The maturity of intestinal neomucosa: integrin expression and ultrastructural aspects.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The maturity of neomucosa growing on a serosal surface for the treatment of short bowel syndrome still is questionable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intestinal neomucosa to assess its histologic maturity. METHODS: A 6-cm-long isolated ileal segment (IS) was prepared in 8 Wistar albino-type rats. The IS was divided from the antimesenteric side, and 2 intestinal tubes were established, which shared a common wall and a common pedicle. After ileal biopsy sampling for the control group (CG), the IS was fashioned into a mucous fistula. Eight weeks later, all the rats were killed, and the ISs were investigated for neomucosal growth. Sections were prepared with periodic acid shift (PAS) and H & E staining for light microscopy. They also were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. The microscopic morphology of the 2 groups was evaluated. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to show the expression of the tissue beta1, alpha3 and alpha2beta1 integrin subunits of both the neomucosa (NS) and control group (CG) segments. RESULTS: Sections of the NS showed a well-arranged columnar epithelial cell layer with goblet cells that were generally located superficially and with a complete basement membrane. Under the electron microscope, the sections from the NS group showed an epithelial cell layer with proper microvilli of the same height, although they were shorter than those of the CG, and tight intercellular junctions between the epithelial cells. Significant differences between the NS and CG groups were found in the measurements of villus width at base, microvillus surface, and microvillus height. The lamina propria consisted of rich collagen fibers and active fibroblasts in the NS group. In the immunohistochemical staining, although beta1 integrine showed a dense distribution (+++) in the lamina propria, particularly localizing at the depth of the tunica mucosa layer, alpha3 integrin was observed to have a less dense immunoreactivity (++) in both groups. The expression of alpha2beta1 integrin showed slight and dispersed (+) staining. CONCLUSIONS: The NS showed histologic maturity and ultimate structural similarity with the native small bowel mucosa, which provides strong indirect evidence for the proper functioning of the neomucosa.

Modification of meatal advancement and glanuloplasty for correction of distal hypospadias.

OBJECTIVE: The meatal advancement and glanuloplasty (MAGPI) technique is still successfully used for the repair of distal hypospadias. The technique has been modified considerably since it was first described in 1981. The primary drawbacks of the procedure are the complications of meatal regression and meatal stenosis. The aim of this study was to present a modification of MAGPI for correction of distal hypospadias. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten cases with distal hypospadias were operated on using our modified MAGPI procedure. The modification involves excision of a pull-out, tag-shaped piece of glanular tissue through the vertical incision in the meatoplasty section of the original operation. By means of this excision, burying of the meatus into the glans was eased without inducing extra mobilization of the glans wings. As less glans tissue was left at the dorsal urethra the urethral meatus could be replaced in the center of the glans and better anatomic reconstruction could be attained. RESULTS: After 1-3 years of follow-up, all the operated cases showed functionally and cosmetically satisfactory results. The cosmetic appearance achieved with our modified technique was better than that obtained with the classical MAGPI procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Using our MAGPI modification, the urethra was localized deeper in the glans and an elliptical (slit-like), wide meatus was obtained, the cosmetic appearance of which was more acceptable than that achieved with classical MAGPI.

Effect of adhesion barrier (Interceed TC7) on two-stage orchidopexy operation.

OBJECTIVE: In two-stage orchidopexy, adhesions formed after the first stage usually cause difficulty during the second operation and may even lead to injury to the testis itself or to the spermatic cord. We investigated whether the use of adhesion-preventing barriers in the abdominal or pelvic region during surgery could lessen adhesions formed during two-stage orchidopexy and thus ease dissection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study subjects comprised 21 male, albino, 30-day-old Wistar rats that were divided into three equal groups. In Group 1, the right testes were enveloped in adhesion barriers after dissection and sutured to the inguinal canal. In Group 2, the right testes were sutured to the inguinal canal without the barriers. In Group 3 (sham-operated group), all testes were dissected but no suturing was performed. Rats were sacrificed after 21 days and the ipsilateral testes were harvested. RESULTS: Dissection of barrier-enveloped testes was relatively easy; however, no significant (p < 0.535) difference was seen in adhesion scores between Groups 1 and 2. Total tissue collagen was estimated by means of the hydroxyproline content. Tissue hydroxyproline levels were 16.04 +/- 8.58, 13.20 +/- 6.34 and 14.71 +/- 5.51 microg/mg wet tissue in Groups 1-3, respectively and these differences were not significant. The histopathologic evaluation revealed significant differences only in the thickness of the tunica albuginea in Groups 1 and 2 (110.0 +/- 30.0 vs 77.1 +/- 21.3 microm, respectively; p < 0.038). CONCLUSION: The adhesion scores and the biochemical and histopathological examinations showed that an adhesion barrier is not beneficial in two-stage orchidopexy.

Does high-pressure carbon dioxide insufflation facilitate mucosal dissection in transanal endorectal pull-through? A rabbit model.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether high-pressure carbon dioxide insufflation facilitates mucosal dissection in the transanal endorectal pull-through (TEPT) operation performed in Hirschsprung's disease in a rabbit model. In the study, ten New Zealand rabbits were used. In six of the rabbits, CO(2) under 50 mmHg pressure was insufflated into the submucosal area through a 25-gauge scalp needle inserted 0.3 cm over the dentate line. Two of the rabbits were taken for histopathological examination. In four rabbits, the TEPT operation was performed and in another four the operation was performed without CO(2) insufflation. Histopathological examination in the CO(2)-insufflated group of rabbits showed that at transversal incisions mucosa was seen to be separated circumferentially from submucosa by high pressure CO(2) and at longitudinal incision the separation was seen to be complete along the anal canal. It was noted that mucosal dissection was rapid, non-bloody and without induced mucosal tears or perforation; however, in the non-insufflated group the operation was time-consuming, bloody and more difficult to perform and needed meticulous care. In the present study, it was seen that submucosal high pressure CO(2) insufflation in rabbits facilitates mucosal dissection in the TEPT operation and is easy to perform, time-saving and highly economical.