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BackgroundRoutine vascular surgery operations involve stitching of disconnected human arteries with themselves or with artificial grafts (arterial anastomosis). This study aims to extend current knowledge and provide better-substantiated understanding of the mechanics of end-to-end anastomosis through the development of an analytical model governing the dynamic behavior of the anastomotic region of two initially separated arteries.MethodsThe formulation accounts for the arterial axial-circumferential deformation coupling and suture-artery interaction. The proposed model captures the effects of the most important parameters, including the geometric and mechanical properties of artery and sutures, number of sutures, loading characteristics, longitudinal residual stresses, and suture pre-tensioning.ResultsClosed-form expressions are derived for the system response in terms of arterial radial displacement, anastomotic gap, suture tensile force, and embedding stress due to suture-artery contact interaction. Explicit objective functionalities are established to prevent failure at the anastomotic interface.ConclusionsThe mathematical formulation reveals useful interrelations among the problem parameters, thus making the proposed model a valuable tool for the optimal selection of materials and improved functionality of the sutures. By virtue of their generality and directness of application, the findings of this study can ultimately form the basis for the development of vascular anastomosis guidelines pertaining to the prevention of post-surgery implications.

SummaryBackground: The number of patients awaiting heart transplantation is increasing in proportion to the waiting period for a donor. Studies have shown that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has a beneficial effect on patients with heart failure.Hypothesis: The purpose of the present double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study was to assess the effect of CoQ10 on patients with end-stage heart failure and to determine if CoQ10 can improve the pharmacological bridge to heart transplantation.Methods: A prospective double-blind design was used. Thirty-two patients with end-stage heart failure awaiting heart transplantation were randomly allocated to receive either 60 mg U/day of Ultrasome

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The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the mid-term outcome (average follow-up 10 months, range 6-18 months) and value of transaxillary single-port thoracic sympathectomy using a thoracoscope with an operating channel for the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Between December 1992 and October 2002, 176 consecutive patients (94 men, 82 women, mean age 21 years) with hyperhidrosis underwent thoracoscopic sympathectomy via a 12-mm single-port approach. Data on postoperative morbidity and outcome were analyzed to validate the technique. Mean operative time per side was 9 min; there was no conversion to an open procedure. Ninety-five percent of the patients were discharged the next day. Thirty-day mortality was zero. Complications included unilateral transient Horner's syndrome (n=1), residual pneumothorax requiring chest drainage from the port entry (n=4), and segmental atelectasis of the lung (n=4) which was treated conservatively. Complete relief of symptoms was observed in all patients at the 6-month follow-up; 45% experienced compensatory hyperhidrosis. Single-port thoracoscopic sympathectomy produces excellent medical and cosmetic results in patients with hyperhidrosis, and is associated with a short hospital stay and a low risk of complications. Overall satisfaction is high. A few patients may experience compensatory symptoms.

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