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Biomedical subjects

R Rintala

Publications and source records attributed to R Rintala.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

High and intermediate imperforate anus: results after surgical correction with special respect to internal sphincter function.

Embryologically a fistula in an anorectal malformation can be regarded as an ectopic anus. Since 1984 the so-called fistula has been saved and used as the new anal canal in the surgical reconstruction of 48 patients with high or intermediate imperforate anus. A positive rectoanal inhibitory reflex indicating internal sphincter function was recorded in 32 of 43 patients investigated with anorectal manometry. These patients showed significantly better anal continence. It is concluded that there is an internal sphincter "anlage" in the fistulous connection from the bowel to the urogenital tract. Internal sphincter function can be obtained in the majority of the patients, which seems advantageous for their anal function.

Adolescent↗

Long-term endoscopic and flow cytometric follow-up of colon interposition.

During 1963 to 1978 colon interposition was performed on 20 children. Early and late mortality accounted for 3 patients and two transplants failed. Of the 15 long-term survivors, subjective results were obtained from 12 patients 12 to 26 years after the reconstruction. Three patients had an excellent subjective result and 9 had a good result. Nine patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy 12 to 26 years after the reconstruction. The endoscopic findings included: marked tortuosity or dilatation (6), pooling of bile or yellow bezoar (3), macroscopic colitis (3), and polyps in the distal anastomosis (2). Only two patients had a straight colon tube without mucosal changes or marked retention. Specimens for histology were obtained in each endoscopy. Colitis was found in 3 patients, 1 patient had gastric metaplasia in the transplant, 1 patient had dysplasia of colonic mucosa and an inflammatory colonic polyp, and in 4 patients histology showed normal colonic mucosa. Flow cytometric samples were obtained from 8 patients. Two showed an aneuploid cell population; the other 6 had normal diploid findings. Because of frequent endoscopic and histological changes, regular endoscopic follow-up of these patients is warranted.

Adolescent↗

Fecal continence and quality of life in adult patients with an operated low anorectal malformation.

Fecal continence and quality of life were evaluated by a questionnaire in 83 adult patients (mean age, 35 years; 53 women, 30 men) who underwent surgery for a low anorectal anomaly between 1947 and 1963. Fecal continence was assessed by a score described by Holschneider. Seventy-eight healthy people with similar age and sex distributions were used as controls. All controls had good fecal continence, 76% with completely normal bowel function. The aberrations in anal function found in 24% of the controls were minor, such as constipation or occasional slight smearing. Only 60% of the patients who had a low anorectal anomaly had good continence and completely normal bowel function was observed in 15%. Male patients had a slightly better outcome than females. Social problems related to deficient fecal control were reported by 39% of the patients. In addition, 13% of the patients had difficulties in sexual functions. Other health problems were reported by 52% of the patients. Social or sexual problems associated with anal function were not reported by the control population; 6% of them had other health problems. The present controlled study shows that at the adult age, a significant proportion of patients with low anorectal anomalies suffer from deficient fecal control and a diminished quality of life.

Adult↗

Bronchoscopy during the first month of life.

During the 6-year period from 1984 to 1989, 196 bronchoscopies were performed on 132 neonates. The indications were grouped into four categories: (1) difficulties in artificial ventilation or failure to wean the baby from the ventilator (52); (2) other respiratory difficulties (52); (3) audible stridor (16); and (4) routine preoperative or postoperative examination of esophageal atresia patients (12). The most common finding was laryngomalacia or tracheomalacia (31). Other findings were: obstructing tracheal or bronchial granulation or stricture (23), obstructing mucous plug (22), grave tracheobronchitis (11), tracheoesophageal H-fistula (5), laryngeal perforation (3), congenital laryngeal stenosis (2), and complete laryngotracheoesophageal cleft (1). Four patients had miscellaneous pathology. The findings were normal in 30 patients. A therapeutic procedure was included in 99 of the 196 bronchoscopies. Seven serious complications occurred during the operative bronchoscopies, two of them requiring immediate pulmonary surgery. All complications were successfully managed. In contrast, no complications occurred in the 97 purely diagnostic bronchoscopies. In experienced hands, bronchoscopy of the newborn is a safe and useful examination. Complications occur when therapeutic procedures are included. Therefore, operative bronchoscopy should only be performed in conditions in which immediate thoracotomy and pulmonary surgery can be performed.

Bronchial Diseases↗

The rectourogenital connection in anorectal malformations is an ectopic anal canal.

Histological investigation of the rectal blind pouch and rectourogenital or rectoperineal connection was performed in 10 patients with high or intermediate anorectal malformations. Nine of the patients underwent postoperative manometric evaluation. In nine of the 10 patients, transitional epithelium typical of the normal anal canal could be found in the distal rectum or rectal end of the fistulous connection. The zone of transitional epithelium was aganglionic and showed abnormally strong acetylcholinesterase reaction. A positive rectoanal inhibitory reflex was found manometrically in all cases in which the distal rectal pouch was utilized in the reconstruction of the anal canal. The slow pressure wave activity of the reconstructed anal canal was characteristic of a normal anal canal. The manometric evidence strongly suggests that there is a functional internal sphincter in high and intermediate anorectal malformations. The present study shows that in anorectal malformations the distal rectal pouch with the fistulous connection is actually an ectopic anal canal.

Anal Canal↗

Cervical Barrett's esophagus: a common complication of gastric tube reconstruction.

Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed on 14 of our 18 long-term (more than 2 years) gastric tube esophagus survivors, with special attention paid to cervical gastric metaplasia. Barrett's esophagus was found in 10 patients. In eight cases, this could also be histologically verified. Three patients had esophagitis, but no verified gastric metaplasia. Isotope reflux studies were performed on six patients, all having both endoscopically and histologically shown pathology in the cervical esophagus. Reflux was provoked by putting patients in different positions. Only one patient showed gastrotubal reflux, and only in the prone Trendelenburg position. We conclude that Barrett's esophagus is a common complication of gastric tube patients, and is probably due to acid secreted by the tube itself. Life-long endoscopic follow-up of these patients is warranted.

Barrett Esophagus↗

Neuronal intestinal dysplasia.

A series of 21 patients with NID is presented. A histologic and histochemical picture of NID was seen in an heterogenous group of patients. NID was associated with bowel obstruction and/or perforation in six neonates and infants. One neonate died. During follow-up the bowel histology gradually normalized in four of the five patients. NID was found incidentally in four patients with anorectal malformations and two with Hirschsprung's disease. Three patients with Hirschsprung's disease and associated NID had chronic proctitis; one patient with an anorectal anomaly had chronic obstipation and megacolon and one proctitis. Two children with multiple endocrine neoplasia 2b syndrome and chronic obstipation had typical NID in their rectum biopsies, as did a 50-year-old woman with CIIP. The clinical heterogeneity of patients with NID suggests that NID may not be a distinct clinical entity but rather a reaction of the neuronal network of the bowel wall and could be caused either by congenital or secondary factors.

Anal Canal↗

Surgical repair of vulvar anus in adults.

Three adult women with previously unoperated vulvar anus underwent surgical treatment for faecal incontinence which developed in adulthood. The obvious cause of incontinence in these patients was the weakening of pelvic floor musculature by aging and pregnancy. Two of the patients had several associated anomalies. The anus was transposed to the normal perineal position through the well-developed external sphincter found posterior to the vulvar anus. Faecal continence improved markedly in all patients.

Adult↗

Failure of the Nissen fundoplication to control gastroesophageal reflux in esophageal atresia patients.

During the 5-year period from 1981 to 1985, Nissen fundoplication was performed on 13 esophageal atresia patients. One patient with Down's syndrome died because of cardiac malformation 2 weeks after the operation and is excluded from the analysis. Nine of the remaining 12 patients had the usual malformation with distal fistula, while three had isolated atresia. In eight patients there was a long gap between the segments, and in five Livaditis myotomy was necessary. The median age of the patients at the fundoplication was 1.3 years (range, 4.5 months to 10.6 years). The main clinical manifestations were anastomotic stricture (six patients), respiratory complications (three patients), vomiting and difficulties in feeding (two patients), and esophagitis only (one patient). Altogether nine patients had preoperative distal esophagitis. Mean follow-up time was 4.1 years (range, 2.0 to 6.4 years). All patients primarily benefited from the operation. Routine control endoscopy 3 to 8 months after the operation showed a competent fundoplication in all patients. However, in five patients the reflux later recurred, and endoscopy revealed a partially disrupted fundal wrap and esophagitis. Four patients underwent refundoplication and one is waiting for it as of this writing. Four patients had Barrett's esophagus at the last endoscopic control. There was one late death due to cardiac failure. In conclusion, although the short-term results of Nissen fundoplication in esophageal atresia patients are good, the risk for late recurrence is high. Regular long-term follow-up is therefore necessary.

Adolescent↗

Oesophageal anastomosis without bougienage in isolated atresia--do the segments really grow while waiting?

Four cases of isolated oesophageal atresia, in which a successful oesophageal anastomosis was achieved without bouginage, are reported. The anastomoses were performed at ages from one month to three and a half months. No certain growth of the segments could be observed. However, in the cases, where the operation was performed after a longer waiting period, the lower segment was surprisingly thick walled, which made the anastomosis possible. A single Livaditis myotomy was required in three cases and a double myotomy in one. All patients needed Nissen's fundoplication because of gastro-oesophageal reflux, which caused stricturation of the anastomosis and oesophagitis. After the follow-up period of 1.3 to 2.5 years, two patients had an excellent result, one patient a fair result and one patient had died of his severe cardiac anomaly associated with Down's syndrome.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Vater association and anorectal malformations.

In a twenty-year series of 208 patients with anorectal malformations there were 39 infants with three or more Vater association anomalies. The neonatal mortality of Vater association patients was 28%; beyond the neonatal period only two patients died. Most early deaths were associated with the combination of cardiac anomalies and oesophageal atresia. The incidence of prematurity (30%) and lethal anomalies (15%) was high. High and complex anorectal anomalies were frequent (85%) and some kind of urogenital malformation was present in 95% of the patients. Despite the grave early prognosis and multiple hospitalisations and surgical procedures required in the management of these patients, the long-term outlook and quality of life does not differ significantly from other patients with corresponding anorectal anomalies.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗