Charles B. Anderson

Insulin Independence After Islet Transplantation Into Type I Diabetic Patient

Effective clinical trials of islet transplantation have been limited by the inability to transplant enough viable human islets into patients with type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus to eliminate their exogenous insulin requirement. We report the first type I diabetic patient with an established kidney transplant on basal cyclosporin immunosuppression who was able to eliminate the insulin requirement after human islet transplantation into the portal vein. We successfully isolated ∼800,000 islets that were 95% pure from 1.4 cadaver pancreases containing 121 U of insulin. Islets were proven viable by in vitro insulin response to glucose challenge. After 7 days of 24°C culture, the islets were transplanted into the portal vein under local anesthesia. Seven days of Minnesota antilymphoblast globulin (20 mg/kg) administration followed the islet transplantation, with maintenance of the cyclosporin. Blood glucose was kept under strict control via intravenous insulin for 10 days posttransplantation, when all insulin therapy was stopped. Off insulin, the average 24-h blood glucose level remained <150 mg/dl, with the fasting glucose level at 115 ± 6 mg/dl and the 2-h postprandial level at 141 ±8 mg/dl for 22 days posttransplantation (the time of this study). The C-peptide values post-Sustacal testing, although initially rising slower, exceeded the normal range, with peak values of 1.0–1.8 pmol/ml. This preliminary result represents the first essential step required to determine the feasibility of islet transplantation by future clinical trials.

The treatment of malignant pleural effusions.

One hundred thirty‐three patients with 154 treated malignant pleural effusions were reviewed. Carcinoma of the breast, bronchogenic carcinoma, and lymphomas were the most frequent tumors causing malignant pleural effusion. Cytologies were positive in 67% of the 125 effusions examined. Local treatment consisted of thoracentesis, tube thoracostomy with or without nitrogen mustard instillation, irradiation, or pleurectomy. Patients were followed for recurrence of effusion and return of symptoms for an average of 6 1/2 months. Statistical analysis showed that 37% of 66 hemithoraces (60 patients) treated with tube thoracostomy and nitrogen mustard were free of effusion 3 months after treatment, and 29% 6 months after therapy. Fifty‐three percent of these patients were asymptomatic at 6 months, and 39% at 1 year after treatment. Thoracentesis with or without nitrogen mustard instillation was distinctly inferior to the tube and nitrogen mustard method. Pleurectomy in selected cases proved worthwhile.

Prevention of Thrombosis in Patients on Hemodialysis by Low-Dose Aspirin

Since platelet cyclo-oxygenase is much more sensitive to inactivation by aspirin than is the enzyme in the arterial wall and low doses of aspirin may prevent thrombosis by blocking thromboxane synthesis, we conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of aspirin (160 mg per day) vs. placebo in 44 patients on chronic hemodialysis. The study was continued until there were 24 patients with thrombi and both groups had been under observation for a mean of nearly five months. Thrombi occurred in 18 of 25 (72 per cent) of patients given placebo and 16 of 19 (32 per cent) of those given aspirin (P less than 0.01). The incidence of thrombosis was reduced from 0.46 thrombi per patient month in the placebo group to 0.16 thrombi per patient month in the aspirin group (p less than 0.005). A dose of 160 mg of aspirin per day is an effective, nontoxic antithrombotic regimen in patients on hemodialysis.

Transabdominal versus retroperitoneal incision for abdominal aortic surgery: Report of a prospective randomized trial ☆ ☆☆ ★

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to perform a randomized, prospective trial that compares the transabdominal with the retroperitoneal approach to the aorta for routine infrarenal aortic reconstruction. METHODS From August 1990 through November 1993, patients undergoing surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease or aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD) were asked to participate in a randomized trial comparing the transabdominal incision (TAI) to the retroperitoneal incision (RPI) for aortic surgery. One hundred forty-five patients were randomized, with 75 (41 with AAA and 34 with AIOD) in the TAI group and 70 (40 with AAA and 30 with AIOD) in the RPI group. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, sex, postoperative pain control (epidural vs patient-controlled analgesia), or comorbid conditions, except for a higher incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the TAI group (21 vs 8 patients). RESULTS The incidence of intraoperative complications was similar for both groups. After surgery, the incidence of prolonged ileus (p = 0.013) and small bowel obstruction (p = 0.05) was higher in the TAI group. Overall, the RPI group had significantly fewer complications (p < 0.0001). The overall postoperative mortality rate (two deaths) was 1.4%, with both occurring in the TAI group (p = 0.507). The RPI group also had significantly shorter stays in the intensive care unit (p = 0.006), a trend toward shorter hospitalization (p = 0.10), lower total hospital charges (p = 0.019), and lower total hospital costs (p = 0.017). There was no difference in pulmonary complications (p = 0.71). In long-term follow-up (mean 23 months), the RPI group reported more incisional pain (p = 0.056), but no difference was found in incisional hernias or bulges (p = 0.297). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the RPI approach for abdominal aortic surgery is associated with fewer postoperative complications, shorter stays in the hospital and intensive care unit, and lower cost. There is, however, an increase in long-term incisional pain. Current methods of postoperative pain control seem to decrease the incidence of pulmonary complications.

Spontaneous closure of selected iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae

PURPOSE We report our approach to the management of postcatheterization femoral artery pseudoaneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae in an attempt to determine the frequency of spontaneous resolution of selected lesions. METHODS We studied 196 pseudoaneurysms, 81 arteriovenous fistulae, and 9 combined lesions that were identified by duplex scan. Indications for immediate surgical repair included pseudoaneurysm greater than 3 cm, enlarging hematoma, pain, groin infection, nerve compression, limb ischemia, concomitant surgical procedure, and patient refusal or inability to comply with follow-up. All other lesions were observed. RESULTS One hundred thirty-nine patients underwent prompt surgical repair, and 147 patients were initially managed without operation. There were no limb-threatening complications associated with nonoperative management in this subset of patients. Eighty-six percent of the lesions being observed resolved spontaneously within a mean of 23 days, whereas 14% required surgical closure for a variety of reasons (at a mean of 111 days after the initial diagnosis). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of spontaneous pseudoaneurysm closure (89%) as opposed to fistulae (81%) (p < 0.17). By life-table analysis, 90% of selected pseudoaneurysms had resolved by 2 months. Patients selected for observation underwent an average of 2.6 duplex scans per patient versus 1.4 scans per patient for those treated with immediate surgery (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION The natural history of stable pseudoaneurysms and arteriovenous fistulae is benign and frequently results in spontaneous resolution, which allows properly selected patients to be managed without operation.

Comparison between the transabdominal and retroperitoneal approach for reconstruction of the infrarenal abdominal aorta

To evaluate the efficacy of the retroperitoneal approach (RP) when compared with the transperitoneal (TP) approach in elective aortoiliac reconstruction, 104 consecutive cases were reviewed. From June 1983 through December 1985, 50 patients underwent aortoiliac reconstruction (26 for aortoiliac occlusive disease [AIOD] and 20 for abdominal aortic aneurysm [AAA]) through the TP approach and 54 patients underwent operation (30 for AIOD and 24 for AAA) through the RP approach. Both groups had similar revascularization procedures, associated diseases, and preoperative cardiac and pulmonary function parameters. The TP approach was associated with a larger intraoperative blood loss (1950 +/- 196 ml) when compared with the RP approach (1296 +/- 109 ml) (p less than 0.001). The intraoperative crystalloid requirements were also significantly higher for the TP approach (5994 +/- 296 ml) when compared with the RP approach (4455 +/- 295 ml) (p less than 0.0005). Similarly, the intraoperative blood requirements were higher for the TP approach (1235 +/- 115 ml) than the RP approach (853 +/- 61 ml) (p less than 0.001). Both groups had similar operative times. Nasogastric intubation and initiation of oral feeding was significantly prolonged in the TP group when compared with the RP group (p less than 0.001). Postoperative hospitalization was also considerably prolonged in the TP group when compared with the RP group (p less than 0.02). This experience demonstrates that the RP approach is a preferable alternative to the TP route in elective aortoiliac reconstruction.

The influence of anesthetic technique on perioperative complications after carotid endarterectomy

Abstract Purpose: This study evaluated the influence of anesthetic techniques on perioperative complications after carotid endarterectomy. Methods: Perioperative complications, the use of a carotid artery shunt, the duration of the operative procedure and postoperative hospital course were retrospectively compared in 584 consecutive patients undergoing 679 carotid endarterectomies with use of either general anesthesia ( n = 361) or cervical block regional anesthesia ( n = 318). There was no significant difference in the preoperative medical characteristics between the two anesthetic groups. Symptomatic carotid artery disease was the indication for surgery in 247 (68.4%) patients receiving general anesthetics, whereas 180 (56.6%) patients treated with a cervical block anesthetic had a symptomatic carotid artery stenosis ( p = 0.02). Results: The perioperative stroke rate and stroke-death rate for the entire series was 2.4% and 3.2%, respectively, and was not significantly different between the anesthetic groups or between patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic disease. A carotid artery shunt was used in 61 (19.2%) patients receiving a cervical block anesthetic and 152 (42.1%) patients treated with a general anesthetic ( p p = 0.04). Conclusions: We conclude that cervical block anesthesia is safer and results in a more efficient use of hospital resources than general anesthesia in the treatment of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. (J VASC SURG 1994;19:834-43.)

Preservation of renal function in juxtarenal and suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

PURPOSE Deterioration in renal function is a common cause of morbidity in patients treated surgically for juxtarenal and suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. We reviewed our experience over the last 8 years with 65 consecutive patients undergoing juxtarenal (n = 31) or suprarenal (n = 34) abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. METHODS The aneurysms were repaired with a transabdominal (n = 8), thoracoabdominal (n = 4), retroperitoneal (n = 22), or thoracoretroperitoneal (n = 31) approach. Proximal aortic clamps were placed at the suprarenal, supra-superior mesenteric artery, or supraceliac level. Renal hypothermia with cold heparinized saline solution renal artery perfusion was used to protect renal function in 38 patients with either preoperative renal insufficiency or with anticipated prolonged renal ischemia (> 30 minutes). Concomitant renal artery reconstruction was required in 30 patients. RESULTS Significant operative morbidity developed in 23 (35.3%) patients. There was one (1.53%) perioperative death (0 to 90 days). Temporary dialysis was necessary in two patients. Preoperative renal insufficiency was a significant risk factor on multivariate analysis for a decline in renal function during the first postoperative week. However, serum creatinine concentration had returned to baseline or improved in all patients but two (3.1%) at the time of discharge. In spite of significantly longer renal ischemia, discharge creatinine levels were, on univariate analysis, statistically less than baseline creatinine levels in patients with suprarenal aneurysms, patients requiring renal reconstruction, and patients treated with renal hypothermia. The location of the proximal aortic clamp was not a factor in postoperative morbidity. There was no significant difference between juxtarenal and suprarenal aneurysms with respect to operating room time, transfusion requirements, days intubated, resumption of oral diet, or the length of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS Careful consideration of the route of exposure, location of the proximal aortic clamp, and the preservation of renal function with renal hypothermia and with the repair of significant renal artery lesions will result in minimal morbidity and mortality in patients requiring surgery for juxtarenal or suprarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Intraoperative salvage in patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: An analysis of cost and benefit

PURPOSE Although autologous blood procurement has become a standard of care in elective surgery, recent studies have questioned its cost-effectiveness. We therefore reviewed our 3-year experience with intraoperative cell salvage in patients who underwent elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. METHODS A 3-year retrospective chart review of elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (infrarenal and suprarenal) repair was performed. Transthoracic repairs were excluded. RESULTS Estimated blood lost was 1748 +/- 1236 ml, or 35% of baseline blood volume (5012 +/- 689 ml). Overall, 164 (89%) received red blood cell (RBC) transfusions (3.5 +/- 2.0 U/patient). The cost per patient for cell salvage was

Thrombolytic therapy for acute arterial occlusion

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