Risk factors for postoperative wound complications after extremity soft tissue sarcoma resection: A systematic review and meta-analyses.

Introduction: Advancements in imaging, surgical, and radiation techniques have made resection of larger and more extensive extremity soft tissue sarcomas (ESTS) possible but with the potential for high complication rates. This study summarizes complication and reoperation rates associated with resection of ESTS and reviews predictors for wound complications.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature on ESTS in adults was undertaken from the four databases MEDLINE, Embase, MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCRCT).

Progress in planar electrochromatography.

Developments in planar electrochromatography in open (PEC) and closed (PPEC) systems are reviewed. The discussion focuses on progress in chamber construction for planar electrochromatography, separating system performance, equilibration of the PPEC process, separation time and selectivity, and the general advantages, disadvantages and prospects of this separation mode.

The effects of stretch on vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype in vitro.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) situated in the tunica media of veins and arteries are central to maintaining conduit integrity in the face of mechanical forces inherent within the cardiovascular system. The predominant mechanical force influencing VSMC structural organisation and signalling is cyclic stretch. VSMC phenotype is manipulated by externally applied stretch which regulates the activity of their contractile apparatus.

The natural history of stenoses within lower limb arterial bypass grafts using a graft surveillance program.

Graft surveillance aims to identify those grafts that are at risk of failure as intervention in a patent but failing graft results in improved long-term patency and limb salvage rates compared to rescue of an occluded graft. Controversy exists as to which types of graft benefit the most from surveillance and whether patient factors such as diabetes and smoking status have an effect on graft survival. Our aims were (1) to clarify the natural history of midterm graft failure as a consequence of myointimal hyperplasia and (2) to identify which patients and grafts are at a higher risk of failure and at what time points this is most prevalent.

Intimal neovascularisation is a prominent feature of atherosclerotic plaques in diabetic patients with critical limb ischaemia.

Introduction: Neovascularisation of atherosclerotic plaques correlates with increased plaque instability and subsequent risk of vascular complications. Diabetics have widespread atherosclerotic involvement of the arterial tree and a more aggressive form of the disease culminating in increased plaque instability. This results in a greater incidence of ischaemic sequelae than in non-diabetics.

Interpreter services in an inner city teaching hospital: a 6-year experience.

Introduction: Being able to communicate effectively with patients is essential not only from a medicolegal standpoint but more importantly from clinical governance perspectives. Issues such as informed consent and patient choice within the NHS are currently being highlighted; for these to be available to patients, their language requirements are paramount.

Patients And Methods: An audit was performed by the Linkworkers office at the Central Manchester & Manchester Children's Hospital NHS (CMMC) Trust on the total number of attendances and refusals per language in the period 1998-2003.

Upper dorsal endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy: a comparison of one- and two-port ablation techniques.

Objective: Facial blushing and hyperhidrosis, particularly in the facial, axillary or palmar distribution, are socially, professionally, and psychologically debilitating conditions. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy can be carried out through multiple ports or by using a single port and a modified thoracoscope with integrated electrocautery. We reviewed our own experience to compare outcomes between these methods.

In vivo attenuation of myointimal hyperplasia using transforming growth factor-beta3 in an interposition graft model.

Purpose: To examine if transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGFbeta3) can attenuate the development of para-anastomotic myointimal hyperplasia in an animal model of small-diameter vascular graft failure.

Methods: Under general anesthesia, 10 adult goats underwent bilateral polyurethane interposition graft insertion in the carotid position. Following completion of the anastomoses, each artery received adventitial infiltration of 50 ng of TGFbeta3 around the anastomoses; a placebo was administered to the other side.

Late infection of an endovascular stent graft with septic embolization, colonic perforation, and aortoduodenal fistula.

We report on a 52-year-old male who developed late stent graft infection resulting in infective aneurysm formation with systemic septic embolization and aortoduodenal fistulation 9 months following endoluminal repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Although endoluminal stent graft infection and erosion into surrounding viscera is rare, we highlight the need for awareness of this potentially catastrophic complication.

Expression of growth factors and growth factor receptor in non-healing and healing ischaemic ulceration.

Objectives: To characterise the histological and cytokinetic characteristics of purely ischaemic ulcers and the processes that underpin healing following successful revascularisation.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Materials And Methods: Biopsies were taken immediately pre- and 6 weeks following successful revascularisation of solely ischaemic ulceration.

Reduction of myointimal hyperplasia after arterial anastomosis by local injection of transforming growth factor beta3.

Background: The transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta family of cytokines exerts pleiotropic actions on vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype, proliferation, and extracellular matrix synthesis. This in vivo study assessed the use of TGF-beta3 in attenuating the development of postanastomotic smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Methods: Under general anesthesia, 10 adult goats underwent transection and reanastomosis of both common carotid arteries.

The role of transforming growth factor beta1 in the vascular system.

The transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) family of cytokines exert pleiotropic effects upon a wide variety of cell types. TGFbeta1 has been demonstrated to be of fundamental importance in the development, physiology and pathology of the vascular system. As the role of TGFbeta1 in these processes becomes clearer, influencing its activity for therapeutic benefit is now beginning to be investigated.