[Spleen removal in hematological patients with splenomegaly].

By large and giant volume of the spleen the mainstay of the surgery remains the open splenectomy. Splenomegaly stipulates certain difficulties and dangers of the procedure, mainly because the lack of the free space in the abdominal cavity. The maximally wide access, preliminary preparation and ligation of the splenic artery in situ and thorough separation of the spleen and pancreatic tail provide the safety and success of the operation. 374 splenectomies on the reason of the splenomegaly were analyzed. The standardization of the technique allowed the 2.5 times reduction of the postoperative complication rate (from 26.9 to 10.8%); the 1.8 times reduction of the intraoperative complication rate and the 17% reduction of the intraoperative blood loss. The postoperative pancreatitis was registered 4 times rare; the intraabdominal bleeding - 2 times rare and the frequency of the subphrenic abscess was 1.5 times lesser.

[Therapy of acute massive blood loss in a hemophilic patient: case report].

A case is reported of management of massive intraoperative blood loss in a male patient with severe hemophilia. Extirpation of hip pseudotumor with one-stage osteosynthesis with an intramedullary joint-pin in a 43 year old male patient was accompanied with 7.5 l blood loss. The infusion-transfusion therapy (ITT) contained transfusion media about 1/3 of the total volume, fresh-frozen plasma and erythrocyte-containing media were used 1:1. Infusion solutions consisted of balanced polyelectrolytic solutions, hydroxyethylated starches 130/0.4, hyperchaes. Intraoperative normovolemic hemodilution and reinfusion of wound blood were made (CellSaver). ITT target markers were standard hemodynamics control tests. Hemostasis monitoring was conducted with thromboelastography. Complex ITT based on modern principles of clinical transfusiology provided a complete and safe compensation of massive intraoperative blood loss in a patient with severe hemophilia.

[Invasive pulmonary aspergillesis].

AIM: To evaluate the results of therapy of invasive pulmonary aspergillesis (IPA) in one medical center from 2000 to 2005. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Diagnosis of IPA was made according to the International criteria. Incidence of verified IPA was 2%, probable--84%, possible--14%. RESULTS: IPA was diagnosed in 50 cases in 49 patients aged 16- 78 years, median 35. Most of the patients consisted of acute leukemia cases (54%). Intensive cytostatic therapy was given in 41% cases. In 54% IPA developed in critical neutropenia, median of duration of which being 29 days (3 to 144 days). 29 patients received glucocorticoid drugs. In diagnosis of IPA Aspergillus spp was isolated in 46% cases (A. fumigatus-59%, A. flavus-29%, A. niger-4%, A-versicolor-4%, in 1 (4%) case identification was not made. Positive antigen Aspergillus was detected in 27 cases. All the patients had pulmonary involvement detected at x-ray or computed tomography. Coincidence of pulmonary lesions seen at x-rays and computer tomograms was only in 30% patients. Cure was achieved in 44%, lethality was 56%. Overall survival in IPA for 90 days was 47%. Amphotericine was effective in 29%. Voriconasol--in 3 of 5 patients, kaspofungin--in 3 of 7. Surgical treatment was given to 4 patients. CONCLUSION: Lethality in IPA for 5 years when basic therapy was amfotericin B reached 56%. Reduction of lethality can be achieved due to early diagnosis of the infection and administration of voriconasol at the initial stage of IPA. It is necessary to conduct multicenter studies to ascertain indications for combined antifungal therapy.

[Possibilities of early diagnosis of tumors].

AIM: To study diagnostic significance of blood serum cancer antigens levels in patients who subsequently develop pulmonary cancer (PC) and gastrointestinal cancer (GIC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: ELISA was used to study expression of tumor antigens (CEA, NSE, CA19-9, CA242, AFP) in the blood serum of 27 PC and 31 GIC patients; 22 patients with lymphatic tumors and 32 patients with pulmonary and gastrointestinal inflammation served control. After removal of the tumor the same antigens including cytokeratines (CK) and differentiated leukocytic markers were studied immunocytochemically in the tumor cells with relevant monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: Sera of patients with verified afterwards cancer contained elevated concentrations of the antigens: NSE and CEA in PC, CA19-9, CA242 in GIC. The expression of these antigens including CK was found also in tumor cells of these patients. Atypical cells of lymphatic tumors had hemopoietic markers in the absence of CK. In inflammation and in lymphatic tumors, tumor antigens levels remained normal. CONCLUSION: The test for tumor antigens levels in the serum may be used for early (preoperative) diagnosis of cancer, especially in tumors with difficult access or if they are asymptomatic.