F. Largiadèr

Prospective, randomized comparison of extrapleural versus epidural analgesia for postthoracotomy pain

BACKGROUND Thoracic epidural analgesia is considered the method of choice for postthoracotomy analgesia, but it is not suitable for every patient and is associated with some risks and side effects. We therefore evaluated the effects of an extrapleural intercostal analgesia as an alternative to thoracic epidural analgesia. METHODS In a prospective, randomized study, pain control, recovery of ventilatory function, and pulmonary complications were analyzed in patients undergoing elective lobectomy or bilobectomy. Two groups of 15 patients each were compared: one received a continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve blockade (T3 through T6) with bupivacaine through an indwelling catheter, the other was administered a combination of local anesthetics (bupivacaine) and opioid analgesics (fentanyl) through a thoracic epidural catheter. RESULTS Both techniques were safe and highly effective in terms of pain relief and recovery of postoperative pulmonary function. However, minor differences were observed that, together with practical benefits, would favor extrapleural intercostal analgesia. CONCLUSIONS These results led us to suggest that extrapleural intercostal analgesia might be a valuable alternative to thoracic epidural analgesia for pain control after thoracotomy and should particularly be considered in patients who do not qualify for thoracic epidural analgesia.

Long-Term Results of Hepaticojejunostomy for Benign Lesions of the Bile Ducts

BACKGROUND Hepaticojejunostomy has been the method of choice for the treatment of benign lesions of the extrahepatic bile ducts for years. In the era of minimally invasive and interventional techniques, a review of its long-term results is necessary to set the standard with which these new techniques have to be compared. METHODS A retrospective analysis was carried out for 51 patients (16 females, 35 males) aged 24 to 83 years (average 48 +/- 13) who had undergone hepaticojejunostomy for benign lesions at our institution between 1980 and 1989. Twelve patients had had up to 4 prior operations of their bile ducts. The main indications for operation were chronic pancreatitis (n = 33) and iatrogenic bile duct lesions (n = 15). If possible, a low end-to-side hepaticojejunostomy was performed. The Hepp-Couinaud approach was saved for high strictures and recurrences. All patients were reassessed by questionnaire at an average of 7.6 years (range 2 to 13) after the operation. RESULTS Four Hepp-Couinaud and 47 low hepaticojejunostomies were performed. Postoperative complications were seen in 17 patients (33%), 4 of whom had a reoperation. One patient died, for a mortality rate of 2%. The hospital stay averaged 24 +/- 17 days (range 8 to 90). Late complications developed in 13 patients (25%) 2 months to 6 years after the operation. Stenosis and cholangitis necessitated reoperation in 3 cases, cholangitis without stenosis was treated in 4, and other complications were seen in 5 cases. One patient died with a liver abscess, and 12 died of causes unrelated to the operation. When questioned, 31 of 35 patients were in good or very good condition. CONCLUSIONS Hepaticojejunostomy is a safe and reliable method for the treatment of benign lesions of the bile ducts even in young patients in need of a long-term biliary bypass.

Fibromuscular Hyperplasia: Extension of the Disease and Therapeutic Outcome

92 patients with fibromuscular hyperplasia (FMH) seen at the University Hospital Zurich were studied. Renovascular FMH was the most frequent manifestation of the disease (89%). FMH of the cerebral arteries was seen in 26%. The intestinal and subclavian arteries were involved in 9% each and the iliac arteries in 5% of the patients. In 2 patients each FMH of the abdominal aorta or the coronary arteries, respectively, was found. 26% of the patients had systemic disease with involvement of 2 or more arteries. Half of the patients with bilateral renovascular disease showed additional extrarenal FMH. All patients with renovascular FMH were hypertensive (mean blood pressure 194 +/- 34/119 +/- 18 mm Hg). Surgery, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and medical therapy were equally effective in controlling blood pressure. The cure rates were 52% in patients undergoing surgery and 50% in those treated with PTA. The complication rate, however, was higher with surgery (11%) than with PTA (3%). 62% of the patients treated medically were normotensive. Major side effects occurred in 4.8%. The outcome of curative interventions (surgery or PTA) was influenced by the extension of FMH. In unilateral disease the cure rate was significantly higher (62%) than in systemic FMH (28%; p less than 0.03). Patients with strict bilateral disease were cured in 50%. We conclude: (a) PTA seems to be the treatment of choice in renovascular FMH because of a high cure and a low complication rate and (b) the outcome of curative interventions seems markedly influenced by the extension of FMH in these patients.

Catheter fracture: A rare complication of totally implantable subclavian venous access devices

Catheter fracture represents a rare problem among non‐infectious complications following the insertion of totally implantable long‐term central venous access systems for the application of chemotherapeutic agents. A literature survey revealed a total incidence of catheter fractures of 0–2.1%. Imminent catheter fracture can be identified radiologically, using different degrees of catheter narrowing between the clavicle and the first rib, called pinch‐off sign. Two cases of catheter fracture are described and potential causes are discussed. Recommendations to avoid the pinch‐off sign with the subsequent risk of catheter fracture and migration include a more lateral and direct puncture of the subclavian vein. In case of catheter narrowing in the clavicular‐first rib angle, patients should be followed carefully by chest X‐rays every 4 weeks. Whenever possible, the system should be removed within 6 months following insertion.

Ultrasound scans done by surgeons for patients with acute abdominal pain: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the routine use of abdominal ultrasonography (US) in patients admitted to the surgical emergency unit with acute abdominal pain. DESIGN Prospective study with a three-step evaluation of patients over a 12-month period. SETTING University hospital, Switzerland. SUBJECTS 496 patients (male/female = 234/262; mean age 45 years) who presented with acute abdominal pain. INTERVENTIONS Every patient underwent routine investigations and had an abdominal US by the attending surgeon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Clinical diagnosis, post-ultrasonography diagnosis and final diagnosis. RESULTS US improved the correct diagnostic rate from 348 (70%) to 414 (83%). The diagnostic accuracy for acute appendicitis and biliary tract disease improved after US from 455 (92%) to 488 (98%) and from 463 (93%) to 490 (99%), respectively; the corresponding sensitivities and specificities were 91% and 99% and 94% and 99%. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasonography should be part of routine surgical investigation and should be mastered and used by surgeons.

A comparison of the pathophysiologic effects of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and helium pneumoperitoneum on intracranial pressure.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested that diagnostic laparoscopy may be contraindicated in multiple trauma patients with closed head injuries because of the detrimental effects of carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum on intracranial pressure (ICP). In this study we compared the effects of two alternative inflation gases, helium (He) and nitrous oxide (N2O), against the standard agent used in most hospitals, CO2. ICP was monitored in experimental animals both with and without a space occupying intracranial lesion designed to simulate a closed head injury. METHODS Twenty-four domestic pigs (mean, 30 kg) were divided into four groups (6 CO2, 6 He, 6 N2O, and 6 control animals without insufflation). All animals were monitored for ICP, intraabdominal pressure, mean arterial pressure, end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2), and arterial blood gases. These parameters were measured for 30 minutes prior to introducing a pneumoperitoneum and then for 80 minutes thereafter. The measurements were repeated after artificially elevating the ICP with a balloon placed in the epidural space. RESULTS The mean ICP increased significantly in all groups during peritoneal insufflation compared with the control group (P < 0.005). The CO2-insufflated animals also showed a significant increase in PaCO2 (P < 0.05) and ETCO2 (P < 0.05), as well as a decrease in pH (P < 0.05). After inflating the epidural balloon the ICP remained significantly higher in animals inflated with CO2 as compared with the He and N2O groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Peritoneal insufflation with He and N2O resulted in a significantly less increase in ICP as compared with CO2. That difference was most likely due to a metabolically mediated increase in cerebral perfusion (PaCO2) in the CO2 group. Further studies need to be conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of using He and N2O as inflation agents prior to attempting diagnostic or therapeutic laparoscopy in patients with potential closed head injuries.

Orthotopic allotransplantation of the pancreas

Abstract A technic for orthotopic allotransplantation of the whole pancreas (including duodenum) has been successfully carried out with preservation of both endocrine and exocrine function of the transplant. The operative technic is described in detail and preliminary results with twenty-five transplantation procedures are given. Mean survival time of the dogs after orthotopic transplantation was five and a half days (range from four to nine days). Factors affecting the general condition of the recipient proved to be more decisive for survival than local complications.

Recurrence of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis in the Transplanted Kidney

The clinical and renal biopsy findings in 3 patients with recurrent focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSG) are reported, as well as the results of a survey among 17 European centers totaling 27 kidney-transplanted children with FSG. From these 27 patients, 10 had recurrent FSG. The duration of the original disease was less than 3 years in 9 of them. In contrast, this rapid progression of the disease was observed in only 7 of 17 patients in the group without recurrences. Heavy proteinuria was noted within the 1st day, or week, in all but 2 patients where it was detected at 3 and 7 weeks. All developed the nephrotic syndrome. From the 10 kidneys (mostly from cadaver donors) which functioned for more than 1 month, 5 were lost 2--24 months after transplantation because of recurrence (3 patients) or infection (2 patients). It appears that the risk of recurrence can best be predicted by the duration of the original disease: 50% or more if the duration was short (less than 3 years), and only 10--20% when the duration was longer.

Percutaneous Drainage of Abdominal Abscesses: are Large-bore Catheters Necessary?

OBJECTIVE To find out whether small-bore catheters (7 F) are as effective as the 14F sump drains generally used for drainage of abdominal abscesses. DESIGN Retrospective review. SETTING University hospital, Switzerland. SUBJECTS 64 patients with intra-abdominal abscesses. INTERVENTIONS 40 were drained with 7F pigtail catheters and 24 by 14F sump drains. RESULTS Drainage was successful in 34/40 (85%) and 20/24 (83%), respectively. There were 3 recurrences in the small-bore and 1 in the large-bore group (p=0.4). Mean drainage time was 8 (SD 5) days and 11 (SD 11) days, respectively (p=0.29). One patient (3%) developed a complication in the small-bore group and 2 (8%) in the large-bore group. 4/6 failures in the small-bore group and 1/4 failures in the large-bore group were pancreatic abscesses. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that percutaneous drainage with small-bore catheters is as effective as drainage with bigger tubes.

Surgery, Transluminal Dilatation and Medical Therapy in the Management of Renovascular Hypertension

In the present retrospective study, the effect of various therapeutic procedures (surgery, percutaneous transluminal dilatation and antihypertensive drugs) was analyzed in 202 patients with renovascular hypertension. The results show that each of the three methods effectively lowers blood pressure. However, marked differences were observed in pretreatment clinical and laboratory data among the three groups. These differences were most probably caused by different selection criteria before submitting the patient to a given therapeutic regime. Our findings also demonstrate that on the basis of the present analysis a direct comparison between surgery, dilatation and medical therapy is not possible.