Septic shock: a microcirculation disease.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this study was to discuss the implication of microvascular dysfunction in septic shock. RECENT FINDINGS: Resuscitation of sepsis has focused on systemic haemodynamics and, more recently, on peripheral perfusion indices. However, central microvascular perfusion is altered in sepsis and these alterations often persist despite normalization of various macro haemodynamic resuscitative goals. Endothelial dysfunction is a key element in sepsis pathophysiology. It is responsible for the sepsis-induced hypotension. In addition, endothelial dysfunction is also implicated involved in the activation of inflammation and coagulation processes leading to amplification of the septic response and development of organ dysfunction. It also promotes an increase in permeability, mostly at venular side, and impairs microvascular perfusion and hence tissue oxygenation.Microvascular alterations are characterized by heterogeneity in blood flow distribution, with adequately perfused areas in close vicinity to not perfused areas, thus characterizing the distributive nature of septic shock. Such microvascular alterations have profound implications, as these are associated with organ dysfunction and unfavourable outcomes. Also, the response to therapy is highly variable and cannot be predicted by systemic hemodynamic assessment and hence cannot be detected by classical haemodynamic tools. SUMMARY: Microcirculation is a key element in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Even if microcirculation-targeted therapy is not yet ready for the prime time, understanding the processes implicated in microvascular dysfunction is important to prevent chasing systemic hemodynamic variables when this does not contribute to improve tissue perfusion.

Two-step surgery for a unique case of idiopathic female pseudohermaphroditism. Surgical treatment in an exceptional combined uro-genital malformation.

A 15 years-old patient was brought to our attention in June 2010 with a complex genito-urinary malformation: fusion of the labia majora and a partial union of labia minora, common urinary and vaginal meatus and clitoromegaly. The patient had a normal sexual feminine hormonal development. After diagnostic iter the patient underwent surgery twice. No signs of hormonal deficency was shown authorizing us to approach the disease as a congenital malformation due to an abnormality of intrauterine development. So surgical treatment was carried out, considering it as the gold standard for this type of malformations. It's considerable to emphasize that the association between clitoromegaly and fusion of the lower third of the urethra with the vagina has not been previously reported in the literature.

Lichen sclerosus in patients with squamous cell carcinoma. Our experience with partial penectomy and reconstruction with ventral fenestrated flap.

INTRODUCTION: The vast majority of penile malignant tumors are squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). After histological diagnosis of penile carcinoma, when possible, more conservative procedures are performed, otherwise it is necessary to perform a total penectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten patients, from 2006 to 2008, underwent to partial penectomy and reconstruction with ventral fenestrated flap technique; five of these patients had lichen sclerosus. All tumors were staged as T2N0M0, involving the corpus spongiosum and cavernosum. Patients were evaluated both the aesthetical and the sexual satisfaction, the first one by patient aesthetical self-assessment score, the second one by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Patients underwent follow-up for forty months. RESULTS: Of the ten patients, no one encountered severe complications. The average aesthetic satisfaction one month postoperatively was of 2 points, 40 months postoperatively it was of 3 points (scoring scale: 1= complete dissatisfaction, 5 = complete satisfaction). The average IIEF score in the preoperative period was 21.6 points, one month postoperatively it was 13 points, 40 months postoperatively it was 19.7 points (mild erectile dysfunction). DISCUSSION: The technique we presented, compared to other techniques, allows a reduction in operating time and is a one step technique without risk of non-engraftment. The ventral fenestrated flap technique did not result in metal stenosis in our ten patients series. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a ventral fenestrated flap in the closure of the defect due to partial penectomy has numerous advantages. Aesthetics is highly accepted by patients who are satisfied and report satisfactory sexual activity despite the reduction in penis length.

Original technique for penile girth augmentation through porcine dermal acellular grafts: results in a 69-patient series.

INTRODUCTION: Although different techniques for augmentation phalloplasty have been reported in the medical literature, this issue is still highly controversial, and none of the proposed procedures has been unanimously approved. AIMS: The aim of this study is to describe an innovative surgical technique for penile girth augmentation with porcine dermal acellular grafts, through a small transverse incision at the penile base, along the penopubic junction. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2009, 104 patients were referred to our institution for penile enhancement. After a preoperative psychosexual consultation and a general medical assessment, 69 patients were deemed suitable good candidates for surgery. The average penis circumference was measured at the mid-length of the penis and was 8.1 cm (5.4-10.7 cm) and 10.8 cm (6.5-15.8 cm) during flaccidity and erection, respectively. All patients received penile augmentation with porcine dermal acellular grafts. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Results evaluation of an innovative technique for penile girth augmentation through exogenous porcine grafts and small penobubic incision. RESULTS: Postoperative measurements were performed at 6 and 12 months. At the 1-year follow-up, the average penis circumference was 11.3 cm (8.2-13.2 cm, 3.1 cm mean increase) during flaccidity and 13.2 cm (8.8-14.5 cm, 2.4 cm mean increase) during erection. No major complications occurred in the series. Minor complications were resolved with conservative treatment within 3 weeks. Sexual activity was resumed from 1 to 2 months after surgery. The psychosexual impact of the operation was beneficial in the majority of cases. CONCLUSION: Penile girth enlargement with acellular dermal matrix grafts has several advantages over augmentation with autogenous dermis-fat grafts: the elimination of donor site morbidity and a significantly shorter operation time. With this approach, through a short dorsal incision at the base of the penis, the scar is concealed in a crease covered by pubic hair and thus hardly visible.