Morality rates in COVID-19 are dependent on timely diagnosis. Therefore, studying the relationship between laboratory markers and the severity of disease is important. The first wave of COVID-19 associated with the spread of the original strain of SARS-CoV-2, showed higher mortality rates caused by cytokine storm. As the viral variant changed, a change in the disease course towards a less pronounced inflammatory reaction was observed. These changes affected major players of inflammation, cytokines. However, cytokines are not the only markers in the inflammatory response. The purpose of this work was to determine the significance of laboratory markers in inflammation: WBC, C-reactive protein, ferritin, fibrinogen, and D-dimer. The study included 227 patients with acute COVID-19 in the first 5–7 days from the onset of the disease from January 2021 to March 2022. When compared with reference, all groups were characterized by reduced absolute values of lymphocytes. Correlation analysis between the absolute value of lymphocytes and plasma cytokine concentrations also revealed statistically significant strong relationships with the level of the chemokine CCL22/MDC. Given that CCL22/MDC is an important component of lymphopoiesis, its low concentrations may indicate dysregulation of this process in COVID-19. In addition, we noted a positive correlation between the level of C-reactive protein and IL-6 in peripheral blood. IL-6 is a proinflammatory cytokine, and its elevated levels have been associated with the development of severe COVID-19. One of its functions is the induction of C-reactive protein, and this trend persists regardless of which variant causes COVID-19. We also noted positive correlations between the concentrations of fibrinogen and IL-18, ferritin and IL-6, IL-18. Both of these proteins are involved in inflammation along with cytokines. The literature provides data on the significance of these markers for determining the severity of COVID-19. There is evidence of a synergistic effect of ferritin and IL-18 against viral pathogens. Of interest was the negative correlation between plasma D-dimer levels and IFNα. At the same time, data on the role of the latter in thrombus formation processes are increasingly appearing in the literature.

The OBJECTIVE was to evaluate the immediate and long-term results of integral suture application and to determine the indications for its use in eTEP hernioplasty for primary rectal inguinal hernia in men.METHODS AND MATERIALS. A prospective single-center double-blind randomized controlled study on the basis of the City Clinical Hospital named after S. S. Yudin was conducted. The study included patients with the first-diagnosed direct inguinal hernias for eTEP hernioplasty with hernia gate size from 1.5 cm to 3 cm corresponding to MP2 according to EHS (2009). Patients were allocated to a comparison group with hernia defect closure and a control group using the ALEA randomization program. The following parameters were evaluated in patients: the presence of seroma on the 1st day after laparoscopic hernioplasty according to the ultrasound results, the dynamics of seroma volume, the degree of pain syndrome according to the visual analog scale (VAS), the duration of surgical intervention, 30-day adverse events, as well as the patients’ quality of life according to the Likert scale.RESULTS. A total of 142 patients were included (n1=71; n2=71). There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Suturing the hernia defect using the integral suture technique was associated with less development of postoperative seromas ∆p=0.32 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.14–0.5, p=0.05). There were no statistical differences in pain and quality of life among patients. No 30-day adverse events were observed in the two groups. A statistically significant increase in the duration of the operation when using the integral suture was revealed, but not more than 7 minutes.CONCLUSION. Since anatomical justification has made laparoscopic hernioplasty a safer operation, we believe that endoscopic suturing of rectal inguinal hernia defect larger than 2.5 cm (P=0.052) with the use of integral suture in the MP2 group according to EHS is associated with a lower incidence of seroma development, low risk of recurrence, absence of significant pain syndrome after suturing.

Despite great advances in the treatment of oncological diseases, the development of medical technologies to prevent or reduce complications of therapy, in particular, those associated with surgery and the introduction of antibiotics, remains relevant. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of autoprobiotics based on indigenous non-pathogenic strains of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus hirae as a personalized functional food product (PFFP) in the complex therapy of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the early postoperative period. A total of 36 patients diagnosed with CRC were enrolled in the study. Study group A comprised 24 CRC patients who received autoprobiotic therapy in the early postoperative period, while the control group C included 12 CRC patients without autoprobiotic therapy. Prior to surgery and between days 14 and 16 post-surgery, comprehensive evaluations were conducted on all patients, encompassing the following: stool and gastroenterological complaints analysis, examination of the gut microbiota (bacteriological study, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, metagenome analysis), and analysis of interleukins in the serum. Results: The use of autoprobiotics led to a decrease in dyspeptic complaints after surgery. It was also associated with the absence of postoperative complications, did not cause any side effects, and led to a decrease in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-18) in the blood serum. The use of autoprobiotics led to positive changes in the structure of escherichia and enterococci populations, the elimination of Parvomonas micra and Fusobacterium nucleatum, and a decrease in the quantitative content of Clostridium perfringens and Akkermansia muciniphila. Metagenomic analysis (16S rRNA) revealed an increase in alpha diversity. Conclusion: The introduction of autoprobiotics in the postoperative period is a highly effective and safe approach in the complex treatment of CRC. Future studies will allow the discovery of additional fine mechanisms of autoprobiotic therapy and its impact on the digestive, immune, endocrine, and neural systems.

THE OBJECTIVE was to analyze the development of chronic pain syndrome after performing standardized Lichtenstein hernioplasty.METHODS AND MATERIALS. The prospective single-center study was conducted with 40 patients with inguinal hernias (20 patients in the study group and 20 patients in the control group) who underwent Lichtenstein hernioplasty with adherence to standardization criteria and without. The comparative analysis of the early and long-term postoperative periods was performed.RESULTS. When comparing the early and long-term postoperative periods in patients after standardized Lichtenstein hernioplasty, the following data were obtained: pain syndrome according to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was less pronounced after applying standardization criteria (p < 0.001), and statistically significantly lower number of complications (seroma, paresthesia) developed (p=0.045, p=0.019). In the group of patients who underwent standardized Lichtenstein hernioplasty, chronic pain syndrome was not observed in the long-term postoperative period (p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS. Prevention of chronic postoperative pain syndrome after hernioplasty using the Lichtenstein method is the significant issue. This article emphasizes the importance of considering various factors and implementing preventive strategies to minimize the risk of this complication and ensure optimal surgical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE:To assess the possibilities of fluorescent detection system in qualitative and quantitative assessment of bowel perfusion in colorectal resections.MATERIAL AND METHODS:From May to August 2023, a single-center pilot cross-sectional unblinded study with inclusion of 18 patients with colon cancer (of left-sided - 12, of right-sided - 6, mean age - 72.9 years, m/w - 61/39%) was conducted. All patients underwent laparoscopic colorectal resections with extracorporeal stage of bowel transection. The evaluation of the bowel's ICG perfusion was conducted to assist in decision making about the level of its resection. Qualitative (visual) assessment was carried out in all 18 patients, in one patient twice, quantitative assessment of perfusion was conducted in 8 patients (left-sided resections - 6, right-sided hemicolectomy - 2). The qualitative evaluation was performed in real time on the analysis of the color gradient. The time parameters and fluorescence intensity at different level proximally and distally from the resection line were quantitatively estimated: Tstart - time of occurrence of minimal fluorescence in the areas of interest after the ICG injection (sec); Tmax - time to achieve maximum fluorescence intensity after the ICG injection (sec); Tmax-start - time interval between Tstart and Tmax, Imax - level of maximum fluorescence intensity (I).RESULTS:Visual qualitative analysis of fluorescence revealed unsatisfactory perfusion characteristics (black, dark-gray color) in the area planned by the surgeon to anastomose the bowel in 3 of 18 patients (16.6%). When analyzing the quantitative data of this group of patients, there was a 2-6-fold decrease in Imax level, and one patient had an increase in Tmax-start at the level of intended resection compared to the bowel's sections in the favorable zone. In all cases, the final bowel transection was conducted in the area of good perfusion. There was no clinical evidence of anastomotic dehiscence in the study group.CONCLUSION:Intraoperative evaluation of bowel perfusion is an important component of safe anastomosis formation in colorectal surgery. The use of ICG-FA allows to conduct qualitative and quantitative assessment of tissue perfusion of the bowel in order to assist in making intraoperative decisions. Quantitative evaluation of fluorescence provides more objective information about perfusion parameters. Imax and Tmax-start are the most promising quantitative indicators of local bowel's perfusion. Nevertheless, the precise interpretation of the quantitative indicators of ICG perfusion needs to be clarified.

OBJECTIVE:To study diagnostic value of fluorescence lymphography for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer.MATERIAL AND METHODS:The study enrolled 25 patients with breast cancer T1-2N0-1M0 between March 2023 and July 2023. Eight ones underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In 3 patients, morphologically verified metastases cN1 in axillary lymph nodes regressed after treatment. After sentinel lymph node biopsy, all patients underwent standard axillary lymphadenectomy. Subareolar injection of indocyanine green 1 ml (5 mg/ml) was performed immediately before surgery. Fluorescence imaging was performed using the MARS system.RESULTS:Detection rate was 100%. Mean number of sentinel lymph nodes was 2. Metastatic lesions of sentinel lymph nodes were observed in 6 patients (24%) with micro-metastases in 2 cases. In 50% of cases, metastatic lesion did not extend beyond sentinel lymph nodes. False negative result was obtained in 1 (4%) patient. Mean number of metastases was 1.8 (max 3 in one patient).CONCLUSION:Sentinel lymph node biopsy with fluorescence lymphography is a sensitive method. The advantages of this technique are visualization of subcutaneous lymphatic vessels and skin incision for access to sentinel lymph nodes, as well as visualization of sentinel lymph nodes after skin incision.

Despite great advances in the treatment of oncological diseases, the development of medical technologies to prevent or reduce complications of therapy, in particular, those associated with surgery and the introduction of antibiotics, remains relevant. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of autoprobiotics based on indigenous non-pathogenic strains of Enterococcus faecium and E. hirae in the complex therapy of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the early postoperative period. The use of autoprobiotics did not cause side effects and led to a decrease in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-18) in the blood serum. The features of the intestinal microbiome in patients with CRC were revealed, which are fundamentally different from those of other authors by an increase in alpha- biodiversity, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron and its additional differences associated with the absence of non-pathogenic enterococci: a greater amount of Parvimonas micra, a smaller amount of Akkermansia spp., an increase in the content of Klebsiella sp., Fusobacterium nucleatum and Clostridium perfringens. The use of autoprobiotics led to the elimination of P. micra, a decrease in C. perfringens, which led to the normalization of the microbiota in most patients. The effectiveness of autoprobiotics in the treatment of CRC has been proven, which, apparently, is associated with a change in the composition of intestinal microbiocenosis.

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of the study was to determine the tactics of surgical treatment of patients with lower limb ischemia and a hemodynamically significant lesion of the deep femoral artery and occlusion of the superficial femoral artery. PATIENTS AND METHODS:The study is based on the retrospective results of examination and treatment of 99 patients suffering from chronic arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities. Of these, 31 (31.3%) patients had trophic ulcers and/or necrosis corresponding to categories 5 and 6 of chronic arterial insufficiency according to the R. Rutherford classification. All patients had occlusion of the superficial femoral artery and a hemodynamically significant stenosis of the common femoral artery, involving the deep femoral artery. 50 (50.5%) patients had hemodynamically significant impairment of the patency of ipsilateral iliac arteries. Revascularization of the limb was in all cases performed through the deep femoral artery by open or endovascular restoration of patency of the common femoral artery and the deep femoral artery. In the case of a hemodynamically significant lesion of the iliac artery, the operation was supplemented by its stenting. A new modified method - flow-guided femoroprofundoplasty - was performed in 28 (28%) patients. Therapeutic outcomes were evaluated during hospitalization, in the early postoperative period (1 month after surgery) and in the late postoperative period (from 6 months to 5 years). RESULTS:In the early postoperative period, complications developed in 11 (11%) patients, including 1 (1%) death. 91 (93%) patients had clinical improvement in the postoperative period, with regression of trophic disorders observed in 26 (84%) out of 31 patients. The five-year patency of the operated segment was 97%, with the limb-salvage and survival rates amounting to 100% and 76.9%, respectively. A predictor of effective revascularization through the deep femoral artery for critical lower limb ischemia turned out to be the presence of a patent recipient zone (p<0.001). CONCLUSION:The results obtained indicate high efficiency of limb revascularization through the deep femoral artery. We do not recommend performing revascularization operations through the deep femoral artery in the absence of a recipient zone, as well as in the presence of trophic disorders corresponding to the 6th category of chronic arterial insufficiency according to R. Rutherford.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY:Is evaluating the possibility of integrating ICG-fluorescent cholangiography into the general safety system for laparoscopic cholecystectomy to prevent damage to the extrahepatic bile ducts by working out the methodological aspects of navigation technologies.MATERIALS AND METHODS:The analysis of literature data on various approaches to improve the perioperative identification of anatomical structures during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, including the ICG-fluorescent cholangiography, was carried out. This program was implemented during the provision of elective surgical care to 24 patients with cholelithiasis who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with ICG-fluorescent navigation.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:The developed program included: preoperative assessment of the anatomy of the biliary tree using MRCP; intraoperative technique of safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy with mandatory application of the concept of «critical view of safety» (CVS), which allows the most effective identification of the necessary anatomical structures; the use of ICG-fluorescent cholangiography, which allows to improve the control of anatomical structures at all stages of the operations.CONCLUSIONS:The first experience of using ICG-fluorescent cholangiography testifies to the high informative value of the method, the possibility and prospects of integrating the technology into a comprehensive safety system during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Purpose of the study. Identification of potential miRNA markers in material of focal pancreatic lesions. Materials and methods . Samples of focal pancreatic lesions after histological evaluation were enrolled in the study including chronic pancreatitis (ChP) (n = 23), low-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia /PanIN‑1/2 (n = 19), high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia /PanIN‑3 (n = 8), and invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma PDAC (n = 26). Workflow of research included the profiling of cancer-associated miRNA in pooled samples, the selection of potential marker miRNAs, the assessment of selected miRNAs expression in total collection of specimens, the identification of differentially expressed miRNAs, and the approbation of new algorithm of data interpretation via ratio of “reciprocal miRNA pair”. Consequent reactions of revers transcription and quantitative teal-time PCR were used. Results . The expression levels of miR‑216a and miR‑217 were decreased in the following order: PanIN‑1/2 > PanIN‑3 > PDAC. Moreover, miR‑375 was up-regulated while miR‑143 was down-regulated in the PDAC. Differential diagnostics of PDAC versus focal chronic pancreatitis might be performed with high accuracy (AUC > 0.95) by assessment panel of four molecules: miR‑216a, miR‑217, miR‑1246 and Let‑7a. Conclusion . The assessment of microRNAs in pancreatic lesions is a promising approach for the differential diagnosis of PDAC, but this technology requires further validation with an increase in the number of samples.

The purpose of the study was to summarize and analyze the available data on modern methods of additional imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) used in abdominal surgical oncology. Material and Methods . The search and analysis of publications over the last 7–10 years was carried out using RSCI (Russian Science Citation Index), E-library, PubMed, Scopus, MedLine, Elsevier, Web of Science, ScienceDirect systems. The following keywords were used for the search: “ICG-fluorescent navigation”, “ICG-fluorescence”, “gastric cancer”, “colorectal cancer”, “indocyanine green”. Results . The role of ICG-fluorescent navigation in abdominal oncology, in particular, in surgery for cancer of the stomach, colon and rectum, identification of peritoneal carcinomatosis and liver metastases, as well as in biliary surgery and cholangiography, was shown. Intraoperative visualization of sentinel lymph nodes and mapping of lymph nodes in patients with gastric and colorectal cancers were described. In addition, the information on the diagnostic value of vascular imaging in colorectal surgery, detection of the boundaries of hepatocellular carcinoma and surrounding tissues, as well as real-time liver metastases using indocyanine green, was provided. Special attention was paid to ICG-mediated cholecystectomy and cholangiography. ICG fluorescence imaging in colorectal and gastric cancer surgery makes it possible to individualize the surgical approach and provide functional surgery associated with the performance of a sufficient and prophylactically excessive volume of surgical intervention more effectively. Conclusion. The presented data confirm the relevance of the search for a vector of improving the imaging methods used in abdominal surgical oncology, which requires even more even more multicenter prospective cohort studies to determine the best ways of improving the technique.

The disease caused by the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus – “novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)” – had killed more than 6.5 million people at the end of December 2022. The severity of the manifestation of the infectious process varies from asymptomatic forms to rapid progression to life-threatening conditions requiring emergency measures. One of the factors, the severity of which affects the outcome of the disease, is lymphopenia, the cause of which may be a violation of lymphopoiesis. The identification of laboratory markers of a high risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19 plays an important role in improving patient care algorithms and increasing their survival. Levels of TREC and KREC molecules in peripheral blood, respectively, can serve as molecular markers of the severity of T and B lymphopenias. The aim of our work was a comparative analysis of the levels of TREC and KREC molecules in the peripheral blood of surviving and deceased patients with COVID-19. The material was whole blood samples obtained from 1745 people, including: 1028 patients diagnosed with novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) (ICD-10 code – U07.1), of which 937 patients recovered and 91 died; 717 apparently healthy individuals (control group). The levels of TREC and KREC molecules were assessed by quantitative multiplex Real-time PCR using the TREC/KREC-AMP PS reagent kit (Federal Scientific Research Institute Pasteur, St. Petersburg). Statistically significant differences in the levels of KREC and TREC molecules between the control group and patients, both surviving and deceased, were established. A significant decrease in median concentrations of KREC molecules was shown in patients with a lethal outcome compared with survivors (p = 0.0019, 95% CI). Among the deceased patients, in 63.7% of cases, the levels of TREC or KREC molecules were reduced relative to the corresponding age norms. Of these, in 20.9% of cases, both analytes were reduced in patients. When assessing the diagnostic significance of the levels of the analytes under study for predicting the outcome of the disease, the area under the AUC curve for KREC was 0.63±0.029, which indicates the average strength of the prognostic model of the patient's death depending on the level of KREC in the blood. The constructed model is statistically significant (p = 0.002). Monitoring laboratory parameters of patients with COVID-19, including those who died, allows you to determine the prognostic factors that are most significant for assessing the outcome of the disease. Based on the assessment of the KREC level, a predictive model with high specificity reflects the risk of death in patients with COVID-19. Thus, the quantitative determination of the level of KREC molecules in the peripheral blood can be attributed to the methods of preventive personalized diagnostics aimed at improving the survival of patients.

We herein report a clinical case concerning successful staged (laparoscopic and endovascular) treatment of an elderly patient with tandem celiac trunk stenosis due to extravasal compression (Dunbar syndrome) and atherosclerotic lesion. A 65-year-old male patient was admitted to the Angiosurgical Department in July 2019 with complaints of episodes of loss of consciousness occurring after meals, lasting up to a minute and followed by a spontaneous complete recovery. On examination (ultrasound duplex scanning of the iliac trunk, MSCT angiography of the thoracic and abdominal aorta), he was diagnosed as having a hemodynamically significant stenosis (up to 80%) of the ostial segment of the celiac trunk caused by compression of the median arcuate ligament of the diaphragm, as well as an atherosclerotic lesion of the ostium of the celiac trunk (up to 70%). A decision was made to perform two-stage surgical treatment - laparoscopic decompression of the celiac trunk by dissection of the arcuate ligament, followed by delayed stenting of the celiac trunk in the area of the atherosclerotic lesion, with a positive clinical effect obtained in the form of complete relief of symptoms. Four years later, the patient's control examination revealed asymptomatic in-stent restenosis (up to 60%) managed by endovascular angioplasty with a drug-coated balloon catheter. In the presented clinical case, staged minimally invasive treatment (laparoscopic and endovascular) made it possible to avoid traumatic surgical procedures (laparotomy, direct dissection of the arcuate ligament of the diaphragm, and direct endarterectomy of the celiac trunk with patch plasty), hence decreasing the risks of intra- and postoperative complications and contributing to the reduction of rehabilitation time and rapid return of the patient to his usual way of life.

According to the WHO data, the number of infected people exceeded 765.2 million people during the COVID-19 pandemic. The severity of patient’s condition is determined by immune system hyperactivation. Activation of T- and B-lymphocyte subsets plays a prominent role in the control of infectious process. A content of small circular DNA molecules — T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC — T-cell receptor excision circles) and B-cell (“kappa”) excision rings (KREC — Kappa-deleting recombination excision circles) — in the peripheral blood can be used as a marker of the functionally active T and B cells maturation. The purpose of this work is to quantify peripheral blood TREC and KREC level in patients with the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 of varying severity.Materials and methods.The material consisted of 1028 blood samples from patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, as well as 717 blood samples from apparently healthy volunteers. The content of TREC and KREC DNA fragments in the total DNA fraction was assessed by quantitative Real-time PCR using the “TREC/KREC-AMP PS” test system (St. Petersburg Pasteur Institute, Russia). Blood cell phenotyping was carried out using flow cytometry.Results.TREC/KREC levels were significantly reduced in COVID-19 patients (p 0.0001 at 95% CI). A significant direct correlation was established between the levels of peripheral blood TREC molecules and level of CD45+CD3+CD19–T cells (r = 0.59, p 0.0001), as well as between KREC level and count of CD45+CD3–CD19+B cells (r = 0.66, p 0.0001). The level of TREC molecules in patients with severe vs. moderate infection was significantly reduced in patients aged 30–39 years old (p = 0.0404) and 40–49 years old (p = 0.0356). The negative correlation between severity of COVID-19 clinical manifestations and TREC level in the blood of patients in 30–49 year age group indicates about an opportunity of using this analyte as a diagnostic and prognostic laboratory marker of patient’s condition. A simple PCR analysis algorithm makes it relevant to use the described method for assessing a state of immunity in coronavirus patients in the context of systemic negative impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on human organism.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the possibility of integrating tissue perfusion assessment techniques (ICG perfusion and imaging photoplethysmography - iPPG) into the system of intraoperative control points of laparoscopic interventions with a reconstructive component.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Quantitative assessment of ICG fluorescence and iPPG were used during 8 laparoscopically assisted interventions: gastrectomy for gastric cancer (total - 2 and distal - 1) and colorectal resections (left-sided colorectal resections - 4 and right hemicolectomy - 1).RESULTS:Four stages are presented for the assessment of tissue perfusion: initial assessment, before intestine transection, before anastomosis formation, and evaluation of anastomosis. From the point of view of the significance of clinical decision-making, the «before intestine transection» stage is of great importance, due to the ease of transferring the resection level to the optimal tissue perfusion zone.CONCLUSION:Integration of tissue perfusion assessment techniques into the system of intraoperative checkpoints is possible and promising.