Oversized lotus petal flap for reconstruction of extensive perineal defects following abdomino perineal resection.

Introduction: Abdominoperineal resection (APR) of low rectal and anal tumors are performed for optimal oncological outcome but results in large defects in the perineum. Although vertical rectus abdominus (VRAM) flap is commonly employed for extensive perineal reconstruction, donor site morbidity remains problematic. The fascio-cutaneous "lotus petal" flap is an appealing option for reconstructing perineal defects as it may benefit from less donor site morbidity than other techniques.

Serum calcium concentrations and incidence of hypocalcemia in infants with moderate or severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: Effect of therapeutic hypothermia.

Background: Hypocalcemia is a common morbidity in asphyxiated infants. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH), the standard of care for infants with moderate and severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), promotes neuroprotection by several mechanisms including a decrease in intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) influx which may improve serum Ca(2+) levels and homeostasis.

Aims: To evaluate the impact of TH on Ca(2+) homeostasis.

[Comparative assessment of immediate outcomes of surgical treatment of patients with coronary artery disease and lesion of the brachiocephalic arteries].

From 2000 to 2011, a total of 52 patients with combined atherosclerotic lesions of the coronary and brachiocephalic arteries were subjected to a single-stage operation. Depending on the type of operative intervention, all patients were subdivided into two groups: Group One comprising 13 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in a combination with simultaneous stenting of the internal carotid artery, and Group Two consisting of 39 patients subjected to CABG with simultaneous carotid endarterectomy. Assessing the intraoperative parameters revealed that in Group One patients the average duration of operations was significantly lower (179.

The effect of the implementation of therapeutic hypothermia on fluid balance and incidence of hyponatremia in neonates with moderate or severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.

Aim: To investigate the effect of the therapeutic hypothermia (TH), used in infants with moderate or severe hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), on fluid balance and incidence of hyponatremia.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of moderate and severe HIE infants before (pre) and after (post) TH implementation. Daily fluid and electrolytes intake/output were collected from the medical records of each patient from day 1 to day 4 of life.