Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A Berger.
This paper describes the technique to reconstruct the genitals after an episode of Fournier's gangrene using the rectus abdominis muscle flap. A 44-year-old diabetic man felt ill with a Fournier's gangrene following inguinal herniotomia. The infection could be treated by aggressive débridement and by muscle flap coverage. Then we reconstructed the genitalia.
We report about three cases of true aneurysm in the finger artery and one in the superficial palmar arch. Three of these developed after blunt trauma. Vascular reconstruction was performed either by direct suture or using a venous graft. Another case of a false aneurysm after finger replantation is reported.
The long-term outcome of a patient injured by an industrial x-irradiation-source is demonstrated and the problems of actinic chest wall damage as well as the development of plastic surgery technique within a 25 year period is discussed by means of this case report.
While amputations of extremity parts are not uncommon in multiple trauma, replantation of these parts is not always feasible. Initial therapy will concentrate on plain survival. We suggest an aid to identify those patients with multiple trauma and extremity amputation, who should undergo replantation.
The aim of this study is to gain further knowledge concerning the regeneration of reinnervated, freely transplanted muscles. Therefore, we used a rat model, consisting of eight rats per group, in which the latissimus dorsi muscle was transplanted orthotopically, after a period of time of two and twelve weeks harvested, then evaluated histologically and enzyme-histochemically. As controls we used a group of non-operated muscles. At date of removal, the patency of the vascular anastomoses was checked clinically and histologically. Additionally, electrophysiological measurements and conventional and enzyme-histochemical histologies were performed. Two weeks after the free neurovascular flap transplantation, the muscle was not innervated yet, histologically a dissolved pattern of type 1 and type 2 muscle fibers was found. After twelve weeks of time, the muscles were reinnervated again, muscle contraction was positive after electrical stimulation and the typical pattern of fibers was reestablished.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Due to favourable survival rates in replantation surgery and a high standard of free tissue transplantation, the interval between injury and microsurgical reconstruction has continuously decreased in the past. The acute phase can be defined as the interval ranging from emergency procedures within 24 hours to "urgence différée" procedures within 72 hours. Bearing in mind the infection rates of 1.5% and 17.5% respectively as it has been reported in the literature, we should encourage emergency reconstructions. However, in most cases of upper extremity injuries, reconstruction with conventional flaps is possible. Between 1981 and 1991, 674 free tissue transplantation have been performed in our unit, 61% of the cases of free tissue transplantations to the upper extremity were done in the acute phase, the majority within 72 hours (urgence différée). No significant differences in rates of infections were evident comparing acute phase and urgence différée procedures. Because of this, we still support the concept of urgence différée. In our opinion the following advantages have to be considered: urgence différée allows a second loop operation, the vitality of the extremity can be ascertained, and the reconstructive procedure can be planned more precisely. Last not least, a procedure performed during the day-time assures better operating conditions. This concept is demonstrated with clinical cases.
Pilonidal sinus, acute or chronic suppuration of the sacrococcygeal region, is a common benign disease. Its treatment, usually surgical, remains controversial, between wide excision and limited excision and between primary closure and secondary closure. On the basis of our experience and a review of the literature, we propose limited excision with immediate closure for non-infected operations and exposure with immediate resection for pilonidal abscesses. Regardless of the technique used, the morbidity is high, associated with a recurrence rate of between 5 and 40%.
TSH receptor stimulating antibodies (TSAb) are well known in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease. Recently mutations in the DNA coding for the TSH-receptor (TSHR) have been revealed in autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN). In this study we looked for mutations in 9 patients with AFTN. DNA was extracted separately from the nodules and the paranodular thyroid tissues. A fragment of the TSHR gene (bp 1762-1976) was amplified by PCR. The amplified DNA was digested with Hph I, Taq I, Kpn I and Eco RI, respectively, and the resulting fragments were analyzed by gel electrophoresis. Mutations were detected in the nodules of 3 of the 9 patients. In the nodules of 2 patients we found simultaneous mutations affecting the restriction sites of Hph I and Taq I. In the 3rd patient a mutation affecting the restriction site of Hph I was observed. The simultaneous occurrance of TSHR-mutations altering Hph I (Position 631) and Taq I (position 632) restriction sites in AFTN have not been described so far.
Success rates for free tissue transfer (FTT) have greatly improved over the last 20 years, partly due to improved technical performance of microvascular anastomoses with better optical and instrumental aids. However, flap failure is still a clinical problem and occurs in 5-10%, mainly due to blood vessel thrombosis within the first 24 postoperative hours. Salvation rates of failing FTT can be optimized by the prompt diagnosis of irreversibly compromised tissue blood flow and immediate operative reexploration. Therefore, there is a special demand for adequate and reliable postoperative monitoring techniques. This article gives an overview of all monitoring techniques, which have been performed both in the experimental and clinical setting after FTT thus far.
A case is presented of an intubated, sedated patient, without previous eye problems, who developed acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG) after receiving nebulized terbutaline and ipratropium bromide for an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive airway disease. When a patient under this treatment develops a fixed dilated pupil, as in this case, it is recommended to consider AACG among the possible causes.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
OBJECTIVES: Conventional surgery and non-surgical methods have given unsatisfactory results for the treatment of acute necrotic pancreatitis. We therefore adoptive active prolonged drainage with the aim of controlling both acute enzyme toxicity and secondary necrosis. METHODS: One hundred fifty-seven patients with necrotic pancreatitis defined as the presence of extensive pancreatic or peripancreatic necrosis at laparotomy were divided into three groups according to previous care: group 1 no prior medical or surgical treatment (n = 46, 29%), group 2 prior medical but no surgical treatment (n = 48, 31%) and group 3 prior medical and surgical treatment (n = 63, 40%). Spiral drains were placed in the drainage grooves after necrosectomy and post-operative drainage with Mikulicz bags. Continuous lavage-drainage was then maintained for 45 days. Enteral nutrition was initiated on day 7 (mean) and increased progressively to 75 kcal/kg/day so parenteral nutrition could be interrupted 8 days later. RESULTS: There were 28 deaths (18%) including 6 in group 1, 10 in group 2 and 12 in group 3 (13, 21 and 19% respectively). Deaths were due to early multiple organ failure (n = 16), progressive degradation of the clinical situation (n = 8) and sudden death despite improvement (n = 4). Complications requiring re-operation occurred in 44 patients (28%). Among the 129 survivors, mean duration of hospitalization was 70 days including 60 days in the intensive care unit. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with results from former series, active prolonged drainage appears to be more adapted to the natural history and anatomic presentation of acute necrotic pancreatitis.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
PURPOSE: The rate of local failure is sufficiently high following sphincter conserving surgery and radiation therapy for advanced anal cancers to warrant investigation of improved local treatment techniques. This Phase I/II study was undertaken to investigate the site-specific toxicities and response of Stage II and III anal cancers to interstitial thermoradiotherapy using a hot water interstitial system. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between September 1988 and March 1991, 14 patients with primary carcinomas of the anal canal, UICC Stage T2-3, N0-1, M0, were treated with split-course external beam irradiation to the pelvis (30 Gy + 20 Gy) and 1 or 2 interstitial Iridium-192 high dose rate (Ir-192 HDR) implants (6-8 Gy each) immediately followed by interstitial hyperthermia (HT). Patients with tumor diameters > 3 cm were scheduled to receive chemotherapy consisting of 2 courses of 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C given concomitantly with external beam radiation. Interstitial hyperthermia was induced by circulating warm water through the needles that were implanted to hold the Ir-192 source. The treatment goal was to achieve and maintain a temperature of 42.5 degrees C over a time period of 40 min. A 3-point thermocouple probe inserted into one or two additional needles was used for thermometry. The temperatures were recorded by manual mapping along these needles at steps of 0.5 or 1 cm. RESULTS: A total of 20 Ir-192 HDR-HT implants were performed in 14 patients. All but two patients completed the external beam irradiation; five patients received concomitant chemotherapy. Analysis of thermal parameters showed that minimum intratumoral temperatures (Tmin) of 42 degrees C, 42.5 degrees C, 43 degrees C, and 44 degrees C were achieved in 64%, 37.5%, 14%, and 7% of patients, respectively. Intratumoral mean Tmin, mean average, and mean maximum temperatures for these patients were 41.7 degrees C, 42.4 degrees C, and 43.4 degrees C, respectively. Brachytherapy and HT were well tolerated. Clinical complete responses (cCR) were obtained in 11/14 (78.5%) patients, complete histopathological responses (pCR) in 10/14 (71%). Only one patient with pCR recurred and succumbed to her disease. Patients with persistent disease (1 minimal and 3 partial responders, including 1 cCR) underwent abdominal-perineal resection but subsequently died from local-regional recurrence. One patient with pCR died from unrelated causes. Median survival for all patients from onset of radiation to death or last follow-up is 26 months. Eight patients are alive disease-free after a follow-up ranging from 16-44 months (median: 30, mean: 30 months). Treatment complications were limited to two patients who developed persistent ulcers. Sphincter function was maintained in 50% of patients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that interstitial warm water hyperthermia in combination with brachytherapy for anal carcinomas is feasible and did not add to complications when compared to studies employing external beam irradiation and brachytherapy alone. The thermal parameters obtained by the warm water system compare favorably to those reported by others using radiofrequency and microwave systems.
The use of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) was tested in 108 consecutive patients, who underwent free tissue transfer at our institution between December, 1988, and June, 1990. Sixteen patients (14.8%) suffered vascular complications, which could be detected in all cases earlier by LDF than by clinical examination alone. LDF therefore prompted faster surgical intervention in these cases, allowing flap salvation in 9.3% (n = 10). Difficulties had to be noted in diagnosing venous thrombosis by means of the LDF due to sometimes unspecific alterations in LDF signals. Technical improvement of LDF might lead to a higher diagnostic accuracy if venous thrombosis occurs.
In patients with brachial plexus injuries restoration of complete function is seldom seen. The diagnosis is a clinical one; investigations such as MRI or myelography are not sufficiently reliable to base surgical indications on them. Surgery has to be performed within the first six months after the trauma. The surgical procedure firstly includes an exact intraoperative definition of the extent of the lesion. Depending on the type of the lesion, microsurgical neurolysis, nerve grafting, or reneurotization is performed. When regeneration is complete, secondary operations may follow if necessary as part of our integrated concept. The spectrum of secondary operations in our patients includes arthrodesis, tenodesis, tendon transfers, muscle transfers, and free neurovascular tissue transfer. In selected cases with extensive lesions a bifunctional latissimus dorsi transfer allows restoration of minimal grip with simultaneous elbow flexion. Our concept includes a series of hierarchical steps: 1. Diagnosis and indication 2. Nerve repair 3. Intensive physiotherapy, control in intervals 4. Secondary operations--if necessary 5. Intensive physiotherapy 6. Ergotherapy, orthosis In the last 12 years 362 patients with brachial plexus lesions have been operated on in our clinic. In these patients we performed 104 neurolyses, 126 nerve grafting procedures, 87 reneurotizations, and 191 secondary operations in 96 patients. Only the combination of nerve repair with both conventional and newer methods of tendon and muscle transfers can restore the maximum function for the individual situation.