Randomized clinical trial of the effect of a fibrin sealant patch on pancreatic fistula formation after pancreatoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: The potential for a fibrin sealant patch to reduce the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a fibrin sealant patch is able to reduce POPF in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy with pancreatojejunostomy. METHODS: In this multicentre trial, patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy were randomized to receive either a fibrin patch (patch group) or no patch (control group), and stratified by gland texture, pancreatic duct size and neoadjuvant treatment. The primary endpoint was POPF. Secondary endpoints included complications, drain-related factors and duration of hospital stay. Risk factors for POPF were identified by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 142 patients were enrolled. Forty-five of 71 patients (63 per cent) in the patch group and 40 of 71 (56 per cent) in the control group developed biochemical leakage or POPF (P = 0·392). Fistulas were classified as grade B or C in 16 (23 per cent) and ten (14 per cent) patients respectively (P = 0·277). There were no differences in postoperative complications (54 patients in patch group and 50 in control group; P = 0·839), drain amylase concentration (P = 0·494), time until drain removal (mean(s.d.) 11·6(1·0) versus 13·3(1·3) days; P = 0·613), fistula closure (17·6(2·2) versus 16·5(2·1) days; P = 0·740) and duration of hospital stay (22·1(2·2) versus 18·2(0·9) days; P = 0·810) between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed that obesity (odds ratio (OR) 5·28, 95 per cent c.i. 1·20 to 23·18; P = 0·027), soft gland texture (OR 9·86, 3·41 to 28·54; P < 0·001) and a small duct (OR 5·50, 1·84 to 16·44; P = 0·002) were significant risk factors for POPF. A patch did not reduce the incidence of POPF in patients at higher risk. CONCLUSION: The use of a fibrin sealant patch did not reduce the occurrence of POPF and complications after pancreatoduodenectomy with pancreatojejunostomy. Registration number: 2013-000639-29 (EudraCT register).

Lost gallstones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a common but underestimated complication-case report and review of the literature.

Introduction: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) represents one of the most commonly performed routine abdominal surgeries. Nevertheless, besides bile duct injury, problems caused by lost gallstones represent a heavily underestimated and underreported possible late complication after LC. Methods: Case report of a Clavien-Dindo IVb complication after supposedly straightforward LC and review of all published case reports on complications from lost gallstones from 2000-2022. Case Report: An 86-year-old patient developed a perihepatic abscess due to lost gallstones 6 months after LC. The patient had to undergo open surgery to successfully drain the abscess. Reactive pleural effusion needed additional drainage. Postoperative ICU stay was 13 days. The patient was finally discharged after 33 days on a geriatric remobilization ward and died 12 months later due to acute cardiac decompensation. Conclusion: Intraabdominal abscess formation due to spilled gallstones may present years after LC as a late complication. Surgical management in order to completely evacuate the abscess and remove all spilled gallstones may be required, which could be associated with high morbidity and mortality, especially in elderly patients. Regarding the overt underreporting of gallstone spillage in case of postoperative gallstone-related complications, focus need be put on precise reporting of even apparently innocuous complications during LC.

The inguinal region revisited: the surgical point of view : An anatomical-surgical mapping and sonographic approach regarding postoperative chronic groin pain following open hernia repair.

PURPOSE: Inguinodynia or chronic post-herniorrhaphy pain, defined as pain lasting longer than 3 months after open inguinal hernia repair, has become the most important complication after inguinal surgery and therefore compromises the patient´s quality of life. A major reason for inguinodynia might be the lack of neuroanatomical knowledge and suboptimal "management" of the nerves during surgery. METHODS: We present a detailed neuroanatomic mapping of the inguinal region by dissection including the most important surgical landmarks with all nerves confirmed by immunohistochemistry, ultrasound guided visualization of the iliohypogastric, ilio-inguinal, and genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve, and a practical (preoperative) algorithm for clinical management. RESULTS: Surgically and ultrasonographically relevant structures ("landmarks") in open hernia repair are the anterior-superior iliac spine, pubic tubercle, Camper´s fascia (superficial layer of the superficial abdominal fascia), External oblique aponeurosis, Internal oblique muscle, Transversus abdominis muscle, superficial inguinal ring, external spermatic fascia, cremasteric fascia with cremaster muscle fibers, internal spermatic fascia, cremasteric vein (=external spermatic vein = "blue line"), ductus deferens, pampiniform plexus, inguinal ligament and the inferior epigastric vessels. CONCLUSION: A detailed understanding of inguinal anatomy is an indispensable basic requirement for all surgeons to perform inguinal ultrasonography as well as open inguinal hernia repair, avoiding complications, especially postoperative inguinodynia.

Metachronous hepatic resection for liver only pancreatic metastases.

BACKGROUND: The value of liver resection (LR) for metachronous pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) metastases remains controversial. However, in light of increasing safety of liver resections, surgery might be a valuable option for metastasized PDAC in selected patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, multicenter study including patients undergoing hepatectomy for metachronous PDAC liver metastases between 2004 and 2015 to analyze postoperative outcome and overall survival. All patients were operated with curative intent. Patients with oligometastatic metachronous liver metastasis with definitive chemotherapy (n = 8) served as controls. RESULTS: Overall 25 patients in seven centers were included in this study. The median age at the time of LR was 63.8 years (56.9-69.9) and the median number of metastases in the liver was 1 (IQR 1-2). There were eight non-anatomical resections (32%), 15 anatomical minor (60%) and 2 major LR (8%). Postoperative complications occurred in eleven patients (eight Clavien-Dindo grade I complications (32%) and three grade IIIa complications (12%), respectively). The 30-day mortality was 0%. The median length of stay was 8.6 days (IQR 5-11). Median overall survival following LR was 36.8 months compared to 9.2 months in patients with metachronous liver metastasis with chemotherapy (p = 0007). DISCUSSION: Liver resection for metachronous PDAC metastasis is safe and feasible in selected patients. To address general applicability and to find factors for patient selection, larger trials are urgently warranted.

Recurrence and complications after laparoscopic versus open inguinal hernia repair: results of a prospective randomized multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective randomized multicenter trial was to evaluate the recurrence rates and complications of open versus laparoscopic repairs of inguinal hernias. METHODS: Patients with primary unilateral inguinal hernias were randomized to Shouldice repair, Bassini operation, tension-free hernioplasty (Lichtenstein repair), laparoscopic transabdominal extraperitoneal hernioplasty (TEP), or laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty (TAPP). The primary outcome parameter was the rate of recurrence at 3 years. The secondary outcome was the rate of intraoperative, perioperative, and long-term complications. Follow-up comprised of clinical examination after 1, 2, and 3 years. RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty-five patients were randomly assigned to one of the five procedures. The intention-to-treat analysis showed that the cumulative 3-year recurrence rate was 3.4% in the Bassini group, 4.7% in the Shouldice group, 0% in the Lichtenstein group, 4.7% in the TAPP group, and 5.9% in the TEP group (p = 0.48). Comparing open (Bassini, Shouldice, Lichtenstein) versus laparoscopic (TAPP, TEP) techniques (p = 0.29) and comparing the use of mesh prostheses (Lichtenstein, TAPP, TEP) versus suturing techniques (Bassini, Shouldice) (p = 0.74) showed no significance in the rate of recurrence. The rates of intraoperative (p = 0.15), perioperative (p = 0.09), and long-term complications (p = 0.13) were without significance between the five groups. Comparing mesh techniques (Lichtenstein, TAPP, TEP) versus suturing techniques (Bassini, Shouldice) showed no significance in the rate of complications. The per-protocol analysis for the comparison of mesh (Lichtenstein, TAPP, TEP) versus suturing (Bassini, Shouldice) techniques revealed that recurrences (p = 0.74), intraoperative (p = 0.64), perioperative (p = 0.27), and long-term complications (p = 0.91) were evenly distributed. CONCLUSIONS: In this multicenter study, no significant difference in the recurrence rate and complications between laparoscopic and open methods of hernia repair was revealed.

[Phrenic nerve stimulation in biventricular cardiac pacemakers]. / N.-phrenicus-Stimulation bei biventrikulären Schrittmachern. Stufenschema zum intraoperativen Vorgehen.

BACKGROUND: Phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) complicates the positioning of the left ventricle lead. We present a step-by-step approach to correct PNS during implantation, as established in our daily routine. METHODS: The incidence of PNS, its successful correction, and long-term results (median 27 months) were analyzed retrospectively in 266 lead positions. RESULTS: Phrenic nerve stimulation occurred in 13.9% of the lead positions. Multivariate analysis (P<0.02) showed that PNS only depended on the place of stimulation (coronary sinus side branch). Lead type, CRT indication, and patient's sex had no significant correlation. Following the step-by-step approach presented here, PNS was corrected satisfactorily in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Approach in case of PNS: 1. push or pull the lead within the same vein, 2. change to a different vein, 3. maintain position in case of a safe distance between the phrenic nerve and the pacing threshold, 4. change the lead type to achieve stable anchorage at adequate positions, 5. use a device featuring electronic repositioning.

Postoperative pain and quality of life after laparoscopic and open inguinal hernia repair: results of a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: As part of a large prospective randomized Austrian multicenter trial evaluating recurrence rates and complications of open and laparoscopic unilateral inguinal hernia repairs we assessed postoperative pain and quality of life. METHODS: Approximately 151 patients were randomized to Shouldice repair, Bassini operation, or laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty (TAPP). Pain was recorded preoperatively and on the first four postoperative days. Quality of life was recorded preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients having Shouldice repairs had significantly higher visual analog-scale scores for pain on the fourth postoperative day (P=0.048) and significantly higher scores in McGill pain questionnaires on the first four postoperative days (P=0.046) compared with the other groups. Apart from a significantly lower score in postoperative bodily pain in the Shouldice group (P=0.039), no significant differences in quality of life were apparent among the three methods. CONCLUSIONS: The TAPP and Bassini repairs result in less short-term postoperative pain.

Intraoperative estimation of endotoxin, TNF alpha, and IL-6 in orthotopic liver transplantation and their relation to rejection and postoperative infection.

The course of endotoxemia, TNF alpha, and IL-6 during orthotopic liver transplantation was studied in 28 transplantations performed in 27 patients to evaluate their impact on early postoperative rejection and infection. The preoperative levels of endotoxin, TNF alpha, and IL-6 were not different in patients who did or did not develop postoperative rejection and/or infection within the first 10 postoperative days. At the end of surgery, TNF alpha levels increased in patients who developed rejection (median 100 pg/ml vs. 11.5 pg/ml, P = 0.004). A TNF alpha level of greater than 100 pg/ml at the end of transplantation predicted rejection in 82% of the patients. During surgery, IL-6 levels increased significantly in patients with subsequent postoperative infection, reaching significance after revascularization of the graft (median 975 pg/ml vs. 185 pg/ml, P = 0.006). An IL-6 cutoff level of 800 pg/ml predicted postoperative infection in 75% of the patients. Endotoxins were elevated intraoperatively in patients with postoperative infection, but the difference did not reach significance. There was no prognostic relevance with respect to the intraoperative values of TNF alpha and infection or IL-6 values and rejection. An intraoperative elevation of TNF alpha seems to precede early postoperative rejection, and highly increased IL-6 may be a predictor of subsequent infection in human liver transplantation.

L-Arginine deficiency after liver transplantation as an effect of arginase efflux from the graft. Influence on nitric oxide metabolism.

L-Arginine plays an important role in protecting animals against ammonia intoxication, enhances immune function, stimulates wound healing, and is the precursor for the endothelium-derived relaxing factor, recently recognized as nitric oxide (NO). In this study, we investigated the influence of hepatic reperfusion on amino acid metabolism after human OLT. After 10 sec of reperfusion, the arterial plasma levels of L-arginine dropped from 105 +/- 12 mumol/L to 3.8 +/- 0.6 mumol/L (P < 0.001), whereas plasma ornithine increased from 40 +/- 5.5 mumol/L to 129 +/- 15 mumol/L (P < 0.001). The reduced L-arginine levels remained subnormal for several hours after OLT. This drop in plasma L-arginine was due to an arginase release from the implanted graft. Immediately after reperfusion, the plasma concentrations of arginase increased from pretransplantation values of 18 +/- 13 IU/L to 2384 +/- 1456 IU/L (P < 0.01). Measurement of plasma nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-), which are the stable end products of NO, revealed that NO2- decreased about 50% after reperfusion (from 1.64 +/- 0.32 mumol/L to 0.80 +/- 0.17 mumol/L; P < 0.001), whereas NO3- levels remained unchanged (76 +/- 23 mumol/L vs. 63 +/- 8 mumol/L). We conclude that hepatic reperfusion causes L-arginine deficiency by liberating high amounts of arginase from the implanted graft. This L-arginine depletion may influence the NO synthesis in patients after OLT.

Transhepatic metabolism of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and endotoxin in the early hepatic reperfusion period after human liver transplantation.

Several studies have shown that the postoperative course of cytokines such as TNF-alpha or IL-6 is predictive of rejection and infection after human orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The aim of this prospective clinical trial was to evaluate the impact of transhepatic metabolism of endotoxin (ET), tumor necrosis-factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) after hepatic ischemia/reperfusion on the postoperative graft function. In 13 consecutive elective adult OLT patients with primary grafts, we determined concentrations of ET, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 in the radial artery, portal vein, and right hepatic vein at 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13 min after reperfusion. Of the 13 patients, four had ET levels below the detection limit (< 10 ng/L), and one patient had extremely high ET concentrations (151 ng/L in the hepatic vein). In the remaining patients the mean ET levels were 26 +/- 14, 26 +/- 15, and 24 +/- 14 ng/L in the portal vein, hepatic vein, and in the radial artery, respectively. These values indicate that in patients with a moderately elevated ET level, no transhepatic concentration differences of ET exist. However, in the patient with severe endotoxemia, the liver was apparently an ET-producing organ (HV-P: 29 +/- 13 ng/L). TNF-alpha levels were not measurable in four patients, and varied between 15 and 72 pg/ml (portal vein) in the remaining patients. The transhepatic concentration differences (HV-P and HV-A, respectively) of patients with PNF or dysfunction were higher than in those with "good" or "excellent" graft function (HV-P: 160 +/- 122 pg/ml vs. 7.3 +/- 9.7 pg/ml; P < 0.01 and HV-A: 137 +/- 101 pg/ml vs. 3.9 +/- 12 pg/ml; P < 0.01, respectively). Arterial IL-6 levels were below 88 pg/ml (mean value: 31 +/- 20 pg/ml) at the beginning of the operation, and increased considerably in three patients during the anhepatic phase and after reperfusion. No clinical correlation was found with the transhepatic concentration differences of IL-6. We conclude that in OLT patients without infection no transhepatic ET exchange was documented. However, a stimulated hepatic TNF-alpha release seems to be predictive of the beginning of liver dysfunction.

Intraoperative course and prognostic significance of endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in liver transplant recipients.

Early events in reaction of the host immune system to an allograft were studied by intraoperative measurements of endotoxin (ET), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in human liver transplantation. Blood samples were collected prior to operation, before clamping of the liver vessels, at the beginning and end of the anhepatic phase, and 5 and 30 min after recirculation. Diagnosis of rejection and infection in the graft recipients was established by assessment of spontaneous blastogenesis and T-lymphocyte subpopulations in addition to clinical symptoms and results from biopsies and blood chemistry. Of the 27 unmatched liver transplantations included in this study, 8 patients had infections in the first two postoperative weeks and 6 patients showed rejection of their grafts under antithymocyte globulin immunoprophylaxis. Endotoxin was transiently elevated in plasma in the anhepatic phase (2-fold in comparison to normal values) as expected for an accumulation of intestine-derived endotoxin during clamping of liver vessels, but no correlation was found with TNF-alpha levels and specific post-transplant complications. All patients with rejections had high plasma levels of TNF-alpha immediately after recirculation (mean value 240 pg TNF-alpha/ml), in contrast to low TNF-alpha levels in graft recipients without complications or infections. These results indicate that the initiation of rejection in liver transplantation is associated with increased plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha. The measured TNF-alpha concentrations are adequate to promote the binding of lymphocytes to allograft endothelial tissue and/or to induce expression of MHC antigens in the graft. Subsequent viral or bacterial infections were preceded by high intraoperative plasma concentrations of interleukin-6 (mean value 1400 pg IL-6/ml). The correlations of rejection with high intraoperative TNF-alpha levels and of infection with those of IL-6 are statistically significant in Wilcoxon tests for the direct measurements and in Fisher's exact tests for positive test values, with limits of 90 pg/ml for TNF-alpha and 800 pg/ml for IL-6.

Candida infection of local necrosis in severe acute pancreatitis is associated with increased mortality.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of Candida infection of pancreatic necrosis in patients suffering from severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and to analyze its impact on the outcome. Two-hundred and fifty consecutive patients with SAP from January 1986 to December 1998 were studied retrospectively. Their mean APACHE II score at the day of admission was in 16.1 (range 8-35). All patients were in need of operative therapy. Overall mortality was 38.8% (97 patients). One-hundred and eighty-two patients (72.8%) suffered from local infected necrosis. Among these patients, local Candida infection was observed in 31 patients, whereof 23 patients (74%) suffered from local fungal infection detected at first operation. During the course of disease, 12 patients (39%) also revealed fungemia. Local Candida infection as compared to no Candida infection was associated with an increased mortality rate (84% vs. 32%; P 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified APACHE II score (P < 0.0001), age of the patient (P < 0.003), extent of pancreatic necrosis (P < 0.002), and local bacterial (P < 0.04) and fungal infection (P < 0.004) as independent factors significantly contributing to mortality. SAP, requiring surgical treatment, is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Patients suffering from local Candida infection are at high risk of fatal outcome.

Attenuation of catecholamine-induced immunosuppression in whole blood from patients with sepsis.

Studies performed on healthy volunteers have revealed that catecholamines down-regulate the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1beta. We extended this observation and show that this effect is based on changes in the mRNA concentration of these cytokines. Catecholamines are increased in severe sepsis due to endogenous production and have to be administered exogenously when the disease has proceeded to the state of prolonged hypotension. We here investigated whether the immunomodulating effect of catecholamines could also be demonstrated in the blood of patients with prolonged severe sepsis and of those in prolonged septic shock. Blood was stimulated ex vivo with LPS in the presence and absence of epinephrine and the cytokine protein concentration was determined. In blood of healthy volunteers, epinephrine reduced the LPS-stimulated synthesis of TNFalpha by 62.5% (P< 0.0001), of IL-6 by 39% (P< 0.0001), and of IL-1beta by 40% (P= 0.015), and increased the LPS-stimulated IL-10 production by 77.8% (P < 0.0001). Correspondingly, in blood of patients with prolonged severe sepsis, TNFalpha was reduced by 67.2% (P < 0.0001) and IL-6 was reduced by 32.9% (P < 0.0001); IL-1beta and IL-10 were not modulated by catecholamines in these patients. In blood samples of patients in prolonged septic shock, epinephrine did not modulate cytokine levels of IL-6 and IL-10, and decreased TNFalpha only by 36.4% (P < 0.0001). Interestingly, epinephrine suppressed the IL-1beta production by 73% (P < 0.0001) in blood of patients in prolonged septic shock, which was twice as much as in blood samples of healthy volunteers. The altered response of septic blood to catecholamines might be due to an altered reactivity of leukocytes in the prolonged disease although an additional role of preexisting catecholamines cannot be completely excluded.

The role of Kupffer cell inhibition in porcine endotoxemia.

The selective Kupffer cell inhibitor gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) has been demonstrated to protect animals from lethality in experimental endotoxemia and sepsis in rodent models. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Kupffer cell blockade on the early response to endotoxin in a large animal model. Using a porcine endotoxemia model, animals were randomized to receive either GdCl3 (10 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg; n = 8 in each group) or vehicle saline (n = 8) 24 h before exposure to endotoxin. Pretreatment with GdCl3 resulted in a dose dependent reduction in early hepatic oxygen consumption as well as oxygen extraction ratio in response to continuous infusion of endotoxin. At 5 h there was significant lower serum AST level in animals given 30 mg/kg of GdCl3 as compared to the two other groups. Pretreatment with GdCl3 induced a dose dependent reduction of Kupffer cells in the liver sinusoids. Despite this, all animals deteriorated with continuous infusion of endotoxin as evidenced by the progressive reduction in cardiac output, mean arterial pressure and total liver blood flow. Also, increases in pulmonary arterial pressure, portal venous pressure and systemic, pulmonary and hepatic vascular resistance were seen. This is consistent with activation of other cell populations and defense mechanisms by endotoxin, perpetuating the septic response. However, modulation of reticuloendothelial cell function seems feasible also in larger animals, and our results stimulate to further research on potential immunomodulatory tools in early sepsis.

Complications of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic resection of the thoracic sympathetic trunk has been performed in various diseases of the upper limb. The success rates in endoscopic techniques and open surgical procedures are reportedly between 95% and 100%. However, the incidence of complications varied significantly depending on the technique used. We report our experience with complications after endoscopic resection of the thoracic sympathetic trunk. METHODS: To evaluate the complications of endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, we retrospectively investigated 412 patients operated on since 1965. In 412 patients 698 procedures had been performed: a bilateral trunk resection in 81.9%, right thoracic sympathectomy in 12.9%, and left sympathetic trunk resection in 5.2%. RESULTS: Complications demanding intervention were found in 2.7% of the procedures, and in 9.7% complications not indicating active therapy were seen. In all cases requiring intervention a pneumothorax that needed to be drained was found on postoperative x-ray film. An asymptomatic small apical pneumothorax was found in 4.4%, cutaneous emphysema in 2%, pleural effusion in 1.1%, and segmental atelectasis in 0.4% of the procedures. One case of bleeding from an intercostal vessel occurred (0.1%). A permanent Horner's ptosis was seen in 1.7% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic resection of the thoracic sympathetic trunk is a safe and minimally invasive procedure with a low complication rate. We believe that endoscopic sympathectomy should be preferred to open surgical procedures.

Does reoperation for abdominal sepsis enhance the inflammatory host response?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of reoperation for severe abdominal sepsis on the course of proinflammatory mediators and hemodynamic factors. DESIGN: Inception cohort. SETTING: A university hospital and a secondary care hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients suffering from severe peritonitis due to intestinal perforation or infected necrotizing pancreatitis were studied following 19 subsequent operations. Plasma samples were obtained immediately before and after reoperation, as well as at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after operation to determine endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 levels. Clinical factors and therapeutic support were recorded at the corresponding times. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative hemodynamic instability as defined by changes of the mean arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and vasopressor support. Courses of proinflammatory mediators were correlated to the hemodynamic findings. RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure decreased from 94 mm Hg postoperatively to 80 mm Hg at 3 hours (P = .006) and 81 mm Hg at 6 hours postoperatively (P = .005). Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure dropped from 14 mm Hg postoperatively to 12 mm Hg at 1 hour (P = .05). Vasopressor support significantly increased from 1 to 6 hours postoperatively (P = .02). Neither endotoxin nor tumor necrosis factor alpha levels showed significant changes in the postoperative course. Interleukin-6 levels continously increased from 586 pg/mL preoperatively to 910 pg/mL at 1 hour (P = .02) and 931 pg/mL at 3 hours postoperatively (P = .04). Overall interleukin-6 levels (R = -0.38, P = .003) and especially early postoperative interleukin-6 levels inversely correlated with postoperative mean arterial pressure. CONCLUSIONS: Reoperation for abdominal sepsis frequently causes substantial hypotension, and is, thus, potentially harmful to the patient. Reoperative trauma may induce an early postoperative increase in interleukin-6 levels. Because this increase occurs before the development of hypotension, a relationship between the kinetics of this cytokine and the observed hemodynamic instability may be present.

The influence of 2 surgical bandage systems on wound tissue oxygen tension.

HYPOTHESIS: Local wound heating improves tissue oxygen tension in postoperative patients. SETTING: University hospital. PATIENTS: Forty normothermic and well-hydrated patients recovering from elective open abdominal surgery. INTERVENTIONS: A comparison between an experimental bandage system (Warm-Up; Augustine Medical Inc, Eden Prairie, Minn) and conventional gauze covered with elastic adhesive (Medipore Dress-it; 3M, St Paul, Minn). The experimental system is heated to 38 degrees C and does not touch the wound. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subcutaneous tissue oxygen tension was measured postoperatively and on the first postoperative day. In a subgroup, we also evaluated the effects of bandage pressure per se on tissue oxygen. RESULTS: Initial postoperative tissue oxygen tensions were approximately 30 mm Hg greater with the experimental bandage, even before warming. Subcutaneous oxygen tension during heating remained significantly greater in patients with the warmed bandage than the conventional elastic bandage (116 +/- 40 vs 85 +/- 34 mm Hg, respectively) while the patients were breathing approximately 50% oxygen. The difference was smaller on the first postoperative day, but still statistically significant (82 +/- 30 vs 65 +/- 22 mm Hg, respectively). In the subgroup analysis, tissue oxygen tension increased significantly by 12 +/- 4 mm Hg when the heating bandage was substituted for a conventional bandage (P<.001). CONCLUSION: In normothermic and well-hydrated surgical patients, much benefit from the heating bandage system appears to result from pressure relief. These data suggest that relieving wound pressure markedly improves tissue perfusion and oxygenation.

Video assistance reduces complication rate of thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic sympathicotomy has proved successful in the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. However, up to 8% of patients experience Horner's syndrome, and about 50% show compensatory sweating. This study evaluates the role of video assistance in thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for primary hyperhidrosis of the upper limb. METHODS: Six hundred fifty-six thoracoscopic sympathicotomies were performed from below T1 to T4 in 369 patients. Of the operations, 558 were done under direct view (CTS group) and 98, with video assistance (VATS group). Follow-up was complete for 78.3% of patients after a median observation period of 16 years. RESULTS: Dry limbs were immediately achieved in 93% of the CTS group and 98% VATS group (p = 0.98). In the CTS group, Horner's syndrome occurred after 2.2% of all operations and rhinitis in 8.3%. No patient in the VATS group showed any symptom of Homer's triad (p = 0.03 versus CTS group) or rhinitis (p = 0.02 versus CTS group). Compensatory sweating was observed in 66.8% in the CTS group versus 69% in the VATS group (p = 0.73) and gustatory sweating, in 50.4% versus 27.6%, respectively (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In performing thoracoscopic sympathicotomy for excessive upper-limb hyperhidrosis, we observed a significant decrease in the incidence of Horner's syndrome, rhinitis, and gustatory sweating when the procedure was guided by video imaging.

HSP70 expression in granulocytes and lymphocytes of patients with polytrauma: comparison with plasma glutamine.

Heat shock proteins (HSP's) are a set of conserved proteins which confer tolerance to stress. These proteins play a major role in the pathophysiology of infection and inflammation. Induction of HSP's before onset of sepsis is able to reduce or prevent organ damage and death. GLN is known to influence the expression of HSP70 in different cell types. In this work we tried to find out if there is an association between plasma GLN levels and HSP70 expression in immune cells. We investigated six polytraumatized patients and a control group of six healthy donors. HSP70 expression was investigated by western blot analysis and immune-histochemistry. We demonstrated that granulocytes and lymphocytes behave differently in the expression of HSP70 in polytraumatized patients. In healthy donors both lymphocytes and granulocytes showed a pronounced expression of HSP70. In contrast, most of the polytraumatized patients showed no HSP70 expression in granulocytes. In lymphocytes of these patients, however, a pronounced expression similar to that of healthy volunteers was observed. Plasma glutamine levels were reduced in all patients and at normal range in healthy donors. These results suggest that lymphocytes and granulocytes behave different when confronted with a reduction of plasma GLN levels.

Postoperative glycyl-glutamine infusion reduces immunosuppression: partial prevention of the surgery induced decrease in HLA-DR expression on monocytes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Surgery, trauma and inflammation reduce HLA-DR expression on monocytes, which is associated with an increased susceptibility to infection and sepsis. Furthermore, surgery decreases plasma glutamine (GLN) levels. The expression of HLA-DR on human monocytes in vitro is dependent on the concentration of GLN in the culture medium. We therefore hypothesized that postoperative infusions of glutamine-dipeptides would prevent the decreased HLA-DR expression on monocytes. METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing major abdominal surgery were randomly allocated to receive either 1500 ml Vamin (control) or an isonitrogenic formulation containing Vamin and 500 ml glycyl-glutamine (35 g GLN; 0.5g/kg BW) (GLY-GLN), or Vamin and 500 ml alanyl-glutamine (35 g GLN; 0.5 g/kg BW) (ALA-GLN) as a continuous infusion over 48 h post-operatively. Immediately and 48 h after surgery blood samples were collected to determine HLA-DR expression on monocytes by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The groups were comparable with respect to age, gender distribution and operation time. In patients receiving GLY-GLN mean HLA-DR expression on monocytes at 48 h was significantly better preserved than in controls (65.0 %+/-7 % vs 42.5 %+/-4 %;P<0.05), whereas HLA-DR expression on monocytes in patients receiving ALA-GLN was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: This is the first study comparing the dipeptides GLY-GLN and ALA-GLN in the postoperative setting. The GLY-GLN induced preservation of HLA-DR on monocytes following surgery may prevent infectious complications in these patients.