[ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME CAUSED BY BETA-LACTAM ANTIBIOTICS].

We report a case of iatrogenic lesion of the lungs in a 61 year old patient following simultaneous subtotal resection and plastic surgery of esophagus using a gastric stem with the removed cardial portion along with subtotal mediastinal lympho-dissection for the treatment of 2 x 1 cm T2NoMO tumour in the middle third of esophagus. The patient's medical history contained no evidence of previous pulmonary pathology, preoperative chest X-ray study revealed neither focal nor infiltrative changes in the lungs. On day 5 after extensive surgical intervention with the use of a parenteral beta-lactam antibiotic, the patient developed acute respiratory distress the symptoms of which increased wavelike during the next 4.5 weeks in association with subfebrility, leukocytosis, enhanced ESR and large shaded areas in the lungs. These conditions were regarded as signs of pneumonia that required the application of increasingly more powerful beta-lactam antibiotics. All these symptoms became less apparent and completely disappeared within 2 days and 1 week respectively after withdrawal of the antibiotics and prescription of parenteral prednisolone. It confirmed the iatrogenic origin of lung lesions regarded by the authors as recurring acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by beta-lactam antibiotics.

[Efficacy of Venarus in treatment of patients with post-thrombotic disease of lower limbs].

The authors studied efficacy of Venarus in comprehensive treatment of patients presenting with post-thrombotic disease. An open multicenter retrospective study included a total of 110 patients subdivided into two groups. Group One (Study Group) consisted of 51 patients with post-thrombotic syndrome, undergoing comprehensive medical treatment with the use of phlebotonic agent Venarus. Group Two (Control Group) comprised 59 patients with post-thrombotic syndrome undergoing similar conservative treatment but without taking phlebotonics. It was proved that Venarus included into comprehensive treatment of patients with post-thrombotic syndrome led to a statistically significant increase of both psychological and social activity and improved patients' quality of life. During the standard term of administration (2 months) Venarus levelled subjective symptoms and certain objective symptoms (according to the Villalta Scale) of post-thrombotic syndrome. After 2-month use Venarus demonstrated the highest efficacy in treating patients with mild-to-moderate post-thrombotic syndrome. The maximal efficacy was observed after 3 months of administration in standard doses. No side effects were noted during the whole period of the study.

[First experience with minilaparotomy for Leriche syndrome].

The authors present the first experience with reconstruction of the terminal part of the infrarenal aorta from minilaparotomy. There were 11 aortofemoral bifurcation shunts in patients with Leriche syndrome. In two cases conversion (general calcification of the aorta, visceral obesity) was necessary. Regression of extremity ischemia was obtained in all the patients.

[The role of nanotechnology in creating novel antitumor agents].

Nanobiotechnology, defined as an arm of a nano-system is a rapidly developing area of medicine. Nanomaterials ranging from 1 to 1000 nm in size offer unique advantages of interaction with biological systems on the molecular level. Nanobiotechnologies can be used in definition, diagnosis and treatment of cancer thus leading to the new development of a new discipline--nanooncology. The potential of nanoparticles to be used in in-vivo tumor visualization, biomolecular profiling of tumor growth factors and targeted drug delivery is being studied. These methods stemming from nanotechnology may soon find a broad application in oncology.

[Esophagoplasty in patients with the "waning" stomach or without the stomach]. / Ezofagoplastika pri "ushcherbnom" zheludke ili ego otsutstvii.

An experience with 48 intrathoracic esophagoplasties in patients with "waning" stomach or its absence is generalized. The results obtained show that scarry-ulcerous damages of the pyloroduodenal and cardioesophageal portions, local surgical procedures, gastrostomy included, are not considered as deterrent factors for using the stomach as the plasty material for esophagoplasty. For the resected stomach or its absence the small intestine should be preferred in the formation of the anastomosis within the limits of the thoracic cavity and large intestine--when putting anastomosis on the neck. A complete clinical effect was obtained in 45 patients. Three patients died (6.25%).