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Biomedical subjects

K J Walgenbach

Publications and source records attributed to K J Walgenbach.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Acute cholecystitis--a rare complication in intensive care patients?].

From 1989 to 1995, 25 ICU-patients underwent cholecystectomy for acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC). Preoperative diagnosis remains difficult and ultrasound imaging proved to be the most valid instrument for early diagnosis. Predisposing factors like duration of respiratory failure, extent of surgery, amount of blood loss and mode of analgesia were analyzed. Undelayed surgical treatment was important to avoid further complications such as gangrene or perforation of the gall bladder.

Acute Disease↗

Ischaemia-induced expression of bFGF in normal skeletal muscle: a potential paracrine mechanism for mediating angiogenesis in ischaemic skeletal muscle.

To test the hypothesis that induction of endogenous bFGF can lead to angiogenesis in ischaemic skeletal muscle, we studied the expression of bFGF after transposition of a well-vascularized muscle flap onto an ischaemic hindlimb in the rabbit. The results indicated a marked induction of bFGF mRNA throughout the myoblasts of the well-perfused muscle flap but not the myoblasts of the ischaemic muscle. bFGF protein was detected in the muscle flap, particularly in the myoblasts located closest to a newly formed, adjacent interface, and in the interface itself. In contrast, bFGF expression was not induced after transposition of a well-perfused muscle flap onto healthy muscle tissue. These data provide evidence that the juxtaposition of ischaemic skeletal muscle with healthy mesenchymal tissue triggers an increased expression of bFGF in the myoblasts of the well-perfused muscle. This paracrine induction of bFGF, in turn, leads to increased angiogenesis and regeneration of the ischaemic skeletal muscle.

Animals↗

[The expanded ileal pouch as a reservoir in continence preserving proctocolectomy. An experimental study on the pig].

Silicone balloons were inserted into bypassed segments of terminal ileum of five mini-pigs. The balloons were expanded over a period of 3 months, thereby creating pouches with a mean volume of 700 cm3 (a 9.5-fold increase). Functional proctocolectomy was performed and the bypassed segment was than placed in continuity with its terminal end at the previous site of the anus, thus creating a neorectum. One year later, the three pigs were still alive. They were continent and stool frequency was 2-3 times a day. The final mean volume of the pouch was still 360 cm3, corresponding to a 5.7-fold increase. At the end of the experiment significant hypertrophy of the bowel wall thickness was observed compared to the controls. The rectal X-ray contrast study demonstrated a new rectal reservoir without fistula or stenosis.

Animals↗

The creation of a small bowel pouch by tissue expansion--an experimental study in pigs.

Tissue expanders (inflatable silicone balloons) were implanted into a bypassed ileum segment of seven pigs and consecutively filled over 8 to 12 weeks. The mean increase of the volume of the small bowel loops was 12 fold with a maximum of 22.8 times the original volume. The final volume 9 weeks after expander removal still presented an increase of 500%. Histologically there was an increase of the thickness of all layers of the bowel wall, especially in the tunica muscularis. The mucosa showed a value above normal in mean in vitro 14C-resorption capacity per surface area in the reintegrated bowel. Possible clinical applications of the augmentation of the gut by expansion as a rectum substitute after proctocolectomy, as a urinary bladder or stomach substitute, and for the treatment of short bowel syndrome are discussed.

Animals↗

Effect of ultrasonic assisted lipectomy (UAL) on breast tissue: histological findings.

As the use of ultrasound-assisted liposuction (UAL) increases, the technique grows more popular in breast surgery, especially in reduction mammaplasty and treatment of gynecomastia. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of UAL on breast tissue using histological examinations, and analyze the effect of this technique on a cellular level. Biopsies from 10 patients undergoing ultrasonically assisted lipectomy prior to classic reduction mammaplasty were taken from the treated areas of the breast. Biopsies were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin. Sections were stained with hematoxilin-eosin, and analyzed for defective adipocytes, and the effects of UAL on breast tissue. Untreated breast tissue and breast tissue that had been treated only with conventional aspiration lipectomy served as controls. Sections were analyzed using light microscopy. Compared to the breast tissue treated only with conventional lipectomy, a stronger destruction of the cellular structure of adipocytes could be detected. The destruction was visible even in areas more distant from the aspiration channel. In contrast, the breast tissue was mostly intact, no signs of ultrasonic-induced cellular destruction were visible. The glandular structure was kept intact. Beside the direct mechanical destruction by the probe and the canula, no further alterations of the cellular integrity of the glandular parts were visible. In conclusion our results indicates that UAL is also a safe technique for use in breast surgery. Besides easy handling and improved modelling, the destructive effect of the ultrasound does not include the glandular breast tissue.

Breast↗