Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and short bowel syndrome in rats.

The gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, which was shown to be safe as an antiulcer peptide in trials for inflammatory bowel disease (PL14736, Pliva), successfully healed intestinal anastomosis and fistula in rat. Therefore, we studied for 4 weeks rats with escalating short bowel syndrome and progressive weight loss after small bowel resection from fourth ileal artery cranially of ileocecal valve to 5 cm beneath pylorus. BPC 157 (10 microg/kg or 10 ng/kg) was given perorally, in drinking water (12 ml/rat/day) or intraperitoneally (once daily, first application 30 min following surgery, last 24 h before sacrifice). Postoperatively, features of increasingly exhausted presentation were: weight loss appearing immediately regardless of villus height, twofold increase in crypt depth and fourfold increase in muscle thickness within the first week, jejunal and ileal overdilation, and disturbed jejunum/ileum relation. In contrast, constant weight gain above preoperative values was observed immediately with BPC 157 therapy, both perorally and parenterally, and villus height, crypt depth, and muscle thickness [inner (circular) muscular layer] also increased, at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. Moreover, rats treated with pentadecapeptide BPC 157 showed not different jejunal and ileal diameters, constant jejunum-to-ileum ratio, and increased anastomosis breaking strength. In conclusion, pentadecapeptide BPC 157 could be helpful to cure short bowel syndrome.

Therapy for unhealed gastrocutaneous fistulas in rats as a model for analogous healing of persistent skin wounds and persistent gastric ulcers: stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, atropine, ranitidine, and omeprazole.

OBJECTIVE: This study focused on unhealed gastrocutaneous fistulas to resolve whether standard drugs that promote healing of gastric ulcers may simultaneously have the same effect on cutaneous wounds, and corticosteroid aggravation, and to demonstrate why peptides such as BPC 157 exhibit a greater healing effect. Therefore, with the fistulas therapy, we challenge the wound/growth factors theory of the analogous nonhealing of wounds and persistent gastric ulcers. METHODS: The healing rate of gastrocutaneous fistula in rat (2-mm-diameter stomach defect, 3-mm-diameter skin defect) validates macro/microscopically and biomechanically a direct skin wound/stomach ulcer relation, and identifies a potential therapy consisting of: (i) stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 [in drinking water (10 microg/kg) (12 ml/rat/day) or intraperitoneally (10 microg/kg, 10 ng/kg, 10 pg/kg)], (ii) atropine (10 mg/kg), ranitidine (50 mg/kg), and omeprazole (50 mg/kg), (iii) 6-alpha-methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg) [intraperitoneally, once daily, first application at 30 min following surgery; last 24 h before sacrifice (at postoperative days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 21)]. RESULTS: Greater anti-ulcer potential and efficiency in wound healing compared with standard agents favor BPC 157, efficient in inflammatory bowel disease (PL-14736, Pliva), given in drinking water or intraperitoneally. Even after 6-alpha-methylprednisolone aggravation, BPC 157 promptly improves both skin and stomach mucosa healing, and closure of fistulas, with no leakage after up to 20 ml water intragastrically. Standard anti-ulcer agents, after a delay, improve firstly skin healing and then stomach mucosal healing, but not fistula leaking and bursting strength (except for atropine). CONCLUSION: We conclude that BPC 157 may resolve analogous nonhealing of wounds and persistent gastric ulcers better than standard agents.

After 40 years gossypiboma caused spleen abscess.

We report a case of spleen abscess cased by foreign body (gossypiboma) after 40 years. After physical examination, laboratory, ultrasonography and CT findings with diagnosis of acute abdomen, 73 years old woman had undergone laparatomy. Operation revealed intraabdominal spleen abscess. Capsulotomy and drainage of the collection was performed before splenectomy. Histological examination showed foreign body material surrounded by chronic inflammation, foreign body-type multinucleated giant cells, extravasated red blood cells and fibroblastic proliferation. From anamnesis we found that woman was operated only once during a life with diagnosis of extrauterine pregnancy, 40 years ago. Spleen abscess caused by gossypiboma after 40 years was never described before. However, diagnosis like this is very well known but rarely published because medical-legal implication. Education, professionalism and cooperation of all persons involved in surgical procedure are very important to prevent accidentally mistakes.

Internal fixation of patellar apex fractures with the basket plate: 25 years of experience.

INTRODUCTION: Comminution of the patellar apex is amenable to internal fixation by standard techniques and usually requires partial patellectomy. In our institution, multifragmentary fractures of the distal pole are treated with the basket plate, which is shaped to fit the geometry of the patellar apex. This implant has been used in our institution for over 25 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate long-term results of internal fixation of comminuted fractures of the patellar apex with the basket plate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 142 patients with fracture of the distal pole of the patella were treated with the basket plate between 1988 and 2013. Functional evaluation was conducted using the modified Cincinnati knee rating system. A total of 98 patients were available for late functional evaluation. RESULTS: There were no infections or implant-related problems during the follow-up period. All fractures healed within 8 to 10 weeks. There were three cases of early revision because of improper use of the implant and incorrect indication. Functional outcome following internal fixation with the basket plate was excellent in 80 patients and good in 18; there were no poor results. CONCLUSION: Internal fixation with the basket plate is recommended for management of multifragmentary fractures of the patellar apex because this method enables early, unrestricted knee motion, and provides reliable healing and good functional outcome. This method is an alternative to partial patellectomy and is considered a patella-saving procedure; therefore, the use of the basket plate is strongly recommended for the treatment of distal pole fractures.

Minimally-invasive plate osteosynthesis in distal tibial fractures: Results and complications.

INTRODUCTION: Distal tibial or pilon fractures are usually the result of combined compressive and shear forces, and may result in instability of the metaphysis, with or without articular depression, and injury to the soft tissue. The complexity of injury, lack of muscle cover and poor vascularity make these fractures difficult to treat. Surgical treatment of distal tibial fractures includes several options: external fixation, IM nailing, ORIF and minimally-invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO). Management of distal tibial fractures with MIPO enables preservation of soft tissue and remaining blood supply. This is a report of a series of prospectively studied closed distal tibial and pilon fractures treated with MIPO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 21 patients with closed distal tibial or pilon fractures were enrolled in the study between March 2008 and November 2013 and completed follow-up. Demographic characteristics, mechanism of injury, time required for union, ankle range of motion and complications were recorded. Fractures were classified according to the AO/OTA classification. Nineteen patients were initially managed with an ankle-spanning external fixator. When the status of the soft tissue had improved and swelling had subsided enough, a definitive internal fixation with MIPO was performed. Patients were invited for follow-up examinations at 3 and 6 weeks and then at intervals of 6 to 8 weeks until 12 months. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 40.1 years (range 19-67 years). Eighteen cases were the result of high-energy trauma and three were the result of low-energy trauma. According to the AO/OTA classification there were extraarticular and intraarticular fractures, but only simple articular patterns without depression or comminution. The average time for fracture union was 19.7 weeks (range 12-38 weeks). Mean range of motion was 10° of dorsiflexion (range 5-15°) and 28.3° of plantar flexion (range 20-35°). Three cases were metalwork-related complications. Two patients underwent plate removal at 24 weeks because of plate impingement. There was one case of wound breakdown at 11 weeks. One patient had fracture union with tibial recurvatum of approximately 10°, without functional impairment. Two patients had delayed union. CONCLUSION: MIPO is a reliable method of treatment for distal tibial fractures; it provides a high union rate and good functional outcome with minimal soft tissue complications. Skin impingement remains a common complication with MIPO, but this can be solved by timely plate removal.

Periprosthetic bone loss following hemiarthroplasty: a comparison between cemented and cementless hip prosthesis.

The aim of this prospective randomized clinical study was to evaluate the magnitude of bone mineral changes as well as the clinical results after cemented and cementless haemiarthroplasty (HA) for femoral neck fracture. The study was comprised of 60 patients (mean age 85.2 years); 30 of them underwent cemented HA and 30 cementless HA. All patients underwent osteodensitometry for the purpose of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) evaluation. BMD was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry test (DEXA scans), which was scheduled at 1 month, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. BMD was evaluated at each of the seven Gruen zones. Harris Hip Score (HHS) at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months was used for evaluation of functional outcome. No difference was found between the two groups of patients in terms hospital stay, morbidity and mortality. The procedure took longer time in group A (cemented HA) compared to group B (cementless HA) (79.03 ± 3.59 vs 68.02 ± 5.97 minutes; p = 0.00). The Harris hip score averaged 76.97 ± 7.49 one year after surgery. At each follow - up examination the HHS was significantly higher in patients with cemented HA. We noted a trend of less intensive BMD reduction in all Gruen zones in group A compared to group B. However, the difference in BMD reduction between these two groups was significant only in zones 2, 3 and 4. Our results support the view that cemented hemiarthroplasty should be used for the management of displaced femoral neck fractures providing better functional outcomes and lower periprosthetic bone loss.

Internal fixation with locking plate of 3- and 4-part proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients: complications and functional outcome.

Despite recent advances in operative techniques, internal fixation of (3- and 4-part) displaced proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients with osteoporotic bone remains controversial, sometimes followed by poor results. The aim of the present study was to evaluate outcomes of internal fixation with locking plate of multi-fragment proximal humeral fractures in elderly patients. The study cohort comprised 59 consecutive patients (mean age 70.1) with 3- and 4-part fractures who had undergone open reduction and internal fixation with locked plate at Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center in Zagreb, Croatia. All patients were invited for follow-up examinations and underwent standard x-ray examination preoperatively to assess fracture pattern in the operating theatre as well as at 6 weeks, 3 and 6 months, 1 year, and then annually after surgery to assess fracture healing or complications. Clinical outcomes were measured by constant score. Patients were followed-up for 14 to 36 months. The overall complication rate was 27.1%. The mean constant score at 1-year follow-up was 70.2 points for 3-part fractures vs. 64.2 for 4-part fractures (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, despite a relatively high overall complication rate, internal fixation with locking plate provided moderate to good functional results in the treatment of osteoporotic complex proximal humeral fractures.

Approach to distal femur by osteotomy of the patellar distal pole and internal fixation with basket plate in complex articular fracture: report of five cases.

According to AO classification, 33-C3 (complete articular multifragmentary) fracture of distal femur is characterized by complex articular involvement, along with short distal femoral block with multiple small fragments and usually with severe soft tissue abruption. In such cases of complex articular fracture of distal femur with extensive comminution of the femur condyle that is often seen in these fractures, anatomical reduction is quite difficult. Minimal fixation strategies sometimes do not provide an optimal degree of reduction and stability of the distal femoral block osteosynthesis. We describe 5 cases of treatment of the 33-C3 distal femoral fractures using arthrotomy of the knee joint by osteotomy of the distal pole of the patella and internal fixation with basket plate as an alternative approach for anatomical reduction of the comminuted articular surface.

Detecting Baker's cyst: venous duplex scanning in ambulatory setting.

Popliteal cyst, also called Baker's cyst, is a popliteal fossa enlargement filled with synovial fluid. Baker's cysts can be symptomatic and cause considerable pathologies such as thrombophlebitis, compartment syndrome and even nerve entrapment. It is the most common nonvascular pathology seen in the popliteal fossa but clinically indistinguishable from deep vein thrombosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate venous duplex scanning in detecting and distinguishing complicated Baker's cyst and deep vein thrombosis in outpatient setting. Medical records of all patients undergoing venous duplex scanning during 2008 and 2009 to rule out deep vein thrombosis were reviewed. Ten patients having undergone ultrasonography examination were found to have complicated Baker's cyst. Baker's cysts are a rather common condition. When presenting with swollen and painful calf, it is impossible to differentiate it from deep vein thrombosis by simple clinical examination. Venous duplex scanning of lower extremity was found to be a useful imaging modality for detection of Baker's cysts, deep vein thrombosis and associated pathology.

Pentadecapeptide BPC 157, in clinical trials as a therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (PL14736), is effective in the healing of colocutaneous fistulas in rats: role of the nitric oxide-system.

We focused on the therapeutic effect of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and how its action is related to nitric oxide (NO) in persistent colocutaneous fistula in rats (at 5 cm from anus, colon defect of 5 mm, skin defect of 5 mm); this peptide has been shown to be safe in clinical trials for inflammatory bowel disease (PL14736) and safe for intestinal anstomosis therapy. BPC 157 (10 microg/kg, 10 ng/kg) was applied i) in drinking water until the animals were sacrificed at post-operative day 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28; or ii) once daily intraperitoneally (first application 30 min following surgery, last 24 h before sacrifice) alone or with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (5 mg/kg), L-arginine (200 mg/kg), and their combinations. Sulphasalazine (50 mg/kg) and 6-alpha-methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg) were given once daily intraperitoneally. BPC 157 accelerated parenterally or perorally the healing of colonic and skin defect, leading to the suitable closure of the fistula, macro/microscopically, biomechanically, and functionally (larger water volume sustained without fistula leaking). L-NAME aggravated the healing failure of colocutaneous fistulas, skin, and colon wounds (L-NAME groups). L-Arginine was effective only with blunted NO generation (L-NAME + L-arginine groups) but not without (L-arginine groups). All of the BPC 157 beneficial effects remained unchanged with blunted NO-generation (L-NAME + BPC 157 groups) and with NO substrate (L-arginine + BPC 157 groups) as well as L-NAME and L-arginine co-administration (L-NAME + L-arginine + BPC 157 groups). Sulphasalazine was only moderately effective, and corticosteroid even had an aggravating effect.