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Biomedical subjects

C Festen

Publications and source records attributed to C Festen.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Adults born with high anorectal atresia--how do they manage?

PURPOSE: We are interested in the way patients, who underwent surgery for high anorectal atresia, control their defecation. Considering that some patients, despite newer operative techniques, always will suffer from minor or major soiling we attempted to find some guidelines for postoperative support for future patients. METHOD: Fifty-eight patients (median age, 26 (range, 18.1-56.9) years) were personally interviewed. RESULTS: Regulating defecation is done in five different modes: 16 patients have stools after urge, 15 control their stools mainly by going to the toilet at regular times, 18 perform bowel-irrigations or use enemas, 2 have loss of feces continuously, and 7 patients have an ileostomy or colostomy. More than one-half of patients influence their defecation by diet. Of the patients with anal defecation, 6 never soil, 39 sometimes soil small amounts, and 6 often soil seriously. Eighteen patients occasionally suffer from constipation. There is no mode of defecation regulation outstanding in preventing soiling or constipation. However, patients who do not regulate defecation somehow suffer from serious soiling. Most patients are content with their level of cleanliness. CONCLUSION: Irrespective of the mode of defecation regulation, many patients soil sometimes small amounts and a few often soil seriously. In view of the fact that most patients had to find the current control of defecation regulation by themselves rather late and lacked professional support, it is questionable whether the chosen mode of defecation regulation is the most optimal mode for each patient. We assume that a stepwise protocol under professional support, starting by the most natural mode of defecation, will improve defecation regulation in a more efficient way (earlier and better).

Activities of Daily Living↗

Improving survival for patients with high-risk congenital diaphragmatic hernia by using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

The benefit of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in cases of high-risk congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) was studied by comparing pre-ECMO (1987-1990) and post-ECMO (1991-1994) 3-month survival statistics. Fifty-five CDH patients who presented in respiratory distress within 6 hours after birth were referred--18 in the pre-ECMO era and 37 in the ECMO era. During the entire study period (December 1987 through July 1994) the patients were treated by the same protocol of preoperative stabilization and delayed surgery; the only difference was the addition of ECMO beginning in January 1991. The patients were stratified based on the response to conventional treatment: 1, no response (irretrievable); 2, stable; 3, unstable. The 3-month survival rate for the unstable neonates (who could not be stabilized by conventional therapy) improved from 0% (0 of 9) in the pre-ECMO era to 61% (11 of 18) in the ECMO era (P = .004). This highly significant difference shows that ECMO is a very valuable addition to the management of high-risk CDH patients whose conditions remain unstable despite maximal conventional therapy.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation↗

Follicular adenoma of the thyroid gland in children.

Follicular adenoma is the most frequent cause of a solitary thyroid nodule in children. We reviewed our own patient material and the literature and discuss etiology, available diagnostic methods, differential diagnosis, natural course and clinical management. In spite of the fact that the great majority of solitary thyroid nodules are benign, the treatment strategy is completely dominated by the risk for malignancy.

Adenoma↗

Disturbance of cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamics related to the opening of the bypass bridge during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

The objective of this study was to investigate changes of cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamics related to opening of the bypass bridge during veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Ten newborn infants and 12 piglets were studied during opening of the bridge for 10 and 1 s, respectively. Changes in cerebral concentration of oxyhemoglobin (cO2Hb), deoxyhemoglobin (cHHb), (oxidized-reduced) cytochrome aa3 (cCyt.aa3), and blood volume (CBV) were continuously measured by near infrared spectrophotometry. Heart rate, arterial O2 saturation (saO2), and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) were measured simultaneously. In the piglets, central venous pressure (CVP), intracranial pressure (ICP), and left common carotid artery blood flow (CaBF) were also measured. Opening of the bridge for 10 s in the infants resulted in a significant decrease in MABP, saO2, and cO2Hb, whereas cHHb increased. CBV did not change significantly. In piglets biphasic changes were observed for MABP, CaBF, cO2Hb, and CBV, showing an initial decrease followed by a smaller increase. cHHb and CVP showed reverse biphasic changes. ICP increased but saO2 was unchanged. In all cases heart rate and cCyt.aa3 did not change significantly. Opening of the bridge for 1 s resulted in minor changes in only a few variables. In conclusion, opening of the bridge resulted in a decrease of CBV and cerebral O2 supply due to a decrease of cerebral blood flow, followed by a compensatory increase of cerebral O2 extraction and vasodilatation. The return of oxygenated blood after reclosing resulted in an increase of CBV with overcompensation of cerebral O2 supply.

Animals↗

Cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamics during induction of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as investigated by near infrared spectrophotometry.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamics in relation to changes in some relevant physiologic variables during induction of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in newborn infants. METHODS: Twenty-four newborn infants requiring ECMO were studied from cannulation until 60 minutes after starting ECMO. Concentration changes of oxyhemoglobin (cO2Hb), deoxyhemoglobin (cHHb), total hemoglobin (ctHb), and (oxidized-reduced) cytochrome aa3 (cCyt.aa3) in cerebral tissue were measured continuously by near infrared spectrophotometry. Heart rate (HR), transcutaneous partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide (tcPO2 and tcPCO2), arterial O2 saturation (saO2), and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) were measured simultaneously. Intravascular hemoglobin concentration (cHb) was measured before and after starting ECMO. In 18 of the 24 infants, mean blood flow velocity (MBFV) and pulsatility index (PI) in the internal carotid and middle cerebral arteries were also measured before and after starting ECMO using pulsed Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: After carotid ligation, cO2Hb decreased whereas cHHb increased. After jugular ligation, no changes in cerebral oxygenation were found. At 60 minutes after starting ECMO, the values of cO2Hb, saO2, tcPO2, and MABP were significantly higher than the precannulation values, whereas the value of cHHb was lower. There were no changes in cCyt.aa3, tcPCO2, and HR, whereas cHb decreased. The MBFV was significantly increased in the major cerebral arteries except the right middle cerebral artery, whereas PI was decreased in all measured arteries. Cerebral blood volume, calculated from changes in ctHb and cHb, was increased in 20 of 24 infants after starting ECMO. Using multivariate regression models, a positive correlation of delta ctHb (representative of changes in cerebral blood volume) with delta MABP and a negative correlation with delta tcPO2 were found. CONCLUSIONS: The alterations in cerebral oxygenation after carotid artery ligation might reflect increased O2 extraction. Despite increase of the cerebral O2 supply after starting ECMO, no changes in intracellular O2 availability were found, probably because of sufficient preservation of intracellular cerebral oxygenation in the pre-ECMO period despite prolonged hypoxemia. The increase in cerebral blood volume and cerebral MBFV may result from the following: (1) reactive hyperperfusion, (2) loss of autoregulation because of prolonged hypoxemia before ECMO and/or decreased arterial pulsatility, or (3) compensation for hemodilution related to the ECMO procedure.

Brain↗

Follow-up in neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

In 34 survivors of the first 43 ECMO patients from our institution before discharge to another hospital or home an EEG, BAER, Head Ultrasonography, cerebral CT scan, Dubowitz score and ophthalmological inspection were performed. At one year of age Mental Developmental Index of the Bayley scales, Motor Quotient as well as pulmonary and neurological status were assessed. In 29 patients follow-up took place in our hospital. In 17 of them (59%) all tests before discharge were normal, 2 patients (7%) showed an abnormal BAER, an additional 5 patients (17%) had abnormal EEG and 2 patients (7%) had abnormal HUS in combination with abnormal cerebral CT scan. In 19 patients (33%) the Dubowitz score was abnormal at discharge. At one year of age neurological status was normal in 25 (86%) patients, respiratory status was normal in 22 (76%) and Mental Development Index was > 80 in 23 of the patients (79%). A significant correlation between Mental Development Index and Motor Quotient was found r = 0.50, p = 0.0065. It is concluded that more than one abnormal neurophysiological test before discharge may identify patients with additional risks for adverse outcome and that the respiratory status influenced psychomotor development at one year of age.

Developmental Disabilities↗

Surgical repair of an aortic coarctation in a patient after treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving treatment for neonates who have severe respiratory failure that does not respond to maximal conventional therapy. A consequence of venoarterial ECMO is the sacrifice of the right common carotid artery. Evaluation of the impact of a single carotid artery in babies treated with ECMO concerns mostly long-term neurodevelopmental outcome. The authors encountered a peculiar problem caused by a single carotid artery in a post-ECMO patient during the surgical correction of aortic coarctation with hypoplastic distal aortic arch. For patients with a confirmed cardiac malformation that necessitates future surgical repair and for whom ECMO support is required, reconstruction of the right common carotid artery should be considered. Veno-venous ECMO is an alternative solution if this approach is not contraindicated because of the patient's clinical condition. Patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia have a higher incidence of cardiac malformations; therefore, careful cardiological attention is required. Anomalies masked by pulmonary hypertension also must be considered.

Aortic Coarctation↗

Quality of life after operatively corrected high anorectal malformation: a long-term follow-up study of patients aged 18 years and older.

Fifty-eight patients (median age, 26.0 years; range, 18.1 to 56.9 years) with an operatively corrected high anorectal malformation were evaluated by questionnaire. No patient had normal continence for feces; however, 84% had a socially acceptable defecation pattern. The quality of life (QOL) and general and mental health perception of these patients were evaluated. For social functioning and health perception, items from the medical outcome study (MOS) were used. QOL and health perception were compared with those of the general population. Most aspects of QOL (corrected for age and gender) and mental health did not differ from those of the general population. However, the patient population had lower educational and general health levels (P < .01). Twelve percent felt restricted socially by their handicap, and 24% never had a lasting relationship. Of the patients who had a lasting relationship, 43% noted that the handicap had been disturbing in the relationship. Associated anomalies had no influence on QOL and health perception. QOL, education level, and relationships were affected by fecal incontinence. It is possible that more appropriate psychosocial support, eg, addressing the implications of the handicap on everyday life, would have a positive influence.

Adolescent↗

Do we use the right entry criteria for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in congenital diaphragmatic hernia?

In a retrospective review we analysed alveolar-arterial oxygen difference (AaDO2) as an entry criterion for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in neonates with several forms of acute respiratory insufficiency. Although for meconium aspiration syndrome, respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, and idiopathic pulmonary hypertension of the newborn we found values in accordance with the literature, patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) met 80% mortality criteria with significant lower AaDO2 values. Several patients died before ever reaching usual entry criteria for ECMO, because serious lung deterioration makes AaDO2 values unreliable. Awaiting classical ECMO entry criteria for patients with CDH may at least partially explain the lower survival rate for ECMO in CDH.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation↗

Are adults content or continent after repair for high anal atresia? A long-term follow-up study in patients 18 years of age and older.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the current state of fecal and urinary continence in an extensive group of adults after operative correction for high anorectal malformations and how they cope with their incontinence. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Normal fecal continence is hardly to be expected after correction for high anorectal malformation; despite this, it is commonly accepted that for most patients fecal continence improves with growing age and that most adult patients have no problems. Until now, however, few long-term follow-up studies in small groups of adults have been performed to assess continence after operative repair for high anorectal malformation. METHODS: Fifty-eight adult patients (median age, 26.0 years; range, 18.1 to 56.9 years) with an operatively corrected high anorectal malformation were evaluated by questionnaire with respect to their current state of fecal and urinary continence and mode of control of defecation. RESULTS: Seven patients have a permanent ileostoma or colostoma. Of the 51 patients with anal defecation, 61% control defecation by themselves, whereas 35% control defecation by using enemas or bowel irrigations, and 4% do not have any control at all. Besides medical therapy, 65% take dietary measures to influence defecation. According to existing scoring methods, 41% reached good and 49% fair control of defecation, whereas only 10% had poor control. Current control of defecation was reached from a median age of 15.0 years (range, 5 to 31 years). CONCLUSION: Conclusively, the authors can say that after correction for high anorectal malformation nobody reached normal fecal continence. Most patients with anal defecation reached good and fair control of defecation, however. Of all 58 patients, 84% are satisfied with their level of cleanliness.

Adolescent↗

A complicated forearm greenstick fracture: case report.

Closed reduction of a greenstick fracture of the forearm in a child of 9 years was complicated by interposition of the deep flexor tendon of the third, fourth, and fifth fingers in the fracture gap. Undelayed release of the tendon resulted in a complete functional recovery.

Child↗

Chronic relapsing pancreatitis in childhood.

As a result of our experience and a review of the literature, early investigation by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) and surgical intervention is recommended in chronic relapsing pancreatitis in childhood.

Adolescent↗

The midline cervical cleft.

The midline cervical cleft is a rare congenital anomaly of the ventral neck. With reference to two patients with a midline cervical cleft, we discuss the clinical picture, the embryology, and the surgical treatment.

Female↗

Long-gap esophageal atresia: experience with reconstruction in 25 patients.

In a series of 183 patients with esophageal atresia in a period of 20 years, 25 had a "long-gap" esophageal atresia. In most of these cases we succeeded in saving the patients' own esophagus but at the cost of one to two years of intensive treatment. The overall survival was 80%. The result compares favorably with the results of esophageal replacement reported in the literature.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

[2 successful treatments with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in neonates with severe respiratory problems].

We report the successful treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation of two Dutch neonates with severe respiratory insufficiency, due to meconium aspiration syndrome and persistent fetal circulation respectively. During this procedure part of the cardiac output is led outside the body via a venous cannula in the right atrium, oxygenated in a membrane oxygenator, rewarmed to the patient's body temperature in a heat exchanger and returned to the patient via a cannula in the carotid artery debouching into the aortic arch.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation↗