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Biomedical subjects

H Feussner

Publications and source records attributed to H Feussner.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

Zenker's diverticulum and reflux.

The interrelationship between gastroesophageal reflux and Zenker's diverticulum remains unclear. The view that cervical diverticula are induced by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GER) is apparently supported by epidemiologic observations indicating that they occur only in populations with a high incidence of GER. However, it is difficult to prove causality on the basis of currently available physiological and pathophysiological investigations. The few data published to date now end to support a cryptogenic change in upper esophageal sphincter (UES) muscle motility characteristics instead of a reflux induced lesion to the UES. Clinical experience also shows that GER does not play a major role in individual cases of Zenker's diverticula, nor do many surgeons consider it a risk following cervical myotomy. This is confirmed by a very low complication rate even in large series of patients in whom no attempt was made preoperatively to rule out concomitant reflux disease. In conclusion, some facts suggest that reflux disease may be a cause of the development of Zenker's diverticulum. In the majority of cases, however, autochtonic structural lesions to the UES muscle fibers or other, as yet unknown, reasons are more probable.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The modified AFP score: an attempt to make the results of anti-reflux surgery comparable.

Comparison of different strategies in anti-reflux therapy is complicated by wide variations in patient selection and in the criteria employed to assess outcome. A modification of the classification system originally developed by Bancewicz et al. was used to grade a series of 57 patients before and after fundoplication (primary reflux group). An additional group of 39 patients with an unsatisfactory result after previous Nissen fundoplication (failed Nissen group) were assessed before and after reoperation. The classification system used comprises three elements: the A element depicts gastro-oesophageal anatomy based on the findings at endoscopy: the F element codes the amount of acid reflux by means of 24-h intra-oesophageal pH monitoring; and the P element describes mucosal abnormalities. The overall severity was quantified by means of a score on a scale from 0 to 10. The mean preoperative score in the primary reflux group was 5.45 and in the failed Nissen group 7.3. After fundoplication, this was reduced to 1.07 and 1.30, respectively. In general, there was good correlation between the results of the three elements under consideration, pointing to a potential pathophysiological inter-relationship. Marked individual variation did occasionally occur. The AFP system enabled a detailed description of the preoperative and postoperative condition of the patient, and proved easy to use in clinical practice. Its employment is recommended as an objective means of comparing the value of different treatment strategies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Technique of laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

A new technique for laparoscopic cholecystectomy is described which regards as far as possible the conventional approach to cholecystectomy. Positioning of the operating team is identical to normal cholecystectomy, and the surgeon is able to use both hands to operate since the camera is handled by the assistant. Dissection of the infundibulum is performed in the socalled "tease-and-tear" technique. The peritoneal layer is opened by coagulation. The cystic duct and artery are bluntly dissected by a commercially available dissector. Fat and connective tissue are gently torn off from both structures. After closure of cystic duct and artery by clips, the gallbladder is cut out by thermocoagulation. 178 operations were performed by 8 surgeons; mean duration of the operation was 60 min. A change to open cholecystectomy was necessary in 2.5%. Three complications occurred, requiring reoperation in one case of insufficiency of the cystic duct and another one with intestinal perforation. In the third case, bile leakage from an aberrant bile-duct occurred but dried up spontaneously after a few days. No death occurred nor were there any lesions of the common bile-duct. Conclusively, this new technique seems to be safe and simple to teach due to its approximity to the conventional technique and is recommended as a standard procedure.

Cholecystectomy↗
PubMed1990

[Cricopharyngeal achalasia caused by isolated muscular dystrophy].

The authors--in connection with two surgically successful treated cases--discuss the diagnosis and the surgical treatment of the cricopharyngeal achalasia. By means of histological methods it was verified that in the background of this disease stads an isolated muscle dystrophy localized to the upper esophageal sphincter.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Surgical therapy of Zenker's diverticulum: low risk and high efficiency.

Surgery for the treatment of Zenker's diverticulum was performed at our institution in a total of 43 patients over 6 1/2 years. Cervical myotomy with diverticulectomy was performed in 32 of the patients and myotomy alone in 11. Mortality totaled 0%, with a reversible lesion of the recurrent nerve occurring in 7%. In 60% of the cases investigated preoperatively (N = 40), motility disorders of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) could be demonstrated using manometry as well as with cineradiography in 92% of the patients. Follow-up studies in 39 of the cases 25 months (mean) postprocedure indicated 82% of the patients to be symptom-free, with the remaining 18% demonstrating a marked improvement. Postoperative manometry as well as cineradiography carried out in 12 patients revealed the presence of UES motility dyscoordination in 8% and 25%, respectively. There were, however, no signs of recurrence of the diverticulum. The high number of patients in our study group demonstrating motility disorders of the UES emphasizes the need for cervical myotomy as part of the surgical therapy for Zenker's diverticulum.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The "steakhouse syndrome". Primary and definitive diagnosis and therapy.

Over a period of 5 years, 28 instances of acute food impaction of the esophagus were documented in 26 patients at our institution. In all patients the impacted bolus was successfully removed without complication using a flexible endoscope. Underlying diseases were identified during primary endoscopy in 31% of the cases. Further diagnostic workup was performed in all but 5 of the patients. After adequate evaluation pathologic findings were demonstrated in 90% of the cases (38% malignant and 52% benign diseases). Long-term therapy was deemed necessary in 17 of these 21 patients. Operative intervention was indicated in 4 cases, 2 of which were for malignant tumors. Acute food impaction should always be regarded as a symptom of esophageal disorders. In patients with esophageal cancer or other mediastinal tumors bolus impaction generally indicates an advanced tumor stage.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1989

Surgical considerations for antireflux therapy.

Surgery has a major role to play in the treatment of reflux disease. Several factors should be considered prior to utilising the surgical approach. Severity of the reflux disease and response to conservative treatment are generally acceptable criteria for deciding whether a patient should undergo a surgical procedure. Once the decision is made to utilise a surgical approach, a specialised centre with an abundance of experienced, skilled surgeons and a specialised diagnostic laboratory should be selected. It is the responsibility of the referring physician and surgeon to diagnose accurately the presence of reflux disease. Endoscopy, pH-metry, and manometry are useful in precisely diagnosing the presence of reflux disease. Fundoplication is the favoured surgical procedure. The most common complications associated with this procedure are gas bloat and hypercontinence, which are acceptable tradeoffs for reflux disease. The patient must be educated about the surgical procedure and its consequences prior to the operation and informed of the alternatives. Accurate diagnosis, coupled with selection of an experienced surgeon and patient education can have a dramatic impact on reflux disease in the individual patient.

Esophagitis, Peptic↗
PubMed1989

[Functional and morphological changes in the pharynx in achalasia and diffuse esophageal spasm].

Since the pharynx and the esophagus are a functional unit, functional radiodiagnosis has to be directed at pharyngo-esophageal interaction. Among our collective of 73 patients suffering from achalasia or diffuse esophageal spasm, we were able to recognize a substantially increased incidence of morphological or functional pharyngeal disorders by means of cineradiography. The functional alterations in particular were often not revealed by conventional fluoroscopy. High-speed cineradiography, with its high temporal and spatial resolution, turned out to be a valuable tool in analysis of the origin of pharyngeal dysphagia. Manometry correlated very well with the radiologic findings in tubular esophagus, but proved unreliable in the detection of alterations of the upper esophageal sphincter region, because of problems inherent in the method. Furthermore, membranous stenosis (webs), lateral or dorsal diverticula, and asymmetry of the pharynx were observed strikingly often.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Motility disorders of the esophagus in progressive systemic scleroderma. Pathophysiology, diagnosis and therapy].

Gastrointestinal manifestations of collagen diseases are frequent. In progressive systemic sclerosis esophageal involvement is found in 60% of cases and is thus the main gastrointestinal complication. Atrophy of the smooth muscle and fibrotic degeneration of the distal esophagus result in progressive motility disorders which may cause severe reflux esophagitis with typical consequences, such as stenosis and strictures. Manometry and cinematography are basic diagnostic procedures. Esophagoscopy and long-term pH-monitoring are most useful for evaluating the degree of esophageal involvement. The severity of sclerodermatous motility disorders should be classified according to a modification of the Garrett scale, which is particularly recommended for determining the further prognosis and therapeutic approach. Esophageal involvement of grades I and II should be treated conservatively, whereas grade III is a clear indication for surgical therapy. The original Nissen type of fundoplication or distal gastric resection with Roux-en-Y anastonosis are the methods of choice.

Combined Modality Therapy↗
PubMed1988

[The Angelchik prosthesis--intermediate term evaluation and results].

The clinical effectivity of the Angelchik-antireflux-prosthesis seems to be comparable with fundoplication; the mode of action of both procedures can well be explained by the hypothesis of "neutralizing of the gastric opening pressure". To insert an Angelchik prosthesis is a minor procedure in comparison to the Nissen procedure with a markedly lower operative risk. The long-term results, however, are deteriorated by specific complications due to the use of allogenic material. Following to fundoplication the results remain to be comparably good as in short term period even after a follow up beyond of one decade. Accordingly, the insertion of an Angelchik device should be confined nowadays only on the cases when the risks of long-term complications can be neglected in favor of a technically simple procedure. As for further development of the basic idea, it seems to be consequent to introduce an artificial wrap made of resorbable material.

Esophagogastric Junction↗
PubMed1988

[Intestino-esophageal reflux following gastrectomy. Mechanism of action and effectiveness of esophago-jejunoplication].

The influence of the type of reconstruction after gastrectomy upon the postoperative reflux was analyzed in 30 patients. The refluxed material could be directly gained by the long-term reflux aspiration test and, thus, the quality including bile acids could be evaluated. After esophago-jejunoplication and Roux en Y-derivation 5 out of 7 patients were asymptomatic; only one patient suffered from mild esophagitis. Total bile acid concentration was near to the test systems sensitivity. The result in 11 patients after esophago-jejunostomy without Y-en Roux, but with a preserved lower esophageal sphincter (LES) are similar to the former group, whereas in all cases of 12 patients in whom the LES was resected, severe reflux esophagitis and excessively elevated bile acid concentrations were present. These results confirm that a jejunoplication supports the antireflux effect of preserved parts of the LES. If--for oncologic reasons--the LES has to be resected, free intestinal-esophageal reflux is following. In these cases a Roux en Y-derivation is required.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Computer-aided oesophageal manometry: prospects and problems.

We describe a method in which computer-aided analysis has been applied to oesophageal manometry, and address some of the major problems which were encountered. The elimination of pressure artefacts caused by respiration and normal cardiac function is necessary in order to define accurately the parameters required from the analysis. The most promising method of solving this signal/noise problem is to include a fast Fourier transform in the analytical program.

Biomedical Engineering↗