Regeneration of Tracheal Tissue in Partial Defects Using Porcine Small Intestinal Submucosa.

BACKGROUND: Surgical correction of tracheal defects is a complex procedure when the gold standard treatment with primary end-to-end anastomosis is not possible. An alternative treatment may be the use of porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS). It has been used as graft material for bioengineering applications and to promote tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether SIS grafts improved tracheal tissue regeneration in a rabbit model of experimental tracheostomy. METHODS: Sixteen rabbits were randomized into two groups. Animals in the control group underwent only surgical tracheostomy, while animals in the SIS group underwent surgical tracheostomy with an SIS graft covering the defect. We examined tissues at the site of tracheostomy 60 days after surgery using histological analysis with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and analyzed the perimeter and area of the defect with Image-Pro® PLUS 4.5 (Media Cybernetics). RESULTS: The average perimeter and area of the defects were smaller by 15.3% (p = 0.034) and 21.8% (p = 0.151), respectively, in the SIS group than in the control group. Histological analysis revealed immature cartilage, pseudostratified ciliated epithelium, and connective tissue in 54.5% (p = 0.018) of the SIS group, while no cartilaginous regeneration was observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Although tracheal SIS engraftment could not prevent stenosis in a rabbit model of tracheal injury, it produced some remarkable changes, efficiently facilitating neovascularization, reepithelialization, and neoformation of immature cartilage.

Pectus excavatum surgery: sternochondroplasty versus Nuss procedure.

BACKGROUND: The repair of pectus excavatum (PE) by minimally invasive Nuss surgery is well established, but its complication rate is high and its indication is indiscriminate. Sternochondroplasty (SCP) provides good results with a low complication rate but requires a small transverse incision. METHODS: To compare SCP and Nuss, we analyzed 40 patients with PE who underwent surgery (SCP, n = 20; Nuss, n = 20). Thirty subjects (75.0%) were male and 10 (25.0%) were female. In the SCP group, 9 (45.0%) had symmetric PE, and 11 (55.0%) had asymmetric PE. In the Nuss group, 17 (85%) had symmetric PE, and 3 (15%) had asymmetric PE (p = 0.020). RESULTS: The mean duration of SCP was 229.5 minutes, and the mean duration of Nuss was 54.3 minutes. The average length of hospital stay was 4 days with SCP and 6.3 days with Nuss (p = 0.172). The SCP results were favorable in 18 subjects (90%) and fair in 2 subjects (10%). In the Nuss group, we observed 17 patients (85.0%) with favorable results and 3 (15.0%) with poor results. Patients with asymmetric PE exhibited severe pectus carinatum. No complications were found in 17 patients (85%) in the SCP group. In the Nuss group, 9 patients (45.0%) had 13 complications (65.0%; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Sternochondroplasty surgery yielded better results than the Nuss procedure and more patients with asymmetric PE, less pain, and fewer complications. Nuss surgery had shorter operating times than SCP, younger patients, more symmetric PE, and 3 patients who experienced severe postoperative asymmetric pectus carinatum. In summary, for asymmetric PE the best indication is SCP.

T3T4 endoscopic sympathetic blockade versus T3T4 video thoracoscopic sympathectomy in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND: The use of endoscopic sympathetic blockade (ESB) in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis has grown because of its potential reversibility. But it is still not clear whether the rates of success, compensatory sweating, and satisfaction are better than those accomplished with video thoracoscopic sympathectomy (VTS). METHODS: Eighty-four patients were studied to compare the rates of success, satisfaction, and compensatory sweating in patients undergoing either ESB or VTS of the T3T4 ganglion after 2 years' follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients (83.3%) undergoing ESB and 39 patients (92.8%) undergoing VTS had remission of axillary hyperhidrosis (p = 0.315). Improvement was seen in 7 patients (16.7%) in the ESB group and 1 patient (2.4%) in the VTS group. Two patients (4.8%) had bad results in the VTS group. Absence of or minor compensatory sweating was observed in 25 patients (59.5%) in the ESB group and 28 patients (66.7%) in the VTS group, and moderate compensatory sweating occurred in 13 patients (31.0%) in the ESB group and 10 patients (23.8%) in the VTS group. Severe compensatory sweating was observed in 4 patients (9.5%) in the ESB group versus 4 patients (9.5%) in the VTS group (p = 0.905). In the ESB group, 28 patients (66.7%) were very satisfied, 11 patients (26.2%) were satisfied, and 3 patients (7.1%) were unsatisfied with treatment. In the VTS group, 35 patients (83.3%) were very satisfied, 6 patients (14.3%) were satisfied, and 1 patient (2.4%) was unsatisfied with VTS. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic sympathetic blockade and VTS of T3T4 ganglion are efficient in axillary hyperhidrosis treatment. We found no differences regarding therapeutic success, satisfaction rate, and incidence, severity, and location of compensatory sweating.

Mechanical model for simulating the conditioning of air in the respiratory tract.

OBJECTIVE: To create a mechanical model that could be regulated to simulate the conditioning of inspired and expired air with the same normal values of temperature, pressure, and relative humidity as those of the respiratory system of a healthy young man on mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Using several types of materials, a mechanical device was built and regulated using normal values of vital capacity, tidal volume, maximal inspiratory pressure, positive end-expiratory pressure, and gas temperature in the system. The device was submitted to mechanical ventilation for a period of 29.8 min. The changes in the temperature of the air circulating in the system were recorded every two seconds. RESULTS: The statistical analysis of the data collected revealed that the device was approximately as efficient in the conditioning of air as is the respiratory system of a human being. CONCLUSION: By the study endpoint, we had developed a mechanical device capable of simulating the conditioning of air in the respiratory tract. The device mimics the conditions of temperature, pressure, and relative humidity seen in the respiratory system of healthy individuals.

Modelo mecânico para simulação do condicionamento pulmonar do ar respirado / Mechanical model for simulating the conditioning of air in the respiratory tract

OBJETIVO: A criação de um modelo mecânico que pudesse ser regulado para simular o condicionamento do ar inspirado e expirado nos mesmos valores normais de temperatura, pressão e umidade relativa do aparelho respiratório de um homem jovem hígido sob ventilação mecânica. MÉTODOS: Utilizando-se diversos tipos de materiais, um aparelho mecânico foi construído e regulado com valores normais de capacidade vital, volume corrente, pressão inspiratória máxima, pressão expiratória final positiva e temperatura do gás dentro do sistema. O aparelho foi submetido a ventilação mecânica por um período de 29,8 min. A cada dois segundos, foram registradas as alterações de temperatura do ar circulado no sistema. RESULTADOS: Mediante análise estatística dos dados coletados observou-se que o aparelho construído foi eficiente no condicionamento do ar aproximadamente nos moldes do aparelho respiratório de um ser humano. CONCLUSÃO: Ao final deste estudo, conseguiu-se desenvolver um aparelho mecânico capaz de simular o condicionamento do ar respirado nas mesmas condições de temperatura, pressão e umidade do aparelho respiratório de um ser humano hígido.

OBJECTIVE: To create a mechanical model that could be regulated to simulate the conditioning of inspired and expired air with the same normal values of temperature, pressure, and relative humidity as those of the respiratory system of a healthy young man on mechanical ventilation. METHODS: Using several types of materials, a mechanical device was built and regulated using normal values of vital capacity, tidal volume, maximal inspiratory pressure, positive end-expiratory pressure, and gas temperature in the system. The device was submitted to mechanical ventilation for a period of 29.8 min. The changes in the temperature of the air circulating in the system were recorded every two seconds. RESULTS: The statistical analysis of the data collected revealed that the device was approximately as efficient in the conditioning of air as is the respiratory system of a human being. CONCLUSION: By the study endpoint, we had developed a mechanical device capable of simulating the conditioning of air in the respiratory tract. The device mimics the conditions of temperature, pressure, and relative humidity seen in the respiratory system of healthy individuals.

Bloqueio por clipagem de gânglios simpáticos torácicos no tratamento da hiper-hidrose / Thoracic sympathetic block by clamping for treatment of hyperhidrosis

FUNDAMENTOS: Bloqueio simpático videotoracoscópico no tratamento da hiper-hidrose é realizado por clipagem do tronco simpático, com possibilidade de reversão em casos de sudorese compensatória intensa. OBJETIVO: Avaliar sucesso terapêutico, satisfação e sudorese compensatória nos pacientes submetidos a essa técnica. MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo em que 45 pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos. Grupo I: um paciente com hiper-hidrose palmar e 20 com hiper-hidrose palmar e plantar submetidos a bloqueio de T3; Grupo II: quatro pacientes com hiper-hidrose axilar , dois com hiper-hidrose axilar e palmar, dois com hiper-hidrose axilar e plantar e 16 com hiperidrose axilar, palmar e plantar submetidos a bloqueio de T3 e T4. RESULTADOS: No grupo I 95,2 por cento dos pacientes tinham hiper-hidrose palmar e plantar, e no grupo II 66,7 por cento tinham hiperidrose axilar, palmar e plantar. Na região palmar, resultados excelentes ou bons ocorreram em 95,3 por cento do grupo I e em 94,4 por cento do grupo II; na região plantar 40 por cento do grupo I e 44,5 por cento do grupo II apresentaram bons resultados; e na região axilar, 95,8 por cento relataram resultados excelentes ou bons. Em seis meses, havia sudorese compensatória em 76,2 por cento do grupo I e 91,7 por cento do grupo II, mas a sudorese compensatória intensa ocorreu em apenas três pacientes do grupo II. CONCLUSÕES: Esse tratamento foi eficiente para o tratamento da hiper-hidrose. Ao final de seis meses, todos os pacientes do grupo I e 95,9 por cento dos pacientes do grupo II estavam satisfeitos com os resultados.

BACKGROUND: Videothoracoscopic for the treatment of hyperhidrosis is carried out by clamping of the sympathetic trunk, with a possibility for reversal in cases of intense compensatory sweating. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate therapeutic success, satisfaction, and compensatory sweating in patients submitted to this technique. METHOD: Prospective study in which 45 patients were divided into two groups. Group I: one patient with palmar hyperhidrosis and 20 patients with palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis submitted to a T3 block; Group II: four patients with axillary hyperhidrosis, two with axillary and palmar hyperhidrosis, two with axillary and plantar hyperhidrosis, and 16 with axillary, palmar, and plantar hyperhidrosis submitted to a block of T3 and T4. RESULTS: In Group I, 95.2 percent of the patients had palmar and plantar hyperhidrosis, and in Group II, 66.7 percent had axillary, palmar, and plantar hyperhidrosis. For the palmar region, excellent or good results occurred in 95.3 percent of Group I and in 94.4 percent of Group II; in the plantar region, 40 percent of Group I and 44.5 percent of Group II presented good results; in the axillary region, 95.8 percent reported excellent or good results. In six months, 76.2 percent of Group I and 91.7 percent of Group II had experienced compensatory sweating, but intense compensatory sweating occurred in only three patients of Group II. CONCLUSIONS: This treatment proved to be effective for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. At the end of six months, all patients from Group I and 95.9 percent of the patients from Group II were satisfied with the results.

Trauma de tórax em crianças e adolescentes / Thoracic trauma in children and adolescentes

O trauma torácico em crianças e adolescentes é grave e incomum, estando presente em até seis por cento das crianças traumatizadas. Durante o período de 01/01/1991 a 31/12/1999 foram estudados 198 pacientes de 0 a 18 anos,, vítimas de trauma de tórax e submetidos a algum procedimento cirúrgico. Através do conhecimento do mecanismo de trauma, das lesões associadas, dos tratamentos existentes, das complicações e da mortalidade do trauma torácico nas faixas etárias mais significativas da infância, seremos cada vez mais capazes de evitar sua ocorrência e suas conseqüências

Pectus Excavatum / Pectus Carinatum: tratamento cirúrgico / Pectus Excavatum / Pectus Carinatum: surgical treatment

Objetivo: Apresentar os resultados obtidos com técnica única para tratamento do Pectus Excavatume Pectus Carinatum. Método: De 1976 a 2000 foram operados, 183 portadores de Deformidades da Parede Torácica Anterior sendo 98 Pectus Carinatum (70 P. Carinatum Simétrico, 18 P. Carinatum Lateral a Direita e 10 P. Carinatum Lateral a esquerda), 62 Pectus Excavatum (57 P. Excavatum Simétrico, 4 P. Excavatum Lateral a Direita e um P. Excavatum Lateral a Esquerda), 17 Pectus Carinatum Superior, um Pectus Combinado, quatro Protusões Costais Inferiores e uma Depressão Costal. A indicação foi exclusivamente estética em 182 (99,4%) dos pacientes. Foi utilizada técnica única para Pectus Carinatum e Pectus Excavatum: incisão transversal inframamária; ressecção subpericondral de todas as cartilagens envolvidas na deformidade; dissecçãoretroesternal mínima; osteotomia esternal anterior, fixação da osteotomia esternal com fios de aço;utilizaçãoda placa retroesternal em casos selecionados de Pectus Excavatum; pregueamento dos feixes pericondriaispara dar maior rigidez a parede torácica e auxílio na manutenção do esterno na sua posição; drenagem do tecido celular subcutâneo e do plano submuscular, sutura intradérmica da pele. Resultados: Bom ou excelente em 175 (95,6%) dos pacientes. Complicações ocorreram em 14 (7,6%) pacientes: oito casos (4,5%) de seroma; um (0,5%)hematoma de parede; dois (1,0%) caso de dor torácica intensa no pós-operatório; um(1,0%) caso de deiscência parcial da sutura da pele e dois casos (1,0%) de cicatriz hipertrófica que foram tratados comressecção e betaterapia. Conclusão: Pelos resultados estéticos alcançados, a esternocondroplastia apresentada está indicada para correção de Pectus Excavatum/Carinatum.

Background: The authors present the results obtained with one technique for Pectus Carinatum and Pectus Excavatum treatment. Methods: From 1976 to 2000, 183 patients with chest wall deformities underwent surgery at the Hospital Universitario Cajuru of the Catholic University of Parana. Nighty eight were pectus carinatum (70 symmetric pectus carinatum, 18 lateral pectus carinatum to the right and 10 lateral pectus excavatum to the left), 62 were pectus excavatum (57 symmetricpectus excavatum, four lateral pectus excavatum to the right and one lateral pectus excavatum to the left), 17 were pouter pigeon, one was pectus carinatum with pectus excavatum, four were inferior costal protusions and one costal depression. The indication was exclusively aesthetical in 182 (99,4%) of the patients. For both pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum only one technique was used: inframammary transversal incision, subperichondral ressection of all cartilages involvedin the deformity, minimal retrosternal dissection, anterior sternal osteotomy, fastening of the sternal osteotomy with a steel wire. A retrosternal plate can be used in selected Pectus Excavatum cases, folding of the perichondrial bundles to give more rigidity to the thoracic wall and to help keep the sternum in its position, drainage of the subcutaneous cellular tissue and of the submuscular space, intradermal suture of the skin. Results: A good and / or excellent aethetic result was obtained in175 (95,6%) of the patients. Complication occurred in 14 (7,6%) patients: eight (4,5%) seroma cases, one (0,5%) hematoma of the chest wall, two( 91,0%) cases of severe chest pain in the postoperative period; one (0,5%) case of dehiscence of skin suture and two cases (1,0%) of hyperthrophicscar, which were treated with ressection and betatherapy. Conclusion: The aesthetic results obtained allow us indicate the sternochondroplasty for treatment of Pectus Carinatum and Pectus Excavatum.

Simpatectomia torácica por videotoracooscopia no tratamento da Hiperidrose Palmar e Axilar / Video-thoracoscopic Sympathectomy for the treatment of Palmar and Axillary Hyperhidrosis

A simpatectomia torácica por videotoracoscopia tem sido utilizada como método de escolha no tratamento definitivo da hiperidrose palmar e/ou axilar. O objetivo foi avaliar a efetividade da simpatectomia torácica por videotoracoscopia no tratamento da hiperidrose palmar e/ou axilar. No períodode 02/03/1998 a 29/09/2000 foram realizadas 96 cirurgias em 48 pacientes. Nove (19 por cento) eram portadores de hiporidrose palmar; 12 (25 por cento, de hiperidrose axilar; oito (17 por cento, de hiperidrome palmar e axilar; 13 (27 por cento, de hiperidrose palmar e plantar; um (2 por cento, de hiperidrose axilar e plantar; quatro (8 por cento), de hiperidrose palmar e plantar; e um (2 por cento), de hiperidrose axilar, palmar, plantar e facial. Trinta e cinco (73 por cento) eram do sexo feminino, e 13 (27 por cento), do sexo masculino. A idade variou de 12 aos 58 anos com média de 26,4 anos. Utilizaram-se três incisões de 5mm cada para colocação de três portais ou trocáteres: um para ótica de 5mm no quinto espaço intercostal na linha axilar média, e dois para instrumental, sendo um no quinto espaço intercostal na linha axilar posterior ou próximo ao ângulo da escápula, e outro no terceiro espaço intercostal na linha axilar anterior. Procedeu-se a ressecção (ganglinectomia) dos gânglios T2 e T3 para hiperidrose palmar; dos gânglios T3 e T4 para hiperidorse axilar; e dos gânglios T2 a T4 para hiperidrose palmar e axilar. Todos os pacientes de hipepridrose palmar e/ou axilar tiveram remissão completa da sudorese. Dezenove (95 por cento) dos que tinham hiperidrose plantar associada relataram melhora em diversos graus. Os altos índices de sucesso e satisfação dos pacientes permitem indicar a simpatectomia torácica por videotoracoscopia para o tratamento definitivo da hiperidrose palmar e/ou axilar

Colecistectomia videolaparoscópica em paciente submetido a transplante cardíaco / Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in heart transplant patient

Cardiac transplant has been performed with an increased frequency as the treatment for end-stage cardiac disease. Although cholelithiasis is more frequent in both pretransplant and posttransplant patients, no standard management approach exists. Pretransplant patients are well recognized for cardiac events, and posttransplant immunossupressed patients are at a considerable risk for septic complications. Because the first presentation of gallstones in this population is often acute cholecystitis, asymptomatic calculi cannot be considered benign and it seems reasonable to recommend pretransplant screening and posttransplant surveillance for gallstones. Prophylatic laparoscopic cholecistectomy should be undertaken in the stable patient to avoid the substantial mortality associated with postoperative acute cholecystitis and urgent cholecystectomy. In this case report we present a 44 year-old male with acute cholecystitis after cardiac transplantation who was submitted to a safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy one year and seven months later.

Colecistectomia videolaparoscópica em paciente submetido a implante cardíaco: relato de caso e revisão de literatura / Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patient with heart transplant: case report and review of literature

O transplante cardíaco é realizado em escala crescente como tratamento para a doença cardíaca em estágio terminal. Embora a colelitíase seja frequente em ambos os pacientes pré e pós-transpolante, as opiniões divergem em relação a conduta a ser tomada. Pacientes pré-transplante apresentam riscos cardíacos bem reconhecidos e pacientes pós-transplante imunossuprimidos estão sob considerável risco para complicações sépticas. Devido à colecistite aguda ser frequente a primeira apresentação da colelitíase nessa população, os cálculos assintomáticos não devem ser considerados benignos, parecendo razoável recomendar avaliação pré-transplante e acompanhamento após o transplante para a sua detecção. Colecistectomia laparoscópica profilática deve se realizada nos pacientes estáveis a fim de evitar a alta mortalidade associada com colecistite aguda pós-operatória e colecistectomia de urgência. Este trabalho tem por objetivo relatar o caso de um home de 44 anos de idade, transplantado cardíaco, que apresentou colecistite aguda após um um ano e sete meses da cirurgia cardíaca, sendo submetido à colecistectomia videolaparoscópica sem intercorrências