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Biomedical subjects

C D Vinocur

Publications and source records attributed to C D Vinocur.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Pyelonephritis following pediatric renal transplant: increased incidence with vesicoureteral reflux.

The association between pyelonephritis and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) following pediatric renal transplantation is unclear. To understand the relationship of vesicoureteral reflux with urinary tract infection (UTI) and pyelonephritis, 67 patients were evaluated for reflux and pyelonephritis. Sixty-seven pediatric patients, aged 2 to 18 (39 males and 28 females) underwent renal transplantation. Beginning in 1982, all patients underwent voiding cystourethrography or radionuclide voiding studies 1 to 3 months postoperatively to assess the incidence of VUR. Techniques of ureteroneocystostomy (UNC) included the Leadbetter-Politano (L-p) in 39 cases, and two different modifications of the LICH (herein called LICH-1 and LICH-2) in 30 cases. Urinary cultures were performed routinely. Pyelonephritis was considered present in any patient with UTI and increased serum creatinine or fever greater than 38.5. VUR occurred in 36% of patients; highest in LICH-1 (79%), intermediate in L-P (22%), and lowest in LICH-2 (9%). VUR was not statistically significantly higher in females (43%) v males (31%). UTI occurred in 37% of patients. The difference in incidence between females (54%) and males (26%) was significant (P less than .05). The frequency of UTI in patients with VUR was 46% v 33% in patients without reflux (NS). However, pyelonephritis that occurred in 16% of cases overall was present in 82% of UTIs in patients with reflux v 14% of UTIs in patient without reflux (P less than .01). Pyelonephritis is significantly increased in pediatric renal transplant patients with UTI was have VUR. A nonrefluxing UNC is advocated in all patients. All renal transplant patients should have routine monitoring of urinary cultures and should be evaluated of VUR posttransplant.

Adolescent↗

Retrieval of an umbilical artery catheter: a potential for misadventure.

We have described an infant in whom migration of a transected umbilical artery catheter resulted in sudden vascular ischemia of an extremity. Early operative retrieval was successful, but long-term effects of this complication were encountered. We have outlined an approach to the initial management of the complication. In addition, this case demonstrates the need for careful follow-up for identification and treatment of the long-term sequelae in the involved extremity.

Catheters, Indwelling↗

The central venous anatomy in infants.

A study of 21 consecutive autopsy specimens of infants less than one year of age and weighing less than 6 kilograms was performed to determine the topographic anatomy and regional relationships of the central venous anatomy. This anatomy was compared with 14 additional autopsies performed upon older children. There was no significant difference in diameter between the internal jugular and subclavian venous system, on either the right or left side. In the infant, the right and left subclavian veins entered the central system at an acute angle. The left innominate vein joined the right innominate vein at a right angle. These angulations become less acute after one year of age. This adult configuration may account for the relative ease of central venous cannulation through the percutaneous subclavian approach in the older patient. In contrast, the external and internal jugular veins entered centrally in almost a straight line even in the infant. The findings of this study suggest that the internal and external jugular veins should be considered as safe and reliable portals for percutaneous entry into the central venous system in infants. In the infant less than one year of age, the difficult patient (for example, those with thrombocytopenia or severe pulmonary failure) or when the surgeon is less familiar with the infraclavicular approach, the veins of the neck may, in fact, be the site of choice. Additionally, we believe that a surgeon should not hesitate to switch to the internal or external jugular site after unsuccessful attempts at percutaneous entry into the subclavian vein.

Brachiocephalic Veins↗

Intestinal perforation due to blunt trauma in children in an era of increased nonoperative treatment.

Over the past decade, nonoperative management of most pediatric blunt abdominal trauma has emerged as accepted practice. It is possible that treatment of associated hollow visceral disruption might be missed or delayed because of this nonoperative approach. In a review of all cases of intestinal perforation from blunt trauma seen over the past 6 years, we found 12 cases of intestinal disruption in more than 600 cases of significant blunt trauma. Child abuse caused eight cases and four were motor vehicle related (MVR). Seven of eight battered children had a delay of more than 48 hours from injury to hospital presentation. Three of four MVR patients had an 18-hour delay from injury to operation. Ten of 12 patients survived. The two children who succumbed were both battered and were moribund and unstable when first seen and failed to respond to aggressive stabilization and surgery. Serial physical examinations, contrast radiographic studies, and peritoneal lavage were the most helpful diagnostic modalities. There were no significant complications and no patient required more than one operation (except for ostomy closure). All surviving patients are well at followup and seven of ten have been followed for more than 3 years; two are not yet 1 year from surgery and one is lost to followup. Several principles have emerged from this review: 1) motor vehicle trauma and child abuse are the major etiologic factors in childhood blunt trauma; 2) accurate and rapid diagnosis of intestinal perforation in children is difficult; 3) recovery in the presence of stable vital signs can be expected, even with the long delays; and 4) abused children must be carefully evaluated for abdominal trauma.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Gastroesophageal reflux in the infant with cystic fibrosis.

The association of gastroesophageal reflux and its sequelae in the infant with cystic fibrosis has gone virtually unnoticed. Eight of 40 newly diagnosed infants with cystic fibrosis seen over a 24 month period had significant gastroesophageal reflux, characterized by vomiting (7 infants), recurrent pneumonia (7 infants), and failure to thrive (4 infants). Gastroesophageal reflux was demonstrated by a combination of barium swallow, scintiscan, manometry, and esophagoscopy. Three infants had rapid and permanent alleviation of symptoms after standard medical therapy; in five infants, therapy failed and they required a Nissen fundoplication. Three infants required postoperative ventilatory support for 1, 2, and 5 days. No tracheostomies were required. Postoperative hospital stay averaged 12 days (range 5 to 30 days). There were no complications or perioperative deaths. All children had complete relief of their preoperative symptoms. The group that required surgery presented earlier (mean 7 weeks of age) to the cystic fibrosis center than either the medically treated group (mean 5 months of age) or the group free of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (5 1/2 months of age). Also, postoperative hospitalization time markedly decreased from 50 percent of 577 combined patient days preoperatively to 4 percent of 1,639 days postoperatively; this 4 percent then paralleled what was seen in the group without gastroesophageal reflux (3 percent of 19,966 combined patient days) and the group controlled medically (5 percent of 1,897 days). The pulmonary manifestations of cystic fibrosis are extremely variable, and evaluation of the effect that any intervention has on the natural history of the disease is difficult. Nonetheless, we believe that even this small series suggests that gastroesophageal reflux and its complications can significantly alter the courses of some children with cystic fibrosis. Gastroesophageal reflux should be managed as aggressively as it is in any child with reflux, and a successful and safe reduction of symptoms can be expected with intensive management.

Age Factors↗

Evaluation of absorbable polyglycolic acid mesh as a wound support.

The ideal wound-support material would reinforce a wound early in the healing process when intrinsic wound strength is the weakest, yet disappear over time, preventing many of the untoward late effects seen with currently utilized nonabsorbable materials. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly designed absorbable material, polyglycolic acid mesh (Dexon), as a buttress for abdominal wounds closed under moderate tension. Young male rats (n = 211) were divided into three experimental groups. Animals in groups 1 (n = 96) and 2 (n = 95) had a 1.2 cm2 midline abdominal wall defect created and closely primarily. Animals in group 2 had a 2 X 5 cm piece of polyglycolic acid mesh sutured to the anterior abdominal wall overlying the closed abdominal defect. Animals in group 3 (n = 20) were unoperated controls. The animals in groups 1 and 2 were killed 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks after surgery. The entire anterior abdominal wall was removed and placed upon a bursting strength testing device. Bursting strength determinations of the supported and unsupported abdominal closures revealed that the strength of the wounds reinforced with polyglycolic acid mesh was significantly greater than unsupported wounds at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after surgery. Wounds supported with mesh had bursting strengths similar to unoperated abdomens by the first postoperative week. This study demonstrates that abdominal wall defects in rats closed primarily develop increased wound strength when the closure is supported by absorbable polyglycolic acid mesh. The use of an absorbable material may alleviate potential late complications associated with implantation of nonabsorbable materials. The clinical application of such a material remains to be determined.

Abdominal Muscles↗

The suture fistula technique in the repair of selected cases of esophageal atresia.

Correction of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula can present a difficult problem when distance and tension between upper and lower esophageal segments are too great for primary anastomosis. Alternatives have included staged procedures with upper pouch elongation or interpositions. In 1974, Shafer and David described an operation in which the lower segment was divided, closed, and then merely apposed to the unopened upper pouch. A central "necrosing suture" was placed through the lumina of both segments. Spontaneous fistulization between the two segments occurred postoperatively, and the resultant channel was then progressively dilated with woven silk bougies. This technique has been employed at Babies Hospital in five children. The results were excellent in four. One child failed to fistulize, and following a complicated postoperative course, died at home from accidental dislodgement of his tracheostomy tube. All five children required antireflux procedures but ultimately did well with regard to esophageal function.

Esophageal Atresia↗

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. Survival, management, and complications: a 25-year study.

One hundred sixteen infants with neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) have been seen during a 25-year period (1955 through 1979). Prior to 1972, the survival rate was 17%; subsequently, it has been 68%. This increased survival is attributed to (1) improved physiologic care of the critically ill infant, (2) the institution of a standard management protocol, and (3) early diagnosis and treatment. Survival following neonatal NEC is attended by a significant incidence of intestinal stricture (21%); however, physical development has been normal and there have been few long-term gastrointestinal tract problems.

Birth Weight↗

Computed tomographic scanning in children.

Computed tomographic scanning (CT) has been effectively utilized in evaluating the pediatric patient. Our experience with CT of the chest and abdomen in 19 patients has been described. The advantages offered by CT include: a unique anatomic display, the lack of morbidity, and an acceptable radiation dosage. Few technical disadvantages exist. Further application of this unique technique can be predicted.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Surgical management of aplasia cutis congenita.

A child born without scalp, or dura to cover the brain (aplasia cutis congenita) was successfully treated by a multidiscipline team. A coexisting rupture omphalocele forced a change in treatment from the currently recommended regimen of mandatory early scalp closure. Homograft skin was used to protect the brain during the time the omphalocele was treated and skin flaps were delayed. Fluoroscein dye was utilized to determine flap viability and predicted ischemia until after a third delaying procedure was performed. The successful outcome suggests that the present philosophy of early surgical closure being essential for survival in infants with large cranial defects can be altered and, in fact, permanent full-thickness flaps may be designed, tested for viability, and delayed while homograft skin protects the infant's brain from infection and thrombosis.

Abdominal Muscles↗