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Biomedical subjects

G Kootstra

Publications and source records attributed to G Kootstra.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Horseshoe kidney transplantation: an overview.

The horseshoe kidney is the most common anatomical renal variation. It represents a fusion anomaly, mainly at the lower poles, occurring between the 4th and 6th week of gestation. Horseshoe kidneys display a great variation in origin, number and size of the vasculature. Transplantation of these deviant kidneys can be done en bloc or they can be split into two halves and transplanted into two recipients, depending on the number of vessels and the anatomy of the urinary collecting system. A literature review reveals 31 case histories, published between 1975 and 1998. Of these 21 were transplanted into 38 recipients after division and ten were implanted en bloc. Nineteen grafts (41%) showed immediate function and 21 grafts (46%) showed delayed function. Thrombosis and acute rejection, leading to non-function was seen in six grafts (13%). The overall success rate was 87%) with a mean follow-up of 22 months. The results of horseshoe kidney transplantation are good. provided that attention is paid to certain technical details. Because of donor scarcity, horseshoe kidneys should be used for transplantation.

Graft Survival↗

[General surgery in Paramaribo University Hospital].

Specific health problems in Surinam include high prevalence of infections, mostly gastrointestinal infections in young children, malaria and injuries due to violence. The public health care and medical and surgical training are hampered by a lack of funds, as are most things in the country. Relatively much of the surgery in Paramaribo University Hospital in 1991-1998 was performed because of complications of a diabetic foot (128.17%) and breast lesions (76.10%). No scientific research is being carried out either in the hospital or at the faculty of Anton de Kom University. Retrospective registration of operations may give a new impulse to scientific research.

Academic Medical Centers↗

[Gastrointestinal surgery and gastroenterology. II. Transplantation of pancreas].

In patients with type I diabetes mellitus, adequate blood glucose control prevents the development or aggravation of late complications. Apart from administration of insulin, transplantation of insulin-producing tissue is also a possibility. Transplantation of Langerhans islets which contain the insulin-producing beta cells is still in its initial phase. Transplantation of the entire pancreas received a boost in the mid-eighties when it became possible to drain the secretion of the exocrine part of the pancreas to the bladder using the duodenum. Other important steps forward were prevention and treatment of rejection and improvement of the preservation fluid. Because pancreas transplantation makes lifelong immunosuppression necessary, it is performed mainly in patients subjected to kidney transplantation because of terminal renal failure. The one-year survival of the patients after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation increased to over 90%, that of the grafted pancreas to 82% and that of the grafted kidney to 86-90%. The one-year survival after transplantation of the pancreas alone increased to 62%. A successful pancreas transplantation leads to independence from insulin treatment and to normal glucose and HbA1c values. Pancreas transplantation also reduces diabetes nephropathy and progression of coronary sclerosis.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1↗

Kidney preservation in the next millenium.

For the past decades, severe hypothermia has represented the foundation of organ preservation in clinical transplantation. Beneficial as hypothermia has proven to be in preserving grafts from heart-beating donors, hypothermia does not seem to provide the window necessary for the prospective evaluation of organ function. With the increasing use of non-heart-beating donors, it is logical to propose that if organs are to be evaluated prospectively, it will be necessary to preserve them at warmer temperatures. Since both glomerular and tubular functions are inhibited at temperatures below 18 degrees C, such a goal will necessitate organ preservation at a temperature above 20 degrees C. The principle of preservation at warmer temperatures is not new, but with future developments and approaches, successful realization appears within reach. In this overview, a brief history of previous attempts at warm preservation, in the context of the current status of kidney preservation, is presented. Future developments and approaches, with the potential for prospective testing of the function and enhanced resistance to ischemic damage, will be discussed.

Animals↗

The value of dextran 12,000 in ischemically damaged canine kidneys during machine perfusion.

The use of non-heartbeating (NHB) donor kidneys has led to the search for new methods of viability-testing. We investigated, in a canine model, the relationship between the filtration of dextran 12, 000 into urine and a certain period of warm ischemic time (WIT) during machine perfusion. Twenty-four canine kidneys were divided into three groups, sustaining 0 min, 30 min or 60 min of WIT. After cooling and flushing, the kidneys were perfused on a perfusion machine for 8 h. Three hundred milligrams of dextran 12,000 was added to the perfusate. In the perfusate, dextran and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations were measured. Dextran concentrations were also analysed in urine. Intrarenal vascular resistance (IRR) was calculated from pressure and flow characteristics. The 30WIT group showed a higher dextran excretion rate than the other two groups. IRR and LDH measurements showed lower levels in the ischemic groups compared with the control group. Dextran 12,000 is not suitable as a viability test but does show interesting results regarding the low LDH and IRR levels in the ischemic groups.

Animals↗

Open or laparoscopic preperitoneal mesh repair for recurrent inguinal hernia? A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Giant prosthetic reinforcement of the visceral sac (GPRVS), an open preperitoneal mesh repair, is a very effective groin hernia repair. Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP), based on the same principle, is expected to combine low recurrence rates with minimal postoperation morbidity. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with 93 recurrent and 15 concomitant primary inguinal hernias were randomized between GPRVS (37 patients) and TAPP (42 patients). Operating time, complications, pain, analgesia use, disability period, and recurrences were recorded. RESULTS: Mean operating time was 56 min with GPRVS versus 79 min with TAPP (p < 0. 001). Most complications were minor, except for a pulmonary embolus and an ileus, both after GPRVS. Patients experienced less pain after a laparoscopic repair. Average disability period was 23 days with GPRVS versus 13 days with TAPP (p = 0.03) for work, and 29 versus 21 days, respectively (p = 0.07) for physical activities. Recurrence rates at a mean follow-up of 34 months were 1 in 52 (1.9%) for GPRVS versus 7 in 56 (12.5%) for TAPP (p = 0.04). Hospital costs in U.S. dollars were comparable, with GPRVS at $1,150 and TAPP at $1,179. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic repair of recurrent inguinal hernia has a lower morbidity than GPRVS. However, laparoscopic repair is a difficult operation, and the potential technical failure rate is higher. With regard to recurrence rates, the open preperitoneal prosthetic mesh repair remains the best repair.

Adult↗

[In-situ preservation of kidneys of 'non-heart-beating' donors: a possible way to offset the shortage of donor kidneys].

Every year some 700 new patients and 150 patients in whom a transplanted kidney is no longer functioning are placed on the waiting list for kidney transplantation. Per year some 400 cadaver kidneys and 100 kidneys from relatives and partners are transplanted in the Netherlands, resulting in an annual shortage of 350 kidneys. By 'non-heart-beating donor' is meant a subject deceased after cardiac arrest, in contradiction to the brain-dead donor. In non-heart-beating donors it is possible via a catheter in the inguinal artery to occlude the aorta above and below the kidney level, following which the kidneys may be perfused with a refrigerated fluid and preserved. In this way, time is gained to obtain consent for transplantation from the relatives or to find it in the donor registration. A kidney originating from a non-heart-beating donor relatively often starts to function only late after transplantation, or even does not begin to function at all. Nevertheless, the number of kidneys becoming available in this way suffices to eliminate the current shortage of donor kidneys. The Organ Donation Law allows cooling of the kidneys in the cadaver in expectation of consent for organ donation. It appears necessary to carry out a test of kidneys of non-heart-beating donors to avoid transplantation of non-viable kidneys.

Brain Death↗

Do retrospective and prospective quality of life assessments differ for pancreas-kidney transplant recipients?

The literature indicates that chronically ill patients have a remarkable capacity to adapt to their illness. For example, they will generally report a better quality of life (QoL) than individuals in the general population who are asked to imagine themselves as chronically ill and to rate their QoL. The present study further explores this phenomenon in type I diabetic transplant recipients with end-stage renal disease. In a prospective, longitudinal study, we assessed the QoL in 22 patients, both before and after they received a combined pancreas-kidney transplant. After transplantation, the patients were also asked to assess their pretransplant QoL by rating it on a 10-point scale. What we found was that prior to transplantation, QoL was prospectively given a mean rating of 5.23; this score increased to 7 after a successful transplant procedure. During follow-up assessments 5, 12, and 18 months after successful transplantation, patients retrospectively scored their pretransplant QoL as 3.27, 3.14, and 3.05, respectively. We conclude that when type I diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease undergo a transplant procedure to improve their health status, they re-evaluate their pretransplant QoL, and this retrospective assessment is significantly lower than their prospective one when transplantation is successful.

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice↗

Outcome of machine-perfused non-heart-beating donor kidneys, not allocated within the Eurotransplant area.

UNLABELLED: Eleven non-heart-beating (NHB) donor kidneys considered vital during machine perfusion (MP), could not be allocated inside Eurotransplant (ET). With the help of ET, five kidneys were transplanted in Karachi and six in Basel. Our goal was to prove that NHB kidneys successfully passing MP viability tests can be transplanted safely. METHODS: Donor age, serum creatinine (some post-mortem) and warm ischaemic time were, respectively, (mean and range): 44 (14-70) years, 137 mumol/l, and 44 (9-80) min. Reasons for refusal were: bold ureter (one), suboptimal flush (one), relatively long hypotensive phase (seven), and donor age of 70 years (two). After 8 h of MP, mean lactate dehydrogenase, intrarenal resistance and alpha glutathione S-transferase were (including range): 556 U/l (range 366-819 U/l), 0.86 mmHg/ml per min (0.41-1.15 mmHg/ml per min) and 1188 micrograms/l (575-2677 micrograms/l), respectively. Mean cold ischaemic time was 45 (range 28-72) h. RESULTS: Two kidneys showed immediate function, and nine showed delayed function. Mean creatinine levels after 1, 3 and 6 months were 295, 200 and 206 mumol/l, respectively. Four patients died for reasons not related to their kidney transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: We claim that MP can successfully assess viability of NHB donor kidneys. The reluctance to accept MP, and judged vital, NHB donor kidneys is not longer justified.

Adolescent↗

Low-level laser therapy in ankle sprains: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of low-level laser therapy on lateral ankle sprains as an addition to a standardized treatment regimen, a trial was conducted in which high-dose laser (5J/cm2), low-dose laser (0.5J/cm2), and placebo laser therapy (0J/cm2) at skin level were compared. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial with a follow-up of 1 year. Patients, therapists, assessors, and analysts were blinded to the assigned treatment. SETTING: An ambulatory care setting. PATIENTS: After informed consent and verification of exclusion criteria, 217 patients with acute lateral ankle sprains were randomized to three groups from September 1, 1993, through December 31, 1995. INTERVENTIONS: Twelve treatments of 904nm laser therapy in 4 weeks as an adjunct to a standardized treatment regimen of 4 weeks of brace therapy combined with standardized home exercises and advice. The laser therapy device used was a 904nm Ga-As laser, with 25-watt peak power and 5,000 or 500Hz frequency, a pulse duration of 200nsec, and an irradiated area of 1cm2. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain and function as reported by the patient. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analysis of the short-term results showed no statistically significant difference on the primary outcome measure, pain (p = .41), although the placebo group showed slightly less pain. Function was significantly better in the placebo group at 10 days (p = .01) and 14 days (p = .03) after randomization. The placebo group also performed significantly better on days of sick leave (p = .02) and at some points for hindrance in activities in daily life and pressure pain, as well as subjective recovery (p = .05). Intention-to-treat analysis showed that total days of absenteeism from work and sports were remarkably lower in the placebo group than in the laser groups, ranging from 3.7 to 5.3 and 6 to 8 days, respectively. The total number of relapses at 1 year in the low-dose laser group (n = 22) was significantly higher (p = .04) than in the other two groups (high laser, n = 13; placebo, n = 13). Subgroup analysis to correct for possible confounders did not alter these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Neither high- nor low-dose laser therapy is effective in the treatment of lateral ankle sprains.

Adult↗

Cost-effectiveness of open versus laparoscopic repair for primary inguinal hernia.

A cost-effectiveness (CE) analysis was performed of Bassini versus laparoscopic repair for primary inguinal hernia. Incremental costs per 1-year recurrence-free patient were calculated for the societal and hospital perspective. From the hospital perspective, the incremental CE ratio of laparoscopic repair is 5.348 guilders. From the societal perspective, laparoscopic repair is both less costly and more effective than Bassini repair. Results were sensitive to assumptions about recurrence rates, laparoscopic operating time, and return to work. Laparoscopic repair should replace Bassini repair in order to benefit society. From the hospital perspective, the decision to accept laparoscopic repair depends on the willingness to pay.

Adult↗

Bassini repair compared with laparoscopic repair for primary inguinal hernia: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of open and laparoscopic primary inguinal hernia repair. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: University hospital, The Netherlands. SUBJECTS: 87 patients had 103 open repairs and 88 patients had 114 laparoscopic repairs between November 1993 and July 1995. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic repair by the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) technique and open repair by the Bassini technique. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recurrence, morbidity, pain, and duration of convalescence. RESULTS: Operating time was longer for laparoscopy (mean (SD): 82 (28) compared with 45 (15) minutes p < 0.001). Patients in the Bassini group had higher postoperative pain scores (mean (SD)VAS: 2.9 (1.6) compared with 2.0 (1.6) p=0.002), used more analgesics (median total intake: 2 (0-54) compared with 0 tablets (0-42) p=0.008), and needed a longer convalescence time (mean (SD) time to return to work: 22 (12.6) compared with 14 (10.1) days p < 0.001; mean (SD) time to return to physical activities: 27 (12.6) compared with 17 (12.2) days p < 0.001). Mean follow up was 24 months. Recurrence rates were 21% (22/ 103) after Bassini and 6% (7/114) after laparoscopic repair (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic hernia repair is a safe operation, which has obvious advantages over the Bassini repair in terms of pain, use of analgesic drugs, resumption of activities, and recurrence. A disadvantage of the laparoscopic repair is the longer operating time.

Analgesics↗

Non-heartbeating donors: are they worth the effort?

This review on non-heartbeating donation focusses on three issues: the number of kidneys procured from a non-heartbeating donor programme, the transplant results and the influence of a non-heartbeating programme on public opinion regarding transplantation.

Cadaver↗

Glutathione S-transferase as predictor of functional outcome in transplantation of machine-preserved non-heart-beating donor kidneys.

Non-heart-beating (NHB) donors are a valuable source of kidneys for transplantation. The organs, however, sustain substantial warm ischemic damage that may jeopardize the transplantability and result in nonfunction of the grafts. Quantification of warm ischemic time (WIT) and prediction of transplant outcome are essential for the use of NHB donor organs. During machine preservation (MP) the viability of NHB donor kidneys was evaluated through calculating intrarenal vascular resistance and determining lactate dehydrogenase and alpha-glutathione S-transferase (alphaGST) in the perfusate. Thirty-seven functioning (F) and nine nonfunctioning kidneys (NF) were compared. WIT was longer in NF; serum creatinine, donor age, and preservation time were not different. WIT correlated well with alphaGST after 4 and 8 hr of MP (r=0.353, P=0.009, and r=0.346, P=0.011, respectively). When compared with F, intrarenal vascular resistance was increased in NF after 4 and 8 hr of perfusion (P<0.05); at all time points, alphaGST levels were elevated in NF (P<0.05). Lactate dehydrogenase activity was not different between the groups, but could identify immediate functioning grafts within the F group. In conclusion, alphaGST levels correlated strongly with WIT and were also able to distinguish NF from F grafts. alphaGST can adequately predict the functional outcome of NHB donor grafts before transplantation; levels of alphaGST can be used to define reliable safety margins for viability. Therefore, MP is useful in evaluating the viability of NHB donor kidneys, and the parameters discussed will help to select nonviable grafts from this valuable pool of kidneys for transplantation.

Adult↗

Effect of machine perfusion preservation on delayed graft function in non-heart-beating donor kidneys--early results.

The functioning of non-heart-beating (NHB) donor kidneys upon transplantation is often delayed. To evaluate the effect of preservation by machine perfusion (MP) on early post-transplant function, 37 NHB donor kidneys were compared to 74 matched heart-beating (HB) donor kidneys preserved by cold storage (CS). The NHB donor kidneys were subject to 49 +/- 34 min of warm ischemia. Delayed function (DF) and primary nonfunction (PNF) rates were significantly higher for NHB than for HB donor kidneys (49% and 19% vs 34% and 7%, respectively). Consequently, renal function was impaired but recovered within 6 months. MP could not eliminate the differences in DF rate between NHB and HB donor kidneys. However, NHB donor kidneys preserved by MP showed less DF than that reported in kidneys preserved by CS. This suggests that MP has a beneficial effect on ischemically damaged kidneys. The similar results observed with category 2 and category 3 NHB donors also suggest this effect. The high PNF rate emphasizes the need for viability tests that prevent the transplantation of nonviable organs. We conclude that MP alone is not sufficient to reduce DF and PNF rates in NHB donor kidneys.

Adult↗