Enterocutaneous fistula treatment: case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work is to evaluate the treatment strategies for a common major surgery complication like the enterocutaneous fistula (ECFs). Since there is not any standard treatment for this common disease and since new therapies, like NPWT and fibrin sealants, have come up a review of all their indications seemed useful. We also present two clinical cases treated in this way. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A research was made in the principle databases such as: "Cochrane", "Pubmed", "Google Scholar" and "Google" using the following Key words "enterocutaneous fistula", "fibrin glue", "VAC", "VAC treatment", "fistula", "conservative treatment", "surgery" and using the MESH Function to search similar key words and expand the research. When two or more article with the same design were encountered (e.g. systematic reviews or case reports etc.) the newest one was chosen as data source. RESULTS: As far as somatostatine and its analogues are concerned, they showed a significant reduction of both time (13.95 vs 20.5 days) and percentage (72% vs 44%) of fistula closure against placebo in 2 meta-analysis. NPWT showed a high success rate between 90% and 100% but longer closure time between 4 weeks and 6 months. Fibrin glues showed heterogeneous results due to the great differencies in fistulas anatomy and treatment technique in the various studies, with 64-100% success rate in closure and a median 11,25 vs 23,25 days against total parenteral nutrition (TPN) alone. CONCLUSIONS: Because of ECFs often come up in patient in bad conditions who are not fitted for surgery and because of their high Mortality and Morbidity, a multimodal approach is necessary. Although TPN is a cornerstone of their treatment, NPWT showed is superiority in reducing fistula output and in some cases leading to fistula closure, nevertheless it often needs long treating time. Fibrin glues often needs complex devices and are nota s good as NPWT in treating the around tissues, but they can be useful when fistulas are only accessible from a little external orifice or they show a complex branched tract; thus they are good when surgery is not possible and the fistula has a mid- or low- output. The lack of prospective randomized studies or meta analysis and systematic review to compare the different methodics makes it impossible to show any evidence of superiority, but the combined application seems reasonable for a tailored treatment.

Predictors of recanalization in patients with life-threatening hemoptysis requiring artery embolization.

INTRODUCTION: Artery embolization (AE) is a safe and useful procedure in the management of massive hemoptysis. The objective of our study was to describe the experience of AE in a tertiary referral center, to characterize angiographic findings at the time of recurrence, and to analyze factors associated with these findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational retrospective study of patients presenting with life-threatening hemoptysis. All consecutive patients with at least one episode of hemoptysis that required AE during a 13-year period were included. The effects of i)time to recurrence; ii)use of coils, and iii)number of arteries embolized on the likelihood that the recurrence was secondary to recanalization were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-six patients were included in the study. Twenty-two patients (12.5%) died due to hemoptysis. Probability of recurrence-free survival at one month was 0.91 (95%CI: 0.87 to 0.95), at 12months was 0.85 (95%CI: 0.79 to 0.91), and after 3 years was 0.75 (95%CI: 0.66 to 0.83). A longer time to recurrence was associated with a higher probability that the hemorrhage affected the same artery (estimate=0.0157, z-value=2.41, p-value=0.016). CONCLUSION: AE is a safe and useful technique in the management of massive and recurrent hemoptysis. Nevertheless, recurrence after embolization is not uncommon. Recurring hemoptysis due to recanalization is related to time to recurrence, but not to the use of coils or number of arteries embolized.

Influence of acidic fibroblast growth factor on bone regeneration in experimental cranial defects using spongostan and Bio-Oss as protein carriers.

The objective of this study was to valuate 2 substances as potential carriers of fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) in a rat craniectomy model: gelatin sponge (Spongostan; Ferrosan A/S, Søborg, Denmark) and natural bone mineral (Bio-Oss; Geistlich Biomaterials, Wolhusen, Switzerland).Forty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. A 5-mm-diameter circular craniectomy was performed in the left parietal bone. Animals were divided into 6 experimental groups of 8 rats, each group receiving a different treatment: control (no substance added), Spongostan, Bio-Oss, FGF, FGF + Spongostan, and FGF + Bio-Oss. Animals were killed 12 weeks after surgery.Descriptive histology and stereology were used, the latter to measure the volumes of regenerated bone and Bio-Oss remaining in the defect. Analysis of variance was used to determine differences in bone regeneration between groups, and Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the volume of remaining Bio-Oss particles.Histologically, the control defects behaved like critical size defects, showing incomplete bone regeneration. Only the FGF + Spongostan group achieved nearly complete bone regeneration. Bio-Oss particles seemed to reduce centripetal bone regeneration. Spongostan by itself did not interfere with spontaneous bone healing.Stereologic measurements of the volume of new bone growth, measured in cubic millimeter, were as follows: control group, 3.86 ± 1.03; Bio-Oss, 2.26 ± 1.06; Spongostan, 3.00 ± 0.81; FGF, 3.99 ± 1.85; FGF + Bio-Oss, 3.02 ± 1.88; and FGF + Spongostan, 8.93 ± 1.28. Analysis of variance showed a statistically significant difference between the FGF + Spongostan group and the other groups (P < 0.001). Comparison among the other groups did not show significant differences.Fibroblast growth factor 1 with a Spongostan carrier has shown great efficacy for bone regeneration in cranial critical size defects in rats. Bio-Oss did not produce a regenerative effect, either alone or with FGF-1.

Variation in calvarial bone healing capacity: a clinical study on the effects of BMP-2-hydrogel or bone autograft treatments at different cranial locations.

BACKGROUND: Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) together with a suitable carrier is an attractive option that may be used for craniofacial bone reconstruction. In this prospective randomized study, a hyaluronan-based hydrogel with BMP-2 was used to achieve bone healing in standardized critical-size cranial defects in humans after neurosurgery. METHODS: Twelve patients were randomized into the treatment group (N = 6) or control group (N = 6). In the treatment group, holes made during craniotomy were treated with hydrogel with BMP-2, 250 µg/mL, or hydrogel without BMP-2. In the remaining hole/s in the same patient, Spongostan (Ethicon) alone or Tisseel (Baxter) mixed with autologous bone matrix were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. In the control group, the holes were treated with Spongostan or Tisseel mixed with bone autograft. Bone healing was assessed with CT scans after 3 and 6 months. Bone areas in treated defects were measured and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Independent of location, bone healing in defects treated with Tisseel with autograft, hydrogel alone, or hydrogel with BMP-2 was significantly increased compared to negative control (P < 0.001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.005, respectively). In general, all defects healed significantly better in the frontal bone as compared to parietal-temporal location, except for defects treated with Tisseel and autograft, which healed well independently of location. No local or systemic side effects, including excessive bone overgrowth or inflammatory reaction, were seen in treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Tissue engineering of bone with hyaluronan-based hydrogel shows good healing of cranial defects, comparable with bone autografts. The hydrogel itself may represent a novel alternative to autologous bone transplants in craniofacial bone repair. The study also reveals a general superior healing capacity in the frontal bone as compared to parietal/temporal bones.

Comparison of autogenous bone graft donor site haemostatic agents used in spinal surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of haemostatic agents used at the autograft donor sites in spinal fusion. METHODS: The study included 66 patients (26 men, 40 women; mean age: 42.9 years) who underwent spinal fusion surgery between March 1999 and October 2002. Patients were randomly assigned to 4 different groups according to the haemostatic agents used during surgery. In Group 1, bone wax was used on the graft donor site. In Group 2, spongostan was used. In Group 3, spongostan was applied to the donor site and removed after 10 minutes. Group 4 was the control group and no haemostatic agent was applied. Age, sex, diagnosis and incision shape were not taken into consideration during the selection of patient groups. Closed suction drainage systems were used for the evaluation of drainage amount. The drainage system was removed after 48 hours in patients with a daily drainage of less than 30 cc. RESULTS: In Group 1, there was significantly less drainage than the other groups. Group 2 and Group 3 had less drainage than the control group. When a separate incision was used for graft harvesting, keeping the spongostan at the application site (Group 2) was more effective than its removal (Group 3). CONCLUSION: The application of bone wax and spongostan to bleeding cancellous bone surfaces at the donor site is a safe and effective method to reduce bleeding and hematoma. Bone wax is more effective than spongostan for haemostasis.

Effect on the contour of bone and soft tissue one year after harvesting chin bone for alveolar cleft repair.

In this study the authors evaluate and quantify the residual bony defect in the mandibular symphysis and its effect on the soft tissue contour a minimum of 1 year after harvesting chin bone. 59 ASA I cleft lip and palate patients, aged 8-19 years were included. In all patients an autologous bone graft from the mandibular symphysis was harvested for transplantation to the alveolar cleft. Lateral cephalograms were used to measure the donor site defects, and the effects on the soft tissue contour. An evident residual defect was measured at the donor site 1 year after harvesting chin bone. A significant relation was seen between age at time of surgery and size of the defect 1 year postoperatively. In older patients a larger defect remained. Using the current surgical technique of harvesting chin bone, complete bony repair of the defect was not achieved. This study shows postoperatively persisting defects that comprise on average 14% of the original peroperative defects. A significant increase in soft tissue thickness was seen at the mandibular symphysis at a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. These changes in the soft tissue chin contour 1 year after harvesting bone are similar to normal growth changes.

Haemostatic effect and tissue reactions of methods and agents used for haemorrhage control in apical surgery.

AIM: To compare the haemostatic effect and tissue reactions of different agents and methods used for haemorrhage control in apical surgery. METHODOLOGY: Six standardized bone defects were prepared in the calvaria of six Burgundy rabbits. Five haemostatic modalities were tested for their haemostatic effect and tissue reactions, and were compared with untreated control defects: Expasyl + Stasis, Expasyl + Stasi + freshening of the bone defect with a bur, Spongostan, Spongostan+ epinephrine, and electro cauterization. The haemostatic effect was analysed visually and compared using Wilcoxon's signed rank test. Two groups of three animals were evaluated histologically for hard and soft tissue reactions related to the different haemostatic measures, after 3 and 12 weeks of healing respectively. RESULTS: Expasyl + Stasis and electro cauterization proved most effective in reducing bleeding (P < 0.05), but were accompanied by unfavourable tissue reactions, as indicated by the presence of necrotic bone, inflammatory cells and the absence of bone repair. These adverse tissue reactions did not recover substantially over time. However, adverse reactions were not observed when the superficial layer of bone had been removed with a rotary instrument. In contrast, Spongostan + epinephrine showed only a moderate haemostatic effect, but elicited also only mild adverse tissue reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Haemostasis in experimental bone defects is most effectively accomplished by using Expasyl + Stasis or electro cauterization. However, the bone defects should be freshened with a rotary instrument before suturing so as not to compromise healing.

[Effectiveness of autologous free fat graft and of Spongostan in preventing scar formation after microdiscectomy]. / Az autológ szabad zsírlebeny és a Spongostan hegesedést gátló hatásának összehasonlítása microdiscectomiát követóen.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative scar formation has been implicated as one of the possible cause of persistent or recurrent pain after spine surgery. The efficacy of the autologous free fat graft and the Spongostan gel foam for the prevention of extradural adhesion after lumbar discectomy was investigated by the evaluation of postoperative neurological symptoms and visual analogue scale. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the study 174 patients were involved, average 14.5 months after the intervention. Autologous free fat graft (group I) and Spongostan gel foam (group II) was used randomly by the operations. Patients were operated by the same surgeon, and they were investigated by another independent surgeon. RESULT: No significant difference was found between the two groups.

[A comparative examination of the hemostatic properties of xenogenic collagenic biomaterials]. / Badanie porównawcze wlasciwosci hemostatycznych ksenogenicznych biomaterialow kolagenowych.

The results of haemostatic properties examination of bovine collagen membranes and sponges manufactured in Poland in comparison to Spongostan are presented. In the first step of investigation the experiments were performed using punctured mouse livers. The second step comprised clinical trials in seven patients hospitalised in the Department of Plastic Surgery. The estimated parameter was the time of parenchymal bleeding from punctured livers of from donor places after cutting of the skin for split thickness grafts. The application of tested collagenic membranes or sponges caused effective decreasing of bleeding time. They are potent agents in the cases of abundant capillary bleeding of parenchymal organs and cutaneous tissues. The efficacy of hemostasis initiated by collagen membranes was the same as for Spongostan. The highest haemostatic potency possessed collagenic sponge.

Implante de esponja de fibrina em alvéolos dentais / Implant of fibrine sponge in dental alveolus

Os autores estudaram histologicamente o implante de esponja de fibrina ("Fibrinol") em alvéolos dentais de ratos. Dois grupos de 30 animais foram utilizados, sendo seus incisivos superiores direitos extraídos e a esponja de fibrina implantada nos alvéolos dos animais de um dos grupos. Seis animais foram sacrificados aos 3, 6, 9, 15 e 21 dias pós-operatórios, e as peças obtidas coradas por hematoxilina e eosina para estudo histológico. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que: 1) a esponja de fibrina mostrou-se clinicamente eficiente nas hemorragias intra-alveolares; 2) o material é gradualmente absorvido ao longo da reparação alveolar, cedendo lugar ao coágulo sangüíneo; 3) o implante de esponja de fibrina em alvéolos dentais de ratos provocou retardo no processo de reparo

[Embolization in the therapy of hemoptysis. The results of a combination of Spongostan/sclerosing drugs and the role of electrocoagulation]. / L'embolizzazione nella terapia dell'emottisi. Risultati dell'associazione Spongostan/farmaci sclerotizzanti e ruolo dell'elettrocoagulazione.

The author's purpose was to evaluate the efficacy of therapeutic embolization in pulmonary hemorrhage performed with fibrin foam (Spongostan) suspended in sclerosing agents (hydroxy-polyethoxy-dodecane 3%, or natrium morruate 5%), and electrocoagulation (Biotrol, spa) as an alternative to surgery. Twenty patients were embolized: 17 with fibrin foam and sclerosing agents only, 2 with the addition of electrocoagulation and a Gianturco coil respectively, and 1 with electrocoagulation alone. The follow-up ranges from 3 to 42 months (average 22). A patient affected by aspergilloma died a few days after hemoptysis. The patient treated by electrocoagulation alone suffers from periodical hematic expectoration (spitting). The remaining 18 patients have not shown any pathological findings. In 2 cases the arterial occlusion was confirmed by angiography, while in 1 case partial arterial recanalization was observed. Such a finding was due to the vessel dimensions and to hyperflux values. In similar cases, obstruction must be completed by different techniques (e.g. Gianturco coils, electrocoagulation, detachable balloons, etc.). The absence of flux resulting from embolization improves electrocoagulation efficiency, which should be considered as the technique of choice. Even though additional trials are needed, the techniques have proven quite reliable and suitable to replace surgery in low-aggression lesions.

[Microdensitometric research on DNA in the cells of a primary kidney tumor after Spongostan embolization of the renal artery]. / Mikrodensitometrische Untersuchungen der DNS in den Zellen des primären Nierentumors nach der Embolisation der Nierenarterie mit Spongostan.

In klatsch preparations of renal tumours (light-cellular carcinomas with malignity degree 2 and 3) microdensitometric investigations of the DNA-content were performed. In the 1st group the material came from 10 patients in whom a unique nephrectomy, in the 2nd group from 10 patients in whom 2 days before nephrectomy an embolisation of the renal artery with Spongostan, in the 3rd group from 10 patients in whom 14 days after embolisation the nephrectomy had been performed. From the analysis of the histograms follows that in the cytoblasts of the tumours of the 3rd group the percentage of diploid and paradiploid nuclei is higher than in the groups I and II: deviation to the left of the histogram. However, the index of the mean DNA-content is smaller in the 3rd group than in the 1st and 2nd group, correspondingly: 8.79, 10.52 and 11.8; the difference is statistically significant. The results obtained show that the embolisation of the renal artery may not only lead to a necrosis of the neoplasmatic tissue, but also to an inhibition of the DNA-synthesis in the persisting cancer cells.

[Indications, procedures and choice of embolization material in transcatheter vascular occlusion]. / Indikation, Vorgehen und Wahl des Embolisationsmaterials beim transkatheteralen Gefässverschluss.

If it is planned to effect transcatheteral occlusion of vessels, it must be examined whether the relevant vessel should be occluded permanently or temporarily and whether the occlusion should be located centrally in the vascular trunk or in a major twig, or peripherally in the region of the capillaries, arterioles and small vessels. Temporary occlusion with fibrospum is usually sufficient for treating a haemorrhage. Ethibloc or Bucrylate can be employed to shut off an organ and to achieve partial organ necrosis. Arteriovenous connections with a large vascular lumen can be occluded by means of metal particles. Peripherally occluding substances should not be used for embolisations in the gastrointestinal range because of the risk of local necrosis and possible dangerous infection resulting therefrom. To the present day hardly any indications have been found for the use of absolute alcohol. Bucrylate has the drawback, compared against Ethibloc, that the catheter may adhere to the vascular wall. Vessels with a low flow rate should be occluded either by means of balloon catheter or a coaxial catheter system because of the risk of reflux.