Experimental comparison of abdominal drainage systems.

Background: In an experimental study the performance of different closed abdominal drainage systems was tested.

Methods: A vacuum bottle designed for Redon Drainage, a flexible plastic bulb designed for Jackson-Pratt drains and a V.A.

Seamless vascularized large-diameter tubular collagen scaffolds reinforced with polymer knittings for esophageal regenerative medicine.

A clinical demand exists for alternatives to repair the esophagus in case of congenital defects, cancer, or trauma. A seamless biocompatible off-the-shelf large-diameter tubular scaffold, which is accessible for vascularization, could set the stage for regenerative medicine of the esophagus. The use of seamless scaffolds eliminates the error-prone tubularization step, which is necessary when emanating from flat scaffolds.

Mechanical elongation of the small intestine: evaluation of techniques for optimal screw placement in a rodent model.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate techniques and establish an optimal method for mechanical elongation of small intestine (MESI) using screws in a rodent model in order to develop a potential therapy for short bowel syndrome (SBS).

Material And Methods: Adult female Sprague Dawley rats (n = 24) with body weight from 250 to 300 g (Σ = 283) were evaluated using 5 different groups in which the basic denominator for the technique involved the fixation of a blind loop of the intestine on the abdominal wall with the placement of a screw in the lumen secured to the abdominal wall.

Results: In all groups with accessible screws, the rodents removed the implants despite the use of washers or suits to prevent removal.

Treatment with the nitric oxide donor SNP increases triiodothyronine levels in hyper- and hypothyroid Sprague-Dawley rats.

Nitric oxide pathway might play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of thyroid dysfunctions. This study aimed to investigate the impact of nitric oxide (NO) on hypothyroid and hyperthyroid Sprague-Dawley rats under controlled diet. Furthermore, the effects of the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on thyroid dysfunctions were also assessed.

Decellularized ovine esophageal mucosa for esophageal tissue engineering.

Background: The success of a tissue engineered construct is greatly influenced by the choice of scaffold material. Decellularized esophageal matrix is a promising material for esophageal tissue engineering. The aim of this study was to develop a decellularized ovine esophageal mucosa and to investigate the effect of decellularization on the appearance of the resulting tissue.

Effects of sodium hydroxide exposure on esophageal epithelial cells in an in vitro ovine model: implications for esophagus tissue engineering.

Background: Esophagus tissue engineering holds promises for esophageal replacement after severe caustic injuries. The aim of this study was to determine whether viable esophageal epithelial cells could be isolated from an esophagus exposed to varying concentrations of alkali with regard to number, viability, and morphology during in vitro culture.

Methods: Ovine esophagi were exposed to phosphate-buffered saline 2.

Evaluation of fractures in children and adolescents in a Level I Trauma Center in Austria.

Background: Injury represents a major concern for children and adolescents worldwide. It is estimated that 10% to 25% of all pediatric injuries will result in fractures. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiology, gender distribution, age, and circumstances of fractures in childhood in a Level I Trauma Center in Austria.

Esophagus tissue engineering: in situ generation of rudimentary tubular vascularized esophageal conduit using the ovine model.

Purpose: Esophagus replacement using the present surgical techniques is associated with significant morbidity. Tissue engineering of the esophagus may provide the solution for esophageal loss. In our attempts to engineer the esophagus, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility of generating vascularized in situ esophageal conduits using the ovine model.

Single-port appendectomy in obese children: an optimal alternative?

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience with single-port appendectomy (SPA) in obese children.

Methods: From January 2003 to June 2009, 94 SPA (65 women and 29 men, mean age of 12.4 years) were performed in children with appendicitis.

Fluorescence-activated cell sorting of PCK-26 antigen-positive cells enables selection of ovine esophageal epithelial cells with improved viability on scaffolds for esophagus tissue engineering.

Objective: For esophagus tissue engineering, isolation and proliferation of esophageal epithelial cells (EEC) is a pre-requisite for scaffold seeding to create constructs. The aim of this study was to sort EEC expressing cytokeratin markers and their proliferative subpopulations; also, to investigate the viability of differentiated EEC subpopulations on collagen scaffolds.

Methods: Ovine esophageal epithelial cells (OEECs) from sheep esophagus were analyzed using flow cytometry for pan cytokeratin (PCK-26) and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).

Esophagus tissue engineering: in vitro generation of esophageal epithelial cell sheets and viability on scaffold.

Purpose: Management of long gap esophageal atresia poses challenges. The surgical techniques for esophageal replacement are associated with complications and high morbidity. The aim of this study was to develop protocols to obtain single layer sheets of esophageal epithelial cells (EECs) and to investigate their survival on collagen scaffolds.

Culture of ovine esophageal epithelial cells and in vitro esophagus tissue engineering.

Background: Esophagus replacement presents major surgical challenges both in the pediatric and in adult patients since the various surgical techniques presently employed are associated with complications and high morbidity.

Aim: The aim of this study was to establish protocols for isolation and culture of ovine esophageal epithelial cells (OEEC) and to investigate their viability on collagen scaffolds for in vitro tissue engineering.

Methods: OEEC were sourced from adult Austrian mountain sheep.

Analysis of 347 kindergarten-related injuries.

While it has been shown that non-parental child care is associated with a reduced risk for unintentional injuries, a considerable number of accidents in kindergartens do result in severe injuries. We have collected data on the behavioral and environmental aspects of accidents that occurred in kindergartens in Austria with the aim of determining possible prevention measures. Included in the study were all kindergarten-related injuries (347) from among 21,582 pediatric trauma cases treated in a 22-month period in Graz, Austria.

Pin tract infection with external fixation of pediatric fractures.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and severity of pin tract infections in a series of pediatric trauma patients.

Methods: All pediatric trauma patients with external fixation who were treated at our institution between 1998 and 2003 were included. The charts of 30 children (20 males; 10 females; mean age, 13.

School accidents in Austria.

The aim of this study was to obtain information about the mechanisms and types of injuries in school in Austria. Children between 0 and 18 years of age presenting with injuries at the trauma outpatient in the Department of Pediatric Surgery in Graz and six participating hospitals in Austria were evaluated over a 2-year prospective survey. A total of 28,983 pediatric trauma cases were registered.

Management of acute scrotum in children--the impact of Doppler ultrasound.

Background: Investigation of the value of scrotal Doppler ultrasound (DUS) in the diagnosis of acute scrotum and its impact on the treatment strategy was undertaken.

Method: Seventy-nine children (mean age, 9.2 years) with acute scrotum were prospectively studied.

Analysis of dog bites in children who are younger than 17 years.

Objectives: This study focuses on the pattern of incidence, mechanisms, and circumstances of accident and injury in a series of pediatric patients who sustained dog bites.

Methods: In our retrospective survey, the medical charts of all children who were younger than 17 years and sought medical attention after a dog bite between 1994 and 2003 were reviewed. To obtain the total number of each dog breed in the administrative district, we analyzed 5873 files from the community dog registers.

Williams-Beuren syndrome associated with caudal regression syndrome and coagulopathy--a case report.

Williams-Beuren syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a heterozygous deletion at 7q11.23. The present report describes a female patient with Williams-Beuren syndrome combined with caudal regression syndrome and two forms of coagulopathy.

The use of a hand-held metal detector for localisation of ingested metallic foreign bodies - a critical investigation.

Unlabelled: Ingested metallic foreign bodies (MFBs) are usually diagnosed by taking X-ray films of the neck, chest and/or abdomen. This study evaluates the use of a hand-held metal detector (HHMD) for the diagnosis and localisation of MFBs. In a prospective study, 53 consecutive paediatric patients with history of a swallowed MFB were examined with X-rays and HHMD.