Biomedical subjects

R L Wagner

Publications and source records attributed to R L Wagner.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

PubMed1992

The efficacy of perioperative antibiotic therapy on recovery following tonsillectomy in adults: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

One hundred and one adult patients undergoing tonsillectomy for chronic/recurrent tonsillitis completed a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which ticarcillin disodium and clavulanate potassium (Timentin) or placebo was administered intravenously at the time of surgery and for 12 hours postoperatively. The patients than received oral amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin) therapy or placebo for an additional seven days. Each patient kept a daily log to assess the incidence and severity of postoperative symptoms. Tonsillar core tissue at the time of surgery, as well as tonsillar fossa cultures after 7 days of treatment, were obtained. Those patients who received antibiotics fared consistently better in the immediate postoperative period compared with the placebo group. Specifically, patients in the antibiotic group experienced significantly less mouth odor, were able to tolerate a regular diet sooner, and resumed their normal activities earlier than did patients who received placebo. Patients who received antibiotics experienced fewer days with mouth odor (p = 0.004). In addition, on postoperative days 3 to 5, the antibiotic group was eating a regular diet (p = 0.05) and had returned to their routine activities earlier (p = 0.045) when compared with the placebo group. Perioperative antibiotic therapy was well tolerated and was effective in minimizing symptoms after tonsillectomy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Role of prophylactic antibiotics in uncontaminated neck dissections.

The use of perioperative prophylactic antibiotics in uncontaminated head and neck surgery remains controversial. We performed a retrospective analysis of 192 patients undergoing uncontaminated neck dissections from 1976 to 1989. Wound infection developed in 10% (10/99) of patients who did not receive antibiotics, while only three (3.3%) of 93 patients who received antibiotics developed infections. This difference was not statistically significant. We correlated the use of flaps, length of surgery, prior radiation treatment, and postoperative complications with rate of wound infection. The difference was not statistically significant for any of these variables. Our beta error was, however, greater than 0.2. Our data do not demonstrate efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in uncontaminated neck dissections with statistical significance; however, a trend exists suggesting its possible value.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Flow cytometric evaluation of adenoid cystic carcinoma: correlation with histologic subtype and survival.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is an unusual but capricious tumor of salivary gland origin. Characteristically, these tumors follow a relentless clinical course, although some patients experience prolonged disease-free survival. Tumor size, site, and grade have been shown to correlate with tumor behavior. Recent investigation by others has suggested that DNA ploidy as determined by flow cytometry may provide an additional biologic marker of tumor behavior. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship of DNA ploidy to tumor grade, biologic behavior, and patient outcome. A retrospective comparison of flow cytometric evaluations of paraffin-embedded formalin-fixed tumor specimens with patient outcome and histopathologic grade was undertaken. Follow-up of 4 to 7 years in 26 patients confirmed that the presence of a solid histologic component in the tumor correlated with the presence of recurrent or persistent disease (p = 0.04). Twenty-two of 28 tumors (78%) were found to be aneuploid on at least one section. Comparison of DNA ploidy with either patient outcome or the presence of a solid component did not achieve statistical significance, although a trend was suggested. This study confirms previous studies demonstrating the validity of histopathologic evaluation of tumor grade in the prediction of the biologic behavior of adenoid cystic carcinoma. However, our findings suggest that DNA ploidy has only limited value as an additional marker of tumor behavior in this patient population.

Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic↗

PubMed1991

Cefonicid versus clindamycin prophylaxis for head and neck surgery in a randomized, double-blind trial, with pharmacokinetic implications.

Perioperative single-dose antibiotic prophylaxis of cefonicid was compared with clindamycin in a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial of patients undergoing oncologic head and neck surgery. Antibiotics were administered intravenously beginning 1 to 2 h preoperatively. Cefonicid, 1 g, was given as a single dose. Clindamycin, 600 mg, was administered every 8 h for a total of four doses. Blood and wound drainage samples were collected for 24 h following the dose of cefonicid and assayed for total and free cefonicid concentrations, using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Although total concentrations of cefonicid in both serum and wound drainage exceeded the MIC for 90% of the isolates of common bacterial pathogens for 24 h, free concentrations in serum and wound drainage (11.0 and 14.9% of total concentrations) were subinhibitory within 6 h following administration. Free concentrations of cefonicid in the postoperative wound drainage were subinhibitory for the entire study period, both perioperatively and postoperatively. Postoperative wound infection occurred significantly (P less than 0.05) more frequently in patients receiving cefonicid (24%) as compared with those receiving clindamycin (8.2%). The relatively low free levels of cefonicid achieved in serum and wound drainage were attributed to the high degree of protein binding (89% in serum) and may be related to the poor clinical outcome.

Cefonicid↗

PubMed1990

Supraglottic carcinoma: patterns of recurrence.

A retrospective review of 202 patients with supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma and at least 2 years of follow-up was performed. Surgery alone was used to treat 102 patients, and combined therapy in 100 patients. Local-regional failure occurred in 47 (23%) patients. Only 4 patients (2%) developed recurrence at the primary site. The neck was the most common site for recurrent disease (39/47 or 83%), which in 35 patients appeared in the undissected, contralateral side. The risk to the contralateral side of the neck in patients with midline (epiglottic) lesions was similar to that in those with unilateral (aryepiglottic fold) lesions. Supraglottic laryngectomy, when properly selected, did not compromise primary control in the larynx. Radiation therapy was ineffective in controlling metastasis to the contralateral side of the neck in 16 of 99 patients (16%). Therefore, routine bilateral neck dissection should be considered in the surgical treatment of supraglottic carcinoma for control of regional disease.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Hemilaryngectomy for salvage of radiation therapy failures.

Radiation therapy has been the treatment most frequently used for early vocal cord cancer with surgery usually in the form of total laryngectomy held in reserve as a salvage option. We report our experience in selected patients who, having failed radiation therapy for their early vocal cord cancers, underwent frontolateral hemilaryngectomy as attempted salvage surgery. Between 1977 and 1986, fourteen patients at the University of Pittsburgh Eye and Ear Hospital underwent hemilaryngectomy for salvage of their stage I vocal cord squamous cell carcinoma after full-course radiation therapy had been unsuccessful. Over this same time period, 77 patients underwent total laryngectomy for salvage of radiation therapy failure. Three patients failed hemilaryngectomy, two of whom were ultimately salvaged with total laryngectomy. Thus a 79% salvage rate was achieved with hemilaryngectomy with an average followup of 90 months. The overall cure rate was 93% (13 of 14) with voice preservation in 86% (12 of 14). Decannulation, postoperative infection, and initiation of oral intake were not influenced by age. Such problems occurred more often in patients undergoing radiation therapy compared to those undergoing hemilaryngectomy without previous radiation therapy. These results indicate that hemilaryngectomy may be used for the salvage of radiation therapy failures of stage I vocal cord carcinoma with good success and without undue morbidity.

Aged↗

PubMed1990

Adjuvant methotrexate-5-fluorouracil for extracapsular squamous cell carcinoma in cervical metastasis.

A trial of surgery, irradiation, and adjuvant chemotherapy was offered to patients with extracapsular spread of squamous cell carcinoma in cervical metastases. Following surgery and irradiation, methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin were administered 18 times over 6 months. Fifty patients undertook chemotherapy, while 47 patients declined further therapy. Comparison of the two groups according to stage, site, and Karnofsky performance status demonstrated no significant differences. The number of nodes encountered and the number and percentage of nodes with extracapsular spread were similar in the two groups. The minimum 5-year adjusted survival for patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy is 54% (20 of 37 patients), while survival of patients who failed to undertake adjuvant chemotherapy was 17% (5 of 30 patients). These data suggest the efficacy of methotrexate-5-fluorouracil adjuvant chemotherapy and support the need for a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

PubMed1990

Tumor markers of head and neck carcinoma.

Evaluation of the various tumor markers that have been studied in patients with SCC of the head and neck reveals no single marker or battery of markers that is sufficiently specific or sensitive to provide useful clinical data in the treatment of patients with these cancers. This finding reinforces previous investigative and clinical impressions that would suggest that carcinoma of the head and neck is a heterogeneous entity. These tumor marker studies provide additional support for the hypothesis that although various carcinomas of the head and neck may appear identical microscopically, their behavior both clinically and biochemically is nevertheless heterogeneous. Due to the wide variability of the behavior of these tumors, the search for the perfect tumor marker continues. The development of additional multiple-marker batteries may provide the closest approximation to a perfect marker that is feasible. Additional studies into the nature and function of oncogenes may provide additional clues to the variability of these tumors and the resultant heterogenicity of their marker expression.

Antibodies, Viral↗

PubMed1990

Thyroglossal duct and second branchial cleft anomalies in adults.

Definitive treatment is surgical removal of the cyst and any tract, with care taken to preserve vital structures. TDCs and BCCs are congenital cervical lesions that are encountered in adults. Experiences at the Eye and Ear Hospital of Pittsburgh are reviewed. Forty-five patients with TDCs and 59 patients with BCCs were treated between 1983 and 1988. Clinical findings are discussed and principles for diagnosis are detailed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Prognostic factors in mobile tongue and floor of mouth carcinoma.

This study identifies significant prognostic factors in squamous cell carcinomas of the anterior tongue and floor of mouth. It is clear that the TMN staging system does not account for other important variables that affect tumor prognosis. Tumor thickness and the presence of perineural invasion and intralymphatic tumor emboli should be examined in all resected tumors. Tumor thickness, tumor size, and perineural invasion all have an impact on survival and must be considered in treatment plans. Tumors measuring between 2 mm and 3 mm may or may not have metastases and further evaluation of this group needs to be done. Most importantly, the data in this study supports a multiinstitutional prospective evaluation of pathology specimens. Precise guidelines must be established for handling of the specimen, which must then be evaluated for the variables mentioned above. In this way, more definitive conclusions can be reached in the management of tumors of the anterior tongue and floor of mouth.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

Posterior nasal packing. Are intravenous antibiotics really necessary?

The use of antimicrobial prophylaxis in the presence of posterior nasal packing for the treatment of posterior epistaxis remains controversial. Twenty patients were prospectively randomized into this placebo-controlled, double-masked pilot study to receive either placebo or cefazolin sodium. Antibiotic-impregnated posterior gauze packing was employed in all patients. No infectious complications were noted in either group. The packings from the patients in the placebo group were foul smelling and heavily colonized with gram-negative bacteria while the packings from the antibiotic group were odor-free and lightly colonized with gram-positive organisms. This preliminary study suggests the usefulness of antimicrobial prophylaxis for preventing complications from posterior nasal packing, although a larger sample size will be needed to decrease the type II (beta) error.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

The role of hemilaryngectomy in the management of T1 vocal cord cancer.

A retrospective study was undertaken to assess the outcome of 54 patients who have elected to undergo vertical hemilaryngectomy for T1, NO squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic larynx. Fifty-one (94%) of 54 patients were cured with surgery alone. The voice was preserved in 52 (96%) of 54 patients. In the subgroup of patients who had received no prior radiation therapy, voice preservation was achieved in 98% of patients and ultimate control of disease with cure was achieved in 95%. These data substantiate the contention that vertical hemilaryngectomy offers better cure rates than external beam radiation therapy alone. Our data support the efficacy of hemilaryngectomy in T1, NO glottic carcinoma. These data question the traditional belief that surgery effects its success at the expense of voice preservation, whereas external beam radiation therapy does not.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell↗

PubMed1989

Clozapine: a novel antipsychotic agent.

Clozapine is an antipsychotic without the extra-pyramidal adverse effects associated with currently marketed antipsychotics. In animals, this drug has not been shown to induce catalepsy and only weakly antagonizes the stereotypic movements induced by apomorphine and the amphetamines. Clozapine is rapidly absorbed after both single and repeated oral doses, with steady-state concentrations attained within eight to ten days after beginning therapy. It is metabolized to N-oxideclozapine and N-desmethylclozapine, which have less pharmacological activity than the parent compound and are excreted in the urine and, to a lesser extent, in the feces. Clozapine has overall therapeutic efficacy and/or superiority to currently marketed antipsychotics in the treatment of refractory schizophrenia. Usual doses (25-900 mg/d) of clozapine cause fewer extrapyramidal adverse reactions than available antipsychotics. Hypotension, dizziness, salivation, and sedation are the most frequently reported adverse effects and tend to subside over time. Agranulocytosis is the most serious adverse reaction, and those receiving clozapine should undergo weekly white blood cell count determinations. Clozapine is useful for those treatment-resistant patients who have not responded to adequate trials of other antipsychotics.

Clozapine↗

PubMed1989

SCC-RIA in the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

A reliable circulating tumor marker, appropriate for head and neck malignancy, is not yet available. This manuscript reports the efficacy of using circulating squamous cell carcinoma antigen in evaluating patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Serum samples from 89 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were obtained before treatment and at intervals following treatment. Squamous cell carcinoma antigen levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. Elevated pretreatment serum levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen were identified in 39 of 89 patients (44%) who had head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Of the 16 patients evaluated from this group with recurrent or persistent disease, 15 (93.5%) demonstrated elevated levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen. However, of the 21 evaluable patients who remained disease free, only 10 (48%) had post-therapy levels within the normal range. The possible use of this marker in aiding the clinical follow-up of head and neck cancer patients is discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Hypopharyngeal reconstruction: a comparison of two alternatives.

Gastric pull-up or free jejunal interposition was used for reconstruction after total laryngopharyngectomy in 31 patients. Complications and functional outcomes of the two methods are compared. Primary swallowing was achieved in 86% of patients after gastric pull-up and in 82% of patients after jejunal interposition. Patients who underwent jejunal interposition were able to swallow sooner and had a shorter hospital stay than patients who underwent gastric pull-up. Esophageal tumor recurrence after jejunal interposition was not observed. Hepatic failure occurred in two gastric pull-up patients, leading to perioperative death in one. Flap necrosis occurred in two jejunal interposition patients and one gastric pull-up patient. Two additional fistulas occurred in jejunal interposition patients as a result of microvascular complications. Stricture developed in four jejunal interposition patients, requiring revision surgery in two. Minor complications were more common in the gastric pull-up group. Long-term speech and swallowing function are compared. Our current choice of jejunal interposition or gastric pull-up for reconstruction after total laryngopharyngectomy primarily depends on the location of the tumor.

Aged↗

PubMed1989

The role of the otolaryngologist in managing suicidal adolescents.

From 1978 to 1987, 18 suicidal children were cared for by the otolaryngology service at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. The evaluation and treatment of these patients are reviewed, and factors resulting in these self-destructive acts discussed. Pertinent risk factors and warning signals that may enhance the otolaryngologist's ability to make the diagnosis of attempted suicide and avert potential further harm are also presented.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Bacteriologic analysis of wound infection following major head and neck surgery.

Wound infection was studied prospectively in 23 (6.5%) of 354 patients who participated in a series of antibiotic trials during major contaminated head and neck surgical procedures. Polymicrobial infection was identified in 22 (96%) of 23 cases. The most commonly encountered organisms were aerobic bacteria (91%), anaerobes (74%), and fungi (48%). All fungal infections resolved without systemic antifungal therapy. It was, therefore, concluded that the presence of fungus represented colonization. The primary treatment of an infected wound is surgical drainage accompanied by broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy to prevent sepsis. The value of postoperative wound cultures is unclear. The majority of patients who developed wound infection had a variety of organisms that appeared to be unrelated to the prophylactic antibiotic used, as well as to the particular surgery performed.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1988

Serum haloperidol concentration and clinical response in schizophrenia.

Previous studies have reported a therapeutic window (i.e., a curvilinear relationship between clinical response and drug level) for haloperidol concentrations in serum or plasma. The authors treated 30 acutely decompensated schizophrenic inpatients with a fixed dose of haloperidol (.4 mg/kg/day). After 6 weeks there was no statistically significant correlation between clinical improvement and serum haloperidol concentration. Fifteen subjects with serum concentrations of 5-15 ng/ml did not differ in clinical improvement compared with 15 subjects who had concentrations above 15 ng/ml. These data are consistent with a therapeutic plateau, rather than a window, and suggest that in most cases there is no clinical advantage to the use of haloperidol doses greater than approximately 30 mg/day in schizophrenic patients.

Adult↗