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C Bloechle

Publications and source records attributed to C Bloechle.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Toxic megacolon caused by cytomegalovirus colitis in a multiply injured patient.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is a rare event that has been described mainly in immunocompromised patients with immunosuppressive medication or HIV infection. An association with severe trauma has not been described previously. We report a formerly healthy, multiply injured 75-year-old male who subsequently developed what appeared to be pseudomembranous colitis. By the time the diagnosis of toxic megacolon on the basis of CMV colitis was established, he had succumbed to multiple organ failure. Whenever pseudomembranous colitis is clinically suspected but not confirmed in a critically ill formerly healthy patient, CMV colitis should be excluded. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, generous resection of all affected colon is mandatory in view of the limited benefit of antiviral therapy in CMV-induced toxic megacolon.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Effect of a pneumoperitoneum on the extent and severity of peritonitis induced by gastric ulcer perforation in the rat.

Laparoscopic surgical repair of perforated gastroduodenal ulcer is technically feasible. To study the effect of a pneumoperitoneum on the extent and severity of peritonitis this animal study was devised. In rats gastric ulceration was induced by instillation of ethanol (50%, 2 ml) and followed by gastrotomy to simulate perforation. Animals were randomly allocated to pneumoperitoneum (PP) and control groups. In PP groups CO2 was insufflated intraperitoneally 6, 9, 12, and 24 h after gastrotomy. In controls the abdomen was only punctured. Animals were sacrificed 5 h after the end of PP or abdominal puncture. Blood cultures and intraabdominal swabs were assessed. A peritonitis severity score (PSS) based on histologies from peritoneum, liver, left kidney, spleen, and first jejunal loop was estimated. Six and 9 h after gastrotomy no significant differences between the PP and control groups were observed; 12 h after gastrotomy cultures of blood samples and abdominal swabs were positive in 67% and 75% in the PP group compared to 42% (P < 0.05), and 42% (P < 0.05) in controls. The mean PSS was 20.8 (standard deviation [SD] 2.2) in the PP group compared to 11.3 (1.5) (P < 0.01) in controls; 24 h after gastrotomy cultures of blood samples and abdominal swabs were positive in 83% and 100% in the PP group compared to 42% (P < 0.05) and 50% (P < 0.01) in controls. The mean PSS was 22.1 (1.5) in the PP group compared to 11.8 (2.4) (P < 0.01) in the controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Extended resections are beneficial for patients with locally advanced colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Locally advanced colorectal cancer often requires extended resection to radically remove all tumor. This is the only chance for cure in these patients, but a higher complication rate would be expected. To evaluate the overall benefit for the patient, this study assesses morbidity and mortality as well as long-term survival of patients who underwent extended resection for a T3-T4 carcinoma. METHODS: Two hundred twenty patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the colorectum were included. One hundred fifty presented with a T3 and 70 with a T4 tumor. Eighty-three patients underwent extended resection. In 38 patients extended en bloc resection was performed because of inflammatory adherence mimicking infiltration. Thirty-three patients who underwent extended resections were over 70 years of age. There were no significant differences between the groups that underwent extended or nonextended resections in age, sex, stage, or grading. RESULTS: pT4 lesions were significantly more frequent in the extended resection group than in the nonextended resection group. Mean survival was 44 months after extended resections and 45 months after nonextended resections. In the extended resection group there was no significant difference in mean survival between pT3 and pT4 stage patients within 46 and 38 months, respectively. In patients who underwent nonextended resections, however, there was a significant difference in mean survival within 48 months for pT3 and 28 for pT4 patients (P < 0.05). Postoperative morbidity and mortality were comparable between the extended resection group and the non-extended resection group. The presence of residual tumor influenced prognosis of patients significantly; R0 resections fared significantly better than patients who underwent R1 or R2 resections (55 and 51 to 14/12 and 23/8 months) (P < 0.01). Nodal stage and International Union Against Cancer stage were also significant determinants of prognosis. After extended resections mean survival morbidity and 30-day mortality in patients more than 70 years was similar to those less than 70 years. CONCLUSION: Because extended resections can achieve comparable results in locally more advanced colorectal cancer as nonextended resections in less advanced cancer, an aggressive surgical approach is warranted.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

Verapamil and flunarizine protect the isolated perfused rat liver against warm ischemia and reperfusion injury.

Using the model of the isolated perfused rat liver, we investigated the influence of the two pharmacologically different calcium channel blockers, verapamil and flunarizine, on changes of ion homeostasis, liver weights, pH deviations and enzyme activities during warm ischemia (37 degrees C) and reperfusion. The LDH and GLDH activities were determined and the calcium, potassium, and sodium concentrations were measured in the effluent. Warm ischemia (180 min) caused an increased enzyme release, a high influx of calcium and sodium into the liver and a massive potassium efflux current. Normoxic reperfusion led to a further increase in hepatic enzyme release and although the loss of potassium ceased, the calcium influx into the liver continued. By the end of reperfusion the liver weight had increased significantly (P < 0.01) in the control group. The two calcium entry blockers were added to the perfusate in various concentrations. Both substances protected the liver against warm ischemia and normoxic reperfusion damage, but they did not inhibit calcium inflow. However, the potassium efflux was significantly reduced by all concentration tasted (P < 0.001). After reperfusion the liver weights were significantly lower in the treated groups (P < 0.001) than in control animals. Thus, the calcium entry blockers verapamil and flunarizine protect liver cells against damage caused by warm ischemia and reperfusion. Furthermore, they prevent the disruption of intracellular potassium homeostasis, which seems to be related to improved volume regulation of liver cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Impact of radical systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy on tumor staging in lung cancer.

The extent of lymphadenectomy in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer is still a matter of controversy. While some centers perform mediastinal lymph node sampling with resection of only suspicious lymph nodes, others recommend a radical, systematic mediastinal lymphadenectomy (LA) to improve survival and achieve a better staging. Herein we report on the impact of LA on tumor staging in a controlled, prospective, randomized clinical trial comparing lymph node sampling and LA in a total of 182 patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer. Regardless of the type of lymphadenectomy performed, the percentage of patients with pathologic N1 or N2 (sampling: n = 23, 23.0%; LA: n = 22, 26.8%) disease was very similar in both groups, indicating that systematic radical lymphadenectomy is not an essential prerequisite to determine the N stage of a patient. In contrast, the number of patients detected to have lymph node involvement at multiple levels was significantly increased by LA. In the lymph node sampling group only 4 of 23 patients (17.4%) with N2 disease were found to have more than one lymph node level involved, whereas LA results in the detection of excessive N2 disease in 12 of 21 patients (57.2%; p = 0.007), which was associated with a shorter distant metastases-free (p = 0.021) and overall survival. In conclusion, LA is not essential to determine the N stage of a patient, but results in a more detailed staging of the N2 region, which is of prognostic significance. Therefore, it might be useful to identify patients with a higher risk for tumor relapse.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Post-irradiation soft tissue sarcoma.

From 1975 to 1993, 11 of 375 patients treated for soft tissue sarcoma presented with post-irradiation sarcoma. The mean time interval between irradiation therapy and onset of the second neoplasm was 15.8 years (4-31 years). The total radiation dosage ranged from 12 to 60 Gy with a mean of 40 Gy. All patients had complete staging including CT or MRI of the tumour site, and CT of the lung. Surgical resection was the treatment of choice. Wide margins could be achieved in 10 patients. One had a marginal resection. Tumours included malignant fibrous histiocytoma, haemangiosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant schwannoma, fibrosarcoma and undifferentiated sarcoma. All patients were reassessed in our outpatient clinic. After a mean follow-up of 4.7 years (1.0-11.5 years), only 1 patient had died because of the tumour. Although post-irradiation sarcomas are rather infrequently observed, these tumours must be suspected when alterations or symptoms occur in a previously irradiated region. Early detection provides the chance of curative, wide margin resection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas in chronic pancreatitis. A prospective, randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: Two techniques of duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas were compared in a prospective, randomized trial. The technical feasibility and effects on quality of life were assessed. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Drainage and resection are the principles of surgery in chronic pancreatitis. The techniques of duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas as described by Berger and Frey combine both to different degrees. The efficacy of both procedures has not been compared thus far. METHODS: Forty-two patients were allocated randomly to either Beger's (n = 20) or Frey's (n = 22) group. In addition to routine pancreatic diagnostic work-up, a multidimensional psychometric quality-of-life questionnaire and and a pain score were used. Assessment of endocrine and exocrine function included oral glucose tolerance test, serum concentrations of insulin, C-peptide, and HbA1c, as well as fecal chymotrypsin and pancreolauryl test. The interval between symptoms and surgery ranged from 12 months to 12 years, with a mean of 5.7 years. The mean follow-up was 1.5 years. RESULTS: There was no mortality. Overall morbidity was 14% (20% Beger, 9% Frey). Complications from adjacent organs were resolved definitively in 94% (90% Beger, 100% Frey). A decrease of 95% and 94% of the pain score after Beger's and Frey's procedure, respectively, and an increase of 67% of the overall quality-of-life index in both groups were observed. Endocrine and exocrine function did not differ between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques of duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas are equally safe and effective with regard to pain relief, improvement of quality of life, and definitive control of complications affecting adjacent organs. Neither procedure leads to further deterioration of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic function.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1995

Quality of life in chronic pancreatitis--results after duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas.

Studies on chronic pancreatitis have focused predominantly on pain measurement, morbidity, and mortality. In this prospective follow-up study the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life questionnaire (QLQ) was reevaluated for patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis. Pain intensity was quantified using a specially designed pain score. Twenty-five patients with chronic pancreatitis underwent duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection. The QLQ, Spitzer's quality of life index, and the pain score were assessed twice before surgery, before discharge, and 6 and 18 months after surgery. The interscale reliability (Cronbach's coefficient alpha > or = 0.70) was confirmed for all multiitem scales except preoperative working ability. Test-retest stability for the QLQ was 94%. The QLQ correlated closely with Spitzer's quality of life index (r = 0.985, p < 0.001) and changes in body weight (r = 0.764, p < 0.001). After 18 months physical status, working ability, emotional and social functioning, and global quality of life had improved by 44, 50, 50, 60, and 67%, respectively, showing good responsiveness of the QLQ. The pain score decreased by 95% (p < 0.001). The EORTC quality of life questionnaire represents a reliable and valid measure of quality of life in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Therapeutic approach to hemobilia].

AIM OF THE STUDY: Hemobilia, defined as hemorrhage arising from pathological changes in the biliary tract, represents a rare entity. In a retrospective study the presentation, diagnosis, and management of hemobilia were investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since January 1991 six patients suffering from severe hemobilia presented to our department. Jaundice, right upper quadrant abdominal pain, hematemesis and melaena were the most frequent symptoms leading to admission. Hemobilia originated from iatrogenic injury following percutaneous liver biopsy and endoscopic removal of common bile duct stones, and malignant hepatic or biliary tumors. Duodenoscopy revealed bleeding from the papilla in all patients. Diagnosis was confirmed by ERCP in all patients and angiography in 5 of 6 patients. RESULTS: Angiographic occlusion of an arterial lesion with coils was successfully achieved in one patient. One patient was treated conservatively. In 3 patients liver resections were performed to control bleeding and the underlying tumorous pathology. In another patient, operative ligation of the supplying artery had to be performed. Within a minimum follow-up of six months none of the six patients showed recurrence of hemobilia. CONCLUSION: Considering the impact of etiologic, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects in treatment of hemobilia we suggest an algorithm for a rational approach to hemobilia. Angiographic occlusion may control the bleeding and improve the patient's general condition. Definitive surgical treatment of hemobilia is safe and effective.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

[Treatment of complications in adjacent organs in chronic pancreatitis by duodenum saving resection of the head of the pancreas].

Chronic pancreatitis frequently generates complications through involvement of adjacent organs. Distal common bile duct stenosis or segmental duodenal stenosis, the most frequent complications, are usually treated by resective or by-passing procedures. This study presents the experience with an organ and functionality sparing procedure in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis with predominant involvement of the pancreatic head and coexisting organ complications. Sixty-eight patients with severe chronic pancreatitis underwent duodenum preserving resection of the head of the pancreas. Fourty-one of these patients presented with organ complications: fourty with distal common bile duct stenosis, eight with duodenal stenosis, thirteen with segmental portal hypertension, and one patient suffered from a pancreatico-pleural fistula. All patients were prospectively documented. Mean follow-up was 4.1 years. 93% of the organ complications were permanently eradicated. Three patients (7%) exhibited transitory cholestasis. 88% of the patients reported complete relief of all symptoms. Duodenum preserving resection of the head of the pancreas is effective to treat severe chronic pancreatitis with predominant involvement of the pancreatic head. It also provides definitive management of associated organ complications.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗
PubMed1995

[The status of duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas in therapy of chronic pancreatitis].

AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the efficacy of duodenum-preserving resections of the head of the pancreas in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis this study was devised. So far studies on the natural course and the different therapeutic approaches have primarily focused on pain measurement in rough categories and hard data as mortality and morbidity. In this study the improvement of the quality of life was assessed to determine the therapeutic success of both procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective randomized study 24 patients underwent either Beger's (n = 11) or Frey's procedure (n = 13) so far. 15 patients suffered from distal common bile duct stenosis, 2 from segmental duodenal stenosis, 4 from segmental portal hypertension, and one from pancreato-pleural fistula. The quality of life questionnaire of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer was assessed before surgery and during follow-up. The multidimensional questionnaire incorporates functional scales (physical, cognitive, emotional, and social), symptom scales (fatigue, pain, dyspnea, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, obstipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting), and a global quality of life scale. Follow-up was 12 months in all patients. RESULTS: There was no postoperative mortality in neither group. Postoperative morbidity was 17% (n = 2 in either group). This included one transitory common bile duct stenosis, one bronchopneumonia, and two postoperative bleedings which were treated conservatively. The pain index was reduced by 94% in the Beger- and 90% in the Frey group. The physical status, working ability, emotional and social functioning, and global quality of life score had significantly improved by 46%, 50%, 69%, 60%, and 67% in the Beger group and by 38%, 50%, 64%, 80%, and 67% in the Frey group. CONCLUSION: The duodenum-preserving resections of the head of the pancreas according to Beger and Frey are equivalently safe and effective. Both techniques result in a significant improvement of the patients' quality of life.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Is radical surgery in locally advanced gallbladder carcinoma justified?

OBJECTIVES: Advanced gallbladder carcinoma is associated with a dismal long term prognosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of radical surgery in advanced stages of gallbladder carcinoma. METHODS: The course of 66 patients operated for advanced gallbladder carcinoma was evaluated in a retrospective study; 14% of patients had stage II, 29% had stage III, and 57% had stage IV tumors. Twelve patients underwent cholecystectomy (CHE) and lymphadenectomy of the hepatoduodenal ligament (LA); 17 patients underwent cholecystectomy combined with segment IV/V liver resection (CHE+LR) and LA; and 10 patients underwent right extended hemihepatectomy (EHH). Complete tumor resection (R0) was achieved in six patients with CHE and LA, in 14 patients with CHE combined with segment IV/V LR and LA, and in all patients with right EHH. Resections with microscopic residual tumor (R1) were performed in nine patients. Mean follow-up was 15.4 months (range 3-90 months). RESULTS: The perioperative mortality rate was 1.5%, and the morbidity rate was 20%. In R0 resections, mean survival was 23.3, 25.0, and 26.3 months for the patients who underwent CHE and LA, CHE combined with segment IV/V LR and LA, and right EHH, respectively. After 24 months, 46.4% of the patients with R0 resection were still alive compared with none of the patients with residual tumor. In the patients with R0 resection, no difference in survival was detected when node-negative status (pN0) was compared with positive locoregional lymph nodes (pN1a), whereas the degree of dedifferentiation (G2/G3) influenced survival. CONCLUSIONS: If complete resection is achieved, radical surgical procedures, including segment IV/V liver resection and extended right hepatectomy, significantly improve survival rates with an acceptable morbidity and mortality rate.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Complications of adjacent organs in chronic pancreatitis managed by duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas.

Chronic pancreatitis frequently generates complications through involvement of adjacent organs. Distal common bile duct stenosis and segmental duodenal stenosis, the most frequent complications, are usually treated by resection or bypass procedures. This study presents experience with duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas in the treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis with predominant involvement of the pancreatic head and coexisting complications involving adjacent organs. This procedure preserves the structure and function of the bile duct and duodenum. Sixty-six patients with severe chronic pancreatitis underwent duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas. Thirty-eight had associated complications of neighbouring organs: 37 had distal common bile duct stenosis, seven had duodenal stenosis, ten had evidence of segmental portal hypertension and one suffered from a pancreatopleural fistula. Details of all patients were documented prospectively; mean follow-up was 4.2 years. The complications of adjacent organs were permanently eradicated in 36 of 38 patients. Two patients required endoscopic stenting for persisting bile duct obstruction. There was substantial or complete relief of all symptoms in 35 patients. Duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas is effective in the treatment of severe chronic pancreatitis with predominant involvement of the pancreatic head and provides definitive management of associated complications of adjacent organs.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Rat liver injury induced by hypoxic ischemia and reperfusion: protective action by somatostatins is independent from changes in glucose metabolism.

Changes in glucose metabolism mediated by natural somatostatin and two derivatives (octreotide, 008) were studied in hypoxic ischemic cell injury of the isolated perfused rat liver. The tested somatostatin and its analogues were previously shown to exert protective actions in liver damage induced by hypoxic ischemia and reperfusion. In isolated perfused livers of rats starved for 24 hours and unstarved rats flow rate was reduced and oxygen supply interrupted for 180 min. Then the livers were normoxically reperfused for 30 min. Glucose and lactate concentration, as well as LDH and GLDH activity, were determined in the effluent. In starved and unstarved rat livers hypoxic ischemia resulted in a substantial enzyme release. In livers harvested from unstarved rats hepatic glucose release was noticed which ceased towards prolonged low flow ischemia. In livers harvested from starved rats containing low hepatic glycogen concentration only minimal hepatic glucose release was present. In starved and unstarved rats pretreatment with somatostatin, octreotide, and 008 significantly reduced LDH and GLDH release (p < 0.001). In unstarved rats natural somatostatin and octreotide pretreatment resulted in a substantial output of glucose during the hypoxic ischemic perfusion period (p < 0.001), whereas livers with 008 pretreatment did not show any difference in glucose release compared to controls. In livers harvested from starved rats neither somatostatin nor octreotide nor 008 pretreatment led to a difference in glucose output observed in controls. Natural somatostatin and octreotide cause a strong hepatic glucose release even under hypoxic ischemic conditions in rat livers with filled glycogen stores. The protective action of natural somatostatin, octreotide, and 008 is not mediated by changes in glucose metabolism, and is not related to endocrine activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Hemobilia: presentation, diagnosis, and management.

OBJECTIVES: Hemobilia is defined as hemorrhage into the biliary tract. To define a rational approach toward this rare entity, we performed a retrospective study on the presentation, diagnosis, and management of hemobilia. METHODS: During the past 3 yr, eight patients suffering from severe hemobilia presented to our departments. Jaundice, right-sided upper abdominal pain, and hematemesis were the most frequent symptoms. Hemobilia originated from iatrogenic injury in three patients, malignant hepatic or biliary tumors in three, parasitic infestation (ascariasis) in one, and coagulopathy due to end-stage liver cirrhosis in one. Duodenoscopy revealed bleeding from the papilla in all patients. Diagnosis was confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and angiography in seven patients. RESULTS: In three patients, major liver resections were performed that definitively controlled the bleeding and the underlying tumor. Angiographic occlusion of an arterial lesion was successfully achieved in two patients. In two patients, operative ligation of the supplying artery was required. The patient suffering from end-stage liver disease was treated by substitution of coagulation factors but died due to progressive metabolic liver failure. CONCLUSION: Angiographic occlusion is recommended as initial treatment to control hemobilia and to render the patient stable in preparation for elective and definitive surgery. Surgery becomes necessary when nonoperative attempts to stop the bleeding fail and is required for tumors and parasitic disease.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗