Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Lung Support as a Bridge to or Through Lung Volume Reduction Surgery in Patients with Severe Hypercapnia.

Extracorporeal lung support (ECLS) represents an essential support tool especially for critically ill patients undergoing thoracic surgical procedures. Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is an important treatment option for end-stage lung emphysema in carefully selected patients. Here, we report the efficacy of veno-venous ECLS (VV ECLS) as a bridge to or through LVRS in patients with end-stage lung emphysema and severe hypercapnia.

Combined Use of CytoSorb and ECMO in Patients with Severe Pneumogenic Sepsis.

Background: High morbidity and mortality are frequently reported in intensive care patients suffering from severe sepsis with systemic inflammation. With the development of severe respiratory failure, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is often required. In this study, cytokine adsorption therapy in combination with ECMO is applied in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) due to severe pneumogenic sepsis.

Rib osteosynthesis is a safe and effective treatment and leads to a significant reduction of trauma associated pain.

Purpose: The usefulness of chest wall stabilization after blunt chest wall trauma with unstable rib fractures has recently been intensely discussed. Thereby, the surgical approach seems to influence outcome, mortality and the long-term complication rate including chronic chest pain, thoracic deformity and quality of life. Here, we present the outcome after surgical stabilization of unstable rib fractures using intramedullary splints and plate osteosynthesis.

[Application of Intrabronchial Valves in High Risk Patients with Bronchopleural Fistula: an Alternative Therapeutic Option].

Objectives: Persistent air leak or bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a challenging and frequently observed problem after pulmonary resection and may lead to prolonged chest tube therapy. One efficient nonsurgical approach to manage such a fistula is the application of intrabronchial valves. This may support earlier chest tube removal and hospital discharge.

Use of a Powered Stapling System for Minimally Invasive Lung Volume Reduction Surgery: Results of a Prospective Double-Blind Single-Center Randomized Trial.

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)-lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) represents an important treatment option for patients with advanced lung emphysema. For VATS lung resection, endoscopic staplers are routinely used. Recently, a new generation of electronically powered stapling systems was developed.

Analysis of autoantibodies against human retinal antigens in sera of patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to show that complex antibody patterns against retinal antigens in sera of patients with glaucoma, found in previous studies, are autoantibodies against human antigens.

Methods: Sera of 179 patients were collected at the Department of Ophthalmology (University of Mainz, Germany): non-glaucomatous control patients (n=45), primary open-angle glaucoma (n=45), ocular hypertension (n=44), and normal tension glaucoma patients (n=45). The sera were tested against Western blots of human retinal antigens.

Sera of glaucoma patients show autoantibodies against myelin basic protein and complex autoantibody profiles against human optic nerve antigens.

Background: The aim of this study was to gain more information about the possible immunological mechanisms in glaucoma. We analyzed the complex autoantibody patterns against human optic nerve antigens in sera of patients with glaucoma and tried to identify important antigens.

Methods: Sera of 133 patients were included: healthy control subjects (n = 44), primary open-angle glaucoma (n = 44), and normal tension glaucoma patients (n = 45).

What shall we do with the drunken sailor? Effects of alcohol on the performance of ship operators.

The purpose of this study was to specify the effects of alcohol on the performance of ship operators as a contribution to the development of new strategies against the risks of alcohol in water traffic. The nautical performance of 21 captains before and after alcohol consumption was assessed on a ship piloting simulator. The simulated scenarios represented passages of a container vessel through the German Bight.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma in the conjunctiva of a child.

Marginal zone lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) occurring in the conjunctiva has yet not been described in pediatric patients. We present a case of a 10-year-old girl with a MALT lymphoma involving the conjunctiva. The tumor consisted of plasma cells and marginal zone cells with discrete epitheliotropism.