methods & Materials: In this double-blind clinical trial, 70 patients with MDD, diagnosed based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- Fourth Edition-Third Edition (DSM IV-TR) were randomly (paired & individual patient records) divided into two equal groups. Both research groups received 40 mg of citalopram daily for 6 weeks. In addition to citalopram, the intervention group received 300 mg allopurinol daily and the control group received a placebo. At the end of the third and sixth weeks, the examined patients were tested for Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS).
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1394.68). Also, it was approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Code: IRCT201508277373n6).
Results:  The Mean±SD HDRS’s score, after 3 weeks of treatment, in the control and allopurinol groups was measured as 28.42±3.1 and 23.02±3.4, respectively. After 6 weeks after treatment, the Mean±SD depression score in the control and allopurinol groups was equal to 23.28±4.1 and 20.4±1.2, in sequence. A significant difference was observed between the research groups; thus, the intervention group obtained a lower mean score in the HDRS than the controls.
Conclusion: Allopurinol can improve the symptoms of depression and can also be used as an adjunct in the treatment of depression.