Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In the present study, hepatic and plasma oxidative stress-related parameters were measured and correlated with clinical and histological findings in 31 NAFLD patients showing increased body mass index. Liver protein carbonyl content was enhanced by 403% in patients with steatosis (n=15) compared with control values (n=12), whereas glutathione content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) were decreased by 57%, 48% and 21% (P<0.05) respectively. No changes in microsomal p-nitrophenol hydroxylation and the total content of cytochrome P450 (CYP) or CYP2E1 were observed. Patients with steatohepatitis (n=16) exhibited protein carbonyl content comparable with that of controls, whereas glutathione content, SOD and catalase activities were decreased by 27%, 64% and 48% (P<0.05). In addition, FRAP values in patients with steatohepatitis were reduced by 33% and 15% (P<0.05) when compared with controls and patients with steatosis respectively, whereas p-nitrophenol hydroxylation (52%) and CYP2E1 content (142%) were significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with controls. It is concluded that oxidative stress is developed in the liver of NAFLD patients with steatosis and is exacerbated further in patients with steatohepatitis, which is associated with CYP2E1 induction. Substantial protein oxidation is followed by proteolysis of the modified proteins, which may explain the co-existence of a diminished antioxidant capacity and protein oxidation in the liver of patients with steatohepatitis.

A new classification of patients with Mirizzi syndrome and cholecystobiliary fistula is presented. Type I lesions are those with external compression of the common bile duct. In type II lesions a cholecystobiliary fistula is present with erosion of less than one-third of the circumference of the bile duct. In type III lesions the fistula involves up to two-thirds of the duct circumference and in type IV lesions there is complete destruction of the bile duct. A total of 219 patients were identified with these lesions from 17,395 patients with benign biliary tract diseases undergoing surgery. The incidence of type I lesions was 11 per cent, type II 41 per cent, type III 44 per cent and type IV 4 per cent. The majority had obstructive jaundice. In type I lesions, cholecystectomy plus choledochostomy is effective. In type II lesions, suture of the fistula with absorbable material or choledochoplasty with the remnant of gallbladder can be performed. In type III lesions suture is not indicated and choledochoplasty is recommended. In type IV lesions, bilioenteric anastomosis is preferred. Operative mortality rate increases according to the severity of the lesion, as does postoperative morbidity. During cholecystectomy, partial resection is recommended in order to extract the stones, visualize the common bile duct and define the type and location of the fistula. T tubes should be placed distal to the fistula.

Different ways exist to manage gastric leak, depending on the magnitude of the collection and the clinical repercussions. When treatment necessitates reintervention and is performed early, suture repair is more likely to be successful. Leakage closure time will vary.

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