The prognostic significance of initial prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level for metastatic prostate cancer remains uncertain. We investigated the differences in prognosis and response to hormonal therapies of metastatic prostate cancer patients according to initial PSA levels. We analyzed 184 patients diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and divided them into three PSA level groups as follows: low (<100 ng ml^-1), intermediate (100-999 ng ml^-1), and high (≥1000 ng ml^-1). All patients received androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) immediately. We investigated PSA progression-free survival (PFS) for first-line ADT and overall survival (OS) within each of the three groups. Furthermore, we analyzed response to antiandrogen withdrawal (AW) and alternative antiandrogen (AA) therapies after development of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). No significant differences in OS were observed among the three groups (P = 0.654). Patients with high PSA levels had significantly short PFS for first-line ADT (P = 0.037). Conversely, patients in the high PSA level group had significantly longer PFS when treated with AW than those in the low PSA level group (P = 0.047). Furthermore, patients with high PSA levels had significantly longer PFS when provided with AA therapy (P = 0.049). PSA responders to AW and AA therapies had significantly longer survival after CRPC development than nonresponders (P = 0.011 and P < 0.001, respectively). Thus, extremely high PSA level predicted favorable response to vintage sequential ADT and AW. The current data suggest a novel aspect of extremely high PSA value as a favorable prognostic marker after development of CRPC.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Androgen Antagonists/therapeutic use* ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Progression-Free Survival ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/mortality* ; Treatment Outcome

Intramural colonic hemorrhage is rare and often secondary to trauma or anticoagulation therapy. Idiopathic intramural hemorrhages in the alimentary tract have rarely been reported. While several reports of spontaneous perforation of an intramural rectal hematoma have been published, no reports of spontaneous perforation in the ascending colon due to a hematoma have. We describe a patient with an ascending colonic perforation secondary to spontaneous intramural hemorrhage. The patient is a 35-year-old male, who presented with acute abdominal pain and no history of trauma. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed a high-density area around the ascending colon, and nonoperative management was instituted. On the eighth hospital day, the pain worsened, and abdominal computed tomography scan showed free air. An emergent right hemicolectomy was performed. Intramural hematoma and ischemia with perforation, with no obvious etiology, were found. The patient was discharged on the 14th postoperative day.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Colon* ; Colon, Ascending ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Male

A 70-year-old patient underwent modified maze procedure and mitral repair including quadrangular resection, annular plication (Reed procedure), and flexible ring annuloplasty with Cosgrove ring. Systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the anterior mitral leaflet and mild mitral regurgitation was observed on weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient was medically treated, and postoperative echocardiography revealed disappearance of the SAM 11 days after surgery. In addition to the surgical condition of rather excessive annular plication and small ring, transient conditions including inotropic support, insufficient volume under diastolic dysfunction of left ventricle, and loss of atrial contraction were thought to be the causes of SAM.

In the postoperative treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery, the relationship between intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and the clinical course is not been clearly understood. From April 2000 to January 2003, we treated 109 cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery (non-rupture 71 cases, rupture 38 cases) and measured intra-abdominal pressure in 30 of the ruptured cases which we analyzed in this study. The patients were divided into 2 groups. The H-group included 12 patients with maximum IAP equal to or higher than 20mmHg, and the L-group included 18 patients with a maximum IAP less than 20mmHg. Clinical characteristics were compared between the 2 groups. The mean age was 79.3±7.6yr in the H-group and 70.7±10.1yr in the L-group (p=0.019). Preoperative shock was diagnosed in 83.3% of the H-group patients, and 61.1% of the L-group patients the (p=0.26). Postoperative maximum values of intra-abdominal pressure were 22.3±2.0mmHg in the H-group, and 15.4±2.4mmHg in the L-group. Duration of intubation was 87.7±110.0h in the H-group, and 25.1±29.2h in the L-group (p=0.04). Food intake was started 14.4±11.2d after surgery in the H-group, and 8.5±4.8d after surgery in the L-group (p=0.094). The length of ICU stay was 6.7±6.5d in the H-group, and 2.9±2.1d in the L-group (p=0.033). Length of hospital stay after surgery was 54.1±25.8d in the H-group, and 25.2±6.8d in the L-group (p=0.001). Complications occurred in 8 cases out of 11 surviving cases (73%) in the H-group, and in 3 cases out of 17 surviving cases (18%) in the L-group (p=0.0024). Complication in the H-group included acute renal failure, paralytic ileus, respiratory failure, abdominal wall dehiscence, and acute arterial occlusion, and that in the L-group included acute renal failure, upper limb paresis, and lower limb paresis. Monitoring of intra-abdominal pressure was considered beneficial to recognize complication and decide therapeutic strategy after ruptured aortic aneurysm surgery.

A new fogging disinfection method was evaluated as a means of disinfecting ward rooms and operating theaters. A temporary room was established where the disinfection effect of fogging was examined. Based on the results, an automatic fogging disinfection unit was developed. This unit was then used in the disinfection of operating theaters, where its safety and effectiveness were examined. To evaluate the results of disinfection, bacterial culture tests were performed on the floor, walls and other areas of the operating theater, and the number of colony forming units was used as an index of effectiveness. Benzalkonium chloride, alkyldiaminoethylglycine, sodium hypochlorite, glutaral and acidic electrolytic water were used for the operating theaters. The average disinfection effect was 90% or better for all disinfectants, except acidic electrolytic water. The newly developed automatic fogging disinfection unit enables safe and effective disinfection, and may be suitable for disinfecting ward rooms and operating theaters.
Disinfection ; Pulmonary evaluation ; Unit ; Automated ; Water

We evaluated risk factors for prolonged pleural effusion after surgery in 35 children who underwent total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). Duration of their chest tube drainage was 5.4±7.0 days (1-41, median 3). In univariate analysis, significant risk factors for prolonged pleural drainage over 7 days were preoperative body weight (p=0.03), preoperative cardiothoracic ratio (p=0.03), cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (p=0.02), homologous blood transfusion (p=0.03), serum protein concentration at CPB weaning (p=0.04), central venous pressure (CVP) averaged during 3 postoperative days (p=0.01) and body weight change during 3 postoperative days (p=0.01). However multivariate analysis showed only CVP averaged during 3 postoperative days was a significant risk factor for prolonged chest tube drainage (p=0.03, odd's ratio 3.3). In conclusion, to keep the central venous pressure as low as possible during the early postoperative period might decrease the duration of pleural drainage.

Cardiac operations involving cardiopulmonary bypass can cause a systemic inflammatory response such as elevation of inflammatory cytokines, which can cause organ failure. We investigated cytokine production and its inhibition by ulinastatine in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass. Thirty-three patients received either ulinastatine (300, 000 units, intracoronary artery injection immediately after aortic closs-clamping, UTI group, n=16) or no ulinastatine (control group, n=17). Arterial blood samples were obtained at aortic closs-clamping, 5 minutes after aortic declamping, and 6, 12 and 18 hours after surgery and there were assayed for interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase (PMNE). In addition, we examined liver function (GOT, GPT, and total bilirubin), renal function (blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine), and oxygenatory function (PaO₂/FIO₂) postoperatively. IL-8 levels at 5 minutes after aortic declamping and maximum IL-8 levels were significantly lower in the UTI group than in the control group (25.5±12.8 vs. 47.8±38.9pg/dl, p<0.05, and 28.6±13.2 vs. 58.4±40.0pg/dl, p<0.05). Blood urea nitrogen on the second post operative day (POD) and three POD and creatinine on the second POD were also significantly lower in the UTI group than the control group. Furthermore, IL-8 and PMNE levels significantly correlated positively with blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. There was significant negative correlation between IL-8 and oxygenatory function. These results shows that the ulinastatine can inhibit IL-8 levels following cardiac surgery. To combat the increase of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-8 after cardiopulmonary bypass, the ulinastatine should be used for anticytokine therapy to protect the kidneys, lungs, and other organs, and thereby decrease the risk of complications.

A Case of abdominal aortic occlusion caused by acute aortic dissection (DeBakey's type III b) is reported. A 59-year-old woman was admitted with sudden onset back pain and sensory disturbance of bilateral lower extremities. The pulsations of bilateral femoral arteries were absent. CT and aortogram revealed dissection of the thoracic descending aorta and infrarenal aortic occlusion. Since ischemic change had progressed, bilateral axillofemoral bypass was performed for limb salvage, and the symptoms improved rapidly. Axillofemoral bypass is an easy and safe procedure even in the acute phase of aortic dissection. It provides fast reperfusion, and so is considered to be useful to preventing myonephrotic metabolic syndrome MNMS.

We studied the effects of granulocytic elastase (GEL) and fibronectin (FN) on the coagulation and fibrinolytic system when using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Blood sampling was performed before CPB (Pre), just after CPB (Post) the 1st postoperative day (PD1) and the second postoperative day (PD2). Laboratory parameters were GEL, FN, fibrinogen (Fib), prothrombin time (PT), fibrin degradation products (FDP), D dimer (D-D), α2 plasmin inhibitor plasmin complex (PIC) and antithrombin III (AT III). The level of GEL was highest and that of FN was lowest at Post. The levels of Fib, PT and AT III were lowest and that of PIC was highest just after CPB. The levels of FDP and D-D were highest on PD1. The levels of GEL and D-D correlated just after CPB and on PD1 and PD2. The level of GEL correlated with that of PIC on PD1. These results demonstrated that the level of FN decreased with CPB. And it was expected that CPB time affected the level of GEL. The levels of GEL affects D-D and PIC which are fibrinolysic factors particularly related to secondary fibrinolysis.