Five right hepatic vein reconstructions using the autologous saphenous vein in the right lobe living-donor liver transplant: a case report.

In living-donor liver transplant, hepatic venous anomalies are not rare. Despite numerous techniques developed over the years, the best way of establishing a patent and durable hepatic drainage system remains controversial. We present a case where we successfully reconstructed 5 hepatic venous structures with a combination of direct anastomosis and saphenous vein interposition. Careful planning before surgery, and a customized approach for the patient on the back table, brought about successful results.

Conventional galactography and MR contrast galactography for diagnosing nipple discharge: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to compare the clinical usefulness of conventional galactography and MR contrast galactography for diagnosing patients with nipple discharge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both conventional galactography and MR contrast galactography were performed prospectively in 16 patients. Gadopentate dimeglumine (0.1 ml) was mixed with non-ionic contrast medium (0.9 ml) to obtain a resultant volume of 1 ml and this was used for both examinations. Following conventional galactography, MR contrast galactography was performed after direct injection of contrast media into the duct. RESULTS: Conventional galactography and MR contrast galactography were concordant in 13 (81%) of 16 patients; the results were normal in five, ductal dilatation was noted in four and intraductal filling defects were noted in four. The remaining three (19%) patients demonstrated discordant findings on the two examinations. While conventional galactography revealed filling defects, the MR contrast galactography results were normal in two patients. The third patient had kinks-stricture on conventional galactography and MR contrast galactography showed ductal dilatation. This suggested there were false positive results for the three patients' conventional galactography, and all the three patients with discordant results underwent surgery and the histopathologic evaluation showed fibrocystic changes. CONCLUSION: MR contrast galactography may be used as an alternative imaging modality for making the diagnosis of pathologic nipple discharge. However, statistically supported studies with large pools of subjects for comparing the galactography and MR contrast galactography results are needed to confirm our findings.

Comparative effectiveness of several agents for preventing postoperative adhesions.

Postoperative adhesions (PAs) are usually clinically asymptomatic. Symptomatic cases, however, may present with chronic abdominal and pelvic pain, infertility, and intestinal obstruction; and they may require intensive, costly therapeutic modalities. Various agents have been used to prevent PAs, but the results indicate general suboptimal effectiveness. Our objective was to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of two pharmacologic agents for preventing PA: nadroparine calcium (low-molecular-weight heparin, or LMWH) and aprotinin, as well as a barrier agent, sodium hyaluronate/carboxymethycellulose (SCMC). Our subjects were 40 male Wistar-Albino rats divided into four groups, each consisting of 10 rats, which underwent standard cecal abrasion preceding midline laparotomy. In the control group (group 1) 1 ml of 0.9% NaCl was administered intraperitoneally before abdominal closure. In the three preventive groups, 100 U AXa (anti factor X activity) LMWH, 1800 IU aprotinin, and SCMC were administered intraperitoneally to groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Relaparotomy was performed on the 14th postoperative day. Visceral and abdominal wall adhesions were scored in a blinded fashion. The adhesion scores (mean +/- SD) for groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 2.00 +/- 0.67, 0.6.00 +/- 0.84, 1.10 +/- 0.74, and 0.20 +/- 0.42, respectively. The differences in the adhesion scores among all three preventive groups (groups 2, 3, 4) were statistically significant when compared with the control group ( p < 0.001, p = 0.017, p < 0.001, respectively). Intraperitoneal SCMC and administration of LMWH were more effective than giving aprotinin.