Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to E Struck.
Two cases of Mesenteric Cysts in infancy are described. Since there is no continuity with the lumen of the bowel radiological evaluation may be very difficult. In contrast abdominal sonography can give information about size, contents and position in relation to other abdominal organs. The use of ultrasound shortens the preoperative workup and certainly reduces the number of X-ray examinations.
The article reports on the paediatric-anaesthesiological treatment of 6 phaeochromocytomas in 5 children who were 8 to 16 years of age. Therapeutic recommendations for the perioperative medication of infantile phaeochromocytoma patients are involved. The therapeutic aim of this study was the management of the effects of phaeochromocytoma before and after extirpation of the tumour, the effect of the phaeochromocytoma being of an alpha-adrenergic and beta-adrenergic cardiovascular nature and transmitted by catecholamines. Preoperative stabilization of blood pressure by means of the alpha-blocker phenoxybenzamine and a subsequent intraoperative, controlled reduction of blood pressure by means of sodium nitroprusside were found to be an effective, safe and easily appreciated therapeutic concept for the perioperative care of paediatric phaeochromocytoma patients. Considerable individual differences in dose an duration of the necessary preoperative phenoxybenzamine administration rendered ward control of therapy recommendable. The risk of complete alpha-sympathicolysis by additive drug effects during premedication and induction of anaesthesia, had to be taken into consideration for conducting phenoxybenzamine therapy. Additional administration of the beta-blocker pindolol successfully controlled the intraoperatively manifested tachycardial heart rhythm phases without provoking any complicating arrhythmias. During the entire perioperative treatment of the patients it is mandatory to ensure sufficient substitution of intravascular volume to prevent hypotensive complications. Our patients did not need any cardiac and sympathicomimetic drugs as postoperative administration. None of the patients had any perioperative complications worth mentioning.
Cefotaxim was administered intravenously in a dose of 50 mg/kg body-weight before and immediately after cardiac surgery. The drug's concentrations were measured in serum, myocardium, peri-operative fat, pericardium and skeletal muscle. The highest concentration was found 15 minutes after injection: 32 micrograms/g in pericardium, 22 micrograms/g in myocardium, 17.9 micrograms/g in fat and 12.3 micrograms/g in skeletal muscle. After 2 hours the average concentration in pericardium was 10.7, in myocardium 3.8, in fat 5.4 and in skeletal muscle 2.4 micrograms/g. The corresponding mean serum levels were 237.4 and 33.3 micrograms/ml, respectively. The tissue concentrations were thus high enough to be effective against infections caused by cefotaxim-sensitive organisms. There was primary wound healing in all 16 patients. No other infections, such as pneumonia or urinary infections, occurred.
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Clinical experience with fibrin gluing in cardiovascular surgery now extends over 4 years. The adhesive has been employed prophylactically for preclotting of prostheses or sealing of various suture lines including those of the bronchial system of infants. Together with collagen fleece it has turned out to be most effective for control of superficial bleeding due to adhesions or sources of bleeding difficult to reach. Two clinical examples are presented demonstrating the life-saving application of the collagen patch and fibrin gluing method.
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In March, 1981, a 37-year old patient underwent cardiac transplantation, the first to be performed in Germany since 1969. Subsequent to the successful procedure, the patient has now been followed for more than 19 months. The indication for the intervention was established on the basis of endstage coronary artery disease. The operation was performed according to the technique of Lower and Shumway. Immunosuppression, in the early postoperative phase, was carried out with antithymocyte globulin, azathioprine and corticosteroids with administration oriented on the T-lymphocyte and total leukocyte counts as well as analysis of myocardial biopsies. In the late postoperative course, dosage of immunosuppressive agents was based almost exclusively on biopsy findings. Within the course of immunosuppressive therapy for cardiac transplantation, in particular, initial experience was gained with the use of antithymocyte globulin which was given in dosages of up to 12 mg/kg daily. The antithymocyte globulin proved effective for more than six weeks postoperatively. The alterations in immunosuppressive treatment necessitated by two gastrointestinal complications (perforated gastric ulcer, perforation of the small intestine) enabled a comparative analysis of the results of therapy with cyclosporin A given orally, intravascularly and intravenously. The Patient continues to be maintained on a regimen of cyclosporin A and corticosteroids and his general condition is good. For future cardiac transplantations, in the early postoperative course, alternating treatment with antithymocyte globulin, azathioprine and corticosteroids, on the one hand, with cyclosporin A and corticosteroids, on the other hand, would seem meaningful both to minimize adverse reactions as well as to provide effective immunosuppression. The experience rendered would promise to facilitate management of patients after cardiac transplantation.
The hereditary angioneurotic edema is probably a more frequent disease than presumed until now. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, and is due to diminished or functionally deficient C1 esterase inhibitor. Family history is negative in cases of spontaneous mutations. Two thirds of the patients are already affected in infancy with peripheral edema, facial edema, abdominal symptoms and/or edema of the glottis occuring spontaneously or secondary to trauma. Recently the prognosis has become better due to early diagnosis and the possibility of substitution therapy with C1 esterase inhibitor. A long-term prophylaxis may be achieved with synthetic androgens.
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Abdominal ultrasonic examination was performed in 8 infants with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, and in 23 control patients of the same age. The average anteroposterior diameter of the pylorus in children with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis measured 17 mm (range 15-20 mm), and 9.6 mm (range 6-12 mm) in the control group. The statistical difference was highly significant (p less than 0.001). In addition, delayed gastric emptying and retroperistalsis of the stomach were demonstrated. The sonographic findings of hypertrophied pylorus correlated well with roentgenologic results and were confirmed during following operation. Abdominal sonography is a rapid, safe and non-invasive method for the identification of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.
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Percutaneous transluminal dilatation of a right sided fibrous renal artery stenosis was performed in a 5-year-old boy with severe hypertension. Biochemical and hemodynamic activity of the renal artery stenosis was demonstrated by measurement of renal venous renin concentration and of pre- and poststenotic blood pressure. Hypertension disappeared within 3 weeks and the renin values became normal. The method is less traumatic than operative revascularization and may be an alternative procedure to vascular surgery in the treatment of renovascular hypertension in childhood.
Sixteen patients, 8 males and 8 females were referred for surgery with the diagnosis of Ebstein's malformation of the tricuspid valve. The intervention was necessary because of deterioration of the clinical status. The age of the patients at the time of surgery ranged from 4 to 51 years. In 11 patients valvuloplasty was performed, in 5 patients the tricuspid valve was replaced with a bioprosthesis. One patient, with end-stage disease prior to surgery, died 2 days postoperatively rendering total mortality at 6.25%. Subsequent follow-up ranging from 8 months to 8 years was uneventful in the 15 survivors. Only 2 patients showed evidence of dysrhythmias, and demonstrated cardiothoracic ratios greater than 0.65. Cardiac catheterization in 3 patients, at one or 5 months postoperatively revealed normal pressure in the right heart. Provided the anterior tricuspid leaflet is of adequate size, surgical repair of Ebstein's anomaly through valvuloplasty appears to be feasible. The valvuloplasty consists of forming a monocusp valve with the anterior leaflet and plicating the atrialized portion of the right ventricle.
Between 1974 and 1979 171 patients with d-TGA were treated surgically, 109 had correcting operations. 77 patients with simple TGA had hemodynamic correction by atrial inversion techniques. 30 day survival rate was 96%. There were 3 late deaths. One patient had reoperation for superior vena cava obstruction. The methods of diagnosis, indication of surgery and the surgical procedure are described. Results of the Mustard technique (33 patients) technique in infants less than 2 years of age with simple TGA. Mortality was one patient in each group. The incidence of arrhythmia was greater with the senning technique. Better growth potential of the atria with the Senning technique warrants further use of this method.
Sixty-one patients with simple TGA operated on below 2 years of age using atrial inversion techniques were reported. The results of 27 Senning versus 34 Mustard procedures were compared. Postoperative observation time averaged 32 months after the Mustard operation and 12 months after the Senning operation. Early mortality rate was 3% (one patient) in the Mustard group and 7.4% (two patients) after the Senning operation. Sinus rhythm persisted in 20 out of 27 Senning patients and in 30 out of 34 Mustard patients. No baffle obstruction has been registered. Operation results and patient follow-up so far do not favor one technique. The Senning operation rarely requires patch material. Therefore, growth of the atria may be less disturbed.
The results of 552 amniocenteses during the second trimester of pregnancy are reported. The amniocentesis were carried out under direct ultra-sonographic control. Six abnormal karyotypes were found and the pregnancies were terminated. Three spontaneous abortions due to intra-uterine infection following amniocentesis occurred. There were no maternal complications and no fetal injuries. 430 amniotic fluids were tested bacteriologically. Two samples showed E-coli and two samples grew staph epidermidis. The IGM values of 148 newborns with previous amniocentesis showed the same values as the IGM in newborns without amniocentesis during the pregnancy. Fetal monitoring prior and following the amniocentesis showed a temporary increase in uterine motility in 25% of the cases. Our observations and the review of the literature convinced us that complications of amniocentesis in the second trimester are rare. However, when complications occur the fetus and the pregnant woman are a serious risk. The fetal wastage caused by second trimester amniocentesis is approximately 0.5 to 1%. Therefore the patients must be informed about the risks very carefully prior to a second trimester amniocentesis.
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