Our findings suggest that primary sternal closure with longitudinal wire reinforcement on both sides of the corpus sterni will decrease the risk of infection and improve wound-healing in parallel with a decrease in sternal dehiscence.

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of iloprost (I) on lung injury as a remote organ following skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model. Materials and methods: Twenty-four Wistar Albino rats were randomized into four groups (n = 6). Laparotomy was performed in all groups under general anesthesia. Only laparotomy was applied in Group S (Sham). Ischemia reperfusion group (Group I/R) underwent ischemia and reperfusion performed by clamping and declamping of the infrarenal abdominal aorta for 120 minutes. Group iloprost (Group I) received intravenous infusion of iloprost 0.5 ng/kg/min, without ischemia and reperfusion. Group I/R/I received intravenous infusion of iloprost 0.5 ng/kg/min immediately after 2 hours of ischemia. At the end of the study, lung tissue was obtained for determining total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels, histochemical and immunohistochemical determination. Results: Diffuse lymphocyte infi ltration was detected in immunohistochemical examination of lung tissue in Group I/R. The connective tissue around bronchi, bronchioles and vessel walls was found to be increased. Although minimal local lymphocyte infi ltration was detected in some fi elds in Group I/R/I, the overall tissue was found to be similar to Group S. iNOS expression was signifi cantly higher in Group I/R, when compared with Group S and signifi cantly lower in Group I/R/I compared to Group I/R. TOS levels were signifi cantly higher in Group I/R, when compared with groups S and I (p = 0.028, p = 0.016, respectively) and signifi cantly lower in group I/R/I, when compared with Group I/R (p = 0.048). TAS levels were signifi cantly higher in Group I/R, when compared with groups S, I (p = 0.014, p = 0.027, respectively) and signifi cantly lower in Group I/R/I, when compared with Group I/R (p = 0.032). Conclusion: These results indicate that administration of iloprost may have protective effects against ischemia reperfusion injury (Fig. 8, Tab. 1, Ref. 30). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

No abstract

The "Australian" technique is a simpler method requiring shorter aortic cross-clamping and total bypass times with good clinical and functional results. The early postoperative results are as encouraging as those achieved by the traditional single patch technique; however, long-term follow-up results are required to establish the efficacy of this simplified technique.