[Laparoscopic liver donor nephrectomy. Personal experiences and review of the literature]. / Laparoskopische Lebendspendernephrektomie. Eigene Erfahrungen und Literaturübersicht.

Despite improved success rates, the number of kidney transplantations in Germany in the last few years has stagnated, resulting in increasing waiting lists of patients on dialysis. In Germany, only 16.7% of kidney transplantations are living-donor nephrectomies, representing a relatively low rate compared to other countries (The Netherlands 28%, Sweden 35%). Since April 1998, we have performed ten retroperitoneoscopic living-donor nephrectomies (six left, four right side). The mean operating time was 216 min (155-290) with minimal blood loss. No intraoperative complications were observed. Warm ischemia time amounted to a mean of 4 min (2-7). The mean cold ischemia time was 165 min (76-290). Postoperative hospital stay of the donors was 6 days (4-10). All transplants functioned immediately; mean serum creatinine dropped from initially 8.0 mg/dl (5.3-11.5) on day 1 to 1.4 mg/dl (0.9-1.6) 3 months after surgery. This did not differ from previously operated open donor nephrectomies. An analysis of the literature included data of 4240 patients from 25 publications between 1980 and 2000 reporting on either open or laparoscopic living donor nephrectomies.

Treatment of calcifying tendinitis of rotator cuff by extracorporeal shock waves: a preliminary report.

This study examined the effects of high-energy shock wave treatment on the course of calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder. Twenty patients were included in the protocol. Shock waves were applied to the calcifications with a lithotripter in two sessions of 2000 pulses each. The energy that produced the shock wave was 18 to 22 kV. Six and 12 weeks after treatment the subjective and functional state was assessed with the Constant score. All patients underwent radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. At the 12-week follow-up evaluation 15 patients had a marked reduction of symptoms with an average of 30% improvement in the Constant score. Radiographs showed a complete elimination of the calcifications in seven patients, and in five cases a partial disintegration was seen. The overall morbidity was low; 14 patients had a transient subcutaneous hematoma. Magnetic resonance imaging did not show any lasting damage to bone or soft tissue.

[Effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy on tendinosis calcarea of the shoulder. A preliminary report]. / Die Wirkung extrakorporaler Stosswellen auf die Tendinosis calcarea der Schulter. Ein vorläufiger Bericht.

UNLABELLED: The aim of a prospective study was to examine the effects of high energetic shock wave treatment on the course of calcareous tendinitis of the shoulder. 20 patients were entered into the study. Shock waves were applied to the calcifications with a Lithotripter MFL 5000 in two sessions of 2000 impulses each. The shock wave producing energy was 18 kV-22 kV. 6 and 12 weeks after treatment subjective and functional condition was checked by means of a 100-points functional score; all patients underwent x-ray control and MRI imaging. RESULTS: After 12 weeks 14 patients showed a marked improvement of symptoms, the average improvement on score measuring 25 points. The x-rays of 7 patients showed a complete resorption of the calcifications, in 5 cases partial disintegration of the calcium deposits was seen. The overall morbidity was low with 14 patients developing transient hematomas; MRI imaging showed no severe damages of bone and soft tissue.

[Initial experiences with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) in treatment of tendinosis calcarea of the shoulder]. / Erste Erfahrungen mit der Extrakorporalen Stosswellen-Lithotripsie (ESWL) in der Behandlung der Tendinosis calcarea der Schulter.

In a prospective investigation the use of high energetic shock waves for treatment of chronical painful calcareous tendinitis of the shoulder was examined in a pilot group of 5 patients. The deposits were localized by sonography. Immediately after treatment 1 patient felt complete release of pain, the calcium deposit had disappeared on the x-ray control one day after treatment. In 3 cases pain release and elimination of the calcification appeared during 6 weeks after treatment. One patient showed only radiological disintegration of the calcification with no release of pain.