Evaluation of early postsplenectomy complications.

This study was done to define the incidence of early postsplenectomy complications and is based upon 688 splenectomies--mainly in malignant and nonmalignant hematologic conditions--performed during the period 1952 to 1986. In 354 patients, early postoperative complications were observed, among whom wound and pulmonary infections were most common. A fatal outcome was noted in 32 patients for a mortality rate of 4.7 per cent. The incidence of early complications after splenectomy is higher than after most other surgical procedures within the abdominal cavity and depends upon the underlying diseases which lead to splenectomy. Deficient immunologic defense mechanisms may be a significant factor in the development of early complications in patients after splenectomy.

Effect of a protein-free haemodialysate on tissue respiration and healing of burns.

Investigations were carried out in three groups of rats (10 rats per group) sustaining partial skin thickness burns covering 2.2 per cent of body surface area. Thirty minutes after burning animals received: Group I, 1 ml Solcoseryl, IP; Group II, 1 ml normal saline, IP; Group III, no treatment (controls). Two hours after burning tissue respiration and the tissue concentrations of potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium ions were measured in biopsies from the burn wounds. It was found that early post-burn administration of Solcoseryl significantly inhibited the secondary destructive processes and accelerated the regeneration of damaged tissue.

[Autotransfusion in patients undergoing surgery for thyroid diseases]. / Ocena przetaczan wlasnej krwi u chorych operowanych z powodu chorób tarczycy

Autotransfusions were performed in 80 patients operated upon for thyroid diseases at the Department of Surgery, Institute of Haematology in Warsaw. For autotransfusions patients were selected in good general condition and with haematological indices in the range accepted for blood donors. Planning of autotransfusion is purposeful only in these cases of thyroid disease in which the necessity of blood transfusion can be predicted in advance (e.g. Graves-Basedov-disease, retrosternal goitre, mediastinal goitre). The transfused volume may cover completely or partly the intraoperative blood loss. Autotransfusion protects the patients against possible isoimmunization which may develop after transfusion of blood from donors. Protection of patients against possible immunization is a problem of considerable value. It is important particularly in young subjects, especially young women who may become mothers. Operations connected with blood loss up to 500 ml do not require supplementary transfusions. Intraoperative blood loss in the range from 500 to 1000 ml requires supplementation. The risk of posttransfusion complications is lowest when autotransfusion is done.