David Sawaya

P-selectin contributes to the initial recruitment of rolling and adherent leukocytes in hepatic venules after ischemia/reperfusion.

We have recently reported that hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is associated with a biphasic increase in the expression of P-selectin in the liver microvasculature, with peak expression levels observed at 20 min and 5 h after reperfusion. This I/R-induced upregulation of P-selectin expression is accompanied by leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion in terminal hepatic venules (THV). The objective of this study was to determine whether the early expression of P-selectin contributes to the initial recruitment of rolling and adherent leukocytes in THV after liver I/R. Left hepatic lobe ischemia was induced for 30 min in anesthetized C57B1/6 and P-selectin knockout (KO) mice. The number of rolling, saltating, and adherent leukocytes in THV was measured at 0, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after reperfusion using intravital video microscopy. Hepatic I/R elicited significant increases in the number of rolling, saltating, and adherent leukocytes, with peak values observed at 30 min after reperfusion. All of these responses were absent in P-selectin KO mice and in C57B1/6 mice treated with a blocking antibody to P-selectin. Our findings suggest that P-selectin is the primary determinant of leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion observed in hepatic venules in the initial period after I/R. Hence, this adhesion molecule may represent a target for therapeutic intervention in liver transplantation and other conditions associated with hepatic I/R.

Both ischemic and pharmacological preconditioning decrease hepatic leukocyte/endothelial cell interactions.

BACKGROUND Ischemic preconditioning has been shown to protect some tissues from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Adenosine is believed to play an important role by attenuating leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesive interactions. Dipyridamole increases adenosine bioavailability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mechanical (MPC) and pharmacological preconditioning (PPC) on leukocyte endothelial cell interaction in hepatic I/R injury. METHODS C57BL6 mice were subjected to 30 min of ischemia to the left lobe of the liver. Groups tested at 30 min, 2, 5, 12, and 24 hr of reperfusion had 1) sham laparotomy (n = 10, 2) I/R (n = 25), 3) ischemic preconditioning with 5 min of ischemia and 10 min reperfusion before I/R (n = 25), and 4) (PPC) with dipyridamole (n = 25). Intravital microscopic examination was used to assess leukocyte/endothelial cell adhesion. Blood was drawn for leukocyte counts and liver function tests. RESULTS A significant decrease in leukocyte rolling was observed at 30-min and 5-hr reperfusion intervals in the PPC and ischemic preconditioning groups compared with the I/R group. A significant decrease in leukocyte saltation was also observed in the PPC and MPC groups at 2, 5, and 12 hr of reperfusion when compared with the I/R group. aspartate aminotransferase was significantly decreased in the 5-hr preconditioning groups. There was not a significant decrease in the white blood cell count because of PPC or MPC vs. I/R CONCLUSIONS: Preconditioning decreases endothelial/ leukocyte interaction and reduces liver damage as measured by aspartate aminotransferase. These data prove that IPC and PPC provide some degree of hepatic protection in I/R injury.

Pancreatic Transplantation and Subsequent Graft Surveillance by Pancreatic Portal–Enteric Anastomosis and Temporary Venting Jejunostomy

ObjectiveTo evaluate portal–enteric (PE) pancreas and kidney transplantation with venting jejunostomy (VJ) for its efficacy, safety, and reproducibility. Summary Background DataSimultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation for patients with long-standing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus that progresses to renal failure has revolutionized their treatment and quality of life. A current clinical focus is to refine the technical aspects of this procedure. Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation with PE anastomosis with VJ appears to offer several advantages over bladder drainage. VJ allows initial decompression of the enteric anastomosis, monitoring of pancreatic function by ostomy amylase, and simple access for endoscopic evaluation and biopsy of the allograft. MethodsSimultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation with VJ was performed in 21 patients from December 1996 to October 2000 at Willis Knighton/LSU Regional Transplant Center. All patients had long-standing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and subsequent renal failure. They were evaluated at the time of surgery by a multidisciplinary transplant team and monitored for numerous factors, including length of hospital stay, immunosuppressive regimen, and ischemia times. All patients had intermittent visual and biochemical evaluation of pancreatic secretions monitored by means of the VJ. ResultsOf the 21 patients, 10 were women and 11 were men. Four patients were black and 17 were white. The mean age at transplantation was 38 years; average human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match was one; and average cold ischemia time was 12 hours. The median hospital stay was 16 days. Four episodes of postoperative bleeding requiring exploration occurred in four patients. Postoperative wound infections developed in four patients. There were 12 episodes of rejection in nine patients. All patients with suspected acute pancreatic rejection underwent endoscopy by means of the VJ and duodenal biopsy for evaluation. Two patients lost pancreatic function subsequent to kidney failure, one secondary to noncompliance and the other as a result of hemolytic-uremic syndrome. Patient, kidney, and pancreatic survival rates were 100%, 90%, and 90%, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 25 (range 2–48) months. ConclusionThe authors believe that PE pancreatic drainage with VJ is a more physiologic method to perform pancreatic transplantation than bladder drainage. PE drainage allows rapid diagnosis of acute rejection and anastomotic leak and provides a simple way to monitor ostomy amylase and transplant duodenal bleeding. This technique is safe and has minimal associated complications.

Surgical skills training restructured for the 21st century.

BACKGROUND Few if any medical schools have a comprehensive surgical skills program taking medical students from learning basic knot tying and surgical skills to performing these skills at a level adequate for function during a primary care, surgical, or subspecialty residency. We have designed and continue to refine a program, which consists of five workshops focused on basic surgical skills, which are applicable to all medical and surgical disciplines. MATERIALS AND METHODS During the first workshop students learn how to tie both one- and two-handed surgical knots. The second workshop involves teaching students differences in suture type and use, instrument handling, and suturing techniques. The third workshop is used to address problems and refine techniques previously learned in the first two sessions. The fourth workshop comprises a final examination to evaluate suture and knot tying skills. The fifth session is a voluntary knot tying and suturing competition with awards for speed, finesse, aesthetics, and the watertightness of a vascular surgical repair. Surgical faculty and house staff are present at each workshop to provide direction and constructive criticism. RESULTS Fifty-seven third-year medical students have completed the surgical skills curriculum. Statistical analysis demonstrates significant improvement in both knot tying and suturing (P < 0.05) for these students. Forty-four percent of students have successfully sewn a watertight anastomosis. CONCLUSION We hypothesize that this curriculum will produce medical students with basic surgical skills, appreciation of surgical technique, and the confidence to perform basic surgical skills at completion of the curriculum.

Epiploic Appendagitis: A Rare Cause of Acute Abdominal Pain in Children. Report of a Case and Review of the Pediatric Literature.

A 9-year-old boy presented with acute onset of abdominal pain and vomiting. History, physical examination, and initial laboratory testing failed to provide a diagnosis. A computed tomography scan revealed the rare finding of epiploic appendagitis. We review the literature of this rare, but increasingly recognized, condition that mimics appendicitis and needs to be considered in the child with acute abdominal pain.

Uncommon presentation of rare disorder-duodenal ulcer secondary to invasive pancreatic primitive neuroectodermal tumor: case report and review of the literature.

The authors report an unusual presentation of a rare tumor in childhood, a pancreatic primitive neuroectodermal tumor invading the duodenum leading to anemia. A review of intra-abdominal primitive neuroectodermal tumors is discussed.

Esophageal diverticulum arising from a prolonged retained esophageal foreign body.

Esophageal foreign body impaction (EFBI) is a rare condition in childhood which needs urgent removal. However, if left untreated, its chronic impaction may lead to serious secondary complications. Symptoms associated with chronic EFBI are attributed to airway disease or gastroesophageal reflux, which further delays definitive diagnosis and management. We present a girl with ingestion of a bottle cap diaphragm that was embedded in her esophagus resulting in esophageal narrowing and a secondary diverticulum formation. As the disk was unable to be removed using standard grasping forceps, the authors used an injector needle to impale the disk and successfully removed it without any complications.

Are all successful renal transplants really successful

We previously described a small group of renal transplant recipients considered to have successful allografts statistically, but who did not benefit clinically. These were patients in whom the grafts survived greater than 6 months but less than 3 years. This expanded study evaluates 179 consecutive renal transplant recipients divided into three groups. Group 1 (n = 18), group 2 (n = 41), and group 3 (n = 120) have patients with graft survival less than 6 months, between 6 months and 3 years, and greater than 3 years, respectively. Mean age, cause of renal failure, HLA match, and immunosuppressive regimen were not statistically different in any group. The number of acute rejection episodes, number of hospitalizations, and number and seriousness of complications were significantly greater in group 2 patients compared with the other groups. Patients in group 2 experienced five times the number of acute rejections (P < 0.0001), three times the number of hospitalizations (P < 0.0001), and two times the number of complications (P < 0.0001) compared with group 3 patients. In conclusion, those transplant recipients whose grafts survived longer than 6 months but less than 3 years were the most unfortunate. They experienced repeated and serious complications and spent many days in the hospital at great expense. A study with more sensitive methods of detecting presensitization might impact on graft performance in the future.

Staged closure with negative pressure wound therapy for gastroschisis with liver herniation: A case report

Liver herniation with gastroschisis is an uncommon occurrence that is associated with a poor prognosis. This report presents a single case of complex gastroschisis complicated by herniation of the left hepatic lobe. In the subject case, the abdominal wall defect was successfully closed by sequential closure with negative pressure wound therapy after the initial application of a preformed silo. As there are no established standards for the management of gastroschisis with liver herniation, there exists an opportunity for multicenter review to define approaches to optimize clinical outcomes with this complex congenital issue. As a result of the complexity and rarity of this congenital abnormality, reports with a positive prognosis carry clinical relevance.

Synovial sarcoma leading to a paraesophageal abscess in a child

BACKGROUND Synovial sarcoma (SS) is an uncommon malignant neoplasm arising from primitive pluripotential mesenchyme primarily affecting the soft tissues of the extremities. Rarely other locations are involved, including the mediastinum. CASE REPORT After treatment for mediastinal SS by surgical resection, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, an 11-year-old boy developed an esophageal stricture and fistula, the latter resulting in a paraesophageal abscess. Management of the esophageal stricture and fistula required a multi-disciplinary approach. We report our experience with the management of this difficult complication, as well as a brief review of the literature on SS. CONCLUSIONS Rare conditions, particularly those with unusual complications, present therapeutic challenges requiring a multi-disciplinary team approach. Reporting experiences with difficult cases can benefit providers faced with similar problems in the future.