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Biomedical subjects

M D Stringer

Publications and source records attributed to M D Stringer.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Endoscopic sclerotherapy in the management of esophageal varices in 61 children with biliary atresia.

Sixty-one children who have survived 2.5 years or more after corrective surgery for biliary atresia were prospectively followed by endoscopy. Esophageal varices were detected in 41 patients (67%), 17 of whom (28%) had experienced episodes of variceal hemorrhage. Control of variceal bleeding was achieved by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy in all but one child who died from hemorrhage before the completion of treatment. Complications of the technique comprised episodes of bleeding before variceal obliteration (7), esophageal ulceration (5), and stricture (3). These resolved with conservative management and without long-term sequelae. During a mean follow-up period of 2.8 years after variceal obliteration, rebleeding from recurrent esophageal varices developed in only one child and responded to further sclerotherapy. These results are better than those following surgical procedures for portal hypertension in biliary atresia, and therefore endoscopic sclerotherapy is recommended as the treatment of choice.

Biliary Atresia↗

The effect of a bolus injection of unfractionated or low molecular weight heparin during aortobifemoral bypass grafting.

Eighteen patients undergoing aortobifemoral graft surgery for severe aortoiliac atherosclerotic disease received a bolus injection of 10,000 anti-Xa units of either unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) into the distal aorta as prophylaxis against thromboembolic complications related to clamping. Heparin activity was measured by factor Xa inhibition and by prolongation of the APTT. In both groups there was a delay before peak levels of heparin were observed. In the LMWH group, this amounted to 30 min. In the UFH group, APTT was prolonged by 46 s, 7 min after injection but only by 5 s at the end of the operation. In contrast, in the LMWH group, the prolongation in APTT 7 min after injection was less (34 s) but more sustained since a 12.5 s prolongation was still present at the end of the operation. During surgery, heparin activity exceeded 0.7 U/ml in the LMWH group, compared to significantly lower levels in the UFH group (less than or equal to 0.20 U/ml). By the end of the operation no heparin activity was detectable in the UFH group. Protein C antigen decreased after heparin injection and this fall was more pronounced in the UFH group. The level of C1q (a subcomponent of the first component of the complement system) was decreased in the UFH group (P less than 0.04), whereas in the LMWH group C1q levels increased. Platelet aggregation with collagen was inhibited to a significantly greater degree in the LMWH group than the UFH group (54% compared with 23%) (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aged↗

Deep vein thrombosis after elective knee surgery. An incidence study in 312 patients.

The incidence of venous thromboembolism after elective knee surgery has previously been studied almost exclusively in patients receiving total knee replacements, in whom the risk of a deep vein thrombosis is approximately 60%. We report the results of ipsilateral ascending venography in 312 patients undergoing a wide variety of elective knee operations under tourniquet ischaemia, none of whom received any specific prophylaxis against thromboembolism. Total knee replacement was confirmed to carry a high risk with ipsilateral deep vein thrombosis in 56.4% and symptomatic pulmonary embolism in 1.9%. By contrast, arthroscopy was associated with a low incidence of venous thrombosis (4.2%). Meniscectomy, arthrotomy, patellectomy, synovectomy and arthrodesis were all high-risk procedures, particularly in patients over 40 years of age, and were associated with deep vein thrombosis rates of 25% to 67%. On the basis of these findings, we advise prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism in all patients over 40 years of age undergoing elective knee surgery other than arthroscopy.

Adult↗

Prevention of venous thromboembolism.

The aim of prophylaxis in venous thromboembolism is firstly to prevent fatal pulmonary embolism and secondly to reduce the morbidity associated with deep vein thrombosis and the post-phlebitic limb. Particularly high-risk groups are identifiable and include those over 60 years of age undergoing major surgery, patients with malignancy and those undergoing hip operations. Low-dose subcutaneous heparin (5000 U s.c. commenced two hours preoperatively and continued eight to twelve hourly until the patient is fully mobile) is unequivocally effective in preventing deep vein thrombosis in medical and surgical patients and, most importantly, significantly reduces the incidence of fatal postoperative pulmonary embolism and total mortality. Furthermore, in established deep vein thrombosis, low-dose heparin limits proximal clot propagation, which is the prelude to pulmonary embolism. Despite this, surveys have demonstrated an alarming deficiency amongst clinicians in the application of measures to prevent venous thromboembolism. Heparin prophylaxis carries a small risk of increased bleeding complications, mostly evidenced by the frequency of wound haematoma rather than major haemorrhage. Low molecular heparin fragments (e.g. Fragmin, Choay, Enoxaprin) are now emerging as useful alternative agents, having the advantage of once daily administration and yet providing similar efficacy in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis. However, protection against fatal pulmonary embolism has yet to be demonstrated. Mechanical methods of prophylaxis designed to counteract venous stasis, such as graduated elastic compression stockings, are also beneficial in protection against deep vein thrombosis but by themselves do not achieve such consistently good prophylaxis as low-dose heparin. However, clinical trials with combinations of mechanical methods and low-dose heparin indicate that this may be the optimum approach to very high-risk patients. In the presence of established acute deep vein thrombosis, anticoagulant therapy is the mainstay in preventing pulmonary embolism. Vena caval interruption procedures should be reserved for patients in whom anticoagulation is contraindicated or for those who develop recurrent pulmonary embolism despite adequate anticoagulation.

Humans↗

Assessment of injection sclerotherapy in the management of 152 children with oesophageal varices.

A total of 152 consecutive children with oesophageal varices have been endoscopically reviewed since 1979. In all, 108 of these children presented with variceal bleeding which was managed by injection sclerotherapy. Variceal obliteration was achieved in 33 (92 per cent) children with extrahepatic portal hypertension and 54 (75 per cent) with intrahepatic portal hypertension. Prophylactic injection sclerotherapy was used to obliterate large varices in 11 children with no history of haemorrhage. Bleeding episodes occurred in 38 (39 per cent) children before variceal obliteration was complete. However, the mortality rate from variceal bleeding was only 1 per cent. Complications were oesophageal ulceration (29 per cent) and stricture (16 per cent) which both resolved with conservative management. During a mean follow-up period of 2.9 years after sclerotherapy, recurrent oesophageal or gastric varices developed in 12 (12 per cent) cases, with rebleeding in 9 (9 per cent), but all responded successfully to a second course of treatment. These results are superior to contemporary surgical management and injection sclerotherapy should therefore currently be the primary treatment of choice for bleeding oesophageal varices in children.

Adolescent↗

Surgical treatment of hepatic hydatid disease.

The results of surgery in 48 patients with hepatic hydatid disease are described. In 26 out of 32 patients with uncomplicated cysts, conservative surgery with obliteration of the cyst cavity by omentoplasty gave satisfactory results. In contrast, 16 patients with cysts complicated by pyogenic infection or cholangitis required a variety of surgical procedures, including prolonged tube drainage, exploration of the common bile duct, sphincterotomy/plasty and hepatojejunostomy to achieve a satisfactory outcome. The group with complicated cysts also had a much longer postoperative stay (median 30 days) than those with uncomplicated cysts (median 14 days). Two patients died: in one, post-mortem examination revealed carcinoma in the wall of the cyst.

Adolescent↗

Surgeons' attitudes to the operative management of duodenal ulcer perforation and haemorrhage.

The currently preferred operative management of duodenal ulcer haemorrhage and perforation was assessed by means of a questionnaire sent to 274 consultant general surgeons in England. A 70% response rate was achieved. Simple closure, with or without H2 antagonist treatment, was the most popular management of a perforated acute duodenal ulcer. For perforation of a chronic duodenal ulcer occurring during H2 antagonist therapy, truncal vagotomy and drainage was the definitive procedure of choice. There was no consensus about the operative management of perforation complicating non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug treatment in the elderly patient. Proximal gastric vagotomy appears to have few advocates in the definitive management of either duodenal ulcer perforation or haemorrhage. Of our sample 70% selected truncal vagotomy and drainage with underrunning of the ulcer as the operative treatment of choice for bleeding. Endoscopic coagulation appears to be used only rarely.

Acute Disease↗

Inferior vena caval thrombosis complicating acute pancreatitis. Case report.

This case report describes a patient with acute pancreatitis who was found to have inferior vena caval thrombosis. This was diagnosed by CT scan and confirmed by digital subtraction venography. Of the many recognised vascular complications of acute pancreatitis, isolated inferior vena caval thrombosis has not been previously reported.

Acute Disease↗

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysms account for 10% of all abdominal aortic aneurysms. They are characterized at operation by their thick fibrotic walls which adhere to adjacent structures; this may present major technical difficulties requiring a modified surgical approach. Because they respond to treatment with corticosteroids, their management is controversial.

Aged↗

The lower limb as a presenting site of malignant lymphoma.

Cutaneous malignant lymphomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of unusual swellings or ulcers presenting on the limbs. Four cases on the lower limb are described. They may appear as nodules, plaques or ulcers and it is recommended that cytology is used to supplement histology in diagnosis. Successful treatment with radiotherapy is possible but the overall prognosis is frequently poor.

Aged↗