Evaluation of different routes of management for acute traumatic haemothorax

Sixty-two patients with acute traumatic hemothorax have been evaluated after receiving different lines of treatment in Alexandria University Hospital. Thoracocentesis and observation were the initial therapy for limited or mild hemothorax in ten patients. Thoracostomy tube drainage succeeded to evacuate and to re-exp and the collapsed lung in another 43 patients due to moderate to severe hemothorax. Early thoracotomy was applied immediately after failure of tube thoracostomy to drain continued massive hemothorax of the remaining nine patients due to lung laceration, intercostal or subclavian vascular injury, pericardial and diaphragmatic tears. Pulmonary functions, blood gases, clinico-radiological studies were succeeded in evaluating different lines of treatment in acute traumatic hemothorax

Study of hydroxyproline content in cases of sliding hiatal hernia

The hydroxyproline content, which is an accurate measure of collagen content, was measured in 12 cases of proved sliding hiatal hernia and 6 control cases. These samples were taken from the phreno- esophageal ligament and the diaphragmatic crus. It was significantly lower in the phreno-esophageal ligament of patients compared to controls [38.9 +/- 6.1 Ug/mg dry tissue and 45.3 +/- 6.2 Ug/mg dry tissue, respectively] and significantly lower in diaphragmatic crus in studied patients as compared to controls [50.6 +/- 10.5 Ug/mg dry tissue and 66.3 +/- 2.4 Ug/mg dry tissue respectively]. This abnormal lower hydroxyproline content in both phreno-esophageal ligament and diaphragmatic crus may clarify their anatomical role in the pathogenesis of sliding hiatal hernia. The weakness of these structures is due to defective collagen, which should be considered during hiatal hernia repair