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Biomedical subjects

O R Busch

Publications and source records attributed to O R Busch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Giant diverticulum of the sigmoid].

A 77-year-old woman who had been examined 8 months previously because of chronic abdominal pain and an altered pattern of defecation presented to the emergency department with complaints of nausea, vomiting and acute pain in the abdomen. Her appetite was diminished and she had lost 10 kg in the past year. The abdominal X-ray showed a balloon-like, gas-filled intra-abdominal configuration, which proved to be a giant diverticulum of the sigmoid. She was treated by resection of the diverticulum and the sigmoid. A giant diverticulum is a rare complication of diverticulosis, a frequently occurring condition that is encountered most often in the sigmoid; the complication can easily be missed. The presenting symptoms can vary from an acute abdomen to chronic non-specific abdominal complaints. The most important complications of a giant diverticulum are perforation, obstruction or a volvulus. In view of the severity of these complications, resection of that part of the intestine in which the giant diverticulum arises is the treatment of choice.

Abdominal Pain↗

[Diagnostic image (49). Megaesophagus in achalasia].

Already as a child a 49-year-old man suffered from cough, regurgitation and dysfagia. He had a mega-esophagus, caused by achalasia. He was successfully treated by resection of the esophagus and intrathoracic gastric bypass.

Cough↗

Hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Ascending the learning curve.

BACKGROUND: The hand-assisted approach to laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) might minimize the learning curve and shorten both the operation and the warm ischemia time. Our initial results from hand-assisted LDN are presented and compared with data from the literature. METHODS: From January to September 2000, ten hand-assisted LDNs of the right kidney were performed. RESULTS: The median operation time was 140 min (range, 120-400 min), and the warm ischemia time was 2.5 min (range, 1-4 min). There were no conversions. Postoperative morbidity included one urinary tract infection. All but one patient returned to a normal diet within 48 h. Opiates were needed a maximum of 48 h. One recipient experienced initial loss of graft function as a result of unknown causes. CONCLUSIONS: Even at the beginning of the learning curve, operation time and warm ischemia time are significantly reduced by the hand-assisted approach, as compared with conventional LDN.

Adult↗

Readmissions after pancreatoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Readmission after pancreatoduodenectomy because of tumour recurrence or surgery-related complications can adversely affect patient outcome. METHODS: From October 1992 to June 1999, 283 consecutive resections were performed (243 for malignant disease and 40 for benign disease). The hospital mortality rate was 1 per cent (three of 283). All readmissions were analysed with regard to indication, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: One hundred and six patients (38 per cent) were readmitted, 64 (60 per cent) because of tumour recurrence and indications such as gastrointestinal obstruction (n = 19), biliary obstruction (n = 15) and pain (n = 21), of whom 30 patients (47 per cent) were in a preterminal condition. Median hospital stay and hospital-free survival after discharge were 14 and 51 days respectively. Median survival after surgical treatment (n = 14) was 58 days, and ascites was significantly associated with poor survival. Forty-seven (44 per cent) of the patients were readmitted for surgical complications such as abscess (n = 11), fistula (n = 8) and gastrointestinal obstruction (n = 8). Median hospital stay was 15 days and median hospital-free survival after discharge was 1035 days. CONCLUSION: Readmission after pancreatoduodenectomy was common (38 per cent), 60 per cent for tumour recurrence and 44 per cent for surgery-related complications. Survival after surgical bypass procedures for tumour recurrence was limited, particularly when ascites was present. Patients readmitted for complications of surgery had a good prognosis.

Adult↗

Survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary adenocarcinoma: an update.

AIM: Survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary tumours is limited. Over the last decade peri-operative management has improved and morbidity and mortality decreased. The aim of the study was to analyse recent survival data after pancreaticoduodenectomy and to determine factors that influence survival. METHODS: From October 1992 to September 1998, 204 patients with a ductal adenocarcinoma in the pancreatic head (108), distal bile duct (32), and ampulla (64) who underwent standard pancreaticoduodenectomy, were analysed with regard to histology and tumour status. Survival was calculated by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk factors were identified in a univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Median survival after resection for carcinoma of the pancreatic head, distal bile duct, and ampulla were 16, 25 and 24 months, respectively (P=0.008). In the univariate analysis vein resection, blood transfusion of more than four packed red cells, the presence of tumour positive resection margins, lymph-node metastases and poor tumour differentiation significantly decreased survival. In the multivariate analysis positive resection margins, lymph-node metastases, and poor tumour differentiation independently influenced survival. CONCLUSIONS: Resection margins, lymph-node status and tumour differentiation are independent prognostic factors. Survival after standard pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary tumours has not improved.

Adult↗

[Gastrointestinal surgery and gastroenterology. VII. Proximal motility disorders in the digestive tract].

Dysphagia and chest pain are the two commonest symptoms of abnormalities of oesophageal motility. Dysphagia is to be distinguished into high or oropharyngeal and low or oesophageal dysphagia. Oropharyngeal dysphagia pertains to dysfunction of the pars cricopharyngea of the M. constrictor pharyngis inferior (M. cricopharyngeus), which is frequently associated with a Zenker diverticulum. Treatment consists of endoscopical or surgical myotomy and diverticulectomy. In achalasia there is incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter with aperistalsis. The main treatment modalities are endoscopic pneumodilation and surgical myotomy of this sphincter. In dysphagia or non-cardiac chest pain spastic or hypocontractile abnormalities of the oesophageal motility can be involved, these are often difficult to treat. Disorders of gastric motility are mainly gastroparesis and functional dyspepsia. In diabetic gastroparesis, adequate monitoring of the blood sugar level is also necessary. New insights into the pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia concern abnormal visceral sensitivity and reduced adaptive relaxation of the stomach during intake of food.

Chest Pain↗

Hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy.

Laparoscopic splenectomy is performed routinely in patients with small and moderately enlarged spleens at specialized centers. Large spleens are difficult to handle laparoscopically and hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy might facilitate the procedure through enhanced vascular control, easier retraction and manipulation, manual guidance of endostaplers, and clip appliers. A technique of hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy is described.

Humans↗

Black esophagus: a view in the dark.

A 73-year-old man had a low anterior resection for a villous adenoma in the rectosigmoid. On the 4th day after surgery, he suddenly developed severe interscapular pain. Aortic dissection was ruled out, but endoscopy showed black mucosa of the entire esophagus. With conservative treatment, including proton pump inhibition, he recovered completely. We hypothesize that a transient gastric outlet obstruction and massive gastroesophageal reflux played a significant role in the etiology of this rare and alarming, but, in this case, completely reversible, syndrome.

Acute Disease↗

Establishment of pneumoperitoneum with a modified blunt trocar.

Veress needle and trocar-related accidents have caused many surgeons to adopt the Hasson technique for establishment of pneumoperitoneum, but this technique also has drawbacks. A modification of the sharp trocar has been developed that overcomes the disadvantages of the Veress needle and Hasson trocar.

Equipment Design↗

Efficacy of establishment of pneumoperitoneum with the Veress needle, Hasson trocar, and modified blunt trocar (TrocDoc): a randomized study.

PURPOSE: To compare three techniques of establishment of pneumoperitoneum for efficacy: the Veress needle/first trocar, the Hasson trocar, and a newly developed modified blunt trocar, the TrocDoc. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between June and December 1999, 62 patients eligible for laparoscopic surgery were randomized. The effectiveness of installation of the pneumoperitoneum using the three techniques was assessed by time-motion analysis. Primary efficacy measures were total time and number of actions required to establish the pneumoperitoneum. Secondary efficacy measures were procedure-related complications, wound complications, and occurrence of CO2 leakage. RESULTS: Two patients were withdrawn from inclusion. The three groups were comparable for age and body mass index. Total time was shortest using the TrocDoc rather than the Veress needle/first trocar and the Hasson trocar (respectively, 138 +/- 58 v 237 +/- 56 v 350 +/- 103 seconds), and the number of actions was lowest for the Veress needle/first trocar combination: 22 +/- 7 v 32 +/- 12 (TrocDoc) v 53 +/- 17 (Hasson). There was no morbidity related to the installation of pneumoperitoneum nor trocar wound complications. Gas leakage occurred in five of the Hasson introductions. CONCLUSIONS: Establishment of the pneumoperitoneum is more efficient using the TrocDoc compared with the Veress needle/first trocar and the Hasson trocar. The TrocDoc might replace the two alternatives because of its efficacy and open method of introduction.

Equipment Design↗

Rates of complications and death after pancreaticoduodenectomy: risk factors and the impact of hospital volume.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a two-part study of pancreaticoduodenectomy in the Netherlands, focusing on the effects of risk factors on outcomes in a single high-volume hospital and the effect of hospital volume on outcomes. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Hospital volume and surgeon caseload can be related to the rates of complications and death, and the influence of risk factors can be volume-dependent. Provision of regionalized care should take this into account. METHODS: In part A, a single-institution database on 300 consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy was divided into two periods with similar numbers of patients. Overall complications, deaths, hospital stay, and risk factors were analyzed in the two periods and compared with an historical reference group. In part B, Netherlands medical registry data on age and postoperative death of patients who underwent partial pancreaticoduodenectomy from 1994 to 1998 were analyzed for the influence of hospital volume on death. RESULTS: Between the time periods, the institutional death rate decreased from 4.9% to 0.7%, the complication rate from 60% to 41%. Median hospital stay decreased from 24 to 15 days. The death rate was not related to patient age and did not differ between surgeons. Serum creatinine levels, need for blood transfusion, and period of resection were independent risk factors for complications. The death rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy in the Netherlands was 12.6% in 1994 and 10.1% in 1998; it was greater in patients older than age 65. During the 5-year period, 40% of the procedures were performed in hospitals performing fewer than five resections per year, and the death rate was greater than in hospitals performing more than 25 resections per year. CONCLUSIONS: The overall death rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy did not decrease significantly during the period, and it was greater in low-volume hospitals and older patients. The lower death and complication rates in high-volume hospitals, including the single-center outcomes, were similar to those reported in other countries and may be due to better prevention and management of complications. Pancreaticoduodenectomy should be performed in centers with sufficient experience and resources for support.

Data Interpretation, Statistical↗

Blood transfusions and local tumor recurrence in colorectal cancer. Evidence of a noncausal relationship.

OBJECTIVE: The authors analyzed the effect of blood transfusions on the pattern of colorectal cancer recurrence. BACKGROUND: Retrospective studies suggest that blood transfusions are associated with a poor prognosis in patients who undergo operations for colorectal malignancies. In a previously published, randomized trial, it was investigated whether autologous blood transfusions could overcome this putative detrimental effect. However, this did not appear to be the case. METHODS: In the current study, the authors analyzed the patterns of recurrence in 420 patients who underwent curative operations for colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Patients who did not require transfusions (N = 143) had significantly better disease-free survival than those who did need transfusions (N = 277); percentages at 4 years were 73% and 59%, respectively (p = 0.001). No difference was found between both groups in comparing cumulative percentages of patients having metastases; percentages at 4 years were 25% in the group that did not undergo transfusion and 27% in the transfused group. The percentage of cases having local recurrence, however, was significantly increased (p = 0.0006) in the transfused group as compared with the group that did not undergo transfusion; percentages at 4 years were 20% and 3%, respectively. The groups of patients receiving only allogeneic, only autologous, or both types of transfusions all had a significantly higher incidence of local recurrence than the patients who did not receive transfusions, but no differences were found between these three groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the association between blood transfusions and prognosis in colorectal cancer is a result of the circumstances that necessitate transfusions, leading to the development of local recurrences, but not of distant metastases.

Aged↗

Blood transfusions and prognosis in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusions may adversely affect the prognosis of patients treated surgically for cancer, although definite proof of this adverse effect has not been reported. METHODS: We carried out a randomized trial to investigate whether the prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer would be improved by a program of autologous blood transfusion as compared with the current practice of allogeneic transfusion. Patients in the autologous-transfusion group were required to donate two units of blood before surgery. RESULTS: A total of 475 patients were evaluated. We found no significant difference in prognosis between the allogeneic-transfusion group (236 patients) and the autologous-transfusion group (239 patients); colorectal cancer-specific survival rates at four years were 67 percent and 62 percent, respectively (P = 0.39). Among the 423 patients who underwent curative surgery, 66 percent of those in the allogeneic-transfusion group and 63 percent of those in the autologous-transfusion group had no recurrence of colorectal cancer at four years (P = 0.93). We also found that the risk of recurrence was significantly increased in patients who received blood transfusions, either allogeneic or autologous, as compared with patients who did not require transfusions; the relative rates of recurrence were 2.1 (P = 0.01) and 1.8 (P = 0.04), respectively; these rates did not differ significantly from each other. CONCLUSIONS: The use of autologous blood as compared with allogeneic blood for transfusion does not improve the prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer. Regardless of their type, transfusions are associated with poor prognosis, probably because of the circumstances that necessitate them.

Adult↗

Blood donation leads to a decrease in natural killer cell activity: a study in normal blood donors and cancer patients.

Transfusion-induced immunosuppression has long been known to be beneficial for organ transplantation patients, but recent retrospective studies suggest that blood transfusions may be detrimental for patients with cancer. If autologous blood is used to avoid immunosuppression, the assumption is that the procedure, involving blood donation, is immunologically neutral. In the present study, this assumption was evaluated by monitoring 33 normal blood donors and 16 colorectal cancer patients before and after donation of 1 (500 mL) and 2 units of blood, respectively. The cancer patients belonged to the autologous arm of a randomized trial in which the effects of allogeneic versus autologous blood on cancer prognosis were studied. The patients donated 2 units of blood with an interval of 3 to 4 days between donations. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that blood donation by normal donors and cancer patients had no effect on the proportion of B, T, and natural killer (NK) cells. Only the total number of lymphocytes was significantly decreased in the normal donors on Day 12 after donation. Blood donation had no significant effect on T-cell function assessed by phytohemagglutinin stimulation in normal donors or in cancer patients donating 2 units of blood. A significant depression of NK cell function (88% and 74% of predonation levels) was observed in normal donors on Days 2 and 5 after donation; on Day 12, the activity was again normal. Colorectal cancer patients had a significantly depressed NK cell activity (54% of predonation activity) on Day 12 after the first donation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗