Meral Barlas

Human amniotic membrane as an intestinal patch for neomucosal growth in the rabbit model

This experiment was carried out as a preliminary study, an attempt to grow new intestinal mucosa on human amniotic membrane in the terminal ileum in 37 rabbits. After ketamin sulfate anesthesia at laparatomy, 5-cm ileal defects were patched with human amniotic membrane (5 x 2 cm). These patched intestines were investigated on the first postoperative day and the 2nd, 5th, 10th, and 20th weeks corresponding to 4, 5, 5, 10, and 10 rabbits, respectively. Only three rabbits died in the early postoperative period. There was no evidence of intestinal obstruction or dilatation with barium meal. Microscopically, the neomucosa consisted of a thin layer of columnar epithelial cells at 2 weeks with more maturity of the villi and less irregularity and branching by 20 weeks. All patches were covered with neomucosa commencing at 2 weeks and covering the whole patch area by 20 weeks. This techniques advantages are the large size and the ease of the availability of the human amniotic membrane for neonates at risk without jeopardizing the neonates tissues. It is hoped that this method might be considered when neonatal material is scarce.

A Bronchopleurocutaneous fistula caused by an unusual foreign body aspiration simulating acute abdomen

A 12-year-old boy was admitted to hospital for abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. On physical examination he had râles on the lower right hemithorax without any respiratory complaints. Chest X-ray revealed a condensation in the right lower chest. Abdominal findings were secondary to lobar pneumonia. Treatment of pneumonia with antibiotics showed no improvement over 2 days. On bronchoscopy no foreign body was seen, but pus was aspirated. Two days later a mass appeared on the right hemithorax and fistulized. An organic foreign body,Hordeum murinum, with 3–5 ml of pus was observed. Chest X-ray taken at the day of fistulization showed no pneumothorax or subcutaneous emphysema. Less than 11 cases of pneumocutaneous fistulas secondary to aspiration of grasses have been reported in literature. Why an ear ofHordeum murinum can migrate only in a forward direction and why a pneumothorax had not developed is discussed.

Does L-arginine induce intestinal adaptation by epithelial growth factor?

Background:  To evaluate whether L‐Arginine has an effect on endogenous epidermal growth factor secretion and intestinal adaptation in massive small bowel resection an experimental study was performed.

A new instrument for rectal suction biopsy in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung′s disease: Triple rectal suction biopsy

A new instrument for suction rectal biopsy in infants suspected of having Hirschsprungs disease is described that can be completely dismantled, physically cleaned, lubricated, and heat sterilised. Triple rectal suction biopsy instrument with the patent application, which involves (0.5 cm diameter) suction of mucosa and sub-mucosa and provides taking three different biopsies within a 2 cm distant from each other with a single shot, instead of only one or taking a full layer biopsy under general anesthesia for the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease. As a preliminary study, in the 36 and 12 biopsy materials taken from the rabbits and children, respectively, it was found that mucosa and sub-mucosa were sufficient and in all of the cross sections, parasympathetic nerve fibers, and ganglion cells were existed. A successful biopsy was usually achieved and no complications occurred.