Erratum to: Specific stressors in endonasal skull base surgery with and without navigation

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology -     

Inhaled iloprost controls pulmonary hypertension after cardiopulmonary bypass

PURPOSE: Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a major cause of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Various iv vasodilator modalities have been used with limited results because of lack of pulmonary selectivity. The aim of the present controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of inhaled iloprost, a synthetic prostacyclin analogue, in patients with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) immediately after separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). METHODS: Twelve patients with persistent PH after discontinuation of CPB were included in the study. In all patients standard hemodynamic monitoring was used. Inhaled iloprost was administered via nebulized aerosol at a cumulative dose of 0.2 micro g*kg(-1) for a total duration of 20 min. Complete sets of hemodynamic measurements were performed before inhalation (baseline), during and after cessation of the inhalation period. Echocardiographic monitoring of RV function was also used. RESULTS: Inhaled iloprost induced a reduction in the transpulmonary gradient at the end of the inhalation period in comparison to baseline (9.33 +/- 3.83 mmHg vs 17.09 +/- 6.41 mmHg, P < 0.05). The mean pulmonary artery pressure to systemic artery pressure ratio decreased over this period (0.28 +/- 0.08 vs 0.45 +/- 0.17, P < 0.05). A statistically significant decrease of the PVR to systemic vascular resistance ratio was also observed (0.15 +/- 0.05 vs 0.21 +/- 0.05, P < 0.05). Improved indices of RV function were observed in echocardiographic monitoring. CONCLUSION: Inhaled iloprost appears to be a selective pulmonary vasodilator and may be effective in the initial treatment of PH and the improvement of RV performance in the perioperative setting.     

Effect of long-term calcitonin administration on steroid-induced osteoporosis after cardiac transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Early, rapid bone loss and fractures after cardiac transplantation are well-documented complications of steroid administration; therefore, we undertook this study on the effects of long-term calcitonin on steroid-induced osteoporosis. METHODS: Twenty-three heart transplant recipients on maintenance immunosuppression with cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone were retrospectively studied. All patients received long-term prophylactic treatment with elemental calcium and vitamin D. Twelve (52.2%) patients also received long-term intranasal salmon calcitonin, whereas 11 (47.8%) received none. Bone mineral density and vertebral fractures were assessed at yearly intervals. Statistical comparisons between each group's bone loss during the first year and in the early (1 to 3 years), intermediate (4 to 6 years) and late (7+ years) post-transplantation periods were done. RESULTS: Lumbar spine bone loss was significant during the early follow-up period in the group not receiving calcitonin (0.744 +/- 0.114 g/cm(2) vs 0.978 +/- 0.094 g/cm(2) [p = 0.002]). The calcitonin group showed bone mineral density (BMD) levels within normal average values throughout the study period. BMD increased in the no-calcitonin group during the intermediate (4 to 6 years) and late (7+ years) follow-up periods, with values approaching normal average and no significant difference between the 2 groups (0.988 +/- 0.184 g/cm(2) vs 0.982 +/- 0.088 g/cm(2) [p = 0.944] and 0.89 +/- 0.09 g/cm(2) vs 1.048 +/- 0.239 g/cm(2) [p = 0.474], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic treatment with intranasal salmon calcitonin prevents rapid bone loss associated with high-dose steroids early after cardiac transplantation. Long-term administration does not seem warranted in re-establishing BMD.     

“Aggressive” Feeding of Very Preterm Neonates and Body Mass Index at School Age

Introduction: The effects of “aggressive” neonatal feeding policies of very preterm neonates (VPN) and the risk of metabolic syndrome later in life remain questionable. We aimed to evaluate the effect of our “aggressive” nutrition policies of VPN during hospitalisation on body mass index (BMI) at ages 2 and 8 years. Materials and Methods: Eighty four VPN, who received “aggressive” nutrition during hospitalisation in an effort to minimise postnatal growth restriction (PGR) (group A), and 62 term neonates, as controls (group B), were enrolled in the study. Group A was further divided in four subgroups depending on the type (A1: fortified expressed breast milk and preterm formula; A2: exclusively preterm formula) and quantity of milk received (A3: maximum feeds 180–210 mL/kg/day; A4: maximum feeds 210 and up to 260 mL/kg/day). BMI was calculated at ages 2 and 8 years and plotted on the centile charts. Results: There was no significant difference in BMI between groups A and B at 2 and 8 years, respectively, in both absolute BMI values and their centile chart distribution. There was no significant difference in BMI at 2 and 8 years either between subgroups A1 and A2 or between subgroups A3 and A4. Conclusions: “Aggressive” and individualised feeding policy for VPN did not affect the BMI and obesity rates at ages of 2 and 8 years in our study population. The type and quantity of milk feeds had no impact on their BMI at school age. Further larger studies are needed to confirm our results.     

Preoperative Biliary Drainage of Severely Jaundiced Patients Increases Morbidity of Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Results of a Case-Control Study

Background

Recent studies have indicated that preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) should not be routinely performed in patients suffering from obstructive jaundice before surgery. The severity of jaundice that mandates PBD has yet to be defined. Our aim was to investigate whether PBD is truly justified in severely jaundiced patients before pancreaticoduodenectomy. The parameters evaluated were overall morbidity, length of hospital stay, and total in-hospital mortality.

Methods

From January 2000 to December 2012, a total of 240 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary tumors. Group A comprised 76 patients with preoperative serum bilirubin ≥15 mg/dl who did not undergo PBD before surgery. Group B comprised another 76 patients, matched for age and tumor localization (papillary vs. pancreatic head) who underwent PBD 2–4 weeks before pancreaticoduodenectomy and were identified from the same database.

Results

Less operative time was required in the ‘no PBD’ group compared with the ‘PBD’ group (210 vs. 240 min). Total intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusions were also significantly less in the ‘no PBD’ group. There was no difference detected in the rate of pancreatic fistula or biliary fistula formation. Group A patients demonstrated significantly lower morbidity than group B (24 vs. 36 %, respectively) and therefore required briefer hospitalization (11 vs. 16 days). Mild infectious complications appear to be the main factor that enhanced morbidity in the PBD group. However, total in-hospital mortality was not significantly different between the two groups.

Conclusions

Even severe jaundice should not be considered as an indication for PBD before pancreaticoduodenectomy, as PBD increases infections and postoperative morbidity, therefore delaying definite treatment.     

The role of central venous pressure and type of vascular control in blood loss during major liver resections

BACKGROUND: Blood loss during liver resection constitutes the primary determinant of the postoperative outcome. Various techniques of vascular control and maintenance of a low central vein pressure (CVP) have been used in order to prevent intraoperative blood loss and postoperative complications. Our study aims at assessing the effects of different levels of CVP in relation to type of vascular control on perioperative blood loss and patient outcome. METHODS: The records of 102 consecutive patients who underwent a major hepatectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-two patients were operated on with a CVP of 6 mm Hg or more and 60 patients had a CVP of 5 mm Hg or less. The Pringle maneuver was used in 45 patients and selective hepatic vascular exclusion (SHVE) in 57 patients. Blood loss, complications, and mortality were analyzed comparing the two CVP groups in relation to type of vascular control. RESULTS: The Pringle maneuver is associated with more blood loss when CVP is 6 mm Hg or more compared with CVP 5 mm Hg or less (1,250 mL [250 to 2,850] versus 780 mL [150 to 3,100]; P <0.05). Conversely, blood loss during SHVE is independent of the CVP levels. A significant difference in blood loss between the Pringle maneuver and SHVE was observed, only when CVP was 6 mm Hg or more (1,250 mL [250 to 2,850] versus 680 mL [150 to 1,260]; P <0.05). Hospital stay was also significantly longer in patients operated on with CVP 6 mm Hg or more (15 days [4 to 38] than in patients with CVP 5 mm Hg or less (10 days [4 to 32]; P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated CVP during major liver resections results in greater blood loss and a longer hospital stay. The Pringle maneuver with CVP 5 mm Hg or less is associated with blood loss not significantly different from that with SHVE. The latter, though, has been shown not to be affected by CVP levels and should be used whenever CVP remains high despite adequate anesthetic management.     

Fungemia due to Moesziomyces aphidis (Pseudozyma aphidis) in a premature neonate. Challenges in species identification and antifungal susceptibility testing of rare yeasts

Premature neonates are at particularly increased risk to develop invasive infections with excessive case fatality due to their low birth weight, enteral malabsorbtion, insufficient microbial defenses and underdeveloped anatomic barriers. We present a case of Moesziomyces aphidis (syn. Pseudozyma aphidis) fungemia in a newborn with severe morbidity and prolonged hospital stay. Phenotypic tests failed to identify the isolate whereas commercial antifungal susceptibility tests failed to detect resistance to fluconazole. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of M. aphidis fungemia in a premature neonate in whom complete clinical resolution occurred after liposomal amphotericin B administration. Our case is the third Pseudozyma spp. infection described in Europe. Twenty-one cases have been described globally. Common risk factors were central venus catheter (80%), previous antibiotic treatment (80%), hematologic malignancies (27%) and solid tumors (20%) with 3 cases reported in neonates. The most commonly used antifungal therapy was amphotericin B followed by oral voriconazole or itraconazole. Our report highlights the clinical importance of rare yeasts species in neonates, emphasizes the roles of prematurity and lower birth weight as major risk factors for invasive infections with high morbidity. Reliable identification and susceptibility testing of these rare yeasts is a key issue for an adequate therapy and better outcome.     

Transdiaphragmatic approach facilitates resection of large (&gt;12 cm) liver tumors

Background/Purpose

Various (mostly transthoracic) techniques have been proposed to facilitate access to large tumors located in the upper part of the liver, close to the confluence of the major hepatic veins. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of a transdiaphragmatic mobilization technique for resection of such tumors.

Methods

Twenty-one patients, with tumors ranging from 12 to 22?cm in diameter, underwent liver resections using our technique of diaphragmatic splitting, with the intention of achieving adequate exposure of the inferior vena cava and the hepatocaval junction.

Results

The technique described provided, in all patients, an effective method to achieve the vascular control required for a safe liver resection. Median weight of the excised tumors was 1100?g (range, 817–2860?g).

Conclusions

Large liver tumors (>12?cm) in the upper part of the liver may be approached through a standard bilateral subcostal incision, combined with splitting of the hemidiaphragm, without the need for any kind of thoracic incision.

     

Norepinephrine in small-for-size liver grafts: an experimental study in pigs

BACKGROUND: Norepinephrine plasma levels may play a role in small-for-size grafts dysfunction at the early posttransplant period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 18 pigs used as recipients were assigned to group 1 (n = 6), group 2 (n = 6), and group 3 (n = 6) and given grafts with graft-to-recipient volume ratios of 1:1, 2:3, and 1:3, respectively. Blood serum norepinephrine was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection at the following time points: pre-anhepatic period (baseline); anhepatic period; and 30, 60, 180, and 360 min after reperfusion. Graft arterial and portal vein flows were obtained 30, 60, 180, and 360 min after reperfusion by the aid of an ultrasonic flowmeter. Aspartate transferase (AST) and international normalized ratio (INR) were measured before the procedure (baseline), and at 180 and 360 min after reperfusion. RESULTS: Anhepatic phase was characterized by a significant increase (6- to 8-fold) of norepinephrine in all groups (P < 0.05). In groups 1 and 2 plasma norepinephrine returned to normal values 30 min after reperfusion. In group 3, plasma norepinephrine remained significantly increased at every time point of the study compared to groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.001). Hepatic artery and portal vein flows in group 3 were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced and increased, respectively, compared to groups 1 and 2 at all times measured. Liver function tests (AST and INR) 360 min after reperfusion were significantly higher in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Norepinephrine levels are increased in very small-for-size grafts and this increase may be associated with early graft dysfunction.