Increased Demand for Pharmaceutical Drugs Containing Potassium Iodide In Connection with the Russia-Ukraine Conflict.

The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine increased concerns in the German population of a release of radioactive substances, e.g.radioactive iodine. A high dose of potassium iodide (PI) may prevent accumulation of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland. Therefore, the German government keeps a sufficient quantity of PI in stock for public supply in case of an emergency. We investigated ambulatory drug dispensing rates of PI and found that the total dispensing of PI (statutory health insurance (SHI), private health insurance (PHI), and overthe-counter (OTC)) increased by 106% from February to March 2022. Changes in PI dispensing were mainly due to an increase in OTC sales, where PI as an antidote showed a sevenfold increase from around 930 packages (February 2022) to 6,500 packages (March 2022), while SHI and PHI dispensing remained relatively low. Furthermore, we investigated whether these changes in dispensing raised the number of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADR). We found no increase of ADR reports related to the use of PI-containing medicinal products between February and September 2022, neither in our national pharmacovigilance nor in the European EudraVigilance database. The data suggest that the mere possibility of a nuclear disaster in Ukraine raised the demand of PI in Germany. Thus, timely and proactive information and reassurance of the public of supply reliability by the Government in a case of a nuclear emergency could be helpful in preventing potential drug shortages and unfounded concern.

[Multiple, histologically varied malignancies in a case of Xeroderma pigmentosum with prolonged evolution by surgical interventions]. / Malignizari multiple, histogenetic variate, într-un cas de Xeroderma pigmentosum cu evolutie clinica prelungita prin interventii chirurgicale.

On the occasion of a case of Xeroderma pigmentosum followed for a period of 12 years the major data concerning this rare affection are presented. This is an autosomal genodermatosis characterized by hypersensitivity of the skin to certain ranges of the UV light spectrum, and the development of lesions especially on the face. The treatment is essentially preventive and consists in avoiding exposure to UV radiation, and also palliative, consisting in medical therapy, physiotherapy and surgery. The patient was followed and treated for a long period of time and developed in succession baso-cellular epitheliomas, spino-cellular epitheliomas, malignant melanoma, myosarcoma, and lymph-node metastases. Due to the extension of the lesions surgery was applied with good vital results, and also with satisfactory functional and esthetic results.

[The transverse cervical flap. Indications and results]. / Lamboul cervical transversal. Indicatii si rezultate.

The transverse cervical regional flap may be used for covering defects, especially after oncologic exeresis against a potentially reduced biological background in the regions of the chin, parotid gland, the ear and buccal cavity. The authors used this flap in seven cases: 5 carcinomas, an avulsive facial wound and a retractile scar of the chin. There were very good results in 4 cases, good in 2 cases, and in 1 case necrosis of anterior portion of the flap developed. As the results of the use of this flap have not been published we consider the present publication contributes to the clinical indications of the method and its limitation.

[Posterior (retrovascular) mediastinocervical goiters]. / Gusile mediastinocervicale posterioare (retrovasculare).

Three cases are presented of endo-thoracic goiters with posterior, retro-vascular developement, a very rare variety of the mediastino-cervical goiter. The anatomic pathways are described, along which this variety of goiter can migrate inside the thorax, as well as the radiologic signs which allow to make a diagnosis. In view of making a choice of the access route the importance of the diagnosis is particularly stressed, before surgery is attempted. It is also demonstrated that the best route is the vertical cervicosternotomy of the partial type (the Welti technique), completed by antero-lateral thoracotomy in the III-rd right intercostal space.

[Surgical treatment of empyema (with or without bronchial fistula) after pneumonectomy]. / Tratamentul chirurgical al empiemului (cu sau fara fistula brosnica)) dupa pneumonectomie

The therapeutical possibilities are discussed in the most severe of the complications of pneumectomy : empyema, with or without bronchial fistula. The value was demonstrated of the thoraco-mediastinal plicature in the solution of 21 cases of empyema (of which 6 had bronchial fistula) occuring after pneumectomies performed for bronchopulmonary cancers (10 patients), pulmonary tuberculosis (8 patients) and broncho-pulmonary suppurations (3 patients). The results obtained were very satisfactory in 19 cases while in the other two cases the cure of the empyema was achieved although the patients died as a result of the evolution of the basal disease (bronchopulmonary cancer).