Contrast extravasation on CT angiography predicts hematoma expansion and mortality in acute traumatic subdural hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The presence of active contrast extravasation at CTA predicts hematoma expansion and in-hospital mortality in patients with nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. This study aims to determine the frequency and predictive value of the contrast extravasation in patients with aSDH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 157 consecutive patients who presented to our emergency department over a 9-year period with aSDH and underwent CTA at admission and a follow-up NCCT within 48 hours. Two experienced readers, blinded to clinical data, reviewed the CTAs to assess for the presence of contrast extravasation. Medical records were reviewed for baseline clinical characteristics and in-hospital mortality. aSDH maximum width in the axial plane was measured on both baseline and follow-up NCCTs, with hematoma expansion defined as >20% increase from baseline. RESULTS: Active contrast extravasation was identified in 30 of 199 discrete aSDHs (15.1%), with excellent interobserver agreement (κ = 0.80; 95% CI, 0.7-0.9). The presence of contrast extravasation indicated a significantly increased risk of hematoma expansion (odds ratio, 4.5; 95% CI, 2.0-10.1; P = .0001) and in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 7.6; 95% CI, 2.6-22.3; P = 0.0004). In a multivariate analysis controlled for standard risk factors, the presence of contrast extravasation was an independent predictor of aSDH expansion (P = .001) and in-hospital mortality (P = .0003). CONCLUSIONS: Contrast extravasation stratifies patients with aSDH into those at high risk and those at low risk of hematoma expansion and in-hospital mortality. This distinction could affect patient treatment, clinical trial selection, and possible surgical intervention.

Outcomes after surgical repair of sinus venosus atrial septal defect in children.

OBJECTIVES: Review of outcomes for children undergoing surgical repair of sinus venosus atrial septal defect (SVASD) and proposal of optimal treatment strategy. BACKGROUND: Unlike secundum-type atrial septal defect (ASD II), surgical correction of SVASD is more challenging and carries higher risk of postoperative complications. Several surgical techniques have been proposed to avoid them; however, the data on long-term follow-up are limited. METHODS: Between 1992-2005, 85 patients underwent surgery for SVASD at our institution. 78 and 7 operations were performed through full and partial sternotomy, respectively. The mean age was 7.7 years (2 months -19 years). All patients with SVASD and no partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage (PAPVD) or PAPVD in right atrium (n = 24) underwent the single-patch repair. Among patients with SVASD and PAPVD in SVC, 22 and 39 patients underwent intracaval baffle and Warden procedure, respectively. Clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic follow-ups were available for all patients. RESULTS: There were no deaths, reoperations, residual atrial septal defects and pulmonary vein stenosis. Two patients had SVC stenosis. Permanent arrhythmias were noted in 24 patients (28.2%). The rate of new arrhythmias in the intracaval baffle and Warden subgroup was 54.6% vs 23.1% (p = 0.01). Moreover, two and one patient from the intracaval baffle subgroup receive antiarrhythmics and had a pacemaker implanted, respectively. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of SVASD is associated with excellent results and minimal morbidity. The Warden procedure is preferred in patients with SVASD and PAPVD in SVC because of lower incidence of postoperative arrhythmias (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 23). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

[Stoma procedures in the congenital digestive tract malformations]. / Taktika stomovania pri vrodených chybách crevného traktu.

The authors analyze options for intestinal stoma procedures for congenital digestive tract malformations. A primary anastomosis is considered the principal procedure, however, the authors advice against its risky performance. Although a stoma being the ultimate treatment option, indications for stoma procedures should be considered carefully and the procedure should be performed on time, to avoid any potential later pathology development in the anastomosis. The authors compare and critically assess the following principal three types of the stoma procedures: 1. The modified Gross procedure; 2. The Bishop-Koop Roux Y anastomosis; 3. The Santulli-Blanc Roux Y anastomosis. The authors do not favour any of the above and they stress out that for each individual malformation, its own optimal procedure should be selected and performed.

Helicobacter pylori and CagA seropositivity and its association with gastric and oesophageal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Helicobacter pylori infection is an established risk factor for non-cardia gastric adenocarcinoma. Infection with H. pylori strains harbouring the cagA pathology island may augment this association. H. pylori infection may at the same time reduce the risk for oesophageal carcinoma. However, prospective data on the association between CagA seropositivity and gastric or oesophageal carcinomas are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether CagA seropositivity among H. pylori seropositive subjects is associated with gastric or oesophageal carcinomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A nested case-control study was performed in the Malmö Preventive Medicine cohort consisting of 32,906 middle-aged subjects. Tumour cases were identified by the Swedish National Cancer Registry. The Western blot method Helicoblot 2.1 was used to detect H. pylori and CagA seropositivity. RESULTS: Non-cardia gastric adenocarcinoma was associated with H. pylori seropositivity, odds ratio 17.8 (95% CI: 4.2-74.8; 67 cases). The odds ratio for CagA seropositivity among H. pylori seropositive subjects was 9.7 (95% CI: 1.5-infinity). No significant associations were found between cardia gastric adenocarcinoma and H. pylori or CagA seropositivity among H. pylori seropositive subjects; odds ratios were 1.5 (95% CI: 0.51-4.8) and 2.7 (95% CI: 0.38-infinity), respectively (24 cases). Oesophageal adenocarcinoma and oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma were not significantly associated with H. pylori seropositivity or with CagA seropositivity among H. pylori seropositive subjects; the odds ratios associated with oesophageal adenocarcinoma were 0.46 (95% CI: 0.07-2.6) and 0.38 (95% CI: 0.02-24), respectively. Corresponding odds ratios for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma were 0.44 (95% CI: 0.15-1.2; 37 cases) and 2.0 (95% CI: 0.24-infinity), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CagA seropositivity among H. pylori seropositive subjects is a risk factor for non-cardia gastric adenocarcinoma.

Evaluation of western blot CagA seropositivity in Helicobacter pylori-seropositive and -seronegative subjects.

CagA seropositivity is an important risk factor for gastric adenocarcinoma and duodenal ulcer. However, CagA seropositivity is also found in Helicobacter pylori-seronegative subjects. Is CagA seropositivity in these subjects a sign of a past H. pylori infection, or does it represent a false-positive reaction? This study investigates the intensity of the CagA immune reaction and the variation in CagA seroprevalence with year of birth for 650 subjects belonging to the Malmo Preventive Medicine cohort. CagA and H. pylori seroprevalences were determined by Western blot analysis (Helicoblot 2.1) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The peak intensity of the CagA band was significantly lower in H. pylori-seronegative subjects than in those with concomitant H. pylori seropositivity. In H. pylori-seropositive subjects, peak CagA intensity had a bimodal distribution. The prevalence of CagA-seropositive but H. pylori-seronegative subjects increased successively and significantly with year of birth, in contrast to the prevalence of CagA-seropositive and H. pylori-seropositive subjects, which decreased significantly. However, within H. pylori-seropositive and -seronegative subgroups, CagA seroprevalences were constant for different birth cohorts. If CagA seropositivity in H. pylori-seronegative subjects represents a past H. pylori infection, there must have been some mechanisms of eradication that were more common in younger subjects and that were of more importance than the presence of gastric atrophy and the longer duration and higher prevalence of H. pylori infection found in older subjects. Antibiotic treatment of H. pylori was not common practice at the time of enrollment. On the other hand, a false-positive reaction would be constant and independent of birth cohorts, as with the H. pylori-seronegative subgroup of our study. Peak CagA intensity in H. pylori-seronegative subjects corresponded to the lower part of the bimodal distribution of peak CagA intensity in H. pylori-seropositive subjects. We conclude that a major proportion of CagA seropositivity in H. pylori-seronegative subjects represents a false-positive reaction. Peak CagA intensity has a bimodal distribution in H. pylori-seropositive subjects. Low-intensity CagA seropositivity in H. pylori-seropositive subjects is indeterminate, representing both false-positive and true-positive reactions.

[Exchange amnioinfusion in conceptus with laparoschisis (first experience)]. / Výmenná amnioinfúzia u plodov s laparoschízou (Prvé skúsenosti).

OBJECTIVE: During amnioinfusion exchange (AE) a certain amount of amniotic fluid is repeatedly extracted and the same amount of physiological solution is consequently instilled into the amniotic fetal cavity. The aim of this procedure is to dilute the amniotic fluid that surrounds the eviscerated organs of fetuses with laparoschisis so as to avoid the genesis of fibrous coating on these organs. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Gynekologicko-pôrodnícka klinika SZU, FNsP akad. L. Dérera, Bratislava, Slovakia. METHODS: We have executed AE in five fetuses with laparoschisis since June 2002. Two patients underwent the treatment 2 times during the 32nd and 36th weeks of gestation. Two other patients were treated once during the 32nd week and one patient once during the 36th week. Under ultrasound control we used a spinal needle to extract 120-180 ml of dense, cloudy amniotic fluid. Consequently, we instilled the same amount of physiological solution warmed up to the temperature of 37 degrees C into the amniotic cavity through antibacterial filter. The fetuses were monitored cardiotocographically and with the help of ultrasound flowmetry in umbilical vessels, before and after the treatment. RESULTS: The AE were successful and without complications in all five cases. All patients delivered via elective caesarean section during the 36th - 37th gestation week. One patient delivered 24 hours after second AE due to the danger of intrauterine fetal hypoxia that was verified cardiotocographically. The other patients delivered 1-4 weeks after AE. CONCLUSION: The significance of AE lies primarily in the reduction of the occurrence of fibrous coating on eviscerated organs. It enables postnatal primary surgical closure of the defect in the front abdominal wall, an earlier onset of intestine peristalsis, transition from parenteral to peroral nutrition and shorter hospitalization.

Separation of Siamese twins in Bratislava.

At the pediatric surgical clinic in Bratislava, in the year 2000, we successfully carried out the separation of Siamese twins, which we classified as "ischiopagus tetrapus"+. The pelvic ring, the gastrointestinal tract and the urogenital system were all malformed. There was a common terminal ileum and only a short segment of the large intestine with a blind end. This was a case of non-developed anal segment and rectum. Each of the twins had two kidneys and two commonly shared urinary bladders. There were two uteruses, which were both bicornuate in nature with a fallopian tube arising from each of the horns as well as an ovary. The orifices of both urinary bladders and those of the two uteruses joined into a common urogenital sinus. The external ostia of this sinus represented a bizarre fissure with a single skin fold similar to the labium majus, located dorsally at the point of fusion of the pelvic structures. The act of separation was performed in two stages. Separation of the gastrointestinal tract was urgent due to the severe ileus caused by aplasia of the anus and the rectum. This first stage procedure was performed on the third day of admission (24.2.2000) after the babies had spent a month in other health institutions. The definitive separation was carried out a month after the first procedure (28.3.2000) following the optimal stabilization of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract. The uropoietic and genital systems were separated. A new pelvic ring and a pelvic floor were formed. The anterior abdominal wall was reconstructed and plastic correction of the skin in the gluteal and perineal regions was performed. The colostomies are functioning well and the twins pass well-formed stools. Lucia has long dry intervals between mictions. Andrea has shorter dry intervals. The girls have recently celebrated their third birthday. Their mental development is excellent; they speak Slovak and Hungarian languages. They have a well-developed locomotive apparatus, without any movement impairments. (Tab. 1, Fig. 16, Ref. 10.)

Functional outcome of surgery for coarctation of the aorta.

AIM OF STUDY: Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) accounts for about 8% of all congenital heart diseases. This represents about 30 new cases of coarctation every year in Slovakia, of which more than half will require surgical treatment. Over the past years, many children with this diagnosis have been successfully operated on at the Department of Cardiac Surgery of the Children's University Hospital, Bratislava. Thus, the need for a comprehensive follow-up and analysis of the postoperative well being of these young patients arises. Our study is therefore aimed at: 1) identifying factors affecting the incidence and persistence of postoperative systemic hypertension, as well as the need for heart failure and hypertension treatment, 2) assessing patients' psychomotor development following surgery for coarctation of the aorta. METHODS AND DATA: Between January 1992 and December 2001, a total of 201 patients with aortic co-arctation were operated on at our institution. The three classes of aortic coarctation namely: isolated coarctation, coarctation with ventricular septal defect and coarctation with complex cardiac anomalies were represented. Patients' medical records were retrospectively reviewed, with attention paid to such variables as the type of lesion, gradient across the site of coarctation, type of surgical technique employed and surgery-related complications. Subsequently, these patients were followed for a time period ranging between six months and ten years during which their psychomotor development and overall clinical state were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 201 operated patients, 64 (33%) had early postoperative hypertension, so-called paradoxical hypertension. There was a significant correlation between the incidence of early postoperative hypertension and patients' age at operation (p < 0.0001). Age at operation was also a significant risk factor for late hypertension (p = 0.005). In both cases we noticed a higher incidence of high blood pressure in patients operated on after the age of six years. The need for antihypertensive treatment of patients with early postoperative hypertension decreases with a younger age at operation. At five years of follow-up, the need for antihypertensive treatment was 15%. Clinical psychological evaluation of 64 patients showed a normal distribution of patients' intelligence quotients. No surgery-related variable correlated with the incidence of delayed mental development. There was, however, a certain correlation between the presence of complex anomalies and low verbal IQ in examined patients (p = 0.04) CONCLUSIONS: Early surgical treatment of aortic coarctation reduces the likelihood of early, as well as late postoperative hypertension. The preferred protocol in our institution is early surgical treatment of patients at about the age of two years. The need for antihypertensive treatment of patients at five years of follow-up is 15%. Patients' psychomotor development following surgery for aortic coarctation is not affected by type of surgical procedure. On the whole, we can conclude that patients' psychomo-whole, we can conclude that patients' psychomotor development does not differ from the rest of population. There is however, a certain correlation between complex cardiac anomalies and a tal, Bratislava delay in some components of patients' psychomotor development. (Tab. 3, Fig. 4, Ref. 17.)

Recoarctation and patients' freedom from re-intervention--a study of patients undergoing surgery for coarctation of the aorta at the Department of Cardiac Surgery of the Children's University Hospital, Bratislava.

BACKGROUND: Many children and young adults have undergone surgery for coarctation of the aorta. Individual surgical techniques employed in the treatment of patients and their effects on incidence of recoarctation were reviewed. METHODS AND DATA: Over the last ten years, a total of 201 cases of aortic coarctation were surgically treated at our department. The three forms of coarctation of the aorta recognized by the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgeons namely: isolated coarctation, coarctation with ventricular septal defects and coarctation with complex cardiac anomalies, were represented. RESULTS: 19 cases of recoarctation were recorded over the period of follow-up, representing 10% of all operated patients. On univariate analysis, the risk of recoarctation was closely linked with the following variables: use of resection and end-to-end anastomosis (p=0.01), age at operation less than one month (p=0.0002) and weight at operation less than 3 kg (p=0.01). The risk of recoarctation was found to be highest when resection and end-to-end anastomosis was employed in neonates (p<0.0001). Most cases of recoarctation as shown by the Kaplan-Meier plot occurred within the first year after surgery. CONCLUSION: The use of simple resection and end-to-end anastomosis in neonates is associated with a high risk of recoarctation. Hence, our preferred surgical technique in neonates is the extended resection and end-to-end anastomosis, which is associated with a considerably lower risk of recoarctation in this age group. (Tab. 4, Fig. 5, Re. 7)

Improved patient survival following surgery for coarctation of the aorta.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a retrospective review of children undergoing surgery for coarctation of the aorta in our institution over the last ten years with the aim of evaluating overall patient survival as well as detecting factors affecting it. We tried to identify the risk factors for mortality. METHODS AND DATA: Between January 1992 and December 2001, 201 patients with aortic coarctation were operated on at the Department of Cardiac Surgery of the Children's University Hospital, Bratislava. The three classes of aortic coarctation were represented: isolated coarctation, coarctation with ventricular septal defect (VSD) and coarctation with complex cardiac anomalies. Patients' preoperative, operative and immediate postoperative medical records were carefully studied with special attention paid to the type of lesion, patients' preoperative state, type of surgical technique employed, as well as the period of operation. For comparison, two equal time periods of follow-up were reviewed--1992 to 1996 and 1997 to 2001. The overall postoperative conditions of patients were also regularly monitored. Patient data were statistically analyzed using the JMP program version 4.04. RESULTS: An overall survival of 90% was recorded over the period of follow-up, ranging between one and ten years. A further break down showed a statistically significant difference between the various types of aortic coarctation, p=0.0001. Patients with simple or isolated coarctation had a survival rate of 100%, those with ventricular septal defect (VSD) in addition to coarctation had a survival rate of 80% while patients with associated complex cardiac anomalies had a survival rate of 65%. An improvement on overall patient survival was recorded in the period between 1997 and 2001--96% as against 86% for the period between 1992 and 1996. On univariate statistical analysis, the following variables were identified as significant risk factors for death: 1) Complex cardiac anomalies (p<0.0001), 2) Age at operation less than one month (p<0.0001) and 3) Treatment prior to the year 1997 (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: A considerable improvement on patient survival following surgery for coarctation of the aorta was recorded over the last five years. This could be attributed to new measures in preoperative, operative and postoperative care for patients with aortic coarctation. (Tab. 4, Fig. 5, Ref. 8.).

[Surgical treatment of children with necrotizing enterocolitis]. / Chirurgická starostlivost' o deti s nekrotizujúcou enterokolitídou.

Necrotizing enterocolitis is an acute neonatal disease. It affects in particular premature neonates with a birth weight lower than 1500 g. Despite extensive research the etiology of the disease remains obscure. The majority of authors assume multifactorial causes. Research workers try to detect various laboratory and clinical factors which could serve as criteria for surgical intervention. The sensitivity and specificity of these tests and laboratory examinations detect the disease only in an advanced stage and in the stage of perforation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The main surgical approach to the treatment of this disease remains laparotomy and resection of the necrotic portion of the gut with enterostomy. In a limited number of children resection of a portion of the necrotic gut with primary anastomosis is possible. In some very serious conditions and in infants with a birth weight below 1000 g peritoneal drainage and subsequent "second look" surgery should be sufficient. It is a disease with calls for a maximum individual approach and there are no accurate defined instructions for surgical treatment. The surgeon's experience and the standard of preoperative and postoperative care are decisive.

[Maffucci's syndrome--case report of a 5-year-old female patient]. / Maffucciho syndróm--kazuistika 5rocnej pacientky.

Maffucci's syndrome is a congenital non-hereditary syndrome characterized by a combination of dyschondroplasia (enchondromatosis) and haemangiomatosis. It is a rare disease. During the last 140 years only 200 cases were described [5]. 109 cases are described in the literature by other authors [21]. This disease is associated with a high risk of development of neoplastic processes, in particular sarcomatous transformation of enchondromatoses as well as other mesodermal and non-mesodermal malignities [13]. Based on the incidence of spinocellular haemangioendothelioma with other congenital syndromes, the presence at a young age of patients and the multicentric incidence support the assumption that spinocellular haemangioendothelioma may be the manifestation of genetically based mesodermal disease which may be associated with the picture of Maffucci's syndrome [6]. In their case-history the authors present a 5-year-old patient. They describe the clinical course and findings taking into account possible manifestations and risks associated with the disease. With regard to the low incidence of the disease and its interdisciplinary character the authors pen the question of possible causal, symptomatic or palliative treatment.

[Diastematomyelia and the tethered spinal cord syndrome. Case report]. / Diastematomyélia a syndróm pripútanej miechy. Kazuistika.

The authors present a patient with diastematomyelia and associated congenital malformations of the spinal cord. They caused tethering of the spinal cord. Patient had cutaneous marks of malformation from birth. The congenital malformation was operated at the age 5 years. MRI and surgical findings confirm the existence of diastematomyelia together with thick tethered filum terminale and lipoma of filum terminale. On surgery the bony septum was removed, the filum terminale was resected and the lipoma was excised. Each of the anomalies caused the tethering of the spinal cord and restricted its physiological ascent. Only careful surgical revision with subsequent removal of all causes of the tethering of the spinal cord produced good result. Diastematomyelia is a congenital malformation with some morphological variations and coexistence of other malformations. The presented case is a typical example of malformations associated with diastematomyelia.

Tobacco smoking increases the risk for gastric adenocarcinoma among Helicobacter pylori-infected individuals.

BACKGROUND: The importance of tobacco smoking and Helicobacter pylori infection as risk factors in the development of gastric carcinoma was investigated through multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis in a nested case-control study. METHODS: Blood samples and a questionnaire on smoking habits were collected from a cohort of 32,906 city residents during a health screening programme from 1974 to 1992. Fifty-six cases of gastric cancer and 224 matched controls were selected. The mean interval between screening and cancer diagnosis was 5.7 years. H. pylori infection was determined by IgG-serology. Occupation categorized into blue-collar workers, white-collar workers, self-employed and unknown occupation was included in the statistical analysis as an indicator of socio-economic status. RESULTS: The proportion of current smokers was 61% among gastric cancer cases, versus 41% among controls. H. pylori seropositivity was present in 82% of the cases and 49% of the controls. In a multivariate model current smokers had an odds ratio (OR) of 2.2 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-4.2). With different levels of tobacco consumption, smoking less than 20 g tobacco each day gave the OR of 2.1 (95% CI: 0.98-4.4), and the OR when smoking more than 20 g tobacco per day was 2.5 (95% CI: 1.1-5.6). The OR of H. pylori infection was 5.0 (95% CI: 2.2-11.2). Among H. pylori-seropositive citizens, current smoking was associated with an increased risk of 2.3 (95% CI: 1.1-4.7) compared with non-smoking H. pylori-positive persons. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco smoking and H. pylori are both risk factors in the development of gastric cancer, and tobacco smoking is still a risk factor among H. pylori-infected individuals. The risk of gastric cancer among H. pylori-infected current smokers is 11 times that of non-infected individuals not currently smoking.

[Supracondylar fractures of the humerus and disorders of circulation]. / Suprakondylická zlomenina humeru s poruchou cirkulácie.

Supracondylar fractures (SF) of the humerus are the third most common type of fractures in childhood. The highest rate of pulselessness fracture of the distal humerus is the extension-type. The aim of our treatment is to minimize potential complications. Our management of pulselessness supracondylar fracture is more aggressive compared with other dpts. 223 (100%) patients with SF were treated at the dpt. of Paediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital in Bratislava, in the 5-year period of (1995-1999). 11 (4.93%) patients remained pulseless after reposition of bone fragments. These patients underwent surgical revision of the brachial artery. Spasms of the brachial artery (BA) occurred in six patients, a lesion of BA in three patients and thrombosis of BA in two patients. We performed revision of the brachial artery by a Fogarthy catheter in six patients--in four cases with thrombectomy. In two cases we released the vessel from bone fragments. In two patients was replaced the injured segment of the brachial artery by a venous allotransplant. Peroperative angiography was performed in six patients. We reoperated three patients with early postoperative complications. We did not record any case of Volkmann's contracture.

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with a decreased risk of developing oesophageal neoplasms.

BACKGROUND: The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the development of oesophageal malignancies was investigated through a multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis in a nested case-control study. METHODS: Blood samples and a questionnaire on smoking and alcohol habits were collected from a cohort of 32,906 city residents during a health-screening programme between 1974 and 1992. Forty-four cases of oesophageal cancer and 149 matched controls were selected. The mean interval between screening and cancer diagnosis was 11.9 years. H. pylori seropositivity was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay measuring IgG. Occupation was included in the statistical analysis as an indicator of socio-economic status. RESULTS: Helicobacter pylori seropositivity was present in 10 of the cases (22.7%) and 67 of the controls (45.0%). In a multivariate model, with adjustment for occupation, tobacco and alcohol consumption, the odds ratio for developing an oesophageal malignancy when infected with H. pylori was 0.29 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.12-0.67). Current smokers had an odds ratio of 17.3 (95% CI: 3.0-99.4) and the odds ratio for ex-smokers was 5.9 (95% CI: 1.15-29.9). High alcohol consumption was no longer significantly associated with oesophageal neoplasms after tobacco smoking was included into the model, odds ratio 1.22 (95% CI: 0.46-3.2). The protective effect of H. pylori was more pronounced for oesophageal adenocarcinoma (seven cases, odds ratio 0.16, 95% CI: 0.00-1.06) than for squamous-cell carcinoma (29 cases, odds ratio 0.41, 95% CI: 0.14-1.2). CONCLUSIONS: Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with a decreased risk of developing an oesophageal malignancy. Current smokers and ex-smokers have instead a definite increased risk of oesophageal neoplasms.

[An unusual case of gastroschisis combined with dysganglionosis]. / Neobvyklý prípad gastroschízy kombinovanej s dysganglionózou.

Authors describe a child with gastroschisis, which was associated with dysganglionosis. Therapy required an uncommon surgical treatment in connection with a long term parenteral and enteral nutrition.

[Treatment of blunt injuries of the spleen in children]. / Liecba tupého poranenia sleziny v detskom veku.

The authors report study of patients with blunt splenic trauma treated at Paediatric Surgery Department in years 1991-1999. During 9 years period 50 patients (36 males, 14 females) with demonstrated rupture of the spleen were analyzed. 46 patients (92%) were treated conservatively (group A). Complications appeared in 7 patients (15.22%), rebleeding in two patients, arterio-venous fistula in early posttraumatical period in one patient and during control in one patient, fluidothorax in two patients and posttraumatic pseudocyst of the spleen in one patient. Four patients (8%) were operated (group B). Two of them submitted splenectomy, one patient was treated by splenorrhaphy and one patient by partial splenectomy. Period of the hospitalization in average lasted in group A 12,67 days, in group B 15 days. With regard to the immunologic functions of the spleen especially in childhood authors prefer conservative treatment, in case that laparotomy is inevitable authors try to preserve the spleen.

[Subacute appendicitis in children]. / Subakútna apendicitída u detí.

Over the period of 4 years from 1993 to 1996 the authors recorded a 6% incidence of patients with periappendicular mass (PM) in a group of 786 patients with acute appendicitis. The aim of the study is to compare the two methods in the management of patients (operation-A, conservative treatment-B) by applying the same criteria. In the subacute phase of the disease 22 patients (group A) were operated on, while 24 patients (group B) were successfully treated conservatively, with recommendation of elective appendectomy after 6 months. In group A indication for operation was PM in 7 patients, diagnostic problems (tumour, hydronephrosis) or complications (peritonitis, intestinal obstruction) in 15 patients. Antibiotic therapy was nearly the same in both group. Peritoneal drainage in postoperative care was performed in 10 patients of group A for 4.7 days on the average. In this group, secondary wound healing was recorded in 3 patients. In group B, elective appendectomy was performed only in 12 patients (50%). In 2 patients, however, a diagnostic error was revealed, i.e. Crohn's disease and an ovarian cyst had been suspected to be a periappendicular mass. Conservative treatment with subsequent elective appendectomy after 6 months seems to be an effective method in the treatment of patients with a typical clinical picture and well bordered periappendicular mass. Appendectomy in the subacute phase of the disease appears to be a safety technique of PM treatment in patients with complications or diagnostic problems.