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Biomedical subjects

H L Laws

Publications and source records attributed to H L Laws.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

A randomized, prospective comparison of the Nissen fundoplication versus the Toupet fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective, randomized trial was performed to determine which of two antireflux procedures, a complete wrap (Nissen) or a 200N wrap (Toupet), was more effective with fewer sequelae. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Laparoscopic procedures for gastroesophageal reflux disease appear to be as effective as those done by open laparotomy. The Nissen fundoplication is used most frequently, but postoperative bloating, inability to belch, and dysphagia occur. The partial wrap has been said to be as effective with less unfavorable postoperative symptoms. METHODS: Patients with reflux esophagitis were approached laparoscopically using a six-port technique. After division of the short gastric vessels and dissection of the terminal esophagus and fundus of the stomach to allow performance of either procedure, patients randomly were assigned one of the procedures by a card drawn in the operating room. RESULTS: Forty patients underwent operation, but 1 was excluded when an open procedure became necessary. Twenty-three patients received a complete wrap and 16 received a partial wrap. The average operating time was 155 minutes for the Nissen procedures and 162 minutes for the Toupet procedures. The postoperative stay averaged 2.7 days for the Nissen procedures and 2.5 days for the Toupet procedures. There were no deaths. Including the patient converted to an open procedure, three patients had operative complications. At follow-up, Visick scores after the complete wraps were I-13, II-8, III-2 and after the partial wrap were I-12 and II-3. Two patients indicated they would not have the operation again. CONCLUSIONS: A partial or a complete wrap after division of the short gastric vessel offers effective therapy for reflux esophagitis with > 90% patient satisfaction. The authors' study shows no clear advantage of one wrap (partial or complete) over the other.

Female↗
PubMed1997

Carcinoid tumors of the ampulla of Vater.

Periampullary carcinoid tumors are rare; only 73 have previously been reported in the international literature. We reviewed the records of four patients with carcinoid tumor at Vater's ampulla. The findings were compared to a recent review of the previously reported 73 patients. The two groups were similar with respect to male predominance, presenting symptoms, infrequent preoperative diagnosis, tumor size, and rate of metastasis. The present study patients were older by 20 years, and none of the patients in this group had von Recklinghausen's disease, despite a 25 per cent incidence in the review group. The follow-up in the present study is too short to make conclusions, but the 5-year survival calculated in the review group was 90 per cent. Periampullary carcinoids act differently clinically from the midgut type. In particular, tumor size appears to have no correlation to metastatic potential, as in midgut carcinoids. If carcinoid syndrome does develop, as a foregut carcinoid it may have a "variant" type syndrome.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Villous tumors of the ampulla Vater.

Patients with villous tumors of the ampulla Vater usually present with jaundice, intermittent or constant, but may seek care for abdominal pain, intestinal hemorrhage, or pancreatitis. Because villous tumors may harbor carcinoma in 30 to 50 per cent of cases, appropriate management may require radical resection. We have managed four patients with villous lesions of the ampulla Vater occurring in 1981, 1992, 1993, and 1995. Three were villous (two with malignant change) and one was a villoglandular adenoma. Treatment consisted of local excision with reimplantation of the ducts in one patient, Whipple resection in two patients, and biliopancreatic bypass in one who had distant nodal metastases not resectable for cure. This patient died 18 months after operation of an unrelated disease, but the others were well at last follow-up. The presentation as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in the management of villous tumors of the ampulla Vater are discussed.

Adenoma, Villous↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy utilizing two ports.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is usually performed via four to five cannulas; a few surgeons employing only three. A technique utilizing two entry ports, an infraumbilical Hasson 10 mm and a medial subcostal 5 mm, is described. The operation was feasible in six of seven patients. In the seventh, a third cannula was placed to allow traction on a floppy gallbladder. No complications ensued and all patients went home the day following operation. While cosmesis was impressive, the patients appeared to experience pain similar to that of patients in whom more cannulas were employed.

Bile Duct Diseases↗
PubMed1996

Impact of enteral feeding of a glutamine-supplemented formula on the hypoaminoacidemic response in trauma patients.

Plasma amino acid concentrations were measured during fasting and after 3 days of enteral feeding in 16 trauma patients on a glutamine-supplemented diet and 14 patients on an isonitrogenous control diet. During fasting, total amino acids, including glutamine, were depressed by 50% and this was attributed to a reduction in both essential and nonessential amino acids. The essential amino acid concentrations increased in both groups after feeding. The nonessential amino acid concentrations also increased in the control group but not in the glutamine group during feeding. Repletion of the glutamine extracellular pool was not evident after an average intake of 27.1 g per day of glutamine for 3 days. Nitrogen balance was similar for the two groups during feeding. We conclude that in this study, enteral glutamine did not increase the glutamine plasma concentration. In addition, both formulas improved the hypoaminoacidemia of essential amino acids but only the control diet improved the nonessential amino acids plasma concentration.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Effect of amino acid infusion on glucose production in trauma patients.

The relationship between precursor supply and hepatic glucose output (HGO) was examined in 8 control subjects and 12 trauma patients after a fasting period of approximately 60 hours. Glucose kinetics were measured with a primed-constant infusion of [U-14C]glucose and [6-3H]glucose. The basal rate of HGO was 5.45 +/- 0.22 micromol x kg-1 x min-1 in the controls and 13.16 +/- 0.76 micromol x kg-1 x min-1 following trauma (p < 0.001). Four hours after amino acid infusion of 1.3 g x kg-1 x 24 h-1, HGO in the controls was unchanged at 5.35 +/- 0.22 micromol x kg-1 x min-1 but it had decreased to 11.71 +/- 0.67 micromol x kg-1 after trauma (p < 0.001). We conclude that increasing the supply of gluconeogenic precursors does not stimulate HGO in normal subjects after fasting or after severe trauma and that factors other than to availability of amino acids are responsible for the enhanced rate of HGO in trauma patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Spilled gallstones--complications of abdominal-wall abscesses. Case report and review of the literature.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the preferred method for removal of the diseased gallbladder. While its morbidity and mortality rates are lower than those of the open technique, it does have associated complications which may cause significant morbidity. The morbidity associated with spilled gallstones is not well studied and little can be found in the literature on this subject. We encountered a patient who developed abscesses within the abdominal wall following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We recommend that spilled gallstones be removed when possible and that surgeons be aware of this possible complication.

Abdominal Abscess↗
PubMed1995

Groin hernia: a current perspective.

Groin hernias are one of the major problems handled by the surgeon. At this time there appears to be some clear indications for open repair, pretty clear indications for laparoscopic repair, less clear indications for one type anesthesia or the other. There has been a major shift toward utilizing mesh in open repairs and in laparoscopic repairs with no significant increase in complications. Patients should usually be able to return to work, even at labor, within two weeks of the operation. Surgeons and patients should expect to experience a recurrence less than 2% of the time.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Nissen fundoplication is the most common operative approach to the correction of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the United States. This report describes our success in performing this anti-reflux procedure laparoscopically in 28 patients with symptomatic GERD refractory to conventional medical therapy. Our laparoscopic technique does not differ significantly from the traditional, open Nissen fundoplication. After surgery, all patients reported symptomatic relief, and none required medication for the control of reflux symptoms. Oral feedings were begun on the first postoperative day, and patients were typically discharged on the second day after surgery. All but two patients resumed normal eating within an average of 26 days. Two patients experienced longer term postoperative dysphagia, including one who had undergone a highly selective vagotomy concurrent with the antireflux surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Endoscopic management of peptic ulcer disease.

OBJECTIVE: This article reviews the authors' experience with endoscopic management of duodenal ulcer and ulcers occurring after a previous drainage procedure. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Patients with complications of duodenal ulcer and ulcers occurring after a previous drainage procedure still require surgical management. Virtually all operations for duodenal ulcer include some form of vagotomy. American surgeons in academic centers prefer highly selective vagotomy in suitable candidates. Video-directed laparoscopic and thoracoscopic operations have been done for all complications of duodenal ulcer except for acute hemorrhage. METHODS: The authors have performed laparoscopic operation on eight patients with intractable chronic duodenal ulcer, seven patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease combined with duodenal ulcer, one patient with chronic duodenal ulcer and gastric outlet obstruction, and one patient with acute perforation. Operations performed included omentopexy, anterior seromyotomy plus post truncal vagotomy, and highly selective vagotomy. Seven patients had a simultaneous Nissen fundoplication; and the patient with obstruction underwent concomitant pyloroplasty and vagotomy. Six patients with intestinal ulcers occurring after a previous drainage procedure were treated with thoracoscopic vagotomy. Techniques used are shown. RESULTS: There has been one recurrent ulcer in the laparoscopic group after anterior seromyotomy plus posterior truncal vagotomy. The patient treated by omentopexy for duodenal perforation recovered gastrointestinal function promptly with no further difficulty, but eventually died of primary medical disease. Patients undergoing thoracoscopic vagotomy have all become asymptomatic. Postoperative hospital stay after highly selective vagotomy, anterior seromyotomy plus posterior truncal vagotomy, or thoracoscopic vagotomy was 1-5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic management of duodenal ulcers is feasible. Larger numbers of patients with longer follow-up are essential. Ulcers occurring after a drainage procedure deserve thoracoscopic vagotomy.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Regulation of glucose kinetics in trauma patients by insulin and glucagon.

The current study was undertaken to evaluate the contribution of insulin and glucagon to regulation of glucose metabolism in man following severe, traumatic injury by manipulating concentrations of insulin and glucagon with infusions of somatostatin. Glucose kinetics were assessed with [U-14C, 6-(3)H]glucose in severely injured patients and compared with data obtained from patients recovering from minor, elective operative procedures. Glucose production was significantly increased in subjects with traumatic injury compared with control subjects (13.0 +/- 0.63 mumol/kg/min v 8.6 +/- 0.27 mumol/kg/min). There was no impairment in glucose oxidation by the injured patients. Modulation of insulin and glucagon with somatostatin indicated that non-insulin-mediated glucose uptake (NIMGU) was significantly elevated in injured patients (12.2 +/- 0.94 mumol/kg/min v 7.4 +/- 0.61 mumol/kg/min). Hepatic glucose output (HGO) in the absence of glucagon was also significantly elevated in injured patients (12.2 +/- 1.20 mumol/kg/min v 5.8 +/- 1.08 mumol/kg/min). Indirect calorimetry showed a 27% increase in resting energy expenditure (REE). Increased protein oxidation accounted for 56% of the increase in REE. Changes in carbohydrate and lipid oxidation accounted for 28% and 15% of the increase in REE. There was no correlation between the injury severity score of the injured patient and the degree of metabolic abnormality. It is concluded from these studies that (1) injured patients have a high rate of glucose turnover in the absence of glucagon and insulin; (2) the reliance on glucose as a source of energy is not diminished in injured subjects; and (3) increases in protein oxidation account for the majority of the increased REE found in injured patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Thoracoscopic vagectomy for recurrent peptic ulcer disease.

Duodenal and marginal jejunal ulcers respond promptly to vagus section. When a prior gastric drainage procedure has been done, the approach of choice for these ulcers is vagectomy through the left chest. This report describes four patients who were subjected to thoracoscopic vagectomy and had prompt early benefit. A description of our technique is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage in evaluation of acute abdominal disease.

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) is an established procedure in evaluation of trauma victims but is less well established for use in patients suspected of having acute intra-abdominal disease. Twenty-six seriously ill patients at our institution who had DPL for acute intra-abdominal disease form the basis of this report. Use of DPL indicated sepsis in ten patients; in seven of the ten, findings were confirmed at celiotomy or autopsy. Only one of the ten survived without laparotomy or confirmatory necropsy indicating the result of DPL had been false-positive. Sepsis was not indicated by DPL in 16 patients. Fourteen patients appeared to have true-negative results confirmed by operation (three patients), autopsy (four patients), or survival longer than two weeks (seven patients). Complications occurred in one patient whose DPL showed sepsis. Two patients with negative results of DPL died within two weeks of examination without confirmatory operation or autopsy and could not be evaluated. We therefore, consider the overall diagnostic accuracy in our patient group to be 95%. We recommend the use of DPL in patients suspected of an acute intra-abdominal disease process who are unable to undergo other evaluation for reasons such as critical illness.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1989

Demography of penetrating cardiac trauma.

All cases of penetrating cardiac trauma in 1985 and 1986 in Jefferson County, Alabama, where patients dying of penetrating trauma received autopsies, were retrospectively reviewed. All hospitals in the county plus the single coroner's office provided the records of the 72 patients comprising this study. Incidents occurred most often in the home or residence (70%) by a known assailant (83%) due to domestic/social disputes (73%). Frequency was greatest in the evening hours (73% between 6:00 PM and 3:00 AM), on weekends in spring and summer. Victims tended to be male (86%), black (72%), married (46%), blue collar workers (62%). There were 41 (57%) gunshot wounds, 3 (4%) shotgun wounds, and 28 (39%) stab wounds with an associated mortality rate of 97%, 100%, and 68%, respectively. Prehospital mortality rate (dead at the scene) was 54.2% (39/72), and death on arrival was 26.4% (19/72), for a combined pretreatment mortality rate of 80.6%. All patients who arrived with no vital signs died. Mortality appeared to be related to mechanism of injury, age, race, sex, vital signs on arrival, number and specific cardiac chambers injured, associated major vascular injury, hematocrit, and mode of transportation. Mortality was not related to caliber of weapon, ethanol level, transport time, time from arrival to operation, or transfusion requirements. There were only ten survivors (1 gunshot wound and 9 stab wounds), all of whom had ventricular injuries and no associated major vascular injuries. The ten survivors represented a 71.4% (10/14) salvage rate for those victims arriving with vital signs. Complications occurred in three patients. Hospitalization averaged 7.3 days in the survivors. Penetrating cardiac trauma remains a serious, socially linked disease with a high rate of mortality. Rapid transport, aggressive resuscitation and cardiorrhaphy remain the best treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Incisional closure in morbidly obese patients.

Wound complications cause significant morbidity in patients undergoing gastric restrictive procedures. Two randomized, prospective trials were done evaluating suture technique and material. A subcutaneous suction catheter was used for 48 hours in all patients. In Trial I a Polyglactin-910 (Vicryl) suture, #1 in size, was used. Patients were randomized between interrupted Smead-Jones far-far-near-near sutures and running sutures. Because hernia formation appeared excessive in both groups of patients, a second study was done comparing running #1 polydioxanone (PDS) and #1 polypropylene (Prolene) suture. Hernia formation was excessive in this group as well. The authors conclude running and interrupted closures are of equal reliability. Hernia formation was excessive in both groups. The type of suture material used in these studies was inconsequential. A better method of closure is needed in morbidly obese patients to achieve less postoperative hernia formation.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Lymphoma of the stomach.

A retrospective review revealed 17 lymphomas in a 25-year period (1960-84). Presenting features did not allow differentiation from carcinoma. Preoperative diagnosis was made in 3 patients by endoscopic biopsy. Treatment included apparent complete resection of 12 patients. Incomplete removal following biopsy with or without a drainage procedure was performed on five patients. Radiation therapy was used on ten patients and chemotherapy was used on three patients. There were three 5-year survivors and four others with survival greater than 2 years. All patients surviving more than 2 years had apparent complete resection while five patients also had radiation. One also had chemotherapy. Analysis of our patients with review of other series suggests complete resection with adjacent nodes to be the best approach. Appropriate node sampling, liver biopsy, and removal of the spleen if it appears clinically involved should be done. Postoperative radiation and/or chemotherapy may be indicated only when apparent complete resection is not feasible.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Diagnostic peritoneal lavage in blunt trauma.

We reviewed the records of 274 trauma patients who had 275 diagnostic peritoneal lavages from Feb 1, 1983 through Jan 31, 1986. Lavage was done in 271 of 560 (48%) cases of blunt trauma and three of 245 (1%) penetrating injuries (gunshot wounds to the chest). The open lavage technique was used, and results were considered grossly positive if there was 10 ml of gross blood. Results were considered microscopically positive if there were more than 100,000 RBCs or 500 WBCs/cu mm, an elevated amylase or bilirubin value, or bacteria or vegetable fibers. Lavage was negative in 193 cases, including false-negative results (1%), and positive in 78, with three false-positive results (3.8%). Open peritoneal lavage is safe, rapid, readily available, and accurate in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma.

Child↗