Long term results of pediatric heart transplantations — single center experiences

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) is characterized by significant mortality in both adults and children. Characteristic of paediatric HF are feeding problems, poor weight gain, exercise intolerance or dyspnoea. These changes are often accompanied by endocrine disorders. The main causes of HF are congenital heart defects (CHD) cardiomyopathies, arrhythmias, myocarditis or heart failure secondary to oncological treatment. Heart transplantation (HTx) is the method of choice for treatment of end-stage HF  in paediatric patients. AIMS: The aim is to summarize single center experience in heart transplantation in children. METHODS: Between 1988 and 2021 in the Silesian Center for Heart Diseases in Zabrze 122 pediatric cardiac transplantations were performed. In the group of recipients with falling Fontan circulation HTx was performed in 5 children. The study group was evaluated for postoperative course: rejection episodes depending on the medical treatment scheme, coinfections and mortality. RESULTS: 1-, 5- and 10-year survival rate between 1988 and 2001 were 53%, 53% and 50%, respectively. 1-, 5- and 10-year survival rate between 2002 and 2011 was 97%, 90% and 87%; between 2012 and 2021 1-year observation with survival rate 92%. The main cause of mortality both in early and in late period after transplantation was graft failure. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac transplantation in children remains the main method of treatment of end-stage heart failure. Our results at both early and long-term posttransplant period, are comparable to those obtained in the most experienced foreign centers

The Influence of Ethanolic Extract of Brazilian Green Propolis Gel on Hygiene and Oral Microbiota in Patients after Mandible Fractures

Maintenance of proper oral hygiene by dental plaque elimination is one of the most important factors affecting the healing process in postoperative oral wounds. Propolis is a substance produced by bees. Ethanolic extract of propolis has bactericidal, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidative properties. Moreover, it can scavenge free radicals. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the efficacy of a gel containing 3% of ethanolic extract of Brazilian green propolis (EEP-B) when used for maintaining oral hygiene in patients with postoperative oral mucosal wounds. The hygiene was assessed using API, OHI, and SBI followed by microbiological examinations. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 consisted of those who used a gel containing EEP-B for oral hygiene, and group 2 consisted of those who used a gel without EEP-B. Although improved oral hygiene was noted in both groups, the improvement was markedly greater in the group using gel containing EEP-B. Summing up the results of microbiological examinations, EEP-B has beneficial effect on mouth microflora in postoperative period. Propolis preparations used for oral hygiene allow eliminating microorganisms of pathogenic character and physiological flora microorganisms considered as being opportunistic, with no harmful influence on physiological microflora in oral ecosystem