Effect of rosuvastatin on cytokines after traumatic head injury.

Object: The favorable effect of statin treatment after traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been shown in animal studies and is probably true in humans as well. The objective of this study was to determine whether acute statin treatment following TBI could reduce inflammatory cytokines and improve functional outcomes in humans.

Methods: The authors performed a double-blind randomized clinical trial in patients with moderate to severe TBI.

Amoebic toxic colitis: analysis of factors related to mortality.

Background: Toxic or fulminant colitis due to Entamoeba histolytica infrequently presents but is very serious. Unfortunately, there are numerous contradictory factors related to mortality.

Methods: We analyzed several cases of E.

Prognostic indications of the failure to treat amoebic liver abscesses.

Objectives: To identify the variables that predict the failure to treat amoebic liver abscesses.

Methods: We prospectively carried out a case-control study on a cohort of patients who had been diagnosed with amoebic liver abscesses using clinical, ultrasonic, and serologic methods. Patients with pyogenic abscesses, negative ELISA tests for amoebiasis, immunosuppression status, or previous abdominal surgery were excluded.

Experience with a new design of endoretractor for gasless laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Cholecystectomy has replaced open surgery and is regarded as the standard procedure today. The pneumoperitoneum needed to create working space can induce cardiovascular changes. Gasless laparoscopic surgery is effective; we evaluate a new retractor design.