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Biomedical subjects

A I Brill

Publications and source records attributed to A I Brill.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Venous air and gas emboli in operative hysteroscopy.

Air and gas emboli have been reported in almost all areas of clinical and surgical practice. The literature is replete with observations and methods for treating these events. It is possible to mitigate the consequences of this risk, particularly in operative hysteroscopy. Recommendations include monitoring devices such as capnography to facilitate intraoperative diagnosis of these emboli.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Energy systems for operative hysteroscopy.

The use of energy to perform intrauterine surgery can be broken down into three fundamental elements: delivery, transmission, and tissue strike. Thermal delivery devices, including monopolar or bipolar electrodes and quartz fibers, transmit energy either directly or indirectly to tissue. Transmission is unaffected, facilitated, or deterred by the distention medium that fills the intrauterine cavity. The final targeted-tissue effects represent the complex summation of energy type and concentration; treatment time; tissue constituents and hydration; and the convective currents created by tissue vascularity and circulating distention medium. Efficiency, safety, and efficacy are inextricably linked to the thoughtful orchestration of all of these elements. The responsibilities to know how and why are only stepping stones to attaining the best surgical result. We are reminded that surgery transcends technique only when experience and judgment are coupled with fundamental knowledge. Only then can science become art in the hands of the hysteroscopic surgeon.

Electrodes↗
PubMed2000

One-year results of the vesta system for endometrial ablation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare a distensible multielectrode balloon for endometrial ablation with electrosurgical ablation performed by a combined resection-coagulation technique. DESIGN: Randomized, prospective trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). Setting. Eight centers. PATIENTS: Women with menorrhagia validated with a standardized pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC), without intracavitary organic uterine disease, who failed or poorly tolerated medical therapy. Intervention. Results in 122 patients treated by Vesta and 112 treated surgically, evaluable at 1 year, were compared, with success defined as monthly blood loss of less than 80 ml and avoidance of additional therapy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Pretreatment PBAC scores for patients treated by Vesta and resection or rollerball were 535+/-612 and 445 +/- 313, respectively; at 1 year they were 18+/-37 and 28+/-60, respectively. With PBAC below 75 as the definition of success, 86.9% of Vesta-treated patients were successful compared with 83.0% treated by rollerball or resection. Total amenorrhea, defined as no visible bleeding and no use of protective products, was 31.1% and 34. 8%, respectively. None of the outcome comparisons between treatments showed statistical difference. Complications in both groups were few and minor. Most (86.6%) Vesta procedures were carried out with paracervical block with or without intravenous sedation in an office or outpatient setting, compared with 79.7% epidural or general anesthesia for rollerball or resection. CONCLUSION: The Vesta system of endometrial ablation is equally effective and safe as classic resectoscopic methods. Potential advantages include avoidance of fluid and electrolyte disturbance associated with intravasation of distending media, and ability to perform the procedure under local anesthesia in an office setting with less total operating time.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Normal variations of abdominal and pelvic anatomy evaluated at laparoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe certain anatomic relationships in the pelvis and abdominal wall at laparoscopy and the effect of body mass index (BMI) on those parameters. METHODS: In 103 patients we determined the following: distances from the midline to each medial umbilical ligament and the respective inferior epigastric vessels; distances between each ureter and the ipsilateral uterosacral and the infundibulopelvic ligament; relative visibility of the ureters, umbilical and uterosacral ligaments, and the sacral promontory; and the presence and location of congenital bowel attachments to the pelvic walls. RESULTS: The right ureter ran significantly closer to the infundibulopelvic and uterosacral ligaments than the left ureter. The right inferior epigastric vessels and umbilical ligament coursed more laterally than did those on the left. Both sets of inferior epigastric vessels, and the left umbilical ligament and ureter were significantly more difficult to identify in overweight women. In 69% of the subjects, the uterosacral ligaments were found to be thick or moderately thick. In two thirds, the sacral promontory was more than 75% visualized. Congenital bowel attachments were observed in 74.8% of subjects on the left pelvic sidewall, and 48.5% on the right. CONCLUSION: Left and right pelvic anatomy are not necessarily mirror images laparoscopically. The course of the inferior epigastric vessels can be more difficult to identify in overweight patients. Despite marked obesity or congenital bowel attachments to the pelvic side walls, both ureters can usually be identified. The proximity of the ureter to the uterosacral and infundibulopelvic ligaments reaffirms the need to identify them before dissection.

Abdominal Muscles↗
PubMed1999

Interim results of the American Vesta trial of endometrial ablation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare results of endometrial ablation using the Vesta system compared with resection and rollerball. DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled study (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Private practice and academic center. PATIENTS: Women with menorrhagia documented by menstrual diaries who failed or refused hormonal therapy and who had no major uterine organic lesions. INTERVENTIONS: Vesta endometrial ablation or traditional endometrial resection and rollerball ablation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both groups achieved excellent control of menorrhagia. CONCLUSION: Vesta is an attractive alternative to traditional methods of endometrial ablation. (J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 6(1):45-49, 1999)

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Histologic characteristics of laparoscopic argon beam coagulation.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To describe histologic effects of laparoscopic argon beam coagulation and determine the extent of tissue necrosis at various power settings and exposure times. DESIGN: Prospective experimental analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING: University animal laboratory. Subjects. Adult female domestic pigs. INTERVENTIONS: Various power settings (40, 60, 80 W) at increasing exposure times (1, 3, 5 sec) were used during laparoscopic application of argon beam coagulation to different tissues (uterine horn, bladder, ureter, kidney, bowel, liver). Animals were sacrificed within 1 hour of coagulation for histologic tissue preparation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Histologic measurements of both depth and lateral extent of electrosurgical tissue effects (mm +/- SD) were ascertained and evaluated statistically by one-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Depth of tissue necrosis was confined to 1 mm or less in uterine horn, bladder, and ureter. Even at highest power settings, bowel had tissue necrosis no greater than 2 mm. Both liver and kidney showed a deeper histologic effect (4-5 mm). The lateral extent of tissue necrosis ranged from 2 mm (ureter) to 15 mm (liver). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic argon beam coagulation results in tissue effects that are dependent on both low power setting and duration of application, as well as on electrical and physical characteristics of target tissue. Thermal tissue penetration can be expected to be less than 2 mm in bowel, bladder, and ureter, and less than 5 mm in kidney and liver, even at 5 seconds of exposure time and at a power setting as high as 80 W. As with all thermal modalities used for hemostasis and tissue coagulation, laparoscopic argon beam coagulation can be performed safely as long as the potential for inadvertent thermal injury is understood.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Laparoscopic appraisal of the anatomic relationship of the umbilicus to the aortic bifurcation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the cephalocaudal relationship among the umbilicus, aortic bifurcation, and iliac vessels by direct measurement during laparoscopy. DESIGN: Prospective, consecutive study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Ninety-seven women undergoing operative laparoscopy. INTERVENTIONS: The distance from the aortic bifurcation relative to the umbilicus was measured in both the supine and Trendelenburg positions with a marked suction-irrigator probe. Patients were stratified into three groups based on body mass index (kg/m2). The anatomic location of the common iliac vessels and course of the left common iliac vein were identified in 68 women. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The position of the aortic bifurcation ranged from 5 cm cephalad to 3 cm caudal to the umbilicus in the supine position, and from 3 cm cephalad to 3 cm caudal in the Trendelenburg position. In the supine position, the aortic bifurcation was located caudal to the umbilicus in only 11% of patients compared with 33% in the Trendelenburg position. This difference was statistically significant for the total study population (p <0.0001) and for the nonoverweight group (p <0.01). In both positions no significant correlation was found between the distance from the aortic bifurcation to the umbilicus and body mass index. Mean +/- SD distance of the aortic bifurcation from the umbilicus in the supine position was 0.1 +/- 1.2 cm for the nonoverweight group, 0.7 +/- 1.5 cm for the overweight group, and 1. 2 +/- 1.5 cm for the very overweight group. Respective values in Trendelenburg position were 1.0 +/- 1.1, -0.4 +/- 1.2, and -0.2 +/- 1.3 cm. The common iliac artery was caudal to the umbilicus in four women. The space between common iliac arteries was always at least partly occupied by the left common iliac vein, and was completely filled in 19 women (28%). CONCLUSIONS: The cephalocaudal relationship between the aortic bifurcation and umbilicus varies widely and is not related to body mass index in anesthetized patients. Regardless of body mass index, the aortic bifurcation is more likely to be located caudal to the umbilicus in the Trendelenburg compared with the supine position. Its presumed location can be misleading during Veress needle or primary cannula insertion, and a more reliable guide is necessary for this procedure to avoid major retroperitoneal vascular injury.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The incidence of adhesions after prior laparotomy: a laparoscopic appraisal.

OBJECTIVE: To relate the presence of intra-abdominal adhesions after laparotomy to the site of incision, repeat laparotomy, and the clinical indication for prior surgery. METHODS: Three hundred sixty women undergoing operative laparoscopy after a previous laparotomy were assessed for adhesions between the abdominal wall and the underlying omentum and bowel. Complications resulting directly from these adhesions were documented. RESULTS: Patients with prior midline incisions had significantly more adhesions (58 of 102) than those with Pfannenstiel incisions (70 of 258). Patients with midline incisions performed for gynecologic indications had significantly more adhesions (109 of 259) than all types of incisions performed for obstetric indications (12 of 55). The presence of adhesions in patients with previous obstetric surgery was not affected by the type of incision. Adhesions to the bowel were significantly more frequent after midline incisions above the umbilicus. Twenty-one women suffered direct injury to adherent omentum and bowel during the laparoscopic procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-abdominal adhesions between the abdominal scar and underlying viscera are a common consequence of laparotomy. Patients undergoing laparoscopy after a previous laparotomy should be considered at risk for the presence of adhesions between the old scar and the bowel and omentum.

Female↗
PubMed1995

What is the role of hysteroscopy in the management of abnormal uterine bleeding?

Many otherwise healthy women will experience a significant disruption in lifestyle from abnormal uterine bleeding. Most of those seeking medical attention will not be at risk for developing anemia. In each case, a thorough search for underlying systemic, hormonal, and organic causes should be instituted. The use of blind endometrial sampling to evaluate the uterine cavity, by itself, is an inaccurate technique for diagnosing pathologic conditions commonly associated with menorrhagia, such as endometrial polyps, submucous myomata, and focal endometrial abnormalities including adenocarcinoma and its precursors. The supplementary application of diagnostic hysteroscopy with directed biopsy will ensure the recognition of these intracavitary lesions. The majority of women found to have endometrial polyps and submucous myomata can gain a successful reduction in their menstrual flow without hysterectomy by undergoing hysteroscopic removal of these lesions. Those without other uterine or pelvic pathology and who are closer to perimenopause are more likely to sustain long-lasting relief from these procedures. Medical therapy should be the first line of treatment for premenopausal women who are found to have no obvious cause for their abnormal uterine bleeding. Many of those who do not respond to, are unable to tolerate, or are unwilling to attempt this approach will undergo hysterectomy as the final answer. The absence of uterine pathology in most of these cases places an absolute demand on our specialty to innovate, and, whenever suited, to use more conservative surgical solutions. Our efforts to alter this behavior will undoubtedly be closely monitored by agents of managed care aiming to reward measures that reduce cost and improve the quality of care. The use of hysteroscopic ablation and resection to treat women suffering from intractable menorrhagia can safely and effectively reduce menstrual blood flow and should significantly curtail the performance of unnecessary hysterectomy. The comparative benefits and long-term advantages of these techniques beyond hysterectomy await the results of further studies. Furthermore, the risks of these hysteroscopic procedures to produce iatrogenic adenomyosis or to conceal or delay the usual signs of adenocarcinoma have yet to be ascertained. Vigilance for endometrial disease must not dwindle in the face of amenorrhea, as evidenced by a recent case report describing the development of endometrial carcinoma after 5 years of amenorrhea following endometrial electrocoagulation. Future methods of endometrial destruction for the control of abnormal uterine bleeding may include the nonhysteroscopic use of radio frequency, thermal transfer, hyperthermia, and photodynamic therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Anovulation↗
PubMed1994

Cervical pregnancy: case reports and a current literature review.

The increasing number of reports of successful conservative treatment of cervical pregnancy, such as using the folinic acid antagonist methotrexate, constitutes a breakthrough in the management of this unusual but potentially life-threatening complication of pregnancy. We are reporting two cases of cervical pregnancy, both diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy. The first one was successfully treated by transvaginal ultrasound-guided administration of 2 mEq KCI intraamniotically in order to stop the fetal heart activity, followed by administration of 84 mg of methotrexate intraaminiotically (1 mg/kg); whereas in the second case, we encountered a technical failure of the above method. Both patients expressed desire to maintain their reproductive capability. These two cases gave us the opportunity to review the recent literature on cervical pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Endoscopic management of incidental cystotomy during operative laparoscopy.

Operative laparoscopy is rapidly becoming an important technique used by all surgical specialties. More sophisticated and difficult procedures are continually being performed endoscopically. Complications from these procedures are inevitable and are more frequently being managed with the laparoscope. We describe a case of inadvertent cystotomy during a laparoscopic gynecological operation, which was subsequently repaired endoscopically. The technique and patient followup are presented.

Adult↗