Reduction of post-surgical pericardial adhesions using a pig model.

Background: Post-surgical pericardial adhesions pose an increased risk of complications during redo sternotomies. Adhesive tissue formation is a normal response to tissue injury and involves complex patho-physiological processes including the actions of prostaglandins to cause plasma leakage and fibrin formation. The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (Indomethacin and Rofecoxib) and a barrier (Coseal, a polyethylene glycol) to limit adhesion formation following cardiac surgery in a pig model.

Primary solitary mediastinal mass lesions: a review of 37 cases.

Background: Primary solitary mass lesions of the mediastinum, although relatively uncommon, encompass an interesting spectrum of pathologies.

Methods: A comprehensive retrospective review was undertaken of all cases of mediastinal lesions that presented to the two major thoracic surgical centres in North Queensland, Australia, over a 7-year period.

Results: Thirty-seven mediastinal mass lesions were managed over the period of the review.