Journal of Nippon Medical School = Nippon Ika Daigaku zasshi
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Objective assessment of postoperative gastrointestinal motility in elective colonic resection using a radiopaque marker provides an evidence for the abandonment of preoperative mechanical bowel preparation.
It has been suggested that mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) has no benefit in terms of anastomotic healing, infection rate, or improvement in the postoperative course in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, and that it should be abandoned. However, the effect of MBP on postoperative gastrointestinal motility has been assessed subjectively. In this randomized trial, we objectively assessed the effect of MBP on postoperative gastrointestinal motility and mobility in elective colonic resection. ⋯ Our data provide additional evidence to support the abandonment of MBP in elective open colonic surgery.
-
Sepsis is a devastating and complex syndrome and continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality among critically ill patients at the surgical intensive care unit setting in the United States. The occurrence of sepsis and septic shock has increased significantly over the past two decades. Despite of highly dedicated basic research and numerous clinical trials, remarkable progress has not been made in the development of novel and effective therapeutics. ⋯ In this regard, the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of sepsis, although still incompletely understood, is clearly critical. Recent findings resulting from vigorous investigations have contributed to delineate various novel directions of sepsis therapeutics. Among these, this review article is focused on new promising mechanisms and concepts that could have a key role in anti-inflammatory strategies against sepsis, including 1) "inflammasome": a multiprotein complex that activates caspase-1; 2) "the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway": the efferent arm of the vagus nerve-mediated, brain-to-immune reflex; 3) "stem cells": unspecialized and undifferentiated precursor cells with the capacity for self-renewal and potential to change into cells of multiple lineages; 4) "milk fat globule-EGF factor VIII (MFG-E8)": a bridging molecule between apoptotic cells and phagocytes, which promotes phagocytosis of apoptotic cells.
-
Radical prostatectomy (RP) for localized prostate cancer after transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) is technically difficult because of periprostatic adhesion and changes in the form of the prostate. The advantages of laparoscopic RP (LRP) over retropubic RP (RRP) include a less invasive operation through a small wound, a clearer field of vision, and reduced blood loss, and, therefore, LRP may represent the optimal method for RP after TUR-P. The present study compared clinical, oncological, and pathological outcomes between LRP and RRP after TUR-P at our institution. ⋯ We found no significant differences in clinical, pathological, and oncological outcomes, except for urinary incontinence, between LRP and RRP.
-
We report 2 cases of ruptured aneurysms of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery associated with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). The aneurysm and AVM were simultaneously embolized with n-butyl cyanoacrylate. ⋯ In both cases the aneurysms were successfully occluded. The effectiveness and limitations of this treatment are discussed.
-
Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can cause severe permanent disabilities. A mother who is seronegative before conception but acquires infection during pregnancy is a risk factor for congenital infection. We describe a neonate in whom congenital CMV infection was diagnosed at birth and confirmed with DNA quantitation by means of the polymerase chain reaction, was accompanied by cerebral ventriculomegaly and severe hearing loss, and was treated with ganciclovir/valganciclovir for 6 weeks. ⋯ Single-photon emission computed tomography showed marked improvement 6 months after treatment. This case provides compelling evidence that a reliable diagnosis of congenital CMV infections coupled with a prompt and appropriate treatment program can prevent permanent disability. It is, therefore, important to establish a more effective strategy for the management of congenital CMV infection.