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Biomedical subjects

H A Hirsch

Publications and source records attributed to H A Hirsch.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Laparoscopic findings in suspected adnexitis].

Between 1976 and 1985 laparoscopy was performed on a total of 768 patients in whom adnexitis was suspected. In accordance with conventional usage they were initially designated as "acute" and "chronic" cases of adnexitis on the basis of clinical criteria. The tentative diagnosis of an active infection was confirmed by laparoscopy in 62.7% of the patients with the clinically acute form and 14.5% of those with "chronic" adnexitis. Although high temperature, leukocytosis, and an increased ESR were more common among patients with laparoscopically confirmed adnexitis, high levels of inflammatory reaction were also found in patients with other conditions. In 164 patients (21%) no pathological findings were found in the genital and abdominal regions. The results confirm the importance of laparoscopy in the diagnosis of adnexitis.

Adult↗

[Incidence and significance of pathogen detection in Douglas fluid in non-inflammatory genital diseases].

Between 1976 and 1986 the secretions from the pouch of Douglas of 1,219 patients with non-inflammatory genital diseases were microbiologically studied. Microorganisms were detected in 3.4%. In the majority of cases they were physiological skin organisms, with a count of less than 10 per ml of Douglas fluid. These findings support the view, that secondary contamination of the specimens occurred during removal, transportation, or laboratory processing.

Bacteria↗

[Maternal morbidity following cesarean section: effect of infection control and preventive use of antibiotics].

1. Between 1976 and 1986, data were collected prospectively by a nurse specializing in hygiene on postoperative infections in the 3508 low cervical cesarean sections carried out at the University Gynecological Clinic in Tübingen. Over the past four years, this has also included data on noninfectious complications. During this 11-year period, the rate of sections rose from 10.3% to 18.2%. 2. During the first seven years, in which only hygienic, organizational, and surgical measures were used to prevent infection, the rate of patients with postoperative infections decreased from 28.2% to 11.9% (-58%), while the rate of feverish standard morbidity decreased from 27.2% to 9.7% (-64%). 3. Over the past four years, in which 60% of the patients received a perioperative antibiotics prophylaxis consisting of three doses of a cephalosporin, the number of patients with infections has decreased further to 8.6% (-28%), and the number of those with feverish morbidity to 3.7% (-62%). Over the total period, the reduction in the named parameters was 70% and 86%. 4. The most frequent infections were urinary tract infections (mainly cases of asymptomatic bacteriuria), infections of the abdominal wound, and endomyometritis and phlebitis of the arm owing to intravenous applications. Only the reductions in the number of cases of bacteriuria (-77%), wound infections (-72%), and endomyometritis (-73%) reached statistic significance. 5. As a result of antibiotics prophylaxis, the rate of infections in the case of primary section decreased from 15.3% to 9.0%, and in the case of secondary section from 15.1% to 8.2%; feverish standard morbidity decreased from 9.1% to 3.5% and from 9.4% to 4.9%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

[Maternal morbidity following cesarean section. Comparison of isthmo-corpus longitudinal section and isthmian transverse section in premature labor].

In an increasing number of cases of the Caesarean delivery of small premature babies (length of gestation less than 32 weeks or an estimated weight of less than 1501 g) between April 1983 and March 1987, the uterus was opened by an isthmo-corporeal longitudinal section if the lower uterine segment appeared too narrow for a gentle delivery via an isthmian transverse incision. A comparison of 67 Caesarean deliveries of this type with 116 Caesarean deliveries of the same small premature babies using an isthmian transverse incision did not reveal any difference with regard to postoperative infections, feverish standard morbidity, or other noninfectious complications. In comparison with Caesarean deliveries of older babies, the Caesarean deliveries of small premature babies had significantly more infectious and noninfectious complications, such as cases of phlebitis of the arm owing to intravenous application (2.7% as against 1.0%), posthemorrhaging and hematomas (3.8% as against 0.8%), and blood transfusions (3.3% as against 0.8%). The number of infectious complications was significantly reduced by a perioperative antibiotics prophylaxis. The question of late complications as a result of the isthmo-corporeal longitudinal section, especially the danger of rupture of the uterine scar in the event of a subsequent vaginal delivery, has not yet been resolved.

Birth Weight↗

[Fetal outcome following cesarean section in premature labor. Isthmocorpus longitudinal section or isthmian transverse section?].

Little is known about the comparative safety of the isthmocorporal versus the low transverse uterine incision for Caesarean delivery of the very low birthweight infant. To address this question, the fetal outcome of 59 deliveries by isthmocorporal incision and 76 by low transverse incision were analysed. The incidences of a 5-min-Apgar score of 6 or lower and UA-pH were not significantly different. No correlation was evident between early intraventricular hemorrhage and type of incision. The number of neonatal deaths weighing less than 1000 g associated with vertical incision (27%) was lower than that associated with the low transverse incision (47%). Nevertheless the difference was not statistically significant. The decision for the type of incision should be made intraoperatively by an experienced surgeon. This factor is probably more important than the choice of a particular incision.

Apgar Score↗

[Diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in extrauterine pregnancy].

Between 1969 and 1985 surgery was performed in 456 cases of extrauterine pregnancy (EUP) at Tübingen University Gynecological Clinic. The average number of such operations performed annually rose from 11 in the first six years to 61 in the last three years. As a result of early detection and treatment of EUP, tubal ruptures and severe intraabdominal hemorrhages have become increasingly rare. In the last six years, blood transfusions were only necessary in 6% of the patients who underwent surgery. In 28% no blood at all was found in the abdomen at surgery. For this reason, puncture of the pouch of Douglas was increasingly--and finally completely--supplanted by laparoscopy. Up to 1977 the affected tube was always removed; subsequently it was ever more frequently preserved. From 1983 to 1985 preservation of the tube was already being requested by 83% of the patients and it was possible to achieve this in 90% of them. In a total of 202 patients in whom the affected tube was preserved the following surgical procedures were employed: salpingotomies in 61%, salpingostomies in 4%, segmental resections with and without anastomoses in 22%, and expression or removal of a tubal abortion in 10%. The principal complications were continued growth of the tubal pregnancy following expression and salpingotomy in one case each, and occurrence of a hematosalpinx with the tentative diagnosis of continued pregnancy. Therefore, it is imperative to check the drop in the beta-HCG level after procedures in which the tube is preserved.

Fallopian Tubes↗

[Decrease in nosocomial infection based on continuous monitoring and control. 7 years' experience in a women's clinic].

During a seven-year programme of surveillance and control of infection data were collected by a specialist hygiene nurse on 47 551 gynaecological, obstetric and post-partum patients. The infection rate was highest (40.5%) after major surgical procedures. Infection rate after cesarian section was 16%, eight times the rate after vaginal delivery (2%). The most frequent type of infection was of the urinary tract (70%), usually asymptomatic bacteriuria. Next most frequent were pelvic infections, abdominal wound infections, and phlebitis via an intravenous entry in long-term parenteral nutrition. During the period of observation bacteriuria rate decreased by 75%, the other nosocomial infections by 64%, febrile standard morbidity by 81%. The decrease is largely due to the infection surveillance programme with the employment of a specialist hygiene nurse.

Cross Infection↗

Prophylactic antibiotics in obstetrics and gynecology.

Studies throughout the world demonstrate the effectiveness of prophylactic antibiotics in vaginal hysterectomy and cesarean section. Febrile morbidity is reduced by more than one half, and pelvic infections are reduced one third to one fifth, respectively. Prophylactic antibiotics are most beneficial in high-risk cesarean section, such as in patients in labor and with ruptured membranes. In abdominal hysterectomy, the effect of prophylactic antibiotics is less pronounced, and the results of the individual studies are more controversial. Prophylactic antibiotics are commonly used in extensive oncologic surgery, infertility surgery, and in other procedures, but data for adequate evaluation are lacking. First- and second-generation cephalosporins are the antibiotics most frequently used. In vaginal hysterectomies, a single preoperative dose, and in cesarean section, three perioperative doses seem to be adequate. Infections occurring despite prophylactic antibiotics are often caused by resistant organisms.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

[Tubal pregnancy following tubal sterilization].

The present paper reports on 21 tubal pregnancies which have occurred after tubal sterilization in Tübingen or elsewhere since 1975. The proportion of tubal pregnancies amongst sterilization failures was 75%. The interval between sterilization and the occurrence of the tubal pregnancy ranged between 5 months and 7-3/4 years. The most frequent symptoms of the tubal pregnancies were pain (15/21), amenorrhea (11/21) and vaginal bleeding (5/21). Only 11 of the 21 patients were admitted to the clinic with the (suspected) diagnosis of an extra-uterine pregnancy. In 20 of the 21 patients the pregnancy was located in the distal (ampullar) segment of the tube; in 8 cases the tube was ruptured. Thirteen patients were treated by bilateral and 5 by unilateral salpingectomy, and a further 3 by unilateral adnexectomy. Summarizing, a considerable number of pregnancies occurring after unsuccessful tubal sterilization are extra-uterine. They are often not recognized, or only at a late stage. In the authors' view the patient should be informed of the possibility of a tubal pregnancy prior to sterilization.

Adult↗

[4 tubal pregnancies in the same patient: advantages and disadvantages of tube-saving operation].

In comparison with salpingectomy conservative procedures for the treatment of tubal pregnancy increase the chance for a living child, but also the risk of further tubal pregnancies. After unilateral salpingectomy the risk of the next pregnancy being tubal is 11%; after conservative surgery it is also 11%. If the patient has only one Fallopian tube, conservative surgery alone offers a chance of an intrauterine pregnancy. On average there is a 54% likelihood of this. In such cases the risk of a recurrence of tubal pregnancy is 16%. The advantages and disadvantages of conservative procedures are illustrated with reference to two patients, each of whom had altogether four tubal pregnancies. One of these patients, after two tubal pregnancies, conceived an intrauterine pregnancy through the remaining tube, from which a tubal pregnancy had also been eliminated; thus, conservative surgery provided the possibility of this further pregnancy resulting in the woman's only living child.

Adult↗

Uncommon indications for laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy was used as an ancillary method for infrequently occurring or unconventional indications in 140 patients. Diagnostic laparoscopy was done if other clinical, laboratory and biophysical methods were inconclusive or not conclusive in due time. Under some conditions operative laparoscopy or a combined vaginal and laparoscopic approach eliminated the need for laparotomy. No special equipment is required for such diagnostic and operative laparoscopy.

Female↗

[Effectiveness of pre-operative antibiotic prevention in hysterectomies and cesarean section].

All controlled studies which were available by computer search from the literature were evaluated regarding the efficiency of preventive antibiotics for post-operative infections following hysterectomies and Cesarian sections. All controlled studies were evaluated by identical criteria. In 41 out of 46 studies (89.1%) on vaginal hysterectomies, febrile morbidity showed a significant decrease. In abdominal hysterectomies, 15 of 26 studies (57.7%) and in Cesarian sections 47 of 53 studies (88.7%) showed a significant decrease. Following vaginal hysterectomies and Cesarian sections, the preventive antibiotics decreased the febrile morbidity by 26 or 26.9 percentage points and pelvic or uterine infections by about 20 percentage points. In abdominal hysterectomies, the decrease was only 10.4 or 4.4 percentage points. Cesarian sections after the onset of labour and or rupture of the membranes have a high risk of infection and show the best decrease of febrile morbidity following preventive antibiotics.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗