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Biomedical subjects

R J Heald

Publications and source records attributed to R J Heald.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Function of the distal rectum after low anterior resection for carcinoma.

From a personal series of 232 anterior resections performed over 10 years, functional results have been analysed in two specific groups of patients: those with anastomoses 3 cm (n = 26) and 6 cm (n = 42) from the anal verge. In both groups low anterior resection had been performed with total mesorectal excision. Function was assessed in four categories: bowel frequency, ability to distinguish flatus from faeces, ability to defer defaecation, and frequency of soiling. Independent analysis of the 3 cm group showed a significant deterioration in function in each category after operation. The ability to defer defaecation and the frequency of soiling were unchanged after operation in the 6 cm group, and these functions were significantly better than in the 3 cm group. On the basis of these results, patients undergoing low anterior resection with total mesorectal excision should benefit from the preservation of a short segment of distal rectum, provided that the distal resection margin is not compromised.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Flush aortic tie versus selective preservation of the ascending left colic artery in low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma.

The effects of two methods of colonic vascular ligation were studied in 143 consecutive patients who underwent low anterior resection with total mesorectal excision and full mobilization of the splenic flexure. Either the ascending left colic artery (ALCA) was selectively preserved (n = 52) or a flush aortic ligation was performed (n = 91). In those with a protective colostomy, the radiological leak rate was 12 per cent when the ALCA was preserved (n = 41) and 10 per cent when a flush aortic tie was performed (n = 60) (P greater than 0.95; 95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) for difference -10 to +15 per cent). In those without a colostomy, the clinical leak rates of 9 per cent when the ALCA was preserved (n = 11) and 19 per cent when a flush aortic tie was performed (n = 31) were not significantly different (P greater than 0.10; 95 per cent c.i. for difference -12 to +32 per cent). Proportional hazards analysis showed no association between the method of vascular ligation and the risk of tumour recurrence and death. Anastomotic leak rates, tumour recurrence and survival were not related to the method of vascular ligation.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1991

Risk of peritonitis and fatal septicaemia and the need to defunction the low anastomosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the need to defunction the low anastomosis after anterior resection of the rectum with total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. Two hundred consecutive patients (125 defunctioned, 75 non-defunctioned) undergoing low anterior resection for carcinoma were included in the study. Peritonitis requiring emergency laparotomy occurred in 8 per cent of the patients who did not have a defunctioning stoma compared with less than 1 per cent of those patients who had a defunctioning stoma (P less than 0.01). There was no mortality related to closure of the stoma but seven patients developed a faecal fistula and ten developed an incisional hernia. Despite current trends to avoid the defunctioning stoma, these results suggest that after total mesorectal excision the faecal stream should be temporarily diverted away from the anastomosis that is 6 cm or less from the anal verge to protect against potentially life-threatening anastomotic leakage.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed1991

Prospective audit of an extramucosal technique for intestinal anastomosis.

A computerized prospective audit was conducted of 500 intestinal anastomoses constructed in 470 operations on 461 consecutive patients between 1 January 1986 and 16 November 1990. All anastomoses were constructed by an open extramucosal method, emphasizing the avoidance of sutures through mucosa and avoiding the use of intestinal clamps. There were 214 men and 247 women, with a median age of 66 years. Clinical anastomotic leakage was detected from 11 (2.2 per cent) of 500 anastomoses. There were 18 (3.8 per cent) deaths resulting from the 470 operations, but only two (0.4 per cent) were associated with anastomotic leakage, which was not the direct cause of death in either. Peritonitis occurred as a consequence of leakage in two (8 per cent) of 26 resections for Crohn's disease, but the patients survived after reoperation. The single-layer extramucosal technique is probably the safest method available for intestinal suture.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Hepatic resection for colorectal secondaries.

A postal survey of consultant surgeons in England and Wales was carried out to assess current attitudes towards screening for and treatment of hepatic metastases from primary colorectal carcinoma. The results showed that pre-, intra- and postoperative screening were inadequate. There was no consensus as to which patients would benefit from major hepatic resection for colorectal liver secondaries. Fewer than one-third of potentially operable patients underwent liver surgery.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1990

'Close shave' in anterior resection.

Of 192 anterior resections for rectal cancer performed over 10 years by one author (R.J.H.), 169 (88 per cent) included total mesorectal excision and all included lavage of the clamped distal rectum. Of this series, 152 (79 per cent) were classed as curative, 110 with a resection margin greater than 1 cm and 42 with a resection margin less than or equal to 1 cm. The group with a greater than 1 cm margin had a significantly lower Dukes' A to B ratio than the group with a margin less than or equal to 1 cm, although the proportion with Dukes' C lesions was similar in both groups (chi 2 = 6.712; P = 0.035). There were no local recurrences in the latter group (95 per cent confidence interval (CI) is 0-5.9 per cent) while there were four (3.6 per cent) in the former group (95 per cent CI is 0.8-7.4 per cent). There were no significant differences in recurrence rates, local and distant, between the two groups (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.2). Reduction of resection margin, provided total mesorectal excision and washout is properly performed, does not increase local recurrence or compromise survival.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Sigmoid invasion as a late complication of mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix. Report of a case.

A cystic mass arising from the right iliac fossa was an incidental finding at laparotomy and was treated conservatively after a biopsy had shown no evidence of malignancy. Nine years later the patient presented with shock and colonic bleeding. A large cystic lesion arising from the vermiform appendix and invading the sigmoid colon was found and excised. Histologic examination indicated that the underlying lesion was an inflamed mucinous cystadenoma of the appendix. Frank invasion of viscera by such lesions has not previously been described. Complications of such lesions and their association with other colonic neoplasms are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Operative and functional results of total mesorectal excision with ultra-low anterior resection in the management of carcinoma of the lower one-third of the rectum.

Eighty-one patients underwent anterior resection with curative (n = 57) or palliative (n = 24) intent for tumors below 7 centimeters from the anal verge. If a right angled clamp could be applied below the tumor at operation after full mobilization of the mesorectum and rectum, the procedure was performed in preference to abdominoperineal excision. The mean follow-up time was 4.8 years. Of the curative group, 26 had lesions within 5 centimeters of the anal verge. Thirty-one per cent were Dukes' A; 37 per cent, B, and 32 per cent, C lesions. The margin of distal clearance ranged from 2 to 35 millimeters. In five patients, squamous mucosa was observed in the distal doughnut. Serious postoperative complications occurred in 17 per cent of the curative series, one-half of which occurred within the first two years of the study period. In six patients, the temporary colostomy has not been closed. The incidence of local recurrence in the curative series was 3.5 per cent, and the over-all survival rate was 81 per cent at five years. Full continence was achieved within two years of closure of the colosomy in 85 per cent of the patients. In the palliative group, 11 of the 19 patients had temporary colostomies and 80 per cent were continent within six months of operation. The technique of total mesorectal excision and sphincter preservation by stapled coloanal anastomosis in the treatment of carcinomas of the lower one-third of the rectum may be an alternative to abdominoperineal excision. The final decision in such instances is made intraoperatively. The operative and functional results are satisfactory, but it is difficult to anticipate the patients who will not do well by preoperative criteria. Even in palliative procedures, low anterior resections provided satisfactory continence. Serious postoperative complications were more likely to occur if full mobilization of the splenic flexture was not routinely performed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Achievement of stomal continence in one-third of colostomies by use of a new disposable plug.

A multicenter trial was established to assess the use of a new disposable colostomy plug in achieving stomal continence during four weeks in patients with established colostomies. Forty-six of the 100 patients evaluated completed the trial, of whom 41 stated that they would wish to use the system regularly. Twenty-nine of the 41 continue to use the plug daily since the trial finished. The remainder withdrew mainly during the early stages of the trial because of leakage (ten patients), discomfort (11) or difficulties (12), all largely related to extrusion of the plug from the colostomy. There were no discernible features to predict in whom the plug was beneficial. Patients who irrigated the colostomy retained the plug longer (16.5 hours), on average, than those with natural evacuation (8.5 hours). However, even in the latter, the time increased with use of the system (week 1, 7.5 hours; week 4, 9.8 hours). Longer periods of retention of the plug appeared to be associated with improved stomal continence. Results from this trial confirm the potential of the Conseal Colostomy System incorporating a disposable colostomy plug to restore continence and improve life-style in more than one-third of patients with colostomies.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Management of the pelvic space following low anterior resection.

Four cases of low anterior resection without pelvic drainage are described. The outcome was unsatisfactory in three of the four patients. The role of pelvic drains and omentum in the management of the pelvic space following low anterior resection for rectal cancer is reviewed and discussed. Pelvic drains are required to remove blood and omentum may be used to fill the pelvic space. Pelvic collections are related to anastomotic leakage and the optimal management of the pelvic space can reduce the incidence of this complication. A suggested regimen for management of the pelvic space after low anterior resection is outlined.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Long-term recurrence patterns following proximal gastric vagotomy.

Two hundred and forty-two consecutive patients were prospectively followed up following elective proximal gastric vagotomy (PGV) for duodenal, pyloric or prepyloric ulceration. There was no operative mortality and no case of lesser curve necrosis. Five to 15 years follow-up have been completed. One hundred and eighty-three patients were assessable (80% of survivors) and 29 of 33 symptomatic patients attended for endoscopy. Fourteen recurrent ulcers had been diagnosed previously and six new recurrences were diagnosed, giving a total recurrence rate of 11%. Seven of these were transient/innocuous and 13 (7%) were chronic/malevolent recurrences. The majority (70%) of recurrences occurred in the first 5 years of follow-up and only one recurrence occurred later than 10 years' follow-up. More than half (56%) of the operations were performed utilizing Burge intra-operative testing and 44% without Burge testing. No difference in recurrence rates was apparent between these two groups. In seven patients with pyloric or prepyloric ulceration, three (43%) developed a chronic recurrence. PGV is a safe, surgical treatment for duodenal ulceration, offering acceptable recurrence rates and a very low mortality and low incidence of side-effects. The majority of recurrences occur early in the follow-up period. Burge intra-operative testing provides no clear reduction in recurrence rates. PGV should not be used for pyloric or prepyloric ulceration.

Adolescent↗