Pericardioscopy: techniques, indications and results. Apropos of an experience with 70 cases]

Pericardoscopy (PCS) is an original method of examination of the pericardial cavity. Its principle is derived from pleuroscopy and the apparatus is derived from mediastinoscopy. The main indication for this technique is the diagnosis of pericardial effusions. Sixty-five PCS were performed for this purpose, allowing an accurate etiological diagnosis in 35 cases. The etiological diagnosis was based on the clinical and paraclinical context in 4 other effusions, considered to be idiopathic after PCS. In 23 cases, the etiology remained uncertain, but a tuberculous or neoplastic etiology was ruled out after PCS. Three false negative results were obtained. Complete cleaning of the pericardial cavity allowed favorable immediate and mid a term outcome, avoiding possible constriction. Finally, PCS established the operability of two bronchial cancers, located in the hilar area and suspected of intrapericardial extension (PCS was performed in these cases in absence of pericardial effusion).     

Multidisciplinary management of ductal carcinoma in situ: a 10-year experience

BACKGROUND: Two ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) treatment controversies are (1) what is the preferred margin for patients undergoing lumpectomy plus radiation, and (2) is there a subgroup that can be safely treated with lumpectomy alone? A multidisciplinary team was established to evaluate these issues. METHODS: Patients with DCIS who were candidates for breast-conservation were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 had a minimum 5-mm margin and received radiation, and group 2 had a minimum 10-mm margin and received no radiation. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-two patients (153 cancers) met the inclusion criteria. The median follow-up was 8.2 years. Overall, there were 6 recurrences (3.92%); 1 of 71 recurred in group 1 (1.40%), and 5 of 82 recurred in group 2 (6.01%). CONCLUSION: Five-millimeter margins plus radiation results in low rates of recurrence. A subgroup of DCIS patients can be identified in which radiation can be safely avoided. The multidisciplinary team approach to managing DCIS enhances the potential for improved outcomes.     

Surgical options in the treatment of rectal prolapse: indications, techniques and results

Two different approaches can be distinguished in the surgical treatment of rectal prolapse, i. e. the transabdominal route and the perineal procedures. The following article deals with both operative options with a detailed discussion of the Delorme's operation and the perineal rectosigmoidectomy, also known as the Altemeier procedure for the perineal techniques. Regarding abdominal operations simple rectopexy is compared with operations including bowel resection including minimally invasive approaches. In general, perineal procedures for full-thickness rectal prolapse cause less morbidity compared with abdominal operations. They are especially indicated in the elderly and /or high-risk patients. Recurrences, on the other hand, are usually encountered more often following local techniques as compared with abdominal operations. It can be concluded that perineal as well as abdominal procedures remain important options in the surgical treatment of rectal prolapse and should be part of the armamentarium of colorectal surgeons.     

Percutaneous elastic fixation of proximal humeral fractures: operative indications, techniques, results and complications

We present a technique of osteosynthesis of proximal humeral fractures using Kirschner wires, assembled in an elastic manner. We report 29 patients (mean age, 68 years) with types II, III and V fractures, according to Neer's classification, treated with closed or open (seldom) reduction and percutaneous pinning. The pin placement was antegrade: the wires started on the epiphysis and aimed at the diaphysis, with the proximal ends fixed with an external clamp and the distal ends crossed and laying on the endosteal surface. Patients were evaluated with the Constant-Murley scale at the end of treatment. Radiological and clinical outcome was satisfactory in all but one patient, in whom the closed reduction was insufficient. Percutaneous elastic pinning is an effective treatment of proximal humeral fractures. If necessary, it should be associated with open reduction. Received: 20 August 2001/Accepted: 6 September 2001     

Epithelioid Haemangioendothelioma of the mandibular gingiva: case report and literature review

IntroductionEpithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare vascular neoplasm that exhibits the potential for recurrence and metastasis but rarely involves the oral cavity.Presentation Of CaseWe report the management and long term follow up of recurrent EHE in a 23- year-old woman. The lesion initially presented as a small area of erythematous gingival swelling with localised bone loss around the lower anterior teeth. It was treated by buccal and lingual stripping of the gingival tissues. The patient suffered local recurrence after 7 years and was treated with a wider surgical excision of the buccal and lingual gingivae, conserving the adjacent teeth and bone with an excellent cosmetic outcome. Over 21 years later, there have been no further recurrences.DiscussionThis case highlights the management challenges of EHE and is the only case in the literature to have reported a case of mandibular gingivae with a long review period of 21 years.ConclusionOral EHE is an unpredictable lesion with a relatively benign course, unlike non-oral EHE where up to one third of cases may metastasise. Because of the propensity to recur locally after excision and curettage, a wide local excision with close clinical follow has been suggested in the literature as the treatment of choice for oral lesions. However, the lack of metastases from oral lesions, the small size, mandibular site and bland histology in this case suggests that a limited soft tissue excision and bone curettage, with long term follow-up would be appropriate for similar gingival lesions in future.     

口腔黏膜和阴唇皮肤微粒移植用于阴道再造的初步经验

目的：探讨13腔黏膜微粒移植联合阴唇皮肤微粒移植在阴道再造中的应用。方法：自2008年始,我科采用明胶海绵承托口腔黏膜微粒联合阴唇皮肤微粒游离移植加硅胶模具支撑的方法,将口腔黏膜微粒联合阴唇皮肤微粒应用于阴道再造8例。结果：全组患者术后效果满意,瘢痕隐蔽,再造阴道腔隙挛缩少,生理功能接近正常,感觉存在,性生活满意。结论：口腔黏膜微粒联合阴唇皮肤微粒是再造阴道的良好材料,成活容易、生长迅速,术后挛缩较小,可以应用于阴道再造。     

Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia: indications, technique, complications and results in 10 years experience

AIM: Inguinal hernia play a major role in a general surgical division. In the last 10 years laparoscopy has gained a key role even in the treatment of this disease. This study aims to review a single institution's experience with laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia (TAPP). METHODS: A retrospective study of 715 operations in 500 patients from 1992 to September 2002. Two hundred and eight six (56.6%) of these were monolateral hernias and 214 (43.4%) were bilateral while 215 (30%) were recurrent. RESULTS: Of 214 operations recurrence rate was 0.43 with a mean operating time of 30 min (range 25-50) for monolateral hernias and of 70 min (range 45-120) for bilateral hernias. Mean length of stay was 2 days (range 1-10). Return to work occurred in 6 days while sports were resumed after 10 days. Complications occurred in 40 (8.6%) patients with only 2 (0.4%) major complications. Mean follow up time was 58.3 months. CONCLUSION: According to personal experience, and in agreement with international literature, laparoscopy showed to be effective mostly in treating bilateral and recurrent hernias, particularly for faster recovery and less postoperative pain compared to traditional techniques.     

Angiotensin converting enzyme in human seminal plasma is synthesized by the testis, epididymis and prostate

The activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was assessed in human body fluids (serum, seminal plasma, prostatic secretions), in tissue extracts of the testis, epididymis, prostate and skeletal muscle, in split ejaculates and in seminal plasma obtained from patients before and after vasectomy. To ensure the specificity of the results the dependence of ACE activity on specific inhibitors was evaluated. Enzyme activity found in tissues of the male genital tract was considerably higher than that in serum and other tissues. ACE in human seminal plasma is synthesized by the testis, epididymis and prostate in different amounts.     

评估人类精子中原位非整倍体:引物原位杂交和缩氨酸核酸荧光原位杂交技术的使用(英文)

引物原位杂交(PRINS)和缩氨酸核酸荧光原位杂交(PNA-FISH)技术都可替代传统的荧光原位杂交(FISH)技术,用于染色体的研究。PRINS 反应的基本物是 DNA 聚合酶和引物原位扩展反应中的标引核苷。缩氨酸核酸探针是合成的不带电聚酰胺主链的 DNA 类似物。这两种技术特异、快速、识别能力强的优点使它们在细胞遗传学研究中很受欢迎。它们在人类精子研究中的应用使男性配子的染色体筛选过程得到新的快速发展,成为男性配子非整倍体原位评估中 FISH 技术的有效补充。     

The sitting position in neurosurgery: indications, complications and results. a single institution experience of 600 cases

Background

The benefit of the sitting position for surgery of the posterior fossa and cervical spine is still a matter of controversy. In our study we analyzed the outcome after sitting position surgery at our institution. We compared the incidence of venous air embolism (VAE) as recognized with different monitoring techniques and the severity of complications.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 600 patients, who underwent surgery for different posterior fossa and cervical spine pathologies, respectively, in the sitting position at our institution from 1995 to 2011. Intraoperative monitoring for VAE included endtidal CO2 level, Doppler ultrasound or intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). We defined VAE as a decrease of the endtidal CO2 levels by more than 4 mm Hg, a characteristic sound in the thoracic Doppler, or any sign of air in the TEE.

Results

We found an overall incidence of VAE in 19 % of all patients, whereas the rate of severe complications associated with VAE such as a decline of partial oxygen pressure (pO2) or a drop of blood pressure was only 3.3 % in all patients. Only three out of 600 operations had to be terminated because of non-controllable VAE (0.5 %). There was no mortality resulting from VAE in our series. We also found a difference in the incidence of VAE depending on the monitoring technique. The VAE rate as monitored with TEE was 25.6 % whereas the incidence of VAE in patients monitored with Doppler ultrasound was 9.4 %. The rate of a significant VAE was comparable in both methods 4.8 % vs. 1.2 %. All patients were preoperatively screened for persisting foramen ovale (PFO); 24 patients with clinically confirmed PFO were included in this series. There was no case of paradox air embolism.

Conclusions

In our series, VAE was detected in 19 % of all patients in the sitting position. However, in only 0.5 % of cases a termination of the surgical procedure became necessary. In all other cases, the cause of air embolism could be found and eliminated during surgery. TEE was found to be the monitoring technique with the highest sensitivity. In our opinion, the sitting position is a safe positioning technique if TEE monitoring is used.     

Resuscitative balloon occlusion of the aorta in the modern era: Expanding indications,optimal techniques,unresolved issues,and current results

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta has been used by trauma surgeons at the bedside for more than a decade in civilian and military settings. Translational and clinical research suggests it is superior to resuscitative thoracotomy for select patients. Clinical research suggests outcomes are superior in patients who received resuscitative balloon occlusion of the aorta compared with those who did not. Technology has advanced considerably in the past several years, leading to the improved safety profile and wider adoption of resuscitative balloon occlusion of the aorta. In addition to trauma patients, resuscitative balloon occlusion of the aorta has been rapidly implemented for patient with nontraumatic hemorrhage.     

强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节病变的X线与CT对照分析

目的：旨在评估强直性脊柱炎（ＡＳ）患者骶髂关节病变的ＣＴ表现,并比较Ｘ线和ＣＴ在强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节病变中的作用。材料和方法：对２１例ＡＳ患者骶髂关节Ｘ线平片及ＣＴ表现进行回顾性分析。Ｘ线检查包括骶髂关节正位片,ＣＴ检查使用ＧＥ—Ｈ９８００Ｑｕｉｃｋ型ＣＴ机及ＧＥ—ＨｉｓｐｅｅｄＣＴ／ｉ型螺旋机,层厚５ｍｍ,间隔５ｍｍ。结果：２１例中全部４２个关节受累,主要病变包括：①关节面下囊性变。②关节面硬化。③关节面侵蚀。④关节间隙变窄或增宽。⑤关节强直。结论：ＣＴ对于强直性脊柱炎骶髂关节病变的检出率高于Ｘ线平片,尤其是对于ＡＳ骶髂关节早期病变及较小的病变的诊断优于Ｘ线平片,而对于中度及重度关节炎的改变同Ｘ线诊断价值相同。     

A comparison of published head and neck stage groupings in carcinomas of the oral cavity.

BACKGROUND: The combination of T, N, and M classifications into stage groupings is meant to facilitate a number of activities, including the estimation of prognosis and the comparison of therapeutic interventions among similar groups of cases. We tested the UICC/AJCC 5th edition stage grouping and seven other TNM-based groupings proposed for head and neck cancer for their ability to meet these expectations in a specific site: carcinomas of the oral cavity. METHODS: We defined four criteria to assess each grouping scheme: (1) the subgroups defined by T, N, and M that make up a given group within a grouping scheme have similar survival rates (hazard consistency); (2) the survival rates differ among the groups (hazard discrimination); (3) the prediction of cure is high (outcome prediction); and (4) the distribution of patients among the groups is balanced. We identified or derived a measure for each criterion, and the findings were summarized by use of a scoring system. The range of scores was from 0 (best) to 7 (worst). The data are population based from a prospectively gathered series in Southern Norway, with 556 patients diagnosed from 1983 through 1995. Clinical stage assignment was used, and the outcome of interest was cause-specific survival. RESULTS: Summary scores across the eight schemes ranged from 1.66 for TANIS-3 to 6.50 for UICC/AJCC-5. The TANIS-7 staging scheme performed best on the hazard consistency criterion. The Kiricuta scheme performed best on the hazard discrimination criterion. Synderman predicted outcome best overall and Berg produced the most balanced distribution of cases among its groups. CONCLUSIONS: UICC/AJCC stage groupings were defined without empirical investigation. When tested, this scheme did not perform as well as any of seven empirically derived schemes we evaluated. Our results suggest that the usefulness of the TNM system could be enhanced by optimizing the design of stage groupings through empirical investigation.