PURPOSE:To assess the capsules formed by silicone implants coated with polyurethane foam and with a textured surface. METHODS:Sixty-four Wistar albinus rats were divided into two groups of 32 each using polyurethane foam and textured surface. The capsules around the implants were analyzed for 30, 50, 70 and 90 days. Were analyzed the following parameters: foreign body reaction, granulation tissue, presence of myofibroblasts, neoangiogenesis, presence of synovial metaplasia, capsular thickness, total area and collagen percentage of type I and III, in capsules formed around silicone implants in both groups. RESULTS:The foreign body reaction was only present in the four polyurethane subgroups. The formation of granulation tissue and the presence of myofibroblasts were higher in the four polyurethane subgroups. Regarding to neoangiogenesis and synovial metaplasia, there was no statistical difference between the groups. Polyurethane group presented (all subgroups) a greater capsule thickness, a smaller total area and collagen percentage of type I and a higher percentage area of type III, with statistical difference. CONCLUSION:The use of polyurethane-coated implants should be stimulated by the long-term results in a more stable capsule and a lower incidence of capsular contracture, despite developing a more intense and delayed inflammatory reaction in relation to implants with textured surface.

OBJECTIVES:The removal of pre-malignant colorectal lesions prevents cancer. Hyoscine has been proposed as a means of improving diagnosis by reducing colonic movements. The aim of this study was to analyze whether this anti-spasmodic enhances the detection of pre-malignant colorectal lesions.METHODS:In a randomized, double-blinded fashion patients received hyoscine or a saline solution in all consecutive colonoscopies in which the cecum was reached. Lesions were analysed with respect to number, size, location, histology and capillary pattern.RESULTS:A total of 440 colonoscopies were randomized. The overall polyp detection rate (PDR) and the adenoma detection rate (ADR) were 65.2% and 49.3%, respectively. In the hyoscine group, non-polypoid lesions were detected significantly more often (p=0.01). In the placebo group 281 lesions were diagnosed (202 adenomas) and in the hyoscine group 282 lesions were detected (189 adenomas) (p=0.23). The PDR and ADR were similar between the placebo and hyoscine groups (64% vs 66% and 50% vs 47%, respectively). No differences were observed between the two groups in the advanced-ADR or advanced neoplasia detection rate, as well the mean numbers of polyps, adenomas, advanced adenomas and advanced neoplasias detected per patient. The administration of hyoscine also did not improve the diagnostic accuracy of digital chromoendoscopy. The presence of adenomatous polyps in the right colon was detected significantly more frequently in the hyoscine group (OR 5.41 95% CI 2.7 - 11; p<0.01 vs OR 2.3 95% CI 1.1 - 4.6; p=0.02).CONCLUSION:The use of hyoscine before beginning the withdrawal of the colonoscope does not seem to enhance the PDR and the ADR.

BackgroundCounting the sponges is an important step in surgical procedures. A miscount may impact the patient's health, and it also has legal implications for the surgeon. This is an experimental study evaluating radio-frequency technology used in the perioperative period to identify surgical sponges left in the peritoneal cavity of swine.MethodsRadio-frequency labeled-disc identification tags were sewn into 40 surgical towels. Twenty labels had the ability to emit radio-frequency waves, and 20 labels were inert to radio-frequency identification. Twenty adult pigs that underwent laparotomy and randomly received two surgical sponges were scanned by a radio-frequency identification antenna.ResultsThis method presented a positive predictive value of 100% and 100% specificity and sensitivity, as all of the tagged surgical sponges were detected.ConclusionRadio-frequency identification has been proved to be a useful method for the identification of surgical sponges within the abdominal cavities of swine.

A partial hepatectomy is a surgical procedure performed during the living-donor liver transplantation and sometimes the only option for patients with hepatocarcinoma. However the remnant liver after the hepatectomy is still a major concern. Therefore, the process of liver regeneration has been a constant theme of study in order to optimize this process. Erythropoietin, a hormone produced by the kidney and involved in protecting organs like heart, liver and kidney itself against injuries can be one of these factors that could accelerate the liver regeneration. This study aims to observe if erythropoietin can accelerate the process of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in pigs. Methods: 8 pigs were classified into 2 groups of 4 pigs each: the control group and the test group. The animals in the first group underwent an application of saline solution subcutaneous on the day before the hepatectomy. Instead of saline solution, the test groups received a subcutaneous injection of 200 UI/lg of recombinant erythropoietin also on the day before the surgical procedure. After 7 days since the hepatectomy, in each animal the liver was biopsied in two regions, one next to the hepatectomy section and other far from it. The liver regeneration was analyzed using Ki-67. Results: Pigs from control group presented the following results: Control pig I: 30% of regeneration in the hepatectomy section and 10% in the region far from it; control pig II 24% and 4%; control pig III 27% and 7%. The test group presented no significant liver regenera-* Corresponding author. H. A. Wiederkehr et al. 519tion since Ki-67 could not identify cell proliferation in neither the biopsied areas. Conclusion: Since the number of pigs was not statistically significant, we could not conclude any further hypothesis. We strong believe that enhancing the number of pigs and testing different doses, we will be able to reach further conclusions.

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