Annals of surgery
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Increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and bilirubin levels were noted incidentally after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The percentage in which such elevation occurs and its clinical significance in the absence of bile duct injury were investigated. ⋯ In many patients a significant increase in AST and ALT levels occurred after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but they returned to normal values within 72 hours. The cause of this is unclear, and these elevations appear to have no clinical significance.
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A study to determine if both septic and hemorrhagic shock lead to the appearance of a substance that depolarizes cells in plasma was performed. ⋯ A circulating plasma protein complex of high molecular weight causes cellular depolarization in both hemorrhage and sepsis and may be responsible for the associated increases in cell sodium and water seen in both hemorrhagic and septic shock.
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The authors sought to identify prognostic factors in the management of extremity soft tissue sarcoma. ⋯ The use of mitotic activity along with grade, size, histologic type, and age at diagnosis is prognostic for survival in extremity soft tissue sarcoma. The use of an objective pathologic feature, such as mean mitotic activity, is also useful in selecting patients for future systemic neoadjuvant or adjuvant trials and primary therapy.
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Forty-six cases of subungual melanoma were reviewed to identify significant clinicopathologic prognostic factors, determine the role of DNA content analysis in the biologic assessment of these tumors, and evaluate the effectiveness of amputation level, lymph node dissection (LND), and regional limb perfusion on the survival of these patients. ⋯ The study identified several significant prognostic factors, including DNA flow cytometric parameters, in patients with subungual melanoma. In addition, it showed that conservative amputation of the affected digit at the level of the proximal interphalangeal or metacarpophalangeal/metatarsophalangeal joint appears to be safe, provided that clear margins are obtained. Although isolated limb perfusion may reduce the incidence of local recurrence, LND, or limb perfusion in the routine management of subungual melanoma remains controversial.
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The aim of this investigation was to determine the prognostic variables and optimal surgical procedure for patients with adenocarcinoma of the appendix. ⋯ Primary adenocarcinoma of the appendix should be treated by right hemicolectomy, even if it is a secondary procedure. Surveillance for synchronous or metachronous tumors, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, is warranted.