We are all very much accustomed to the idea that good nutrition is essential for postoperative success. However, studies show that in case of organ transplantation it seems to be the other way round. Short term dietary restriction or fasting protects the transplanted kidney from failure. It seems that the consequences of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury can be diminished. As a mechanism of this reaction is unclear, recent studies show that glucose supplementation does not interfere with the fasting-induced renal protection. Read full text »

Although corticosteroids have been used in obstetrics for more than 40 years, many issues concerning their administration, benefits and threats still remain unclear. Various aspects of corticosteroid therapy were examined during clinical trials, but many of them represent opposing points of view. Specialists from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) compiled data of the last 10 years and created new guidelines. Let us take a look at what they managed to establish. Read full text »