Description of a new experimental model skin flap for studying skin viability in rats.

Purpose: To describe a new experimental flap for studying skin viability in rats.

Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats weighing between 250-300g were divided into two groups: group A - McFarlane technique, a 4 x 10cm flap was used (McFarlane); and in group B modified McFarlane technique, a 3 x 10cm flap was used. Seven days later, the animals were sacrificed and the area of necrosis was evaluated in both groups.

Intraportal versus Systemic Pentoxifylline Infusion after Normothermic Liver Ischemia: Effects on Regional Blood Flow Redistribution and Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Pentoxifylline (PTX) has been shown to have beneficial effects on microcirculatory blood flow. In this study we evaluate the potential hemodynamic and metabolic benefits of PTX during hepatic ischemia. We also test the hypothesis that portal PTX infusion can minimize the I/R injury when compared to systemic infusion.

Evaluation of the number of goblet cells in crypts of the colonic mucosa with and without fecal transit.

Objective: To measure the thickness of the crypts and quantify the number of goblet cells of the colonic mucosa with and without intestinal transit, relating them to exclusion time.

Methods: Sixty Wistar rats were divided into three groups of 20 animals each according to the time of the final operation for the removal of the colon, in six, 12 or 18 weeks. In each group 15 animals underwent colonic exclusion by left colon proximal colostomy and distal mucous fistula, and five underwent only laparotomy (control).

Hippocampal plasticity in rats submitted to a gastric restrictive procedure.

Bariatric surgery has been the most effective therapeutic intervention for morbidly obese patients. However, recent evidence has shown that this procedure may cause serious neurological complications such as Wernicke encephalopathy, depression, and memory impairment. With this in mind, we conducted an experimental study to investigate whether weight-reduction surgery would promote morphological changes in the hippocampal formation, a brain region linked to cognitive and emotional processes.

Reduction in oxidative stress levels in the colonic mucosa without fecal stream after the application of enemas containing aqueous Ilex paraguariensis extract.

Purpose: To evaluate the antioxidant effects of enemas containing aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis, comparing segments with and without fecal stream and correlating the segments with the duration of intervention.

Methods: Twenty-six Wistar rats were subjected to a diversion of the fecal stream in the left colon by a proximal colostomy and distal mucosal fistula. The rats were distributed randomly into two experimental groups of 13 animals each based on the time of sacrifice after surgical procedure (two or four weeks).

Cytometric evaluation of abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes after percutaneous CO₂ infiltration.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of carbon dioxide infusion to abdominal wall adipocytes.

Methods: Fifteen volunteers were subjected to sessions of CO₂ infusion for three consecutive weeks (two sessions per week with intervals of two to three days between each). The volume of carbon dioxide infused per session, at points previously marked, was always calculated on the basis of surface area to be treated, with a fixed infused volume of 250 ml/100 cm² of treated surface.

Morphofunctional malignancy grading is a valuable prognostic factor for colorectal cancer.

Context: Novel strategies are needed to identify more efficient biomarkers to accurately diagnose prognose and improve the treatment outcome of colorectal cancer.

Objectives: To analyze the functional and morphological features of colorectal cancer to identify the neoplastic patterns that affect patient survival.

Methods: Forty-five patients with colorectal cancer were followed for a minimum of 3 years.

Quantification by computerized morphometry of tissue levels of sulfomucins and sialomucins in diversion colitis in rats.

Purpose: To quantify the intensity of sulfomucin and sialomucin expression in the colon mucosa, by means of computer-assisted image processing, comparing segments with and without fecal stream and correlating with the duration of fecal transit exclusion.

Methods: Forty-five Wistar rats were subjected to diversion of the fecal stream in the left colon by means of constructing a proximal colostomy and distal mucosal fistula. They were distributed randomly into three experimental groups of 15 animals, of which 10 were subjected to colon diversion (experimental subgroup) and five were only subjected to laparotomy, without colon diversion (control subgroup).

Is peritoneal reflection the best anatomical repair landmark in experimental colorectal surgery on rats?

Purpose: To validate Peyer's patch as an anatomical repair landmark for colorectal surgery in rats and to measure the collagen content in segments of the colon containing or not containing Peyer's patch.

Methods: The distance between Peyer's patch and the peritoneal reflection was measured in forty-five Wistar rats. The colon and rectum were resected for quantification of collagen content by means of computer-assisted image analysis in regions of the colon with and without Peyer's patch.

Metastatic lymph node ratio as an independent prognostic variable in colorectal cancer: study of 113 patients.

Background: In patients with colorectal cancer, involvement of the lymph nodes is one of the most important prognostic factors. The aim of this study was to determine the independent prognostic value of the lymph node ratio (LNR), that is the relationship between the involved and examined lymph nodes, in patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods: Included in the study were 113 patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Pulmonary function is better preserved in pigs when acute normovolemic hemodilution is achieved with hydroxyethyl starch versus lactated Ringer's solution.

Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) has been proposed to decrease the need for allogenic blood transfusion. Consequently, great amounts of fluids are necessary to maintain hemodynamics during and after blood removal. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the oxygenation, respiratory compliance, and lung structure during ANH performed with lactated Ringer's solution and hydroxyethyl starch (HES).

[Penetrating trauma of the neck: prospective study of 53 cases].

The treatment of penetrating injuries of the neck is still controversial nowadays, especially when there is doubt concerning the existence of any anatomic structure lesion. The delay to indicate surgical cervical exploration may predispose the patient to have serious sequels when the esophagus or the trachea are injured. The infection which may occur in this eventuality progresses rapidly to the mediastinum, determining the patient's death.

Experimental injury to the spleen study of interaction: contamination/preservation.

Ablation of the spleen leads to a significant risk of postsplenectomy invasive sepsis. This concept has become very important in the last three decades because of awareness of the spleen's important role in immunological functions. Hence, this has led many research centers to study hemostasis of the injured spleen in order to preserve its function.

Transabdominal or totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic hernia repair?

Laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias follows some principles that have already proven its efficiency, as a posterior approach and the prosthetic repair that allows a "tension-free" repair with consequent early return to work and low recurrence rate. To determine the most appropriate laparoscopic repair, we compared the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and the totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approach. Patients undergoing TAPP and TEP were compared regarding technical feasibility and difficulties, time until return to work and follow-up, including intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernias.

The world of surgical laparoscopy is evolving. Laparoscopic prosthetic inguinal hernia repair is gaining rapid and wide acceptance. This experience consisted of 144 hernia repairs in 105 patients (40 bilateral, 31 recurrent, and 33 unilateral nonrecurrent hernias), treated through an extraperitoneal laparoscopic repair.

An experimental study of the impact of cancer on nitrogen metabolism and wound healing.

In Wistar rats bearing a Walker-256 carcinoma flank tumor, a standard skin wound was inflicted on the backs of the animals. Nitrogen intake and nitrogen balance measures were obtained. The standard wound did not promote tumor growth.

Effects of protein depletion and repletion on experimental open wound contraction.

A controlled comparative study was conducted on the contraction of open wounds in protein-depleted and depleted-repleted Wistar rats. The wounds were photographed on days 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, and 22 after infliction. The slides were projected and the areas corresponding to the wound were measured by planimetry.

The effects of protein malnutrition on wound contraction: an experimental study.

The effects of protein malnutrition on wound contraction experimentally produced in Wistar rats were studied. The wounds were photographed on the first, fourth, eighth, eleventh, fifteenth, eighteenth, and twenty-second days. From dressings made from the projection of transparencies the contracted wounds were measured with a planimeter.