Potentials of intravenous laser blood irradiation to correct peroxidation and antioxidant activity as a result of surgical distress

Purpose: to reveal protective effects of intravenous low-level laser blood irradiation (ILBI) during surgical interventions at the gallbladder as well as to study the state of antioxidant activity, lipid peroxidation and endogenous intoxication.Material and methods. In the perioperative period, 40 patients from the main group (I) had traditional treatment which included pharmacological preparations and sessions of intravenous laser blood irradiation. 45 patients from the control group (II) had only traditional (pharmacotherapeutic) treatment. In both groups during surgery, the anesthetic protection consisted of classical neuroleptanalgesia. The age of patients in both groups did not differ significantly. Intravenous laser blood irradiation was done with helium-neon laser “Atoll” 632 nm (Fokon Ltd, St-Petersburg, Russia). During surgery, three irradiation sessions were performed at radiation power of 20 mW and exposure 15 minutes at various stages of surgery: 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia, at the traumatic stage and 30 minutes before the expected finish of the surgery. Ceruloplasmin and transferrin levels in the blood plasma were assessed with the electron paramagnetic resonance technique. The ratio of ceruloplasmin/transferrin which characterizes the level of antioxidant activity was also established. The level of endogenous intoxication was assessed using the previously published technique. The quantitative characteristics of endogenous intoxication by this technique is the value of optical density (D280) and total optical density of components related to high molecular weight and low molecular weight fractions.Results. ILBI sessions in patients neutralize changes in the level of ceruloplasmin and transferrin in blood. The data obtained also confirm ILBI protective effects at protein SH-groups or activation of the restoration of protein SH-groups that were damaged by oxidation as a result of surgical aggression and trauma.Conclusion. The protective effect of intravenous laser blood irradiation in addition to the standard preoperative therapy optimizes pharmacological anesthetic protection during surgery under the existing traditional schemes of combined general anesthesia.

Congratulations on the anniversary of G.E. Brill

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Improving the results of treatment of patients with purulent diseases of fingers and hands using laser irradiation and photodynamic therapy

Despite the evolution in modern surgery and in pharmaceutical industry, purulent pathology of the hand is occupying a leading position for many years among all diseases with which patients are admitted to hospitals. Over the years, medical care for such patients has been improving. A high social and economic significance of this problem makes surgeons to continue searches of new directions not only in surgical techniques, but also in postoperative wound management to improve outcomes in patients with purulent diseases of the hand.The purpose of this work is to assess results of care of patients with purulent finger and hand diseases treated with laser light necrectomy and photodynamic therapy. A comparative analysis of wound process dynamics and treatment outcomes in 198 patients with hand purulent diseases who had been admitted to Moscow City Hospital No. 4 was made by the authors. All patients were divided into four groups depending on the curative modality. In Group 1 (n = 53), a wound was sutured after surgery, and a drainage-lavage system (DLS) was installed; in Group 2 (n = 50), a wound was not sutured because of contraindications to suturing; in Group 3 (n = 46), patients had laser necrectomy after which a wound was sutured and DLS was installed; in Group 4 (n = 49), a wound was not sutured because of contraindications like in Group 2, but it was treated with antiseptic dressings and photodynamic therapy at an early postoperative period. Various aspects of the effectiveness of laser techniques have been analyzed: dynamics of wound healing, changes in wound defect size, level of pain syndrome assessed by VAS, changes in clinical blood tests, changes in wound exudate cytological picture as well as changes in wound microflora. Acceleration of wound healing was noted in all patients who were treated with laser light what, consequently, shortened their inpatient stay. Laser light also changed cytological and microbiological patterns of wound exudate, as evidenced by the decrease of wound detritus and by the decrease of microbial content in the wound. In patients, who were treated with laser light, less pain syndrome was registered immediately after laser technique application.The obtained findings demonstrate a positive effect of laser necrectomy with DLS at wound process as well. Photodynamic therapy significantly improved results in patients with open wound management on the hand and fingers. Laser techniques have good perspectives in purulent surgery of the hand.

Effectiveness of high-intensity laser light for treating large kidney stones

Introduction. This work analyzes efficacy, convenience, and safety of a high-energy laser light technique for destructing large kidney stones in patients with nephrolithiasis in comparison to other contact methods of nephrolithotripsy.Material and methods. The effectiveness of contact laser nephrolithotripsy is compared to that of hydropneumatic and ultrasonic lithotripsy. Holmium green laser light was used in this laser procedure. For other techniques, Swiss LithoClast Master devices were used. The authors have analyzed outcomes obtained after operating on 73 patients with large and complex kidney stones.Results. To evaluate the effectiveness, basic parameters were taken (degree of kidney cleaning of stones and their fragments, probability of migration of stone fragments, blood loss, duration of surgery, complications, etc.). In addition, the correlation between basic parameters was obtained and analyzed.Conclusion. The present trial has shown that laser contact lithotripsy is the most optimal technique for destructing large and complex kidney stones in comparison to traditional modalities such as contact hydropneumatic and ultrasonic lithotripsy. It takes more time but provides more effective cleaning from calculi.

Laser papillosphincterotomy in choledocholithiasis and acute biliary pancreatitis

Objective. The radical elimination of extrahepatic biliary tract pathology in choledocholithiasis and acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) reduces the risk of infection and eliminates the source of endogenous intoxication; so, the search of safe and effective techniques for endoscopic papillosphincterotomy (EPT) is important.Purpose: to assess outcomes of laser-assisted endoscopic papillosphincterotomy.Material and methods. 288 patients with “wedged” (n = 111) and “valve” (n = 177) choledocholithiasis and acute biliary pancreatitis were divided into two groups depending on EPT technique: in the control group, a papillotome with electrocoagulation cord was used (n = 195); in the main group, laser scalpel was used (n = 93).Results. 87 patients with “wedged” choledocholithiasis were treated with EPT and an end electrode on the wedged stone. 16 patients out of them had mild bleeding which was stopped by irrigation with epinephrine solution (1 : 10 000) followed by the targeted coagulation. The average surgical time was 38 ± 16 min. In 24 patients with rigid and edematous medial wall of the duodenum due to acute biliary pancreatitis, the proposed device plus laser technique for papillosphincterotomy were used (patent of the Russian Federation No. 2614891). There was no bleeding, the average surgical time was 24 ± 12 min. In “valve” choledocholithiasis, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCE) was performed; calculi from the common bile duct were removed. In 108 patients during LCE, EPT was made via an antegrade catheter. In 69 patients with anatomical and physiological obstacles caused by the major duodenal papilla, we performed LCE and EPT with laser light via an antegrade guide light made of fluoroplastics (patent of the Russian Federation No. 41594). Concrements from the common bile duct were removed with the Dormia basket.Conclusions. Laser light causes less damage, reliably provides hemostasis along the incision line on the anterior wall of the major duodenal papilla; in addition, a wedged calculus in “wedged” choledocholithiasis and a fluoroplastic light guide in “valve” choledocholithiasis reliably protect the posterior wall of the major duodenal papilla from laser light damage. Laser techniques used in EPT make the treatment of choledocholithiasis in patients with ABP having anatomical and physiological problems due to the major duodenal papilla safe and effective.

Anti-ischemic effect and cardiodynamic changes under low-intensive laser irradiation compared to the obsidan effect in patients with angina pectoris

Purpose: to estimate the anti-anginal effect and to assess changes in hemodynamic parameters in patients with angina pectoris (AP) under low-intensive laser irradiation and to compare them with those under Obsidan preparation administration.Materials and methods. 70 males with AP of functional class I–IV were enrolled in the study and randomized into 2 equivalent groups: Group 1 – patients who took Obsidan; Group 2 — patients who were treated with infrared laser light. Patients were examined at the initial stage-one hour after 40 mg Obsidan take (Group 1), and one month after 10-day course of laser therapy (LT) (Group 2). All patients had echocardiography and cycle ergometric test.Results. The performed examinations showed a statistically significant increase in exercise tolerance in patients of LT group and Obsidan group by 35.0% and 34.1%, respectively. It should be noted that echocardiographic indicators had unidirectional, statistically significant shifts characterized by improvements in the myocardial inotropic function: decrease in the end-systolic volume by 17.9% and 18.8%, increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction from 50.3 ± 6.2 to 55.7 ± 5.8% and from 46.3 ± 4.3 to 50.1 ± 6.1 after LT and Obsidan , respectively. The optimal diastolic cardiac function was confirmed by the reduced time of myocardium isometric relaxation from 112.9 ± 24.3 to 94.3 ± 25.3 ms (p=0.012) under LT and from 110.3 ± 22.7 to 97.3 ± 19.3 ms under Obsidan (p=0.012). Results of the exercise tolerance test indicated the activation of cardiac economy mechanisms in both groups.Conclusion. Low-intensive LT had an impact at the cardiac activity similar to that of Obsidan. Moreover, it also has the equal anti-ischemic effect what may be explained by the decrease of energy expenditure during physical activity in patients with AP.

2011-2021 – Ten more years of development of laser medical equipment and technologies

The article presents a review on laser medical equipment and laser medical technologies developed for this equipment which have appeared for the last ten years.

Assessment of the photosensitizer efficacy after determination of threshold doses initiating erythrocyte hemolysis

Purpose: To find out a technique for determining the effectiveness of porphyrin-type photosensitizers with concentrations which cause hemolysis in erythrocytes (hemolysis threshold). The hemolysis threshold is found under the following conditions: irradiation in the Soret band with standard parameters – power density, exposure dose, irradiation time.Material and methods. Phototherapeutic device “AST” (LLC “Pankov-medical”) – average power 0.5 W, wavelength ≈ 405 nm. Rat blood erythrocytes. “Multiscan MS” device manufactured by Labsystems, Finland. Preparation “Dimegin”, hematoporphyrin derivative; preparation “Photoditazine” (LLC “VETA-GRAND”), chlorine E6 derivative.Results. On analyzing the results obtained after experimentation with the abovementioned two preparations, it was shown that the developed technique has a high efficacy. It was also shown that the studied photosensitizers are equally effective when irradiated in the Soret band.Conclusion. The developed technique is simple and easy to use. It helps to assess the efficacy of various photosensitizers thus, facilitating the selection of their necessary concentrations for managing different diseases.

Comparative analysis of short-term outcomes after surgical treatment of varicose disease with endovasal laser obliteration and short stripping

The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes (within six months) after short stripping (SS) and endovenous laser obliteration (EVLO) in patients with varicose veins when analyzing ultrasound findings, postoperative complications, level of postoperative pain, clinical manifestations, and duration of rehabilitation after the intervention. Patients with varicose veins of lower extremities and insufficiency of large saphenous vein valves had either EVLO or SS with miniflebectomy. All patients were examined before surgery and then in 5 days, 10 days and in 1, 3 and 6 months after it. The patients also had clinical examination, ultrasound duplex scanning of their lower extremity veins; Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) was also used for the trial. Pain was assessed during the first 10 days after the surgery using a 10-point pain assessment scale. 156 patients (177 lower extremities) were followed-up for 6 months. As the results of our study showed, endovenous laser obliteration and short stripping were equally effective in eliminating the reflux of the great saphenous vein (GSV). After 6 months of follow-up, the reflux along the medial inflow was noted in one case in SS group; partial GSV recanalization was noted in one case in EVLO group in 3 months, in 3 cases – in 6 months. Besides, despite LMH preventive doses one patient from EVLO group had EHIT II deep vein thrombosis. The obtained outcomes have demonstrated that EVLO and SS have similar effectiveness and safety. No difference has been found between these two types of treatment, except more pronounced postoperative pain and bruising in SS group. Performed care was equally safe and effective in eliminating GSV reflux, in relieving symptoms and eliminating varicose veins as well as in improving the quality of life. Long-term outcomes, especially the rate of relapses depending on the type of intervention, are to be investigated in future trials.

Neurological manifestations of post-COVID syndrome and possibilities of rehabilitation

Changes related to COVID-19 have been made to the International Classifi cation of Diseases of the Tenth Revision (ICD-10) – a separate code has appeared to describe the postcoid syndrome.he neurosomatic status of patients who had COVID-19 is characterized not only with clinical manifestations of the disease but also with complaints of cerebral, cardiac and general somatic nature. Moreover, they are combined with severe personal and reactive anxiety as well as moderate cognitive impairments and low level of satisfaction of patients with their condition.