Challenging conventions: Reconsidering the indication for endovenous ablation in CEAP 2 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Endovenous ablation may not always be necessary for every patient with chronic venous insufficiency who has an indication for endovenous ablation. This study investigates whether compression stockings and Daflon® can be as effective for some patients with CEAP two in chronic venous insufficiency. METHODS: In this study, 137 patients who had endovenous ablation indication received plethysmographical hemodynamic tests and were divided into two groups. Group 1 had normal venous hemodynamics and received compression stockings and Daflon®. Group 2 had abnormal function and received laser ablation. All patients were reevaluated after 6 months. RESULTS: The study showed that there was no statistically significant difference between Groups 1 and 2 in the 6th month measurements after the treatments. CONCLUSION: As a result, we do not find it appropriate and do not recommend that every patient with complaints of chronic venous insufficiency and an indication for endovenous ablation undergo ablation without evaluating lower extremity venous hemodynamics.

A fluorescence anisotropy-based competition assay to identify inhibitors against ricin and Shiga toxin ribosome interactions.

Ricin is one of the most toxic substances known and a type B biothreat agent. Shiga toxins (Stxs) produced by E. coli (STEC) and Shigella dysenteriae are foodborne pathogens. There is no effective therapy against ricin or STEC and there is an urgent need for inhibitors. Ricin toxin A subunit (RTA) and A1 subunit of Stx2a (Stx2A1) bind to the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the ribosomal P-stalk proteins to depurinate the sarcin/ricin loop. Modulation of toxin-ribosome interactions has not been explored as a strategy for inhibition. Therefore, development of assays that detect inhibitors targeting toxin-ribosome interactions remains a critical need. Here we describe a fluorescence anisotropy (FA)-based competitive binding assay using a BODIPY-TMR labeled 11-mer peptide (P11) derived from the P-stalk CTD to measure the binding affinity of peptides ranging from 3 to 11 amino acids for the P-stalk pocket of RTA and Stx2A1. Comparison of the affinity with the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay indicated that although the rank order was the same by both methods, the FA assay could differentiate better between peptides that show nonspecific interactions by SPR. The FA assay detects only interactions that compete with the labeled P11 and can validate inhibitor specificity and mechanism of action.

Plethysmography: A game changer for chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) presents a various clinical symptoms and treatment options. Although it is generally known which treatment option is more appropriate in which situations in CVI, it is even more difficult to find the right option in some uncertain situations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential contribution of Digital Photoplethysmography (D-PPG) in the diagnosis of CVI and especially in the selection of treatment options. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This retrospective study was conducted at Bursa Heart and Arrhythmia Hospital, involving 721 consecutive patients diagnosed with CVI and with Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) indication. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the extent of the failure in Doppler USG. In Group 1, the insufficiency ended above the knee, and in Group 2, the insufficiency progressed to below the knee. Patients were evaluated based on anamnesis, physical examination, Doppler USG, and D-PPG. Clinical classification, Venous Clinic Severity Score (VCSS), Quality of Life (QoL) assessment, venous pump capacity (VPC), and venous refill time (VRT) were measured. RESULTS: The study included 263 male and 458 female patients with a mean age of 52.37 ± 12.26 years. Significant differences were observed between Group 1 (above knee reflux) and Group 2 (below knee reflux) patients in terms of VCSS, QoL, VPC, and VRT values. The mean values of VCSS, patient complaints, VPC, and VRT were higher in Group 2 patients. Similar findings were observed within the CEAP 2 subgroup. CONCLUSION: D-PPG shows potential as a valuable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of CVI. By providing information about venous hemodynamics and volume changes, it can assist in optimizing treatment decisions, including saphenous vein preservation. Combining D-PPG with Doppler USG may improve the comprehensive assessment of CVI and change the treatment option, especially for CEAP 2 patients. More research is needed to confirm these findings and explore wider applications of plethysmographic methods in the management of CVI.

Endovenous glue ablation for chronic venous insufficiency: A comprehensive 5-year assessment of clinical and hemodynamic outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic venous insufficiency is mainly caused by reflux, obstruction, or both. Endovenous glue ablation has become one of the widely used methods for treating reflux in recent years. Duplex ultrasonography is the most commonly used method for diagnosing and evaluating treatment. However, there is important information that plethysmographic venous hemodynamics provides, which Duplex USG cannot provide. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the 5-year clinical, anatomical, and hemodynamic results of endovenous glue ablation in the treatment of chronic venous insufficience, accompanied by the data from the plethysmographic study. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Between January 2018 and August 2018, 133 patients with symptomatic CEAP 2-6 varicose veins with reflux of the great saphenous vein lasting longer than 0.5 seconds and a diameter of 5.5 mm in the standing great saphenous vein underwent EVGA. CEAP, VCSS, CIVIQ 20, Doppler USG, GSV diameters and insufficiency times, and hemodynamically Venous Refilling Time and Venous Half-Value Time measurements were performed before the procedure. In the same way, measurements were made at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th, and 60th months of the patients who were called and came to the postoperative follow-up. RESULTS: Procedural success was 100%, and complete occlusion was observed %93 after treatment, at the 60 month. The improvement in VCSS (from 4.4 ± 1.3 to 1.7 ± 0.9), CIVIQ20 (from 8.5 ± 3.1 to 4.7 ± 2.0), VRT (from 20.3 ± 5.0 to 131.1 ± 4.0), and TH (from 2.8 ± 0.3 to 2.4 ± 0.2) was significant (p < .001 was for all). CONCLUSION: Endovenous glue ablation is a preferred method for the treatment of great saphenous vein insufficiency due to its ease of use and the comfort it provides to patients, as well as its effectiveness and safety. In particular, it can be considered an effective method for improving venous hemodynamics and relieving associated symptoms.

Strain-gauge venous occlusion plethysmography: An objective and non-invasive approach to the evaluation of venous hemodynamics in patients with acute deep-vein thrombosis undergoing post-pharmacomechanical thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVES: Strain-gauge venous occlusion plethysmography (SGVOP) is a means of acquiring hemodynamic data non-invasively, unlike other methods used routinely for the diagnosis and follow-up of venous diseases. The present study compares the plethysmographic data with early- and mid-term routine data of patients with acute deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) who underwent pharmacomechanical thrombolysis. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Included in this retrospective study were 118 patients with acute DVT, who underwent pharmacomechanical thrombolysis between February 2018 and July 2019. Pre- and post-procedure follow-up data including CIVIQ-20 (quality of life), VCSS (Venous Clinical Severity Score), D-Dimer, Doppler USG results, venous capacity (VC), and venous outflow (VO) obtained by SGVOP were recorded and compared. RESULTS: In all 118 (100%) patients who underwent the procedure, early- and mid-term patency was seen to have been provided on Doppler USG follow-up, and various degrees of venous insufficiency were identified. A statistically significant improvement was observed in VCSS, CIVIQ-20, D-Dimer, VO, and VC measurements, although when the discrepancies between CIVIQ-20 and plethysmographic measurements were examined individually during the 6-month follow-up, nine (13.1%) patients were identified with comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacomechanical thrombolysis is an effective treatment approach for patients with acute DVT. Providing non-invasive objective data supporting the diagnosis and follow-up of venous diseases, the SGVOP approach offers significant benefits and should be considered more frequently as a viable therapy.

A Small-Molecule Approach to Bypass In Vitro Selection of New Aptamers: Designer Pre-Ligands Turn Baby Spinach into Sensors for Reactive Inorganic Targets.

Fluorescent light-up aptamer (FLAP) systems are promising biosensing platforms that can be genetically encoded. Here, we describe how a single FLAP that works with specific organic ligands can detect multiple, structurally unique, non-fluorogenic, and reactive inorganic targets. We developed 4-O-functionalized benzylidene imidazolinones as pre-ligands with suppressed fluorescent binding interactions with the RNA aptamer Baby Spinach. Inorganic targets, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), can specifically convert these pre-ligands into the native benzylidene imidazolinones, and thus be detected with Baby Spinach. Adaptation of this approach to live cells opened a new opportunity for top-down construction of whole-cell sensors: Escherichia coli transformed with a Baby Spinach-encoding plasmid and incubated with pre-ligands generated fluorescence in response to exogenous H2S or H2O2. Our approach eliminates the requirement of in vitro selection of a new aptamer sequence for molecular target detection, allows for the detection of short-lived targets, thereby advancing FLAP systems beyond their current capabilities. Leveraging the functional group reactivity of small molecules can lead to cell-based sensors for inorganic molecular targets, exploiting a new synergism between synthetic organic chemistry and synthetic biology.

Should there be a specific length of the colon-rectum segment to be resected for an adequate number of lymph nodes in cases of colorectal cancers? A retrospective multi-center study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the question as to whether there should be a certain length of the colon-rectum segment to be resected for correct lymph node staging in cases with colorectal cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The files and electronic datas of the patients had been undergone surgery for colorectal cancer between January 2011 and June 2016 were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups; Group I= ≥ 12 lymph nodes, and Group II= lymph nodes less than 12 ( <12) lymph nodes. RESULTS: Mean age of the 327 participants in this study was 64.30 ± 12.20. Mean length of resected colon-rectum segment was 25.61 (± 14.07) cm; mean number of dissected lymph nodes was 20.63 ± 12.30. Median length of the resected colon was 24 cm (range: 145-6) in Group I and 20 cm (range: 52-9) in Group II; a significant difference was found between the groups (p= 0.002). Factors associated with adequate lymph node dissection included type of the operation (p= 0.001), tumor location (p= 0.005), tumor T stage (p= 0.001), condition of metastasis in the lymph node (p= 0.008) and stage of the disease (p= 0.031). Overall survival was 62.4 ± 1.31 months, and Group I and Group II survival was 61.4 ± 1.39 months and 66.7 ± 3.25 months, respectively (p= 0.449). CONCLUSION: Results of the study showed that ≥ 12 lymph nodes would likely be dissected when the length of the resected colon-rectum segment is > 21 cm. We conclude that the removed colonic size can be significant when performed with oncological surgical standardization.

Treatment with vacuum-assisted closure system: A case of anastomotic leak after upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Presently described is a case treated via stent and vacuum-assisted closure (VAC). The patient developed an oesophagojejunostomy leak (OL) on the ninth postoperative day after a radical total gastrectomy. The patient was a 55-year-old male patient with adenocarcinoma localized to the small curvature on the corpus of the stomach. Relaparatomy was performed for the OL, including placement of an uncovered stent. The abdomen was washed 4 times. As the OL did not decrease, 2 covered stents (22 mm and 18 mm in diameter and 80 mm long) were inserted endoscopically. The OL continued to contaminate the abdomen. One tip of the VAC sponge was placed next to the anastomosis, and the other tip was removed from the left upper quadrant. Another VAC closure set was placed in the abdomen. Both VAC closures were connected to separate vacuum devices with 75 mmHg of pressure. VAC dressings were changed at regular intervals every 3 days, and these steps were repeated 7 times over 21 days. The covered stents were removed endoscopically in the final operation. Fistulography revealed that the OL was completely closed, and the VAC dressings were removed. The skin was closed by separating the subcutaneous oil layer of the fascia. VAC therapy can not only provide serious abdominal sepsis treatment and primary source control, but also accelerate granulation development and, in this case, quickly closed the anastomotic leakage.

Immediate Perineal Reconstruction After Extralevatory Abdominoperineal Excision: Buried Desepidermised Fasciocutaneous V-Y Advancement Flap.

BACKGROUND: According to National Cancer Institute, there are approximately 39,800 rectal cancer cases per year, 25% of which will need an abdominoperineal resection (APR). The key to avoid most of the complications related to pelvic defect that occurs after APR is choosing an appropriate reconstruction option for perineum. This study aims to introduce an easily applicable flap option for closure to address postoperative pelvic defect in low rectal cancer. METHODS: This is a retrospective evaluation of 9 patients who have undergone perineal reconstruction for pelvic defects after extralevatory abdominoperineal excision with rectal cancer between 2014 and 2016. Reconstruction consists of a novel technique defined by our clinic, which is buried desepidermised fasciocutaneous V-Y advancement flap. RESULTS: All defects are closed successfully. Patients are followed postoperatively for complications such as perineal infection, wound dehiscence, seroma, perineal sinus, or fistula formation. Flaps are evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging postoperatively, for viability and effectiveness on defect closure. Mean follow-up time is 20 (±9) months. Mean average hospital stay is 8 (±2) days. We did not experience any total or partial flap loss or encounter any local complication related to the wound. CONCLUSIONS: Buried desepidermised fasciocutaneous V-Y advancement flap is a reasonably easy and time-saving operation. It is effective in filling the pelvic dead space while closing the sacral defect after APR and therefore decreases late term complications related to large perineal excision.

Bouveret syndrome: A fatal diagnostic dilemma of gastric outlet obstruction.

The patient presented in this study was a 54-year-old woman complaining of nausea and vomiting, onset preceding four days, with no significant past medical history and an unremarkable surgical history. The patient was afebrile and hypertensive. Physical examination revealed a non-tender abdomen, and initial laboratory evaluation revealed elevated blood glucose level, ketonuria, leukocytosis, elevated C-reactive protein, gamma glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and total bilirubin. The patient was admitted to the internal medicine ward due to new onset of diabetes mellitus. Due to persistent nausea and vomiting, gastroscopy revealed a healed duodenal ulcer, and abdominal ultrasonography revealed cholelithiasis. The medical condition of the patient deteriorated further in the internal medicine ward, with impending hypotension, tachycardia, leukocytosis, and acute renal failure, and she was admitted to the intensive care unit due to septic shock. A computerized tomography was obtained, which revealed an impacted gallstone in the distal duodenum. The patient was taken to the operating room. The gallstone was encountered in proximal jejunum immediately distal to the ligament of Treitz. A longitudinal enterotomy was made, and the stone was extracted. Her drains were cleared on postoperative day 5, and gastrointestinal function returned to normal. Unfortunately, the patient developed an overwhelming sepsis due to bacteremia and fungemia, and died on post-operative day 19.

Minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy with cervical single-port access.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer include thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy with a cervical single-port assist, which is inadequate for both techniques. This is the first reported series applying this technique to treat esophageal cancer patients in literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2007 to April 2011, 12 cases of laparoscopic and thoracoscopic total esophagectomy with a cervical single-port assist were performed. Indications for minimally invasive esophagectomy included esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, diagnosed preoperatively in nonmetastatic tumors and fewer than 4 lymph nodes by endoscopic ultrasonography. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 440 minutes (range, 347 to 578 min). The mean intensive care stay was 1.6 days (range, 0 to 6 d). The mean hospital stay was 11.8 days (range, 7 to 22 d). Minor complications included atrial fibrillation (n=1), pleural effusion (n=2), and persistent air leaks (n=1), and major complications included cervical anastomotic leak in 1 patient due to technical failure. The 30-day mortality rate was 0. CONCLUSIONS: Video-assisted thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy combined with a cervical single-port assist is a safe and minimally invasive technique for whole esophagus and mediastinal lymph node dissection. This technique allows for the clear visualization of the mediastinum, reducing the risk of surgery-related trauma.

Emergency right hemicolectomy for inflammatory cecal masses mimicking acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Unexpected inflammatory cecal masses of uncertain etiology, encountered in the emergency surgical departments can be indistinguishable, and appropriate operative management of these cases is a dilemma for the surgeons. METHODS: Over a 30-months period between January 2009 and June 2011, a series of 3032 patients who live in sub-urban underwent emergency surgery for clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis and ileocecal resection or right hemicolectomy for inflammatory cecal mass were performed in 48 patients. RESULTS: 28 men and 20 women from suburban between ages 16-73 presented with right iliac fossa pain. The major presenting symptom was pain in the right iliac fossa (100%). On physical examination; tenderness at or near the McBurney point was detected in 44 (91,6%) patients. The range of the leucocyte level was between 8.000 to 24.000 and mean level is 16.000. After initial laparoscopic exploration, ileocecal resection or right hemicolectomy was performed conservatively because of the uncertainty of the diagnosis. Overall 32 patients underwent ileocecal resection and 16 patients underwent right hemicolectomy. Pathology revealed appendicular phlegmon in 18 patients, perforated cecal diverticulitis in 12 patients, tuberculosis in 6 patients, appendiceal and cecal rupture in 4 patients, malign mesenquimal neoplasm in 4 patients, non-spesific granulomatous in 2 patients and appendecular endometriosis in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Most inflammatory cecal masses are due to benign pathologies and can be managed safely and sufficiently with ileocecal resection or right hemicolectomy. The choice of the surgical procedure depends on the experience of the surgical team.

Comparison of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy for choledocholithiasis: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration are safe and efficient methods that have recently been used for the treatment of bile duct stones. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy, safety, and surgical outcomes of the laparoscopic common bile duct exploration plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCBDE+LC) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ERCP+LC). METHODS: One hundred twenty patients were prospectively randomized into 2 groups: LCBDE with LC in a single intervention and LC after ERCP. RESULTS: The success rate of the LCBDE+LC group (96.5%) was found to be higher than for the ERCP+LC group (94.4%). Complication rates of the LCBDE+LC and ERCP+LC group were 7% and 11.1%, respectively. Complications requiring ERCP in the postoperative period after LCBDE+LC have been noted in 3.5% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic CBD exploration provides an alternative therapeutic approach that has less morbidity, is cost-effective, and allows earlier recovery with a reduced period of short-term disability.

[Subcutaneous emphysema of the face, neck and upper mediastinum following a minor maxillofacial trauma]. / Minör maksillofasiyal travma sonrasi yüz, boyun ve üst mediastene yayilan cilt alti amfizem olgusu.

Subcutaneous emphysema is the inadvertent introduction of air into tissues under the skin covering the chest wall or neck. The common causes of subcutaneous emphysema are rib fracture, parenchymal lung wound and esophageal trauma. Rarely, it occurs after oral and nasal surgery or maxillofacial trauma. We observed subcutaneous emphysema spread out from periorbital region to upper mediastinum in a patient presented to em e rgency department following minor maxillofacial trauma and admitted due to a simple fracture at his frontal maxillary wall. We present this present case to emphasize early initial management and close observation of minor facial traumas which can prevent further unexpected complications.

The effect of L-glutamine on mucosal healing in experimental colitis is superior to short-chain fatty acids.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The effects of short-chain fatty acids and glutamine on diseased colonic mucosa, such as in inflammatory bowel disease, are not well described. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of L-glutamine and short-chain fatty acids, both via enema and oral administration, on mucosal healing in experimental colitis. METHODS: Colitis was induced with trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid in ethanol enema in rats. Saline enema (Colitis group, n: 12), L-glutamine enema (n: 12), short-chain fatty acids enema (n: 12), oral L-glutamine (n:11) and oral short-chain fatty acids (n.11) were applied twice daily for 10 days after induction of colitis. The sham group (n: 12) received only saline enema. Rats were sacrificed at the tenth day. Crypt depth and DNA content were measured in colonic mucosa. RESULTS: Crypt depth was significantly greater in both glutamine groups and short-chain fatty acids enema group than in sham and colitis groups (p<0.05). The mucosal DNA contents of the colitis and glutamine enema groups were significantly greater than both short-chain fatty acids groups (p<0.05). DNA content in the oral glutamine group was significantly greater than in the short-chain fatty acids enema group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: L-glutamine enema can accelerate mucosal healing and regeneration in experimentally induced colitis in rats. When compared to glutamine in this study, short-chain fatty acids showed no beneficial effect on colitis.

In acute organophosphate poisoning, the efficacy of hemoperfusion on clinical status and mortality.

The aims of this study were to report experience in patients with organophosphate poisoning (OPP) and to discuss the potential role for hemoperfusion (HP) in the management of severe OPP. At the emergency service of a university hospital, 52 patients with acute OPP were included in this retrospective study. The patients were divided into 2 groups (Group 1, severe poisoning, n = 25; and Group 2, mild poisoning, n = 27). All patients with mild OPP survived. Seven patients (28%) of the 25 with severe OPP died. This study supports previous data documenting that HP is unnecessary in the management of mild OPP. Although there was not a control group (severe poisoning without HP treatment) in this study, experience suggests that HP can be useful in severe cases. Reports from centers having experience with severe OPP can help clarify this controversial issue. Randomized controlled (prospective) studies investigating the possible beneficial effects of HP on patient survival in patients with severe OPP with control group are needed.

Posttraumatic pneumocephalus-induced bilateral oculomotor nerve palsy.

Bilateral third nerve palsy often points to the involvement of its nucleus. Third nerve palsy as a result of posttraumatic nuclear involvement is an extremely rare condition. A 23-year-old man presented with a depressed skull fracture after acute head trauma and had Glasgow Coma Scale Score of 9. The diameters of the pupils were 6.5 and 7.5 mm and they were not reactive to light stimulation. There was bilateral ptosis. Computed tomography (CT) relieved bilateral perimesensephalic pneumocephalus. We suggested that bilateral oculomotor nerve paresis might develop in association with posttraumatic bilateral perimesensephalic pneumocephalus, which affected the nucleus of the third nerve.

Low dose dopamine prevents end organ damage in experimentally induced pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: End organ damage due to microcirculatory failure plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study was to investigate whether dopamine, a vasoactive agent, is beneficial in the prevention of local and systemic injury in acute pancreatitis. METHODOLOGY: Pancreatitis was induced in rats with 5% Na-taurocolic acid infusion into the pancreatic duct. Rats were resuscitated for four hours with saline in the pancreatitis group (P), lactated ringer's (LR) solution in the LR group and low dose dopamine (5 microg/kg/min) + LR in the D-LR group. The sham group (S) underwent pancreatic duct cannulation only. Rectal temperature (RT) and meanarterial pressure (MAP) were monitored throughout the experiment. Blood samples for amylase, lipase, WBC and blood gas analysis were taken at baseline and at the end of the study. All rats were sacrificed at the 4th hour and pancreatic and lung tissues were removed for histopathological examination and tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. RESULTS: MAP was lower in the P and LRgroups than the sham and the D-LR groups. RT was higher in P and LR groups than the sham and the D-LR groups. Base deficit was higher in the P group than the sham and the D-LR groups. The lung MPO activity was higher in the P group than all the others. Lung MPO activity that is closest to the sham was that of D-LR group's. The pancreatic MPO activity was found to be increased in the P and decreased in the LR groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this experimental model for AP, low dose dopamine + LR resuscitation attenuates the lung injury but not the local pancreatic injury.

Is pneumoperitoneum harmful during intra-abdominal hemorrhage in rats?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic surgical interventions are being used in trauma patients for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, but there are limited studies on this subject. The effect of pneumoperitoneum during intra-abdominal hemorrhage has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the hemodynamic, respiratory, and renal effects of pneumoperitoneum in the splenic injury/ hemorrhagic shock model in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, 80 anesthetized Wistar male rats (294.5 +/- 31.2 g) were randomized into 2 main groups: nontraumatized (group A) and traumatized (group B). After initial preparation and monitoring, each group was divided according to the degree of pneumoperitoneum. The nontraumatized subgroups were A1, sham-operated; A2, 4-8 mm Hg; A3, 9-13 mm Hg; and A4, 14-18 mm Hg. The traumatized subgroups were B1, splenic injury without pneumoperitoneum; B2, B3, and B4, splenic injury with pneumoperitoneum at 4-8 mm Hg, 9-13 mm Hg, and 14-18 mm Hg, respectively. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate were monitored continuously. Blood samples were obtained for hemoglobin, hematocrit, arterial blood gases, and biochemical analyses. Twenty-four hour urine output was collected. RESULTS: In group B4, pH, pCO2, and HCO3 levels were lower than in all other groups, while pCO2 and base deficit levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05). Both blood and urine analysis results showed that 24-hour urine output and the glomerular filtration rate of groups A4 and B4 were significantly lower (P < 0.05), while urinary osmolarity and fractional sodium excretion levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High-pressure pneumoperitoneum in splenically traumatized rats amplifies acidosis, decreases urine output, decreases glomerular filtration rate, and increases urinary osmolarity and fractional sodium excretion significantly.