Preventing pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy: An invagination method.

Following an increase in the use of the GIA stapler for treating a pancreatic stump, more techniques to prevent postoperative pancreatic juice leakage have been required. We describe one successful case using our new technique of invaginating the cut end of the pancreas into the stomach to prevent a pancreatic fistula (PF) from occurring. A 50-year-old woman with pancreatic cancer in the tail of the pancreas underwent distal pancreatectomy, causing a grade A PF.

Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block and rectus sheath block in laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery.

We aimed to assess the efficacy of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and rectus sheath (RS) block in patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery. Few studies have addressed the efficacy and safety associated with TAP block and RS block for laparoscopic surgery. Thirty-two patients underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery, either with TAP and RS block (Block(+) group, n = 18) or without peripheral nerve block (Block(-) group, n = 14).

Regeneration of central nervous tissue using a collagen scaffold and adipose-derived stromal cells.

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) include stem cells, which have the potential to differentiate into a variety of cell lineages. The regeneration of central nerves was examined using ASCs and a collagen scaffold. A cerebral cortex defect (3 x 4 x 3 mm(3)) was created in the left frontal lobe of 16 male rats.

Experimental repair of phrenic nerve using a polyglycolic acid and collagen tube.

Objective: The feasibility of a nerve guide tube for regeneration of the phrenic nerve with the aim of restoring diaphragmatic function was evaluated in a canine model.

Methods: The nerve tube, made of woven polyglycolic acid mesh, had a diameter of 3 mm and was filled with collagen sponge. This polyglycolic acid-collagen tube was implanted into a 10-mm gap created by transection of the right phrenic nerve in 9 beagle dogs.

New canine spinal cord injury model free from laminectomy.

The present report details the successful development of a model for spinal cord injury (SCI). This model is simple, reproducible, and requires no laminectomy. Development of the model was carried out using fourteen dogs.

Experimental study on the regeneration of peripheral nerve gaps through a polyglycolic acid-collagen (PGA-collagen) tube.

We have developed a bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid (PGA) tube filled with collagen sponge (PGA-collagen tube) as a nerve connective guide, and compared its effectiveness with that of autograft in terms of nerve regeneration across a gap. The PGA-collagen tube was implanted into 24 beagle dogs across a 15-mm gap in the left peroneal nerve. The right peroneal nerve was reconstructed with the autograft harvested from the left side, as a control.

Repairing of rabbit skull defect by dehydrothermally crosslinked collagen sponges incorporating transforming growth factor beta1.

Collagen sponges of various biodegradabilities were prepared by dehydrothermal crosslinking at 140 degrees C for different time periods. When the collagen sponges were radioiodinated and implanted subcutaneously into the back of mice, the radioactivity remaining at the implanted site decreased with time; the longer the time of dehydrothermal crosslinking, the slower the radioactivity decrement. The radioactivity following the subcutaneous implantation of collagen sponges incorporating (125)I-labeled transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 also decreased with time.

Influence of dehydrothermal crosslinking on the growth of PC-12 cells cultured on laminin coated collagen.

Recently, we have demonstrated canine peroneal nerve regeneration with functional recovery across an 80 mm gap using a polyglycolic acid (PGA) -collagen tube filled with laminin coated collagen fibers. In that study, the laminin coating was applied before a dehydrothermal (DHT) treatment designed to extend preservation of laminin in situ. To address concerns that the biological activity of laminin might consequently be reduced, the present investigation examined the influences of DHT crosslinking on the activity of laminin in terms of neural cell growth in vitro.