sTREM-1, sIL-2Rα, and IL-6, but not sCD163, might predict sepsis in polytrauma patients: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether sTREM-1, sIL-2Rα, sCD163, and IL-6 predict septic complications following polytrauma. Prospective observational study in a university hospital intensive care unit. METHODS: Blood samples were drawn on admission, 24 and 48 h after the injury from 64 adult polytrauma patients. The occurence of infectious complications was investigated. The sepsis-free rates for the multiple trauma patients were considered as end points in the Kaplan-Meier plot analysis. RESULTS: Upon admission, sIL-2Rα mean values were higher in the T group compared to the T&S patients (1789 ± 1027 pg/mL versus 1280 ± 605 pg/mL, p = 0.02). The initial mean values of sTREM-1, IL-6, and sCD163 did not discriminate between the T and T&S groups patients (p > 0.05). sTREM-1 cutoff was 62 pg/mL: the sepsis-free rates differed significantly between the patients with sTREM-1 concentrations lower and higher than the cutoff (80 versus 48 %, p < 0.01). From the patients with serum sIL-2Rα ≥1593 pg/mL, 86 % did not present sepsis; for sIL-2Rα values in the range 946-1593 pg/mL, the sepsis-free rate was 68 %, while from the patients with sIL-2Rα <945 pg/mL, only 40 % remained sepsis-free (p = 0.05). sCD163 cutoff of 1000 ng/mL did not discriminate between the patients (76 versus 64 %, p = 0.28). For IL-6, the sepsis-free rates differed significantly between the patients with concentrations lower and higher than 400 pg/mL (78 versus 38 %, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: sTREM-1, sIL-2Rα, and IL-6, but not CD163, may be used as prognostic markers for the occurrence of sepsis in multiple trauma patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II-Diagnostic tests and criteria.

SURGERY OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH SECONDARY HYPERPARATHYROIDISM AND IMPACT OF INTRA-OPERATIVE PTH MEASUREMENT.

CONTEXT: The current therapeutical management of secondary hyperparathyroidism (S-HPTH) is difficult to obtain due to the lack of kidney donors. Surgical intervention on the pathologic parathyroid tissue has been suggested as a method to alleviate symptoms in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcomes of parathyroid surgery in patients with S-HPTH and the advantages of intraoperative quick PTH (iqPTH) to improve surgical results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a real-life study, we compared one group of S-HPTH with iqPTH performed after removing all suspected glands and before wound suture (Group 1) and one group in that iqPTH was not assessed (Group 2). When iqPTH dropped less than 50%, additional exploration followed. RESULTS: Eight out of the 34 patients from Group 1, who underwent subtotal parathyroidectomy, showed elevated levels of serum PTH and calcium, which remained elevated during follow-up, thus, suggesting disease persistence. From the 21 patients in Group 2, none showed early postoperative disease persistence. Serum calcium, but not PTH was increased in one patient from the iqPTH group but normalized after one month. Overall, iqPTH allowed detection of a supplementary parathyroid gland in one case, thereby increasing early post-surgery remission to 100% in Group 2 compared to 76.47% in Group 1. Late postoperative remission of hyperparathyroidism with no further increase in the rate of hypoparathyroidism was obtained in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of intra-operative PTH levels proved to be a useful tool in augmenting the outcome of S-HPTH surgery. In patients which are eligible for renal transplantation who undergo a subtotal resection, iqPTH can enhance the post-operative quality of life by lowering disease recurrence rates until the kidney transplant procedure.

GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 Genetic Variants in Multiple Urologic Cancers.

INTRODUCTION: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are phase 2 enzymes responsible for catalyzing the biotransformation of a wide variety of electrophilic compounds, having a crucial role in the detoxification of active metabolites of procarcinogens produced by phase 1 reactions, tying them to glutathione and promoting their excretion in the urine. OBJECTIVES: we evaluated GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genotypes in patients diagnosed with multiple malignancies, of which at least one was found in the prostate, bladder or kidney. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genotypes were genetically assessed in 34 patients with multiple urologic cancers and 23 patients with urologic cancer associated with another type of cancer. RESULTS: in the group of patients with multiple urologic cancers, GSTT1 null genotype was found in 26.4% of patients compared to 0% in controls, 82.35 % of patients and 47% of witnesses carried at least one GSTM1 or GSTT1 null genotype, and in the group with different cancers, GSTM1 null genotype was found in 52.1% of patients compared to 4.3% witnesses in the control group; GSTT1 null genotype was found in 34.7% of patients compared to 4.3% of witnesses, atleast one GSTM1 or GSTT1 null genotype was found in 73.9% of patients compared to 8.6% of controls. CONCLUSIONS: GSTT1 null genotype is a risk factor for patients with more primitive urologic malignancies (bladder, prostate and kidney); GSTM1 or GSTT1 null genotype is more frequent in patients with multiple urologic tumors; GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes are risk factors in patients with different types of cancer, with at least one affecting the urinary system.

GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 in patients with multiple breast cancers and breast cancer in association with another type of cancer.

INTRODUCTION: breast cancer has the highest incidence in women.Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a large group of enzymes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics. The members of this gene superfamily are involved in the development of multiple cancers. OBJECTIVES: the aim of the study was to see whether the GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms are risk factors for patients diagnosed with multiple malignancies, of which at least one is located in the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: in the period between 2005 and 2012,of the 520 patients diagnosed with breast cancer, 69 had multiple primitive malignant tumors, of which at least one was localized in the breast. The research on GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genotypes consisted of 59 patients diagnosed with multiple breast cancers or with breast cancer in association with another type of cancer, compared with a group of healthy controls. RESULTS: in the subgroup of patients with breast cancer in association with another type of cancer, the GSTM1 null genotype was present in 61.2% of patients, compared to 29% of controls; the subgroup of metachronous breast cancers, the presence of any of the GSTT1 or GSTM1 null genotypes was statistically significantly different from that of controls (65.2%vs. 28.5%); in the subgroup with synchronous cancers, the GSTM1 null genotype was found in 66.6% of patients compared to 9% for the controls, and the presence of any null genotype (GSTM1 and GSTT1) was also statistically significant in the case group. CONCLUSIONS: the GSTM1 null genotype is a risk factor for synchronous breast cancers and for breast cancer associated with extramammary cancer; the presence of null genotypes(GSTM1 or GSTT1) is a risk factor for multiple breast cancer(bilateral or synchronous); the GSTT1 null genotype and the heterozygous variant allele (Ile105Val) and homozygous variant allele (Val105Val) of GSTP1 are not risk factors for the cases studied.

Multiple malignant tumors.

BACKGROUND: Due to the improvement in diagnosis and therapy for certain malignant tumors, we are now faced with patients who develop in time multiple malignancies. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the patients diagnosed with at least two primary cancers that were admitted and treated in Cluj-Napoca Municipal Hospital. The study followed patients for a period of 7.5 years. RESULTS: We included in the present study 217 patients (4.33%) with two or more malignant primary tumors from 5003 cases diagnosed with a primary cancer. The most common sites for multiple malignant tumors were related to the breast, colorectum, urinary bladder, prostate and kidneys. CONCLUSIONS: We should always take into consideration the possibility of synchronous tumors and we have to keep in mind that a successful treatment of cancer might not prevent the onset of another primary mass.

GST gene variants in synchronous colorectal cancers and synchronous association of colorectal cancers with other cancers.

BACKGROUND: the present study evaluates genetic polymorphisms of three glutathione S-transferases (GSTM1, GSTT1and GSTP1) in patients with synchronous malignant colorectal tumors and the association of synchronous colorectal cancers with other cancers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: from 420 patients with a colorectal cancer admitted to our hospital between 2005-2012, we selected for genetic analysis 20 patients with multiple synchronous malignant colorectal tumors and 9 patients with asynchronous association of colorectal cancer with another cancer. We searched for GST genotypes, comparing the results with controls. RESULTS: the genetic analysis was possible only in 19 patients with colorectal synchronous cancers and 9 patients with asynchronous association of colorectal cancer with another cancer; we found a statistically significant difference for null GSTM1 genotype frequency between these patients and the control group; we found no differences regarding the frequency of null GSTT1 genotype and Ile105Val polymorphism of GSTP1 in patients with synchronous cancers compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: in our study we found the null GSTM1 genotype as a risk factor for multiple colorectal synchronous cancers and for an association of synchronous colorectal with other cancers

Laparoscopic treatment of perforated duodenal ulcer -- a multicenter study.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of the laparoscopic treatment of perforated duodenal ulcer performed in 6 Romanian surgical centres with experience in the field of laparoscopic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 1996 and 2005, 186 patients with perforated duodenal ulcer were operated on in the centers participating in this retrospective study, all patients being ASA I-II. Thirty-nine patients (20.0%) presented mild peritonitis, 120 (64.5%) medium peritonitis and 27 (15.5%) severe (20.0%) simple suture was performed, in 110 (59.1%) suture with epiplonoplasty, for 1 (0.5%) only epiplonoplasty and 1 (0.5%) underwent excision of the perforation and suture. RESULTS: The operative time was between 30-120 minutes, with an average of 75 minutes. No death was noted. Average hospitalization time was 6 days, with periods varying between 3 and 18 days. Postoperative complications included: 5 patients (2,6%) presented infections of the abdominal walls, 1 patient (0.5%) duodenal fistula, 1 patient (0.5%) intra-abdominal abscess, 1 patient (0.5%) a superior digestive hemorrhage by "mirrored ulcer" and 1 patient (0.5%) duodenal stenosis 6 months after operation. The patients were administered 50% less analgesics, used 70% less dressings, 30% less antibiotics and had 60% less complications in comparison with those operated by the classical approach. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach of perforated duodenal ulcer constitutes the first choice for patients without important co-morbidities, allowing a quick recovery and a significant reduction in the consumption of analgesics, antibiotics and dressing materials.

Sarcoid flexor tenosynovitis as a single early manifestation of the disease.

Sarcoid flexor tenosynovitis is rare. Isolated sarcoid tenosynovitis of the index finger in a young woman as an early manifestation of the disease is reported. Tenosynovectomy was performed as a therapeutic and diagnostic tool, followed by systemic corticosteroids. The patient had no signs of relapse 3 years after surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of rectal cancer: short-term results.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to establish the efficiency, safety and feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer by assessing the short-term outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective clinical study, from 2008 to 2011, 60 patients with laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer were included, treated in "Prof. Dr. Octavian Fodor" Gastroenterology and Hepatology Institute, Department of Surgery and Surgery Clinic I, Cluj-Napoca. RESULTS: Surgical procedures included 38 abdominal-perineal resections, 21 anterior resections and 1 Hartmann procedure. Average blood loss was 250 ml (100-800 ml) and median length of postoperative hospital stay was 9 days (4-91 days). Blood loss was significantly higher in patients with low rectal cancer than those with upper rectal cancer (300 ml vs 200 ml, p=0.031). Conversion to open surgery was required in 8 patients (13.3%). Overall postoperative complications were 28.8%. Positive circumferential margins occurred in 1 patient (1.7%), while distal margins were negative in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible in selected patients with rectal cancer, with favorable shortterm results.

[Current methods for wound debridement]. / Metode curente de debridare a plagilor.

Wound management experienced significant changes in the last half century, while acknowledging the concept of "moist wound healing" and the strategy of "wound bed preparation". New solutions in this area have brought by developing new methods of debridement, exudates management and decrease of bacterial load. Debridement is the most widespread used method for conditioning wound and involves the application of interventions that accelerate the healing process. The main objective of this article is to identify current methods of debridement used worldwide in wounds treatment, their indications and recommended guidelines. For this purpose we analyzed reviews, randomized clinical trials, practical guides, meta-analysis, and clinical trials published in the Clinical Core Journals and Nursing Journals from 2006 to 2010. We identified six methods of wound debridement, each with its own advantages and limitations: surgical debridement, mechanical debridement, autolytic debridement, enzymatic debridement, chemical debridement and biological debridement. We found that in literature there is no consensus regarding the most effective debridement method or combination of debridement methods. According to various authors or expert groups' opinions, debridement methods are differentiated by specific properties, different costs and different levels of acceptance from medical staff.

New trends in breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Breast reconstruction (BR) after radical mastectomy is intended to recreate symmetrical natural-appearing breasts while preserving patient safety and quality of life. PURPOSE: To evaluate the esthetic results and the complications of various BR methods after radical mastectomy. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between August 2006 and March 2010, 36 women underwent BR after mastectomy in our institution. Their charts were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate the results and complications. We used immediate BR for Stage I and IIa breast carcinoma, and delayed BR for stage IIb and III breast carcinoma. RESULTS: We performed a pedicled Transverse Rectus Abdominis Muscle flap in 13 cases, pedicled Latissimus Dorsi with silicone implant in 10 cases, free Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP) flap in 9 cases, and other procedures in four cases. The encountered complications were: total flap failure--one case, partial edge flap necrosis--three cases, donor area wound dehiscence--one case, seroma--one case, local infection--one case. DISCUSSION: Trends in BR in recent years focus more on free perforator flaps, with the DIEP flap being the leader. Internal mammary vessels are most often used as recipient vessels for anasthomoses. Immediate BR when indicated has better aesthetic results. In less well-developed countries, insurance companies do not cover implant expenses and the autologous procedures remain the best option.

[Results and prognostic factors in rectal cancer surgically treated with curative intent--experience of a single tertiary center]. / Rezultate si factori de prognostic în cancerul rectal operat cu intentie curativa--experienta unui centru tertiar.

BACKGROUND: Rectal cancer has a paradoxal prognosis in about 25% of patients, although intraoperative parameters and tumor stage are known as major determinants of prognosis. AIM: This study assessed the prognostic factors in patients with rectal cancer treated without total mesorectal excision in long-term follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single center tertiary population included retrospectively 87 patients with rectal cancer operated between 1992 and 2002 using conventional resection. Some 90.5 per cent of the patients had surgery alone and 9.5 per cent had postoperative radiochemotherapy. Patients who did not have adenocarcinoma, those in whom the curative operation was not done, and those who received preoperative radiotherapy were excluded. Median follow-up was 7 years. RESULTS: Seven-year cancer specific survival was 52% (95% CI:3.21) and only pT, pN and lymphatic invasion were significant as prognostic factors on multivariate analysis. Disease free cancer survival was 56% and only lymphatic invasion was significant for prognosis. The risk of death was higher for abdomino-perineal resection (APR) than for anterior resection (AR), advanced pT stage, vascular and perineural invasion. Local recurrence and distant metastasis were 12.6 and 26.43 per cent respectively for patients. The risk for local reccurence was higher for advanced pT stage, perineural and lymphatic invasion and distal margin invasion. The risk for metastasis was higher for advanced pT stage and vascular invasion. CONCLUSION: Advanced tumor stage and lymphatic invasion represent prognostic factors in rectal cancer, suggesting the necessity of adjuvant therapy in cases with lymphatic invasion.

Emergency laparoscopy combined with radiofrequency ablation for hemostasis after percutaneous liver biopsy.

There are no data in the literature on the use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in emergency laparoscopy as a means of hemostasis after liver biopsy. In this case report we have described a case of a patient with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia and hypervascularised hepatic tumor who developed severe hepatic bleeding after liver biopsy. Innovative, minimally invasive treatment consisted in a laparoscopic approach with introduction of RFA needle into the biopsy site, followed by immediate hemostasis with no complications. Laparoscopic surgery with RFA avoids unnecessary laparotomy in case of severe bleeding from a known source. It is therefore the optimal choice, even in patients for whom percutaneous biopsy would be a high-risk procedure.

Severe compartment syndrome following fibula harvesting for mandible reconstruction.

There are many reports of the use of free fibular flap for mandible reconstruction, but donor site morbidity is not uncommon. The authors present the case of a 52-year-old man who underwent mandible reconstruction with free fibular flap. After surgery, he developed severe compartment syndrome involving all four-calf compartments. Debridement of the necrotic areas was followed by posterior nerve neurolysis and soft tissue coverage with free latissimus dorsi and anterior serratus muscle flaps. The postoperative period was uneventful and the patient remained with diminished plantar sensation 1 year later. Compartment syndrome after fibula harvesting is a possibility and should be recognized as soon as possible in order to limit extensive damage to the calf muscles and nerves.

Effects of the radiofrequency interference with modified titanium surgical clips on liver parenchyma--an in vivo experiment.

AIM: This study sets out to test the biocompatibility of titanium clips in liver, in the presence of radiofrequency. Biocompatibility is assessed at various distances from the RF electrode and different points in time. METHOD: It is an experimental study conducted on pigs and makes use of histological changes that occur at the liver-titanium interface in presence of RF to test hypotheses. The titanium clips were modified in high vacuum (10 -5 atm) by heating them at 1000 degrees C and 1150 degrees C. Titanium clips were placed in liver at 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 cm from RF probe. At 7, 14 and 28 days the inflammation, necrosis and fibrosis were assessed. RESULTS: The histological alterations decrease with the distance of implantation of titanium clips. The inflammation and necrosis nearby the titanium clips decrease in time, but the fibrosis does not increased, as expected. The modified titanium at 1000 degrees C clips cause less necrosis than commercial titanium clips. The moderator role of clip type between distance and cell alteration is empirically supported only for fibrosis and necrosis. The moderator role between time and cell alteration is supported only for inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Experimental data suggests there are no preferred surgical clips in all situations. The biocompatibility of the titanium clips depends on the distance from the RF probe. The commercial ones prove less damaging if they are placed close to the RF probe (less than 1 cm) and those that were treated at 1150 C have a better bio-compatibility if placed more than 1 cm from RF probe.

Assessement by laser Doppler of the peripheral tumour perfusion after radiofrequency ablation for colorectal liver mestasis--experimental study.

Colorectal cancer became one of the most frequent malignant conditions of the past two decades. Non-resecable liver metastases might be destroyed in situ by radiofrequency although the local recurrence is still very important. Laser-Doppler flowmetry has proved to be a simple technique for monitoring the microcirculation, hereby the tissue perfusion at the edge of the post radiofrequency necrosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate microcirculation using lasser-Doppler for hepatic tissue and peripheral tumour perfusion after radiofrequency and the influence of local temperature increasing at 42 degrees C on tissular perfusion. Colorectal adenocarcinoma (CC531s) was used for liver tumour inoculationin on 15 Wag/Rij rats. Twenty-one days after inoculation, perfusion in hepatic tissue, on the tumour before and after radiofrequency treatment was mesured. When hepatic tissue was heated at 42 degrees C there was an increase in tissular perfusion, on the other part, heating the tumoural tissue do not increase perfusion. After radiofrequency in the periphery of necrosis the perfusion was still present, despite a clear drop towards initial level. Assessing the local microcirculation and tissue temperature during RF ablation by Laser-Doppler might be useful not only for RF efficiency evaluation but also as an indication for associating adjuvant local chemotherapy.

Gastroduodenal artery pseudoaneurysm ruptured in the common bile duct.

A pseudoaneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) is the rarest splanchnic artery aneurysm, comprising fewer than 10% of these lesions. Bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract is the most rapidly fatal complication of an arterial visceral pseudoaneurysm, affecting 4-10% of patients. We present an unusual case of a GDA pseudoaneurysm that ruptured in the common bile duct, and that was successfully treated by partial resection and hepatic artery reconstruction. The postoperative evolution was favourable and the CT performed six months later disclosed the absence of a vascular tumour.

Different models of training and certification in plastic surgery.

A varying period of training followed by examinations is the usual way to become a specialist in one of the many fields of Medicine. Plastic Surgery is one of the surgical fields that require good technical and cognitive skills. The best way to train and evaluate a candidate is hard to judge. The model of training and board examination varies, every country having its own method. This is a descriptive report presenting the ways of training residents in Plastic Surgery and then examining them in Romania, Israel, U.S.A., Germany and the Netherlands. Specific points regarding the structure and the format are addressed for all models and also for factors that might influence the objectivity of the examination. The authors bring their thoughts on these issues.

Evaluation of the combined laparoscopic and mediastinoscopic esophagectomy technique.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic esophagectomy is technically difficult especially during dissection in the upper mediastinum. This limitation may be surpassed with the help of mediastinoscopy or of the recently introduced robotic surgical systems. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in an experimental porcine model the feasibility of the combined laparoscopic and mediastinoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy technique and to compare it with the robotic-assisted transhiatal and conventional approaches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transhiatal esophagectomy was performed in Landrace pigs under general anesthesia using three different techniques: Group A (n = 9): combined laparoscopic and mediastinoscopic, group B (n = 4): robotic-assisted and group C (n = 8): conventional "open". The feasibility, difficulty and accuracy of the procedure along with operative time, blood loss, intraoperative incidents and overall satisfaction of the surgical team were assessed for each technique. RESULTS: Operations in group A were feasible and reproducible. Although the procedure was technically difficult, the constant view on the operative field was highly appreciated by the operative team and facilitated an accurate and safe dissection. The main intraoperative complications were related to the side-effects of tension pneumothorax accompanying pleural injuries. In group B the features of the robotic system reduced the difficulty of dissection and obviated the need for mediastinoscopy. Operations in group C were quick and almost incident-free, facilitated also by the particularities of the animal model that could not reproduce identically the clinical situation. CONCLUSIONS: The combined laparoscopic and mediastinoscopic esophagectomy technique is feasible and offers certain advantages over the open approach while the robotic-assisted approach is an emerging less difficult alternative. Further studies are required to establish whether the advantages of minimally-invasive approach compensate for the increased technical difficulty and prolonged operative time.

Gas-chamber mediastinoscopy for dissection of the upper esophagus.

AIM: Mediastinoscopy has the potential to bring under view the upper mediastinum, the area most difficult to dissect during transhiatal esophagectomy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate in an animal model the feasibility of the gas-chamber mediastinoscopy technique for dissection of the upper esophagus. METHODS: Operations were performed in nine Landrace pigs using a 30 degrees laparoscope and conventional 35-cm laparoscopic instruments. Through a left collar incision a virtual space was created with sharp and blunt dissection around the cervical esophagus and insufflated with CO2 at a pressure of 5 mmHg. Using one 10-mm optical trocar and two 5-mm working trocars dissection advanced in the periesophageal space with the aim to reach at least to the tracheal bifurcation. RESULTS: Performed under visual control, the procedure was accurate and safe, the level of tracheal bifurcation being reached in all cases. Anatomical structures such as trachea and its bifurcation, pleura, pericardium, arch of the azygos vein and periesophageal lymph nodes were visible during the operation. There were no major intraoperative incidents and blood loss was minimal. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of gas-chamber mediastinoscopy is feasible. It allows a fair amount of freedom of movement for the working instruments and offers a good view on the operative field for a controlled and accurate dissection. Further evaluation in experimental and clinical studies is required to establish the role of this procedure in esophageal surgery.