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Biomedical subjects

F L Weakley

Publications and source records attributed to F L Weakley.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1990

Spontaneous mutation in familial adenomatous polyposis.

A retrospective review of the familial adenomatous polyposis registry at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation revealed an incidence of spontaneous mutation in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) of 22 percent of family kindreds. These patients were reviewed retrospectively and compared with the total FAP population followed at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation with respect to the onset of disease, the incidence of carcinoma in the resected colon, and incidence of extracolonic manifestations. Review of the characteristics and presentations of these patients suggested that these individuals may harbor a more severe form of FAP. This may be due, in part, to the delay in diagnosis and, therefore, a higher rate of development of colorectal carcinoma and possibly duodenal adenomas. There is also a demonstrable higher rate of extracolonic manifestations of FAP present in this subset of patients. When selecting the initial type of prophylactic colonic resection the surgeon should bear in mind the increased incidence of extracolonic manifestations of the disease in this group of patients and their potential for complications.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1990

Surgical treatment of enterovesical fistulas in Crohn's disease.

A review of the surgical treatment of enterovesical fistula in Crohn's disease was undertaken to evaluate its effectiveness and long-term results. Sixty-three patients, 39 men and 24 women, with a mean age of 34.4 years were identified with enterovesical fistula. They had documented Crohn's disease for a mean period of 7.0 years. Distribution of anatomic pattern was 34.9 percent ileal, 7.9 percent colonic, and 57.2 percent ileocolic. Nineteen (30.1 percent) had previous abdominal surgery for Crohn's disease. Presenting symptoms included frequency and dysuria in 93.6 percent, pneumaturia in 79.3 percent, and fecaluria in 63.4 percent; 60.3 percent of patients had all three features. Enterovesical fistula was confirmed preoperatively in 43 patients, suspected clinically in 15 patients, and diagnosed intraoperatively in 5 patients. Sixty-one of 63 patients underwent surgery with resection of the phlegmon or abscess with the diseased bowel and curettage or resection of the fistula. After curettage of the bladder defect, pelvic and bladder drainage was instituted. Coexistent fistulas, most commonly ileosigmoid, occurred in 31 patients. Intra-abdominal abscesses were found in 21 patients, of whom 15 required two-stage procedures. One patient died (mortality 1.6 percent), urine leak occurred in 3.2 percent, and wound infection occurred in 1.6 percent. Follow-up (mean, 106 months) has identified one recurrence of enterovesical fistula due to Crohn's disease, and a further recurrence from concomitant sigmoid diverticulitis. Enterocutaneous fistulas developed in 6.4 percent and 11 patients (17.4 percent) have required further resections for Crohn's disease. Surgical treatment of enterovesical fistula in Crohn's disease is a safe and effective treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

En bloc resection for contiguous upper abdominal invasion by adenocarcinoma of the colon.

Although en bloc resection for contiguous invasion by adenocarcinoma of the colon is a well-recognized principle, it is difficult to assess the efficacy of this principle when upper abdominal viscera are involved. This study was undertaken to better define this subgroup. Seventeen patients were studied over a period of 20 years who underwent extended resections for colonic adenocarcinoma with upper abdominal organ invasion. The age range was 30 to 81 years (average, 61 years). There was a male-to-female ratio of greater than 2:1. The duration of presenting symptoms was as short as 4 days and as long as 18 months (average, 4.3 months). The most common complaint was weight loss (13/17). The next most common complaints were abdominal pain (10/17), bowel complaints (5/17), and septic symptoms (4/17). A single organ was involved in 7 instances, but multiple organs were involved in most cases. The frequency of involvement was the stomach, spleen, and duodenum (5 each), abdominal wall and diaphragm (4 each), pancreas and liver (3 each). There were 2 perioperative deaths and 9 other major complications. The most common cause of morbidity and mortality was septic in nature in 8 of the 11 instances. All 3 patients with pancreatic resections had postoperative complications; none were fatal. Five patients survived over 10 years, three were 5-year survivors, and two are living and free of disease at less than 5 years. Excluding the two perioperative deaths, four of the five patients who died in less than 5 years had documented recurrences.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1988

Spontaneous resolution of rectal polyps in patients with familial polyposis following abdominal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis.

One hundred sixteen patients were reviewed after abdominal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) for familial polyposis to determine the rate of postoperative spontaneous regression of rectal polyps. The failure of the IRA procedure was correlated with the preoperative number of rectal polyps and the degree of rectal polyp regression. Spontaneous resolution of rectal polyps occurred in 64 percent of the patients (complete 38 percent, partial 26 percent). In those patients initially having complete resolution, 55 percent redeveloped polyps during follow-up. With a mean follow-up of 9.3 years, seven patients have developed rectal cancer. Rectal cancer development was more common in those patients who had innumerable rectal polyps prior to IRA. Initial polyp regression did not preclude later development of rectal cancer. There were 11 deaths during the follow-up period, but only one of these was from rectal cancer. Abdominal colectomy and IRA is an effective treatment for familial polyposis. Spontaneous regression of polyps occurred in 64 percent of patients, but continuous and complete follow-up is necessary to fulgurate recurrent polyps and to screen for the development of cancer.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗
PubMed1988

Efficacy of pelvic packing in maintaining hemostasis after rectal excision for cancer.

In a retrospective study, the records of 95 patients who underwent rectal resection for carcinoma were reviewed to assess the efficacy and complications of pelvic packing for hemorrhage. Heavier blood loss was noted with fixed tumors, where preoperative radiation had been given, or there had been previous pelvic surgery, compared with situations where these factors were absent. Three patients died from myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolus, and renal failure, respectively. No patients required further hemostatic measures after pack removal. Perineal wound infection or delayed perineal wound healing occurred in 22 percent and abdominal wound infection in 6 percent of the patients. There were no instances of anastomotic leak, abdominal abscess, or pelvic abscess requiring laparotomy for treatment in this series. Pelvic packing is a safe, simple, and effective procedure for patients with problematic pelvic bleeding after rectal resection.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1988

Internal fistulas in diverticular disease.

Internal fistulas in diverticular disease are uncommon and have a reputation of being difficult to treat. Eighty four patients treated from 1960 to April 1986, representing 20.4 percent (84 of 412) of the surgically treated diverticular disease patients, were reviewed. Eight patients had multiple fistulas. Sixty-five percent (60 to 92) of fistulas were colovesical, 25 percent (23 of 92) colovaginal, 6.5 percent (6 of 92) coloenteric, and 3 percent (3 of 92) colouterine fistulas. There were 66 percent (35 of 53) males and 34 percent (18 of 53) females with colovesical fistulas only. Hysterectomies had been performed in 50 percent (12 of 24) and 83 percent (19 of 23) of females with colovesical and colovaginal fistulas, respectively. Operative management included: resection anastomosis, resection with anastomosis and diversion, Hartmann procedure, and three-stage procedure. In the latter half of the series there was a significant decrease in staging procedures with no significant statistical difference in complications. There were three deaths (3.5 percent) in the series. Other complications included: wound infection, 21 percent (18 of 84), enterocutaneous fistula, 1 percent (4 of 84), and anastomotic dehiscence, 5 percent (4 of 84). Primary anastomosis can be performed with acceptable morbidity and mortality and today is the procedure of choice, leaving staging procedures to selected patients.

Colonic Diseases↗
PubMed1988

Catheter drainage of ischiorectal abscesses.

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 55 patients with ischiorectal abscesses treated from 1980 to 1983 at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. The patients were treated by placement of a 10F to 16F soft latex mushroom catheter into the abscess cavity under local anesthesia as an office procedure. The end of the catheter was shortened to leave 2 to 3 cm exiting the skin, and a bandage was applied. No sutures or irrigations were used, and the drains were removed an average of 12 days after placement. Antibiotics were not given. The patients ranged in age from 17 to 76 years (mean, 40 years) and 36% were female. Four patients had diabetes, and eight had a history of inflammatory bowel disease. Nine patients had been treated previously for anorectal abscesses. There were no complications. Adequate follow-up was obtainable in 31 patients (ten to 63 months; mean, 30 months). Eight of them (26%) were subsequently treated for fistulas found after resolution of the abscess, and an additional eight (26%) had a second abscess form during the follow-up period. The average time to this recurrence was 20 months. Catheter drainage of ischiorectal abscess in selected cases resulted in healing with low morbidity and significant cost savings.

Abscess↗
PubMed1988

Anal sphincter repair: a report of 60 cases and review of the literature.

This is a retrospective review of 58 patients undergoing surgery for anal incontinence at the Cleveland Clinic. Forty-four patients had overlapping sphincter repairs, nine had postanal repairs, three had a combination of overlapping repair and postanal repair and two had Silastic slings. An associated loop colostomy or ileostomy was performed in 19 patients (33%). Satisfactory continence was attained in 86% of patients with direct sphincter injury (overlapping sphincter repairs) and this is comparable with the experience of others. These results with the postanal repair for patients with neurogenic incontinence were poor, however, as four of the nine were complete failures. Poor results were directly related to the age of the patient (P less than 0.0001) and the duration of incontinence (P less than 0.02). It was concluded that direct sphincter injury (obstetric, operative or traumatic) is effectively treated by an overlapping sphincter repair. Incontinence secondary to a degenerative neuropathy affecting the anal sphincter mechanism, however, whether it occurs in conjunction with a pre-existing sphincter injury or alone, is often not cured by surgery, that is, by postanal repair.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The outcome of loop ileostomy closure in 293 cases.

Our experience with closure of loop ileostomies between the years 1975-1986 was reviewed. Ninety-three percent of stoma closures were done by simple transverse suture. The overall complication rate was 17%. Of the early postoperative complications (13%), the major complication was small bowel obstruction especially in patients where the stoma was protecting a pelvic ileal reservoir. Abdominal septic complications (postclosure) were rare (1%). These were generally caused by unrecognized enteric tears during the mobilization of the stoma rather than anastomotic leakage. A careful operative technique is required. The wound infection rate after healing by both secondary intention and primary skin closure was low (3%) and mainly superficial. Only one incisional hernia was observed in the late postoperative period. In three patients a posterior rectus sheath defect at the stoma site was found incidentally at laparotomy, without clinical evidence of an incisional hernia. Closure of a loop ileostomy is a safe operation with a low morbidity. In patients with a previous total colectomy there was a significant risk of small bowel obstruction after ileostomy closure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

The long-term outcome in Crohn's disease.

The long-term outcome of Crohn's disease was reviewed in 139 patients who were treated at the Cleveland Clinic for a minimum of 15 years. At the time of diagnosis, 38 (27 percent), 39 (28 percent) and 62 (43 percent) patients had small-bowel, large-bowel, and ileocolic patterns of disease, respectively. The disease progressed with time and, eventually, 104 (75 percent) patients had ileocolic disease. One hundred twenty-two patients (88 percent) underwent at least one definitive operation for the disease. Forty-four (32 percent) patients had proctocolectomies and 65 (47 percent) have ileostomies. Associated manifestations of Crohn's disease occurred in a high proportion of patients; perianal disease in 78 (56 percent), intestinal fistulas in 45 (32 percent), extraintestinal disease in 49 (35 percent). Six patients died of causes directly related to the disease. Specific complications tend to occur at definite times in the course of the disease. Crohn's disease is not a benign condition. There is a relentless progression of the disease and a high incidence of complications when patients are followed over a long period.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Surgery for ulcerative colitis in the pediatric population. Indications, treatment, and follow-up.

To evaluate the outcome of surgery for ulcerative colitis in pediatric and adolescent patients, the experience at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation was reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-nine percent of the patients presented with acute toxic colitis and sepsis; 94 percent underwent staged procedures with creation of a temporary or permanent ileostomy. Sepsis was the most frequent postoperative complication (38 percent), and accounted for all three deaths (5 percent). Long-term disability was minimal, and 90 percent of the patients were fully active at the time of follow-up.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Colocutaneous fistulas complicating diverticulitis.

The records of 93 patients with colocutaneous fistulas associated with diverticulitis treated at the Cleveland Clinic between 1965 and 1983 were reviewed. There were 56 males and 37 females with an age range of 19 to 80 years (median, 57 years). Eighty-eight fistulas followed surgery for diverticulitis while five developed spontaneously. The presence of a diverting stoma in 34 patients did not prevent fistula formation but did decrease morbidity (x2 = 12.75, P less than 0.001). Initial investigations showed a high incidence of recent weight loss (in 40 percent) and hypoalbuminemia (47 percent), although these factors did not influence outcome. Patients with high output (greater than 200 cc/day) fistulas (n = 9) fared significantly worse than those with low outputs. There were 28 patients with fistulas to other organs, 20 involving small bowel. Factors leading to persistence of the fistulas included sepsis (42 cases) and sigmoid colon distal to an intended colorectal anastomosis (38 cases). Ninety-two patients underwent surgery, 80 percent having a one- or two-stage resection and anastomosis. There was one postoperative death and complications occurred in 44 patients (48 percent). Surgery was successful in producing patients without stoma or fistula in 71 cases (77 percent). There were five recurrent fistulas, 14 new fistulas, and 13 patients retained their stomas. A diagnosis of Crohn's disease was made in ten patients who had a high rate of complicated fistulas, recurrent fistulas, and retained stomas. Patients with carcinomas (n = 5) also did poorly, but those on systemic steroids (n = 7) fared no worse than patients not receiving them. This study emphasizes the role of diversion of the fecal stream in reducing the morbidity of colonic fistulas. It is clearly important to carry out a true colorectal anastomosis after resection for diverticulitis, and in patients with unusually complicated clinical courses, the diagnosis of Crohn's disease should be entertained.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Definitive management of rectal cancer by contact (endocavitary) irradiation.

In a retrospective review, 62 patients treated for rectal cancer by contact (endocavitary) irradiation at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation were analyzed. This treatment modality delivers high dose, low penetration irradiation to a rectal cancer by direct contact of a 50 KV x-ray source through a special proctoscope. Cancers selected for this treatment include small (3 cm or less), mobile tumors without presacral lymphadenopathy that are within reach of digital examination and are well- or moderately well-differentiated adenocarcinomas. Between 1973 and 1984, 62 patients (37 males, 25 females) were treated--46 by contact irradiation alone and 16 by contact irradiation after excisional biopsy. The median tumor dose was 12,000 rads administered in four fractions at monthly intervals. Mean follow-up was 31 months. Fifty-six patients (90 percent) were disease-free at the time of review or death (ten died from unrelated causes). Eleven patients (18 percent) developed local recurrence but eight of these without distant metastases were rendered disease-free by other treatment--six by surgical resection and two by further radiotherapy. Mean time since secondary treatment is 20 months. Three patients are alive with incurable disease and three have died from cancer--in three of these six patients there was no evidence of local disease. Ulcerated tumors developed local recurrence in five of 17 cases (29 percent) while polypoid tumors recurred locally in six cases (14 percent). Morbidity from the treatment was minor in nature. It is suggested that contact (endocavitary) irradiation is effective treatment for carefully selected cases of rectal cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Single-dose piperacillin versus cefoxitin combined with 10 percent mannitol bowel preparation as prophylaxis in elective colorectal operations.

A prospective, randomized study was utilized to compare the effectiveness of a single dose of preoperative piperacillin versus triple-dose cefoxitin in prophylaxis for elective colorectal operations. All patients received a simple 1 day mechanical bowel preparation using 10 percent mannitol preparation administered orally. Ninety-four patients were entered into the study. Septic complications occurred in 9 percent of the piperacillin patients and in 12 percent of the cefoxitin patients.

Cathartics↗
PubMed1987

Colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis for familial adenomatous polyposis: the risk of rectal cancer.

One hundred thirty-three patients with familial adenomatous polyposis undergoing colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis have been reviewed for the occurrence of cancer in the rectal stump. Ten patients developed rectal cancer (Actuarial survivorship rate of 88% for those patients free of rectal cancer at 20 years). Potential risk factors for the development of rectal cancer, including age at colectomy, previous colon cancer, number of rectal polyps, and length of the rectal stump, were analyzed and no significant differences were found. A policy of total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis at 12 to 15 cm with conscientious lifelong follow-up thereafter is advocated for persons affected by familial adenomatous polyposis.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed1987

Rectourethral fistulas in Crohn's disease.

Rectourethral fistula is an uncommon complication of Crohn's disease. When the rectum is apparently spared of active Crohn's disease, repair by an advancement flap of the rectum may be used, with or without temporary fecal diversion. Three such fistulas were reported successfully using this technique.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

The results of surgical treatment of cancer of the colon at the Cleveland Clinic from 1965-1975: classification of the spread of colon cancer and long-term survival.

Between the years 1965-1975, 564 patients underwent surgical treatment for cancer of the colon. The primary tumour was removed in 502 patients (89%) in all cases with a "no touch isolation" technique. The 5-year survival rate corrected for age was 64% in 546 operative survivors, and 82% in 413 patients operated with intent to cure. Survival analyses are presented classifying the spread of the tumour by the clinico-pathological method of Turnbull, the TNM method, the Astler-Coller method, Dukes' method. The results suggest that the Astler-Coller classification offers no advantage over that of Dukes' when predicting survival for patients after operation for cure, and that separating those patients considered to have evidence of invasion of an adjacent organ at operation (Turnbull's classification) from those patients without evidence of contiguous growth, is only justified if invasion of cancer is confirmed by histological examination of the resected specimen.

Adult↗