Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J G Robison

Publications and source records attributed to J G Robison.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

A multidisciplinary approach to reducing morbidity and operative blood loss during resection of carotid body tumor.

Seven carotid body tumors in six patients were successfully managed using a multimodality approach that included the vascular surgeon, head and neck surgeon and angiographer. Five tumors were managed with preoperative subselective embolization of tumor vessels. Two required vascular reconstruction. The mean operative blood loss was 332 milliliters. All of the patients survived, and the only morbidity was one instance of transient vocal cord paresis. Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice for carotid body tumors. After angiographic embolization, a combined surgical approach by both the vascular surgeon and the head and neck surgeon reduces the associated morbidity and blood loss during resection.

Adult↗

Special problems after iatrogenic vascular injuries.

Iatrogenic vascular injuries occurring at our institution were reviewed and several special problems not previously well described were found. These include carotid and femoral pseudoaneurysms, occult hemorrhage and knotting of the angiographic catheter. These problems are exemplified in four patient reports to illustrate how appropriate planning of operative approach and adherence to vascular surgical principles can optimize results.

Aged↗

Minimizing mortality and morbidity from iatrogenic arterial injuries: the need for early recognition and prompt repair.

Seventy-one cases of iatrogenic arterial injury requiring repair at our institution from 1972 through 1984 were retrospectively analyzed. Cardiac catheterization accounted for most of the injuries (62%). Ten injuries (14%) resulted from angiography or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty; four injuries (5.6%) occurred after invasive monitoring devices were inserted. Six injuries (8.45%) stemmed from complications of intra-aortic balloon pump insertion, whereas the remainder occurred during various surgical procedures. Most injuries were in the femoral (42.3%) and brachial (38.1%) locations. Thrombectomy (23.9%) and resection with end-to-end anastomosis (35.2%) were the repairs most commonly performed. Morbidity and mortality were low; only one case resulted in limb loss, and neither of the two deaths resulted from the vascular repair itself. On the basis of our experience, we can make certain recommendations with regard to specific injuries. First, the conservative approach to brachial artery thrombosis occurring after catheterization is early exploration and repair. Second, although most injuries can be managed simply with thrombectomy and primary repair, iliofemoral injuries are more likely to require complex reconstructive techniques. Third, large-bore catheter injuries to the carotid artery require immediate exploration and repair to prevent thrombosis, pseudoaneurysm, and cerebral embolism. Fourth, symptoms of nerve compression after transaxillary arteriography require prompt exploration. Our results indicate that, depending on the site of injury, individualized techniques of varying complexity are required for repair. In general, serious sequelae can be minimized by early recognition, prompt operation, and adherence to sound vascular surgical principles.

Adult↗

Popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm following arthroscopy.

An 18-year-old male presented with left foot ischemia secondary to emboli from a pseudoaneurysm of the left popliteal artery. His past history was significant only for two arthroscopies of his left knee. After evaluation, the patient was successfully treated with obliteration of the aneurysm and a reverse saphenous vein bypass graft.

Adolescent↗

The fate of polytetrafluoroethylene grafts in lower limb bypass surgery: a six year follow-up.

The success of lower limb bypass surgery depends, in the major part, on the availability of autologous saphenous vein as the most satisfactory arterial substitute known to date. Although various prosthetic conduits, used in the absence of saphenous vein, have shown promising success on short term follow-up, more long-term comparative data are required for adequate assessment. This study analyses, by life table method, the results of 134 infra-inguinal bypass grafts using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) over a 6 year period. The results reconfirm the superior long-term patency of vein bypasses compared with such prosthetic grafts. Analysis suggests that, while PTFE may give acceptable results in the immediate and short-term follow-up period, 6 year patencies approach 20-30 per cent.

Arteries↗

The angiographic evaluation of lower-extremity arterial disease in the young adult.

The angiographic evaluation of 38 patients younger than 40 years of age with lower-extremity arterial disease is reviewed. Although atherosclerosis was the most common diagnosis, other etiologies included thromboembolism, popliteal artery entrapment, Buerger's disease, collagen vascular disease, and arteritis. The two features of the angiographic workup that proved most helpful in establishing an accurate diagnosis were biplane aortography and runoff exams designed to demonstrate possible popliteal artery entrapment.

Adolescent↗

Lower extremity arterial disease in young adults. A systematic approach to early diagnosis.

General and vascular surgeons are consulted occasionally to evaluate young adults with ischemia of the lower extremity. Between 1975 and 1985, 51 adults under 40 years of age who had arterial occlusive disease of the lower limb were managed. Although premature atherosclerosis was the most common problem (50%), claudication or limb-threatening ischemia also resulted from other sources (thromboembolism, popliteal artery entrapment, Buerger's disease, collagen vascular disease, and Takayasu's arteritis). Identifying the exact cause was sometimes difficult. The authors were impressed with the number of young adults who had delay in diagnosis and treatment (30 patients, 59%) before referral for a surgical opinion. In this paper, the attempt has been made to uncover the reasons for delayed diagnosis and to suggest a systematic approach that should lead to early recognition of lower extremity ischemia in this age group.

Adolescent↗

Statistical determinants of success and complications of thrombolytic therapy for arterial occlusion of lower extremity.

In this prospective study, we have documented the limited usefulness of thrombolytic therapy in the management of all patients with arterial occlusion of the lower extremities. We have also emphasized the significant rate of recurrent thrombosis unless an underlying obstructive lesion is corrected surgically after clot dissolution. Because thrombolytic drugs can lyse clots of a duration of several weeks, we recommend consideration of fibrinolytic therapy for subacute graft occlusions and segmental arterial thromboses. In such instances, thrombolysis is likely to reveal a focal underlying lesion that is correctable by a limited anastomotic revision or balloon angioplasty. Without fibrinolytic therapy, these older occlusions generally require more extensive bypass grafting or graft replacement. In contrast, we are less enthusiastic about thrombolytic therapy for distal small vessel thrombosis or embolism because complete clot lysis was achieved in only one of five patients. The primary problems with regional arterial low dosage thrombolytic infusions are bleeding at the angiographic catheter entry site and distal thromboemboli of the lysing clot. These difficulties may discourage wide acceptance of fibrinolytic therapy. However, they can be minimized by careful technique. Although its usefulness is limited and complications are common, catheter directed arterial low dosage thrombolytic therapy can be an important initial step in the diagnosis and treatment of selected arterial occlusion of the lower extremities.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

Survival following aggressive treatment of secondary aortocolonic fistula.

Secondary aortocolonic fistula is an uncommon complication of prosthetic aortic grafts; apparently there have been only two previously described long-term survivors. We describe a long-term survivor with this complication in which preoperative computed tomographic scanning and percutaneous abscess drainage allowed early diagnosis and intervention and contributed to optimal treatment and survival. Adherence to time-honored principles of abscess drainage and graft removal, followed by extra-anatomic bypass when indicated, are essential to successful treatment.

Abscess↗

Utility of transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements in peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

The use of transcutaneous oxygen tension (TCpO2) measurements to objectively and noninvasively diagnose peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and to aid in the planning of vascular surgery was investigated. Thirty-two normal subjects and 100 patients with PAOD were studied. TCpO2 values decreased with age; when normalized by measurements on the chest, they did not. Absolute and normalized values of TCpO2 were equally effective in identifying the presence of PAOD and accurately characterized different degrees of severity (claudication vs. rest pain vs. impending gangrene; p less than 0.001). This was true even in diabetic patients, in whom tests based on hemodynamic function were less reliable. Healing of amputations was observed when TCpO2 greater than or equal to 38 mm Hg either preoperatively or after reconstruction; failure to heal in the absence of infection was associated with TCpO2 less than or equal to 38 mm Hg. The need for revascularization was associated with TCpO2 less than 30 mm Hg. A similar distribution of TCpO2 values was associated with success vs. failure of ulcer healing. TCpO2 is a useful complement to standard hemodynamic tests in the diagnosis and management of PAOD and, in addition, provides some distinct advantages.

Adult↗

Femoropopliteal and tibioperoneal artery reconstruction using human umbilical vein.

We used 99 human umbilical vein (HUV) grafts for femoropopliteal or tibioperoneal artery reconstruction in 94 patients. Results were calculated according to the life-table method for several categories possibly influencing graft patency. For above-knee v below-knee distal anastomosis, there was no difference in patency or limb-salvage rates at 30 months. Comparison of good and poor runoff situations disclosed similar 30-month graft patency rates, but significantly better limb-salvage rates among patients with good runoff. Primary revascularization fared significantly better than secondary procedures in terms of patency and limb salvage. We found no significant differences between HUV and polytef (polytetrafluoroethylene) for above-knee anastomoses or good runoff situations. However, patency and limb salvage were better for HUV use in below-knee anastomosis and poor runoff situations. The HUV may offer advantages in long-term patency and limb salvage in selected patients.

Aged↗

Femoropopliteal graft failures. Clinical consequences and success of secondary reconstructions.

We examined 188 failed femoropopliteal grafts during a 16-year period to evaluate the clinical consequences of graft failure and success of secondary revascularization procedures. In limbs with grafts placed for claudication, conditions of 9% with failed grafts remained improved despite graft occlusion, 67% returned to preoperative status, and 24% showed worsened ischemia. One third of claudicants with failed grafts underwent secondary procedures. Ultimately, only 7% of failed grafts in claudicants resulted in amputation, and overall risk of limb loss in patients undergoing operation for claudication alone was low (2%). After failure of grafts performed for limb-salvage indications, 21% of limbs were still improved, and 79% reverted to limb-threatened status, more than half of the limbs undergoing subsequent reoperation. Overall, secondary attempts at reconstruction appeared justified. Although the five-year patency rate of such grafts was only 31%, limb salvage was achieved in 52%, with relatively low morbidity and mortality.

Aged↗

Factors affecting patency of femoropopliteal bypass grafts.

A 16 year review of femoropopliteal bypass grafts identified five factors with significant influence on long term patency. Most important was the nature of the graft itself, with vein grafts having superior long term performance as compared to a variety of prosthetic grafts. Arteriographic runoff, indications for operation, site of the distal anastomosis and prior femoropopliteal operation had a major influence on long term patency of prosthetic grafts but rather minimal effects on the patency of autogenous vein grafts. The influence of several variables proved cumulative, leading to a favorable subset of patients in whom prosthetic grafts may approach long term performance of vein grafts. Differences in such key variables is a major contribution to the widely differing patency rates of previous studies and must be carefully controlled in any future prospective studies.

Aged↗

Aortofemoral graft for multilevel occlusive disease. Predictors of success and need for distal bypass.

Results of aortofemoral reconstruction of 181 consecutive patients with multilevel occlusive disease were reviewed and correlated with possible predictors of outcome. Overall, 74% of patients attained satisfactory relief of ischemic symptoms with proximal operation alone. Forty-six patients (26%) had an unsatisfactory result, 31 (17%) of whom underwent distal bypass grafts. Of 42 variables studied, 12 achieved statistical significance as predictors of outcome, and multivariate analysis identified five factors an independent indicators. Factors documenting hemodynamically significant inflow disease were associated most strongly with a good result. Several noninvasive laboratory variables were found helpful, particularly in assessing the hemodynamic compensation of distal disease. While no single variable reliably indicated the definite need for distal grafting, careful consideration of important factors together with the clinical situation will aid the surgeon in selection of the small group of patients best treated by synchronous aortofemoral and femoropopliteal grafts.

Adult↗

Computed tomography in the diagnosis and localization of intraabdominal abscesses.

Computed tomographic scanning of the abdomen in 50 patients evaluated for suspected intraabdominal abscess resulted in an overall accuracy of 92 percent. It proved the most accurate diagnostic tool in determining the presence of intraabdominal abscess. Computed tomography of the abdomen is a useful diagnostic adjunct to clinical judgment and may assist in localizing intraabdominal abscesses and planning early surgical intervention.

Abscess↗

Abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment: preliminary results with the Talent stent-graft system.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with use of the endoluminal Talent stent-graft (TSG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 10 men, AAA treatment was attempted with use of the TSG. All patients presented significant surgical risk, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary arteriopathy. The mean age was 65.5 years (range, 57-82 years). The mean proximal neck diameter was 25.8 mm (range, 21.6-34 mm). Five of the TSGs were straight tubes and five were bifurcated systems. The main body of the TSG is made of a polyester graft material mounted on a self-expandable nitinol frame. The bifurcated system uses polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material for the legs and extensions mounted on a self-expandable nitinol frame. The bifurcated grafts used a 22 to 27-F introducer and the extensions, a 18-F introducer through a surgical cutdown technique. RESULTS: The TSG system was successfully implanted in nine patients and failed in one because of dislodgment after deployment, which required conversion to surgery. Four leaks occurred initially. One was sealed off with balloon dilation at the end of the procedure, one leak was treated with an additional extension, another leak disappeared spontaneously in 30 days, and the other leak required embolization 4 weeks after discharge. Seven patients were discharged on the third day after the procedure, and two patients were discharged at 1 and 2 weeks, respectively. Blood transfusion was necessary in three patients because of hematoma at the incision site in two patients, which required surgical revision for hemostasis, and because of transoperative bleeding in one patient. Follow-up time ranged from 2 to 15 months. The only death occurred 5 days postoperatively as a consequence of ischemic colitis and multisystem organ failure in the only patient who required surgery. CONCLUSION: Treatment of AAA with the TSG system is effective for aneurysm exclusion. This device seems to provide a good alternative to surgery in patients who are otherwise considered to be at high risk for complications after direct surgical repair, but it is not without risk of complications.

Aged↗