Antithrombin III prevents deleterious effects of remote ischemia-reperfusion injury on healing of colonic anastomoses

BACKGROUND: Antithrombin III is known as the most important natural inhibitor of thrombin activity and has been shown to attenuate local harmful effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury in many organs. In recent animal studies, delaying effect of remote organ ischemia-reperfusion injury on healing of intestinal anastomoses has been demonstrated. In this study, we investigated whether antithrombin III reduces deleterious systemic effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury on healing of colonic anastomoses in rats. METHODS: Anastomosis of the left colon was performed in 24 rats that were divided into three groups: sham operated control (group I, n = 8), 30 minutes of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion by superior mesenteric artery occlusion (group II, n = 8), antithrombin III treated group (250 U/kg before and after the ischemia-reperfusion, group III, n = 8). On postoperative day 6, all animals were sacrificed, and bursting pressure and tissue hydroxyproline content of the anastomoses were assessed and compared. RESULTS: On postoperative day 6 the mean bursting pressures were 149.6 +/- 4.8, 69.8 +/- 13.5, and 121.8 +/- 8.7 mm Hg for groups I, II, and III, respectively (P = 0.000). Mean tissue hydroxyproline concentration values were 389.5 +/- 29.6, 263.1 +/- 10.0, and 376.0 +/- 33.8 microg/mg for groups I, II, III respectively (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that, antithrombin III treatment significantly prevented the delaying effect of remote organ ischemia-reperfusion injury on anastomotic healing in the colon. Further clinical studies are needed to clarify whether antithrombin may be a useful therapeutic agent to increase the safety of the anastomosis during particular operations where remote organ ischemia-reperfusion injury takes place.     

Value of duplex Doppler ultrasonography in renal colic

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to determine the value of duplex Doppler ultrasonography (DDU) in the patients' evolution with renal colic. The study of the resistive index (RI), difference of the RI (ARI) associated with a DDU intravesical recording (ureteral jets) were compared with renographic findings in renal colic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 1998 and January 2001 we studied 377 cases with suspected renal colic by intravenous pyelography (IVP), grey-scale ultrasonography and DDU with determination of the RI, the difference between the RI of ipsilateral and contralateral kidneys (ARI) and the amplitude (maximum length of the intravesical ureteral jet), velocity and frequency of the urine bolus. We considered normal values RI < or = 0.70 and ARI < or = 0.06. VP was used as a referee investigation and the ureteral intravesical jets were determined in standard conditions. All patients came to the hospital between 4 and 12 h after the onset of the renal colic. RESULTS: We found four series of patients: 1, acute (complete) obstructed kidney (IVP nonfunctional) and dilatation at normal grey-scale, with normal contralateral kidney (n = 153). In this series we found RI > 0.70 in 87%, RI > 0.06 in 90% and absent ureteral intravesical jet of the obstructed kidney site in 89%; 2, acute (complete) obstructed kidney (IVP nonfunctional) without abnormalities at normal grey-scale, with normal contralateral kidney (n = 57). In this series we found RI > or = 0.70 in 73.5%, deltaRI > 0.06 in 82.5% of patients, absent or asymmetric ureteral intravesical jet in 80.7% of cases; 3, incomplete obstructed kidney (IVP with various degree of ureterohydronephrosis) with normal contralateral kidney (n = 96). In this series we found RI > or = 0.70 in 58.3% and deltaRI > 0.06 in 64.5% of patients, asymmetric ureteral intravesical jets in 74% of cases; 4, normal both kidneys normal IVP) were found in 71 cases (18.8%). In this series we found RI < 0.70 in 80.2%, deltaRI < or = 0.06 in 89% of cases, normal ureteral intravesical jets in 93% of cases. The mean RI was 0.76 (0.05) in 306 obstructed kidneys, significantly higher than the mean RI of 0.62 (0.05) in 448 normal kidneys (P < 0.001). The ARI in patients with obstruction was significantly higher than in patients with normal both kidneys, at 0.08 (0.05) and -0.001 (0.03), respectively (P < 0.001). The RI was sensitive in 75.5% and specific in 92.5% and ARI was sensitive in 80.7% and specific in 95.7% (versus IVP, considered the referee value). The presence of the intravesical ureteral jets of the renal colic side, associated with the values of RI (RI < or = 0.70) and deltaRI (deltaRI < or = 0.06), was followed by spontaneous passage of the stones in 71% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Renal DDU and consecutively, intravesical evaluation of ureteral jets could detect acute renal obstruction and, as a functional investigation, could have a predictive value regarding the ureteral stones passage. It could replace the IVP, being a sensitive and highly specific test.     

The effect of the psychological status of breast cancer patients on the short-term clinical outcome after mastectomy

PURPOSE: to analyze the effect of anxiety and depression on the postoperative complications and length of hospitalization of patients with breast cancer. Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were filled out by the patients pre-operatively. Patients were asked to rate their pain by the visual analogue scale (VAS) after surgery. Age, seroma volume, day of drain withdrawal, complications, and pathological stages were noted. The median age of 49 patients with the diagnosis of breast cancer was 51 (36-80). There was a significant correlation between the pain score and Beck, HADS, HADS (anxiety) and HADS (depression) (8 hours ; p = 0.021, 0.001, 0.004, 0.005 and 24 hours ; p = 0.005, 0.012, 0.006, 0.120). The mean HADS depression score in those patients with complications was 9.1 +/- 4.2 and that of patients with no complications was 6.6 +/- 3.1 (p = 0.047). The mean hospital stay of patients with a normal HADS score (< 19) was 2.9 +/- 1.1 days, whilst that of patients with an abnormal HADS score was 3.8 +/- 1.2 days (p = 0.016). Patients with abnormal HADS anxiety and abnormal HADS (total) scores had an earlier stage of breast cancer (p = 0.077, p = 0.063). The psychological status of breast cancer patients effects their postoperative recovery period and it is easy to diagnose these patients by some brief questionnaires.     

Long-term results of endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux with the sub-ureteric injection of calcium hydroxyapatite

Aim To review our long-term results of the sub-ureteric injection of calcium hydroxyapatite in the endoscopic management of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children. Materials and methods A sub-ureteric injection of calcium hydroxyapatite was given to 14 children (23 ureteral units) affected by VUR grades I–V. All children were followed-up with monthly urine cultures, and a renal ultrasound was done on the postoperative 4th week, while the first voiding cysto-urethrogram (VCUG) control was performed on postoperative week 12. The children were followed-up with yearly renal ultrasound and monthly urine cultures, thereafter. Data from the patients’ charts were retrospectively analyzed regarding the outcome of the procedures. Results Mean follow-up time was 52 months (47–60 months). VUR was cured in 47.4% of cases after a single injection. After the second injection the global success rate was 52.1%. Ureteroneocystostomy was performed on seven refluxing ureters of five children unresponsive to sub-ureteric injection therapy. One patient underwent nephroureterectomy because of a non-functioning kidney secondary to ureteral obstruction due to migration of material at the 23rd month postoperatively. Conclusion Although favorable short-term success rates have been reported with the sub-ureteric injection of calcium hydroxyapatite without any side effects, our long-term results showed a low success rate, with the only reported serious morbidity.     

Risk factors for kidney impairment and differential impact of liver transplantation on renal function

Background

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common problem in long-term survivors after liver transplantation (LT). It is important to identify and correct risk factors that negatively affect kidney function. The purpose of this study was to delineate the risk factors associated with progressive kidney dysfunction after OLT.

Methods

We analyzed 50 recipients (10 female, 40 male) of overall age of 44 ± 13 year who were all ≥18 years old and underwent first LT between 1999 and 2005. Patient-related risk factors were evaluated for renal failure at 3 and 5 years after transplantation. We evaluated parameters of demographic data, laboratory values, daily proteinuria, and renal resistive index (RRI) by Doppler ultrasonography. CKD was defined as a sustained decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the change in eGFR from the baseline value: group 1, stable eGFR (no change from baseline); group 2, <50% decreased eGFR; and group 3, ≥50% decrease from baseline. eGFR was calculated by using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula.

Results

At 3 years after LT, GFR negatively correlated with initial Child-Pugh score (r = −0.42; P < .01); microalbuminuria (r = −0.28; P < .01), and RRI (r = −0.36; P < .01). After 5 years, GFR negatively correlated with initial gamma glutamyl transferase (r = −0.21; P < .05), PT (r = −0.29; P < .05), and RRI (r = −0.32; P < .01). Pretransplantation direct bilirubin levels were significantly correlated with GFR decrease at 3 years (P = .05). At 5 years of follow-up, smoking (P < .05), baseline alanine aminotransferase (P = .03) and serum triglyceride (P < .01) levels significantly correlated with eGFR decrease. Pretransplantation serum creatinine levels were stratified into normal versus high groups. Patients with increased basal serum creatinine levels displayed shorter survivals than those with normal creatinine levels, namely, median values of 21 ± 3.9 months versus 14 ± 2.4 months, log rank test: P < .05).

Conclusion

Renal function after liver transplantation show sustained impairment in certain patients. In the short term the main risk factors for renal detoriation were severity of liver disease before LT, microalbuminuria, and renal perfusion. In the long term, smoking and dyslipidemia were the main predictors of CKD. Patients with high basal serum creatinine values were at increased risk of mortality.     

Influence of different power outputs of erbium,chromium:yttrium–scandium–gallium–garnet laser and acid etching on shear bond strengths of a dual-cure resin cement to enamel

The purpose of the study was to determine if the irradiation of enamel with laser of different output powers might be viable alternatives to acid etching for the bonding of resin luting agents. Seventy-seven maxillary central incisors, extracted for periodontal reasons, were used. The enamel was etched with an erbium, chromium:yttrium–scandium–gallium–garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser operated at one of six power outputs (0.5 W, 0.75 W, 1 W, 1.5 W, 1.75 W and 2 W) or with 38% phosphoric acid. Seventy teeth were used for the bond strength experiments, and the remaining seven (one specimen for each group) were used for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine the topography and morphology of the treated enamel surface. The acid-etched group yielded the highest mean of shear bond strength (13.5 ± 2.8 MPa). The means of the shear bond strength for the teeth irradiated at 0.5 W, 0.75 W, 1 W, 1.5 W , 1.75 W and 2 W laser were 3.28 ± 2.4 MPa, 5.44 ± 3.4 MPa, 8.8 ± 4.5 MPa, 10.2 ± 4.0 MPa, 11.4 ± 4.8 MPa and 11.9 ± 4.3 MPa, respectively. Laser irradiation at 1.5 W, 1.75 W and 2 W produced a type III acid-etched pattern similar to that produced by acid etching. No significant enamel surface etching was obtained by 0.5 W or 0.75 W laser irradiation. Irradiation at 0.5 W and 0.75 W produced a type V acid-etched pattern. We concluded that the mean shear bond strength and enamel surface etching obtained with Er,Cr:YSGG laser (operated at 1.5 W and 1.75 W for 15 s) is comparable to that obtained with acid etching.     

The advantages of implementing an e-learning platform for laparoscopic liver surgery

The rapid expansion of laparoscopic surgery has led to the development of training methods for acquiring technical skills. The importance and complexity of laparoscopic liver surgery are arguments for developing a new integrated system of teaching, learning and evaluation, based on modern educational principles, on flexibility allowing wide accessibility among surgeons. This paper presents the development of e-learning platform designed for training in laparoscopic liver surgery and pre-planning of the operation in a virtual environment. E-learning platform makes it possible to simulate laparoscopic liver surgery remotely via internet connection. The addressability of this e-learning platform is large, being represented by young surgeons who are mainly preoccupied by laparoscopic liver surgery, as well as experienced surgeons interested in obtaining a competence in the hepatic minimally invasive surgery.