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Biomedical subjects

G Fourtanier

Publications and source records attributed to G Fourtanier.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

[Nutritional status of patients with digestive system cancer: preoperative prognostic significance].

We have attempted to establish a prognostic nutritional index prospectively in 633 patients with digestive carcinoma making it possible to predict tumor resectability and occurrence of postoperative complications. The following factors were studied prior to surgery: age, sex, weight loss index, triceps skinfold thickness, midarm circumference, lymphocyte count, plasma albumin, transferrin and prealbumin levels, delayed hypersensitivity as investigated by 8 skin tests. The prognostic nutritional index was calculated using Mullen's formula. Unidimensional and multidimensional studies (linear discriminant and logistic discriminant analyses with partial correlations) were used for the statistical analysis. Mortality was 6,7 p. 100 while 16,2 p. 100 of patients presented a postoperative complication. The following variables showed a significant correlation with the resectability of the tumour: weight loss (p less than 0.0001), triceps skinfold thickness (p less than 0.01), midarm circumference (p less than 0.01), total lymphocyte count (p less than 0.01), plasma transferrin (p less than 0.01), delayed hypersensitivity (p less than 0.05). In the occurrence of postoperative complications there was a statistically significant value only to weight loss (p less than 0.001) and delayed hypersensitivity (p less than 0.05). Logistic discriminant analysis gave a linear model predicting tumor resectability in 78 p. 100 of patients and postoperative complications in 86 p. 100 of patients in which weight loss and delayed hypersensitivity were statistically significant. No prognostic value of Mullen's index was found. This study shows that assessment of the preoperative nutritional status of patients with gastrointestinal cancer makes it possible to predict tumor resectability and postoperative complications.

Age Factors↗

[Efficacy of hyperselective vagotomy on duodenal ulcer. 284 cases].

Two hundred and eighty-four patients who underwent highly selective vagotomy for duodenal or prepyloric ulcer were followed up for at least 1 year, and 47.9% of them for at least 5 years (mean : 58 months). The actuarial recurrence rates were 4.7% at 3 years, 9.6% at 5 years and 13.1% at 7 years. These results do not agree with the recently published figure of 20%. The authors insist on the necessity to dissect the lower oesophagus on a length of at least 5 cm. In duodenal ulcers, this technical detail should result in a cure rate of about 90% at 5 years.

Actuarial Analysis↗

[Horizontal laparotomy in biliary tract surgery].

For operations on the biliary tract the transverse horizontal incision has the same advantages as the subcostal approach: strong abdominal wall, little influence on ventilation and wide access to the subhepatic region. But in addition, the abdominal wall nerves are preserved as much as possible, post-operative evisceration, it is occurs, can easily be repaired and subsequent surgery can be performed using the same route.

Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures↗

[Effects of cholecystectomy on functional signs associated with cholelithiasis].

Two hundred hospital patients with gallstones who had been cholecystectomized on account of typical biliary colics were investigated for migraine, headache, malaise, vertigo, flatulence, diarrhoea or constipation 2, 6, 12 and 24 months after the operation. The study showed that these symptoms are common in patients with biliary lithiasis, particularly women, and that their frequency increases with the duration of the disease. The beneficial effects of cholecystectomy are uncertain and appear to decrease with time ; only 30% of the patients seemed to improve after surgery. It is concluded that these symptoms betray real functional disorders, that cholecystectomy is not the appropriate treatment for them and that any improvement observed may be credited to the placebo effects of the operation.

Adult↗

Choledochoscopy in common bile duct surgery for choledocholithiasis: A must: Eight years experience in 441 consecutive patients.

Between 1975 and 1983, 441 choledochoscopy were performed in a series of 451 consecutive patients undergoing surgical common biliary duct exploration for choledocholithiasis. In 127 patients (27.8%), no stones were found. Forty-five cases (10%) of choledocholithiasis missed by surgical and radiologic exploration methods were found by choledochoscopy. Therefore the retained stone rate decreased from 10 per cent to 2 per cent. Fourteen patients (3%) died at surgery, ten of whom (2%) were over 70. Postoperative biliary tract was drained in 98 patients (8%) using external drainage. Biliary tract patency was checked on the tenth postoperative day by the tube cholangiography. When retained stones were not found, T-tube was removed on the 20th day after surgery. When retained stones were found (11 patients, 2%) an endoscopic papillotomy was performed. Choledochoscopy is a significant addition in biliary surgery. It reduces operative mortality and morbidity, decreases retained stone rate, diminishes indications for biliary anastomosis and sphincterotomy, and is easy to perform without specific training. Its extensive and systematic use is advocated when- ever common bile duct patency has to be surgically demonstrated in choledocholithiasis.

Adult↗

[Scanographic diagnosis of a localized form of Caroli's disease].

The authors report a case of Caroli's disease, localized in the left hepatic lobe without any associated abnormality. Preoperative diagnosis of such localized forms is actually possible by the use of non invasive methods, especially computed tomography. This diagnosis is important leading to a curative surgical treatment.

Bile Duct Diseases↗

Choledochoscopy in surgery for choledocholithiasis. Six year experience in 380 consecutive patients.

Choledochoscopy is a definite advance in biliary surgery as it simplifies the operative procedure and decreases the retained stone rate. Easy to perform without special training, its use is cost-effective. Therefore, we agree with Kappes et al [10] recommendation that routine intraoperative biliary endoscopy be performed in all patients undergoing common bile duct exploration.

Adolescent↗

[Aorto-enteric and paraprosthetic fistulas. Apropos of 5 cases].

Five cases of aorto-enteric fistula (AEF) are reported. The first case was a primary AEF from rupture of the infrarenal section of the abdominal aorta treated successfully by an obliteration and graft. The second patient had a primary AEF from rupture of an abdominal aorta aneurysm, complicated after an obliteration and graft of the primary AEF, requiring excision of the graft and an extra-anatomical shunt (EAS): healing following parenteral hypernutrition. The third case, a patient with a primary AEF from rupture of an aortic adventitial cyst in the left colon, died from septic complications. The fourth case died with heart rhythm disorders on the 4th day after resection and EAS for an aortic fistula. The fifth patient had a secondary AEF with cataclysmic digestive hemorrhage: excision of the graft with digestive closure and aortofemoral bypass did not prevent a fatal outcome on the 20 th day. Digestive hemorrhage and septic signs may be combined or occur as isolated complications. The most valid complementary investigation is fibroscopy, bacteriological culture of arterial blood distal to the prosthesis having an orientation value. Ultrasound, computed tomography or Gallium scintigraphy imaging may detect a retroperitoneal abscess. Effective treatment of all aneurysms can prevent primary AEF and avoidance of infection and interpositioning of viable tissue between duodenum and anastomotic line reduce the risk of secondary AEF. Maximum chances of success require aggressive surgery: aortic ligature; excision of all septic material and duodenal closure or segmental digestive resection with discharge of proximal pocket. Lower limb ischemia is treated by insertion of an EAS.

Aged↗

[Surgery of biliary lithiasis in patients over 75 years of age. Apropos of 139 cases].

The authors report the results of the surgical removal of bilestones in 139 patients over 75 years of age, taken from a series of 1 179 cases. The low mortality (4.3%) and morbidity rates are due to a non-aggressive protocol, especially in the treatment of choledocholithiasis. They conclude that advanced age does not necessarily imply a need for systematic alteration of the therapeutic approach.

Age Factors↗