Background: Existing literature lacks high-quality evidence regarding the ideal intraoperative positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) to minimize postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). We hypothesized that applying individualized PEEP derived from electrical impedance tomography would reduce the severity of postoperative lung aeration loss, deterioration in oxygenation, and PPC incidence. Methods: A pilot feasibility study was conducted on 36 patients who underwent open abdominal oncologic surgery. The patients were randomized to receive individualized PEEP or conventional PEEP at 4 cmH2O. The primary outcome was the impact of individualized PEEP on changes in the modified lung ultrasound score (MLUS) derived from preoperative and postoperative lung ultrasonography. A higher MLUS indicated greater lung aeration loss. The secondary outcomes were the PaO2/FiO2 ratio and PPC incidence. Results: A significant increase in the postoperative MLUS (12.0 ± 3.6 vs 7.9 ± 2.1, P < 0.001) and a significant difference between the postoperative and preoperative MLUS values (7.0 ± 3.3 vs 3.0 ± 1.6, P < 0.001) were found in the conventional PEEP group, indicating increased lung aeration loss. In the conventional PEEP group, the intraoperative PaO2/FiO2 ratios were significantly lower but not the postoperative ratios. The PPC incidence was not significantly different between the groups. Post-hoc analysis showed the increase in lung aeration loss and deterioration of intraoperative oxygenation correlated with the deviation from the individualized PEEP. Conclusions Individualized PEEP appears to protect against lung aeration loss and intraoperative oxygenation deterioration. The advantage was greater in patients whose individualized PEEP deviated more from the conventional PEEP.

Leiomyomas are benign uterine smooth muscle neoplasms with varied morphology that are well known to undergo secondary changes. Cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma is a rare and distinct form of leiomyoma that poses a diagnostic challenge for clinicians, radiologists, and pathologists and can be confused with malignant uterine neoplasms. Only a few cases have been reported so far in the literature. Here we report a case of a cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma in a 60-year-old woman, emphasize its gross and histological features, and provide a review of the literature.
Female ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth ; Uterine Neoplasms ; Uterus

Thyroid carcinoma is the most common neoplasm of endocrine malignancies. Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) constitutes 90% of the thyroid carcinomas, rest being medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). Distant metastases occur in up to 10% of patients with DTC. Metastases to axillary lymph nodes (ALN) are very rare. As per literature, only 25 cases have been reported. We report an unusual case of 47-year-old male with Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid presenting with a solitary axillary lymph node metastasis 17 years after thyroidectomy, along with review of literature.
Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Recurrence ; Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroidectomy

Thyroid carcinoma is the most common neoplasm of endocrine malignancies. Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) constitutes 90% of the thyroid carcinomas, rest being medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). Distant metastases occur in up to 10% of patients with DTC. Metastases to axillary lymph nodes (ALN) are very rare. As per literature, only 25 cases have been reported. We report an unusual case of 47-year-old male with Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid presenting with a solitary axillary lymph node metastasis 17 years after thyroidectomy, along with review of literature.

PURPOSEThe treatment of high-energy tibial condylar fractures which are associated with severe soft tissue injuries remains contentious and challenging. In this study, we assessed the results of Joshi's external stabilization system (JESS) by using the principle of ligamentotaxis and percutaneous screw fixation for managing high-energy tibial condylar fractures associated with severe soft tissue injuries.

METHODSBetween June 2008 and June 2010, 25 consecutive patients who were 17e71 years (mean, 39.7), underwent the JESS fixation for high-energy tibial condylar fractures associated with severe soft tissue injuries. Out of 25 patients, 2 were lost during follow-up and in 1 case early removal of frame was done, leaving 22 cases for final follow-up. Among them, 11 had poor skin condition with abrasions and blisters and 2 were open injuries (Gustilo-Anderson grade I&II). The injury mechanisms were motor vehicle accidents (n=19), fall from a height (n=2) and assault (n=1). The fractures were classified according to Schatzker classification system.

RESULTSThere were 7 type-V, 14 type-VI and 1 type-lV Schatzker's tibial plateau fractures. The average interval between the injury and surgery was 6.8 days (range 2-13). The average hospital stay was 13 days (range, 7-22). The average interval between the surgery and full weight bearing was 13.6 weeks (range 11-20). The average range of knee flexion was 121°(range 105°-135°). The normal extension of the knee was observed in 20 patients, and an extensor lag of 5°-8° was noted in 2 patients. The complications included superficial pin tract infections (n=4) with no knee stiffness.

CONCLUSIONJESS with lag screw fixation combines the benefit of traction, external fixation, and limited internal fixation, at the same time as allowing the ease of access to the soft tissue for wound checks, pin care, dressing changes, measurement of compartment pressure, and the monitoring of the neurovascular status. In a nutshell, JESS along with screw fixation offers a promising alternative treatment for high- energy tibial condylar fractures associated with severe soft tissue injuries.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Screws ; External Fixators ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; methods ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Tibial Fractures ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Adansonia digitata L. (Malvaceae) is commonly known as baobab tree native to Africa. Baobab is a multi-purpose tree which offers protection and provides food, clothing and medicine as well as raw material for many useful items. The fruit pulp, seeds, leaves, flowers, roots, and bark of baobab are edible and they have been studied by scientists for their useful properties. The fruit pulp have very high vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, carbohydrates, fibers, potassium, proteins and lipids content, which can be used in seasoning as an appetizer and also make juices. Seeds contain appreciable quantities of phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, sodium, iron, manganese, whereas they have high levels of lysine, thiamine, calcium and iron. Baobab has numerous biological properties including antimicrobial, anti-malarial, diarrhoea, anaemia, asthma, antiviral, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities amongst others. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of flavonoids, phytosterols, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. The review summarizes the information on various aspects of traditional information, taxonomic description, medicinal properties and importantly nutritional value.

No abstract available.
Carpal Bones/*injuries ; Female ; Fractures, Bone/*complications ; Hand Injuries/*complications ; Humans ; Male ; Radius Fractures/*complications

PURPOSE: The laparoscopic colectomy is avoided principally because of its technical difficulty, steep learning curve, and increased operative time. Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) is an alternative technique that addresses these problems while preserving the short-term benefits of a laparoscopic colectomy. Our study was aimed to describe the characteristics of patients admitted due to left-sided colon and rectal cancer for HALS. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database was used to identify patients who underwent HALS at the Institute of Oncology, Vilnius University, from July 1, 2009, to October 1, 2012. RESULTS: One hundred-three HALS colorectal resections were performed. The patients' mean age was 64 +/- 13.4 years. There were 46 male and 57 female patients. The body mass index was 27.3 +/- 5.8 kg/m2. Forty-three patients (41.8%) had experienced prior abdominal surgery. The mean HALS time was 105 minutes (range, 55-85 minutes). The conversion rate was 2.7% (3/103). The median of return of gastrointestinal function was 2.5 days (range, 2.2-4.5 days). The median length of hospital stay was 9 days. The postoperative complication and mortality rates were 10.7% and 0.97%, respectively. Four incisional hernias (3.9%) were seen at a mean follow-up of 7.0 +/- 3.4 months. None of the patients had a trocar or a hand-port site recurrence. CONCLUSION: A HALS colorectal resection is a safe and effective technique, and it provides all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.
Body Mass Index ; Colectomy ; Colon* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand-Assisted Laparoscopy ; Hernia ; Humans ; Laparoscopy* ; Learning Curve ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Mortality ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Prospective Studies ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Recurrence ; Surgical Instruments

INTRODUCTIONWe aimed to assess the efficacy of fixed dose combination of atorvastatin plus ezetimibe in Indian patients with dyslipidaemia.

METHODSA double-blind study was conducted to assess the effect of fixed dose combination of ezetimibe 10 mg plus atorvastatin 10 mg on lipid profile, oxidised low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule (sICAM) in dyslipidaemic patients with or at high risk of coronary artery disease, and compare it with atorvastatin 10 mg monotherapy. 30 patients were randomised to receive ezetimibe plus atorvastatin or atorvastatin once daily for four weeks.

RESULTSOf the 30 patients, 10 men and 5 women (mean age 54.3 ± 1.6 years) received ezetimibe plus atorvastatin, while 13 men and 2 women (mean age 53.7 ± 2.8 years) received only atorvastatin. The combination treatment significantly reduced total cholesterol (percentage treatment difference -14.4 ± 6.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] -1.0 to -27.7; p = 0.041) and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C; percentage treatment difference -19.9 ± 6.1, 95% CI -7.4 to -32.4; p = 0.003) compared to atorvastatin monotherapy. 13 patients on combination treament achieved the National Cholesterol Education Program target for LDL-C as compared to 9 patients on atorvastatin monotherapy (p = 0.032). Significant reductions in very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, ox-LDL and sICAM were observed with combination treatment compared to atorvastatin monotherapy. However, no significant change was seen in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or hsCRP levels between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONCombination treatment with atorvastatin and ezetimibe had relatively better lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory efficacy than atorvastatin monotherapy.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; therapeutic use ; Anticholesteremic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Azetidines ; administration & dosage ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Dyslipidemias ; drug therapy ; Ezetimibe ; Female ; Heptanoic Acids ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; India ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pyrroles ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEThe treatment of multi-fragmentary, intraarticular fractures of the distal humerus is difficult, even in young patients with bone of good quality. Small distal fragment, diminished bone mineral quality and increased trauma-associated joint destruction make stable joint reconstruction more problematic. The anatomically preshaped locking plates allow angular stable fixation for these complex fractures. We evaluated functional results of patients treated with open reduction and internal fixation with distal humerus locking plates for complex distal humerus fractures.

METHODSForty-three consecutive patients with articular fractures of the distal humerus were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with AO distal humerus plate system and locking reconstruction plates. Forty patients were available for the final outcome analysis. According to AO/ASIF classification, there were 2 cases of type A2, 4 cases of type A3, 1 case of type B1, 1 case of type B2, 14 cases of type C1, 7 cases of type C2 and 11 cases of type C3. Open reduction with triceps splitting technique was used in all patients. The clinical and radiographic follow-up was performed and outcome measures included pain assessment, range of motion, and Mayo elbow performance score.

RESULTSForty patients were available for the final outcome analysis. There were 29 males and 11 females with an average age of 38.4 years (18-73 years). Clinical and radiological consolidation of the fracture was observed in all cases at an average of 11.6 weeks (9-14 weeks). The average follow-up was 12 months (10-18 months). Using the Mayo elbow performance score the results obtained were graded as excellent or good results in 33 patients (82.5%). One patient had superficial infection, and 4 had myositis ossificans. There were no cases of primary malposition or secondary displacement, implant failure or ulnar neuropathy.

CONCLUSIONAnatomically preshaped distal humerus locking plate system is useful in providing stable fixation for complex distal articular fracture and facilitating early postoperative rehabilitation. The low rate of implant failure in the present study indicates that the technique is promising and warrants further investigation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Treatment Outcome