Sulpha drugs and its antagonism

Conclusion From the above experimental studies, and from the actual records we conclude that there is no necessity of an inference of the role of p-amino benzoic acid in the bacterial metabolism and how it is antagonised by the sulpha drugs. On the other hand we come to this conclusion from the results of direct observation that bacteria utilises oxygen from blood and tissues with the help of catalase which breaks down oxygenase. These two substances abound in all tissues and blood. Peptone, p-amino benzoic acid, its salts and esters etc antagonise the effect of the unsubstituted compounds of the sulphonamides but have no such action on the substituted compounds of the sulpha drugs. This is only a preliminary report. It is expected that soon truth will reveal itself by continuous study by newer methods and from newer points of view.     

Surgery for ventricular tachycardia in patients undergoing surgical ventricular restoration: The Karolinska approach

This article presents a review on the efficacy of surgical ventricular restoration and direct surgery for ventricular tachycardia in patients with left ventricular aneurysm or dilated ischemic cardiomyopathy. The procedure includes a non-electrophysiologically guided subtotal endocardiectomy and cryoablation in addition to endoventricular patch plasty of the left ventricle. Coronary artery bypass surgery and mitral valve repair are performed concomitantly as needed. In our experience, this procedure yielded a 90% success rate in terms of freedom from spontaneous ventricular tachycardia, with an early mortality rate of 3.8%. A practical guide to the pre- and postoperative management of these patients is provided. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi: ) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Development of a Simple Model of Extrinsic Denervation of the Small Bowel in Mouse

Small bowel transplantation (SBT) is associated with poorly understood enteric dysfunction. The study of SBT in mice is hindered by the technical difficulty of orthotopic SBT in the mouse. Our aim was to develop an easy preparation of extrinsic denervation of the entire jejunoileum in mice as a model of orthotopic SBT. All neurolymphatic tissues accompanying the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and vein (SMV) were ligated just distal to the middle colic vessels. The SMA and SMV were then stripped of investing adventitia, and the mesentery to jejunum and colon were transected radially. Jejunum and colon were not transected and reanastomosed. To confirm extrinsic denervation 1, 3, and 6 months later, segments of small bowel were stained for protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive intensity was then quantified using a semiquantitative analysis. Immunohistochemical fluorescence showed persistence of PGP9.5 immunoreactivity confirming enteric nerves in jejunoileum; however, there was no TH immunoreactivity in jejunoileum in denervated mice despite the expected preservation of TH immunoreactivity in the still-innervated duodenum at 1 month. At 3 months, sparse immunoreactivity for TH was present, and by 6 months, reinnervation of TH-containing nerves appeared similar to controls. Quantification of intensity at each time-point further confirmed this trend. This technique in the mouse accomplishes a complete extrinsic denervation of jejunoileum early postoperatively (1 and 3 months); reinnervation occurs by 6 months. This is an easily learned murine model of orthotopic SBT. Presented at the American Gastroenterological Association during Digestive Disease Week in Los Angeles, CA, as a poster presentation on May 23 2006. Abstract published in GastroenterologyE 2006; 130:A604.     

Comparison of Laparoscopic vs Open Sigmoid Colectomy for Benign and Malignant Disease at Academic Medical Centers

Few studies have examined outcomes of laparoscopic and open sigmoid colectomy performed at US academic centers. Using ICD-9 diagnosis and procedural codes, data was obtained from the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) Clinical Database of 10,603 patients who underwent laparoscopic or open sigmoid colectomy for benign and malignant disease between 2003–2006. A total of 1,092 patients (10.3%) underwent laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy. Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy was associated with a significantly shorter length of stay (5.4 vs 7.4 days), lower overall complication rate (19.7 vs 26.0%), lower 30-day readmission rate (3.4 vs 4.6), and a lower hospital cost ($13,814 vs $15,626). When a subset analysis of malignant and benign groups was performed, a significantly shorter length of stay in both the malignant laparoscopic group (6.4 ± 6.4 vs 7.8 ± 6.6 days) and in the benign laparoscopic groups (5.1 ± 3.5 vs 7.2 ± 7.6) exists. A lower wound complication rate (2.1 vs 5.5%, malignant and 4.0 vs 6.1, benign) is also evident. Laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy was associated with a shorter length of stay, less complications, and a lower 30-day readmission rate. The shorter length of stay and wound infection rate maintain significance when comparing laparoscopic vs open sigmoid resections for malignant and benign disease. Presented at the 48th annual meeting of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract at Digestive Disease Weak, Washington, DC, May 21st 2007. The information contained in this article was based on the Clinical Data Base provided by the University HealthSystem Consortium.     

Curative Laparoscopic Resection for Pancreatic Neoplasms: A Critical Analysis from a Single Institution

Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery (LPS) has seen significant development but much of the knowledge refers to small and benign pancreatic tumors. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and long-term outcome of the laparoscopic approach in patients with benign, premalignant, and overt malignant lesions of the pancreas. This study, currently, is the largest single center experience worldwide. One hundred twenty-three consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic pancreatic surgery from April 1998 to April 2007, 20 patients with cysts or pseudocysts for acute and chronic pancreatitis, laparoscopic pancreatic drainage was performed, and were excluded from the analysis. The 103 patients were divided based on preoperative diagnosis: group I, inflammatory tumors for chronic pancreatitis (eight patients); group II, cystic pancreatic neoplasms (29 patients); group III, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (10 patients); group IV, neuroendocrine pancreatic tumors (NETs) (43 patients); and group V ductal adenocarcinoma (13 patients). The median tumor size was 5.3 cm. Pathologic data include R ₀ or R ₁ resection (transection margins on the specimen were inked). Perioperative data, postoperative complications, and resection modalities were compared using statistical analysis. Long-term outcomes were analysed by tumor recurrence and patient survival. The overall conversion rate was 7%. Laparoscopic distal pancreatic resection was performed in 82 patients (79.6%). Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (Lap SPDP) was performed in 52 patients (63.7%), but with splenic vessels preservation in 22% and without splenic vessels preservation in 41.5%. Laparoscopic en-bloc splenopancreatectomy (Lap SxDP) was performed in 30 patients (36.6%) and laparoscopic enucleation (Lap En) in 20 patients (19.4%). There was no mortality. The overall complication rate was 25.2, 16.7, and 40% after Lap SPDP, Lap SxDP, and Lap En, respectively. The overall morbidity rate was significantly higher (p > 0.05) in the group of Lap SPDP without splenic vessels preservation comparing with Lap SPDP with splenic vessels preservation because of the occurrence of splenic complications (20.6%). The overall pancreatic fistulas was 7.7, 10, and 35% after Lap SPDP, Lap SxDP, and Lap En, respectively; the severity of fistula was significantly higher in the Lap En group (p > 0.05). The mean hospital stay was within 1 week in all groups, except in the group of ductal adenocarcinoma, which is 8 days. In this series, 27 patients (26.2%) had malignant disease. R ₀ resection was achieved in 90% of ductal adenocarcinoma and 100% for other malignant tumors. The median survival for ductal adenocarcinoma patients was 14 months. This series demonstrates that LPS is feasible and safe in benign-appearing and malignant lesions of the pancreas.     

Inguinal hernia is a common complication in lower midline incision surgery

Inguinal hernia is a known complication after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). We have investigated whether other types of lower midline incision surgery in males increase the risk of inguinal hernia. Male patients operated with open prostatectomy for benign prostate hyperplasia (n = 95), pelvic lymph node dissection for staging of prostate cancer (n = 88), or cystectomy for bladder cancer (n = 76) were identified and were sent questionnaires in which they were asked about postoperative inguinal hernia morbidity. Two-hundred and seventy-one men operated with RRP had previously received a similar questionnaire. The answers were compared with those from a control group of 953 men who had not undergone surgery. Annual attributional hernia morbidity and Kaplan–Meier hernia-free survival were calculated. The cumulative incidence of post-operative inguinal hernia and annual attributional hernia morbidity after the respective surgical procedures were clearly higher during the early years post-operation than for nonoperated patients. Inguinal hernia is a common postoperative complication in males after all the lower midline incision surgery investigated.