[Scoring system for evaluation of clinical outcome of severe injuries in patients].

A trauma-scoring system converts the severity of injury into a number, so helping clinicians to define patient's condition. Aim of our investigation was assessment of scoring systems in clinical outcome of patients with severe traumatic injury, as well as ISS, AIS, APACHE II and SOFA score were counted. Mean age of traumatized patients was 35 yrs, predominantly males. Based on results of our investigation we concluded that ISS, APACHE II and SOFA score adequately can be used for predicting clinical outcome of severe traumatized patients.

[Liver injuries--personal experience with treatment].

BACKGROUND: Trauma is one of todays most serious and expensive health care problems, and it is the most common cause of mortality in young population. Non-operative tretment is standard strategi for menagment of blunt liver injuries in hemodynamically stable patiens in last decade. METHODS: Retrospective study included patiens with liver trauma, admitted in the period december 1995 - december 2005, in total 476. RESULTS: 392 of 476 patients presenting with liver trauma had blunt and only 84 had penetrating injury. Isolated liver injury was identified in 27.5% and 72.5% had associated injuries. Average ISS value was 24.06 (SD = 14.26).During the operation liver injury in patients was classified according to Moor. In 2% critical patients, due to hemodynamic unstability we performed "damage control surgery". Out of 476 patients 8.7% were successfully managet, 6.1% died as "mors in tabula" or during first 24 hours and 6.9% died during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: Higher proportion of nonoopertively treated is among patients with ISS less thanand those with injuries grade I end II.

An experimental, non-uremic rabbit model of peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a well established method of depuration in uremic patients. Standard dialysis solutions currently in use are not biocompatible with the peritoneal membrane. Studying effects of dialysate on peritoneal membrane in humans is still a challenge. There is no consensus on the ideal experimental model so far. We, therefore, wanted to develop a new experimental non-uremic rabbit model of peritoneal dialysis, which would be practical, easy to conduct, not too costly, and convenient to investigate the long-term effect of dialysis fluids. The study was done on 17 healthy Chinchilla male and female rabbits, anesthetized with Thiopental in a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body mass. A catheter, specially made from Tro-soluset (Troge Medical GMBH, Hamburg, Germany) infusion system, was then surgically inserted and tunneled from animals' abdomen to their neck. The planned experimental procedure was 4 weeks of peritoneal dialysate instillation. The presented non-uremic rabbit model of peritoneal dialysis is relatively inexpensive, does not require sophisticated technology and was well tolerated by the animals. Complications such as peritonitis, dialysis fluid leakage, constipation and catheter obstruction were negligible. This model is reproducible and can be used to analyze the effects of different dialysis solutions on the rabbit peritoneal membrane.

[The role of wireless capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of patients with suspected small bowel bleeding: a single center experience].

BACKGROUND: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a new diagnostic tool for the study of patients with suspected small bowel pathology. The aim of the study was to clarify the usefulness of CE in the group of patients with obscure (overt / occult) gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients (14 men, 16 women, mean age 50 years, range 9 -79 years) were enrolled in the study. All of them undergone non-diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy and barium follow-through of the small bowel. All patients underwent capsule endoscopy. Fourteen patients had overt and sixteen occult bleeding. The single senior endoscopist interpreted CE findings in an unblinded manner. RESULTS: CE identified a source of bleeding in 14/30 patients (46.6%). Lesions identified were: tumors in five pts, vascular lesions, Crohnzs disease and Meckelzs diverticulum in two pts and fresh bleeding, segmental celiac disease and colonic diverticulosis in one patient each. CE identified a source of bleeding in 9/14 (64.3%) of patients with ongoing overt bleeding and in only 5/16 (31.3%) of patients with occult bleeding. The positive suspicious findings were seen in 6/30 (20%) of patients (2/14 with overt bleeding and 4/16 with occult bleeding. In 3/14 (21.4%) with overt and 7/16 (43.7%) with occult bleeding findings on CE were negative. All patients with negative findings on follow-up remained asymptomatic for one year. Capsule retention because of unsuspected stenosis occurred in a single patient and required surgery, which resolved the problem. CONCLUSION: CE is an effective diagnostic tool for patients with obscure GI bleeding. It is safe and painless technique which can diagnose the bleeding site beyond the reach of conventional endoscopy. The best candidates for the procedure are those with ongoing and overt bleeding.

[Risk factors for bleeding from stress ulcer in severely injured and critically ill persons].

Bleeding stress ulcus is a mucosal stress induced lesion which appears as a result of mucosal damage in severely injured and critically ill persons. Prophylaxis treatment has dramatically reduced the incidence of bleeding in Intensive care units. We conducted a prospective study for the five years period. Of 954 patients (196 with acute necrotizing pancreatitis and 758 with severe injuries), 84 (8.5%) has clinically important bleeding. About 80% of these patients had more than one independent risk for acute bleeding from gastrointestinal tract. Prophylaxis treatment reduced bleeding in 90% risk patients (according Zinner score). Despite of prophylaxis, 13 patients required surgery. Overall mortality was 29 (34%) of 84 patients, including seven of 13 who required surgery. Sepsis and respiratory failure were identified as strong risk factors for bleeding in our group. The choice of the best prophylactic agens still remains the question.

[Surgical treatment of gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding-our experience].

INTRODUCTION: Acute bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract remains the commonest emergency in gastroen-terology, and is most often caused by gastroduodenal ulcer disease. Despite introduction of novel endoscopic techniques and pharmacological treatment, 6-15% patients have to be operated. The aim of our investigation is analyze data of patients treated for gastrointestinal ulcer bleeding in our institution, their treatment options and outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included 2237 patients admitted in the Department for Emergency medicine of Clinical center of Serbia during the period from January 1999 until December 2003. because of gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding. We analyzed age, gender treatment option, hospital stay and mortality. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 61.58 years, 1346 male and 891 female. The majority of patients were conservatively treated (84.5%). Operated patients mostly undergo Billroth II resection (57.8%). The mean hospital stay was 7.3 days. Average mortality was 14.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Despite adequate endoscopic management of bleeding gastroduodenal ulcer, surgeons will continue to treat this patients for emergency surgery.

[Total gastrectomy in the surgical treatment of acute massive hemorrhage caused by Dieulafoy lesion of the gastric fundus].

GI bleeding caused by Dieulafoy lesion in the gastric fundus: a case report Dieulafoy lesion is a rare cause of massive gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage that can be fatal. It arises from an abnormally large eroded submucosal artery and in more than 75% of cases the lesion is mostly found within 6 cm of the cardia. The severity of bleeding and the site of the lesion render the diagnosis sometimes difficult, more than one endoscopic exam is often required. Surgery was regarded as the treatment of choice in the past, but recently endoscopic management has become the standard approach. We report a case of an 42-year-old man presented with upper GI hemorrhage. Repeated upper GI endoscopies revealed a missed diagnosis of subcardial gastric ulcer and Mallory-Weis lesion. Following conservative treatment, the frequency and amount of haemorrhage decreased and totally stop. 48 hours after admission patient developed sudden massive upper GI bleeding and underwent emergency total gastrectomy. The diagnosis of Dieulafoy lesion was made histologically. The patient recovered uneventfully and discharged on the postoperative day 11th. Therefore, Dieulafoy disease represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Advances in endoscopic technique have greatly assisted in earlier diagnosis and added options to the treatment regimen for this lesion. The relationship of this anomaly to possible exsanguination makes it essential that both endosopical and surgical approach play an important role in the management of this pathology.

Radioimmunoscintigraphy of colorectal carcinomas with three different radiopharmaceuticals.

The aim of the study was evaluation of the clinical reliability of the immunoscintigraphy for the detection of metastases and recurrences of colorectal carcinomas using three different radiopharmaceutical substances. With IMACIS 1, the number of true negative findings (TN) was 4/7 and true positive (TP) 3/7, while in one patient, the results of immunoscintigraphy significantly influenced the therapeutical management. With INDIMACIS 19-9, there were 2/8 TN and 6/8 TP. In three patients, immunoscintigraphy results influenced patient further management. With ONCOSCINT in 2 patients findings were TN, in one FN and in one FP. In 3 patients, immunoscintigraphy influenced the management of the patient. Other imaging methods (CT, US, MRI) have advantage in detection of liver metastases, while immunoscintigraphy is more specific for the assessment of reccurences of the abdominal tumors. Thus immunoscintigraphy should be applied in patients with suggested recurrences and inconclusive outcome of routine diagnostic workup.

[The role of endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) in differential diagnosis of subepithelial oesophago-gastric lesions].

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS) allows high-resolution demonstration of the entire gut wall. The aim of the study was to clarify the usefulness of the EUS in differential diagnosis of upper gastro-intestinal subepithelail lesions(SEL). METHODS: From September 1998- March 2005, EUS was performed in 1600 patients. Among them, in 206pts (13%), this examination was carried out due to previous upper endoscopy, which revealed the suspicion to SEL or extraluminal compression. We studied the location, the size, echo pattern and originating layer of SEL. The results were compared with CT, angiography and operation with histology when possible. All EUS examinations were performed using Olympus GIF-130 videoecho-endoscope with 7,5/12MHz switchable radial probe. RESULTS: EUS accuracy in separating intramural masses from extraluminal compression was 96%(44/46). Among 160 pts with true SEL, in 95(59.3%), EUS revealed the existence of a stromal tumor arising from muscularis propria (92) or muscularis mucosae (3). The size of the tumor varied from 5-75mm; depth: 8-40mm. 33 patients were operated on. In 14/16(87%), the EUS diagnosis of benign stromal tumor was confirmed on operation. In 18/19(95%), EUS correctly disclosed the malignant tumor. EUS accuracy in predicting malignancy was 91.5%(32/35). Findings suggestive for malignancy were: size 40mm; inhomogenicity with microcysts and irregular outer margin. In 12 pts, EUS revealed lypoma. Abberant pancreas was correctly diagnosed in all 22pts. In 16 persons, EUS disclosed submucosal cysts: 6 of them were operated on and EUS diagnosis was confirmed in all. In 10 patients EUS visualized varices. The finding was confirmed on angiography. CONCLUSION: The EUS appears to be very effective in differential diagnosis of SEL in upper gastro-intestinal tract. Tumour size greater than 40mm, inhomomogenous echo pattern and irregular outer margin are very suggestive for malignancy.

[Peritoneal hepatobiliary cystadenoma--case report].

Hepatobiliary cystadenoma with mesenchymal stroma are infrequent form of cystic neoplasm that may be found in females only. It is difficult to reach correct diagnosis prior to surgery. We are presenting a case of 32 years-old female referred to our institution for revealing a cause of discomfort and pain in right subcostal region whereas peritoneal hepatobiliary cystadenoma has been determined. Abdominal ultrasonography and computerized tomography revealed cystic lesion adjacent to gall bladder, which was initially thought to be of echynococcal origin. At surgery, a mesenterial cystic neoplasm has been revealed, having a close contact with gall bladder, without signs of its infiltration. Pathophysiology discovered hepatobiliary cystadenoma with mesenchymal stroma. Pre-surgical differential diagnosis in hepatobiliary cystadenoma may be very difficult, especially if, like in the presented case, neoplasm has extra hepatic localization. Radical surgical excision is treatment of choice, concerning malignant potential of these neoplasms.

[Prevention and treatment of organ injury in acute pancreatitis]. / Prevencija i lecenje organskih ostecenja u toku akutnog pankreatitisa.

Acute pancreatitis is illness with unpredictable outcome. In some patients course of illness is progressive and leading to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome often resulting with lethal outcome. During last decade the treatment protocols have changed. Basic pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to progression of the illness, as well as, contemporary diagnostic and treatment possibilities that can prevent occurrence of severe consequences and improve outcome are presented.

Simulation of ion trajectories in a quadrupole ion trap: a comparison of three simulation programs

An attempt has been made to compare the performance, design and operation of three simulators, ISIS, ITSIM and SIMION-3D, when applied to the calculation of ion trajectories in a quadrupole ion trap. For the simulation of the trajectory of a single ion in a collision-free system, the calculated spatial trajectory components, kinetic energies and secular frequencies from the three simulators were virtually identical. It is concluded that, despite the various approaches to electrode design, calculation of fields, integration methods and ion generation tactics, there is a remarkable degree of consistency among the products of the simulators when dealing with collision-free conditions. The results of the ion injection simulations under collisional conditions were indicative of the complexity that can be introduced into the simulations with little effort. Random effects such as collisions of ions with He buffer gas and accumulated calculation errors together with the different collision model settings and the different approaches to field calculation are thought to have contributed to the somewhat minor differences in trapping efficiency. SIMION is the simulator of choice for the simulation of ion trajectories in hybrid instruments and in custom-designed assemblies of electrodes; and ITSIM would appear to be the best choice on the basis of computational speed for running multiparticle simulations and user friendliness. Both ISIS and ITSIM are adept at providing detailed information of collision events. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Experience of the surgical service and surgeons at the 1st Surgical Clinical Center in Belgrade in the primary care of abdominal war injuries 1991-1992]. / Iskustvo hirurskih ekipa i hirurga I Hirurske klinike Klinickog centra u Beogradu u primarnom zbrinjavanju ratnih povreda abdomena 1991-1992]

During the recent (1991/92) war on the territory of the former Yugoslavia, 12 of our surgeons participated in the treating of war abdominal injuries, on 8 localities with the various characteristics of combat. Treating all injuries, with adequate evidence and documentation, the general experience of all participants of our team was that abdominal injuries range from 0-12% depending on the the intensity of combat, with the mean percentage of 5.43% while combined injuries approximate 50% with the most common injuries of extremities (24%). The number of laparotomies was 65. The most common cause of abdominal injuries were bullets (75%) except in the localities with heavy combat where the explosive and bullet woundings were equally observed. The blast injuries were recorded in 3%. The most common injured organs were large (29.5%), small intestine (23.46%) liver, stomach and spleen subsequently. The severity of injury and mortality depends mostly of the number of injured organs, and multiorgan lesions were systematically observed (1.89 of injured organs SD 0.96). The total hospital mortality was 6.15% (4 cases: 2 "in tabula" and 2 later) due to multiorgan injuries with severe shock and bleeding. To achieve better results, early transportation to a place where operation could be made is necessary, with the effective first aid and good organisation of the initial management and triage. The diagnosis must be fast and effective, decision quick and the operation must deal with all the injuries primary, by the most safe surgical procedure, with the exposition of external wound.