Interleukin-11 Overexpression and M2 Macrophage Density are Associated with Angiogenic Activity in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To investigate the expression of IL-11 and its receptor IL-11Rα and to quantify density of CD163⁺ M2 macrophages in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).     

Successful Use of Surgically Placed Impella 5.0 and Central Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Circuit in a Patient with Postcardiotomy Shock

The Impella 5.0, a percutaneously inserted left ventricular assist device, has been used to support patients who have severe heart failure or who are undergoing high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention. We report our surgical placement of the Impella 5.0, through a graft sewn to the aorta, to unload the left ventricle of a 59-year-old man who was undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for postcardiotomy shock. The patient underwent successful placement of a long-term left ventricular assist device before his discharge from the hospital. The versatility of the Impella 5.0 is exemplified in this patient who was successfully bridged to long-term support.     

Initiatives to reduce postoperative surgical site infections of the head and neck cancer surgery with a special emphasis on developing countries

Introduction: Surgery in patients with head and neck cancers is frequently complicated by multiple stages of procedure that includes significant surgical removal of all or part of an organ with cancer, tissue reconstruction, and extensive neck dissection. Postoperative wound infections, termed ‘surgical site infections’ (SSIs) are a significant impediment to head-and-neck cancer surgery and recovery, and need to be addressed.

Areas covered: Approximately 10–45% of patients undergoing head-and-neck cancers surgery develop SSIs. SSIs can lead to delayed wound healing, increased morbidity and mortality as well as costs. Consequently, SSIs need to be avoided where possible, as even the surgery itself impacts on patients’ subsequent activities and their quality of life, which is exacerbated by SSIs. Several risk factors for SSIs need to be considered to reduce future rates, and care is also needed in the selection and duration of antibiotic prophylaxis.

Expert commentary: Head and neck surgeons should give personalized care especially to patients at high risk of SSIs. Such patients include those who have had chemoradiotherapy and need reconstructive surgery, and patients from lower and middle-income countries and from poorer communities in high income countries, who often have high levels of co-morbidity because of resource constraints.     

Beneficial effects of C1 esterase inhibitor in ST-elevation myocardial infarction in patients who underwent surgical reperfusion: a randomised double-blind study.

BACKGROUND: The inflammatory cascade has been hypothesized to be an important mechanism of post-ischaemic myocardial reperfusion injury and several studies demonstrated that C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) is effective in post-ischaemia myocardial protection. Therefore, we aimed to investigate prospectively in a randomised double-blind study the cardioprotective effects of C1-INH in ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in patients who underwent emergent reperfusion with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: In this study, we enrolled 80 patients affected with STEMI who underwent emergent CABG. Patients were assigned in two groups (C1-INH group: receive 1000 UI of C1-INH; and placebo group: receive a saline solution). The effects of C1-INH on complement inhibition, myocardial cell injury extension and clinical outcome were studied. Haemodynamic data and myocardial function were monitored. C1-INH, C3a, C4a complement activation fragments and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) serum levels were measured before, during and after surgery. RESULTS: Patient characteristics were not different between the two groups. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 6.2%. No statistical significant difference was observed between the two groups with regard to early mortality (p=0.36). Statistical significant difference between the two groups was showed for cardiopulmonary bypass support (p=0.04), administration of high dose of inotropes drugs (p=0.001), time of intubation (p=0.03), intensive care unit (ICU) stay (p=0.04) and in-hospital stay (p=0.03). A significant improvement in mean arterial pressure (p=0.03), cardiac index (p=0.02) and stroke volume (p=0.03) was showed in C1-INH group versus placebo group. The serum cTnI levels were significantly low in the C1-INH group versus placebo group after reperfusion, during the observation period. Plasma levels of C3a and C4a complement fragments were reduced significantly in C1-INH group. No drugs-related adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibition of the classic complement pathway by C1-INH appears to be an effective mean of preserving ischaemic myocardium from reperfusion injury as demonstrated by low serum cTnI levels in C1-INH group. Therefore, the use of C1-INH during CABG as a rescue therapy in STEMI patients is probably an effective treatment to inhibit complement activity and to improve cardiac function and haemodynamic performance without impacting early mortality. Large randomised study should be performed to support our results.     

Uniportal vs standard three-port VATS technique for spontaneous pneumothorax: comparison of post-operative pain and residual paraesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: VATS using the conventional three ports is currently the technique of choice for blebectomy/bullectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax. However, the procedure has recently been shown to have neurological complications related to the port sites. Uniportal VATS has recently been proposed as an alternative to conventional three-port VATS. It is anticipated that the single incision will predispose to a lower incidence of neurological complications. METHODS: We report our initial single surgeon experience of uniportal VATS (n = 16) and provide a comparison of post-operative pain and residual paraesthesia to conventional three-port procedures (n = 19) for the same pathology. RESULTS: In both groups, the pneumothorax pathology was principally primary. There was no difference between the groups in terms of age, spirometry, tissue resected, drainage time and inpatient stay. A difference was, however, noted in inpatient pain scores. The uniportal group had a lower median score of 0.4 (visual analogue range 0-4) while the three-port technique reported 0.8 (P = 0.06, Mann-Whitney test). The maximum score trend was similar (1.4 vs. 2.6, respectively, P < 0.001, Mann-Whitney test). Follow-up for uniportal and three-port VATS averaged 9.4+/-6.6 and 32.1+/-9.9 months, respectively. One patient in the three-port group had a pneumothorax recurrence. Three-port VATS also had a higher residual pain score (0.5) compared to uniportal VATS (0.3). Of clinical significance was the incidence of neurological complications. Eighty-six percent of uniportal patients reported no symptoms. The remaining experienced only mild 'numbness' or 'swelling'. However, in the three-port group, only 42% reported no symptoms. A similar number experienced 'numbness'. Two females described sexual dysfunction due to altered breast sensitivity. Seventeen percent (2/12) reported 'pins and needles'. CONCLUSIONS: Uniportal VATS appears to be tolerable, safe and efficient in treating spontaneous pneumothorax in our series. Moreover, post-operative pain and paraesthesia incidence was lower than three-port VATS. Prospective randomised trials are important to evaluate this technique.