Boerhaave’s syndrome: Primary repair vs. esophageal resection—Case reports and meta-analysis of the literature

Boerhaave’s syndrome is a life-threatening disease with a high mortality. With regard to the heterogeneity of treatment strategies, no comparative studies exist and recommendations remain controversial. Seventeen cases of Boerhaave’s syndrome operated on between 1989 and 2000 at our hospital were reviewed retrospectively to compare the time period between perforation and diagnosis, and the morbidity and mortality among the different treatment options. In addition, we conducted a meta-analysis of the literature including all series containing five or more patients and compared the findings with our own data. Our patients with a perforation history of less than 12 hours showed significantly fewer signs of sepsis compared to patients with a history of more than 12 hours. In a comparison of patients with primary repair vs. patients treated with esophageal resection or an exclusion operation, no differences were found. In the literature, patients with a long period of perforation (more than 24 hours) were treated more often with an esophageal resection than patients with primary repair. In cases of Boerhaave’s syndrome, primary suturing of the esophageal perforation should be reserved only for those patients presenting within 12 hours after perforation. In all other cases, depending on the extent of the tissue damage, a two-stage esophageal resection with cervical esophagostomy and gastrostomy is recommended as the safest treatment.     

Microarray analysis of healing rat Achilles tendon: evidence for glutamate signaling mechanisms and embryonic gene expression in healing tendon tissue.

Tendon healing is a complex process consisting of a large number of intricate pathways roughly divided into the phases of inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Although these processes have been extensively studied at a variety of levels in recent years, there is still much that remains unknown. This study used microarray analyses to investigate the process at a genetic level in healing rat Achilles tendon at 1, 7, and 21 days postinjury, roughly representing the inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling phases. An interesting temporal expression profile was demonstrated, identifying both known and novel genes and pathways involved in the progression of tendon healing. Both inflammatory response and pro-proliferative genes were shown to be significantly upregulated from 24 h postinjury through to 21 days. Day 7 showed the largest increase in genetic activity, particularly with the expression of collagens and other extracellular matrix genes. Interestingly, there was also evidence of central nervous system-like glutamate-based signaling machinery present in tendon cells, as has recently been shown in bone. This type of signaling mechanism has not previously been shown to exist in tendon. Another novel finding from these analyses is that there appears to be several genes upregulated during healing which have exclusively or primarily been characterized as key modulators of proliferation and patterning during embryonic development. This may suggest that similar pathways are employed in wound healing as in the tightly regulated progression of growth and development in the embryo. These results could be of use in designing novel gene-based therapies to increase the efficacy and efficiency of tendon healing.     

Flexor digitorum profundus tendongrafting (extrasynovial donor tendons)

Although the prevalence of flexor tendon grafting has decreased since the early part of this century, the technique isstill an important part of a hand surgeons armamentarium. Primary and staged flexor tendon grafting are appropriate techniques used to restore digital function after failed or neglected repairs. Appropriate patient selection, meticulous reconstructive techniques, and respect for basic biological principles of healing and repair are essential elements for successful tendon grafting.     

跟腱反射时间测定评价甲状腺功能的探讨

对103名甲状腺功能正常者,89例甲状腺功能亢进症(甲亢)患者,10例甲状腺机能减退症(甲低)患者,分别测定了跟腱反射时间并与放免测定血清T_3、T_4相比较。结果:甲状腺功能正常者符合率为100％,甲亢符合率为83％,甲低符合率为90％。认为,跟腱反射时间测定对甲状腺功能的判断比较淮确,并且方法简便易行。     

Prenatal lead exposure in relation to gestational age and birth weight: A review of epidemiologic studies

Although the adverse effect on pregnancy outcomes at high levels of lead exposure in the workplace has been recognized for years, there is uncertainty regarding the impact of exposure at the lower community exposure levels commonly encountered today. This review summarizes the epidemiologic literature and discusses pertinent methodologic issues and possible sources of interstudy variation. The authors conclude that prenatal lead exposure is unlikely to increase the risk of premature membrane rupture but does appear to increase the risk of preterm delivery. Whether prenatal lead exposure decreases gestational age in terms of infants is unclear. Prenatal lead exposure also appears to be associated with reduced birth weight, but results vary in relation to study design and degree of control for confounding. Adjustment for gestational age, a possible confounder of the birth weight-lead exposure association, did not yield clearer results.     

早产胎膜早破65例妊娠结局分析

目的　探讨早产胎膜早破 (pretermprematureruptureofmembranes ,PPROM)的妊娠结局。方法　对 6 5例PPROM进行回顾性分析。结果　 6 5例PPROM中以流产引产史、感染及胎位不正多见。孕 2 8～ 34+ 6w 与孕35～ 36 + 6wPPROM比较 ,前者剖官产率明显低于后者 (P <0 .0 1) ,而新生儿发病率明显高于后者 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　对孕 2 8～ 34+ 6w 的PPROM宜采用期待疗法 ,以减少新生儿的并发症 ,降低新生儿的发病率及死亡率     

移植肾破裂的处理

目的　提高移植肾破裂的防治水平。方法　 6例移植肾破裂 ,手术前 2例 ,手术后 4例。 2例术前供肾破裂 ,采用切开移植肾破裂处包膜 +裂口内明胶海绵填塞 +肠线修补 +肠线编织肾袋收缩保护移植肾。 1例术后移植肾破裂早期 ,出血少 ,针对顽固性高血压采用“硝普钠”降压 ,配合常规抗排斥药物。 3例术后移植肾破裂出血量估计超过 10 0 0ml者 ,采用手术延长移植肾破裂处包膜 +裂口内明胶海绵填塞 +肠线修补 +肠线编织肾袋收缩保护移植肾。结果　 ( 1)手术前 2例手术后 4例 ,采用切开或者延长移植肾破裂处包膜 +裂口内明胶海绵填塞 +肠线修补 +肠线编织肾袋收缩保护移植肾并配合“硝普钠”降压的方法处理 ,均未再破裂出血 ,移植肾功能恢复良好。 ( 2 ) 1例术后移植肾破裂早期的患者 ,针对顽固性高血压采用“硝普钠”降压 ,配合常规抗排斥药物 ,非手术治疗成功。结论　 ( 1)采用手术切开或延长移植肾破裂处包膜 +裂口内明胶海绵填塞 +肠线修补 +肠线编织肾袋收缩保护移植肾可以有效治疗移植肾破裂。 ( 2 )移植肾破裂出血少的情况下 ,可以在密切观察下非手术治疗     

眼球破裂伤相关因素分析

目的 观察眼球破裂伤的致伤原因、常见部位、视力预后。方法 眼科住院眼球破裂伤51例的回顾性总结分析。结果 眼球破裂伤的首要致伤因素是打架斗殴(占43％)、其次工伤(占20％)、家庭休闲和旅游误伤(占17％)，交通事故(10％)，其他(10％)。眼球破裂伤的常见部位是上方角膜缘(占45％)，颞侧、鼻侧角膜缘和肌止点后巩膜(各占15％)。经过治疗，Ⅰ度破裂伤7／13获得0．02以上视力，Ⅱ度破裂伤9／20保留光感以上视力，Ⅲ度破裂伤1／18保留光感视力。结论 打架斗殴是眼球破裂伤首要致伤因素，常见伤口位置是上方角膜缘，眼球破裂伤的预后和损伤程度密切相关。