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Biomedical subjects

B R Lawton

Publications and source records attributed to B R Lawton.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Esophagogastrectomy for adenocarcinoma of the cardia. Ten years' experience and current approach.

During a 10-year period, 94 surgical resections for adenocarcinoma of the cardia (75 "curative" and 19 palliative) were performed using three primary approaches: Group I (46 curative, 14 palliative), esophagogastrectomy performed through a left thoracotomy or left thoraco-abdominal incision; Group II (17 curative, 4 palliative), resection done through two separate incisions (abdominal and thoracic) with delayed reconstruction between two and three months later; and Group III (12 curative, 1 palliative), resection, also through abdominal and thoracic incisions, with simultaneous reconstruction. Operative mortality in the 75 procedures done for cure was 19.5%, 18%, and 8.3% in Groups I, II, and III, respectively. Microscopic residual tumor at the line of resection was 56%, 12%, and 8%. Free margins less than 3 cm had the same local recurrence rate (21%, 6%, and 8%) within 18 months as did margins with residual microscopic tumor. The length of time from operation to first regular meal was 12, 110, and 7 days, respectively. Wide resection with subtotal esophagectomy and simultaneous reconstruction is advocated.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Use of circumferential stapler in reconstruction following resections for carcinoma of the cardia.

The use of the End-to-End Anastomosis (EEA) circumferential stapler for reconstruction following resection of the esophagus and stomach for carcinoma of the cardia is reported here in 9 consecutive patients with fifteen anastomoses performed with this unit. The technical aspects of the EEA stapler are emphasized. Two frequent problems associated with this type of operation namely, stenosis or leak at the suture line, are completely avoided by the use of this stapler unit. Its use is recommended.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Axillo-axillary bypass for subclavian steal syndrome.

Since 1972, 14 patients with subclavian steal and four with primary vascular insufficiency of the arm have been operated on using the axillo-axillary bypass graft. Two grafts have been replaced, one after nine months for threatened erosion, and the other after three years for thrombosis due to disease progression in the donor artery. The new grafts were patent at three and at 2 1/2 years. One graft was occluded at six months and was not replaced. All other patients under observation in 1978 have grafts patent at one month to 6 1/2 years (average 2.2 years). Life table analysis shows the probability of graft patency (20 grafts) is 76% at three years. In the subclavian steal group steal on the left side predominated 2:1. Cerebral symptoms predominated with arm symptoms less often seen, although six patients had both. Associated vascular disease and hypertension were common. There was no mortality and few complications. Axillo-axillary bypass grafting is considered the operation of choice for patients with subclavian steal syndrome.

Aged↗

Open pulmonary biopsy. Nineteen-year experience with 416 consecutive operations.

Four hundred and sixteen open pulmonary biopsies through limited thoracotomies are reported. Tissue sufficient for diagnosis was obtained in all cases. Case selection, operative technique, spectrum of diagnoses, complications, and comparisons with other techniques are defined. Diagnoses by category were as follows: occupational, 105 patients (25 percent); neoplastic disease, 80 patients (19 percent); specific histologic diagnosis, (ie, sarcoidosis), 70 patients (17 percent); specific infection, 23 patients (6 percent); vascular diagnosis, 16 patients (4 percent); and nonspecific pulmonary disease, 122 patients (29 percent). Pneumothorax, minor in most cases, was the most common complication. It occurred in 97 (23 percent) of the patients, but only 24 (6 percent) required the placement of a chest tube. Pleural effusion occurred in 106 patients (25 percent) and was minor. Hemothorax occurred in two (0.5 percent) and superficial wound infection in three (0.7 percent). Overall mortality was 4.5 percent (19 patients). Only two deaths (0.4 percent) were related to the procedure. Open pulmonary biopsy remains our diagnostic method of choice in diffuse lung disease of undetermined etiology.

Adolescent↗

Detection of covert myocardial sarcoidosis by scalene node biopsy.

The antemortem diagnosis of myocardial sarcoidosis is rare in patients without overt signs of the disease. Two patients are presented to alert physicians to the value of early scalene node biopsy when sarcoidosis could be the cause of marked disturbances in cardiac conduction. The first patient, aged 29 years, had first, second, and third degree atrioventricular block and intermittent left and right bundle-branch block; the second, aged 59 years, had second degree atrioventricular block and complete right bundle-branch block. Both had diagnoses of sarcoidosis based on scalene node biopsy. The cardiac conductive disturbance improved, and the symptoms disappeared with steroid therapy.

Adult↗

The coin lesion story: update 1976. Twenty years' experience with thoracotomy for 179 suspected malignant coin lesions.

We reviewed 179 patients who had undergone thoracotomy and resection of a suspected malignant coin lesion of the lung over the past 20 years to see if a policy of early thoracotomy was therapeutically valid. The average diameter of all lesions was 1.6 cm; the average diameter of 27 malignant lesions (15 percent) was 1.8 cm. Follow-up of the 27 patients with malignant neoplasms was 100 percent. The present survival rate of the 19 patients with primary lung cancer is 89 percent (17/19). Of 12 cases of primary lung cancer followed for five years, ten (83 percent) survived. The five-year survival of the eight patients with metastatic lesions was 25 percent (2/8). There were no postoperative deaths and few serious postoperative complications (four patients or 2 percent). Very small primary lung cancers detected and treated early do have the same poor prognosis as larger primary cancers.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Effective surgical palliation of giant compressive bullous emphysema (vanishing lung syndrome): long-term follow-up.

Giant compressive bullous emphysema is rare. The three major considerations for operation involve a breathless patient with giant bullae occupying more than one-third of one lung field who has a positive pulmonary arteriogram revealing diminished blood flow to the involved lung. Finally, we think that the survivors in our series, eight long-term postoperative patients alive one year to 14 years, supply gratifying evidence that surgery can provide effective and safe palliation.

Adult↗

Pulmonary mycotoxicosis.

Mycotoxicosis is a term used to define a toxic reaction due to the ingestion of toxins produced by fungi. Oral ingestion, however, may not be the sole means of exposure. We have recently observed ten patients who had inhaled massive amounts of fungi, which resulted in an apparent toxic pulmonary reaction. Immunologic studies showed no sensitivity to various fungal antigen preparations and histologic study of the lung showed a multi-focal acute process, with primary involvement of the terminal bronchioles containing large numbers of various spores. Cultures from lung biopsy material revealed at least five fungal organisms. A one to ten year followup indicates that avoidance of massive reexposure to fungal dust is the key to the prevention of recurrent pulmonary mycotoxicosis.

Adolescent↗

The iron intern.

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Cardia↗