A homeopathic remedy from arnica, marigold, St. John's wort and comfrey accelerates in vitro wound scratch closure of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts

Background Drugs of plant origin such as Arnica montana, Calendula officinalis or Hypericum perforatum have been frequently used to promote wound healing. While their effect on wound healing using preparations at pharmacological concentrations was supported by several in vitro and clinical studies, investigations of herbal homeopathic remedies on wound healing process are rare. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a commercial low potency homeopathic remedy Similasan® Arnica plus Spray on wound closure in a controlled, blind trial in vitro. Methods We investigated the effect of an ethanolic preparation composed of equal parts of Arnica montana 4x, Calendula officinalis 4x, Hypericum perforatum 4x and Symphytum officinale 6x (0712–2), its succussed hydroalcoholic solvent (0712–1) and unsuccussed solvent (0712–3) on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Cell viability was determined by WST-1 assay, cell growth using BrdU uptake, cell migration by chemotaxis assay and wound closure by CytoSelect ™Wound Healing Assay Kit which generated a defined “wound field”. All assays were performed in three independent controlled experiments. Results None of the three substances affected cell viability and none showed a stimulating effect on cell proliferation. Preparation (0712–2) exerted a stimulating effect on fibroblast migration (31.9%) vs 14.7% with succussed solvent (0712–1) at 1:100 dilutions (p < 0.001). Unsuccussed solvent (0712–3) had no influence on cell migration (6.3%; p > 0.05). Preparation (0712–2) at a dilution of 1:100 promoted in vitro wound closure by 59.5% and differed significantly (p < 0.001) from succussed solvent (0712–1), which caused 22.1% wound closure. Conclusion Results of this study showed that the low potency homeopathic remedy (0712–2) exerted in vitro wound closure potential in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. This effect resulted from stimulation of fibroblasts motility rather than of their mitosis.

Effective wound closure with a new two-component wound closure device (Prineo™) in excisional body-contouring surgery: experience in over 200 procedures

In excisional body-contouring surgery the surgeon is often confronted with time-consuming closure of long wounds. Recently, a new combination of a self-adhering mesh together with a liquid 2-octyl cyanoacrylate adhesive (Prineo™; Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA) has been introduced to replace intracutaneous running suture.

A randomized comparison of microtip and air-charged catheter for the measurement of maximum urethral closure pressure

Measurements of maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) are a part of urodynamic investigations preceding an incontinence surgery and a part of urethral function tests.

Iatrogenic atrial septal defect, erosion of the septum primum after device closure of a patent foramen ovale as a new medical entity

Iatrogenic atrial septal defects are described in 2 patients. They occurred after implantation of Amplatzer occluders to close a patent foramen ovale. While device erosions to the extra-atrial space have been described, erosion induced atrial septal defects are a new medical entity. They may be fairly common in the situation of an atrial septal aneurysm whipping the rim of the device incessantly. They are clinically silent and benign and require echocardiography for detection. A second device solved the problem in the cases described.

Instant percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale in patients with acute myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteries

Two young women with angiographically normal coronary arteries suffered an acute myocardial infarction. Both were found to have a patent foramen ovale (PFO), the likely pathway of a paradoxical embolus causing the infarction. The PFOs were diagnosed and closed percutaneously with an Amplatzer PFO Occluder during the emergency coronary angiography.

Analysis of stapling versus endoloops in appendiceal stump closure

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of various appendiceal stump closure methods has not been evaluated systematically. The aim of this study was to compare the morbidity of stump closure by stapling or use of endoloops. METHODS: A non-concurrent cohort study of prospectively acquired data was performed. The primary outcome variable was the rate of intra-abdominal surgical-site infection. Secondary outcome measures were complications, duration of intervention, hospital stay, rate of readmission to hospital and the difference in direct costs of the operation. RESULTS: Staples were used in 60.5 per cent and endoloops in 39.5 per cent of 6486 patients operated on for suspected appendicitis between January 1995 and December 2003. Among 4489 patients with acute appendicitis the rate of intra-abdominal surgical-site infection was 0.7 per cent in the stapler group and 1.7 per cent in the endoloop group (P = 0.004). The rate of readmission to hospital was 0.9 and 2.1 per cent respectively (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Application of a stapler for transection and closure of the appendiceal stump in patients with acute appendicitis lowered the risk of postoperative intra-abdominal surgical-site infection and the need for readmission to hospital.