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Biomedical subjects

J J Tepas

Publications and source records attributed to J J Tepas.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

The role of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis.

Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus has emerged as a prominent pathogen in the neonatal intensive care unit and a recent report has implicated this organism in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). This same study suggests that Staphylococcus epidermidis is most commonly associated with a "mild form of enterocolitis." This prompted a review of the role of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in the surgical complications of NEC. Between 1982 and 1986, 86 newborns underwent operation for perforation or intestinal necrosis secondary to NEC. Blood cultures, obtained within 72 hours of surgery, were positive in nine of 71 infants (13%). One third of these grew coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Peritoneal cultures obtained at the time of operation were positive in 71 neonates. The incidence of Staphylococcus epidermidis was 30%. In a third of these cases, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the only organism covered. Overall mortality within the group was 33%. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the single most frequent organism recovered from those infants who expired (35%). This data clearly indicates that Staphylococcus epidermidis must be considered as a significant pathogen in NEC. It is associated with both morbidity and mortality and, therefore, warrants appropriate aggressive therapy when recovered from the neonate with enterocolitis.

Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous↗
PubMed1988

Terrorist bombings. Lessons learned from Belfast to Beirut.

Experience in the management of mass casualties following a disaster is relatively sparse. The terrorist bombing serves as a timely and effective model for the analysis of patterns of injury and mortality and the determination of the factors influencing casualty survival in the wake of certain forms of disaster. For this purpose, a review of the published experience with terrorist bombings was carried out, providing a study population of 3357 casualties from 220 incidents worldwide. There were 2934 immediate survivors of these incidents (87%), of whom 881 (30%) were hospitalized. Forty deaths ultimately occurred among these survivors (1.4%), 39 of whom were among those hospitalized (4.4%). Injury severity was determined from available data for 1339 surviving casualties, 251 of whom were critically injured (18.7%). Of this population evaluable for injury severity, there were 31 late deaths, all of which occurred among those critically injured, accounting for an overall "critical mortality" rate of 12.4%. Overall triage efficiency was characterized by a mean overtriage rate (noncritically injured among those hospitalized or evacuated) of 59%, and a mean undertriage rate (critically injured among those not hospitalized or evacuated) of .05%. Multiple linear regression analysis of all major bombing incidents demonstrated a direct linear relationship between overtriage and critical mortality (r2 = .845), and an inversely proportional relationship between triage discrimination and critical mortality (r2 = 0.855). Although head injuries predominated in both immediate (71%) and late (52%) fatalities, injury to the abdomen carried the highest specific mortality rate (19%) of any single body system injury among immediate survivors. These data clearly document the importance of accurate triage as a survival determinant for critically injured casualties of these disasters. Furthermore, the data suggest that explosive force, time interval from injury to treatment, and anatomic site of injury are all factors that correlated with the ultimate outcome of terrorist bombing victims. Critical analysis of past disasters should allow for sufficient preparation so as to minimize casualty mortality in the future.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1988

The Pediatric Trauma Score as a predictor of injury severity: an objective assessment.

The ability of the Pediatric Trauma Score (P.T.S.) to predict injury severity and mortality was evaluated by analysis of its relationship with the Injury Severity Score (I.S.S.) of 615 children entered into the National Pediatric Trauma Registry (N.P.T.R.). Mean age was 8.2 years and mortality was 3.5%. Mean I.S.S. of survivors was 8.1 in comparison to 59.7 for nonsurvivors. Linear regression coefficient determined from analysis of these variables produced a slope of -3.7 with a statistically significant correlation of P.T.S. to I.S.S. (p less than 0.001; r2 = 0.89). Analysis of the mortality for each cohort of patients with the same P.T.S. identified three categories of mortality potential. Children whose P.T.S. was greater than 8 had a 0% mortality. Children whose P.T.S. was between 0 and 8 had an increasing mortality related to their decreasing P.T.S. (r2 = 0.86), and children whose P.T.S. was below 0 had 100% mortality. This study documents the direct linear relationship between P.T.S. and injury severity, and confirms the P.T.S. as an effective predictor of both severity of injury and potential for mortality.

Child↗
PubMed1988

Pediatric appendicitis: efficacy of laboratory and radiologic evaluation.

We retrospectively reviewed 54 consecutive children (mean age, 12 years) evaluated for possible appendicitis to determine the efficacy of laboratory and radiologic procedures in establishing the diagnosis. The final diagnosis was appendicitis in 24 and abdominal pain not necessitating operation in the remaining 30. Two hundred two laboratory tests were obtained (average 3.7 tests per patient). The mean white blood cell count on initial CBC was 13,930/cu mm overall with a higher mean in the appendicitis group (16,704 vs 11,057/cu mm). Of the 148 tests besides CBC, only 12 (8%) yielded abnormal results; all of these were present on urinalysis and were nondiagnostic. A total of 117 roentgenograms were obtained on initial evaluation (average 2.2 x-ray films per patient). Films were considered abnormal by the ordering physician in 12 cases (24%). When reviewed by the radiologist, 17 abnormalities (33%) were detected. In only seven instances was there agreement in interpretation of abnormality between the ordering physician and the radiologist. This review indicates little usefulness of nonspecific laboratory and radiologic evaluation of possible appendicitis in children. Appendicitis remains a diagnosis of physical examination, and early referral with thorough evaluation by an experienced examiner may result not only in improved accuracy, but in less delay in appropriate therapy, with greater cost effectiveness.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Impact of emergency room laboratory studies on the ultimate triage and disposition of the injured child.

One hundred sixty six surviving pediatric trauma patients were retrospectively studied to assess the contribution of initial laboratory evaluations to clinical decision making in the emergency department (ED). All laboratory tests ordered, the results of those tests and the number of test results available before patient disposition from the ED were reviewed. A total of 626 laboratory studies were ordered in 166 patients. Results from only 68.5 per cent of the laboratory tests were available in the ED prior to the patient's transfer from the ED. Only 6.4 per cent of these results were abnormal. This low incidence of abnormal test results and preadmission availability questions the utility of extensive initial routine laboratory evaluations of the pediatric trauma patient. Based on this data, the current protocol has been revised to include hemoglobin/hematocrit determinations, type and screen, and urinalysis. Additional blood is obtained and appropriately labeled so that further studies can be performed if the patient's management should require baseline laboratory evaluations. This approach is more efficient, cost-effective, and no less sensitive in the initial evaluation and management of the injured child.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Abdominal complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunts. Case reports and review of the literature.

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the standard therapy for the management of hydrocephalus. Before the advent of silastic, early abdominal complications were frequent and finally led to the abandonment of this technique for management of hydrocephalus. With the use of silastic shunt tubing, VP shunts have once again gained favor as the procedure of choice. Although there are now considerably fewer complications from VP shunts, the presence of an intraperitoneal catheter can still initiate various complications. Abdominal complications of VP shunts are reported to be from 10-30 per cent, thus remaining clinically important for early recognition and treatment in patient management. An awareness of these complications is necessary in creating an index of suspicion for the primary physician whose patients harbor a VP shunt and present with abdominal symptoms. This report presents five cases of children with abdominal complications of VP shunts (four pseudocysts and one umbilical granuloma with spontaneous drainage of CSF). Additional abdominal complications of VP shunts are discussed, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives in order to improve and expedite accuracy in diagnosis and provide simplicity and efficiency in treatment.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1987

The pediatric trauma score as a predictor of injury severity in the injured child.

The ability of the Pediatric Trauma Score (PTS) to accurately predict the degree of injury severity of the injured child was assessed by comparing two separate groups of pediatric trauma victims. The first group consisted of 110 patients evaluated at a regional pediatric trauma center whose data was collected and assessed by a single investigator. The second group consisted of a similar matched cohort of 120 patients from the National Pediatric Trauma Registry whose data was collated from multiple participating institutions. In both cases, a linear relationship between PTS and Injury Severity Score (ISS) was documented that was statistically significant to P less than .001. The linear regression coefficients of each group were similar as was the distribution of PTS and ISS. This study documents the validity of the PTS as an initial assessment tool and confirms its reliability as a predictor of injury severity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

An inexpensive and effective retractor for transanal surgery.

An extremely effective retractor for use in transanal surgery can be produced by removing the polyethylene bag from a standard colostomy appliance and cutting notches in the outer circumference. The resultant pliable ring serves as a frame to which heavy silk sutures can be attached after placement tangentially at the dentate line. This creates a retractor that conforms to the contour of the buttocks, frees the hands of the assistants, and definitively marks the dentate line. By everting the anus circumferentially, key landmarks are accurately exposed and unnecessary crowding of the anal field is avoided.

Anal Canal↗
PubMed1986

Timing of automatic contralateral groin exploration in male infants with unilateral hernias.

The effect of using 6 months as the cutoff age for automatic exploration of the asymptomatic contralateral side in male infants undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy was studied by evaluating the operative findings and follow-up of 300 consecutive male infants admitted for symptomatic unilateral groin hernias. Males under the age of 6 months were automatically explored on the contralateral asymptomatic side. Those between 6 and 24 months underwent repair of only the symptomatic presenting side. The negative exploration rate in the 121 infants less than 6 months was 38 per cent. The return rate for contralateral exploration in children between 6 months and 2 years was 1 per cent. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 5 years. This data suggests that lowering the age for automatic exploration of the male contralateral groin to 6 months does not increase the rate of positive findings on the asymptomatic side. Nor does it appreciably increase the rate of later required contralateral operations.

Follow-Up Studies↗
PubMed1981

Tracheostomy in neonates and small infants: problems and pitfalls.

Newborn babies and small infants who require tracheostomy often follow a complicated clinical course characterized by frequent sepsis, altered ventilatory dynamics, and eventual respiratory decompensation. Many of these problems are avoidable with use of a properly placed endotracheal tube during tracheostomy, a special surgical technique in the performance of the tracheostomy, and silicone rubber tracheostomy tubes. Seventy-four babies underwent tracheostomy at our Children's Center between 1963 and 1976. A review of this experience demonstrates the benefits of unhurried, standardized technique and management. In the 48 newborns requiring tracheostomy, no technical difficulties were encountered, and no complications occurred as a result of the tracheostomy. In the group of 26 older infants, however, there were significant complications, especially in children undergoing emergency tracheostomy without a previously placed endotracheal tube. Although there were no deaths directly related to tracheostomy, one case of pirulent tracheitis and one case of interstitial thyroid hemorrhage were noted at autopsy. Among survivors, there was one case of bilateral pneumothoraces, two cases of severe subcutaneous emphysema, and three cases of postoperative bleeding. Review of the long-term complications in this series demonstrates the benefits of the silicone rubber polymer tube. Since its routine use, problems with stomal granulation have almost disappeared. There have been no problems in extubating the very young babies. Our operative technique and intensive care management of these babies will be emphasized as the keys to the improved outcome.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1980

Bacteremia after esophageal dilation: a clinical and experimental study.

Patients with esophageal stricture caused by caustic ingestion, reflux esophagitis, or esophageal anastomosis often require repeated dilation. These patients frequently have a short febrile course after dilation. After development of brain abscess following esophageal dilation in 1 patient, positive blood cultures were obtained in 4 patients immediately following esophageal dilation. Caustic strictures were produced in cats and esophageal dilations performed. Blood cultures were positive at one minute after dilation in 6 cats and at five minutes in 2 of those cats. The organism responsible in all clinical and three of four experimental examples was Staphylococcus aureus. It is suggested on the basis of this clinical and experimental data that patients undergoing esophageal dilation should have prophylactic coverage if they are immunosuppressed, if endocarditis prophylaxis is necessary, if they are infants, if they are diabetic, or if they had severe bacteremia following dilation.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

A physiologic assessment of segmental bronchial atresia.

A child with congenital atresia of the apical posterior bronchus was followed from birth. The obstructed segment, ventilated through collateral pathways, was documented to be aerated by day 6. At 10 yr of age, the anomalous and adjacent normal segments were resected because of respiratory symptoms. Preoperatively, pulmonary function studies showed a mild obstructive ventilatory defect. Postoperatively, although asymptomatic, the patient's obstruction persisted. Collateral resistance (Rcoll) measured between the atretic and adjacent normal segments of the resected lung was comparable to Rcoll in young adults, but markedly greater than Rcoll for emphysematous lungs. Pathologic examination revealed gross emphysematous changes in the anomalous segment. We conclude that collateral pathways exist early in life and that ventilation of lung distal to congenitally absent airways is slow and may contribute to the development of emphysema; we speculate that this lesion should be resected early in life to permit optimal growth and development of the remaining lung.

Airway Resistance↗
PubMed1980

The natural history of bronchial atresia. Serial observations of a case from birth to operative correction.

A 10-year-old child presented with a history of intermittent respiratory symptoms since birth. Progressive shift of the mediastinum away from a hyperexpanded left upper lobe to the right side was evident on serial chest films, since birth. Bronchograms demonstrated atresia of the bronchus to the hyperexpanded segment. Xenon washout demonstrated prolonged half-time in the left upper lobe resulting from collateral ventilatory channels. Resection of the apical posterior segment of the left upper lobe was performed without complication. Bronchial atresia with collateral ventilation caused "lobar emphysema" in this patient.

Bronchi↗