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Biomedical subjects

S M Shimi

Publications and source records attributed to S M Shimi.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Localization of insulinoma by laparoscopic infragastric inspection of the pancreas and contact ultrasonography.

A new technique for localizing pancreatic insulinoma is described. This consists of a laparoscopic examination of the body and tail of the pancreas through an infragastric approach combined with contact ultrasonography of the gland. Accurate localization of an occult insulinoma in the body of the pancreas was achieved in one patient with the technique described. Laparoscopic contact ultrasonography of the pancreas by the infragastric approach should be as reliable as open intraoperative ultrasonography and constitutes the first step in the laparoscopic treatment of insulinoma.

Female↗

Outcome after cholecystectomy for symptomatic gall stone disease and effect of surgical access: laparoscopic v open approach.

The pre and postoperative symptoms and outcome after surgery in patients with symptomatic gall stone disease were evaluated by a detailed self administered postal questionnaire. The survey was conducted in two groups: 80 patients treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy and an age matched cohort of patients who had conventional open cholecystectomy. The overall response rate on which the data were calculated was 76%. Symptomatic benefit ratios accruing from the surgical removal of the gall bladder were calculated. The symptoms that were relieved by cholecystectomy were nausea (0.98), vomiting (0.91), colicky abdominal pain (0.81), and backpain (0.76). Flatulence, fat intolerance, and nagging abdominal pain were unaffected as shown by a benefit ratio of 0.5 or less. Relief of heartburn (39/49) outweighed the de novo development of this symptom after cholecystectomy (7/49), resulting in a benefit ratio of 0.65. Postcholecystectomy diarrhoea occurred in 21/118 patients (18%): 10 after open cholecystectomy and 11 after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The type of surgical access did not influence the symptomatic outcome but had a significant bearing on the time to return to work or full activity after surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy two weeks, open cholecystectomy eight weeks, p = 0.00001). In the elderly age group (> 60 years), significantly more patients (29/30) regained full activity after laparoscopic cholecystectomy when compared with the open cholecystectomy group (16/22), p = 0.001. The patient appreciation of a satisfactory cosmetic result was 72% in the open group compared with 100% of patients who were treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p = 0.0017). Despite the persistence or de novo occurrence of symptoms, 111/117 patients (95%) considered that they had obtained overall symptomatic improvement by their surgical treatment and 110/118 (93%) were pleased with the end result regardless of the access used.

Adult↗

Thoracoscopic long oesophageal myotomy for nutcracker oesophagus: initial experience of a new surgical approach.

A thoracoscopic technique is described for the execution of long oesophageal myotomy for nutcracker oesophagus causing odynophagia and non-cardiac chest pain. The technique is based on a multipuncture method and a left thoracoscopic approach. It has been performed on three patients with complete symptomatic relief in the short term, although the follow-up period is short (maximum 12 months). No complications were encountered and discharge from hospital occurred by the fifth day after operation.

Adult↗

Videothoracoscopic ligation of bulla and pleurectomy for spontaneous pneumothorax.

A thoracoscopic technique to ligate pleural bullae and perform parietal pleurectomy is described. The procedure has been performed on 2 patients, allowing definitive treatment of recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces. Both patients have been cured of their problem and benefited from the decreased trauma of access by reduced postoperative pain, rapid recovery, and decreased scarring of the skin.

Adult↗

Microencapsulation of human cells: its effects on growth of normal and tumour cells in vitro.

The growth kinetics of established human colorectal tumour cell lines (HT29, HT115 and COLO 320DM) and human diploid fibroblasts (Flow 2002) were studied in conventional culture and in microcapsules formed from alginate-poly(L-lysine)-alginate membranes. The tumour lines grew rapidly in microcapsules but, in the case of the substrate-adherent lines HT29 and HT115, only after a prolonged lag phase. This phase was reduced by serial passage in microcapsules. The anchorage-independent line COLO 320DM showed no lengthening in lag phase. Microencapsulated fibroblasts underwent negligible growth but remained viable. Some evidence for functional differentiation (microvilli, cell-cell junctions) of the tumour line HT115 within the microcapsules was observed. We conclude that the use of microcapsules provides an alternative system with some advantages for the study of human cancer and its metastases in vitro.

Cell Adhesion↗

Semi-permeable microcapsules for cell culture: ultra-structural characterization.

Microcapsules made from alginate-poly(L-lysine)-alginate membranes have been studied as vehicles for cell culture in a number of laboratories. We have examined their permeability, robustness and ultrastructure in detail. Permeability to globular proteins could be controlled by using poly-lysine of different mean MW in their construction. However, this parameter also affected the degree to which microencapsulated living cells leaked out of the capsules during and after preparation. Poly-lysine of low MW produced a relatively permeable and robust membrane whereas a high MW produced capsules with the reverse characteristics. A MW of 22,000 appears to be optimal in forming robust capsules which are relatively impermeable to high MW species such as immunoglobulins. The structure of the semipermeable membrane was investigated by electron microscopy and found to be complex but entirely consistent with the data on protein permeability and cell leakage. Microcapsules were not disrupted by gentle treatment with trypsin or chelating agents but dissolved with the addition of heparin, sodium dodecyl sulphate or sodium hydroxide. Empty microcapsules implanted into the peritoneal cavity of rats elicited a host cellular reaction but remained intact for at least three months.

Alginates↗