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Biomedical subjects

P F Waters

Publications and source records attributed to P F Waters.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Incidence of mediastinal node involvement in clinical T1 bronchogenic carcinomas.

The incidence of mediastinal node involvement of T1 non-small-cell bronchogenic carcinomas was determined in 262 patients for the period June 1981 to January 1986. All patients underwent mediastinoscopy as part of their evaluation. Thirty-five patients (13%) had clinical primary T1 lesions. There were 17 adenocarcinomas, 10 squamous cell carcinomas, 6 large-cell anaplastic carcinomas and 2 bronchoalveolar carcinomas. Five patients had node involvement at mediastinoscopy: two had large-cell anaplastic carcinomas and one was a squamous cell carcinoma. Thoracotomy in the remaining 30 patients revealed 2 with pleural metastases, 1 with left upper lobe adenocarcinoma with metastases to the subaortic nodal area (not assessed by cervical mediastinoscopy). The other patients underwent resection, for a resectability rate of 90%. Therefore the overall incidence of mediastinal node involvement in this series was 17% (6 of 35) and was found to be highest among patients with large-cell anaplastic carcinomas (2 of 6), followed by adenocarcinomas (3 of 19) and squamous cell carcinomas (1 of 10). The larger number of large-cell anaplastic carcinomas in this series probably accounts for the higher incidence of N2 disease found compared with that of previous studies in the literature. Accordingly, preoperative mediastinal staging is recommended for all T1 large-cell anaplastic carcinomas and adenocarcinomas and for suspicious lesions of undetermined histology.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Extended cervical mediastinoscopy. A single staging procedure for bronchogenic carcinoma of the left upper lobe.

Despite a common misconception, bronchogenic carcinoma of the left upper lobe frequently metastasizes to lymph nodes not only in the anterior mediastinum (para-aortic and subaortic) but also in the superior mediastinum. Anterior (parasternal) mediastinotomy can be used to assess only the former compartment. This procedure alone, if not done in conjunction with standard cervical mediastinoscopy, will fail to disclose technically unresectable N2 or N3 disease of the left upper lobe involving the superior mediastinum. We have developed a technique to explore and sample nodes from both regions by extending a standard cervical mediastinoscopy, eliminating the need for a second incision when the anterior mediastinal compartment requires assessment. We have prospectively analyzed the first 100 procedures that we performed. This technique has been found to be accurate and exceptionally safe with one superficial wound infection as the only complication. We can recommend this single staging procedure for preoperative assessment of bronchogenic carcinomas of the left upper lobe.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Reduction in local recurrence and improved survival in surgically treated patients with small cell lung cancer.

To assess the role of operation in the treatment and prevention of local recurrence in limited small cell lung cancer, we analyzed retrospectively 35 patients undergoing surgical resection for small cell lung cancer between 1976 and 1982. Twenty-eight patients underwent resection for presumed non-small cell histology. Seven later patients had planned combined modality therapy consisting of chemotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation followed by surgical resection and irradiation to the primary site. Twenty-four patients received adjuvant postoperative chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. All patients have been treated and followed up for a minimum of 1 year. There were 19 patients in Stage I and 16 in Stages II and III. In 15 patients, relapse has occurred. The commonest site of first relapse was brain (7/15). Five of these patients had received prophylactic cranial irradiation. In only two patients was there a relapse locally in the hemithorax and/or mediastinum--one with NO disease and one with N1 disease. No local recurrence was noted in six patients with N2 disease. Only two relapses have occurred beyond 1 year--both in brain. In those patients surviving more than 2 years, no relapses have occurred. The median survival time for patients with Stage I disease is 158 weeks and for those with Stages II and III, 92.4 weeks. The median survival time for the whole group is 92.4 weeks with a projected 5 year survival rate of 24%. It appears that surgical resection may help to prevent local recurrence in small cell lung cancer, even in N1 and N2 disease. In our series, projected 5 year survival rates are similar to those seen in the surgical treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer. The eventual role of operation in the prevention of local recurrence and improvement in overall survival of limited small cell lung cancer awaits prospective randomized trials.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Modern thirty-day operative mortality for surgical resections in lung cancer.

Modern postoperative mortality rates for resectional operations for lung cancer are not readily available. In recent publications estimating the risk factors for surgical resection, mortality rates of 10% to 15% for pneumonectomy and 5% to 7% for lobectomy are frequently quoted. In order to determine modern operative mortality rates (up to 30 days postoperatively), the Lung Cancer Study Group (LCSG) analyzed the surgical mortality rates of the various participating centers during the years 1979 to 1981. A total of 2,200 resections for lung cancer were available for analysis. Of the 2,220 resections performed, 1,058 were lobectomies, 569 were pneumonectomies, and 143 were lesser resections (segmental or wedge). Eighty-one postoperative deaths occurred from among the 2,220 resections (3.7%). The mortality rate for pneumonectomy was 6.2% and for lobectomy, 2.9%. Lesser resections carried a 1.4% mortality rate, not statistically different from lobectomy. In patients under the age of 60 years, the mortality rate was 1.3%, 60 to 69 years, 4.1%, and over 70 years, 7.1%, all significantly different (p less than 0.01). The postoperative mortality rate for patients 70 years or older was 7.1% (pneumonectomy 5.9% and lobectomy 7.3%). It is obvious that greater care was taken in selection among the older pneumonectomy patients. The striking similarity of postoperative mortality rates for resectional operations for lung cancer among the various centers of the LCSG and among the various institutions within these centers suggest that these data are a reasonably accurate analysis of modern surgical mortality rates in the treatment of lung cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Open window thoracostomy in the management of postpneumonectomy empyema with or without bronchopleural fistula.

Postpneumonectomy empyema, with or without bronchopleural fistula, remains an infrequent but serious complication of pulmonary resection. We reviewed our experience with the Clagett procedure in 31 patients with postpneumonectomy empyema. Seven had empyema alone and 24 had empyema with bronchopleural fistula. Ten patients died of metastatic disease without attempted closure of the thoracostomy window. In eight patients the total Clagett procedure was completed; window closure was permanent in two patients, but the remaining six had recurrence of empyema (four of whom had persistent occult fistulas). In eight further patients, persistent infection prevented attempted closure of the window. Five patients refused further surgical procedures. In only two of 31 patients were we able to achieve permanent closure of the thoracostomy window. Based on this experience, we conclude that open window thoracostomy provides adequate drainage and an excellent interim or permanent treatment of the infected pneumonectomy space. However, the presence of persistent bronchopleural fistula prevents successful completion of the total Clagett procedure. In our series, there were no deaths related to empyema or the surgical procedures performed for it.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1982

A modified Sugiura procedure.

The Sugiura procedure for esophageal varices combines splenectomy with esophagogastric devascularization, which destroys the intraesophageal portacaval shunt but preserves periesophageal portacaval shunts. We have modified the total vagotomy and pyloroplasty and sutured esophageal anastomosis of the original operation. A single left thoracoabdominal incision is used. Esophagogastric devascularization is performed without dividing the main vagus trunks; only a proximal gastric vagotomy is done, thereby avoiding a pyloroplasty. The esophageal transection and reanastomosis are performed with the circular End-to-End Anastomosis stapler and protected with a loose-fundal wrap. Fifteen of 20 patients have had good to excellent results, with rapid recovery and no recurrent esophagogastric bleeding or any hepatic encephalopathy in follow-up of two months to two years. Four patients, who were bleeding massively at the time of operation and who were in Child's class C with gross ascites, muscle wasting, ad coagulopathy, died in the postoperative period. Conceptually, the operation is original and exciting because it preserves hepatic blood flow and the beneficial periesophageal shunt, while destroying the harmful intraesophageal shunt. Our early experience encourages us to continue using this operation, except in those patients who bleed massively and are in Child's C, end-stage, class.

Esophageal and Gastric Varices↗
PubMed1982

The Sugiura procedure for bleeding esophageal varices: a modification.

The Sugiura procedure is an operation for control of bleeding esophageal varices. Splenectomy, extensive paraesophagogastric devascularization, and transection and anastomosis of the esophagus are performed through two incisions. The modifications described by the authors, such as the single thoracoabdominal incision and use of a stapler, simplify and shorten the operation. Preliminary results in nine patients are encouraging.

Esophageal and Gastric Varices↗
PubMed1982

The role of the esophageal body in the antireflux mechanism.

The competency of the cardia depends on the interaction of the distal esophageal sphincter (DES) pressure and the length of the DES exposed to the positive-pressure environment of the abdomen. These two components were measured in 20 normal control volunteers and 126 patients with objectively proved gastroesophageal reflux. The results, when plotted on a grid with the horizontal bar representing the length of the abdominal esophagus and the vertical bar representing the DES pressure, indicated that factors in addition to the mechanical components of the cardia were important in the antireflux mechanism. The 24-hour esophageal pH records from the patients and the antireflux mechanism. The 24-hour esophageal pH records from the patients and normal subjects were analyzed as to the number of reflux episodes that occurred per hour while the patients were in the supine position and the ability to clear the refluxed acid by the propulsive "P"pump" of the body of the esophagus. It was concluded that the antireflux mechanism of the esophagus consists of a valvular cardia and a propulsive "pump" action of the body of the esophagus. The failure of either may lead to abnormal acid exposure but can be compensated by one or the other in normal subjects. Failure of both invariably leads to abnormal acid exposure. The cardia can fail either mechanically (i.e., having inadequate valvular components) or functionally (i.e., having normal valvular component but abnormal number of reflux episodes per hour). The latter suggests gastric pathology. Precise diagnosis of the reason for abnormal acid exposure is needed to develop a rational basis for therapy.

Cardia↗
PubMed1977

Spectrophotometry as a tool for assaying endotoxins.

A spectrophotometric method is reported for assaying endotoxins over a wide concentration range, including low parts per billion levels. Five solution of endotoxins. Escherichia coli 0127:B8, Escherichia coli 055:B5, Salmonella abortus-equi, Salmonella enteritidis, and Shigella flexneri, were examined. Each exhibited an absorption maximum at 259 nm, but the absorptivities differed in each case. Thus, rigorous quantification requires that the identity of the endotoxin be known. The uv absorbance and the statistical data for the standard curves for three groups of standard solutions are presented. The absorbance for each group was linear with concentration within acceptable limits.

Endotoxins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Serum interleukin-2 levels in lung transplant recipients: correlation with findings on transbronchial biopsy.

Serum interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels were examined in the serum of 17 lung transplant recipients who underwent transbronchial biopsies to diagnose reasons for allograft dysfunction. Over 60 transbronchial biopsies were performed in these 17 patients in a 22-month observation period. Mean serum IL-2 levels were significantly elevated in patients experiencing allograft rejection (p less than 0.01), cytomegalovirus pneumonia (p less than 0.0006), and bacterial/fungal pneumonia (p less than 0.01), when compared with those with normal or nondiagnostic findings on transbronchial biopsies. Serum IL-2 levels were not extraordinarily elevated as seen in other types of allograft rejection and did not differentiate between infection and rejection. In addition, overlapping values were seen in the patient groups tested. Despite these limitations, elevated serum IL-2 levels in lung allograft recipients may provide supplemental information helpful in deciding when to perform transbronchial biopsies.

Adult↗