Prolongation of allogeneic heart graft survival in the rat after implantation on portal vein.

In rats, heart allografts with venous drainage via the portal vein were performed and compared with similar grafts draining into the inferior vena cava. A new technique was developed using the complete thoracic descending aorta and ligation of all its branches. The descending thoracic aorta was anastomosed to the recipient's abdominal aorta below the left renal vein. The pulmonary artery was implanted on the portal vein in an end to side fashion. In two rat strain combinations the allograft survival time was significantly prolonged when compared to that of the control grafts with pulmonary-caval anastomosis. The presumed mechanism for this prolonged graft survival might be the sequestration or degradation of transplantation antigens in the liver during their first passage through this organ. In this way only a small amount of antigen reaches the systemic circulation.

[Traumatic rupture of the diaphragm. Clinical experience (author's transl)]. / Traumatische rupturen van het diaphragma. Klinische ervaringen

The increased number of automobile casualties increases the frequency of traumatic rupture of the diaphragm. Because of associated serious lesions, diagnosis is easily overlooked. The authors report on 11 cases and give an appraisal of the literature. In 6 patients, diagnosis was made late. The authors discuss the physiopathology, symptoms, clinical data and means of diagnosis. Roentgenography is very important. Surgical cure is always recommended because of the danger of delayed strangulation of the hernia.

[Reimplantation of fingers (author's transl)]. / Vingerreimplantatie

Three fingers have been reimplanted at present, bij means of microsutures of digital arteries and veins. The help of the surgical microscope is essential to this technique. In case of traumatic amputation of many fingers, with a neat minimal section, the chances of success are particularly good with a low risk of infection.

[Diaphysal pseudarthrosis of the tibia (author's transl)]. / De diaphysaire tibiapseudarthrose

The authors analyse the etiology and treatment of 18 pseudarthroses of the tibial diaphysis occurring in a series of 320 fractures of this bone. This complication seldom appears in simple fractures treated by a plaster cast (two cases out of 144). In addition to classical and well known factors, it appears that pseudarthrosis occurs more frequently after traction-immobilization (10 cases out of 73), when the fragments had to be repositioned on many occasions under plaster cast, or in cases of open fractures. The treatment by bone grafting, principally in-lays, with or without plates and visses, yield satisfactory results.

[Post-traumatic bronchial stenosis (author's transl)]. / Post-traumatische bronchusstenose

The authors have performed plastic reconstruction of a bronchus in a 16 years old patient, 6 1/2 weeks after rupture of the right stem bronchus. This had occurred during a blunt trauma to the thorax. In the acute phase the patient appeared completely cured by suction of the pneumothorax. Later occlusion of the bronchus with total atelectasis appeared. Respiratory function tests, blood gas analyses and pulmonary scintigrams were performed before and 12 weeks after the operation. The authors discuss the data from the literature pertaining to traumatic rupture of the bronchus in its acute phase and during progressive stenosis, for which surgery is warranted. Repair of the stenotic bronchus will make the lungs capable of assuming satisfactory hematosis.