Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M Schein.
Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a syndrome of multiple causes which, perhaps via a common pathway, affects the small bowel in particular. When persistent intestinal obstruction develops, laparotomy and careful disobstruction of the bowel are indicated. Generally, the prognosis of SEP depends on its cause and the premorbid condition of the individual patient.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of the menstrual cycle on the incidence and presentation of acute appendicitis. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Israel. SUBJECTS: 144 women of child bearing age operated on for suspected acute appendicitis and subdivided according to the menstrual phase during which they presented. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The final diagnoses, clinical presentation, and laboratory data. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the incidence of acute, gangrenous, or perforated appendicitis in patients operated on during the various phases of the menstrual cycle. During menstruation, however, a normal appendix not accompanied by other disease was found significantly more often (p = 0.04). Clinical presentation, physical findings, and laboratory results did not vary throughout the menstrual cycle except for the "classic shifting pain" which was significantly more common during the luteal phase. CONCLUSIONS: Acute appendicitis occurs randomly during the various phases of the menstrual cycle. The incidence of operations for uninflamed appendixes may be higher during the menstrual phase. Significantly more negative laparotomies are done during the menstrual phase, which suggests the existence of a functional disorder that mimics acute appendicitis.
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Neutropenic colitis (NC) is an inflammatory process of the terminal ileum, cecum and ascending colon which often develops in neutropenic patients following chemotherapy for malignant diseases. A case of NC in 65-year old man who was neutropenic after chemotherapy for chronic lymphatic leukemia, is presented. Early diagnosis on CT-scan and appropriate antibiotic therapy led to prompt resolution of the bowel condition. Physicians who treat patients with malignant diseases should be aware of this potentially lethal condition so that it can be effectively diagnosed and treated.
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The optimal duration for courses of antibiotic therapy following emergency abdominal surgery was examined. The length of postoperative administration was based on the operative findings of contamination versus infection and the degree of the latter. A total of 163 patients (mean APACHE II score 7) were stratified into four groups: group 1 (60 patients), no postoperative antibiotics; group 2 (32), antibiotic therapy for 24 h; group 3 (48), administration for 48 h; and group 4 (23), antibiotic therapy for 72 h to 5 days. Three patients (2 per cent) died. Wound infection developed in 12 patients (7 per cent) and postoperative intra-abdominal infection in two (1 per cent). Antibiotics were stopped according to the protocol in 28 patients in spite of continued fever; one developed a subhepatic abscess and three had wound infections. Distinguishing contamination from infection and operative stratification of the latter allowed a successful 'minimal' postoperative antibiotic policy to be employed.
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Two cases of massive haemorrhage from the gallbladder in patients suffering from common bile duct obstruction are described. Sudden operative decompression of the massively distended gallbladder was the probable cause of the bleeding.
Leakage from the closed rectal stump following Hartmann's procedure appears to be more common than previously suspected. A case of a leaking Hartmann's pouch further complicated by an ileorectal communication is reported. Non-operative attempts to seal this 'spontaneous ileorectostomy' failed.
The purpose of the present study was to compare the short term results of the "open" supraclavicular approach with the thoracoscopic access for T2-T4 sympathetic ganglionectomy in patients with palmar hyperhidrosis. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 12 each, and were operated on: one by the open supraclavicular access; the other by the transthoracoscopic approach. The effect on palmar perspiration, operative data, postoperative complications and patients's satisfaction on short term follow up were examined. All operations achieved dry hands. Only two significant differences were observed: longer anaesthesia and poorer patient satisfaction in the thoracoscopic group one week after surgery (probably because a higher proportion of cases developed prolonged postoperative chest pain). Both techniques similarly achieve dry hands. The open method is not longer or more difficult, is possibly associated with less morbidity, and gives a higher subjective satisfaction.
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As laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the procedure of choice for symptomatic gallstones, specific complication related to this technique have been noted. We report a case of small bowel obstruction in the trocar puncture site following uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy in an extremely obese woman. Diagnosis was made by computed tomography, and reduction was possible by local approach, avoiding explorative laparotomy.
A postal survey of 283 members of the Israeli Association of Surgeons was conducted to determine their current practices as to duration of antibiotic therapy following emergency abdominal operations (response rate 26.5%). The maximal acceptable length of antibiotic administration after various emergency operations was based on recommendations in the recent literature. By these criteria, about half those responding were using excessive courses of post-operative antibiotics. We conclude that failure to distinguish between contamination, which requires either minimal post-operative administration of antibiotics or none at all, and infection which requires a proper postoperative course, is the main reason for unnecessarily prolonged postoperative use of antibiotics.
Penetrating trauma to the urinary tract is best dealt with early in the overall management of the trauma patient. As there are usually other more obvious associated injuries, involvement of the urinary tract may be overlooked. Delayed management may be of severe consequence to the patient, causing delayed bleeding, retroperitoneal abscess and nephrectomy. Patients suspected for urinary trauma are those with flank or back wounds, retroperitoneal hematoma, pelvic trauma or those presenting with hematuria. The modern approach to trauma emphasizes the staging of injury prior to definite management. Appropriate roentgenographic studies of the urinary tract should be included in the initial evaluation of the patient with trauma. Renal injuries are staged according to severity and method of infliction. Stab wounds or low velocity GSW and those of minor or moderate degree may be managed conservatively with an acceptably good outcome. High velocity GSW usually cause extensive damage and surgical exploration is warranted. Ureteric injuries are rare, but prone to be missed at initial diagnosis. Emergency roentgenologic studies may be insufficient and must be augmented by thorough examination at the initial laparotomy. Hematuria accompanies nearly all instances of bladder trauma. The mandatory investigation is retrograde cystography. The standard approach to penetrating bladder trauma is surgical.