Methylene blue based protein solder for vascular anastomoses: an in vitro burst pressure study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Attempts at sutureless anastomoses have used protein-based solders containing chromophores [Oz et al., J Vasc Surg 1990;11:718; Poppas et al., J Urol 1998150:1052] to enhance the strength of laser anastomoses. Reports have described the use of indocyanine green [Oz et al., Surg Forum 1989;316.], fuschin, and fluorescein isothiocyanate as chromophores [Chuck et al. , Lasers Surg Med 1989;9:471; Vance et al., Lasers Med Sci 1988;3:219]. Methylene blue (MB) is a chromophore with absorption peaks in the 600-700 nm region whose use has not been reported in laser-assisted vascular anastomoses. Therefore, we set out to produce and characterise a MB-containing protein solder. The absorption and burst pressure characteristics have been investigated and described as well as a brief review of the chemical and biological properties of MB. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MB and porcine serum albumin (PSA)-based solder was produced and used to form end-to-end anastomoses in porcine splenic arteries. The solder was activated using a laser diode emitting at 670 nm. The burst pressures of the anastomoses were tested, and the results analysed as a function of MB concentration and absorption. In addition, the relationship between MB concentration and absorption was examined. RESULTS: A dose-response relationship was found between the measured absorption of the solder and the burst pressure of the anastomoses formed. Burst pressures exceeding physiological levels were found. Changes in MB concentration revealed a marked negative deviation from Beer's law at 670 nm, owing to the monomer-dimer-trimer equilibria. CONCLUSION: PSA with MB solder is able to form high-quality end-to-end anastomoses, with immediate burst pressure profiles similar to those previously described for sutured [Quigley et al., Microsurgery 1985;6:229], lasered [Quigley et al., Microsurgery 1985;6:229], and soldered anastomoses [Small et al., J Clin Laser Med Surg 1997;15:205]. The relationship between burst pressure strength and chromophore absorption is discussed.     

Effects of electrocautery, CO2 laser, and contact Nd:YAG laser scalpel on the healing of intestinal incision

Leakage after intestinal resection is a serious complication with a high mortality rate. A recent study claims that cutting the intestine with the CO2 laser improves the healing of intestinal anastomoses (Ferulano et al: Eur Surg Res 16:127-130, 1984). The present study was undertaken to analyze the effects of electrocautery, CO2 laser, and contact Nd:YAG laser on the healing of intestinal incisions. Fifteen piglets were used and the cutting and reanastomosing were performed by using all cutting methods in each animal in randomized order. Resection sites were 50 cm, 100 cm, and 150 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz. On the seventh day the bursting pressures were measured for each anastomosis. They were 172 +/- 17 mmHg for normal bowel segment and 133 +/- 12, 135 +/- 40, and 139 +/- 17 mmHg for electrocautery, CO2 laser, and Nd:YAG laser, respectively. There were no mortality, no anastomotic leaks, and no statistically significant differences in the bursting pressures, in histology, or in the healing of anastomotic sites, indicating that electrocautery, CO2 laser, and contact Nd:YAG laser scalpel can safely be used in the surgery of small intestine.     

Hearing preservation in solitary vestibular schwannoma surgery using the retrosigmoid approach

The results of 50 cases of vestibular schwannoma surgery with hearing preservation performed by the retrosigmoid approach at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, during a 10-year period are presented. The hearing-preservation rate, using audiometric criteria set by others as "serviceable hearing" (Wade PJ, House W. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1984;92:1184-93; Silverstein H, et al. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1986;95:285-91; Cohen NL, et al. Am J Otol 1993;14:423-33) was 8% (4 of 50 cases). When the more stringent selection criteria of near-normal hearing and reporting criteria of socially useful hearing preservation (pure-tone average < 30 dB/speech discrimination score > 70%) is used, the hearing-preservation rate is 4.8% (1 of 21 cases). The only preoperative factor that may predict a favorable hearing-preservation outcome is normal auditory brain stem response morphology (Fisher's exact 2-tailed test, P < 0.001). The number of suitable candidates for hearing-preservation surgery are few. Reasonable indications for attempted vestibular schwannoma surgery with hearing preservation are discussed.     

Laser treatment for neovascular formation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neovascular formation or matting [Davis and Duffy, J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1990; 16:327; Folkman and Klagsbrun, Science 1987;235:442; Weiss et al., Lasers Surg Med 1996;8:40-41] is a complex problems for doctors to treat. It was done by two different kinds of lasers, 532 nm [Silver and Livshots, Cosmetic Dermatol 1996;9:61; Adrian, Dermatol Surg 1998; 24:19] and 1,064 nm [Weiss and Weiss, Dermatol Surg 1999; 12:399-402] Nd:Yag laser. This study was carried out to discover which had better results on the treatment of this pathology. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients underwent a monthly treatment, two sessions for neovascular formation by the 532 nm diode laser and the 1,064 nm [Weiss and Weiss, Dermatol Surg 1999;12:399-402] Nd:Yag laser. A comparative study was done by digital photography pre and post laser, 1 month after the second treatment by the two methods of evaluation, clinical percent clearance and by mathematically counting the number of vessels. RESULTS: There was a significant reduction of the number of capillaries in the affected areas treated by both lasers, mainly in the 1,064 Nd:Yag group. CONCLUSIONS: The association of 3 and 10 mm spot size of the 1,064 nm laser group had better results compared with the 532 nm laser for matting treatment.     

Femoral head avascular necrosis after interlocking nail of a femoral shaft fracture in a male adult: a case report

Reamed interlocking nail through the piriformis fossa remains the golden standard for treatment of femoral shaft fracture. Fracture healing rates are 95–99%, and infection rates less than 1% (Clawson et al. in J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 53:681–692, 1971; Winquist et al. in J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 66:529–539, 1984; Brumback et al. in J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 70:1453–1462, 1988). Previous reports recognize avascular necrosis of the femoral head as a complication of antegrade interlocking nail in the adolescent (Beaty et al. in J Pediatr Orthop 14:178–183, 1994; Mileski et al. in J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 76:1706–1708, 1994; O'Malley et al. in J Pediatr Orthop 15:21–23, 1995; Buckaloo et al. in J Southern Orthop Assoc 6(2):97–100, 1997). This report describes a male adult who developed avascular necrosis of the femoral head after an open antegrade interlocking nail of a proximal third femoral shaft fracture. To our knowledge, there is no similar report in the English medical literature.     

Calculation of crater shape in pulsed laser ablation of hard tissues

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: An expression describing the ablation crater shape as a function of lateral fluence distribution has been derived in a recent paper by Ostertag et al. [Lasers Surg Med 1997; 21:384-394]. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ablation model presented therein is improved by taking into account the influence of the ablation front inclination on the ablation dynamics. RESULTS: The resulting crater profiles deviate from the previously predicted ones (which reflect the Gaussian fluence distribution of the impinging laser beam) progressively with increasing pulse fluence. CONCLUSION: The ablation front inclination must be taken into account to predict the ablation crater shapes and volumes correctly.     

Hereditary multiple intestinal atresias: 2 new cases and review of the literature

Intestinal atresias are a common cause of newborn bowel obstruction (Dalla Vecchia LK, Grosfeld JL, West KW, et al, Intestinal atresia and stenosis: a 25-year experience with 277 cases. Arch Surg 1998; 133[5]:490-496). Hereditary multiple intestinal atresias, first reported by Guttman et al in 1973, is the rarest form of multiple atresias (Guttman FM, Braun P, Garance PH, et al, Multiple atresias and a new syndrome of hereditary multiple atresias involving the gastrointestinal tract from stomach to rectum. J Pediatr Surg 1973;8:633-640; Bass J, Pyloric atresia associated with multiple intestinal atresias and immune deficiency. J Pediatr Surg 2002;37:941-942.). It has been proposed to be autosomal recessive, to involve atresias in a variable combination of sites from stomach to rectum, and to be universally fatal (Bilodeau A, Prasil P, Cloutier R, et al, Hereditary multiple intestinal atresia: thirty years later. J Pediatr Surg 2004;39:726-730; Moreno LA, Gottrand F, Turck D, et al, Severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome associated with autosomal recessive familial multiple gastrointestinal atresias: study of a family. Am J Med Genet 1990;37:143-146). Patients have significant intestinal dysfunction and unrelenting sepsis stemming from a poorly defined, severe immunologic defect. Our case report presents 2 full siblings to nonconsanguineous parents with pyloric atresia, multiple small bowel and colonic atresias, and severe immune dysfunction. Care was withdrawn within 3 months of life on both siblings after multiple bouts of sepsis. Data suggest that the immune defect may not be primary, but in fact be secondary to intestinal dysfunction. Although the subjects in this article ultimately had fatal outcomes, a comprehensive immunologic/physiologic picture is presented in hopes of furthering the understanding of this grave disease.     

Vasovasostomy in the murine vas deferens: comparison of the Nd:YAG laser at 1.06 microns and 1.318 microns to the CO2 laser

A comparison is made of laser anastomoses of the murine vas deferens at different energies with the neodymium (Nd):YAG laser at 1.06 micron and 1.318 micron and with the CO2 laser. A total of 28 welds were performed with a free-hand technique employing a 600-micron silicon fiber with the Nd:YAG and a hand piece with a 500-micron spot size for the CO2. After 6 weeks, all animals were sacrificed and the vasa evaluated for patency. Fifteen out of 28 controls repaired with microsurgical techniques were found to be patent; 4/10 vasa were patent with use of the Nd:YAG at 1.318 micron at laser energies of 300 mW and 500 mW. At 1.06 micron, only 1/4 anastomoses was patent at a power setting of 1 W. None of the anastomoses performed with the CO2 laser was patent. Histologic study revealed intense fibrosis in all the lasered vasa, with sperm granuloma formation associated with most anastomoses. Although this is a preliminary study, it appears that the Nd:YAG laser at 1.318 micron and a power setting of 300-500 mW provides patency rates superior to the Nd:YAG at 1.06 micron and to the CO2 lasers and is equivalent to standard micro-surgical techniques in the murine vas deferens.     

Preaortic left primitive iliac vein: two case studies

Although congenital abnormalities of the inferior vena cava (IVC) are rare, they can lead to serious hemorrhagic complications, especially during aortoiliac surgery. The most frequent complications include the double IVC, left-sided IVC, and the left retroaortic renal vein isolated or associated with a preaortic renal vein forming a periaortic venous collar. Preaortic primitive iliac vein represents an exceptional anatomic entity and only a few cases have been reported in previously published data (Ruemenapf et?al., J Vasc Surg 1998;27:767-771; Schiavetta et?al., J Vasc Surg 1998;28:719-722; Shindo et?al., Ann Vasc Surg 2000;14:393-396; Balbridge and Canos, Arch Surg 1987;122:1184-1188; Honkasalo et?al., Acta Chir Scand 1983;149:717-719; Brener et?al., Arch Surg 1974;108:159-165; Vohra and Leiberman, Eur J Vasc Surg 1991;5:209-211; McClure and Huntington, Am Anat Memoirs 1929;15:1-55). In this study, we report two cases of preaortic left primitive iliac vein. The first patient was a male who was operated on for an aortobiiliac aneurysm. The second was of a female patient who was operated on for an interaortocaval lymphadenopathy that resulted from ganglion curettage performed for ovarian cancer.     

A review of the risks and benefits of differing prophylaxis regimens for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in neurosurgery

BACKGROUND: Annually, 2 million people in the United States develop deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and nearly 100,000 sustain fatal pulmonary emboli. Prophylaxis against DVT/pulmonary embolism (PE) is a critical issue, and options include elastic stockings, intermittent pneumatic compression stockings, low-dose unfractionated heparin (5000 U every 8-12 hours), and low molecular-weight heparin (ie, enoxaparin and dalteparin). The risks and benefits associated with different prophylaxis regimens used in the prevention of DVT and PE in neurosurgical procedures were analyzed. METHODS: Neurosurgical studies focusing on different methods of prophylaxis used for the prevention of DVT and PE were reviewed. The efficacy, risks, and benefits of varied treatment options were evaluated, with particular emphasis on minor and major hemorrhages occurring where heparin-based protocols were used. RESULTS: In Flinn et al series (Arch Surg. 1996;131(5):472-80), the incidence of DVT was greater for cranial (7.7%) than spinal procedures (1.5%). Although intermittent pneumatic compression devices provided adequate reduction of DVT/PE in some cranial and combined cranial/spinal series, low-dose subcutaneous unfractionated heparin or low molecular-weight heparins further reduced the incidence, not always of DVT, but of PE (Br J Neurosurg 1995;9(2):159-63; J Intensive Care Med 2003;18(2):59-79). Nevertheless, low-dose heparin-based prophylaxis in cranial and spinal series risks minor and major postoperative hemorrhages: 2% to 4% in a cranial series, 3.4% minor and 3.4% major hemorrhages in a combined cranial/spinal series, and a 0.7% incidence of major/minor hemorrhages in a spinal series (J Neurosurg 2003;99(4):680-4; Neurosurgery 1986;18(4):440-5; Eur Spine J 2004;13(1):1-8; J Intensive Care Med 2003;18(2):59-79). CONCLUSIONS: Although mechanical prophylaxis provided effective prophylaxis against DVT/PE in many series, the added efficacy of low-dose heparin regimens has to be weighed against risks of major postoperative hemorrhages and their neurological sequelae.     

Laparoscopic TME in rectal cancer – electronic supplementary: op-video

Background  

Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer has been proved in various studies. The minimal invasive procedure is feasible and safe which was demonstrated in many studies. However, the results of prospective, randomized studies providing valuable evidence are still not available. Compared to conventional surgery, the laparoscopic technique has short-term advantages including less pain, shorter duration of postoperative ileus, less fatigue, better pulmonary function, and less blood loss (Leung et al., Lancet 363:1187–1192, 2004; Braga et al., Dis Colon Rectum 48:217–223, 2005; Jayne et al., J Clin Oncol 25:3061–3068, 2007; Agha et al., Surg Endosc 22:2229–2237, 2008).     

Unusual proximal dislocation without fracture: a case report

Carpal instability includes a broad spectrum of osseous and ligamentous injuries which have been subclassified into greater and lesser arc injuries, in addition to combinations of both (Mayfield et al. J Hand Surg [Am] 5:226–241, 1980; Yaeger et al. Skeletal Radiol 13(2):120–30, 1985). The injuries typically occur from a fall on the outstretched hand with the wrist in ulnar deviation, hyperextension, and intercarpal supination (Yaeger et al. Skeletal Radiol 13(2):120–30, 1985). The force classically propagates from the radial to the ulnar side of the wrist resulting in a fracture (greater arc) or dislocation (lesser arc) pattern with the extent of the injury occurring in an orderly pattern depending upon the degree of hyperextension and the duration and magnitude of the force (Mayfield et al. J Hand Surg [Am] 5:226–241, 1980; Yaeger et al. Skeletal Radiol 13(2):120–30, 1985). Multiple variations occur, including transradial styloid fractures as well as fractures through carpal bones surrounding the lunate (Mayfield et al. J Hand Surg [Am] 5:226–241, 1980; Yaeger et al. Skeletal Radiol 13(2):120–30, 1985; Kozin SH. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 6 (2): 114–20, 1998. Although carpal dislocations have been noted for many years, the mechanisms and classification have only been recently clarified. We report a case of a complex dislocation involving the entire proximal carpal row without an associated fracture. While this type of complex carpal dislocation has been previously described, to our knowledge, it has never been reported without a fracture of the forearm, wrist, or hand.     

The assessment of acute knee injuries by Senior House Officers in the Accident and Emergency department.

This study in a large inner city Accident & Emergency (A&E) department investigated the awareness of new Senior House Officers (SHO's) of the major symptoms and signs of significant trauma to the knee. They were able to identify a knee effusion clinically but were unable to differentiate a haemarthrosis from a reactive effusion. An acute haemarthrosis is suggestive of significant damage such as fracture, cruciate ligament rupture, major meniscal tear, synovial tear or patella dislocation (Maffulli N, Binfield PM, King JB, Good CJ. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 1993;75(6):945-949 [1]; Noyes FR, Basset RW, Grood ES, Butler DL. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 1980;62-A:687-695 [2]; Jain AS, Swanson AJG, Murdoch G. Injury 1983;15:178-181.] [3]). In many cases a haemarthrosis may be the only abnormality demonstrable in the acute setting (Dehaven KE. Am J Sports Med 1980;8:9-14 [4]; Visuri T, Koskenvuo M, Dahlstrom S. Milit Med 1993;158(6):378-381 [5]). If this diagnosis is missed then patients may be inappropriately sent home without suitable treatment and follow up. Greater emphasis should be placed on the differentiation between reactive effusion and haemarthrosis in the knee during the teaching of orthopaedics both at medical school and also on arrival at the A&E department.     

15例胰腺横断伤的手术治疗

目的探讨胰腺横断伤的手术治疗方法。方法回顾性分析手术治疗胰腺横断伤1 5例的临床资料。1 4例为完全性胰腺横断性损伤,1例为不完全性胰腺横断伤,均合并有多处脏器伤,均行手术治疗。Whipple手术1例,胰头侧断端缝合+胰体尾与空肠Roux-en-Y吻合5例,胰体尾部切除+近侧断端缝合6例,胰尾切除3例,同时行合并伤治疗。结果术后发生胰瘘6例,创伤性胰腺炎5例,胆汁性腹膜炎各1例,治愈1 4例,死亡1例。结论胰腺横断伤是严重的腹部损伤,常并发腹腔脏器损伤。手术治疗方式应根据胰腺的横断部位、损伤程度、有无十二指肠及胆道损伤及合并伤而决定。术中严密止血、彻底清创、通畅引流、术后使用生长抑素是防止并发症的重要措施。     

Decision-Making in the Emergency Laparotomy: A Mixed Methodology Study

World Journal of Surgery - More than 30,000 emergency laparotomies take place annually in England and Wales (Symons et al. in Br J Surg 100(10):1318–1325, 2013; Shapter et al. in Anaesthesia...     

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy is a Safe and Effective Bariatric Procedure for the Lower BMI (35.0–43.0 kg/m<Superscript>2</Superscript>) Population

Background  

The laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is derived from the biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch operation (Marceau et al., Obes Surg 3:29–35, 1993; Hess and Hess, Obes Surg 8:267–82, 1998; Chu et al., Surg Endosc 16:S069, 2002). Later, LSG was advocated as the first step of a two-stage procedure for super-obese patients (Regan et al., Obes Surg 13:861–4, 2003; Cottam et al., Surg Endosc 20:859–63, 2006). However, recent support is mounting that continues to establish LSG as the definitive procedure for surgical treatment of morbid obesity. We will report our experience with the LSG as a primary bariatric procedure and evaluate if this operation is suitable as a stand-alone procedure.     

Sudden death after open gastric bypass surgery

Purpose  Gastric bypass surgery has become a relatively low-risk bariatric surgical intervention in a high-risk patient population (Nguyen et al., Arch Surg, 141:445–449, 2006; Buchwald et al. JAMA, 13:1724–1737, 2004). Surgical interventions in patients suffering from morbid obesity are typically associated with excess morbidity (Parikh et al., Am Surg, 73:959–962, 2007). Though overall mortality after bariatric surgery is <1% is low (Mason et al., Obes Surg, 17:9–14, 2007), some surgical complications such as anastomotic leaks, staple line disruption and bowel obstruction may still impact on postoperative outcome (Parikh et al., Am Surg, 73:959–962, 2007; Mason et al., Obes Surg, 17:9–14, 2007). Early symptoms are often missed, as clinical presentation may be discreet, inexistent or falsely attributed to obesity. Methods  This case report refers to a patient in whom discomfort and agitation associated with a rise in temperature heralded a fulminant septic shock syndrome precipitating his death. Literature on early complications and management after gastric bypass is reviewed. Conclusion  A high level of suspicion should be present in the case of an unexpected postoperative deterioration of the patient’s general condition. Time to treat may be very short (Mason et al., Obes Surg, 17:9–14, 2007). Computed tomography is mandatory to rule out pulmonary embolism and bypass obstruction.     

A reasonable mechanism for visible light-induced skin rejuvenation

In recent years, much research has been done in the field of non-ablative skin rejuvenation. This comes as a response to the continuous demand for a simple method of treating rhytides, UV exposure, and acne scars. Numerous researches involve visible light-pulsed systems (20–30 J/cm²). The mechanism of action is believed to be a selective heat-induced denaturalization of dermal collagen that leads to subsequent reactive synthesis (Bitter Jr., Dermatol. Surg., 26:836–843, 2000; Fitzpatrick et al., Arch. Dermatol., 132:395–402, 1996; Kauvar and Geronemus, Dermatol. Clin., 15:459–467, 1997; Negishi et al., Lasers Surg. Med., 30:298–305, 2002; Goldberg and Cutler, Lasers Surg. Med., 26:196–200, 2000; Hernandez-Perez and Ibeitt, Dermatol. Surg., 28:651–655, 2002). In this study, we suggest a different mechanism for photorejuvenation based on light-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. We irradiated collagen in vitro with a broadband of visible light (400–800 nm, 24–72 J/cm²) and used the spin trapping coupled with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to detect ROS. Irradiated collagen resulted in hydroxyl radicals formation. We propose, as a new concept, that visible light at the energy doses used for skin rejuvenation (20–30 J/cm²) produces high amounts of ROS, which destroy old collagen fibers, encouraging the formation of new ones. On the other hand, at inner depths of the skin, where the light intensity is much weaker, low amounts of ROS are formed, which are well known to stimulate fibroblast proliferation.     

Access-Port Fixation on the Left Pectoral Fascia in Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

Access-port (AP) complications after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) are often seen but seldom reported in literature. AP complications requiring additional surgery is reported in 3.6% to 24% of LAGB patients (Susmallian et al. Obes. Surg, 4:128–131, 2003; Peterli et al. Obes. Surg., 12(6):851–856, 2002; Busetto et al. Obes. Surg., 12:83–92, 2002; Mittermair et al. Obes. Surg., 19:446–450, 2009; Holeczy et al. Obes. Surg., 9:453–455, 1999; Bueter et al. Arch. Surg., 393:199–205, 2008; Launay-Savary et al. Obes Surg, 18:1406–1410, 2008; Balsiger et al. J. Gastrointest. Surg., 11:1470–1477, 2007; Szold and Abu-Abeid Surg. Endosc., 16:230–233, 2002). We evaluated the effect of fixing the AP on the pectoral fascia using the Velocity™ Injection Port on complication and re-operation rate. From January 2005 till October 2007, 619 LAGB procedures were performed using the SAGB QuickClose™. All procedures were performed by three dedicated surgeons using the pars flaccida technique. APs were placed on the fascia of the pectoral muscle using an infra-mammary incision. The AP device was fixed on the fascia using the Velocity™ Injection Port and Applier. Data was obtained retrospectively and records of 619 consecutive patients were reviewed for access-port complications. Sixty-eight AP complications were observed. Complications could be divided in four categories. Discomfort was reported in 30 patients, seven needing additional surgery. Infection contributed to 11 patients needing surgical removal of the device. Fourteen Patients with superficial infection were treated conservatively. Nine patients had inaccessible APs. Ultrasound-guided access was required in three patients. The remainder needed surgical relocation of the AP. Leakage of the tube was observed in four patients all of which needed revisional surgery. Our experience shows that fixation of the AP on the left pectoral fascia using the Velocity™ leads to a readily accessible AP with good anaesthetic and aesthetic results. In our series, 68 (11%) complications were recorded, of which 28 (4.5%) needed additional surgery.