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At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

A randomized controlled trial comparing simultaneous intra-operative vs sequential prophylactic ureteric catheter insertion in re-operative and complicated colorectal surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Prophylactic insertion of ureteric stents aids intra-operative identification of ureters and may allow easier visualization of any direct ureteric injury. Traditionally, ureteric catheters are inserted sequentially, before starting the abdominal part of the operation. This study determines the safety and efficacy of simultaneous intra-operative ureteric catheter insertion during complicated and re-operative colorectal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After institutional review board (IRB) approval, 24 patients were randomized into two groups, sequential (SEQ) and simultaneous (SIM) depending upon the timing of stent placement relative to abdominal incision. Time taken from induction to abdominal incision (AIT), induction to peritoneal entry (PET), catheter insertion time (CIT), and urinary tract infection rates were recorded. Degree of difficulty for stent insertion was graded on a scale of 1-10. RESULT: Demographics were similar between groups. Mean AIT (22 +/- 4 vs 41 +/- 7; p = 0.0001) and mean PET (26 +/- 4.2 vs 44 +/- 7.6; p = 0.0001) were shorter in the SIM group. There was no significant difference in mean CIT in SIM and SEQ groups (17.9 +/- 4.9 vs 17.6 +/- 5.9 min, p = 0.8). The stents were unsuccessful bilaterally in one patient in the SEQ group and unilaterally in two other patients, one in each group. The median difficulty score for catheter insertion was 3 (1-10) and 2 (1-10), (p = 0.12), respectively, in SIM and SEQ groups. There were no ureteric injuries in either group. One patient in SIM developed a urinary tract infection. CONCLUSION: Simultaneous ureteric catheter insertion during abdominal procedures reduces operating times without a significant increase in morbidity. Furthermore, this permits a policy of selective stent insertion as required by the intra-abdominal findings after laparotomy.

Adult↗

Neuropsychological function in manganese alloy plant workers.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to investigate potential nervous system effects of manganese (Mn) exposure in workers employed in manganese-alloy-producing plants. METHODS: One hundred male Mn alloy plant workers were compared with 100 age-matched referents. The subjects were examined with a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. Exposure was assessed by measurement of Mn concentrations in the workroom air, blood and urine. RESULTS: The geometric mean (GM) concentration of inhalable Mn in workroom air was 301 microg/m(3). The GM concentration of Mn in whole blood (181 nmol/l vs 160 nmol/l) ( P=0.002) and urine (0.9 nmol/mmol creatinine vs 0.4 nmol/mmol creatinine) ( P<0.001) was higher among the exposed subjects than among the referents. The Mn-exposed subjects had increased postural tremor while conducting a visually guided tremor test (static steadiness test) compared with the referents (mean number of contacts 94 vs 59 ( P= 0.001); duration of contacts (in seconds) 5.1 vs 3.5 ( P=0.003)). The tremor had larger frequency dispersion, indicating that the tremor included a wider variety of frequencies, among the exposed subjects than among the referents, assessed by the "TREMOR" test system. Smoking habits (self-reported) influenced the tremor parameters significantly, the Mn-exposed smokers having more tremor than the non-smoking Mn-exposed subjects. No differences between the groups were found in tests for cognitive functions, reaction time or in symptom reporting. CONCLUSION: The Mn-exposed subjects had increased hand tremor compared with their referents. The tremor was related to exposure parameters. Smoking habits (self-reported) influenced the tremor parameters.

Adult↗

Long-term outcome after laparoscopic and open surgery for rectal prolapse: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic repair (LR) of rectal prolapse is potentially associated with earlier recovery and lower perioperative morbidity, as compared with open transabdominal repair (OR). Data on the long-term recurrence rate and functional outcome are limited. METHODS: Perioperative data on rectal prolapse in relation to all LRs performed between December 1991 and April 2004 were prospectively collected. The LR patients were matched by age, gender, and procedure type with OR patients who underwent surgery during the same period. Patients with previous complex abdominal surgery or a body mass index exceeding 40 were excluded from the study. Data on recurrence rate, bowel habits, continence, and satisfaction scores were collected using a telephone survey. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients (age, 56.8 +/- 18.1 years; female, 87%) underwent attempted LR. An operative complication deferred repair in two cases. Among the 111 patients, 42 had posterior mesh fixation, and 67 had sutured rectopexy (32 patients with sigmoid colectomy for constipation). Eight patients (7.2%) had conversion to laparotomy. Matching was established for 86 patients. The LR patients had a shorter hospital stay (mean, 3.9 vs 6.0 days; p < 0.0001). The 30-day reoperation and readmission rates were similar for the two groups. The rates for recurrence requiring surgery were 9.3% for LR and 4.7% for OR (p = 0.39) during a mean follow-up period of 59 months. An additional seven patients in each group reported possible recurrence by telephone. Postoperatively, 35% of the LR patients and 53% of the OR patients experienced constipation (p = 0.09). Constipation was improved in 74% of the LR patients and 54% of the OR patients, and worsened, respectively, in 3% and 17% (p = 0.037). The postoperative incontinence rates were 30% for LR and 33% for OR (p = 0.83). Continence was improved in 48% of the LR patients and 35% of the OR patients, and worsened, respectively, in 9% and 18% (p = 0.22). The mean satisfaction rates for surgery (on a scale of 0 to 10) were 7.3 for the LR patients and 8.1 for the OR patients (p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: The hospital stay is shorter for LR than for OR. Both functional results and recurrent full-thickness rectal prolapse were similar for LR and OR during a mean follow-up period of 5 years.

Abdomen↗

Post-traumatic thoracic outlet syndromes.

This retrospective study aims to clarify the mechanisms, frequency, symptoms, treatment, and outcome of post-traumatic thoracic outlet syndromes. A total of 13 patients (7 men and 6 women) with a mean age of 41 +/- 16 years were studied. Underlying injuries resulted from sports, road, and household accidents. Bone lesions were pseudarthrosis, hypertrophic callus, and luxations. Congenital anomalies were observed in five patients (38%). Vascular lesions included aneurysm of the subclavian artery or vein, acute ischemia, and subclavian vein thrombosis. Operative treatment involving orthopedic and/or vascular surgery was indicated in all patients. Post-traumatic thoracic outlet syndrome occurs in young subjects after violent trauma. Vascular complications are frequent and severe. Treatment achieves good results but benefits may be diminished by bone or nerve involvement.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Infection of an abdominal aortic stent graft with suprarenal attachment.

Stent grafting for treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm can lead to infectious complications. The purpose of this report is to describe a case involving a patient with an aortobiliac stent graft, a horseshoe kidney, and coronary artery disease who presented suprarenal aortic infection requiring removal of the stent graft and in situ reconstruction using an arterial homograft. The discussion deals with management of infected vascular material and reconstruction techniques.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Incontinence after a lateral internal sphincterotomy: are we underestimating it?

PURPOSE: This study was designed to assess the long-term outcomes and quality of life of patients who have undergone a sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure. METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent this operation between 1992 and 2001 were reviewed. A questionnaire was mailed to assess their current status, along with the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life and Fecal Incontinence Severity Index surveys. RESULTS: A total of 298 patients were identified (158 males; 53 percent; mean age, 46.9 years; mean follow-up, 4.3 years). Postal survey response was 62 percent. Recurrence of the fissure occurred in 17 patients (5.6 percent) of whom 9 (52 percent) were females. Significant factors that resulted in recurrence were initial sphincterotomy performed in the office and local anesthesia (P < 0.001). When comparing office records and response to the postal survey, significantly more patients had flatal incontinence than that recorded in their medical records (P < 0.001). Twenty-nine percent of females who had a vaginal delivery recorded problems with incontinence to flatus (P = 0.04). Temporary incontinence was reported in 31 percent of patients and persistent incontinence to gas occurred in 30 percent. Stool incontinence was not a significant finding. The overall quality-of-life scores were in the normal range, whereas the median Fecal Incontinence Severity Index score was 12. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence after lateral internal sphincterotomy may be higher after local anesthesia or office procedure. Females who have two or more previous vaginal deliveries should be warned about possible flatal incontinence. Long-term flatal incontinence that is not reported to the caregiver may occur in up to one-third of patients and could be permanent.

Adult↗

Dysplasia of the anal transitional zone after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: results of prospective evaluation after a minimum of ten years.

PURPOSE: Stapling of the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis with preservation of the anal transitional zone remains controversial because of concerns about the potential risk of dysplasia and cancer. The natural history and optimal treatment of anal transitional zone dysplasia ten or more years after surgery are unknown. This study establishes the risk of dysplasia in the anal transitional zone and the outcome of a conservative management policy for anal transitional zone dysplasia, with a minimum of ten years' follow-up after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. METHODS: A total of 289 patients undergoing anal transitional zone-sparing stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for inflammatory bowel disease between 1986 and 1990 were studied. Patients undergoing anal transitional zone-sparing ileal pouch-anal anastomosis who were studied with serial anal transitional zone biopsies for at least ten years postoperatively were included (n = 178). Median follow-up was 130 (range, 120-157) months. RESULTS: Anal transitional zone dysplasia developed in 8 patients 4 to 123 (median, 9) months after surgery. There was no association with gender, age, preoperative disease duration, or extent of colitis, but the risk of anal transitional zone dysplasia was significantly associated with cancer or dysplasia as a preoperative diagnosis or in the proctocolectomy specimen. Dysplasia was high grade in two patients and low grade in six. Two patients with low-grade dysplasia on two or more occasions after detection of low-grade dysplasia underwent completion mucosectomy and perineal pouch advancement with neo-ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. One patient with high-grade dysplasia on two occasions was to undergo completion mucosectomy, but this was not technically feasible. Partial mucosectomy with vigorous anal transitional zone biopsy was performed with close postoperative surveillance. Biopsies were negative for dysplasia. The second recently diagnosed patient with high-grade dysplasia underwent examination under anesthesia with negative anal transitional zone biopsies and will be kept under close surveillance. No cancer in the anal transitional zone was found during the study period. The 4 other patients with low-grade dysplasia on 1 or 2 occasions were treated expectantly and have been dysplasia free for a median of 119 (range, 103-133) months. CONCLUSIONS: Anal transitional zone dysplasia after stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is infrequent and is usually self-limiting. Anal transitional zone preservation did not lead to the development of cancer in the anal transitional zone with a minimum of ten years of follow-up. Long-term surveillance is recommended to monitor dysplasia. If repeat biopsy confirms persistent dysplasia, mucosectomy with perineal pouch advancement and neo-ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is recommended.

Adult↗

Vaginal delivery after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis: a word of caution.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the impact of childbirth on anal sphincter integrity and function, functional outcome, and quality of life in females with restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. METHODS: The patients who had at least one live birth after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis were asked to return for a comprehensive assessment. They were asked to complete the following questionnaires: the Short Form-36, Cleveland Global Quality of Life scale, American Society of Colorectal Surgeons fecal incontinence severity index, and time trade-off method. Additionally, anal sphincter integrity (endosonography) and manometric pressures were measured by a medical physician blinded to the delivery technique. Anal sphincter physiology also was evaluated with electromyography and pudendal nerve function by nerve terminal motor latency technique. RESULTS: Of 110 eligible females who had at least one live birth after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, 57 participated in the study by returning for clinical evaluation to the clinic and 25 others by returning the quality of life and functional outcome questionnaires. Patients were classified into two groups: patients who had only cesarean section delivery after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (n = 62) and patients who had at least one vaginal delivery after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (n = 20). The mean follow-up from the date of the most recent delivery was 4.9 years. The vaginal delivery group had significantly higher incidence of an anterior sphincter defect by anal endosonography (50 percent) vs. cesarean section delivery group (13 percent; P = 0.012). The mean squeeze anal pressure was significantly higher in the patients who had only cesarean section delivery (150 mmHg) after restorative proctocolectomy than patients who had at least one vaginal delivery (120 mmHg) after restorative proctocolectomy (P = 0.049). Quality of life evaluated by time trade-off method also was significantly better in the cesarean section delivery group (1) vs. vaginal delivery group (0.9; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of the sphincter injury and quality of life measured by time trade-off method are significantly worse after vaginal delivery compared with cesarean section in patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. In the short-term, this does not seem to substantially influence pouch function or quality of life; however, the long-term effects remain unknown, thus obstetric concern may not be the only factor dictating the type of delivery in this group of patients. A planned cesarean section may eliminate these potential and factual concerns in ileal pouch-anal anastomosis patients.

Adult↗

Long-term outcome and quality of life after continent ileostomy.

INTRODUCTION: This study was designed to evaluate long-term outcomes for patients undergoing Kock continent ileostomy, identify factors associated with adverse outcomes, and compare changes in quality of life after removal of the reservoir. METHODS: The records of all patients (n = 330) undergoing continent ileostomy at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation between 1974 and 2001 were reviewed. Patient-related, intraoperative, and postoperative factors were evaluated as predictor variables of long-term pouch survival. Quality of life was evaluated using the continent ileostomy surgery follow-up questionnaire and the Cleveland Global Quality of Life scale (n = 216). These were compared between patients with continent ileostomy (n = 181) and patients who underwent removal of the continent ileostomy and conversion to an end stoma (n = 35). RESULTS: The median patient follow-up was 11 (range, 1-27) years. The median revision-free pouch interval was 14 (95 percent confidence interval, 11-17) months. The 10-year and 20-year pouch survival was 87 and 77 percent, respectively. Patients had an average of 3.7(range, 1-28) complications and 2.9 (range, 1-27) pouch revisions during follow-up. On multivariate analysis, Crohn's disease (hazard ratio = 4.5), female gender (hazard ratio = 2.4), fistula development (hazard ratio = 3), and body mass index (hazard ratio = 2.4 per 5 unit increase) were independent predictors of pouch failure. Quality of life measurements for patients with a continent ileostomy were higher on all scales in comparison with patients who had the Kock reservoir and then reverted to a Brooke ileostomy. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the associated morbidity with continent ileostomy surgery, long-term results and quality of life were encouraging. Continent ileostomy may be offered as an attractive long-term option to select patients whose only alternative is an end ileostomy.

Adolescent↗

Female bowel function: the real story.

PURPOSE: There has been minimal research done on normal female bowel habits. Because we do not know what is normal, this affects counseling of patients and research. The aim of this study was to conduct a survey of females with no bowel pathology to obtain a baseline of normal bowel function and examine any normal changes that occur during a woman's lifetime. METHODS: Females accompanying patients to our hospital and clinic were invited to fill out an IRB-approved questionnaire after excluding those with current bowel pathology, depression, a stoma, or were wheelchair bound. RESULTS: Four hundred twenty-five of 528 questionnaires of females who reported they had normal bowel habits were evaluated. The age range was from 18 to 80 years and comparison was according to age, race, and parity. Fifty-one percent had one bowel movement daily while 30 percent reported fewer. Overall, 15 percent reported constipation, which was higher in African-American females (26 percent) vs. Caucasian females (14 percent), P = 0.08. The average time for a bowel movement was 5-6 minutes, which was longer in African-American females (7.7 min) vs. Caucasian (5.0 min), P = 0.002. Younger females had changes in their bowel pattern reported as soft stool usually associated with their menstrual cycle; this was seen mostly in single females. Menopause did not affect bowels. Thirty-six percent of parous females reported occasional stool incontinence. Flatal incontinence was seen occasionally in over 50 percent of females, more frequently in those over 35 years old. Seventy-four percent of parous females reported incontinence to gas. One-third of females read on the toilet, with a majority doing so to relax or to be distracted and with African-American females reading more (54 percent) vs. Caucasian (32 percent), P = 0.004. Interestingly, Caucasian females read to conserve time (26 percent) vs. African-Americans (4 percent), P = 0.02. Fiber as a supplement was taken by only 8 percent. Foods affected bowel function in all age groups, while travel and exercise did not. Stress affected a change in 35 percent in the 18 to 50-year group. CONCLUSION: There is a vast diversity in what is considered normal female bowel habits. One daily bowel movement is not the norm. Normal older females and those who have had children report more flatal incontinence. One-third experience some element of fecal incontinence. Foods most commonly caused a change in bowel pattern, followed by menstruation, stress, and childbirth. A vast majority do not take fiber as a supplement.

Adolescent↗

Multimedia article. Success of episioproctotomy for cloaca and rectovaginal fistula.

PURPOSE: Surgical repair of rectovaginal fistula with an advancement flap has had suboptimal results. The existing literature documenting episioproctotomy as a surgical option in females with rectovaginal fistula or cloaca is limited. This study was designed to examine our experience with episioproctotomy in this group. Additionally we were interested in risk factors, which might predict failure. METHODS: All females who had repair of a rectovaginal fistula or cloaca with episioproctotomy from 1998 to 2004 were studied. Data were collected from chart review and telephone contact. This included demographics, body mass index, tobacco use, Crohn's disease, previous surgery, and diverting stoma. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 42 females (mean age, 39.2 (range, 25-70) years). The mean follow-up was 37 (range, 2-84) months. Nine females had a cloaca and the rest had a rectovaginal fistula with an anterior sphincter defect. Eleven (all with anterior tissue) had recurrence of fistula. None with cloaca had recurrence. Eight of 11 recurrences occurred in females who had failed at least one previous repair. No variables that were studied significantly affected recurrence. Median (25th, 75th percentiles) postoperative Wexner incontinence scores for those with and without recurrence were 8 (7, 12) and 5 (2, 6) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Episioproctotomy is a successful technique for repair of rectovaginal fistula and cloaca. Incontinence score postoperatively were acceptable. It should be considered a first line of surgical treatment in those with a fistula that includes compromise of the anterior sphincter complex.

Adult↗

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate may be curative in early-onset epileptic encephalopathy.

Neonatal epileptic encephalopathy can be caused by inborn errors of metabolism. These conditions are often unresponsive to treatment with conventional antiepileptic drugs. Six children with pyridox(am)ine-5'-phosphate oxidase (PNPO) deficiency presented with neonatal epileptic encephalopathy. Two were treated with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) within the first month of life and showed normal development or moderate psychomotor retardation thereafter. Four children with late or no treatment died or showed severe mental handicap. All of the children showed atypical biochemical findings. Prompt treatment with PLP in all neonates and infants with epileptic encephalopathy should become mandatory, permitting normal development in at least some of those affected with PNPO deficiency.

Age of Onset↗

Protectors against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity: flavonoids.

Doxorubicin is a widely used anthracycline anticancer agent. Its use may cause cardiomyopathy: in fact, the development of cumulative dose-related cardiotoxicity forms the major limitation of clinical doxorubicin use. We therefore searched for protective agents that combine iron-chelating and oxygen radical-scavenging properties. Moreover, any novel protector should not interfere with the cytostatic activity of doxorubicin. After extensive in vitro screening we found that flavonoids could serve this purpose. In particular 7-monohydroxyethylrutoside almost completely protected against the negative inotropic action of doxorubicin in the electrically paced mouse left atrium model. In vivo it gave full protection at 500 mg/kg intraperitoneally against the doxorubicin-induced ST-interval lengthening in the ECG. Moreover, this protector did not influence the antitumor effect of doxorubicin either in vitro using the human ovarian cell lines A2780 and OVCAR-3 and the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 or in vivo in A2780 and OVCAR-3 subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice. Comparison of various iron chelators suggest that iron, in contrast to the general assumption, might not play a crucial role in the oxidative stress-induced toxicity of doxorubicin. Moreover, incubation of vascular endothelial cells with doxorubicin produced overexpression of adhesion molecules, which could be inhibited by 7-monohydroxyethylrutoside. From a study in human volunteers, we conclude that an intravenous dose of 1500 mg/m(2) of 7-monohydroxyethylrutoside is feasible and is safe to be investigated as protection against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Animals↗

Low health-related quality of life among abused women.

In a cross-sectional study, we sent a self-administered questionnaire to all the women's shelters in Norway to describe health-related quality of life among women who had experienced violence from an intimate partner. Every woman who could understand Norwegian and was staying at a women's shelter in Norway for more than 1 week from October 2002 to May 2003 was asked to participate. We described violence by intimate partners by using the Severity of Violence against Women Scale and the Psychological Maltreatment of Women Index. We used the SF-36 Health Survey to measure health-related quality of life. These women experienced a multitude of threats and actual physical and psychological violence during their partnership. Their health-related quality of life was low and significantly (p<0.001) below the norm for the female population of Norway in all dimensions. The SF-36 mental health dimension was 2.5 standard deviations below the norm. Women at women's shelters in Norway who had experienced domestic violence had very low and clinically significantly reduced health-related quality of life scores. Health care workers must give priority to developing intervention plans for victims of violence from intimate partners.

Adolescent↗

Quinolone Resistance: Older Concepts and Newer Developments.

New quinolone compounds have been recommended for use in the treatment of respiratory tract infections, particularly pneumonia caused by multi drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. Of concern, however, is the recent emergence of pneumococcal isolates with reduced susceptibilities to both old and new quinolone compounds. This necessitates the employment of quinolone-use strategies aimed at restricting the emergence of resistance, to extend the effectiveness of this very important class of antibacterial agents. This article provides a comprehensive review of the recent discoveries in type II topoisomerase/quinolone structure-function relationships. It also addresses new insights into the mechanisms of quinolone resistance, the predicted trends in quinolone resistance, and possible strategies for quinolone use against S. pneumoniae.

Journal Article↗

High dose methotrexate with leucovorin rescue. Rationale and spectrum of antitumor activity.

Methotrexate (MTX) in high doses (3 to 7.5 g/m2) with leucovorin rescue (HDMTX-LCV) can be delivered on a weekly basis in a setting of proper pharmacologic monitoring. Myelosuppression occurs in 28 per cent of the patients and in 8 per cent of the courses and usually results from delayed MTX excretion secondary to mild reversible nephrotoxicity. The incidence of tumor regression was 50 per cent in head and neck cancer; 59 per cent in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; 40 per cent in small cell lung cancer; 24 to 50 per cent in breast cancer and 50 per cent in osteogenic carcinoma, for an over-all response rate of 39 per cent (70 of 178) in patients with disseminated cancer. HDMTX-LCV is not recommended for the conventional treatment of metastatic cancer because of the potential for toxicity and the fact that the response rates cited are probably not superior to those which can be achieved by conventional doses of MTX. However, the relative lack of myelosuppression and mucositis, when compared to conventional unrescued MTS, and the achievement of therapeutic concentrations of MTX in the central nervous system with the HDMTX-LCV program have led to its incorporation into clinical trials of combination chemotherapy.

Adult↗

Oxidants and antioxidants: state of the art.

Reactive oxygen species are regarded as merely pernicious. This is incorrect for they play a pivotal role in many physiologic reactions, such as cytochrome P450-mediated oxidations, regulation of the tone of smooth muscle, and killing of microorganisms. An imbalance in oxidant-antioxidant activity is involved in many free radical-mediated pathologies, e.g., ischemia-reperfusion and asthma. In an attempt to alleviate these pathologies with antioxidants, it should be noted that these compounds are neither specific nor mere antioxidants. Associated with antioxidant activity is a pro-oxidant action. In the development of new antioxidant therapies, the important question of how these drugs are incorporated in or commensurate with existing integrated physiologic radical-defense systems should be addressed.

Animals↗