Chances of reducing the formation of immune antibodies after massive transfusions in open heart surgery (author's transl)

Children, young people and women at the age of possible maternity form the majority of patients operated by extracorporal circulation. A longterm planning of these operations should also have donor in call, who are compatible with the patients' Rh groups and Kell antigens. Having practiced such a selection of donors we succeeded in reducing the formation of immune antibodies. 6 out of 330 patients had antibodies, but 4 had been sensibilized before operation. In the case of the other 2 it would not be excluded that they might have been immunized a long time ago. We emphasize the importance of hemodilution, strict indication of every postoperative therapy with red cells and the autologous transfusion.     

Studies on doxycycline levels in human tissues after i.v. administration (author's transl)

Experiments dealing with levels of alpha-6-desoxy-5-oxytetracycline (doxycycline, DOOTC) in human organ tissue after i.v. applications of 2 times 200 mg have been conducted. 100 biopsies yielding 371 samples (generally 4 samples at 70 +/- 14 mg per specimen) were tested against Bacillus subtilis strain ATCC 6633 using the agar diffusion method (test plate: dst-agar Oxoid CM 261, pH 6.3-6.4, basic layer without and overlay with spores). Taking into account the manifold sources of error in diffusion tests, the results should be understood only as a basic outline without overestimating the tabulated figures of the antibiotic contents in tissue. Most of the organs showed DOOTC levels which were distinctly higher than the minimal inhibiting concentration effective against DOOTC susceptible bacteria.     

A panel on vascular surgery (author's transl)

For this second panel by correspondence, we have asked 3 distinguished experts to answer 7 questions and to comment on 3 case histories concerning vascular surgery. Although a direct discussion between the participants was not possible an impressive degree of agreement is here being demonstrated.     

Pelviscopic surgery in gynaecology (author's transl)

Surgery of the fallopian tubes has today developed into pelviscopic surgery. The development of suitable instruments such as the tube set, a new endocoagulation method were prerequisites for this development. Operative therapeutic pelviscopic surgery is a development past laparotomy. It is now possible to treat adhesions in the abdomen with this method, to coagulate and divide fallopian tubes for sterilization, to aspirate ovarian cysts and resect walls of ovarian cysts, to coagulate endometriosis and to perform salpingolysis and salpingostomy. In selected cases ovariectomy and myomectomy are possible through the pelviscope. Tables and statistics on 3300 pelviscopies are presented. The indications are discussed. The use of pelviscopy following previous laparotomy (1831 cases) is discussed. The complication rate was 1.10% without death, without injury to large vessels, without embolic phenomenon. The operative risk is therefore less than that of laparotomy. The operative therapeutic pelviscopy can replace the classical laparotomy in about 25% of the cases. For the operation of tubal infertility, a laparotomy is eliminated in about 80% of the cases.     

Two cases of intracranial epidural hematoma following open heart surgery (author''s transl)

John Hunter's contribution to the understanding of venereal disease is reviewed. Hunter's evidence for the unitary nature of these diseases is examined and the advances he made in diagnosis, pathology, and management are considered.     

Gastrostomy in paediatric surgery (author's transl)

Gastrostomy has the same field of application as the feeding tube which is introduced either orally or nasally. With careful nursing and surgical technique, only few and slight disturbances are to be expected. This method, however, ist not suited for routine application by the premature baby because of its possible septic complications.     

Angled micro-scissors for after-cataract surgery (author's transl)

A report is given on new micro-scissors for after-cataract operations. Its shape permits a perfect direction of incision in the pupillary region not only form a temporally placed corneal incision but also from all other meridians without its handling being impeded by the orbital border or th nose of the patient. Especially in certain injury sequels and other postoperative conditions the scissors extend the operative possibilities.     

Haemolytic anaemia and acute renal failure associated with cephalothin and furosemide therapy (author's transl)

A case report is presented of a 79 year old patient with a bilateral brochopneumonia. Four days after beginning the therapy with cephalothin and furosemide an acute renal failure appeared and six days later a haemolytic anaemia was observed. The modificated Coombs test was positive. The post mortem histiological examination of the kidneys revealed cloudy swelling, necrosis of tubuli, containing protein cylinders ("chromoproteid kidney").