Langenbecks Archiv für Chirurgie
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Langenbecks Arch Chir · Jan 1997
[Local antiseptic and anti-endotoxin measures in intra-abdominal infections].
With standardized operating strategies, a lethality rate of 10.2% was achieved following intra-abdominal administration of taurolidine in 352 cases of severe intra-abdominal infection. The extent and type of antibacterial therapy were determined on the basis of the clinical severity, the patient's age, and the original site of the infection. ⋯ Antibiotics were used for systemic antibacterial therapy. After laparoscopical clearance of the focus of infection (appendix, gall bladder) the operating time was significantly extended compared with that required for open surgery, while the postoperative complication rate and the length of stay in hospital were significantly reduced.
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Langenbecks Arch Chir · Jan 1997
[O2 utilization during hyperthermic extremity perfusion with rhTNF alpha and melphalan].
During isolated limb perfusion (ILP) severe metabolic impairment with a subsequent alteration in oxygen consumption can be observed. The mechanisms responsible for this may be extracorporeal circulation, hyperthermia, and application of cytostatic drugs and cytokines. Thirty-three patients underwent ILP with rhTNF alpha and melphalan for melanoma or soft-tissue sarcoma. ⋯ Elevation of lactate values after reperfusion and the increase in oxygen utilization might be due to oxygen depletion in the perfused limb. This could contribute to the development of lactacidosis or rhabdomyolysis. Therefore, to minimize toxicity it seems to be mandatory to measure adequate tissue oxygen supply during ILP.
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Langenbecks Arch Chir · Jan 1997
Comparative Study[Biomechanics of femoral interlocking nails at the bone-implant transition].
Today there is a variety of different interlocking intramedullary nail designs available for the femur-each designed with a different approach to achieve stability for fracture fixation. We compared different nail types in the bone-implant complex (BIC) of four unreamed solid nails and a slotted, reamed nail to see if there are major differences in stiffness for axial load, bending and torsion. We simulated comminuted mid-shaft fractures by a 2 cm defect osteotomy in paired human cadaver femora. ⋯ This study shows that stiffness of the BIC in interlocking femoral nails is more dependent on nail profile than on the press-fit of nails in the medullary canal. For torque stiffness the absence of a slot is of special importance. According to our study, all of the unslotted nails tested give adequate stability for fracture fixation.
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Langenbecks Arch Chir · Jan 1997
[Systemic release of prostanoids after surgically-induced injury of lung tissue].
In a prospective study, the systemic inflammatory consequences of surgery-induced lung tissue injury were evaluated using biochemical markers. The aim was to examine whether this type of injury produces a specific pattern of prostanoid plasma levels (prostacyclin, thromboxane, PGE2, PGF2 alpha, and PGM). We, therefore, compared 18 patients (group 1) who underwent thoracotomy without injury to the lung with 26 patients (group 2) that had a resection of pulmonary tissue due to benign diseases. ⋯ Therefore, it can be suggested to be specific for that type of injury. Thus, the release of prostanoids following surgery-induced lung tissue damage may indicate the importance of these mediators, particularly in thoracic injuries associated with lung damage since those may lead to post-traumatic pulmonary dysfunction. These substances may also be useful in evaluating both the severity and the extent of lung tissue damage following major trauma.
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Langenbecks Arch Chir · Jan 1997
[Procalcitonin. A new marker for acute phase reaction in acute pancreatitis].
Procalcitonin is a protein which is found in elevated concentrations in the blood circulation during systemic bacterial, fungal or protozoal infection. In contrast to classical acute-phase proteins like C-reactive protein or interleukin-6, it is not elevated after operative trauma. In this paper we present current opinions on the assumed induction mechanisms of the protein by cytokines and endotoxin. ⋯ Despite these differences in the mean values, a significant difference between the normal value and the mean value of the group with necrotizing pancreatitis or edematous pancreatitis was not observed due to the wide range of PCT levels in the group of patients with necrotizing pancreatitis. The fact that only a few of the patients had a superinfected necrosis with systemic evasion of bacterias or their toxins may be the reason for this wide range. We suggest that a discrimination between superinfected necrotizing or sterile pancreatitis and edematous pancreatitis by PCT could be possible but more extensive studies with microbiological examination of the necrotic material are required to recognize the subgroups and to establish the real diagnostic efficiency of PCT in clinical practice, especially in the prediction of the outcome of acute pancreatitis.