Aims: To investigate the correlation of pH, partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO₂), base excess (BE), and bicarbonate (HCO₃) between arterial (ABG), venous (VBG), and capillary (CBG) blood gases. Methods: Patients admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in Çukurova University between August 2000 and February 2002 were enrolled. Results: A total of 116 simultaneous venous, arterial, and capillary blood samples were obtained from 116 patients (mean age 56.91 months, range 15 days to 160 months). Eight (7%) were neonates. Sixty six (57%) were males. pH, PCO₂, BE, and HCO₃ were all significantly correlated in ABG, VBG, and CBG. Correlation in PO₂ was also significant, but less so. Correlation between pH, PCO₂, PO₂, BE, and HCO₃ was similar in the presence of hypothermia, hyperthermia, and prolonged capillary refilling time. In hypotension, correlation in PO₂ between VBG and CBG was similar but disappeared in ABG–VBG and ABG–CBG. Conclusions: There is a significant correlation in pH, PCO₂, PO₂, BE, and HCO₃ among ABG, VBG, and CBG values, except for a poor correlation in PO₂ in the presence of hypotension. Capillary and venous blood gas measurements may be useful alternatives to arterial samples for patients who do not require regular continuous blood pressure recordings and close monitoring of PaO₂. We do not recommend CBG and VBG for determining PO₂ of ABG.

The choice of augmentation material is a crucial factor in sinus augmentation surgery. Bovine-derived hydroxyapatite (BHA) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) have been used successfully in sinus augmentation procedures. Choosing one of these materials for sinus augmentation is still controversial. The aim of this clinical study was to compare the biological performance of the new BHA graft material and the well-known synthetic β-TCP material in the sinus augmentation procedure. The study consisted of 23 patients (12 male and 11 female) who were either edentulous or partially edentulous in the posterior maxilla and required implant placement. A total of 23 two-step sinus-grafting procedures were performed. BHA was used in 13 patients, and β-TCP was used in 10 patients. After an average of 6.5 months of healing, bone biopsies were taken from the grafted areas. Undecalcified sections were prepared for histomorphometric analysis. The mean new bone formation was 30.13% ± 3.45% in the BHA group and 21.09% ± 2.86% in the β-TCP group (P = .001). The mean percentage of residual graft particle area was 31.88% ± 6.05% and 34.05% ± 3.01% for the BHA group and β-TCP group, respectively (P = .047). The mean percentage of soft-tissue area was 37.99% ± 5.92% in the BHA group and 44.86% ± 4.28% in the β-TCP group (P = .011). Both graft materials demonstrated successful biocompatibility and osteoconductivity in the sinus augmentation procedure. However, BHA appears to be more efficient in osteoconduction when compared with β-TCP.