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Biomedical subjects

T C Hicks

Publications and source records attributed to T C Hicks.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Practice parameters for the management of anal fissure. The Standards Task Force American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

It should be recognized that these guidelines should not be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care or exclusive of methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. The ultimate judgment regarding the propriety of any specific procedure must be made by the physician in light of all of the circumstances presented by the individual patient.

Fissure in Ano↗

Ogilvie's syndrome: colonoscopic decompression and analysis of predisposing factors.

Forty-eight cases of Ogilvie's syndrome, colonic pseudo-obstruction, presenting between 1983 and 1989 were retrospectively reviewed to assess the results of colonoscopic decompression and to identify potential etiologic factors. Three patients had spontaneous resolution with medical treatment. Forty-five patients required 60 colonoscopic decompressions: 38 (84 percent) were successfully treated using colonoscopy; five (11 percent) required an operation; and two died within 48 hours of colonoscopy from medical causes. No complications or deaths were the result of colonoscopy. Twenty-nine patients (64 percent) were successfully treated with a single colonoscopy. One-third of patients required serial decompressions. Average cecal diameter in patients with successful colonoscopic decompression was 12.4 cm but was larger for patients requiring more than one colonoscopy (13.3 cm) and for those who failed colonoscopic therapy (13.4 cm). The spine or retroperitoneum had been traumatized or manipulated in 52 percent of patients. Patients with Ogilvie's syndrome were being treated with narcotics (56 percent), H-2 blockers (52 percent), phenothiazines (42 percent), calcium-channel blockers (27 percent), steroids (23 percent), tricyclic antidepressants (15 percent), and epidural analgesics (6 percent) at diagnosis. Electrolyte abnormalities included hypocalcemia (63 percent), hyponatremia (38 percent), hypokalemia (29 percent), hypomagnesemia (21 percent), and hypophosphatemia (19 percent). Colonoscopic decompression in Ogilvie's syndrome is safe and effective management. Multiple pharmacologic and metabolic factors, as well as spinal and retroperitoneal trauma, appear to alter autonomic regulation of colonic function, resulting in colonic pseudo-obstruction.

Adult↗

Calcified mucocele of the appendix presenting as ureteral obstruction.

Mucocele of the appendix, a rare lesion, occurs in 0.3% of patients undergoing appendectomy. Only 46 cases of calcified mucocele have been reported. Complications reported include appendiceal intussusception, rupture resulting in acute abdomen, and infection. We report the case of a 74-year-old man with a calcified mucocele of the appendix that was discovered in the evaluation of a ureteral obstruction. During exploratory surgery, the patient was found to have a 6 x 5 cm appendiceal tumor and underwent a right ileocolectomy. Pathologic examination showed calcified mucous cystadenoma of the appendix. Calcification of a mucocele is believed to denote chronicity. Our case is the first report of ureteral obstruction secondary to calcified mucocele and the second calcified mucocele to be seen on computerized tomography. Calcified mucocele should be included in the differential diagnosis of any calcified tumor in the right lower quadrant.

Aged↗

Colonoscopic screening of asymptomatic patients with a family history of colon cancer.

The records of 201 asymptomatic patients who underwent colonoscopy based solely on a family history of colon cancer were reviewed. Eighty-five patients (42 percent) had a total of 166 lesions. Fifty-four (27 percent) patients of the screened population had neoplastic lesions, while 31 (15 percent) patients had nonneoplastic polyps. Four carcinomas were found. Twenty-five of the patients with polyps (29 percent) had no polyps distal to the splenic flexure; these proximal polyps (and two carcinomas) would have been missed on screening with fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy. Nineteen of these 25 patients had polyps smaller than 0.5 cm, which likely would have been missed with contrast enemas. Almost one half (47 percent) of all polyps discovered at screening colonoscopy were proximal to the descending colon. Only one patient younger than 40 years old had adenomas. The yield of polyps and cancer in patients with familial risk indicates screening colonoscopy should be considered after age 40.

Adenoma↗

Usefulness of performing colonoscopy one year after endoscopic polypectomy.

This retrospective study defines a population with neoplastic colonic polyps who have had colonoscopic polypectomy and, in follow-up within one year, a repeat colonoscopic evaluation. The population was broken down into two groups, one group that had polyps at the second examination and one group that did not. This study determined which factor(s) were significant among this population in distinguishing whether new polyps would be found at one year follow-up. The authors found that among the many variables studied, only polyp multiplicity was significant in predicting polyp recurrence. More than one polyp found at index colonoscopy led to a significant chance of having a new polyp after only one year. Also, it was demonstrated that these "new" polyps were unlikely to have been "missed" polyps from the initial colonoscopy. Because of the shifting location, smaller size, and fewer instances of histologic atypia in these polyps compared with those at index examination, the authors believe that polyps found after one year may be assumed to have arisen de novo. Finally, the authors show that a significant number of polyps occur beyond the reach of the flexible sigmoidoscope (approximately 60 cm). The authors recommend that patients who have polyps undergo a colonoscopic examination. When patients are re-evaluated after having colonoscopic neoplastic polypectomy, they should undergo repeat colonoscopy.

Adenoma↗

Surgical management of anorectal fistulas in Crohn's disease.

A retrospective review of patients with Crohn's disease treated at our institution from 1973 to 1986 revealed 35 patients operated upon for anorectal fistulas. Twenty-nine had low intermuscular fistulas (multiple in seven), and six had high intermuscular (supralevator) fistulas. Fistulotomy alone was performed in 19 patients, and eight underwent partial fistulotomy and seton insertion. Five additional patients had proximal fecal diversion before fistulotomy. Three patients with severe colonic and anorectal disease underwent proctocolectomy as the initial procedure. Of the 32 patients who had fistulotomy performed, complete healing occurred in 30. Seven patients who healed required more than one operation for fistula. One patient was left with an asymptomatic fistula, and one required proctectomy for persistent symptomatic fistula and proctitis. Success of operation correlated with absence of rectal disease and quiescent disease elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Aggressive medical treatment is required to control bowel disease preoperatively. In the majority of patients, subsequent surgery is justified and healing can be anticipated.

Adolescent↗

Results of operation for rectovaginal fistula in Crohn's disease.

A retrospective review of patients with Crohn's disease treated at our institution from 1973 to 1986 revealed 12 patients operated on for rectovaginal fistula. Disease involved the large intestine in 10 patients. Primary fistula repair was performed in four patients and four others had staged repair with preliminary fecal diversion. Four patients with severe colonic and anorectal disease had proctocolectomy performed as the first procedure. Of eight patients who underwent fistula repair, complete healing occurred in six. One patient has a persistent fistula, which is minimally symptomatic, and the other required proctocolectomy after three unsuccessful repairs. Success of operation correlated with quiescent intestinal disease and absence of rectal involvement. In selected patients with symptomatic fistulas, surgical repair is indicated and healing can be anticipated.

Adult↗

Resuscitation and transfer of trauma patients: a prospective study.

Improved outcome for trauma patients is closely linked to adequate early resuscitation and timely transfer of selected patients to trauma treatment centers. To document adequacy of early care of patients transferred to a regional trauma center, we analyzed 100 consecutive patients transferred after early care in a licensed emergency department by a medical doctor. Patients were evaluated in four injury categories: 1) neurologic, 2) chest, 3) abdominal, and 4) orthopedic. Standards promulgated by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma and the American College of Emergency Physicians were applied in each injury category, and percentage of noncompliance with these accepted standards was calculated. Dangerous levels of noncompliance with accepted standards of trauma care were documented. On the average, major departures from accepted standards of early care were found in more than 70% of cases, particularly in the potentially lethal areas of airway acquisition and volume replacement. Implications of these data and an evaluation of corrective measures are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Complications associated with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

Seventy-three patients underwent total colectomy, rectal mucosectomy, creation of J or S ileal reservoir, and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis from 1982 to 1989. Mean follow-up was 38 months, with a minimum of 3 months in 15 patients being followed long-term at another institution. Forty-eight (66%) patients had histologically proven ulcerative colitis and 25 (34%) patients had familial polyposis. Thirty-eight J reservoirs and 35 S reservoirs were constructed. There were no perioperative deaths. The failure rate (loss of pouch) was 3%. Thirty-six complications in 34 (47%) patients were reported, 14 (19%) patients required surgery. Bowel obstruction was the most common postoperative complication (16%), followed by pouchitis (15%), and cuff infection (5%). Seventy-eight percent of the complications were associated with the J pouch. Average stool frequency at 1 year was 4 per 24-hour period. Other complications included postoperative pneumonia (1), peroneal nerve palsy (1), and temporary sexual dysfunction (1). Seven of 15 complications requiring surgical intervention occurred in the first 2 years of the study period, illustrating the learning curve associated with the procedure. Blood loss, transfusion requirements, and length of operation were not associated with higher complication rates. Use of the J pouch and experience of the individual surgeon affected morbidity.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

Discontinuous appendiceal involvement in ulcerative colitis: pathology and clinical correlation.

Continuous mucosal involvement from the rectum proximally is one of the hallmarks of ulcerative colitis. However, recent pathologic series report appendiceal ulcerative colitis in the presence of a histologically normal cecum, representing a "skip" lesion. The clinical significance of this finding has not been established. Eighty patients, 54 males and 26 females, average age 37.9 years (range 14 to 82 years) who underwent proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis from January 1990 to September 1995 were examined to determine the rate of discontinuous appendiceal involvement. Excluded were 12 patients with prior appendectomy and 11 with fibrotic obliteration of the appendiceal lumen. Of the remaining 57 patients, seven (12.3%) had clear appendiceal involvement in the presence of a histologically normal cecum. These seven patients clinically were indistinguishable from the 50 patients without skip involvement of the appendix in terms of age at surgery, pretreatment medications, type of surgery, interval from diagnosis to definitive procedure, complications, functional results, and clinical course. Discontinuous appendiceal involvement was found in 12.3% of patients undergoing proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis, and clinically these patients behave as those without this feature.

Adolescent↗