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Biomedical subjects

M O Bitker

Publications and source records attributed to M O Bitker.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

[Organizational aspects of organ harvesting in France].

Organ transplantation of kidneys, liver, heart, lungs and pancreas is a routine practice in numerous French surgical centers with very good long-term results. Tissue transplantation of cornea, blood vessels, bone, and cardiac valves has also shown its efficacity and these tissues should be harvested whenever possible. Brain death is defined as the complete and irreversible destruction of the brain stem and cerebral cortex. The diagnosis of brain death is largely clinical but must be confirmed by EEG and cerebral arteriography. The Law of Caillavet has established the concept of "presumed consent" and has defined the judicial framework to permit organ harvesting. Nevertheless, there is still a high level of refusal of organ donation (in a third of cases) by the family of the decedent. At local and regional levels, control and coordination are provided by trained teams in liaison with the French Establishment for Transplantation (Etablissement français de greffes). The number of organ harvests grows steadily (18/million inhabitants in 2001) yet remains insufficient to meet the needs of the ever lengthening list of patients awaiting transplant. The profile of potential donors has also changed with time and poses increasing problems with regard to the quality of harvested organs.

Brain Death↗
PubMed2001

Human herpesvirus-8 seroconversions after renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) is a new human herpesvirus that is clearly associated with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). A previous study has reported that the prevalence of KS in a cohort of renal transplant recipients with previous HHV-8 infection was 28% and two other studies have shown that KS can be linked to HHV-8 seroconversion after graft. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HHV-8 seroconversion rate in a cohort of renal allograft recipients in Paris. METHODS: Two hundred eighty-seven patients who were HHV-8 seronegative before renal transplantation were tested for HHV-8 antibodies by an immunofluorescence assay 12 months after transplantation. RESULTS: Of the 287 patients, 6 (2.09%) seroconverted after renal transplantation. None of these 6 patients developed KS within 3 years of the first HHV-8 positive serum. None of the clinical manifestations that could be associated with HHV-8 primary infection were observed during the seroconversion. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that HHV-8 seroconversion can be observed even in a low HHV-8 prevalence area and confirmed the need to perform systematic screening for HHV-8 antibodies in renal graft donors and recipients.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Fate of a renal tubulopapillary adenoma transmitted by an organ donor.

Organ transplantation from cadaveric donors has a risk of cancer transmission. However, some reports indicate that kidneys bearing small carcinomas can be safely transplanted, as can other organs harvested from the same donor. We report herein the case of two allograft recipients (left kidney and heart with no evidence of tumor) who developed a renal carcinoma soon after transplantation. The initial tumor of the donor was a 17-mm tubulopapillary adenoma found on the right kidney, which was not transplanted. The left kidney recipient rejected all residual tumoral cells after graft removal and immunosuppression discontinuation. The heart recipient died 7 months after transplantation from metastasis of a renal carcinoma. This strongly suggests that circulating carcinoma cells were present at the time of organ retrieval and that they were not cleared by in situ perfusion. In contrast with the literature data, this report indicates that patients with small renal tubulopapillary tumors should not be considered for organ donation.

Adenoma, Villous↗
PubMed2001

Anatomic and functional results of transperitoneal-transvesical vesicovaginal fistula repair.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the anatomic and functional results of transperitoneal-transvesical repair of simple and complex vesicovaginal fistulas (VVFs). METHODS: Between 1978 and 1995, 30 VVFs in 28 patients (mean age 44.6 years, range 21 to 80) were treated by way of a transperitoneal-transvesical approach. VVFs were secondary to hysterectomy in 67.8% of cases; 46.7% of VVFs were considered complex fistulas. Fifty percent of the VVFs were retrotrigonal and 40% were trigonal. A flap was interposed in 70% of cases. The vaginal fistula orifice was left open in 66% of cases, and 33% of VVFs required ureteral reimplantation. The mean duration of bladder drainage was 15.8 days (range 6 to 42), and the mean follow-up was 30 months (range 23 days to 14.6 years). The anatomic and functional results were evaluated by physical examination, cystoscopy, and a self-assessment questionnaire. Success was defined as the disappearance of the fistula. RESULTS: The overall success rate was 85% (24 of 28). The success rate was 87.5% for simple VVFs, 71% for complex VVFs, 93% for retrotrigonal VVFs, 66% for cervicotrigonal VVFs, and 80% for fistulas requiring ureteral reimplantation. Postoperative voiding disorders were reported in 38% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Transperitoneal-transvesical repair of simple and complex VVFs remains the reference treatment for a disease that has become rare in countries with a well-developed healthcare system, but that is disabling and poorly tolerated by patients after the treatment of another disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Outcome of kidney transplant recipients with previous human herpesvirus-8 infection.

BACKGROUND: The consequences of a prior human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) infection in kidney-transplant recipients are still partially unknown. The aim of this monocentric study was to determine the prevalence of HHV-8-seropositive patients at the time of transplantation and to identify the main clinical events of these HHV-8+ recipients. METHODS: From January 1, 1990 to December 31, 1996, antibodies to HHV-8 latent nuclear antigen were detected by indirect immunofluorescent method in serum samples collected just before kidney transplantation from 400 consecutive patients. Conventional double or triple immunosuppressive treatment was prescribed. For the group of HHV-8+ recipients, data including death rate, graft survival, and occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) were retrospectively collected until December 31, 1998. Cofactors associated with KS were studied in univariate and multivariate analyses using a Cox model. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (8%) had antibodies to HHV-8 in their sera at the time of transplantation. Among these 32, 3 years after transplantation, graft survival was 72%, and KS prevalence was 28% (KS incidence: 8.2/yr/100 HHV-8+ recipients). Multivariate analysis identified bacterial and/or Pneumocystis carinii infection (odds ratio: 8.6; P=0.019) and female gender (odds ratio: 5.34; P=0.047) as factors associated with KS. No KS was observed in patients without anti-HHV-8 antibodies at the time of transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: The low graft survival and the high prevalence of KS within the studied population of HHV-8+ transplant recipients are strong arguments for systematic screening of HHV-8 serologic features before transplantation, especially in patients of African origin. HHV-8+ transplant recipients should be closely monitored to severe infections.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Clinical features and contribution of virological findings to the management of Kaposi sarcoma in organ-allograft recipients.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical features of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) in organ-allograft recipients and to determine the contribution of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) investigations to the management of KS. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: We examined 20 organ-allograft recipients with KS at Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France, between November 1, 1991, and May 31, 1999. METHODS: We detected HHV-8 antibodies using an indirect immunofluorescence assay and the HHV-8 DNA genome using nonnested polymerase chain reaction with KS-associated herpesvirus 330(233) primers in peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected at transplantation and KS diagnosis. We detected the HHV-8 genome in involved and uninvolved tissue specimens and in 10 patients' serum samples collected 1 month before the first manifestation of KS. We determined the HHV-8 double-strand DNA sequence and subtypes of open reading frame 26. INTERVENTION: Management of KS consisted of progressively tapering immunosuppressive therapy regardless of KS dissemination. Associated infections were treated when possible. Chemotherapy was prescribed only when a functional disability persisted, and polychemotherapy was prescribed for life-threatening disease. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Percentage of recipients with KS remission and stabilization, organ-graft survival, and death rates. RESULTS: Remission of KS was obtained in 9 (45%) of the 20 patients independently of disease dissemination, with a mean follow-up of 35 months. The kidney graft survived in 12 (67%) of the 18 patients. Only 1 patient (5%) died of KS progression. All allograft recipients had anti-HHV-8 antibodies before transplantation. We detected HHV-8 DNA in all involved tissue samples but not in serum samples 1 month before KS onset. The most prevalent subtype was HHV-8 C (9 [53%] of 17 patients) and was not associated with extradermatological extension of KS compared with subtypes A and B'. CONCLUSIONS: Virological investigations of HHV-8 contribute poorly to KS management. Prospective studies are needed to determine the role of HHV-8 virological investigations and to identify associated cofactors so as to prevent KS in organ-allograft recipients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Long-term results of augmentation cystoplasty in spinal cord injury patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective monocentric follow-up study. OBJECTIVES: To assess long-term functional and urodynamic results of augmentation enterocystoplasty in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients with detrusor hyperreflexia and reflex incontinence who failed to respond to conservative treatment. SETTINGS: Department of Urology (Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital, Paris, France), Department of Neurological Rehabilitation (Raymond Poincaré Hospital, Garches, France), Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris, University Paris VI and V, France. METHODS: Prospective study of 17 SCI patients (four above T6 level, nine between T6 and T12, and four below T12) with history of refractory urge incontinence to pharmacotherapy. Partial cystectomy (subtrigonal for 15) was performed with Hautmann enterocystoplasty (15) or detubularized clam cystoplasty (two). RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 6.3+/-3.8 years (range 1.25 - 10.5 years). Fifteen of 17 (88.5%) patients were completely continent under self clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) (mean 4.6/day, range 4 - 7). The remaining two patients with pudendal nerve denervation had persistent stress urinary incontinence. No operative complications were noted. Long-term complications included recurrent pyelonephritis for one patient. Maximal cystometric capacity increased from 174.1+/-103.9 to 508.1+/-215.8 ml (P<0.05). Maximal end filling pressure decreased from 65.5+/-50.2 to 18.3+/-7.9 cm H2O (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Urodynamic evaluation and clinical assessment demonstrate long-term success of augmentation enterocystoplasty in an homogeneous population (SCI) without delayed complications in SCI patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Preservation of vascular and cardiac capital in the patient with chronic kidney failure].

Preservation of the vascular and cardiac capital is an essential objective at all times in patients with chronic renal failure, even before end-stage renal failure, at which time the urologist may need to perform surgical procedures on the urinary tract in the presence of uropathy. Medical and paramedical teams must be aware of the importance of preservation of the capital venous of the upper extremity and the risks of subclavian catheterization at this stage. When creating a vascular access, distal anastomoses should be preferred, sometimes at the cost of grafting, in order to preserve left ventricular function. Close collaboration with radiologists is now essential to manage complications of vascular accesses. The management of arteriovenous fistula after transplantation depends on many sometimes contradictory parameters and should be determined case by case. The importance of "economic" management of the patient's vascular and cardiac capital justifies global management of chronic renal failure by urologists perfectly familiar with the specific problems of these patients and trained to intervene throughout the course of the disease.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2000

[Seminal vesicle dystrophy as the cause of chronic unilateral pelvic pain in a 20-year-old male].

The authors report on the case of a male patient referred for unilateral pelvic pain. An enlarged right seminal vesicle was showed by clinical examination and radiological technics. Total relief of symptoms was obtained by surgical excision. Pathological examination concluded on a dystrophic lesion of the seminal vesicle. Obstruction of the right ejaculatory duct, which could not be proved anyway is the most probable hypothesis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in urology].

INTRODUCTION: Focused ultrasound is now well known to urologists in the context of its validated application in extracorporeal lithotripsy. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) represents a potential therapeutic modality for tissue destruction due to its very high energy and its capacity to precisely reach a target with a very short emission time. The authors review the current state of art of HIFU in urology at a time when its indication in prostate cancer is being defined. MATERIAL AND METHOD: After a brief description of the main physical principles of ultrasound and the main data determining focussing of high energy ultrasound, the main machines available (research and clinical) are described. The published clinical literature concerning the tissue destructive action in urology is reviewed. RESULTS: HIFU has been used in urology to treat renal, vesical, prostatic (BPH and cancer), and external genital organ lesions. Purely extracorporeal machines are gradually being replaced by intracorporeal procedures, especially transrectal techniques for prostatic lesions. The quality of ultrasound detection of the target still limits the use of this minimally invasive modality. The intervening tissues are spared with a good therapeutic efficacy on the target tissues, provided optimal firing parameters are used. CONCLUSION: HIFU has a demonstrated potential in the treatment of prostate cancer and studies conducted by several teams have defined the technique and its efficacy. Other indications have been studied, but must be validated by further clinical trials. The future will probably see the design of machines adapted to a specific target tissue rather than a single multidisciplinary extracorporeal machine.

Humans↗
PubMed2000

[Assessment of hemorrhage risk of transvesical prostatectomy with bladder neck cerclage].

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of blood loss and predictive factors of haemorrhagic complications of transvesical prostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 1994 to December 1998, 202 patients with a mean age of 70.5 +/- 7.4 years (range: 46.6-89.3 years) were operated for benign prostatic hyperplasia with a mean prostate weight of 86 +/- 33 g. Transvesical prostatectomy was performed with bladder neck cerclage and suction drainage of the prostatectomy site for 48 hours. 107 patients donated blood preoperatively (mean: 2.8 +/- 0.7 units) to allow possible autotransfusion. Blood losses were evaluated by determining haematocrit during hospitalisation, the quantity of blood collected intraoperatively and the presence of postoperative bleeding possibly requiring surgical revision. RESULTS: The calculated overall blood loss was 435 +/- 306 ml of RBC, i.e. 1783 ml for an haematocrit of 30%. A high ASA score was significantly related with higher blood loss and preoperative anticoagulant treatment. No predictive factor for intraoperative bleeding (mean: 519 +/- 327 ml) was identified. Absence of the median lobe and a high ASA score were also predictive factors of postoperative bleeding. Age, operating time, prostate weight, recent urinary tract infection, preoperative drainage, preoperative haematocrit, and preoperative blood donation (autotransfusion) did not significantly influence the volume of blood loss. CONCLUSION: Apart from the ASA score, no predictive factor for the severity of bleeding associated with transvesical prostatectomy was defined in order to identify a group of patients at higher risk of severe bleeding.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

[Materials used in treatment of stress urinary incontinence with suburethral sling].

Suburethral sling is a classical method of surgical repair of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Initially reserved for SUI due to sphincter incompetence, this method now appears to be indicated for other types of SUI. A large number of organic and synthetic materials have been used in published series. The long-term functional results reported in the literature vary between 65 and 98%, regardless of the materials used. Some of the complications observed are specific to the type of material. Synthetic slings appear to be associated with a higher complication rate. It is too early, based on data of the literature, to determine the real role of Prolene tape (TVT).

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed1999

Impact of hepatitis B and C virus on kidney transplantation outcome.

The impact of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) on patient survival after kidney transplantation is controversial. The aims of this study were (1) to assess the independent prognostic values of HBsAg and anti-HCV in a large renal transplant population, (2) to compare infected patients with noninfected patients matched for factors possibly associated with graft and patient survival, and (3) to assess the prognostic value of biopsy-proven cirrhosis. Eight hundred thirty-four transplanted patients were included: 128 with positive HBsAg (group I), 216 with positive anti-HCV (group II), and 490 without serological markers of HBV and HCV (group III). Fifteen percent and 29% of patients were HBsAg-positive and anti-HCV-positive, respectively. Ten-year survivals of group I (55 +/- 6%) and group II (65 +/- 5%) were significantly lower than survival of group III (80 +/- 3%, P <.001). At 10 years, among overall patients with HCV screening (n = 834), four variables had independent prognostic values in patient survival: age at transplantation (P <.0001), year of transplantation (P =.02), biopsy-proven cirrhosis (P =.03), and presence of HCV antibodies (P =.02). In the case control study, comparison of infected patients with their matched control patients showed that age at transplantation (P <.05), HBsAg (P =.005), and anti-HCV (P =.005) were independent prognostic factors. HCV, biopsy-proven cirrhosis, and age are independent prognostic factors of 10-year survival in patients with kidney grafts. The case-control study showed that anti-HCV and HBsAg were independently associated with patient and graft survivals. In infected patients, a routine liver histological analysis would improve selection of patients for renal transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Combined renal and pancreas transplantation as treatment for chronic renal insufficiency of diabetic origin: a series of 50 consecutive transplantations].

STUDY AIM: The aim of this study was to report the results of 50 transplantations of kidney and pancreas performed in the same surgical centre for chronic renal insufficiency of patients with insulino-dependent diabetes. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1989 to 1999, 50 pancreatic transplantations were consecutively performed, 48 combined with a kidney transplantation and two in patients having a functioning kidney graft. The whole pancreas was transplanted in the right iliac fossa through an extraperitoneal approach with duodeno-vesical bypass of exocrine secretion. The kidney was transplanted in the left iliac fossa through a different extraperitoneal approach. Immunosuppression protocol included Azathioprine replaced by Mycophenolate Mofetil since 1996, associated with corticotherapy and Ciclosporine replaced by FK 506 since 1997. Recipients were 32 women and 18 men (mean age: 37 +/- 5 years) treated by insulinotherapy since 23 +/- 6 years and receiving 35 +/- 10 insulin units per day. Peptide C was 0.33 +/- 0.35 mg/mL and serum creatinin 726 +/- 260 mumol/L. RESULTS: One patient died on d10 from pulmonary artery thrombosis due to unknown drepanocytosis. The most frequent postoperative complications were leakage of duodeno-vesical anastomosis (n = 9) decreasing in frequency with experience, reoperated with preservation of the pancreatic graft in all cases and venous thrombosis of the pancreatic graft (n = 5) with a definitive loss of function. Secondary deaths occurred at 24, 36, 48, 50, 72 months with functioning grafts in two patients. With a mean 5-year follow-up, 44 patients were alive (88% of the whole series), 34 of them with two functional grafts (68% of the whole series) Sixteen pancreas grafts were lost: three by death of the patients, eight from surgical complications, four by rejection and one by transplantectomy of a functional graft. CONCLUSION: Combined kidney and pancreas transplantation is now very efficient in the treatment of diabetic renal insufficiency. Total pancreas transplantation through an extraperitoneal approach seems to be the safest method. A very strict selection of both donors and recipients is necessary.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in kidney transplantation: results of a single center trial].

Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) is a new immunosuppressant demonstrated to be effective at the dose of 2 to 3 g/day. The objective of this study was to determine whether MMF could be used at a lower dose with the same efficacy. Two patient groups were studied: 334 patients treated with azathioprine (AZA) and 60 patients treated MMF (at the dose of 750 mg/day, for patients receiving triple combination therapy or 1.5 g/day for those receiving two-agent combination therapy). The rest of the treatment was identical for the 2 groups. The main endpoint was the incidence of acute rejection at 3 months, which was 16% in the MMF group and 35% in the AZA group (p = 0.003). Multivariate analysis confirmed the impact of the type of purine synthesis inhibitor used (AZA or MMF, p = 0.007) on the acute rejection rate at 3 months. This study confirms the value of MMF, even at doses lower than those recommended in the international literature, with improved safety. MMF has now replaced azathioprine in our immunosuppressant protocols.

Adult↗