Physical fitness after apical resection for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

The objective of the present study was to assess the physical fitness of patients after apical resection and partial apical pleurectomy for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). Between 1982 and 1999, 58 patients received surgical treatment for PSP in our department. Twelve patients needed bilateral surgical intervention.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines after different kinds of cardio-thoracic surgical procedures: is what we see what we know?

Objective: Due to the combination of local trauma, extracorporeal circulation (ECC), and pulmonary and myocardial reperfusion, cardiac surgery leads to substantial changes in the immune system and possibly to post-operative complications. Procedures without ECC, however, have failed to demonstrate clear advantages. We hypothesized that ECC is far less important in this context than the reperfusion/reventilation of the lung parenchyma and the surgical trauma.

Inguinal hernia repair in German military hospitals.

The inguinal hernia repair continues to be the most common operation in general surgery. Discussing the latest scientific findings, we have prepared this article to present a state-of-the-art approach to the inguinal hernia repair. This approach is used for discussing the general principles of hernia repair in German military hospitals.

Deleterious effect of zinc in a pig model of acute endotoxemia.

By antiapoptotic effects and the induction of the heat-shock response, zinc is supposed to be a promising means of therapy during sepsis. As zinc also stimulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, its administration during the proinflammatory stage of septic shock might have adverse effects. Therefore, this study analyzes the influence of zinc during the acute phase of endotoxemia.

Intravascular volume depletion in a 24-hour porcine model of intra-abdominal hypertension.

Background: The purpose of the study was to examine hemodynamic parameters and intravascular volume in a porcine model in the presence of intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) lasting for 24 hours.

Methods: Twelve pigs (52.5 +/- 4.

Evaluation of two novel methods for the direct and continuous measurement of the intra-abdominal pressure in a porcine model.

Objective: Intravesical bladder pressure (IVP) measurement is considered to be the gold standard for the assessment of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). However, this method is indirect, discontinuous, and potentially infectious and relies on a physiological bladder function. This study evaluated two novel methods for direct, continuous IAP measurement.

Proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines after cardiac operation: different cellular sources at different times.

Background: Cardiac operation produces substantial alterations within the immune system, which possibly predispose postoperative complications. However, the interplay between proinflammatory and antiinflammatory reactions and the cells involved in this process are not completely clear. Therefore, we investigated serum levels, as well as synthesis patterns, of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines.