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Biomedical subjects

D P Drake

Publications and source records attributed to D P Drake.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Delayed surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Between January 1987 and December 1990, 67 neonates were treated for congenital diaphragmatic hernia, symptomatic within 6 h of birth. The mortality rate was 33 per cent. Preoperative stabilization was achieved in 47 patients, all of whom survived initial treatment, although two died later. Stabilization could not be achieved in 20 neonates, all of whom died within 3 days of birth, 18 without undergoing operation and two after early repair. Intensive resuscitation with controlled, delayed operation for congenital diaphragmatic hernia gives long-term results similar to those of urgent operative repair. This approach avoids operation in the majority of those who subsequently die.

Female↗
PubMed1992

Double duodenal atresia/stenosis: a report of four cases.

Four neonates with double duodenal atresia/stenosis are described. Preoperative plain radiographs in two patients demonstrated atypical appearances suggestive of complex pathology. Cystic dilatation of the second part of the duodenum was observed at laparotomy in two patients and in one of these the "cyst" was palpable preoperatively, causing diagnostic confusion. All four patients underwent successful surgery but one infant with Down's syndrome subsequently died of congenital heart disease.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1991

Pancreatic ascites presenting in infancy, with review of the literature.

We report a 4-month-old boy with massive ascites in whom a diagnosis of pancreatitis was made on a raised ascitic amylase level after two inconclusive laparotomies. He developed a pseudocyst which was managed with repeated percutaneous needle aspirations, nutrition being maintained intravenously. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) demonstrated a congenital intra-pancreatic cyst. He thrived after operation drainage for recurrent pseudocyst, but repeat ERCP shows that the cyst in the head of the pancreas remains. Pancreatic ascites is rare in children and diagnosis is frequently delayed. A third of reported cases in childhood present in the first year of life. A search for the underlying cause should include an ERCP to demonstrate abnormalities of the pancreaticobiliary ducts.

Ascites↗
PubMed1991

Hyperganglionosis mimicking Hirschsprung's disease.

Three patients with hyperganglionosis are reported in whom an initial diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease was suspected. In one patient there was a classic presentation with constipation, in another Hirschsprung's disease coexisted, and in the third the initial inadequate suction rectal biopsy specimen was suggestive of Hirschsprung's disease on acetylcholinesterase staining. Evidence of hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the intermuscular and submucosal plexuses on a full thickness bowel biopsy specimen was used to confirm the diagnosis of hyperganglionosis, suggested by the characteristic demonstration of moderate increase in the number of acetylcholinesterase stained nerve fibres in the lamina propria mucosae on rectal biopsy. Surgical management was guided by clinical signs. Two patients had colonic resections; the third had temporary stomal diversion. Hyperganglionosis is rarer than Hirschsprung's disease but is known to mimic it. We suggest full thickness bowel specimens are needed to confirm the diagnosis and that inadequate rectal suction biopsies must be interpreted with caution.

Constipation↗
PubMed1991

Gastric retention of swallowed coins after pyloromyotomy.

Swallowed coins are a frequent problem in paediatric practice. The majority that reach the stomach will pass unimpeded through the gastrointestinal tract. Prolonged gastric retention of a swallowed penny is reported in three children who had previously undergone pyloromyotomy for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. The coins were removed after laparotomy in two patients and endoscopically in the third. This abnormal retention may reflect a long-term disturbance of pyloric function after pyloromyotomy.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1990

Problems and advantages of acetylcholinesterase histochemistry of rectal suction biopsies in the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease.

One hundred fifty-seven children, aged 2 days to 15 years, had rectal biopsies for suspected Hirschsprung's disease from 1980 to 1987. Sixty had adequate suction rectal biopsies stained for acetylcholinesterase (ACE); 41 of these were reported as normal and eight showed atypical innervation in children who progressed satisfactorily without surgery. Two showed hyperganglionosis and nine were from children with Hirschsprung's disease. Four of the latter nine biopsies (44%) gave false-negative results in infants aged 9, 10, 13 days, and 6 weeks. The last had total colonic aganglionosis. There were two false-positive results, one in a normal child with atypical innervation and the other in a child with hyperganglionosis. Thus, six of 60 (10%) of ACE-stained suction rectal biopsies gave misleading results.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1989

Management of thyroglossal cysts in children.

Forty children with a suspected thyroglossal cyst were operated on by one paediatric surgeon receiving primary and secondary referrals in an 8-year period. Nine patients (22 per cent) proved to have other pathology. Multiple operations were required in eight of 17 patients (47 per cent) who had infected thyroglossal cysts but in only one of 14 (7 per cent) with uninfected cysts. In the infected group preliminary incision and drainage was necessary in five cases and cyst recurrence occurred in four (24 per cent), whereas in the uninfected group there was only one recurrence (7 per cent) in a patient with double pathology. Infection and recurrent cysts were the chief reasons for multiple operations. Recurrence was caused by inadequate performance of the correct operation (Sistrunk's) or choice of the wrong operation. Two of our own three recurrences were due to the latter, other pathology being suspected intraoperatively. Histological study of the specimens showed that thyroglossal ducts were frequently multiple and widely spaced. In children any lesion whose presentation is typical of a thyroglossal cyst should be treated with an early Sistrunk's operation. The operation in children who have other pathology has no complications and is justified.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed1989

Fetal diaphragmatic hernia: the value of fetal echocardiography in the prediction of postnatal outcome.

Nineteen pregnancies complicated by fetal congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) referred for fetal echocardiography have been reviewed. Congenital heart disease was diagnosed prenatally in three fetuses; in one of these the pregnancy was terminated, the two other infants died in the neonatal period. The presence of the fetal stomach within the thorax or a hernia/heart area ratio greater than 1.7 was associated with a large diaphragmatic defect. Polyhydramnios was not associated with a poor postnatal outcome. Evidence of cardiac ventricular disproportion before 24 weeks gestation in isolated CDH was associated with 100% mortality. Development of ventricular disproportion during the third trimester was associated with a survival rate of 75%. In three fetuses, all of whom survived, no ventricular disproportion was detected during the third trimester examination.

Echocardiography↗
PubMed1989

Intestinal obstruction caused by malrotation of the gut in atrial isomerism.

Five children with atrial isomerism developed intestinal obstruction caused by malrotation of the gut. Other than asplenia, the extracardiac anomalies in these syndromes are rarely regarded as important as the outcome after intestinal surgery is poor. As cardiac treatment improves, early investigation and intervention for intestinal symptoms becomes more important.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗
PubMed1980

Zollinger-Ellison syndrome in a child: medical treatment with cimetidine.

A 12-year-old boy presented with intestinal obstruction associated with duodenal and oesophageal ulceration. At laparotomy he was found to have an islet cell tumour in the right lobe of the liver. Gastroenterostomy was performed. Raised levels of serum gastrin were detected. Treatment with cimetidine has produced satisfactory control of his symptoms for 16 months, and is an acceptable alternative to total gastrectomy in childhood.

Child↗
PubMed1980

Acute abdominal pain in children.

During a twelve-month period, 416 children with acute abdominal pain required emergency admission to Southampton General Hospital; 46% had operations. Appendicitis was the commonest organic cause of acute abdominal pain identified (31%). Constipation (9%) can present as acute abdominal pain simulating appendicitis. All children should have a urine sample examined microscopically and the finding of significant pyuria is suggestive, but not diagnostic, of a urinary tract infection (7%). Mesenteric adenitis, which can only be diagnosed with certainty at laparotomy, was less common (4%). Despite careful clinical assessment and follow up, 45% of children in this series remained undiagnosed. Sedation but not analgesia may assist in the diagnosis of the acute abdomen in children.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1978

Hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic obstruction in children: a review of 14 years of experience.

The clinical presentation and surgical management of 88 children and infants with hydronephrosis secondary to ureteropelvic obstruction are reported. The importance of recognizing associated anomalies of the genitourinary tract is stressed and the advantages of an anterior transperitoneal surgical approach are discussed. The operative technique and drainage procedure varied according to the nature and severity of the abnormality but the dismembered pyeloplasty with extrarenal drainage is favored.

Child↗