Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B Eiseman

Publications and source records attributed to B Eiseman.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Morbidity of colostomy closure.

An unexpectedly high morbidity (28 per cent) followed colostomy closure in 100 patients. One patient died postoperatively because of sepsis resulting from disruption of the colon anastomosis. Wound infection (10 per cent), intraperitoneal abscess (1 per cent), bowel obstruction (7 per cent), and fecal fistula (4 per cent) were other significant complications. Wound sepsis was greater after primary than after delayed wound closure. Obstruction did not correlate with the use of either an open or closed technic of anastomosis. Three patients required reoperation for complications. Temporary colostomy was constructed for colon injury in 85 per cent of patients. In view of the considerable morbidity of colostomy closure, alternate technics of managing colon trauma should be considered. Such technics include primary closure and exteriorization of repaired colon. When temporary colostomy is unavoidable, closure is best done by open, two layer anastomosis with delayed wound closure. Colostomy should be recognized as an important procedure associated with significant morbidity.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Management of small arterial injuries: clinical and experimental studies.

Twenty-five patients with 35 severed small arteries of the wrist, calf, or ankle are presented. Included are six cases of total ischemia of the wrist or ankle. Twenty-two repairs and thirteen ligations were performed. There was only one amputation from arterial insufficiency. We recommend repair both to preserve tissue and to restore optimum flow. By use of meticulous interrupted suture technique, optical magnification, and heparin and aspirin administration, a high degree of arterial patency can be achieved.

Aspirin↗

Hepatocyte perfusion within a centrifuge.

A centrifuge, as used in blood banks for washing erythrocytes, is shown to be a good perfusion chamber for hepatocyte suspensions being evaluated for potential extracorporeal liver support. The perfusate was cell-free oxygenated--pO2 300 millimeters of mercury--plasma, serum or tissue culture medium. A centrifuge that requires intermittent perfusion cannot deliver sufficient oxygen to maintain prolonged viability. A continuous flow unit can, at a flow of 800 milliliters per minute, support most functions of 100 grams of hepatocytes for six hours and some function for 12 hours. Metabolism of 2-14C tagged pyruvate to 14CO2 is the most useful sensitive measurement of liver function in this system. It is concluded that a centrifuge allowing a constant perfusion of oxygenated plasma into hepatocytes kept within the unit by centrifugal force is a suitable base for extracorporeal liver support.

Animals↗

Abdominal stab wounds: evaluation of sinography.

This paper reviews a 30-month experience with 172 patients suffering abdominal stab wounds treated at the Denver General Hospital, during a period when policy included liberal sinography and all penetrating injuries were explored. Laparotomy was performed in 87%. Of the 65 patients undergoing sinography, 62% indicated peritoneal penetration; of these, 30% had no visceral injury. An additional 10%, with minor intraperitoneal injuries, probably would not have required celiotomy. In 25 cases the stab penetrated the peritoneal cavity after first entering the chest. Peritoneal tap and peritoneal lavage were used in 10 patients. It is concluded that the cost/benefit ratio of sinography is so poor that it is rarely indicated. When doubt exists as to significant intraperitoneal pathology following an abdominal stab wound, close observation without sinography is recommended for determining indication for laparotomy.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Operative choice and technique following pancreatic injury.

During a five-year period, 50 patients were operated on for pancreatic injury. Forty had open trauma and ten closed. Half of each group were treated by drainage alone. Overall mortality was 14%, with all deaths following open injuries due to gunshots. Deaths were more frequent after drainage than after resection. Substantial complications occurred in 70%, with more frequent amd more serious morbidity in drained patients. Sump drainage was associated with less morbidity than Penrose drainage. Guidelines for management of pancreatic trauma are (1) resection of sinistral gland for perforating injuries of the body or tail; (2) drainage of perforations of the pancreatic head when the major duct is intact; (3) resection of duodenum and pancreatic head for devitalizing injury of both structures.

Adult↗

Accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing abdominal masses.

B-mode ultrasonography was performed in 246 patients with suspected abdominal masses over a seven-year period. In 105 (40 percent), the accuracy of ultrasonic diagnosis was evaluated surgically. Sonography was proven correct in 60 (57 percent) patients who had undergone operation. Among 141 patients who had not undergone operation and whose diagnoses were established by other means, ultrasonography agreed with the clinical diagnosis in 69 (31 percent). Ultrasound accuracy, as confirmed by operation, was highest for splenic masses (100 percent) and for aortic aneurysm (88 percent). Liver masses were correctly identified in 56 percent of patients and gallbladder lesions in 38 percent. While only a 48 percent accuracy was obtained in diagnosing pancreatic disease, 64 percent of all pseudocysts were localized. Ultrasonography correlated positively with operative findings in 56 percent of renal masses. Intraperitoneal abscess was accurately diagnosed in 61 percent of patients but retroperitoneal adenopathy in only 33 percent. Abdominal ultrasonography, while accurately diagnosing splenic and aortic masses, failed to identify approximately half of other mass lesions. Improved techniques hold promise of improving this diagnostic accuracy.

Abdomen↗

Incidental appendicectomy with laparotomy for trauma.

Incidental appendicectomy was performed in 83 of 206 patients undergoing laparotomy for abdominal trauma. No organs were injured in 42 per cent of the appendicectomy patients and in 17 per cent of the non-appendicetomy patients, thus making comparison between the groups unreliable. While the incidence of intestinal perforation was 21 per cent in the appendicectomy patients, the rate of wound infection was only 7 per cent. One complication (pelvic abscess) was possibly attributable to incidental appendicetomy. Since males below the age of 50 face a significant risk of future appendicitis and represent the majority of patients with abdominal trauma, it may be advisable to perform incidental appendicectomy with laparotomy for trauma in such patients. Specific indications for incidental appendicectomy during laparotomy for trauma are suggested.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Cholecystectomy with and without surgical drainage.

Thirty-seven patients who met specific criteria had cholecystectomy without drainage, and thirty-seven matched control patients had cholecystectomy with drainage. This study suggests that surgical drainage after every uncomplicated cholecystectomy is unnecessary and may be unwise. Such drainage may result in an increased incidence of postoperative morbidity and prolonged hospital stay.

Adolescent↗

Current management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Over a four-year period, 585 patients were hospitalized for massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy diagnosed the cause of bleeding in 80% of 200 patients so studied. Selective angiography localized the bleeding site in 12 of 20 patients, and infusion of vasopressor stopped hemorrhage in six. Barium studies was 90% accurate in diagnosing ulcer disease but failed to detect gastritis. One hundred thirty (22%) patients were operated upon for medically uncontrolled bleeding. The proportion of patients requiring surgery fell from 33% in year one to 13% in year four. Benign ulcer disease caused bleeding in 51% of surgical patients, while gastritis was found in 20%, esophageal varices in 15% and stress ulcer in 8%. Overall operative mortality was 29%. Among 38 duodenal ulcer patients, mortality was 18%. Vagotomy and pyloroplasty were more effective than resection in this group. Resection for distal gastric ulcers in 22 patients resulted in a mortality of 14% and no rebleeding. While V&P controlled bleeding in 12 alcoholics with gastritis, five (42%) died postoperatively. Mortality among 20 patients with esophageal varices was 35%, although all five survived who had porto-caval shunts. Eight of 10 patients operated upon for stress ulcer bleeding died. Postoperative rebleeding occurred in 14 patients, eight of whom were again operated upon. In all but one a new lesion was found to be responsible for hemorrhage. Increasing use of gastroscopy and selective angiography can be expected to improve diagnostic capabilities in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Infusing vasopressor into selected arteries should reduce the need for surgical control of gastritis, variceal and stress ulcer bleeding, conditions poorly managed by current operative techniques.

Alcoholism↗

The changing pattern of post-traumatic respiratory distress syndrome.

During a one year period, 78 patients at the Denver General Hospital required mechanical ventilation following injury. Thirteen patients were judged to have Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Of these, 9 had classic early onset RDS but, with intravenous fluid restriction following resuscitation, diuretics and careful mechanical ventilation, all recovered. Six patients, all of whom were septic, developed late onset RDS 5 or more days after injury; 5 died. Disparity between early and late onset of RDS is emphasized; the one with good, the other with dismal prognosis. The current need is to improve treatment of late onset RDS, which frequently is associated with bacterial infection.

Adolescent↗

Liver failure in the postoperative patient: the role of sepsis and immunologic deficiency.

In a 4 year experience with 7- postoperative or postinjury patients in liver failure, we found that 27 (37 percent) had associated bacterial sepsis. The mortality rate in this group of patients was 48 percent, compared with an average of 80 percent among patients with liver failure from other causes. Laboratory evaluation of cellular immune response in 20 cirrhotic patients confirmed the clinical observation of a relative failure of cellular immunity. Mitogen response of lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin was significantly decreased in cirrhotic patients as was the number of thymus-derived lymphocytes. The association and poor prognosis of pre-existing liver damage, injury, bacterial sepsis, and liver failure is discussed. It is concluded that a postoperative or postinjury patient, regardless of his general condition, who has any possibility of having undrained intraperitoneal sepsis, deserves re-exploration since the trade-off for benefit usually far outweighs the possibility of doing harm. The decision for reoperation in such critically ill patients is not easy, but such operative aggressiveness is warranted.

Anesthetics↗