Truman M. Sasaki

Aortic and peripheral prosthetic graft infection: Differential management and causes of mortality☆

This report of 25 patients with prosthetic graft infection has compared the diagnosis, management, and outcome in 14 patients with infected aortic grafts with 11 patients with infected peripheral grafts (two axillofemorofemoral, five femorofemoral, five femoropopliteal, and one femoral interposition). Peripheral graft infection had a significantly shorter interval to diagnosis compared with aortic graft infection. Total graft removal combined with either autogenous revascularization or extraanatomic bypass using prosthetic graft was performed in all 14 patients with infected aortic grafts. Management of peripheral graft infection consisted of total graft removal in eight patients (four with autogenous revascularization and two with amputation) and partial graft removal in three patients (two with amputation). Mortality and amputation rates for infected aortic grafts were 43 percent and 25 percent, respectively compared with 36 percent and 27 percent for infected peripheral grafts. Recommendations for management of the infected aortic prosthetic graft include total graft removal, but methods and timing of revascularization are dependent on the specific features of the individual case. However, preferred management for the infected peripheral prosthetic graft includes total graft removal and, if indicated, revascularization using autogenous tissue.

Successful long-term kidney-pancreas transplants regardless of C-peptide status or race.

Background. We have previously shown that our patient population of 60% minority races has end-stage renal disease primarily as a result of diabetes mellitus and hypertension. It therefore was logical to explore the restoration of normal insulin production and renal function by simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation, without regard to race. This study represents new analyses integrating race with C-peptide status and reports the outcome of 136 SPK transplantations performed over the last 10 years. Results. Of the 49 African-Americans with diabetes mellitus and end-stage renal disease, 60% were type I and 40% were type II, based on C-peptide levels. In comparison, only 16% of Caucasians were type II. The average age at onset of diabetes mellitus was 15.7 years for type I compared with 20.7 years for type II (P >0.05). The actuarial 10-year survival rates for the 136 SPKs were 91.79% (patient), 85.07% (pancreas), and 83.58% (kidney). The type I and type II survival rates were similar in the two diabetic groups. Conclusions. The data strongly suggest that pretransplant C-peptide status does not influence the outcome of SPK transplantation in patients with renal failure from diabetes mellitus. SPK transplants should be offered to all suitable diabetic patients with renal failure regardless of C-peptide status or race.

Free jejunal graft reconstruction after extensive head and neck surgery

Seven patients with benign and malignant head and neck lesions underwent reconstruction with free jejunal grafts using microvascular techniques. Benefits included preservation and maximal tongue function, acceptable cosmetic appearance and a short, one-stage reconstructive period.

Experience with colovesical fistula

Experience with 37 patients with adult colovesical fistula over the past 19 years is reviewed. Specific guidelines for treatment of adult colovesical fistula are influenced by the location and cause of the fistula, the patients general condition, the presence of a pelvic abscess and the presence of colonic obstruction. When criteria are met, a one-stage procedure is safe. The two-stage approach should enjoy wider application, with the three-stage approach reserved for patients who are unprepared or who have a large pelvic abscess. In patients with colovesical fistula due to cancer, the extent of tumor should be carefully evaluated and resection carried out whenever possible. Colovesical fistulas due to trauma, inflammatory bowel disease and iatrogenic causes are often unusual in location; thus treatment must be individualized.

Aggressive surgical management of pyriform sinus carcinoma: A 15 year experience

A total of 51 patients with pyriform sinus carcinoma were treated surgically. Fifty had pharyngolaryngectomy and radical neck dissection and 1 had a pharyngolaryngectomy. The surgical mortality was zero. No patients were lost to follow-up and all were followed for a minimum of 2 years. Stage IV patients had a 2 year survival rate of 15 percent and stage III patients, a 45 percent rate. Eighty-four percent of radical neck specimens contained involved nodes. The 2 year survival rates correlated with the number of pathologically involved nodes were as follows: 50 percent for those with zero to one node, 31 percent for two to three nodes, and 16 percent for four or more nodes. Perioperative radiotherapy increased the survival rate in those patients with zero to three involved nodes (47 percent survival rate with radiotherapy versus 25 percent without radiotherapy). Tumor recurrence was most frequent at the primary site (32 percent) and directly affected survival and control of disease elsewhere. Pyriform sinus carcinoma often presents with advanced local and nodal disease. Local control is essential, and adequate resection may require a cervical esophagectomy. Survival may be enhanced by the addition of radiotherapy in those patients with minimal nodal involvement.

Percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage: Portland area experience☆

After reviewing 21 patients who have had percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage, we believe that the procedure should be considered for those abscesses that are unilocular without septations, with safe access being a key variable dictating the use of percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage rather than surgery. A computerized tomographic scan of the abdomen should be employed at some stage of the percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage procedure to facilitate safe access to the abscess and to distinguish a synchronous abscess where present. In addition, we believe that percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage should be considered for postsurgical abscesses only and not those that are spontaneous in nature or where the original abnormality cannot be accurately surmised. With regard to catheter management, frequent irrigation of the catheter must be carried out at least every 4 to 6 hours, with high levels of antibiotics present in the blood before irrigation. This must be done to obviate the most frequent and potentially lethal complication of the procedure, namely sepsis. Percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage, although safe for the most part, is capable of inducing considerable morbidity. Our data suggest that percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage is not as efficacious as previous reports have suggested. Traditional surgical drainage techniques are best utilized for those abscesses that are multiple, highly viscous, inaccessible, spontaneous, or unresponsive to percutaneous abdominal abscess drainage.

Clinical spectrum of patients with infrarenal aortic grafts and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Nineteen patients with a prosthetic infrarenal aortic graft and gastrointestinal bleeding were managed over a 7 year period. Graft-to-enteric fistula, identified in five patients, was the most common cause of bleeding. Other causes included bowel ischemia (four patients) and peptic ulcer disease (three patients). Clinical signs of infection, such as fever and leukocytosis, were common in patients with graft-to-enteric fistula and bowel ischemia. Most of these patients will benefit from a prompt evaluation and expedient operation.

Hand infections in hospitalized patients

Two hundred hospital admissions for hand infections are reviewed with regard to the causes of infection, modes of effective therapy and causes of residual impairment. Patients with human bite injuries and those who delayed seeking treatment most frequently had severe injuries. Appropriate antibiotics and prompt surgical therapy of hand abscesses are essential.

Experience with total pancreatectomy

Total pancreatectomy for benign disease should be considered only in highly selected patients and then only after lesser surgical procedures have failed. At present, truncal vagotomy and adequate gastrectomy should be part of the operation to prevent marginal ulceration. A multitude of undesirable problems, many requiring reoperation, may arise postoperatively and can compromise an otherwise excellent outcome with regard to pain control.

Clam-shell technique for right renal vein extension in cadaver kidney transplantation.

Abstract A clam-shell technique for right renal vein extension was used successfully in a cadaver kidney transplant.