Synbiotics administration leads to attenuated mucosal inflammatory neutrophil infiltration and increased hematocrit in experimental ulcerative colitis.

Objective: The objective of the study was to estimate the effects of synbiotics on laboratory, macroscopic, and histopathologic features in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) experimental colitis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 40 Wistar rats received 5% of DSS in their drinking water for 8 days to induce ulcerative colitis (UC). Eight rats were sacrificed to confirm the presence of UC.

Variations of renal tissue oxygenation during abdominal compartment syndrome and sepsis.

Purpose: This experimental study was designed to evaluate the renal tissue oxygenation under the coexistence of abdominal compartment syndrome and sepsis.

Material And Methods: Fourteen non-breed dogs were divided into two groups: the control group (8) and the study group (6). Sepsis was established with intravenous endotoxin infusion at 100μg/kg for over 30min.

Treatment with Mesna and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ameliorates experimental ulcerative colitis in rats.

Oxidative damage is a central feature of ulcerative colitis. Here, we tested whether the antioxidant Mesna, when administered alone or in combination with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs), affects the outcome of dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. After the induction of colitis, DSS-treated rats were further treated orally (p.

The effect of glutamine and synbiotics on the healing of colonic anastomosis.

Introduction: Intestinal wound healing is an essential process for surgical reconstruction of the digestive tract. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of perioperative administration of glutamine and synbiotics on the biological behavior of intestinal mucosal barrier and the healing of colonic anastomosis in rats.

Material And Methods: 80 Wistar rats were divided in five groups.

Artificial nutrition and intestinal mucosal barrier functionality.

The gastrointestinal tract has a major role in digestion and absorption of nutrients while playing a leading role in defense of the body. It forms a shield against the invasion of various microorganisms or their products (e.g.

Diagnostic and therapeutic review of cystic parathyroid lesions.

Background: Parathyroid cysts (PC) are uncommon entities in routine clinical practice. The vast majority are nonfunctioning and are commonly present as asymptomatic nodular cervical lesions. PC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an asymptomatic neck mass.

Omega 3 fatty acids supplementation has an ameliorative effect in experimental ulcerative colitis despite increased colonic neutrophil infiltration.

Purpose: omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can be beneficial in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as ulcerative colitis. Dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) colitis in rats appears to mimic nearly all of the morphological characteristics and lesion distributions of ulcerative colitis. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the efficacy of omega 3 fatty acids in the treatment of experimental ulcerative colitis.

Nutritional modulation of the inflammatory bowel response.

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis represent distinct phenotypic forms of inflammatory bowel disease and continue to be a common cause of morbidity. The corticosteroids and the immunomodulatory drugs, which are the basis of treatment for the inflammatory bowel diseases, do not assure always satisfactory outcomes. Nutrition has been used in order to modify the inflammatory response of various chronic inflammatory diseases, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Nutrition support in acute pancreatitis.

In the majority (80%) of patients with acute pancreatitis, the disease is self limiting and, after a few days of withholding feeding and intravenous administration of fluids, patients can again be normally fed orally. In a small percentage of patients, the disease progresses to severe necrotic pancreatitis, with an intense systemic inflammatory response and often with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. As mortality is high in patients with severe disease and as mortality and morbidity rates are directly related to the failure of establishing a positive nitrogen balance, it is assumed that feeding will improve survival in patients with severe disease.

A single-center experience in the management of Altemeier-Klatskin tumors.

Aim: of this study is to present our experience in the management of patients with Altemeier-Klatskin tumor, with particular focus on the risk factors that influence survival after tumor resection.

Methods: Over a 15-year period, 37 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma were managed in our Department. The mean age of the patients was 62.

Reliability of selective surveillance colonoscopy in the early diagnosis of colonic ischemia after successful ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Purpose: To evaluate the reliability of selective surveillance colonoscopy based on 6 specific perioperative risk factors in the early diagnosis of colonic ischemia (CI) after successful ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) repair.

Patients And Methods: From 1999 to 2005, 62 consecutive patients underwent rAAA repair. In 59 of them, routine aggressive surveillance colonoscopy was offered every 12 hours within the first 48 hours, and CI was graded consistently.

Management of nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumors in the context of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome.

Unlabelled: The aim of our study is to present our experience in the surgical treatment of nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumors (NFPETs) in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1).

Patients And Method: Between 1996 and 2006 a total of 11 patients with clinically confirmed MEN 1 syndrome were monitored in an annual screening program that included evaluation of the pancreas. Our policy was to use Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) in combination with biochemical screening in an effort to early diagnose and categorize the pancreatic involvement in MEN-1.

Pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery complicated by peroneal mononeuropathy in a 4-year-old child: report of a case.

Pseudoaneurysms of the popliteal artery (PPA) rarely occur in children. In fact, we found only 10 cases reported in the medical literature. We report the case of a 4-year-old boy who presented with a painful palpable mass in the right popliteal fossa.

Uncontrollable intra-abdominal bleeding necessitating low anterior resection of the rectum after stapled hemorrhoidopexy: report of a case.

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) has become a widely accepted surgical procedure for hemorrhoids; however, one of the most serious complications of this technique is severe bleeding. We report a case of extensive hemoperitoneum after SH for third-degree hemorrhoids. On postoperative day (POD) 1, the patient complained of severe abdominal pain and clinical signs of peritonitis soon became evident.

Endoscopic management of retained bile stones with an indwelling T-tube.

Background: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) is widely used for the treatment of residual bile duct stones in patients who had common bile duct (CBD) exploration and T-tube insertion.

Methods: In a 4-year period 45 patients were referred for endoscopic removal of residual bile duct stones. All patients had been operated 7-15 days earlier for choledocholithiasis and had a T-tube in the common bile duct (CBD).

Our local experience with the surgical treatment of ampullary cancer.

Background: The aim of this study is to report the outcome after surgical treatment of 32 patients with ampullary cancers from 1990 to 1999.

Methods: Twenty-one of them underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and 9 local excision of the ampullary lesion. The remaining 2 patients underwent palliative surgery.

Current treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

Background: The aim of our study is to present our experience in the treatment of liver metastases in patients with colorectal cancer.

Patients And Methods: Between 1997 and 2003 a total of 12 patients with liver metastases from a primary colorectal cancer were treated in our department. They were 8 males and 4 females with a median age of 64 years (range 56-70 years).

Extramedullary hemopoiesis in a thyroid nodule with extensive bone metaplasia and mature bone formation.

Thyroid nodules may undergo a wide range of degenerative change such as infarction, hemorrhage, or fibrosis, which may be localized or extensive and associated with calcification or even ossification. However, the detection of true bone formation in a thyroid nodule is a very rare occurrence. Extramedullary hemopoiesis (EMH) has been described in almost every organ of the body, mainly in tissues active in hemopoiesis in embryonic life.

Factors enhancing intestinal adaptation after bowel compensation.

Unlabelled: Intestinal failure (IF) refers to the condition in which certain causes lead to derangements in nutrient absorption capacity. Gut adaptation occurs in response to IF and it is both morphologic and physiologic in nature and can be mediated by growth factors and nutrients. Our paper reviews certain trophic growth factors that have important interactions relevant for intestinal growth, function and adaptation.

Management of bile duct injury during and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Bile duct injury (BDI) is perhaps the most feared complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Proper management of iatrogenic BDI is mandatory to avoid immediate or later life-threatening sequelae. The results of surgery depend mainly on the type of injury, prompt detection of the injury, and timing of the surgery.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in two patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis and situs inversus totalis.

Background: Situs inversus viscerum is a rare condition with a genetic predisposition. We report 2 patients with situs inversus totalis and symptomatic cholelithiasis successfully treated via laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Patients And Methods: The first patient was a 61-year-old female presenting with pain in the left upper quadrant associated with fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.

Effect of early postoperative enteral feeding on the healing of colonic anastomoses in rats. Comparison of three different enteral diets.

This experimental study compares the effects of early postoperative administration of three enteral diets of different compositions on the healing of colonic anastomoses. Sixty Wistar rats were subjected to colonic anastomoses. Following surgery, the rats were randomly allocated to four groups of 15 each.

Management of large rectal wall defects with open pedicle grafts of small intestine. An experimental study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible repair of large rectal wall defects using an open pedicle ileal graft as a mucosal patch. This experiment was carried out in 14 adult mongrel dogs. By excision of a portion of the antimesenteric wall comprising 50-70% of the circumference and measuring 5-6 cm in length, a suitable full thickness defect was created in the lower part of the rectum.