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Biomedical subjects

J Olak

Publications and source records attributed to J Olak.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Vinorelbine (Navelbine), cisplatin, and concomitant radiation therapy for advanced malignancies of the chest: a Phase I study.

Most patients with advanced solid tumors of the chest will have local and/or distant disease progression despite standard therapy. Vinorelbine (Navelbine; Burroughs Wellcome Co, Research Triangle Park, NC; Pierre Fabre Medicament, Paris, France) is a new semisynthetic vinca alkaloid with single-agent activity in lung cancer that recently also has been shown to act as a radiosensitizer in vitro. This study aims to define the maximum tolerated dose and dose-limiting toxicity when vinorelbine is given with cisplatin and concomitant radiation therapy. To date, 25 patients with advanced malignancies of the chest have been treated in a dose-escalation trial of vinorelbine administered once weekly with cisplatin (100 mg/m2 every 21 days) and concomitant thoracic radiation therapy (2 Gy/d x 30 fractions for 60 Gy). Vinorelbine was initially given at 20 and 25 mg/m2/wk. Acute dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression, which was seen at a vinorelbine dose of 25/mg/m2/wk, with grade 4 neutropenia in two of three patients and one treatment-related death from neutropenic sepsis. At vinorelbine 20/mg/m2/wk, no acute dose-limiting toxicity was seen, but grade 3 or 4 esophagitis developed in three of six patients near the end or after completion of radiation therapy. We subsequently decreased the administration of vinorelbine to weeks 1, 2, 4, and 5. Tolerance appears to be greater with this schedule; however, severe or life-threatening esophagitis at the completion of therapy continues to be observed. Given these preliminary results, it appears feasible to treat patients with advanced chest malignancies with concomitant cisplatin, vinorelbine, and radiation therapy. The significant dose reduction of vinorelbine that is necessary with concomitant radiation therapy provides the first in vivo evidence of a strong radiosensitizing effect of vinorelbine. The schedule is currently being modified to reduce the incidence of esophagitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Parasternal mediastinotomy (Chamberlain procedure).

The indications for and technical considerations related to the performance of a parasternal mediastinotomy (Chamberlain procedure) are described. The results, including diagnostic yield, morbidity, and mortality of the procedure, are reviewed. Its current role in the thoracic surgeons' armamentarium is discussed.

Humans↗
PubMed1996

Results of myotomy and partial fundoplication after pneumatic dilation for achalasia.

BACKGROUND: We questioned whether results of myotomy for achalasia are influenced by previous pneumatic dilation and whether surgical outcome is influenced by a dilation-related perforation necessitating urgent operation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 60 patients who underwent transthoracic myotomy and fundoplication from 1977 to 1995. Dysphagia, heartburn, pain, and regurgitation were scored on a scale of 0 to 3 and results were classified according to combined symptom score. RESULTS: Dilation was performed before myotomy once in 15 patients, twice in 25, 3 times or more in 9, and never in 11 patients. Operation was urgent due to perforation in 6 patients (10%). There was no postoperative leak or mortality. Overall symptom score at last follow-up (57 +/- 8 months; 90% of patients) was improved compared with preoperative score (2.1 +/- 0.3 months versus 5.1 +/- 0.2 months; p < 0.0001). Outcome was unrelated to whether or not a perforation occurred (excellent/good outcomes in 100% and 88%, respectively) or to whether or not preoperative dilations had been performed (excellent/good outcomes in 90% and 89%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Myotomy and partial fundoplication is an effective technique for management of achalasia. Results are unaffected by the need for urgent operation for perforation and are unrelated to whether pneumatic dilation is performed preoperatively.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy: technique and case report.

Division of the greater and lesser splanchnic nerves using a thoracoscopic approach is presented. Splanchnicectomy has been described by several surgeons as a means of palliating chronic pancreatic pain caused by either alcohol-related chronic pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. Thoracoscopy represents a minimally invasive approach to the splanchnic nerves. Current three-chip cameras enable a sixfold to eightfold magnification of intrathoracic structures, and the nerves are easily identified. The role of this operation in the thoracic surgeon's armamentarium awaits larger series of patients with longer follow-up.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1995

Belsey Mark IV antireflux procedure.

The unmodified version of the Belsey Mark IV antireflux procedure is described. Specific indications for use of this procedure to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease are listed. Patient preparation and anesthetic considerations are discussed.

Esophagus↗
PubMed1994

Anatomy and physiology of the pleural space.

The pleural cavity is created between the 4th and 7th week of embryologic development and is lined by the splanchnopleurae and somatopleurae. These embryonic components of visceral and parietal pleurae develop different anatomic characteristics with regard to vascular, lymphatic, and nervous supply. Both pleurae have two layers: a superficial mesothelial cell layer facing the pleural space and an underlying connective tissue layer. Various ultrastructures of the pleura show a close relationship to the basic functions of the pleural membranes, such as local inflammatory response and maintenance of the pleural fluid. The latter function is especially important in the mechanical coupling of the lung and chest wall. The fluid in the pleural space transmits transpleural forces involved in normal respiration, and the maintenance of the optimal volume and thickness is regulated closely. Fluid is filtered into the pleural space according to the net hydrostaticoncotic pressure gradient. It flows downward along a vertical pressure gradient, presumably determined by hydrostatic pressure and resistance to viscous flow. There also may be a net movement of fluid from the costal pleura to the mediastinal and interlobar regions. In these areas, pleural fluid is resorbed primarily through lymphatic stomata on the parietal pleural surface.

Connective Tissue↗
PubMed1992

Surgical decision analysis: esophagectomy/esophagogastrectomy with or without drainage?

Decision analysis was used to compare three management strategies for patients undergoing esophagogastrectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus or gastric cardia: drain all patients with either pyloromyotomy or pyloroplasty, drain no patient, or perform a test that stratifies patients into high-risk and low-risk groups for development of gastric outlet obstruction and drain the high-risk group. Results indicate that a "drain all" approach is appropriate in clinical settings where the risk of gastric outlet obstruction is greater than 10%, as long as the drainage procedure is 95% effective. If a test were developed to stratify patients, it would have to have a sensitivity of 80% when its specificity was 100%, and would require a higher sensitivity as the specificity fell below 100%.

Decision Support Techniques↗
PubMed1991

Randomized trial of one-dose versus six-dose cefazolin prophylaxis in elective general thoracic surgery.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of one to six doses of cefazolin as prophylaxis in general thoracic surgery using a randomized, double-blind design. Two-hundred eight consecutive patients admitted to a regional thoracic surgery unit for elective thoracotomy and lung resection were eligible for the trial. There were no wound infections in the one-dose group and two in the six-dose group (95% confidence intervals [CI]: -0.008, +0.048 [The positive number refers to the largest possible difference in favor of the one-dose group and the negative number, the largest possible difference in favor of the six-dose group]). Each group had eight postoperative chest infections (CI: -0.075, +0.077) and three empyemas (CI: -0.004, +0.050). Thirty-day mortality was 5% in the one-dose group and 4% in the six-dose group (CI: -0.053, +0.069). Postoperative duration of hospital stay, requirement for antibiotics, and the need for reoperation were comparable. These results suggest that six doses of cefazolin do not confer clinically important benefit beyond that obtained from a single dose for prophylaxis of wound infection in elective general thoracic surgery.

Cefazolin↗
PubMed1991

Cervical esophageal diverticulum associated with an impacted denture: a case report.

The authors describe the case of a 19-year-old man who had swallowed his three-toothed radiolucent upper denture 2 years before the current admission. Although radiologic examination of the soft tissues of the neck and the results of barium meal examination were reported as normal immediately after the event, a barium meal examination 2 years later revealed formation of a cervical esophageal pouch, within which the denture was found at operation. The swallowing and possible impaction of a foreign body within the esophagus should prompt upper gastrointestinal endoscopy despite a negative result of a barium meal examination. Endoscopic removal is the treatment of choice, but surgery is appropriate in selected cases.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Operative vs percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal abscesses. Comparison of morbidity and mortality.

This retrospective case-controlled study compares the morbidity and mortality of 27 percutaneously drained (PD) abscesses with 27 that were surgically drained (SD). Patients were matched for age, sex, diagnosis, and abscess etiology and location. There was no difference in severity of illness (acute physiology score [APS] = 8.3 vs 10.2), comparable morbidity (29.6% vs 40.7%), or mortality (11.0% vs 7.4%) between PD and SD groups. Duration of drainage was significantly longer in the PD group; however, this is explained in part by the 48% vs 18.5% difference in associated fistulae. Failures of the SD group had a higher mean APS (15) than both failures of the PD group (APS = 9.3) and successes of the SD group (APS = 8.6). All three PD group deaths and half of the SD group deaths were related to ongoing sepsis. Surgical drainage of intra-abdominal abscess is as successful as PD. Percutaneous drainage is reasonable initial treatment for intra-abdominal abscess; however, early assessment of clinical status and frequent reassessment are mandatory to ensure that failures are dealth with early. We present a drainage algorithm.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1986

Palliative percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage: assessment of morbidity and mortality.

The results of palliative percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage were assessed retrospectively in 16 cases and prospectively in 7 between 1982 and 1985. Causes of biliary obstruction were metastatic cancer (nine), pancreatic cancer (nine), cholangiocarcinoma (three) and gallbladder cancer (two). Internal drainage was established in 78.3%. In the 19 patients who died, the mean duration of drainage was 3.6 months. Early morbidity was 17.4%. Late septic morbidity occurred in 11 patients (48%) (a total of 28 episodes). Late deaths (31.2%) resulted from upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatic abscess, septic shock, subhepatic abscess and peritonitis. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is associated with substantial morbidity (67.4%) and mortality (35.5%) from infection. Palliation was modest; only eight patients spent more than half their survival time at home, and 10 patients never left hospital. Clinical trials are required to assess the risk-to-benefit ratio and role of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage versus surgical bypass in patients with lesions amenable to surgery, and biliary drainage versus no treatment in patients whose tumour cannot be bypassed.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Hepatic resection for metastatic disease.

Hepatic resection for metastatic disease is reviewed in 30 patients (mean age 58.9 years). The primary site was the colorectum in 25; the other primary tumours were leiomyosarcoma, plasmacytoma, and adenocarcinoma (all of gastric origin), ocular melanoma and an unknown primary. Operative procedures included 7 wedge resections, 5 segmentectomies and 21 lobectomies (11 right, 4 extended right and 6 left). Major complications in seven patients included intraoperative hemorrhage in three, two of whom died, bile-duct injury in two, small-bowel infarction in one and cerebrovascular accident in one. Operative death rate was 6.7% (2 of 30). Thirteen patients were alive and free of disease a mean of 24 months after hepatic resection while 5 more were alive with disease at a mean of 36.9 months. Life-table analysis projected a 5-year survival of 50.3% for those with colorectal primaries, with no apparent difference in survival between patients with single (55.0%) and multiple (54.0%) metastases. Improved survival was projected for patients with metachronous (66.6%) versus synchronous (45.0%) tumours, primary Dukes' class A or B (66.1%) versus Dukes' class C (46.0%) tumours and those having wedge resection or segmentectomy (66.6%) versus lobectomy or extended lobectomy (48.0%). Hepatic resection for metastatic disease can be done with acceptable morbidity and mortality and the expectation of substantially prolonged survival particularly in patients with metachronous lesions or Dukes's A or B colorectal primary lesions.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mortality after esophagectomy: risk factor analysis.

Esophageal resection is associated with a high incidence of operative mortality, suggesting the need for predictors of operative risk. A retrospective analysis was performed for esophagectomy patients using univariate and multivariate analyses; relative risks (RR) were calculated. Of the 269 patients, 35 (13%) died. The optimal model for the preoperative prediction of risk of mortality was defined by age (p = 0.001; RR = 2.6) and performance status (p = 0.04; RR = 1.9). Delimiting the data pool using a calculated risk of 0.2 accurately identified outcomes in 79% of patients and predicted 41% of deaths. The optimal model for the overall prediction of risk of mortality was defined by age (p = 0.001; RR = 3.9), intraoperative blood loss (p < 0.001; RR = 1.7), pulmonary complications (p = 0.002; RR = 6.6), and the need for inotropic support (p = 0.003; RR = 10.2). The individual risk of mortality after esophagectomy can be predicted preoperatively with a model based on patient age and performance status. The findings underscore the importance of preoperative evaluation of cardiopulmonary function, meticulous operative technique, and aggressive respiratory care in the management of the esophagectomy patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Outcome after failed initial therapy for rupture of the esophagus or intrathoracic stomach.

Survival after rupture of the esophagus or intrathoracic stomach is improving, but continued leakage after initial therapy remains a problem. We retrospectively reviewed patients with rupture of the esophagus or intrathoracic stomach to determine the prevalence of continued leakage after initial therapy and how this complication affects outcome. Our review included 58 patients, 38 (66%) of whom had preexisting esophageal disease. The etiology of perforation was spontaneous rupture in 17, penetrating trauma in four, and iatrogenic injury in 35; two patients had perforation from other causes. Initial therapy consisted of drainage in eight, primary repair in 24, resection in 18, bypass in two, and observation in six. The overall mortality rate was 12% (7 of 58 patients) and continuing leaks were identified in 21% (12 of 58 patients). These leaks were unrelated to patient age, existence of prior disease, or delay in therapy but were more common after initial treatment by primary repair with or without pleural flap coverage compared to other management strategies (6 of 9 vs. 6 of 49; P < 0.001). Salvage therapy with survival was possible in 10 (83%) of 12 patients by means of esophagectomy in four, exclusion in one, drainage in two, or observation in three. Continuing leaks can be avoided by providing soft tissue coverage other than pleura over a primary repair and by not leaving an intrathoracic esophageal stump. Aggressive management of continuing leaks results in survival in more than 80% of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Similarity of the effects of erythritol and xylitol on some risk factors of dental caries.

Several sugar alcohols (polyols) have been promoted as potential sugar substitutes in caries limitation. However, differences in the effects of simple alditol-type sugar alcohol homologues on dental plaque have not been compared in clinical tests. The effects of 6-month use of erythritol (a sugar alcohol of the tetritol type), xylitol (a pentitol) and D-glucitol (sorbitol, a hexitol) were investigated in a cohort of 136 teenage subjects assigned to the respective polyol groups or to an untreated control group (n = 30-36 per group). The daily use of the polyols was 7.0 g in the form of chewable tablets, supplemented by twice-a-day use of a dentifrice containing those polyols. The use of erythritol and xylitol was associated with a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.001 in most cases) in the plaque and saliva levels of mutans streptococci. The amount of dental plaque was also significantly reduced in subjects receiving erythritol and xylitol. Such effects were not observed in other experimental groups. Chemical analyses showed D-glucitol to be a normal finding in dental plaque while xylitol was less consistently detected. Erythritol was detected in measurable amounts only in the plaque of subjects receiving this polyol. Erythritol and xylitol may exert similar effects on some risk factors of dental caries, although the biochemical mechanism of the effects may differ. These in vivo studies were supported by cultivation experiments in which xylitol, and especially erythritol, inhibited the growth of several strains of mutans streptococci.

Adolescent↗