A call to action in thoracic transplant surgical training.

Thoracic organ recovery and implantation is increasing in complexity. Simultaneously the logistic burden and associated cost is rising. An electronic survey distributed to the surgical directors of thoracic transplant programs in the United States indicated dissatisfaction amongst 72% of respondents with current procurement training and 85% of respondents favored a process for certification in thoracic organ transplantation. These responses highlight concerns for the current paradigm of training in thoracic transplantation. We discuss the implications of advancements in organ retrieval and implant for surgical training and propose that the thoracic transplant community might address the need through formalized training in procurement and certification in thoracic transplantation.

[Huge periprosthetic (peritransplant) seroma of a femoropopliteal bypass graft]. / Gigantskaia periproteznaia (periéksplantatnaia) seroma bedrenno podkolennogo shunta.

Presented herein is a clinical case report of a huge periprosthetic seroma of a femoropopliteal bypass graft made of polytetrafluoroethylene with a follow-up period and unsuccessful conservative management of more than one year. At 15 months after the primary operation, the bypass graft was retrieved and replaced by a knitted vascular graft made of polyester and impregnated with absorbable modified gelatine to decrease porosity, without relapse of the process of transudation into the periprosthetic space. Histological study of the retrieved conduit demonstrated the absence of formation of the intimal layer on the inner surface of the graft and fibrous capsule on the external surface of the main part of the length of the prosthesis, which, apparently, had provided a possibility of long-term preservation of porosity of the material.

[Use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound for assessment of the state of femoropopliteal bypass graft anastomoses]. / Primenenie kontrastnoi sonografii dlia otsenki sostoianiia anastomozov bedrenno-podkolennykh shuntov.

Analysed herein is the experience of the first eight ultrasonographic studies of peripheral arteries with dynamic contrast enhancement using sulphur hexafluoride («SonoVue¼) carried out in patients after previously performed femoropopliteal bypass grafting with a synthetic prosthesis (in seven cases the distal anastomosis of the bypass graft was located below the fissure of the knee joint and in one case - above the fissure of the knee joint). Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography was performed averagely 12.5±4.0 months after the operation, according to the technique recommended by the manufacturer of the contrast agent. It was demonstrated that control ultrasonic scanning of lower-limb arteries using contrast enhancement in the remote period after bypass operations proved more informative in relation to detection of stenoses of the distal anastomosis of the femoropopliteal bypass graft, trifurcation of the popliteal artery and near-ostium segments of tibial arteries than a study with no contrast medium.

Cooperation within--the patient care team advantage.

As the demand for post-hospital health care increases, one home care agency has developed a referral process that makes the transition from hospital to home as smooth as possible for both patients and health care professionals.