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Biomedical subjects

J M Watts

Publications and source records attributed to J M Watts.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Why do surgical packs cause peritoneal adhesions?

Our experiments in the Porton rat have shown that the foreign debris from surgical sponges left in the peritoneal cavity after use is not the cause of peritoneal adhesions. Instead, the abrasive effect of introducing the sponge produces mesothelial trauma. This is the stimulus for an inflammatory response, followed by adherence of adjacent involved peritoneal surfaces. Adhesions formation did not occur between the abraded peritoneal surfaces of mobile intraabdominal viscera, which suggests that intestinal motility in the early postoperative period is important in the prevention of adhesions.

Animals↗

Chemical composition of gallstones resistant to dissolution therapy with chenodeoxycholic acid.

The gallstones of 14 patients, who had been treated unsuccessfully with chenodeoxycholic acid (15 mg/kg/day) for at lest six months, were obtained at cholecystectomy. The stones were then analysed for their cholesterol and calcium content. Two patients' stones were black in colour and low in cholesterol content, and were classified as pigment stones. Of the remaining 12 patients' stones, which all contained more than 70% cholesterol, 10 contained at lest 1% calcium on the stone surface. In two patients, the surface contained sufficient calcium to form a radio-opaque layer, although the stones had been radiolucent at the start of dissolution therapy. Overall, the results suggest that deposition of calcium salts inhibits the dissolution treatment of gallstones with chenodeoxycholic acid, irrespective of the radiolucency of the stones.

Adult↗

Simultaneous cancer of the pancreas occurring in husband and wife.

The simultaneous occurrence of cancer of the pancreas in husband and wife is reported. Both patients shared two dietary idiosyncrasies--namely, (1) the ingestion of copious amounts of margarine in which they cooked all their food and (2) the addition of 'coffee syrup', a liquid concentrate of coffee, to their ground coffee before percolation. The possible role of the latter in the aetiology of pancreatic cancer is discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Comparison of accuracy of 99mTc-pyridoxylidene glutamate scanning with oral cholecystography and ultrasonography in diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.

A prospective study of 116 patients admitted as emergencies with a clinical diagnosis of acute cholecystitis or biliary colic has shown that the best investigation for confirming a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis is 99mTc-pyridoxylidene glutamate (PG) scanning. Its sensitivity is 99% and its specificity 86%, whereas those of oral cholecystography are 75% and 82%, respectively, and those of ultrasonography are 54% and 62%, respectively. However, estimation of plasma liver enzymes is essential to exclude acute hepatitis before proceeding to early cholecystectomy.

Acute Disease↗

Do surgical packs cause peritoneal adhesions?

In spite of the growing variety of materials being used in the manufacture of intraabdominal packs (sponges), no data have been published on their adhesion-producing properties. We have shown that the Porton rat will reliably produce peritoneal adhesions in response to ischaemia and glove powder. In a randomized control trial using this rat model, we tested the adhesogenic potential of two commercially available surgical packs. Both brands of pack were shown to cause a significant incidence of postoperative peritoneal adhesions (P is less than 0.005), irrespective of whether the packs were used wet or dry. It is recommended that the adhesogenic potential of all products for use within the peritoneal cavity be established in an animal model prior to marketing.

Animals↗

The effect of added bran to the diet on the saturation of bilein people without gallstones.

Bran was added to the diet of eleven volunteers without gallstones, and its effect on bile saturation, bile acid profile in bile, and serum cholesterol and triglycerides was determined. Bile cholesterol saturation was decreased after two months of feeding bran to those female subjects who had supersaturated bile. Bran may be effective in decreasing the lithogenic potential of bile in people without gallstones, and further studies on its place in the prevention of gallstones in susceptible individuals are indicated.

Adult↗

A trial of cephalothin sodium in colon surgery to prevent wound infection.

A double-blind trial of preoperative and perioperative cephalothin sodium in patients undergoing colonic surgery was carried out to test the value of this drug in reducing wound infection rates. Two studies were performed. In the first trial, 1 gm of cephalothin sodium or a placebo was given intravenously at the beginning of operation, and 1 gm one hour later. In the second trial, the dose of cephalothin or placebo was increased to 2 gm. There was no significant reduction in wound infections in either study in the groups receiving cephalothin, although over two thirds of the organisms cultured from the infected wounds were sensitive to cephalothin. It is suggested that meticulous attention to technique to avoid gross contamination remains the most important factor in the prevention of wound infections after colon surgery.

Cephalothin↗

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease: results after colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis.

Eighty-one patients who had had colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease of the colon from 1 to 13 years previously were interviewed and examined by a surgeon with whom they had had no previous contact. Sixty-four patients (79 per cent) had a satisfactory result. In 12 patients the operation had failed and an ileostomy had been established, and in a further 5 patients the result was considered unsatisfactory. Despite a high incidence of frequent loose stools and minor anorectal complications, most of the patients were satisfied with the result and would not contemplate the alternative of an ileostomy. No patient had developed rectal cancer. Provided that the rectum is examined regularly for pre-malignant or malignant change, colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis offer a satisfactory alternative to proctocolectomy and ileostomy for many patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.

Adolescent↗

Gallstone dissolution in man using cholic acid and lecithin.

Seven patients with radiolucent stones in the gallbladder and two patients with radiolucent stones in the biliary tree were treated with oral cholic acid and purified soya-bean lecithin for 6 months. In two patients the stones disappeared and in one patient the stones were reduced in size. In five patients fasting bile samples were obtained before and during treatment and assayed for cholesterol, bile acid, and phospholipid. In all five patients the lithogenic index of bile was reduced during treatment. The biliary deoxycholic acid concentration was increased and chenodeoxycholic acid concentration decreased during treatment.

Administration, Oral↗