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Biomedical subjects

G A Fielding

Publications and source records attributed to G A Fielding.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Acute pancreatitis and pancreatic fistula formation.

The cause, management and outcome of 23 patients with a pancreatic fistula following acute pancreatitis are reviewed. Nineteen patients developed an external fistula following necrosectomy or drainage of a pancreatic abscess or pseudocyst; four of these patients died. In the 15 survivors spontaneous closure occurred in 11 cases with low output fistulae; operative intervention was needed in the four cases with high output fistulae. Four patients with internal fistulae had not undergone previous surgery; two of them had a pancreaticopleural fistula with associated pancreaticogastric fistulae, while two had pancreatic ascites. All four of these patients required surgical intervention and one died.

Abscess↗

Management of gallstone pancreatitis.

The clinical course of 143 patients with gallstone pancreatitis is reviewed. Thirty-one patients (22%) had three or more positive prognostic factors on admission and 24 (77%) of these had a complicated course. Thirteen patients died, giving an overall mortality rate of 9%. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of performance and timing of surgery. In group 1 (n = 56), surgery was undertaken during the first admission with acute pancreatitis; eight of these patients had a complicated course and three died. In group 2 (n = 40), biliary surgery was deferred to a subsequent admission; none of these patients died but 10 experienced further attacks of pancreatitis while awaiting reoperation. Group 3 patients (n = 47) did not undergo surgery; nine patients were diagnosed as having gallstone pancreatitis for the first time at autopsy, five refused operation, seven were lost to follow-up, six were dealt with by endoscopic sphincterotomy, and in 20 cases surgery was not considered appropriate because of general debility or advanced age. Despite the zero mortality rate in group 2, it is advocated that biliary surgery be carried out during the index hospital admission. Endoscopic sphincterotomy can now be considered as an alternative to cholecystectomy and duct clearance in the elderly and unfit, and may be used as a preliminary manoeuvre when severe acute pancreatitis fails to settle promptly on conservative management.

Acute Disease↗

Two cases of pseudo-aneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery.

Pseudo-aneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery is a rare cause of bleeding-complicated pancreatitis. The use of computerized tomography and angiography lead to early diagnosis. The key to surgical treatment is arterial inflow occlusion prior to opening the aneurysm.

Adult↗

Homograft skin banking--current practices and future trends.

Homograft skin remains a very successful technique for covering major burns. This paper reviews current techniques of harvesting, microbiological testing, freezing and thawing of the skin, that lead to its optimal use. Recent advances, especially the use of homograft skin in combination with split skin and skin cultures, will add to the effectiveness of homograft skin application.

Burns↗

Skin necrosis secondary to meningococcal septicaemia in an adult.

A case of skin loss after meningococcal septicaemia is presented. This is a rare condition in adults and occurs after very severe infections. The skin loss is due to vasculitis, resulting from a combination of direct infection of the skin by Neisseria meningitidis, and an immunological reaction. Secondary infection frequently occurs under the eschar. Skin loss is treated by debridement and delayed split skin grafting.

Adolescent↗

Stapled marlex mesh abdominal closure for repeat laparotomy in pancreatic disease.

A series of seven cases of severe pancreatic disease have been managed by repeat laparotomy for debridement of necrotizing pancreatitis, drainage of abscesses or control of haemorrhage with stapled marlex mesh closure of the abdominal wall. The use of a stapled marlex mesh at first laparotomy provides for safe, expedient relaparotomy until sepsis or haemorrhage is controlled.

Aged↗

Blunt arterial injury.

A 5 year retrospective review of blunt arterial injuries at the Royal Brisbane Hospital revealed that delay in diagnosis had catastrophic effects on limb survival. Only 17 of 23 patients with arterial injury were diagnosed at the time of admission. No record of symptoms of limb ischaemia was made in 13 patients and no signs recorded in five. Eight limbs required amputation. Improved results should follow more accurate diagnosis at the time of admission.

Adolescent↗

Spontaneous neonatal renal vein thrombosis.

A case of spontaneous neonatal renal vein thrombosis is presented. A 1 week old, 36 week gestation, male child presented with gross haematuria and a large right flank mass. Investigations including intravenous pyelogram, ultrasound and venacavogram indicated the diagnosis. The child was clinically well, with normal renal and clotting function. No predisposing cause could be found. A conservative approach to treatment was undertaken in view of the normal renal function, and no evidence of consumptive coagulopathy or pulmonary emboli. The child remains well, but may require nephrectomy in the future.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Necrotizing pancreatitis: operating for life.

Infected necrotizing pancreatitis is the most fulminant variety of this disease. Colonic involvement and retroperitoneal fasciitis are particularly lethal. The reported mortality is up to 50%. The purpose of this study is to review our combined experience at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, to determine whether patient survival was related to a particular etiology, treatment, or complication. All patients treated since 1986 with infected pancreatitis who required surgical necrosectomy and then ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) were studied. There were 48 patients so managed. The median age of survivors was 52 years, and for those who died it was 64 years (p = 0.001). The etiology was gallstones in 22 and alcoholism in 12. Of the alcoholics, 11 survived and 1 died. Of the patients with gallstones, 13 survived and 9 died. There was an overall mortality of 31%. Survivors were in hospital for a median of 73 days, whereas deaths occurred after a median of 35 days (p = 0.04). Seven patients underwent hemofiltration; five survived, and two died. N-Acetylcysteine has been used in four patients, of whom three survived and one died. The abdomen was left open in 38 patients and kept closed in 10. Although Ranson's criteria at admission to the ICU did not predict survival, it was found that the median APACHE II score in survivors was significantly lower than in those who died (p = 0.025).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding for patients with body mass index of <or=35 kg/m2.

BACKGROUND: Many mild-to-moderately obese individuals (body mass index [BMI] 30-35 kg/m(2)) have serious diseases related to their obesity. Nonoperative therapy is ineffective in the long term, yet surgery has never been made widely available to this population. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2004, 93 patients with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m(2) underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding with the LAP-BAND. All patients were referred by their primary physician, entered into a comprehensive bariatric surgery program at one Australian center, and operated on by one surgeon. Data on all patients were collected prospectively and entered into an electronic registry. The study parameters included preoperative age, gender, BMI, presence of co-morbidities, percentage of excess weight loss, and resolution of co-morbidities. RESULTS: The mean age was 44.6 years (range 16-76), mean weight was 98 kg, and the mean BMI was 32.7 kg/m(2) (range 30-34). Of the 93 patients, 42 (45%) had co-morbidities, including asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea. The proportion of patients in follow-up was 79%, 85%, and 89% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The mean weight was reduced to 71 kg at 1 year, 72 kg at 2 years, and 72 kg at 3 years. The mean BMI was reduced to 27.2 +/- 2.2, 27.3 +/- 3.1, and 27.6 +/- 3.7 kg/m(2), respectively, and the mean percentage of excess weight loss was 57.9% +/- 24.5%, 57.6 +/- 29.3%, and 53.8% +/- 32.8% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. At 3 years, the BMI was 18-24 kg/m(2) in 34%, 25-29 kg/m(2) in 51%, and 30-35 kg/m(2) in 10%. At 3 years, the percentage of excess weight loss was <25% in 10%, 25-50% in 24%, 50-75% in 51%, and >75% in 10%. The co-morbidities improved or completely resolved in most patients. No mortality occurred. CONCLUSION: We are very encouraged by this series of low BMI patients treated with the LAP-BAND. Their weight loss has been good, the complications have been minimal, and the co-morbidities have partially or wholly resolved. With additional study, it is reasonable to expect the weight guidelines for bariatric surgery to be altered to include patients with a BMI of 30-35 kg/m(2).

Adolescent↗