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Biomedical subjects

F Dubois

Publications and source records attributed to F Dubois.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

[Complications of cholecystectomy by laparoscopic approach. Apropos of 6512 cases].

6,512 laparoscopic cholecystectomies have been performed by 141 surgeons. The lithiasis was uncomplicated in 80% of cases. Conversion from laparoscopy to laparotomy was necessary in 350 cases (5.37%), for technical problems (22 cases), complications (87 cases) or surgical difficulties (241 cases): 107 cholecystitis, 68 adhesions, 14 difficulties in finding the cystic duct and 25 common bile duct stones were the principle surgical difficulties. Among the 304 complications, we have observed 35 general and 251 local complications: 58 haemorrhages, 12 common bile duct lesions (10 cases of iatrogenic trauma and 2 accidental ligations), 4 cystic duct problems and 3 cases of intestinal trauma were the principle per-laparoscopic complications. Among the 164 post-laparoscopies cholecystectomy's complications, we have observed 50 biliary fistulae with 32 requiring further surgery (damage to the common bile duct in 14 cases), 3 common bile duct strictures, 20 haemorrhages (7 requiring further surgery), 31 deep or sub-phrenic abscesses (16 requiring further surgery) and 2 peritonitis after intestinal trauma. We have had 7 deaths (0.10%). Prognostic factors are: 1) The degree of surgeon's experience; the first 50 laparoscopies cholecystectomies performed are more likely to require further surgery (P < 0.05). 2) Cholecystitis with an significantly higher rate of conversion to laparotomy (P < 0.001) and morbidity (P < 0.01). For an experienced surgeon the biliary morbidity is near to that observed in classical cholecystectomy.

Adolescent↗

[Appendectomies by celioscopy. Results in 78 patients].

The recent development of laparoscopic surgery has included the treatment of acute appendicitis. We report our results after three years' experience of this type of surgery. We have operated on 78 patients (54 men, 44 women) mean age 28.9 years, suspected of varying degrees of acute appendicitis. The operation was completely carried out by laparoscopy on 71 occasions, including treatment of an abscess in 4 cases and peritonitis in 4 cases (3 of which were sub-mesocolic and one was generalised). The laparoscopy was transformed into laparotomy in 7 cases, 4 of which were due to difficulties of appendix dissection. Mortality was zero. Four complications occurred: 2 minute infections of the trocar hole, one more severe parietal infection which was a cause of readmission and antibiotic treatment, one "syndrome of the fifth day". In conclusion, laparoscopic appendicectomy appears to be quite feasible in the majority of cases, particularly when the appendix is ectopic, with marked abdominal thickening and peritoneal reaction. The postoperative course is uneventful. The laparoscopic technique is very comfortable for the patient during the postoperative period. This technique is becoming increasingly feasible with the operator's experience, and this appears to us to constitute good training for any form of laparoscopic surgery.

Acute Disease↗

Comparative effects of halothane associated with verapamil and ischaemia on myocardial metabolism in isolated perfused rat hearts.

The association of verapamil with halothane causes ischaemic-like myocardial dysfunction. Using an isolated rat heart model perfused with a radiolabelled fatty acid (123I-labelled iodohexadecenoic acid) as a sensitive marker of ischaemia this study investigated whether or not this dysfunction is of ischaemic origin. Hearts were perfused with a control solution or with solutions containing either 1% of halothane or 150 ng ml-1 of verapamil or the association of 0.75% halothane + 120 ng ml-1 verapamil. The ischaemic group was perfused at a reduced perfusion rate (-50%). Intracellular fate of IHA was assessed, and its esterification ratio computed. Ischaemia and the drugs induced a similar depression of haemodynamics. The esterification ratio in the ischaemic group was significantly higher (0.723 +/- 0.04) than in controls (0.0526 +/- 0.03) and than in the treated groups: halothane (0.533 +/- 0.06), verapamil (0.411 +/- 0.027) or the association halothane+verapamil (0.408 +/- 0.05), suggesting a non-ischaemic origin for the dysfunction caused by halothane-verapamil.

Animals↗

[Seroepidemiology of hepatitis A in six departments in West-Central France in 1991].

Antibodies to hepatitis A virus were sought for among residents of 6 "départements" of West-Central France during a routine medical check up provided by the national health insurance system to all affiliated persons. Among them 5,641 subjects (aged 6 to 60) were randomly selected to a sample size of 256 +/- 15 male or female subjects for each five-year age group. Anti-HAV were detected in 51% of the screened population. The prevalence was less than 5% in the 6-15 age group and increased by successive steps to exceed 90% in the subjects over 50. The highest increase was observed between the 26-30 (39%) and the 31-35 (57%) age groups. This study confirms the influence of socio-economical factors on the anti-HAV prevalence rate. Factors such as profession or scholar education were previously known, but the housing conditions and especially the number of siblings were identified in our present report. In relation to this low prevalence of anti-HAV among young adults, one may fear an increase of overt hepatitis cases which are known to be more frequent in adults than in infants or children. Moreover any break in hygiene may expose the population to an epidemia. Only active immunization with a vaccine against hepatitis A could efficiently prevent these individual and community-related risks.

Adolescent↗

[Efficacy in viral inactivation of the concentrates of factor VIII and IX by the solvent/detergent procedure. Evaluation in patients with hemophilia].

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and hepatitis virus B or C (HBV, HCV) transmission are major risks following infusion of coagulation factor concentrates. Thus, several methods have been used to achieve viral inactivation of concentrates prepared from plasma collected from a large number of donors. In this study, 32 patients with haemophilia A or B (n = 31) or von Willebrand's disease (n = 1) were treated between 1987 and 1990 only with factor VIII or IX concentrates inactivated by the solvent-detergent procedure. During this period, none of these cases exhibited elevated liver enzymes (alanine amino transferase), and serological tests for HIV, HBV and HCV infections always remained negative. This suggests that the solvent-detergent procedure of concentrate inactivation is an efficient method to prevent not only HIV or HBV transmission but also HCV infection in haemophiliacs.

Adolescent↗

[Prevention of perinatal hepatitis B virus transmission. Epidemiology and cost/efficacy ratio in the Paris region].

The HBs antigen (AgHBs) was detected in 152 out of 6605 (2.3 percent) pregnant women who attended four representative maternity clinics in the Paris region. In 98 percent of the cases this finding reflected chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Among women born outside France (47 percent of the women tested, 79 percent of the AgHBs positive women), the relative risk was 6 for Asiatics, 5.5 for Africans and 4 for French women born in overseas departments or territories. Whatever the women's geographical origin, studies of their medical history revealed no significant difference between AgHBs positivity and AgHBs negativity. Overcrowding and multiparity correlated globally with the presence of AgHBs, but this correlation was absent in French women born in France. In non-African and non-Asiatic women detection guided by medical and socio-familial criteria would not be efficacious. The authors recommend systematic detection of AgHBs in pregnant women and estimate at about 180,000 french francs the cost of prevention for each case evolving toward the vital complications of chronic hepatitis B virus infection, an outcome which in the long term may affect 600 individuals born each year and who had contracted the infection during the perinatal period.

Adult↗

The European experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

A retrospective survey of 7 European centers involving 20 surgeons who undertook 1,236 laparoscopic cholecystectomies was performed. The procedure was completed in 1,191 patients. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was necessary in 45 patients (3.6%) either because of technical difficulty (n = 33), the onset of complications (n = 11), or instrument failure (n = 1). There were no deaths reported, and the total postoperative complication rate was 20 of 1,203 (1.6%), with 9 being serious complications requiring laparotomy. The total incidence of bile duct damage was 4 of 1,203. The median hospital stay was 3 days (range: 1 to 27 days) and the median time to return to full activity after discharge was 11 days (range: 7 to 42 days).

Adolescent↗

Effects of captopril combined with oxygen therapy at rest and on exercise in patients with chronic bronchitis and pulmonary hypertension.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of captopril combined with oxygen therapy on pulmonary hemodynamics and gas exchange in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with pulmonary hypertension. Eleven subjects, with severe airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC: 42 +/- 11%) and chronic respiratory failure (PaO2: 54 +/- 6 mm Hg, PaCO2: 46 +/- 8 mm Hg) treated with long-term oxygen, underwent two successive hemodynamic and arterial gas studies, at rest and during exercise. All the studies were performed whilst the patients were breathing oxygen, at rest and during exercise and 1 h after intake of 12.5 mg of captopril. The second study was performed in 9 out of the 11 patients after 8 weeks of treatment with 12.5 mg captopril 3 times daily. At rest, there was no significant effect of captopril. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) showed a trend towards decrease after 8 weeks treatment. During exercise, there was a statistically significant decrease of mean PAP, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and total pulmonary vascular resistance, without any deleterious effect on blood gases. However, the clinical significance of these variations during exercise is poor. We conclude that a low dose of captopril associated with oxygen therapy has no significant clinical effect on pulmonary hemodynamics at rest and during exercise in COPD.

Aged↗

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: historic perspective and personal experience.

Operative laparoscopy has been an important diagnostic and therapeutic method in gynecological surgery for more than 15 years. Laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery has only recently become accepted among general surgeons. Laparoscopic appendectomy was the first such procedure performed, in 1983, followed by cholecystectomy in 1987. Laparoscopic biliary tract surgery has been shown to offer the patient a number of advantages in patient care, such as reducing the length of hospitalization and recovery, minimizing postoperative pain and discomfort, and nearly eliminating the disfigurement associated with a major abdominal operation. Although initially offered only to those patients with uncomplicated biliary tract disease, this procedure is now safely performed in individuals with acute cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis. We describe the development of laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery in Europe as well as our method of performing endoscopic cholecystectomy. The current results of 690 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at our institution are included.

Animals↗

[The perinatal transmission of the hepatitis B virus in the Paris area].

HBsAg was detected in 152 pregnant women among 6,605 (2.3%) screened in the prenatal clinics of four hospitals representative of the Paris metropolitan area. In 98% of cases, HBsAg positivity indicated chronic HBV carrier status. Among patients born out of continental France (47% of screened women, 79% of positive women) relative risk of chronic infection was 6 in Asians, 5.5 in Africans, and 4 in French women born in non-continental France. No significant difference in medical history was seen between HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative patients, in any of the birthplace groups. In women born out of continental France, number of children and crowding in the home were correlated with HBsAg-positivity; these correlations were not found in French women born in continental France. In non-African, non-Asian women, screening on the basis of medical, social and familial criteria (simulated in this study) would not be effective. Routine screening for HBsAg in pregnancy is advocated. The cost of the prevention of each case of perinatally acquired chronic HBV infection by routine screening followed by prophylactic treatment of a risk neonates was estimated at 180,000 French Francs (35,000 dollars). This approach is the only means of preventing the long-term life-threatening complications of chronic HBV infection in the 600 neonates born each year in France to HBsAg-positive mothers.

Africa↗

[Chromium: physiologic role and implications in human pathology].

Reported values for total body stores of chromium vary between 0.4 mg and 6 mg. Chromium stores may be higher in neonates than in adults, relative to body size, whereas tissular chromium may be depleted in the elderly. The recommended daily allowance for chromium is 50 to 200 micrograms/day but actual needs are poorly known. Digestive absorption is better for organic chromium, which is part of the "glucose tolerance factor" (GTF), than for inorganic chromium. Furthermore, chromium (VI) is better absorbed than chromium (III). In the body, chromium (VI) is rapidly reduced to chromium (III) by a number of metabolic pathways. Absorbed chromium binds to proteins, mainly to transferrin which exhibits a high affinity for chromium (III). Most absorbed chromium is eliminated through the kidneys. Renal excretion occurs according to a two or more-compartment model. Current methods used to assay chromium, i.e., atomic absorption spectrometry using a graphite furnace or neutron activation, are sufficiently sensitive and specific to evaluate chromium levels in blood, urine or hair. However, none of these levels accurately reflects chromium body stores. Chromium is part of the GTF molecule. This factor has no effect per se but may facilitate binding of insulin to insulin receptors and amplify the effects of insulin on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Chromium deficiency may play a role in a development of some forms of adult diabetes mellitus and of arteriosclerosis. Partial chromium deficiencies seem to be common, especially in individuals with high intakes of refined foods. Acute chromium poisoning is usually due to an excess of chromium (VI) and is sometimes seen in the chromium industry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Reproducibility of image interpretation in immunoscintigraphy performed with indium-111- and iodine-131-labeled OC125 F(ab')2 antibody injected into the same patients.

An important criterion for the clinical use of a new imaging technique is the correct reproducibility of interpretation. Forty-six paired immunoscintigraphic examinations were performed on 43 patients with suspected ovarian carcinoma recurrence using F(ab')2 fragments of OC125 antibody labeled first with indium-111 and then with iodine-131. Planar scintigraphy (PS) and emission computed tomography (ECT) images were interpreted blindly and separately by three observers, and reproducibility was evaluated by a kappa concordance index. Intra- and interobserver reproducibility were generally satisfactory (kappa values of 0.6 and 0.7, respectively). Binomial analysis of kappa values for ECT showed the superiority of indium-111 for intraobserver (p = 0.035) and interobserver (p = 0.0039) study. However, for PS there was no significant difference in reproducibility with the two radionuclides.

Adult↗

[Perinatal transmission of the hepatitis B virus in Paris region].

HBsAg was detected in 152 pregnant women among 6,605 (2.3%) screened in the prenatal clinics of four hospitals representative of the Paris metropolitan area. In 98% of cases, HBsAg positivity indicated chronic HBV carrier status. Among patients born out of continental France (47% of screened women, 79% of positive women) relative risk of chronic infection was 6 in Asians, 5.5 in Africans, and 4 in French women born in non-continental France. No significant difference in medical history was seen between HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative patients, in any of the birthplace groups. In women born out of continental France, number of children and crowding of the home were correlated with HBsAg-positivity; these correlations were not found in French women born in continental France. In non-African, non-Asian women, screening on the basis of medical, social and familial criteria (simulated in this study) would not be effective. Routine screening for HBsAg in pregnancy is advocated. The cost of the prevention of each case of perinatally acquired chronic HBV infection by routine screening followed by prophylactic treatment of at risk neonates was estimated at 180,000 French Francs (35,000 dollars). This approach is the only means of preventing the long-term life-threatening complications of chronic HBV infection in the 600 neonates born each year in France to HBsAg-positive mothers.

Female↗

Serum hepatitis delta virus RNA in patients with delta hepatitis and in liver graft recipients.

We have investigated the usefulness of serum hepatitis delta virus (HDV) RNA detection using a slot hybridization analysis of serum samples from ten patients with acute hepatitis and delta markers (group I), from 28 patients with chronic delta hepatitis (group II) and from seven liver graft recipients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HDV related cirrhosis or fulminant hepatitis (group III). The slot-blots were hybridized with both HDV-complementary DNA and single-stranded RNA probes. With the single-stranded RNA probe, HDV RNA was detected in the first serum sample available in 9/10 of the patients with acute hepatitis (group I). In addition, HDV RNA was detected in 8/9 and 7/8 of the samples obtained within and after 1 month of the onset of hepatitis. Five of the ten patients scored positive for HDV RNA and negative for hepatitis delta antigen (HDAg) while one was negative for HDV RNA and positive for HDAg. The same RNA probe enabled the detection of serum HDV RNA in 21/28 chronic hepatitis patients (liver HDAg and/or IgM anti-HD positive) (group II). Among the liver graft recipients (group III), 7/7 had a recurrent delta infection. Serum HDAg, liver HDAg and anti-HD IgM were identified in 3/7, 6/7 and 5/7 of the patients, respectively. HDV RNA was detected in the seven patients with either persistent (4/7) or transient (3/7) positivity. In addition, HBsAg and HBV RNA were persistently shown in 4/7 patients with continuous HDV replication. In the remaining three patients, HDV RNA was detectable despite the absence of HBsAg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Coelioscopic cholecystectomy. Preliminary report of 36 cases.

Intra-abdominal endoscopy, routinely used for gynecologic operations can be extended safely for cholecystectomy in uncomplicated cholelithiasis. Thirty-six patients underwent coelioscopic cholecystectomy with few and only benign complications. The main advantages are cosmetic preservation, reduction of postoperative pain, shortening of hospital stay, and early recovery of a normal activity.

Abdominal Pain↗