[Surgical Treatment with Pulsed Lavage Irrigation for Infective Endocarditis].

INTRODUCTION: Pulsed lavage irrigation (PLI) is a procedure used to wash contaminated soft tissues and prevent infection in orthopedic surgery. We applicated PLI for surgical treatment of infective endocarditis( IE). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From January 2017 to June 2021, 6 cases underwent surgical treatment IE using PLI. We investigated an efficacy of PLI. RESULTS: Infected valves were mitral valve in 4 cases, aortic valve in 1 case, and aortic prosthetic valve in 1 case. The performed procedures were mitral valve plasty in 4 cases, aortic valve replacement in 1 case, and 1 removal of vegetation on the aortic prosthetic valve. No recurrence of IE or no deterioration of the native valve or the prosthetic valve was observed in follow-up periods. CONCLUSION: PLI was useful for surgical treatment of IE because of no recurrence of IE or no deterioration of native mitral valves or the aortic prosthetic valve.

Comprehensive hemocompatibility analysis on the application of diamond-like carbon to ePTFE artificial vascular prosthesis.

The aim of this study was to obtain comprehensive data regarding the hemocompatibility of diamond-like carbon (DLC)-coated expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). DLC increased the hydrophilicity and smoothened the surface and fibrillar structure, respectively, of the ePTFE. DLC-coated ePTFE had more albumin and fibrinogen adsorption and less platelet adhesion than uncoated ePTFE. There were scarce red cell attachments in in vitro human and in vivo animal (rat and swine) whole blood contact tests in both DLC-coated and uncoated ePTFE. DLC-coated ePTFE had a similar but marginally thicker band movement than uncoated-ePTFE with SDS-PAGE after human whole blood contact test. In addition, survival studies of aortic graft replacement in rats (1.5 mm graft) and arteriovenous shunt in goats (4 mm graft) were performed to compare the patency and clot formation between DLC-coated and uncoated ePTFE grafts. Comparable patency was observed in both animal models. However, clots were observed in the luminal surface of the patent 1.5 mm DLC-coated ePTFE grafts, but not in that of uncoated ePTFE grafts. In conclusions, hemocompatibility of DLC-coated ePTFE was high and comparable to that of uncoated ePTFE. However, it failed to improve the hemocompatibility of 1.5 mm ePTFE graft probably because increased fibrinogen adsorption canceled the other beneficial effects of DLC.

The second best arterial graft to the left coronary system in off-pump bypass surgery: a propensity analysis of the radial artery with a proximal anastomosis to the ascending aorta versus the right internal thoracic artery.

OBJECTIVE: The second best arterial graft to the left coronary artery (LCA) system between the radial artery (RA) and the right internal thoracic artery (RITA) has been unknown. Moreover, a composite RA may be inferior to direct aorta-RA bypass grafting. The aim of the present study is to compare clinical outcomes between the RA anastomosed to the aorta and the RITA as a second arterial graft to the LCA. METHODS: A total of 805 patients received off-pump coronary arterial bypass grafting between 2000 and 2013. Of these patients, 232 received the bilateral internal thoracic arteries (BITA) and 152 received left internal thoracic arteries (LITA) + RA anastomosed to the aorta, following the inclusion criteria. Patients (1) received at least two arterial grafts in the LCA, (2) did not have renal insufficiency, and (3) did not receive composite RA grafts. A propensity score-matched analysis was performed, resulting in 118 matched pairs. RESULTS: There was no difference in operative mortality and stroke rate between the matched groups; however, the mean operation time was significantly shorter in the LITA + RA and the incidence of mediastinitis was lower in the LITA + RA (BITA: 2.5 %, LITA + RA: 0 %, p < 0.01). Kaplan-Meier cumulative mortality and freedom from cardiac events were similar. The long-term patency rates of the RITA and the RA were similar at 5 years (RITA: 78 %, RA: 84 %, p = 0.55). CONCLUSIONS: The RA anastomosed to the aorta appears to have good long-term outcomes, similar to the RITA as the second arterial graft. Furthermore, the choice of RA avoids sternal complications and shortens the operation time compared to the use of BITA.

Permanent end-sigmoid colostomy through the extraperitoneal route prevents parastomal hernia after laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of a paracolostomy hernia has been reported to be from 10% to 50%, with serious impairment of the quality of life and sometimes life-threatening morbidity in some cases. Most essential in avoiding the need for further treatment of an end-sigmoid colostomy is prevention of a parastomal hernia. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effects of the extraperitoneal route for stoma creation to prevent parastomal hernia after laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for rectal neoplasms. DESIGN: This is a study of a retrospective cohort. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Data on a total 37 consecutive patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection from March 2005 to December 2010 in Kochi Health Sciences Center were examined retrospectively in this study. Group A included 22 patients whose stoma was created through the extraperitoneal route, and group B included 15 patients whose stoma was created through the transperitoneal route. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were the rate of parastomal hernia determined through CT and clinical examinations in the 2 groups. RESULTS: In Group A, 1 case was diagnosed as having a parastomal hernia, whereas, in Group B, 5 cases were diagnosed by CT examination as having a parastomal hernia; the difference in incidence between the 2 groups was significant (p = 0.0305). Furthermore, median duration of the follow-up period between the latest CT examination and the primary operation was 722 days in group A, which was significantly longer than that in group B (442 days) (p = 0.001). LIMITATIONS: : This study was limited by its nonrandomized retrospective design. CONCLUSION: Group B developed parastomal hernia more frequently within a significantly shorter period. A permanent sigmoid colostomy created through the extraperitoneal route can prevent the incidence of parastomal hernia after laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection.