Exogenous nitric oxide protects kidney from ischemia/reperfusion.

Blockade of NO production is followed by an increase in leukocyte rolling and adhesion resulting in some deleterious effects of ischemia. Preischemic administration of NO protects vascular integrity after reperfusion. Exogenous NO causes a direct reduction in leukocyte adhesion. This work was performed to test the hypothesis that exogenous NO administered during the preischemic period to the kidney alone, without coming into contact with the leukocytes, could also reduce leukocyte-endothelium adhesion. Adult rats were subjected to in situ isolation of the left kidney. Solutions were infused through the renal artery and drained through an incision in the renal vein, thus avoiding the systemic circulation. Group IC rats served as an ischemic control, and received 0.9% saline. Group NP received Na nitroprusside. Group S was a nonischemic control. Groups IC and NP were subjected to 75 min of renal ischemia. After this period, vascular structures were repaired and reperfusion allowed. A right nephrectomy was performed. Serum urea and creatinine, myeloperoxidase activity, and histopathological studies were carried out at different intervals after reperfusion. Survival at 15 days was 46%, 80%, and 100% in groups IC, NP, and S, respectively. Differences between groups for serum urea and creatinine were significant only during the first seven days. Myeloperoxidase values were significantly higher in group IC. All rats from group IC and only 20% from group NP showed histological evidence of necrosis. Thus, exogenous NO is protective and acts selectively upon the kidney, modulating its interactions with polymorphonuclear cells after ischemia/reperfusion.

Retained foreign bodies following intra-abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A retained foreign body in the abdominal cavity following surgery is a continuing problem. Despite precautions, the incidence is grossly underestimated. The purpose of this study is to report the result of surgical treatment on 24 consecutive cases treated by the authors during a 10-year period. METHODOLOGY: All consecutive patients with a confirmed diagnosis of foreign body after abdominal surgery were studied. Data collected included the patients' age and sex, the initial diagnosis and primary surgical treatment, period of time between the probable causative operation and the definitive treatment, nature of the foreign body, clinical presentation, predisposing factors, and diagnosis and management; morbidity and mortality are presented as well as guidelines for prevention. RESULTS: All patients were symptomatic. Eight patients presented as intraabdominal sepsis (4 with intestinal obstruction, 4 with entero- or colo-cutaneous fistula), non-specified abdominal pain in 3, persistent sinus and granuloma in 2, abdominal palpable mass in another 2 cases, and 1 patient with vaginal discharge. The diagnosis was established pre-operatively in 15 cases by means of plain abdominal radiographs, ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan. Morbidity was observed in 50% and the rate of surgical reinterventions because of fistulas or residual sepsis in 18%. The mortality was almost 10%. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations ranged from mild abdominal pain, palpable mass, persistent drainage and granuloma to intestinal obstruction secondary to adhesions or occlusion of the intestinal lumen because of migration of the foreign body and intraabdominal sepsis. Despite this being a rare situation, when it happens it presents as a very serious problem to patients with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Prevention remains the key to the problem.