Surgery improves the clinical and radiological outcome in Rockwood type IV dislocations, whereas Rockwood type III dislocations benefit from conservative treatment.

PURPOSE: Despite the available classifications, diagnostics and treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) injuries are still vague and challenging for trauma and shoulder surgeons. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamic radiographic as well as clinical outcome of operatively and conservatively treated Rockwood (RW) type III and IV ACJ dislocations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with RW type III and IV ACJ dislocations between 2009 and 2016 (n = 226) were included in this retrospective data analysis with a prospective follow-up examination. According to their injury classification, patients were subdivided in an operative and conservative treatment group. Examiner blinded clinical evaluation including the constant score (CS), American shoulder and elbow surgery (ASES) score, the acromioclavicular joint instability (ACJI) score, visual analog scale (VAS), bilateral force measurements, and posttraumatic/postsurgical sequelae were assessed. Fluoroscopic evaluations including dynamic stability assessment with functional axillary views were performed for every patient. RESULTS: For follow-up examination (mean 4.8 years ± 0.3 SEM) 56 patients (29 RW type III, 27 RW type IV) were available. In patients with RW type III ACJ dislocations [operative (n = 10); conservative (n = 19)] prolonged duration of treatment was seen in operatively treated patients (p < 0.05). Clear improvement could be shown for the ACJI score (p < 0.05) and coracoclavicular (CC) and acromioclavicular (AC) distance (p < 0.05) in the operative group. In patients with RW type IV ACJ dislocations [operative (n = 18); conservative (n = 9)] superior clinical results were found in operated patients with highly significant differences for the ACJI score (p < 0.001). Radiographic dynamic horizontal analysis showed nearly normalized anteroposterior translation in operated patients (p < 0.05). No differences were found regarding arthroscopic or open procedures. CONCLUSION: Accurate diagnostics including sufficient dynamic stability assessment with functional axillary views are strongly advised for patients with ACJ dislocations. Conservative treatment should be recommended for patients with RW type III ACJ dislocations, due to shorter duration of treatment with good clinical results but lacking operative risks. In patients with RW type IV ACJ dislocations, surgical treatment is recommended because of superior clinical and radiological results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Left-Sided Living Kidney Donation Leads to Transiently Reduced Adrenocortical Responsiveness.

Living kidney donation is safe and established, but can lead to long-term complications such as chronic fatigue. Since the adrenal vein is usually transected during left-sided donor nephrectomy-which is not necessary on the right-we hypothesized that venous congestion might lead to an impairment of adrenal function, offering a possible explanation. In this prospective open label, monocentric cohort study, adrenal function was compared in left- and right-sided living kidney donors. The primary endpoint was plasma cortisol response to low-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation. Secondary endpoints included plasma renin and ACTH concentration as well as adrenal volume in response to donor nephrectomy. A total of 30 healthy donors-20 left- and 10 right-sided donations-were included. On postoperative day 1, response to low-dose ACTH stimulation was intact, but significantly lower after left-sided donor nephrectomy. After 28 days, adrenal responsiveness to ACTH stimulation did not differ any longer. Magnetic resonance imaging volumetry showed no significant adrenal volume change over 4 weeks, neither after left- nor after right-sided nephrectomy. In conclusion, left-sided living kidney donation entails a transiently reduced adrenocortical responsiveness, which returns to baseline after 28 days.

[Inadmissible cooperation contract between hospital and physician. New court decision confirms criticism of the previous practice]. / Unzulässiger Kooperationsvertrag zwischen Krankenhaus und Arzt. Neues Urteil bestätigt Kritik an Zuweisermodell.

The decision of the Higher Regional Court of Düsseldorf from 01.09.2009 (20 U 121/08), given below in parts, confirms the decision of the Regional Court Duisburg from 01.04.2008 (4 O 300/07) published in Der Urologe issue 10.2008 (1355 ff). The hope expressed in the literature (e.g. Wienke/Janke, OM 4-2009, 461) that the decision of the Regional Court Duisburg would not be upheld on appeal, proved to be unwarranted.

[Improper cooperation contract between a hospital and a physician]. / Unzulässiger Kooperationsvertrag zwischen Krankenhaus und Arzt.

The term interdisciplinary care is frequently used to indicate the often criticized division between inpatient and outpatient treatment. Interdisciplinary care in the actual sense in the form of integrated care necessarily requires the involvement of health insurance providers as the contractual partner.

Characterization of time-related changes after experimental bile duct ligation.

BACKGROUND: Although bile duct ligation (BDL) in mice is used to study cholestasis, a detailed description of this animal model is lacking. The aim of this study was to define specific phases of acute and chronic injury and repair in the different cellular compartments of the liver. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice underwent BDL or sham laparotomy, and serum and liver tissue were analysed between 8 h and 6 weeks later. RESULTS: Biliary infarcts and alanine aminotransferase levels revealed acute hepatocellular injury peaking at days 2-3, paralleled by enhanced transcription of pro-proliferative mediators and followed by a distinct peak of hepatocellular proliferation at day 5. Cholangiocellular proliferation occurred in large bile ducts on days 2-3 and in small bile ducts on day 5. Neutrophil infiltration occurred within 8 h, with neutrophils remaining the predominant immune cell type until day 3. Acute injury was followed by continuous tissue repair, lymphocyte and Kupffer cell infiltration, and accumulation of collagen during the second week. Thereafter, the number of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells and the expression of transforming growth factor beta1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 and procollagen (I) decreased, and liver fibrosis stabilized. CONCLUSION: BDL elicits dynamic changes in mouse liver. The chronological dissection and quantification of these events identified specific phases of acute and chronic cholestatic liver injury.

Mitochondrially targeted ceramide LCL-30 inhibits colorectal cancer in mice.

The sphingolipid ceramide is intimately involved in the growth, differentiation, senescence, and death of normal and cancerous cells. Mitochondria are increasingly appreciated to play a key role in ceramide-induced cell death. Recent work showed the C16-pyridinium ceramide analogue LCL-30 to induce cell death in vitro by mitochondrial targeting. The aim of the current study was to translate these results to an in vivo model. We found that LCL-30 accumulated in mitochondria in the murine colorectal cancer cell line CT-26 and reduced cellular ATP content, leading to dose- and time-dependent cytotoxicity. Although the mitochondrial levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) became elevated, transcription levels of ceramide-metabolising enzymes were not affected. In mice, LCL-30 was rapidly absorbed from the peritoneal cavity and cleared from the circulation within 24 h, but local peritoneal toxicity was dose-limiting. In a model of subcutaneous tumour inoculation, LCL-30 significantly reduced the proliferative activity and the growth rate of established tumours. Sphingolipid profiles in tumour tissue also showed increased levels of S1P. In summary, we present the first in vivo application of a long-chain pyridinium ceramide for the treatment of experimental metastatic colorectal cancer, together with its pharmacokinetic parameters. LCL-30 was an efficacious and safe agent. Future studies should identify an improved application route and effective partners for combination treatment.

Cholestasis protects the liver from ischaemic injury and post-ischaemic inflammation in the mouse.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Cholestasis is associated with high morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing major liver surgery, but the mechanisms responsible remain elusive. Increased ischaemic liver injury and inflammation may contribute to the poor outcome. METHODS: Common bile duct ligation (biliary obstruction with hyperbilirubinaemia) or selective ligation of the left hepatic duct (biliary obstruction without hyperbilirubinaemia) was performed in C57BL/6 mice before 1 h of hepatic ischaemia and 1, 4 or 24 h of reperfusion. Infection with the intracellular hepatic pathogen Listeria monocytogenes for 12 and 48 h was used to study ischaemia-independent hepatic inflammation. RESULTS: Cholestatic mice showed considerable protection from ischaemic liver injury as determined by transaminase release, histological liver injury and neutrophil infiltration. In cholestatic mice, reduced injury correlated with a failure to activate nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) mRNA synthesis, two key mediators of post-ischaemic liver inflammation. After selective bile duct ligation, both the ligated and the non-ligated lobes showed blocked activation of NFkappaB as well as reduced induction of TNFalpha mRNA synthesis and neutrophil infiltration. By contrast, infection with L monocytogenes showed comparable activation of NFkappaB and hepatic recruitment of neutrophils 12 h after infection. CONCLUSION: Cholestasis does not increase but rather dramatically protects the liver from ischaemic injury and inflammation. This effect is mediated by a systemic factor, but not bilirubin, and is associated with a preserved capacity to trigger an inflammatory response to other stimuli such as a bacterial pathogen.

Distribution and dynamic changes of sphingolipids in blood in response to platelet activation.

BACKGROUND: Sphingolipids are signaling molecules in a range of biological processes. While sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is thought to be abundantly stored in platelets and released upon stimulation, knowledge about the distribution and function of other sphingolipids in blood is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the sphingolipid content of blood components with special emphasis on dynamic changes in platelets. METHODS: Blood components from mice and humans were prepared by gradient centrifugation and analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Additionally, murine platelets were activated in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Isolated non-activated platelets of mice were devoid of S1P, but instead contained dihydrosphingosine-1-phosphate (dhS1P), along with a high concentration of ceramide. Activation of platelets in vitro led to a loss of dhS1P and an increase in sphingosine, accompanied by a reduction of ceramide content. Platelet activation in vivo led to an immediate and continuous rise of dhS1P in plasma, while S1P remained stable. The sphingolipid distribution of human blood was markedly different from mice. Human platelets contained dhS1P in addition to S1P. CONCLUSIONS: Mouse platelets contain dhS1P instead of S1P. Platelet activation causes loss of dhS1P and breakdown of ceramide, implying ceramidase activation. Release of dhS1P from activated platelets might be a novel signaling pathway. Finally, the sphingolipid composition of mouse and human blood shows large differences, which must be considered when studying sphingolipid biology.

Blocking the path to death: anti-apoptotic molecules in ischemia/reperfusion injury of the liver.

This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of intracellular mechanisms underlying programmed cell death in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. A range of molecules have been tested with the intention to block the pathways of programmed cell death at different levels and to thereby enhance viability of the liver in surgical procedures including liver transplantation. Cellular death receptors, the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, p53, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and intracellular proteases all present potential targets for pharmaceutical agents to prevent ischemia induced cell death in the liver. Although evidence has been provided for effective inhibition of injury and improvement of survival by such agents, an optimal treatment strategy remains to be developed.

Kidney transplantation--new developments.

The standard of care for patients with end-stage renal disease is kidney transplantation, which not only confers a survival benefit compared to hemodialysis, but is also cost-effective. The indications, contraindications as well as the preoperative assessment of recipients are discussed. The recurrence rate of the underlying renal disease has to be taken into account, especially in living donation. Growing organ shortage has lead transplant surgeons to accept older, less healthy, and even non-heart-beating donors, with generally good results. Living-donation is safe for the donor, outcome is excellent and plays an increasing role today. It has surpassed the number of cadaveric kidney transplantations in some countries. Many centres now apply laparoscopic donor nephrectomy with low morbidity. Matching for ABO blood group and HLA is routinely performed, as well as pre-transplant crossmatching. The surgical procedure has been standardized and the complication rate is low. Immunosuppressive protocols have evolved over time, and while the optimal regimen has not been defined, the availability of numerous agents allows the regimen to be individualized. New agents are being introduced into clinical practice. With increasing long-term graft survival and thus life-long immunosuppression, cardiovascular disease, de-novo malignancies and infectious complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality of transplant recipients. Effective prophylactic measures are often available, and surveillance protocols are warranted in these patients. Overall, the outcome of renal transplantation is excellent and has improved over time. Future prospects include induction of allograft tolerance, tissue engineering and xenotransplantation.

[Vasectomy today: a review of 1,275 vasectomies in 10 years]. / Vasektomie heute. Eine Bestandserhebung nach 1275 Vasektomien in 10 Jahren.

We report on a large series of 1,275 patients who underwent outpatient vasectomy performed by a single urological surgeon within a 10-year period. In addition, the results of a prospective questionnaire-based study on 217 patients regarding their opinions and motivation, and the financial aspects of the vasectomy are discussed. The mean age was 37.0+/-5.9 years. A total of 98.4% of the patients had an uneventful postoperative course. The average duration of sick leave was 2.2+/-0.21 days. During the study period, the length of sick leave dropped significantly from 2.63 (1990/91) to 1.1 days (1998/99; P=0.001). Efficacy was documented with azoospermia rates of 96.6% and 98.5% in patients who presented for two and three sperm examinations, respectively. A vast majority of patients (94.6%) felt that the procedure should be covered by their health insurance, although 88.1% stated they would also pay by themselves. A minority of patients (0.7%: 9/1,275) subsequently considered vasectomy reversal. The wish to reverse the vasectomy was significantly associated with a younger patient age. In conclusion, outpatient vasectomy provides a safe and reliable form of contraception at low cost. Overall satisfaction in appropriately counselled patients is very high. Based on these findings, further attempts to propagate vasectomy as a timely form of contraception are medically and socioeconomically recommended.

Current indication of a modified Sugiura procedure in the management of variceal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: The role of gastroesophageal devascularization (Sugiura-rype procedures) for the treatment of variceal bleeding remains controversial. Although Japanese series reported favorable longterm results, the technique has nor been widely accepted in the Western Hemisphere because of a high postoperative morbidity and mortality. The reasons for the different outcomes are unclear. In a multidisciplinary team approach we developed a therapeutic algorithm for patients with recurrent variceal bleeding. STUDY DESIGN: The Sugiura procedure was offered only to patients with well-preserved liver function (Child A or Child B cirrhosis without chronic ascites) who were not candidates for distal splenorenal shunt, transhepatic porto-systemic shunt, or liver transplantation. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with recurrent variceal bleeding underwent a modified Sugiura procedure between September 1994 and September 1997. All but one patient (operative mortality 7%) are alive after a median followup of 4 years. Recurrent variceal bleeding developed in one patient; esophageal strictures, which were successfully treated by endoscopic dilatation, developed in three patients; and one patient experienced mild encephalopathy. Major complications were noted only in patients with impaired liver function (Child B cirrhosis) or when the modified Sugiura was performed in an emergency setting. The presence of cirrhosis or the cause of portal hypertension had no significant impact on the complication rate. CONCLUSIONS: This series was performed during the last decade when all modern therapeutic options for variceal bleeding were available. Our results indicate that the modified Sugiura procedure is an effective rescue therapy in patients who are not candidates for selective shunts, transhepatic porto-systemic shunt, or transplantation. Emergency settings and decreased liver function are associated with an increased morbidity.

[Gas gangrene in urologic diseases. An example based on 3 case reports]. / Gasbrandinfektion bei urologischen Erkrankungen. Ein Beispiel an drei Fallbeschreibungen.

Gas gangrene is a rare infection of grave consequences. It is caused by obligatory anaerobic bacteria. Its appearance in urology is extremely rare. The infection can be acquired either from the outside or from enteral invasion of saprophytes, which are common in body cavities. Very often resistance-weak patients are attacked. In acute cases with typical signs of sepsis in addition to local signs of infection, a fatal outcome cannot be prevented in all cases despite adequate early therapy. Search for bacteria is mostly in vain. The 3 cases demonstrate that absolute asepsis and hygienic rules in simple manipulations (e.g. catheterizing as well as in major urologic operations are absolutely necessary. Traumatic lesions must be reduced to a minimum. Therapy must be started immediately.

[Pyrogen-free sterile water for operative endoscopy (author's transl)]. / Pyrogenfreies Sterilwasser für die Transurethrale operative Endoskopie.

In transurethral endoscopic operations we have maximal demands for the water conditions where, as in urology, for the diagnostic endoscopy one mostly uses sterile filtered but on principle hydrant water containing pyrogen. First the determinations of the order for drinking water and its possible consequences for irrigator systems are laid down. Water for injections like the irrigator water in operative endoscopy must conform to the demands in pharmacopoeia of the different countries. With the new combination of reverse osmosis system with an irrigator, hydrant water can be purified to pyrogen-free sterile water in the place of treatment.