Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F Harder

Publications and source records attributed to F Harder.

338 records · Page 19Linked to original sources

Outcome of peptic ulcer hemorrhage treated according to a defined approach.

The short- and long-term bleeding recurrence and mortality of 157 consecutive patients admitted emergently over a period of 2 years with an actively bleeding peptic ulcer were analyzed. They were treated uniformly according to a defined approach where suitable candidates for surgery were operated on early. The data of the 5-year follow-up were analyzed by constructing life tables. There were 94 men and 63 women with a median age of 72.3 years; 83 ulcers were gastric and 74 duodenal. Thirty-one patients underwent an operation. Eleven patients (7%) died within the first month, one in the surgical group. During the follow-up 13 patients rebled and 54 died, two of the deaths related to peptic ulcer disease. The life table for rebleeding and ulcer-related deaths showed a cumulative risk of 11.8% at 5 years, and the cumulative risk was not statistically different between patients according to their age (60 years and older versus younger), sex, the site of their ulcer (gastric versus duodenal), or the type of treatment (conservative versus surgical). With a well defined approach and early selective surgery, the short-term mortality compares favorably with the usual 10% or more reported. The high mortality rate during the follow-up reflects the advanced age of patients with coexisting disease. This long-term follow-up study could be used as a comparison against future studies evaluating new therapies.

Adolescent↗

Necrosis of intraabdominal esophagus and proximal third of the stomach after proximal gastric vagotomy and fundoplication.

Lesser curve necrosis is a rare but known complication of proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV). Incidence seems to increase when PGV is combined with fundoplication. In reports of this complication, the necrosis was of various sizes, but generally limited to the lesser curve. We report a 54-year-old patient with hiatus hernia, severe peptic esophagitis, and increased acid output who developed necrosis of the whole intraabdominal esophagus, cardia, and proximal third of the stomach after PGV and fundoplication with division of several short gastric vessels. A proximal gastric resection with intrathoracic esophagogastric anastomosis had to be performed. After drainage of a subphrenic abscess, the patient made a complete recovery. When combining PGV with a fundoplication, an increased risk of necrosis of the stomach must be considered. Division of the short gastric arteries should be avoided and the original Nissen fundoplication is preferred.

Esophagus↗

The single-layer continuous suture for gastric anastomosis.

The single-layer continuous suture technique has proven to be safe for all intestinal anastomoses of intraperitoneal small and large bowel segments. Since 1985, this technique has also been increasingly applied for gastroduodenostomy and gastrojejunostomy following partial gastrectomy. Through December 1989, we performed 96 gastroenteric anastomoses with the single-layer continuous suture technique. This accounts for 64% of all partial gastrectomies performed between 1985 and 1989. The technique was applied in 89.5% of the gastroenteric anastomoses during 1988 and 1989. The rate of complications after gastroenteric single-layer continuous suture technique was low; 2.1% clinical leakage was found, always in patients with perforated ulcer and peritonitis. We conclude that the single-layer continuous suture technique for gastroenteric anastomosis is safe, simple, easy to perform, quick and reliable.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Prevention of deep vein thrombosis in patients with hip fractures: low molecular weight heparin versus dextran.

A randomized open trial was undertaken to compare the antithrombotic efficacy of a low molecular weight heparin (LMWH; Sandoparin) with that of dextran 70 in patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture. One hundred thirteen patients received LMWH once daily subcutaneously at a fixed dosage while 103 patients received intravenous dextran 70. Postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was assessed by a diagnostic algorithm using the 125Iodine fibrinogen uptake test as screening and Duplex ultrasonography and/or ascending venography as confirming techniques for suspected DVT. The frequency of DVT was significantly lower in the LMWH group than in the dextran group (15.5 versus 32.6%, p less than 0.005). Proximal DVT was rare in both groups (LMWH: 2%, Dextran: 1%). Only one case of fatal fat pulmonary embolism was observed during the 10 day prophylaxis period in a patient receiving Dextran. Three cases of pulmonary embolism occurred later; one fatal event in the dextran group on day 14, and two cases in the LMWH group (one fatal and one non-fatal event) on day 14 and 17, respectively. There was no major bleeding complication in either group. We conclude that the LMWH we used is safe, was well tolerated, and has a significantly better thromboprophylactic effect than dextran 70.

Adult↗

Role of glutamine in the immune response in critical illness.

The dependence of human lymphocyte functions on the exogenous provision of glutamine (GLN) was evaluated in a series of in vitro experiments. The transcription of early activation markers (IL-2, IL-2-receptor, IL-4, IL-4, GM-CSF, IFN gamma) as evaluated by polymerase chain reaction was observed even in the absence of exogenous GLN. In contrast, later events of lymphocyte activation including cytokine production, proliferation of lymphocytes and lymphokine-activated killer cell activity were found to depend on exogenous GLN provision. These in vitro results are discussed in the context of established data on the reduction of peripheral blood GLN concentrations in critically ill patients and in view of recent studies reporting improved outcome of critically ill patients following GLN substitution. By and large, these data support the concept of GLN substitution in critical illness. However, the definition of indications and dose-response relationships clearly require further clinical studies.

Cells, Cultured↗

Clinical outcome and quality of life after gastric and distal esophagus replacement with an ileocolon interposition.

Mainly because of the loss of reservoir function, loss of sphincter function, and exclusion of the duodenal route, patients who undergo gastrectomy suffer from many adverse effects postoperatively. The ileocecal interpositional graft is an attractive method to use as a gastric substitute after gastrectomy and distal esophagectomy. A pedunculated ileocecal graft is placed between the esophagus and the duodenum. The cecum acts as a reservoir while the ileocecal valve protects against enteroesophageal reflux. The duodenal passage is also preserved. Fourteen patients underwent this operation. The technique-related morbidity was low and the quality of life was good. During a mean follow-up of 6 months, no evidence of severe dumping syndrome or reflux esophagitis was observed. Further prospective randomized studies are warranted to compare this technique with the standard methods of gastric reconstruction.

Adult↗