Surgical treatment of infectious ulnar artery aneurysm.

Infectious ulnar artery aneurysm is a rare condition with no standardised treatment. Our patient was treated with a simple proximal ligature without excision of the aneurysm.

Editor's Choice - The National Norwegian Carotid Study: Time from Symptom Onset to Surgery is too Long, Resulting in Additional Neurological Events.

Objective/background: The objective was to observe for 1 year all patients in Norway operated on for symptomatic carotid stenosis with respect to (i) the time from the index event to surgery and neurological events during this time; (ii) the level in the healthcare system causing delay of surgical treatment; and (iii) the possible relationship between peri-operative use of platelet inhibitors and neurological events while awaiting surgery.

Methods: This was a prospective national multicentre study of a consecutive series of symptomatic patients. Patients were eligible for inclusion when referred for surgery.

Changes in the cytokine network and complement parameters during open heart surgery.

Objectives: During cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CBP) there is a systemic inflammatory reaction, involving enhanced release of inflammatory cytokines and complement. However, few studies have analysed the levels of anti-inflammatory mediators and chemokines after CPB. In this study we investigated the complexity of the cytokine network particularly focusing on the balance between interleukin (IL)-10 and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.

[Tracheal resections].

Background: Tracheal resection is a valuable treatment option in patients with primary localized tumours and in selected patients with post-tracheostomy stenosis. The main symptom is dyspnoea on activity. Tracheal tumour is a rare condition with adenoid cystic carcinoma as the dominant malignant type, whereas papilloma is the most common benign lesion.

Comparison of a Duraflo II-coated cardiopulmonary bypass circuit and a trillium-coated oxygenator during open-heart surgery.

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) evokes a systemic inflammatory response. In attempting to improve the biocompatibility of the equipment, various methods to coat the inner surfaces of the CPB systems have been developed. The present study compares a Trillium Biopassive surface-coated Affinity oxygenator with a Duraflo II totally heparin-coated CPB system.