Levent Elbeyli

Chest wall reconstruction with autologas rib grafts in dogs and report of a clinic case

OBJECTIVEnNowadays, in chest wall reconstruction prosthetic materials are generally used. However, the rejections of prosthetic materials and infections frequently occur in chest wall reconstruction, especially after radiotherapy or resection that is performed due to infections.nnnMETHODSnWe used 10 mongrel dogs and performed resections of 8 cm diameter on their chest walls. In the reconstruction of these defects, in five of the subjects, we used two free rib grafts with periosteum to be resected from the contralateral side and in other five subjects, we used free rib grafts without periosteum. After this experimental study, sternal resection was performed in a 24-year-old man because of sternal osteomyelitis. First to obtain rib grafts with periosteum, partial resection was performed to 5th, 7th, and 9th ribs of the lateral left side. After, total sternal resection, end to end anastomosis was performed to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th anterior ends of the ribs.nnnRESULTSnAutogeneous rib grafts were found to be enough to provide chest wall stabilization.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe contralateral autogeneous free rib grafts can successfully be used in reconstruction of wide chest wall defects. This method is found to be effective and sufficient to prevent infection, rejection and to provide stabilization.

Absorbable and Nonabsorbable Sutures for Tracheal Anastomoses in Dogs

Tracheal anastomosis was performed in 3 groups of 6 mongrel dogs each (mean age, 4 months; mean weight, 7 kg) to compare synthetic sutures. The interrupted technique was used for all anastomoses and they were evaluated by rigid bronchoscopy in the 3rd postoperative week. While suture absorption was observed in the Vicryl group, it was not visible in the Ethibond and polydioxanone groups. Dogs were sacrificed between 26 and 76 days (mean, 44 days) postoperatively. No stenosis was observed in any group. Histological evaluation of the epithelium showed a statistically significant difference in epithelization between Vicryl and Ethibond, and between polydioxanone and Ethibond. There was no difference between Vicryl and polydioxanone. These results suggest that absorbable suture material is superior for tension-free anastomoses.

Hydatid Cysts with Pulmonary and Cardiac Involvement

Surgical treatment of a case of pulmonary and cardiac hydatid cysts is described. The role of computed tomography in demonstrating multivesicular cystic lesions is highlighted.

Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst and Endogenous Lipoid Pneumonia

Lipoid pneumonia associated with pulmonary hydatid cyst in a 20-year-old male is described. On the basis of clinical and radiological findings suggestive of pulmonary hydatid cyst, a thoracotomy was performed. Histopathology of the resected right upper lobe indicated hydatid cyst and lipoid pneumonia.