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Biomedical subjects

J Abarbanel

Publications and source records attributed to J Abarbanel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Transvesical prostatectomy in elderly patients.

PURPOSE: We assessed the results of transvesical prostatectomy in patients older than 80 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 98 patients 80 to 90 years old who underwent transvesical prostatectomy between 1986 and 1993, including those with a large prostate (preoperative estimated weight more than 80 gm.), numerous or large cystolithiasis and large bladder diverticulum, which are indications for open prostatectomy. Clinical data were obtained by chart review. RESULTS: The indications for surgery were urinary retention in 53 patients (54%), severe obstructive urinary symptoms in 18 (18.4%), cystolithiasis in 17 (17.3%), prostatic bleeding in 10 (10.2%) and bladder diverticulum in 2 (2%). Accompanying diseases were present in 69 patients (70.6%), including ischemic heart disease in 41 (42%), diabetes mellitus in 17 (17.3%) and arterial hypertension in 14 (14.3%). A total of 59 patients (60.2%) underwent surgery while under general anesthesia and 39 (39.8%) received regional anesthesia. Average operative time was 62 minutes. Of the patients 40 (40.8%) received 1, 14 (14.3%) received 2 and 2 (2%) received 4 units of blood. No postoperative deaths or life threatening complications were noted. The immediate postoperative complications included urinary tract infection in 20 patients (20.5%), wound infection in 3 (3.0%) and orchiepididymitis in 3 (3.0%). Postoperative mild to moderate incontinence was noted in 2 patients (2.0%). Bladder neck constriction and urethral strictures occurred in 4 (4.1%) and 3 (3.0%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Transvesical prostatectomy can be performed safely in elderly patients with a low morbidity rate.

Age Factors↗

The effect of octreotide on wound healing: an in vitro and in vivo experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of octreotide on wound healing. DESIGN: Experimental studies in vitro and in rats. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Israel. MATERIAL: Cultured human diploid fetal fibroblasts, and 36 male Wistar rats. INTERVENTIONS: Octreotide was added to cultures of fibroblasts in doses of 2, 10, 30, 60 and 120 ng/ml and fibroblasts were counted after 2, 4, and 6 days. Intestinal anastomoses were made in 36 rats. Rats in the octreotide group (n = 18) were given subcutaneous injections of 0.25 microg/kg twice daily and 6 rats were killed at 3, 7, and 14 days. The control group were given injections of saline. Anastomotic bursting pressures and hydroxyproline content were measured at each of the three times. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fibroblast counts, anastomotic bursting pressures, and hydroxyproline concentrations. RESULTS: Octreotide did not inhibit fibroblast proliferation in any of the doses at any of the time periods. The anastomotic bursting pressure was slightly higher in the octreotide group at each of the time points, but not significantly so, and there was no difference in hydroxyproline content between the octreotide and control groups. Octreotide did not inhibit wound healing either in vitro or in vivo.

Analysis of Variance↗

[Anterior vaginal wall and pelvic floor sling for stress incontinence].

There is considerable doubt as to whether the intra-abdominal position of the urethra is the critical factor in maintenance of continence. Recent studies have suggested that a firm, supportive, suburethral layer is required for urethral closure during effort. The surgical procedure we describe is performed by vaginal approach and involves creation of a sling from the vaginal wall and underlying musculofascial layer, that provides compression and support for the urethra and resuspends the bladder neck. 20 women (37-70 years, mean 48.4) with severe stress incontinence (average of 5 wet pads per day) underwent the sling procedure between October 1994 and July 1995. 10/20 had had previous pelvic surgery (6 anti-incontinence procedures and 4 hysterectomies). 3/20 had intrinsic sphincter dysfunction and the rest a hypermobile urethra. The surgical technique was easily performed. Postoperative complications were minimal, and included blood transfusion in 3 and in 5 suprapubic pain which subsided spontaneously or after oral diclofenac. The cystostomy was closed after 10.5 days (range 3-49) when voiding resumed and urine residual became less than 60 ml. The median follow-up was 9.4 months (range 3-12). All patients were cured and satisfied. 2/20 reported onset of urge incontinence which was found urodynamically to be de-novo detrusor instability due to urethral obstruction. On the other hand, all 3 patients with associated urge incontinence reported its disappearance postoperatively. These results are encouraging and this surgical procedure seems to provide a good solution for all types and grades of stress incontinence. Long-term follow-up is required to determine persistence of the good results.

Adult↗

The effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation of rat brain on behavioral models of depression.

Magnetic stimulation of the brain in unanesthetized humans and animals can painlessly induce motor movements and has recently been reported to have antidepressant properties. In behavioral models of depression and electroconvulsive therapy including enhancement of apormorphine-induced stereotypy, reduction of immobility in the Porsolt swim test and increases in seizure threshold for subsequent stimulation, magnetic stimulation of rat brain had effects similar to those of electroconvulsive shock.

Animals↗

Changing trends in the management of iatrogenic ureteral injuries.

PURPOSE: We evaluated changing trends in the management of late diagnosed iatrogenic ureteral injuries before and after the introduction of percutaneous nephrostomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 44 patients of whom 24 were treated primarily by immediate reconstructive surgery from 1979 to 1984 and 20 were treated primarily by percutaneous nephrostomy tube insertion beginning in 1985. RESULTS: Six of the 24 patients underwent ureteroneocystostomy and 18 underwent end-to-end uretero-ureteral anastomosis to repair the injury. Postoperatively 18 patients had a urinary tract infection. Hospital stay after reconstructive surgery ranged from 14 to 35 days (average 18). Long-term followup showed a normal upper urinary tract in 22 patients and mild to moderate hydroureteronephrosis in 2. Of the 20 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrostomy 16 (80%) had complete spontaneous recovery of the injured ureter after 14 to 66 days (average 32). Hospital stay after the insertion of the percutaneous nephrostomy tube ranged from 3 to 5 days. Urinary tract infection developed in 4 patients and mild hydronephrosis was noted in 1 on long-term followup. CONCLUSIONS: The primary management of ureteral injury by percutaneous nephrostomy resulted in significantly decreased reoperation and morbidity rates, and enabled spontaneous recovery of the injured ureter in the majority of patients.

Female↗

Ectopic splenic tissue simulating a renal mass.

A 64-year-old patient who underwent splenectomy presented clinically with ectopic splenic tissue simulating a solid renal mass. The splenic origin of the mass was assessed by radionuclide spleen scan. Nephrectomy was avoided.

Choristoma↗

[Pelvic floor training for stress incontinence].

Genuine stress incontinence is a problem of considerable magnitude. Surgery is the treatment of choice, but there are conservative nonsurgical methods which facilitate the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor musculature. The aim of this study was to determine if our protocol for pelvic floor training is a realistic alternative for the patient who refuses operation. 34 women, aged 38-72 years (mean 48), entered a 3-month training program. It included 12 1-hour weekly meetings in the outpatient clinic with 2 motivated physiotherapists, and home exercises performed 4 times a day. After the training program they were to perform the exercises as needed. At the end of the 3 months of training, stress incontinence had disappeared in 10 patients (29.4%), 12 (35.7%) were improved, and the rest (35.7%) unchanged. Evaluation of 28 patients after 2 years showed no significant change in the results. In summary, pelvic floor training is good alternative treatment for selected patients with genuine stress incontinence.

Adult↗

Alcohol-related dementia in the institutionalized elderly.

This study examined the distribution of alcohol-related and other dementias in a sample of 130 cognitively impaired residents of long-term care facilities in a Northern Ontario community. Study procedures entailed standardized psychiatric, neurological, and neuropsychological evaluations. Diagnoses of dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and vascular dementia were based on criteria of the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke and the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association. The diagnosis of alcohol-related dementia (ARD) was based on extensive review of medical history to assess before alcohol abuse and stabilization or improvement in cognitive functioning following institutionalization in conjunction with no other identifiable cause of dementia. ARD comprised 24% of this population compared with DAT (35%), vascular dementia (19%), and other causes (22%). The ARD group was, on average, 10 years younger than the other groups. It had nearly twice the average length of institutionalization and had milder cognitive impairment on both clinical ratings and neuropsychological tests. A diagnosis of ARD was present in the medical records for only 25% of patients in this group. These findings suggest that ARD may be more common than previously suspected in the distribution of dementias in long-term care facilities.

Aged↗

Intermittent claudication caused by compression of tibial vessels as a result of calf muscle hypertrophy: case report.

We present a case with findings suggestive of popliteal artery entrapment in a patient with intermittent claudication and localized muscle hypertrophy in the calf muscles after removal of a herniated disk. Angiography failed to demonstrate popliteal artery entrapment but instead revealed compression of the tibial vessels caused by calf muscle hypertrophy. The concept of muscle hypertrophy caused by denervation is also discussed.

Humans↗

Effect of an iron supplement on body iron status and aerobic capacity of young training women.

Serum iron deficiency has a high incidence in female athletes. We investigated the effects of a daily oral iron supplement, (160 mg) administered during an intensive 7-week physical training programme, on body iron status, and the maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) of 13 women (group A) compared to 15 who took a placebo (group B). The subjects were 19 years old. Blood samples were obtained before training began and on days 1, 7, 21 and 42 of training. They were analysed for packed cell volume (PVC) and for haemoglobin (Hb), 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), haptoglobin, iron and ferritin concentrations. The VO2max was measured on days 0, 21 and 42 of training. Following 21 days of training Hb, PCV and ferritin were significantly higher (P less than or equal to 0.01) in group A compared to group B. Over the training period Hb rose by 9.3% and 2.4% in groups A and B, respectively. At the end of training 66% of group B exhibited ferritin concentrations below 10 ng.ml-1, while none of group A had such low values. Mean VO2max of group A had increased by 7.5% following 21 days of training (P less than or equal to 0.01) and by 15.3% after 42 days. No appreciable increase in VO2max had occurred in group B by day 21 (significantly lower than VO2max of group A; P less than or equal to 0.05), however by day 42 it had increased by 14.3% (P less than or equal to 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Sports hematuria.

Strenuous exercise makes extraordinary demands. The transition from rest to intensive physical activity can cause pathological changes in various organs, particularly in the urinary tract. Hematuria (microscopic or macroscopic) is one of the abnormalities commonly found after sports activity. This phenomenon can occur in noncontact sports (such as rowing, running and swimming) as well as in contact sports (boxing, football and so forth). The pathophysiology can be either traumatic or nontraumatic. Renal trauma and/or bladder injury due to repeated impact of the posterior bladder wall against the bladder base can cause vascular lesions and consequently hematuria. There are 2 mechanisms of nontraumatic injury. 1) Vasoconstriction of the splanchnic and renal vessels occurs during exercise in order that blood can be redistributed to the contracting skeletal muscles, thus causing hypoxic damage to the nephron. This results in increased glomerular permeability which would favor increased excretion of erythrocytes and protein into the urine. 2) A relatively more marked constriction of the efferent glomerular arterioli results in an increased filtration pressure, which favors increased excretion of protein and red blood cells into the urine. It must be noted that sports hematuria differs from other conditions that may cause reddish discoloration of the urine due to physical exercise, such as march hemoglobinuria and exercise myoglobinuria. In the latter 2 abnormalities there is excretion of hemoglobin and myoglobin molecules in the urine and not whole blood or intact red blood cells. Sports hematuria usually has a benign self-limited course. However, coexisting urinary tract pathological conditions should be excluded carefully.

Athletic Injuries↗

Surgical management of long urethral strictures.

A total of 25 patients with a long urethral stricture involving the bulbomembranoprostatic urethra underwent excision of the afflicted region via the perineal approach with end-to-end anastomosis. Liberation of the distal urethra provided sufficient length for anastomosis without tension of the healthy urethra. Satisfactory results were obtained in 23 of the 25 patients without any functional disturbance of sphincter control.

Acute Disease↗

Combined retropubic prostatectomy and preperitoneal inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Inguinal hernia and an enlarged prostate causing urinary obstruction are 2 disorders with a higher frequency among elderly patients. The anatomical proximity of an inguinal hernia to the enlarged prostate raises the possibility of joint, concurrent surgical treatment of both disorders. We report on the successful preperitoneal repair via a Pfannenstiel incision of 131 inguinal hernias in 97 patients who had undergone retropubic prostatectomy owing to benign enlargement of the prostate. Followup averaged 7 years and included 91 patients with 122 direct and indirect, unilateral or bilateral hernias. Summation of our results shows a low recurrence rate (4.9 per cent) and no complications in the wake of the combined operation. In our opinion prostatectomy combined concurrently with inguinal hernia repair via a preperitoneal retropubic approach should be applied routinely in urological practice.

Aged↗