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BackgroundTo investigate the effects of platelet-rich plasma on tissue maturation and burn healing in an experimental partial-thickness burn injury model.Material/MethodsThirty Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups of 10 rats each. Group 1 (platelet-rich plasma group) was exposed to burn injury and topical platelet-rich plasma was applied. Group 2 (control group) was exposed to burn injury only. Group 3 (blood donor group) was used as blood donors for platelet-rich plasma. The rats were killed on the seventh day after burn injury. Tissue hydroxyproline levels were measured and histopathologic changes were examined.ResultsHydroxyproline levels were significantly higher in the platelet-rich plasma group than in the control group (P=.03). Histopathologically, there was significantly less inflammatory cell infiltration (P=.005) and there were no statistically significant differences between groups in fibroblast development, collagen production, vessel proliferations, or epithelization.ConclusionsPlatelet-rich plasma seems to partially improve burn healing in this experimental burn injury model. As an initial conclusion, it appears that platelet-rich plasma can be used in humans, although further studies should be performed with this type of treatment.

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Purpose: It is critical to differentiate among pathologies of substernal thyroid gland diseases because surgical approaches (i.e., median sternotomy or thoracotomy) might also include a cervical incision. The aim of this study was to analyze the features of patients with goiter who underwent a thyroidectomy via a cervical incision and a median sternotomy or thoracotomy. Methods: We reviewed 9 cases of thyroid disease in patients undergoing thoracic incisions with or without a cervical incision for varying indications between March 2003 and Jun 2009 were reviewed. Thyroidal masses were removed via a median sternotomy in six patients and thoracotomy in three patients. Split median sternotomy combining thoracotomy was performed in 1 patient. Cervical incision was added in all patients. Results: Pathologic examination revealed multinodular goiter in 5 patients, thyroid carcinoma in 3, and reidel thyroiditis in 1. All patients were extubated in the early postoperative period. There was no postoperative mortality or morbidity. The mean hospital stay was 8.6 days (range, 4-11 days), and mean follow-up was 24.3 months (range, 4-39 months). Conclusions: We recommend the use of transthoracic approaches, such as median sternotomy and thoracotomy for retrosternal goiter for surgical exposure, because they provide a wide exposure and facilitate removal of the mass. By using median sternotomy and thoracotomy, we can avoid catastrophic results, such as hemorrhage, as well as completely remove malignancies.

Statistically significant increases of QTd and QTcd, which are associated with an increased risk of arrhythmias and cardiac events, occur during CO(2) insufflation in both high-pressure and low-pressure pneumoperitoneums. QTd and QTcd were significantly higher in the high-pressure pneumoperitoneum group than they were in the low-pressure pneumoperitoneum group. QT interval changes were not related to anesthetic agents, surgical stress, hypercapnia, or duration of CO(2) insufflation. Increased intra-abdominal pressure may have caused these changes.

This case-control study assesses laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with end-stage renal disease treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Eleven patients receiving peritoneal dialysis treatment and 33 patients without end-stage renal disease who had undergone an elective LC were compared. Medical records were reviewed, and laboratory values and outcomes and results were analyzed. The peritoneal dialysis group showed a higher frequency of associated disease and previous abdominal surgery; a lower hemoglobin and platelet count; and elevated alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine values. Statistically significant between-group differences were found with regard to postoperative complications and postoperative hospital stay days. One procedure in each group was converted to an open cholecystectomy. No patient in the peritoneal dialysis group who underwent a LC had peritonitis. No other catheter-related complications occurred. LC may be performed with low complication rates in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis with an experienced team.

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Frequent, regular follow-up of hemodialysis patients with vascular access sites is the best way to diagnose problems early and allow the best chance of long-term function.