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Biomedical subjects

F F Muakkassa

Publications and source records attributed to F F Muakkassa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Perioperative vasopressin secretion treated by demeclocycline.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perioperative effects of demeclocycline on vasopressin (VP) in patients undergoing surgery, specifically coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This was a prospective, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study using human subjects in a 575-bed tertiary care teaching community hospital. Thirty patients (20 males and 10 females) undergoing elective CABG over a 6-month period were randomized preoperatively to receive either demeclocycline or a placebo. Each patient received either a total of 1200 mg daily of demeclocycline or a placebo beginning 5 days preoperatively and continuing through postoperative day 2. Urine and serum osmolality, electrolytes, and VP levels were measured daily. Perioperative VP levels were significantly higher (P = 0.05) in the demeclocycline group despite decreased VP activity. The postoperative serum sodium and osmolality remained normal in the demeclocycline group and significantly decreased in the placebo group (P < 0.01). The urine osmolality increased significantly in the placebo group (P = 0.04) on postoperative day 1. We conclude that perioperative administration of demeclocycline reliably inhibits the effects of increased VP secretion commonly seen in patients undergoing CABG procedures. Applying these findings to surgical patients who are at increased risk of complicated fluid and electrolyte problems requires further study.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The integration of laparoscopy into a surgical residency and implications for the training environment.

Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now an accepted part of resident training, the impact of operative laparoscopy (OL) upon the residency environment has not been examined in detail. We reviewed the first 3 years' experience with OL and the process by which it was introduced into our residency program. Data were obtained from our prospective computerized surgical laparoscopic registry as well as from a survey conducted midway in this experience. At that time, a questionnaire was sent to current residents in the program and residents who graduated after the inception of the OL program were interviewed by telephone. OL cases increased each year and comprised a progressively greater percentage of total cases. Residents performed over 97% of cases, with attending surgeons as first assistants. Initially, only senior-level residents participated as surgeons; however, after the first year we noted a significant tendency for cases to filter down the ranks. Junior-level residents have already participated in more laparoscopic than open cholecystectomies and expressed considerable concern about training in open procedures. Graduated residents without exception were able to obtain privileges to perform OL without additional training. They did not feel that resident education was compromised by the advent of laparoscopy. Both current and graduated residents considered didactic sessions including animal laboratories and simulators an important part of training.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Laparoscopic appendectomy: is it worth it?

Data on all laparoscopic appendectomies (LA) were collected prospectively from June 1990 through July 1992 and compared retrospectively with all open appendectomies (OA) done at the same hospital during the same time period. Laparoscopic appendectomies were performed in 29 patients (ages 15-47, mean 25.3 years) and OA in 77 patients (ages 18-71, mean 31.9 years, P < 0.01). Preoperative findings were similar in the two groups. Acute appendicitis was confirmed in 22 (76%) LA and in 57 (74%) OA; of these, 9/22 (41%) LA and 23/57 (40%) OA were gangrenous or perforated. A normal appendix was removed in seven (24%) LA and in 20 (26%) OA. Three patients (10%) required conversion of LA to an open procedure. Operative time was significantly longer for LA (mean 105 minutes) compared with OA (mean 69 minutes; P < 0.001). Postoperative complications requiring further intervention (wound infection or intraabdominal abscess) occurred in three LA (10%) and in 23 OA (30%, P < 0.05). Wound morbidity as measured by number of wounds left open at surgery or opened for infection was significantly less after LA (14% LA, 39% OA, P < 0.001). Hospital stay was significantly shorter after LA (mean 4.2 days) compared with OA (mean 6.3 days; P < 0.05). Hospital charges and professional fees were not significantly different between the two groups. In selected patients, LA is a safe, effective alternative to OA, with fewer complications and shorter hospital stay. In addition, hospital charges are similar, making an investment of more time in the operating yield an outcome equal or superior to OA.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

Surgical approach of choice for penetrating cardiac wounds.

One hundred nineteen patients suffered penetrating cardiac trauma over a 15-year period: 59 had gunshot wounds, 49 had stab wounds, and 11 had shotgun wounds. The overall survival rate was 58%. The most commonly injured structures were the ventricles. Twenty-seven patients had injuries to more than one cardiac chamber. Thirty patients had associated pulmonary injuries. Emergency thoracotomy was performed in 47 patients with 15% survival. Median sternotomy was used in 30 patients with 90% survival. Seventeen of the 83 patients with thoracotomies required extension across the sternum for improved cardiac exposure or access to the contralateral hemithorax. Only one patient with sternotomy also required a thoracotomy. All pulmonary injuries were easily managed when sternotomy was used. We conclude that sternotomy provides superior exposure for cardiac repair in patients with penetrating anterior chest trauma. We feel it is the incision of choice in hemodynamically stable patients. Thoracotomy should be reserved for unstable patients requiring aortic cross-clamping, or when posterior mediastinal injury is highly suspected.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Essential fatty acids influence survival in sepsis.

Metabolites of arachidonic acid, formed from omega-6 essential fatty acids (n-6), play a pathologic role in mortality from sepsis. Metabolites of eicosapentaenoic acid, formed from omega-3 essential fatty acids (n-3), are less potent inflammatory mediators. Dietary restriction of n-6 fatty acids or supplementation with n-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil have been shown to decrease the production of n-6 metabolites. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (350-400 g) were divided to receive either rat chow (CHOW) or essential-fatty-acid-deficient chow (EFAD) and subdivided to receive 1 mL daily of either fish oil (N3), linoleic acid (N6), or normal saline (NS), via gastric gavage. Two weeks later, half of the animals in each group underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce peritonitis or sham (SHAM) celiotomy. Survival was tabulated for 7 days. Survival was significantly decreased for animals undergoing CLP for both the N6 and NS groups but not for the N3 group. Omega-3 fatty acids as the sole essential fatty acids or as a supplement to a "routine" diet, when fed to rats for 2 weeks before a septic challenge, improved survival in this peritonitis model.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Computed tomography in the management of blunt thoracic trauma.

Computed tomographic (CT) scanning has proved to be valuable in evaluating the head and abdomen of victims of blunt trauma; CT scans of the thorax often are obtained on patients with blunt torso trauma, but their value for this purpose is unclear. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the role of chest CT scanning in thoracic trauma. Hemodynamically stable patients at least 18 years old with an estimated Abbreviated Injury Scale--Thorax score of 2 or greater underwent a contrast-enhanced CT scan of the chest, usually in conjunction with CT scans of the head, abdomen, or both. Thirteen patients were dead on arrival, 14 required emergency surgical procedures, and 13 were too unstable to undergo chest CT scan. Thirty-three patients were not included because they refused to participate or the protocol was not followed. Forty-six men (69%) and 21 women with a mean age of 42.7 years completed the study. Sixty-one were injured in motor vehicle crashes, four were injured in falls, and one each was injured by assault and by crushing forces. Injury Severity Scores ranged from 4 to 45, with a mean of 20.5. Four patients died (6%), three from head injury and one from multiple organ dysfunction. Chest roentgenography (CXR) was superior to CT scanning in identifying rib fractures, but CT scanning was more sensitive than CXR for pneumothorax, fluid collections, and infiltrates (p < 0.001); CT scanning also was more specific for aortic injury. Despite this quantitative superiority, the abnormalities missed by CXR but identified by CT scanning infrequently led to a change in management.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abbreviated Injury Scale↗
PubMed1993

The role of infection in outcome of Multiple Organ Failure.

It is widely assumed that infections are the principal cause and primary outcome determinant of the syndrome of Multiple Organ Failure (MOF) in critically ill patients. Infections are frequent in these patients, but the prevention and treatment of infections may not influence the course of MOF. This study tested the hypothesis that infections play a decisive role in the outcome of MOF. Data were gathered concurrently on all adult patients admitted over an 18-month period to a non-cardiac surgical ICU at a university hospital and recorded in a computer database. Sepsis was defined as a state characterized by at least three of the following: fever, tachycardia, leukocytosis or leukopenia, increased cardiac index, reduced systemic vascular resistance, and hypercatabolism manifested by nitrogen-wasting. The presence of an infection was not required for the diagnosis of sepsis. Mild sepsis was defined as the presence of three or four parameters. Severe sepsis was defined as the presence of five or six parameters. MOF was defined as the development of dysfunction of at least two of the following major organ systems: cardiac, gut, pulmonary, renal, cerebral, and hepatic. Of 749 admissions, 73 patients developed MOF. Thirty four (47%) had a documented source of infection, 37 (51%) had positive blood cultures, and all had sepsis. Hospital mortality was 66 percent (48 of 73 patients). Death could not be predicted by bacteremia (P > 0.25), nor by the presence of an infectious source (P = 1.0), but was strongly associated with severe sepsis (P < 0.0005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Injury severity dictates individualized antibiotic therapy in penetrating abdominal trauma.

Antibiotics play a crucial role in reducing the risk of postoperative infection in patients suffering penetrating abdominal trauma. The infection rate for patients with these injuries ranges from 7% to 16%. Single agents with broad-spectrum activity have proven efficacy, but dosage and duration are still controversial. A prospective, double-blinded study was performed on 102 patients randomized to receive one of three antibiotics for a total of 12 hours: cefoxitin (3 doses, 31 patients); ceftizoxime (2 doses, 36 patients); or mezlocillin (3 doses, 35 patients). Two distinct groups at risk for postoperative infection were evident depending on the severity of injury: Group A were those with no colon injury or a colon injury that could be repaired, no evidence of shock, or fewer than 3 organs injured; Group B were those requiring a colostomy, evidence of shock on presentation, or three or more organs injured. All comparisons of the patient populations receiving the different antibiotics showed the two groups to be equivalent. The mean penetrating abdominal trauma index for Group A was 8.8 and 28.2 for Group B. The overall infection rate for Group A was 10.3% and 42.3% for Group B. There was a significant increase in infection rate for all antibiotics except ceftizoxime in Group B compared with group A. The penetrating abdominal trauma index was significantly higher in all patients who developed infection for all antibiotics. In addition, if the surgical wound was closed primarily, patients with colon injuries developed wound infections 71% of the time, and those with small-bowel injuries did so 30% of the time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1993

Sepsis and infection in the intensive care unit: are they related?

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome characterized by fever, leukocytosis or leukopenia, tachycardia, increased cardiac index, reduced systemic vascular resistance, and hypercatabolism. It is generally believed to be a response to invasive infections, although an infectious source cannot always be identified in patients with sepsis. Over an 18-month period 287 patients were admitted for more than 48 hours to a noncardiac adult surgical intensive care unit. Data were collected concurrently and recorded in a computer database. Seventy-three patients (25%) developed sepsis, and 50 (68% of those with sepsis) had bacteremia, with a mean of 1.5 organisms and 3.5 positive blood cultures per patient. Only 22 of 50 patients with bacteremia had a potential infectious source, and there was a concordance of cultures from the putative source and the blood stream in only 10 patients. Forty-one patients with sepsis (56%) had no apparent infectious source, but 28 of these (68%) had bacteremia, often with multiple organisms. Forty of the 73 patients with sepsis died in the hospital. Mortality in sepsis could not be predicted by the presence of an infectious source (P > 0.35) and was not related to bacteremia (P > 0.75). Mortality was strongly associated with the development of multiple organ failure (P < 0.0001). Sepsis is a generic response to a number of physiologic insults and does not require infection for expression. This inflammatory response may have survival value by increasing oxygen delivery to sites of injury, but uncontrolled inflammation may cause dysfunction in several vital organ systems. The associated immunosuppression results in bacterial colonization of sites from which bacteria ordinarily are excluded.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacteremia↗
PubMed1992

Laparoscopic appendectomy. Initial experience in a teaching program.

From February 1990 to December 1991, 16 laparoscopic procedures were performed for right lower quadrant pain. There were nine men and seven women, aged 16 to 47 years (mean, 27.2 years). All procedures were performed by surgical chief residents with prior experience in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, first-assisted by an attending surgeon. The appendix was visualized and a definitive diagnosis was made in all patients. One patient with acute salpingitis underwent diagnostic laparoscopy only; two patients underwent laparotomy (perforated appendicitis, perforated diverticulitis). A fourth patient had an acute torsion of an ovarian cyst managed laparoscopically. Laparoscopic appendectomy was successfully performed in 12 patients (acute appendicitis, 9; fibrosis or chronic inflammation, 2; normal appendix, 1). Mean operative time for laparoscopic appendectomy was 95.7 minutes, and mean postoperative stay was 2.5 days. The authors conclude that operative time, diagnostic accuracy, and complication rates for laparoscopic appendectomy are acceptable. Within the context of a training program, laparoscopic appendectomy provides an opportunity for surgical residents to expand laparoscopic skills.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Complications of pelvic fractures from blunt trauma.

Significant external forces are required to fracture a normal pelvis. These forces usually result from rapid deceleration or crushing injuries, and energy often is delivered to multiple anatomic sites in addition to the pelvis. Associated injuries are common, and numerous complications can occur in patients with pelvic fractures. During 4 years, the authors treated 144 men and 92 women with pelvic fractures from blunt trauma who were admitted directly to the University of Mississippi Medical Center. They had a mean age of 31.5 years, a mean Injury Severity Score of 21.3, and an average hospital stay of 16.8 days. Seventy-seven of the 236 patients (32.6%) had 137 complications, including 18 deaths. Most of these were infections such as pneumonia (6), urinary tract infections (8), wound infections (8), or sepsis without a defined source (10). There was a high incidence of pulmonary complications including Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (12), significant atelectasis (7), and fat emboli (3). Musculoskeletal complications (13) and coagulopathy (12) also occurred frequently. Eight patients had thromboembolic events, but prophylactic, subcutaneous heparin was not beneficial in preventing these complications. Patients with complications had higher Injury Severity Scores, lower Trauma Scores, increased transfusion requirements, longer hospital stays, and greater hospital charges compared to those without complications (P less than 0.01 for all variables). There was no association of complications with patient age, sex, mechanism of injury, anatomic site or amount of displacement of the pelvic fracture, or vector of injury. Patients with unstable pelvic fractures were much more likely to have complications than were those with stable pelvic fractures (P = 0.013).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Effect of dietary fish oil on plasma thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha levels in septic rats.

Increased mortality from sepsis is associated with high levels of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (PGF1 alpha). Linoleic acid, an n-6 essential fatty acid, is the usual precursor of TXB2 and PGF1 alpha, while fish oil is rich in n-3 essential fatty acid, the precursor of less active moieties. Rats were fed chow, an essential fatty acid-deficient diet, or an essential fatty acid-deficient diet supplemented with linoleic acid or fish oil for 2 weeks. The animals then underwent a sham operation or cecal ligation and puncture to induce sepsis. Six hours later, blood was obtained for analysis. The chow and linoleic acid diets produced significant (twofold to fivefold) increases in levels of both TXB2 and PGF1 alpha after sepsis. The essential fatty acid-deficient diet and fish oil diet protected against increases in levels of TXB2 or PGF1 alpha during sepsis. Dietary restriction of linoleic acid or fish oil supplementation may play an important role in altering the inflammatory mediator response to sepsis.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗
PubMed1991

Pelvic fracture from major blunt trauma. Outcome is determined by associated injuries.

Pelvic hemorrhage has been implicated as the cause of death in 50% of patients who die following pelvic fractures. To establish correlates of morbidity and mortality from pelvic fractures due to blunt trauma, we reviewed 236 patients treated during 4 years. The average age of the 144 men and 92 women was 31.5 years, the average Injury Severity Score was 21.3, the average blood requirement was 5 units, and the average hospital stay was 16.8 days. One hundred fifty-two patients (64.4%) were injured in motor vehicle accidents, 33 (14%) had motor vehicle-pedestrian accidents, 16 (6.8%) had crush injuries, 12 (5.1%) each had either motorcycle accidents or falls, and 11 (4.6%) had miscellaneous accidents. Eighteen patients (7.6%) died, with seven (38.9%) deaths due to hemorrhage. Only one death was caused by pelvic hemorrhage. Other deaths were due to hemorrhage from other sites (6), head injury (5), sepsis or multiple-organ failure (4), pulmonary injury (1), and pulmonary embolus (1). None of the septic deaths was related to a pelvic hematoma. Multivariate multiple regression analysis showed that the severity of injury was correlated with indices of severity of pelvic fractures such as fracture site (p less than 0.0001), fracture displacement (p less than 0.005), pelvic stability (p less than 0.0001), and vector of injury (p less than 0.01). However death could not be predicted on the basis of these indices of severity (p greater than 0.28). Of the nine patients who underwent pelvic arteriography, three required embolization of actively bleeding pelvic vessels, but seven had intra-abdominal hemorrhage that required laparotomy, and eight developed a coagulopathy. Massive bleeding from pelvic fractures was uncommon, and the major threat of hemorrhage was from nonpelvic sites. Furthermore, although injury severity was correlated with the severity of the pelvic fracture, hospital outcome was determined by associated injuries and not by the pelvic fracture.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed1991

Adult respiratory distress syndrome.

The adult respiratory distress syndrome carries a mortality rate of 60-65% which has remained unchanged since its description more than 20 years ago. As our knowledge of the pathophysiology of ARDS improves, so does our ability to better define this disease entity. This is important since our therapy has been supportive with no change in outcome. The recent thinking is that ARDS is part of a multi-system disease process where there is activation of a total body inflammatory response. Identifying these inflammatory mediators and their role in the pathogenesis of ARDS may allow specific drugs to inhibit or modulate their release and action and hopefully alter the course of the disease. New therapeutic options, like exogenous surfactant, are emerging and undergoing clinical trails. Till a cure for ARDS is proven effective, prevention and support are our only current therapeutic options in battling ARDS.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

Cost-effective use of microcomputers for quality assurance and resource utilization in the surgical intensive care unit.

Need for organ system support, severity of illness, and the risk of life-threatening complications are major factors in determining the need for ICU care and directly affect ICU costs. Using a microcomputer and a relational database program, an ICU database was developed to study ICU utilization. The following information was collected for each ICU patient on admission, then daily, and on ICU discharge: demographic data, procedures, monitors used, laboratory tests, complications, outcome, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) score as a measure of acuity. In our study, this information was used as a first step in an attempt to define categories of patients who might benefit most from intensive care and those who would not. From September 1, 1987 to March 1, 1989, 1,062 patients were admitted to the surgical ICU (SICU). Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) patients with major head and neck resections, routinely admitted to the SICU, were compared with those from other surgical services. The ENT patients had the lowest mean admission APACHE II (6.8 +/- 0.4 vs. 11.4 +/- 0.3), lowest mean daily APACHE II (7.8 +/- 0.4 vs. 13.2 +/- 0.1), lowest percent of ventilated patients (7.6% vs. 39.4%) and ventilator days (18.9% vs. 64.6%), and had the least monitoring by central venous catheters (20.9% vs. 57.1%) or pulmonary artery catheters (0.9% vs. 29.8%) (p less than .0001 for all of above). They also had the shortest mean ICU stay (1.2 +/- 0.1 vs. 3.3 +/- 0.2 days, p less than .05). The only complication in 105 ENT patients was one uncomplicated myocardial infarction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗