Langenbecks Archiv fur Chirurgie最新文献

Carcinoids of the stomach are rare but have gained importance since the introduction of acid secretion inhibitors. The most important type is the tumor occurring in patients with chronic atrophic gastritis with and without pernicious anemia. The tumors are benign and can be treated by local endoscopic or surgical methods. Antrectomy reduces hypergastrinemia and may cause regression of the tumor. Sporadic carcinoids of the gastric antrum are malignant, however, and require radical surgical treatment.

In a prospective randomized study in 100 patients undergoing conventional (n = 66) or laparoscopic (n = 34) colorectal resection, mechanical lavage with 2 l of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution (group A, n = 50) combined with a laxative was compared with lavage with 4 l of PEG alone (group B, n = 50). The influence of bowel preparation on postoperative ileus was investigated. The efficacy of bowel preparation was determined intraoperatively by a surgeon blind to the type of preparation. The time interval between the end of the operation an first flatus or bowel movement was recorded. The efficacy of preparation was no different between the groups (group A: 94%, group B: 84%; P = 0.5). The time lapse before first flatus (A: 3.1 +/- 1.2 days, B: 3.2 +/- 1.3 days; P = 0.6) or bowel movement (A: 3.9 +/- 1.3 days, B: 4.1 +/- 1.3 days; P = 0.5) also did not differ between the groups. The only factor found in multivariate analysis (age, sex, operation, duration and type of surgery, bowel preparation) to prolong the duration of postoperative ileus was the type of surgery. The first bowel movement occurred 3.2 +/- 1.1 days after conventional surgery and 4.3 +/- 1.2 days (P < 0.001) after laparoscopic surgery. The type of preoperative bowel preparation had no influence on the duration of postoperative ileus. The postoperative interval before the first bowel movement was shorter after laparoscopic surgery.

Cholestatic jaundice caused by imidazole derivates is a rare complication of antithyroid therapy. Only 20 such cases have been reported in the literature since the introduction of methimazole in 1949 and of carbimazole in 1953. We present a further case of methimazole-induced cholestatic liver injury, mimicking sclerosing cholangitis, where the etiology has been proven by a clear chronological relationship and the lack of other causative factors.

In open tibial fractures with defects over 4 cm, spongiosaplasty is considered to be insufficient. Since 1988 we have tried to apply Ilisarov's ideas of callus distraction in combination with modern external fixation devices and AO/ASIF implants. By August 1995, 15 patients with severe tibial fractures had been treated. The bone defect averaged 7 cm. Thus, more than 1 m of tubular bone was produced. Eleven male and 4 female patients, averaging 21.3 years in age, were given this treatment. The defect was caused by resection of a malignancy in 3 cases and a second- or third-degree open fracture in 12 cases, accompanied by osteomyelitis in 6 cases. Reconstruction required an average of 5.3 operations. The complication rate was 53%, and the median duration of treatment was about 1 year. The final results were excellent or good. Amputation could be avoided in all instances. This treatment is contra indicated if the patient exhibits a lack of compliance. There is a realistic chance of salvaging the limb in cases of severe soft tissue and bone defects. In terms of economical considerations, this treatment is cost effective. Physical integrity and mobility without aid is the important motivation for these patients.

Nine monoclonal antibodies, lectin from Ulex europaeus and neuraminidase enzyme were employed to demonstrate the occurrence of type 1 and type 2 blood group antigens in 104 cases of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. The reagents applied, recognize the following blood group related antigens: CA-50 (sialylated type 1 precursor), CA-19-9 (sialylated Le(a)), Le(a), Le(b), A, B, H, Le(x), sialylated Le(x), and Le(y). Immunohistochemical studies revealed that papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, in contrast to histologically normal thyroid tissue, is characterised by a progressive expression of blood group antigens. Most tumours (84%) reacted with C-50 antibody, whereas only a minority of the tissues demonstrated the CA-19-9 antigen (38%). Type 2 structures Le(x) (47%) and Le(y) (13%) were found less often than their corresponding type 1 isomers Le(a) (71%) and Le(b) (62%). Desialylation with neuraminidase increased the Le(a) and Le(x) staining intensity in 27 and 44 case, respectively. Of the A, B, H antigens the A determinants encountered most frequently (24%). Comparative examinations of sequential sections of the same tumour revealed coexpression of type 1 antigens in the same areas. In carcinomas showing type 1 and type 2 antigen reactivity, a complementary distribution of the structures in different tumour areas was often demonstrated. Some tumours presented combined type 1 and type 2 antigen expression in the same cells, however, in distinct areas within the cell. A follow-up examination was carried out in 68 of the 104 cases. The observation time ranged from 12 to 217 months. Thirteen patients suffered from recurrence, of which 7 died. While lymphatic metastases occurred in 39 tumours, distant metastases were detected in 6 patients. Most of the recurrences were found in patients with tumour classification pT4 (n = 19), whereas none of the pT1 carcinomas (n = 20) showed recurrence. The clinical results were compared to the blood group antigen expression results. There was no correlation between antigen expression and differentiation degree of the tumour. The pT4 tumours showed a significant higher expression of the CA-50, CA-19-9, Le(a) and Sialyl Le(x) structures. Carcinomas expressing the Le(y) antigen were associated with a significant higher level of metastasizing capacity. The Le(y), H type 1 and H type 2 antigens occurred more frequently in recurrent tumours (n = 14). In contrast, none of the patients whose carcinomas expressed the A-antigens (n = 14) suffered from a recurrence or hematogenous metastasis. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was carried out to check the importance of each staining and clinical factor. In this analysis, "distant metastasis' was the most important parameter, whereas the staining results were of minor statistical importance.

The correct diagnosis in acute abdominal pain is necessary for adequate treatment. In several clinical studies it has been shown that, despite improvements in laboratory and technology medicine, errors occur in a considerable proportion of cases due to insufficient history-taking and clinical examination. By the introduction of a standardised and structured history and clinical examination, the diagnostic accuracy can be improved by at least 10%. The aim of this publication is to improve history-taking, clinical examination and diagnostic decision-making by exact definition of all relevant parameters. This was performed by a national clinical expert group, international standardisations were taken in consideration. The standardisation was based mainly on these existing international standardisations (World Organisation of Gastroenterology); however, revisions and corrections were necessary. In order to introduce the standardisation into clinical routine, a documentation form and a documentation program can be provided.

A total of 28 cirrhotic patients with porto-systemic anastomosis were compared with 38 cirrhotic patients without porto-systemic shunts concerning their mental state and biochemical parameters of importance for hepatic encephalopathy. A group of 37 metabolically healthy individuals provided the reference values for the psychometric test results and the EEG power spectra. Laboratory values for both groups showed marginal elevation of bilirubin, while the ammonia levels were significantly increased in the operated group. A significant difference was found concerning both the tyrosine level and that of the branched-chain amino acids. None of the patients who had surgical treatment showed clinical evidence of hepatic encephalopathy. Regarding the results in the flicker photometry, the non-shunted cirrhotic patients differed significantly from the healthy control subjects. For both the shunted and non-shunted cirrhotic patients, the results of the Viennese determination test and the number connection test indicated subclinical encephalopathy. We conclude that the elevated ammonia level in patients with porto-systemic anastomosis does not cause a significant mental disturbance. In well-selected patients, the porto-systemic end-side shunt is an appropriate procedure in the treatment of esophageal varices.

This retrospective study analyses the prognostic effect of different factors on morbidity and lethality based on selected, primarily resecting colon carcinoma operations (n = 222). In all, 12.2% of our operations were performed under emergency conditions. The total complication rate was 31.5%, the lethality rate 7.7%. The left hemicolectomy cases showed the highest morbidity (48.4%), the rectum amputation the highest lethality (11.8%). Tumour staging tumour differentiation and the sex of the patient showed no significant influence on the postoperative morbidity and lethality. However, a correlation was proved between the age of the patient, tumour localisation, co-morbidity, duration of operation and the conditions under which the operation was performed (emergency or elective), on the one hand, and morbidity and lethality on the other.

Clinical and experimental studies concerning intradiscal pressure have mainly been carried out using the lumbar spine. It has been shown that degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc and external loads can significantly influence intradiscal pressure. To see if these findings are also relevant for cervical discs, we carried out an in vitro study using human cervical spine specimens. The specimens were tested biomechanically under various conditions with simultaneous recording of intradiscal pressure in two cervical discs. We were able to confirm in vivo measurements of intradiscal pressure reported in the literature. Simulation of muscle force led to a marked increase in intradiscal pressure. Moreover, it was demonstrated that ventral cervical fusion has a significant influence on intradiscal pressure in both adjacent segments. In general, the results improve our understanding of the basic biomechanics of the cervical spine. The experiments with fused specimens could help to explain why degeneration is accelerated in adjacent motion segments after ventral cervical fusion.

Hepatic masses are predominantly malignant, and whereas benign tumors are rare. We report the case of a 65-year-old man who presented with an anomalous hepatic mass. Following explorative laparotomy and left lateral segmentectomy (II/III), the patient was diagnosed as having an inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver. So far only 102 cases of "inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver" have been reported in the literature. Asia is a geographical center for this tumor entity, which mostly affects men. The major symptoms are nonspecific: fever, weight loss and general fatigue. The prognosis of "inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver" is very good. In 98% of the cases, a cure has been obtained after surgical therapy, but conservative therapy approaches also yield good results.