Langenbeck's archives of surgery
-
Langenbecks Arch Surg · Aug 2005
ReviewSurgical trauma and immunosuppression: pathophysiology and potential immunomodulatory approaches.
Several studies indicate that organ failure is the leading cause of death in the postoperative phase after major surgery. An excessive inflammatory response followed by a dramatic depression of cell-mediated immunity after major surgery appears to be responsible for the increased susceptibility to subsequent sepsis. In view of this, most of the scientific and medical research has been directed towards measuring the progression and interrelationship of mediators after major surgery. Furthermore, the effect of those mediators on cell-mediated immune responses has been studied. ⋯ In view of these findings, clinically relevant therapeutic strategies have been developed using the testosterone receptor blocker flutamide and/or estrogen or agents with estrogenic effects, i.e., dehydroepiandrosterone, which might yield safe and useful therapeutic approaches for the treatment of immune depression in surgical patients.
-
Langenbecks Arch Surg · Nov 2004
ReviewSurgical trauma: hyperinflammation versus immunosuppression?
Experimental and clinical studies have brought evidence that surgical trauma markedly affects the immune system, including both the specific and the non-specific immune response. ⋯ When drawing up the therapeutic regimen the physician should not consider hyperinflammation versus immunosuppression, but hyperinflammation and immunosuppression, aiming at restoring an appropriate mediator- and immune cell-associated balance.
-
Langenbecks Arch Surg · Nov 2004
ReviewVolume replacement and microhemodynamic changes in polytrauma.
Though fluid administration is one of the most basic concepts in resuscitation, there is ongoing controversy and continuing research on the definition of the ideal fluid for resuscitation of trauma and hemorrhage and for intraoperative volume support. In general, crystalloids and colloids, as well as blood, blood substitutes and oxygen therapeutics, are available. This report briefly revisits the physiological mechanisms underlying resuscitation with crystalloids and colloids, emphasizing colloid-supplemented resuscitation with hypertonic saline. Finally, potential applications of oxygen therapeutics are briefly considered.
-
Langenbecks Arch Surg · Aug 2004
ReviewEffect of postoperative pain treatment on outcome-current status and future strategies.
The effect of postoperative pain relief on morbidity and hospital stay is reviewed. ⋯ The effects of pain relief on outcome remains debatable, despite beneficial effects of pathophysiological responses. Future outcome studies are required where optimised dynamic pain relief is integrated with a multimodal rehabilitation programme.
-
Perioperative and intensive therapy unit (ITU) morbidity and mortality has remained unchanged during the past several decades, and this at an unacceptably high level. It is most likely, in the EU countries annually, that more than 1 million people suffer severe sepsis and some 300,000 die. Pharmaceutical attempts at prevention and treatment have, despite extensive efforts, hitherto failed to improve outcome more significantly. Much supports the fact that sepsis and its severe consequences are results of a malfunctioning innate immune system, impaired by both lifestyle and disease. A series of mostly simple measures to prevent further deterioration of the immune system, and to boost it, is recommended. Among the measures recommended are some modifications of surgical and postoperative management: restricted use of antibiotics, attempts made to maintain salivation and GI secretions, omission of prophylactic gastric decompression, postoperative drainage and preoperative bowel preparation, restricted use of stored blood, avoidance of overload with nutrients, uninterrupted enteral nutrition but also tight blood glucose control, supply of antioxidants, administration of prebiotic fibre and probiotic lactic acid bacteria. Nutritional control of postoperative morbidity includes use of so-called synbiotics, e.g. a combination of bioactive lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bioactive plant fibres. ⋯ Dramatic reduction in (in reality, almost abolishment of) septic morbidity is reported following supplementation of specific bioactive lactic bacteria in combination with prebiotic plant fibres, as tried in controlled studies in connection with extensive abdominal operations, liver transplantation and severe acute pancreatitis.