Preimplantation retrograde pneumoplegia in clinical lung transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Retrograde pneumoplegia seems to improve early graft function in experimental and clinical lung transplantation. We evaluated the role of retrograde flushing in addition to antegrade pneumoplegia in clinical lung transplantation. METHODS: Fourteen patients undergoing lung transplantation were randomized into 2 groups: in group I we performed antegrade pulmonary artery flushing with alprostadil (prostaglandin E1) and modified Euro-Collins solution at the time of retrieval. In group II additional retrograde flushing through the pulmonary veins was performed at the back table, before reimplantation. Hemodynamic variables, mean airway pressure, and blood gas analysis were monitored at different time points. Postoperative volumetric monitoring was performed to assess extravascular lung water. The reimplantation response was assessed by a radiographic score; extubation time and intensive care unit stay were recorded. RESULTS: During retrograde flushing, blood and clots coming out from the pulmonary artery were observed; 2 lungs harvested from a donor with multiple bone fractures had fat emboli in the retrograde perfusate. Hemodynamic monitoring did not demonstrate any difference between the 2 groups. The ratio of arterial oxygen tension to inspired oxygen fraction, extravascular lung water, duration of intubation, and length of stay in the intensive care unit were improved in group II, but the differences did not reach statistical significance. Intrapulmonary shunt fraction was significantly improved in group II at each time point ( P =.02), as well as indexed alveolar-arterial oxygen tension gradient (P =.04), mean airway pressure (P =.04), and chest x-ray score ( P =.03). CONCLUSIONS: Preimplantation retrograde flushing is not detrimental and helps to improve early graft function.     

Randomized comparison of transurethral electroresection and holmium: YAG laser vaporization for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of holmium:YAG laser vaporization v transurethral electroresection (TURP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients were randomized. Two laser procedures (60 to 80 W) were performed for one TURP. Symptom Score, peak flow rate, potency, and ejaculation status were measured at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 75 minutes for laser and 56 minutes for TURP (P = 0.0407). With a mean laser energy delivered of 103.6 kJ, hemostasis was satisfactory during vaporization. The mean catheterization time was 1.7 and 2.1 days in the laser and TURP group, respectively. For the laser and TURP groups, the mean AUA Score improved from 20 preoperatively to 7 and from 24.1 to 5, respectively, at 12 months. The mean peak flow increased from 8.4 to 19.5 mL/sec and from 7.6 to 16.8 ml/sec, respectively, at 12 months. These results are not statistically different. No significant initial dysuria occurred. No significant difference between the groups appeared in potency or ejaculatory status during the follow-up. One patient in the laser group (Day 5) and two in the TURP group (2nd and 6th month) had to undergo a second procedure to relieve obstruction. CONCLUSION: Although taking slightly longer to accomplish, holmium:YAG laser vaporization of BPH provides early results very similar to those of TURP with a shorter catheterization time and no initial dysuria or pain.     

Gastropyeloplasty: a swine model

OBJECTIVES: Struvite calculus formation requires an alkaline urinary pH. An acidic urinary pH will dissolve struvite calculi and prevent recurrent struvite stone formation. Long-term urinary acidification has been unsuccessful. We sought to determine whether a gastric patch (with viable parietal cells) anastomosed to the renal pelvis could create an acidic urinary milieu. METHODS: A vascularized stomach patch (from the greater curvature) was anastomosed to the left renal pelvis in 15 female pigs. The right kidney was used as a control. The first 6 pigs were used to refine the surgical technique. The remaining 9 pigs were subjected to a formal gastropyeloplasty and followed up for 4 weeks. Urine was collected before and after stimulation with pentagastrin. Urine pH was measured from both kidneys in response to gastrin stimulation and oral intake. The kidneys, ureters, and bladders were examined for gross changes and histologic review. RESULTS: The 9 test animals had more acidic urine in the control kidney than in the gastropyeloplasty kidney. Pentagastrin had no significant impact on urinary pH. Hydroureteronephrosis and a concentrating defect were noted in the treated kidney. Histologic review revealed smooth muscle hyperplasia of the left ureter and viable parietal cells in the stomach patch. CONCLUSIONS: An animal model was developed to transfer a gastric patch to the renal pelvis. Hydronephrosis and ureteral dilation were associated with this gastric patch. We were unable to acidify the urine despite viable parietal cells in the transposed stomach segment. Further refinements of this concept may be successful in acidifying urine in the hope of preventing recurrent struvite nephrolithiasis.     

Radical prostatectomy. The surgical complications

Study of 165 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma who underwent radical prostatectomy using a retropubic approach. Mean PSA is 19 ng/ml, mean age 63 years and median follow-up 26 months. 22 patients (13.2%) reported complications during the first month post-surgery, primarily urinary fistula of more than 5 days long in 5 patients and rectal injury in 3.49 patients (29%) reported complications after the first month, mainly urinary incontinence in 26 cases and stenosis of the urethrovesical juncture in 15. The group with early complications showed no significant differences compared to those who had none, neither in PSA (p = 0.3) or a worse pathological stage (p = 0.1), and no evidence is shown in terms of biochemical progression or in disease free progression (p = 1). Patients with urethrovesical juncture stenosis have higher mean PSA (p = 0.01), greater biochemical progression (p = 0.006), worse Gleason (p = 0.03 = and worse progression free survival (p = 0.01). Patients with stress incontinence showed no differences compared to the other groups relative to the studied factors.     

Rare locations of hydatid disease

The authors report their experience with uncommon hydatid cyst locations. Between 1970 and 1995 a total of 16 patients suffering from hydatid cysts located in various organs other than liver and lungs were observed. There were 7 women and 9 men with a mean of 53.3 years. In 10 cases uncommon locations were found to be isolated and in 6 associated to contemporary or previously treated hepatic cystic disease. Pathogenesis of these uncommon locations, whether being primary or secondary, as well as specific items of diagnosis and surgery are discussed.     

DNA-protein crosslinks as a biomarker of cis-platinum activity in cancer patients

We have developed a new method to assess the amount of DNA-protein crosslinks (DNA-PC) in peripheral lymphocytes, based on the selective precipitation of the DNA crosslinked to proteins. We assessed the amount of DNA-PC in peripheral lymphocytes of 18 cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy with cis-platinum for the first time. Since the chemotherapy was administered over a two-day period, blood samples were drawn at baseline (before starting the therapy), 4 h after the infusion of the first dose of cis-platinum, the next day (24 h after the first dose, and immediately before the infusion of the second dose), and 2 days later (48 h after the first dose). The mean change of DNA-PC 4 h after therapy was 0.8+/-0.8% (p=0.006), 0.5+/-0.6% after 1 day (p=0.007), and 0.1+/-0.5% after two days (ns). The correlation between DNA-PC changes and cumulative dose of cis-platinum was -0.22 at 4 h, -0.19 after 1 day, and -0.68 at 2 days (p=0.005). The crosslinking effect of cis-platinum seems to vary among individuals and with dose; the DNA-PC may be used to define sub-populations of patients with various degree of sensitivity to the pharmacologic action of this chemotherapeutic agent, and thus to adjust the dosage on an individual basis.