Effect of rosuvastatin on cytokines after traumatic head injury.

OBJECT: The favorable effect of statin treatment after traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been shown in animal studies and is probably true in humans as well. The objective of this study was to determine whether acute statin treatment following TBI could reduce inflammatory cytokines and improve functional outcomes in humans. METHODS: The authors performed a double-blind randomized clinical trial in patients with moderate to severe TBI. Exclusion criteria were as follows: prior severe disability; use of modifiers of statin metabolism; multisystem trauma; prior use of mannitol, barbiturates, corticosteroids, or calcium channel blockers; isolated brainstem lesions; allergy to statins; previous hepatopathy or myopathy; previous treatment at another clinic; and pregnancy. Patients were randomly selected to receive 20 mg of rosuvastatin or placebo for 10 days. The main goal was to determine the effect of rosuvastatin on plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10 after 72 hours of TBI. Amnesia, disorientation, and disability were assessed 3 and 6 months after TBI. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were analyzed according to intention-to-treat analysis; 19 patients received rosuvastatin and 17 received placebo. The best-fit mixed model showed a significant effect of rosuvastatin on the reduction of tumor necrosis factor-α levels (p = 0.004). Rosuvastatin treatment did not appear to affect the levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-10. The treatment was associated with a reduction in disability scores (p = 0.03), indicating a favorable functional outcome. Life-threatening adverse effects were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' data suggest that statins may induce an antiinflammatory effect and may promote recovery after TBI. The role of statins in TBI therapy should be confirmed in larger clinical trials.

Amoebic toxic colitis: analysis of factors related to mortality.

BACKGROUND: Toxic or fulminant colitis due to Entamoeba histolytica infrequently presents but is very serious. Unfortunately, there are numerous contradictory factors related to mortality. METHODS: We analyzed several cases of E. histolytica infection to determine the factors related to mortality. We included patients >15 years of age who were histopathologically diagnosed with amoebic toxic colitis and treated from January 2000 through December 2006. We evaluated demographic, clinical, laboratorial, surgical, and histopathological characteristics. RESULTS: We examined 24 patients and recorded 12 deaths (50%). Twenty patients underwent surgery within a mean time of 24 hours (range: 8-120 hours). Tenesmus and intestinal perforation were determined to be statistically significant (P<0·05) by univariate analysis. Three models of logistic regression were able to determine three statistically significant factors that affected mortality: (1) tenesmus and a lymphocyte count <1·5×10(3) cell/µl; 2) depth of invasion beyond the mucosa and a lymphocyte count <1·5×10(3) cell/µl; 3) time spent with symptoms and perforation. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality rate determined in this study is similar to previously reported series. A low lymphocyte count, significant depth of invasion, and intestinal perforation were determined to be the factors related to increased mortality, while tenesmus and limited amount of time spent with symptoms were associated with survival. Quick diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important factors that reduce mortality.

Prognostic indications of the failure to treat amoebic liver abscesses.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the variables that predict the failure to treat amoebic liver abscesses. METHODS: We prospectively carried out a case-control study on a cohort of patients who had been diagnosed with amoebic liver abscesses using clinical, ultrasonic, and serologic methods. Patients with pyogenic abscesses, negative ELISA tests for amoebiasis, immunosuppression status, or previous abdominal surgery were excluded. All patients received metronidazole, and those who demonstrated 4 days of unfavorable clinical responses received percutaneous or surgical draining of the abscess. Demographic, laboratory, and ultrasonographic characteristics were assessed as prognostic indications of failure. RESULTS: Of 40 patients with amoebic liver abscess, 24 (mean age: 36·7±11·2 years) responded to medical treatment and 16 (41·8±11·6 years) required drainage, including 14 patients who underwent percutaneous drainage and two patients who required surgery. The albumin level, abscess volume, abscess diameter, and alkaline phosphatase level were all statistically significant (P<0·05) on the bivariate analysis. The highest (>99%) sensitivity and negative predictive value were observed for an abscess volume >500 ml and diameter >10 cm, while the best specificity and positive predictive value were achieved with the combination of low serum albumin level, high alkaline phosphatase level, and large abscess volume or diameter. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic indications of the failure to treat amoebic liver abscesses include low albumin, high alkaline phosphatase, and large abscess volume or diameter. The combination of these variables is a useful and easy tool for determining appropriate therapy.

Experience with a new design of endoretractor for gasless laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystectomy has replaced open surgery and is regarded as the standard procedure today. The pneumoperitoneum needed to create working space can induce cardiovascular changes. Gasless laparoscopic surgery is effective; we evaluate a new retractor design. METHODS: Patients older than 15 years with elective cholecystectomy and American Society of Anesthesiology I-II were consequently assigned to conventional or gasless surgery. We evaluated surgical time, hemodynamic stability, hours of hospital stay, and days of recuperation. RESULTS: We analyzed 22 cholecystectomies, 10 by the gasless technique and 12 by gas laparoscopy. We did not observe significant differences in surgical time, length of hospital stay, or days of recuperation. However, surgical exposition time was longer in the retractor group than was expected by chance (P<0.05). Hemodynamic stability was similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Similar surgical and recuperation times and length of hospital stay were observed. Our design is comparable with conventional laparoscopic surgery despite longer surgical exposition time.