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Biomedical subjects

A Ovnat

Publications and source records attributed to A Ovnat.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Our experience with 250 laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric bandings.

BACKGROUND: In 1999, after having performed more than 2500 open bariatric surgery procedures, we began to conduct the laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) procedure. The purpose of this report is to present the results of our first 250 operations using this technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 250 patients included 212 females and 38 males. The mean age was 36 years (range, 16-62). The mean BMI was 44 (range, 35-76). Patients were selected in accordance with standard criteria. The mean follow-up time was 18 months (range, 3-24). RESULTS: Two hundred and forty procedures were completed by laparoscopy; conversion to open surgery was required in 10 cases. The mean operating time was 50 min (range, 20-145). There was no mortality. Perioperative complications included two cases of gastric perforation. Late complications included 13 cases of band slippage (5%), of which three involved penetration to the stomach, five cases of port disconnection (2%), and four cases of port site infection (1.5%). The mean weight loss at 12 months was 70% of the original excess weight. CONCLUSION: Most patients prefer laparoscopy as the surgical technique in the treatment of morbid obesity. Our initial experience with 250 operations confirms that this approach is as good as open surgery. The long learning curve is steep, requiring at least 100 cases to guarantee low complication rates.

Adolescent↗

Gastrointestinal complications of von Recklinghausen's disease: two case reports and a review of the literature.

There are few reports of the association between neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease) and large, solid stromal tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. The prevalence of gastrointestinal involvement in von Recklinghausen's disease has been estimated at 11%-25%. Some associated gastrointestinal stromal tumours present clinically as bowel obstruction, perforation or gastrointestinal bleeding. We recently treated two patients with this condition who presented with gastrointestinal bleeding and were diagnosed with gastrointestinal stromal tumours. We report the unique aspects of these cases and discuss the diagnostic and management problems that are posed by this unusual association.

Adult↗

The laparoscopic option in the management of peritoneal dialysis catheter revision.

BACKGROUND: Long-term functioning of peritoneal dialysis catheters (PDCs) depends on maintenance of pelvic positioning and prevention of the formation of adhesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of laparoscopy as a tool for the correction of malfunctioning PDCs and to introduce our specially designed technique. METHODS: The charts of 12 patients who underwent laparoscopic revisions of malfunctioning PDCs between May 1997 and June 2000 were reviewed for perioperative complications and long-term outcomes. We describe the causes of malfunction of PDCs and the laparoscopic technique for their revision. RESULTS: Of the 12 patients studied, the malfunction of eight catheters resulted from migration of the catheter into the upper abdomen. In 4 patients, formation of adhesion of either small bowel or omentum resulted in the malfunction of the PDC. The only complication we encountered was bleeding. It occurred in 3 patients, 1 of whom needed reoperation in order to achieve hemostasis. Over a median follow-up of 21 months all PDCs treated this way are functioning. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic management of malfunctioning PDCs is a valid option for the treatment of such a complication.

Abdomen↗

[Retroperitoneal perforation after endoscopic sphincterotomy: the dilemma of management].

Retroperitoneal perforation is an occasional complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, which is expected to increase in frequency. The outlook for patients with this complication is good. Conservative, nonsurgical management is suitable for most patients. The main goal is to achieve adequate drainage of the common bile duct which can be done endoscopically. Despite persistent obstruction an initial period of conservative management is usually appropriate. Surgical intervention should be withheld until the patient's condition is becoming worse, or until a complication such as localized retroperitoneal abscess is recognized.

Abdominal Injuries↗

Omentopexy for the difficult perigraft lymphocele after renal transplantation.

Between January 1977 and October 1992, 6 patients who had undergone renal transplantation presented with a symptomatic lymphocele that failed to resolve after conventional therapy and eventually required surgical intervention. This complication developed between 7 and 36 months postoperatively. Patients presented with local discomfort combined with deteriorating graft function caused by ureteric obstruction. The lymphoceles recurred after aspiration or external drainage and resolved after omentopexy. We conclude that omentopexy is a satisfactory procedure for the treatment of lymphoceles which fail to resolve after aspiration or external drainage.

Adult↗

Human peritoneal mesothelial cells synthesize IL-1 alpha and beta.

We studied the ability of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC) to produce the major pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) and -beta when stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) or IL-1 alpha, or combinations of these three factors. Biological activity of IL-1 was measured by bioassay, and levels of IL-1 alpha and beta were determined using specific radioimmunoassays. We found that HPMC are capable of secreting IL-1 alpha and -beta in response to stimulation by these substances, but stimulation with a combination of LPS + TNF alpha, LPS + IL-1 alpha, or TNF alpha + IL-1 alpha, had a marked synergistic effect on cytokine production. A combination of all three substances together had a significantly enhanced synergistic effect. Using reverse transcription PCR, we found a peak in IL-1 alpha and beta mRNA levels three hours after stimulation. We found that LPS, TNF alpha and IL-1 alpha alone, or in combination, caused an increase in IL-1 alpha and -beta mRNA levels. Cycloheximide and actinomycin D blocked the production of IL-1 alpha and -beta protein, showing that de novo production of IL-1 or synthesis of mRNA stabilizing proteins are needed after stimulation. We thus conclude that HPMC play an important role in the amplification of the initial peritoneal inflammatory response which originates in the peritoneal macrophages, and these findings are of importance in understanding the peritoneal response to infection in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients.

Base Sequence↗

[Long-term weight changes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity].

100 patients were followed for 6-9 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity. They were randomly selected from 600 patients operated on between 1980-85. Their initial weight averaged 118 +/- 16 kg, which was 196 +/- 25% of their ideal body weight. They reached their lowest weight during an average of 15.5 months after surgery, at which time 37% were at their ideal weight, 42% were 110-130% of their ideal weight and 21% were 131-192% of their ideal weight. 90% had lost more than 50% of their excess weight. 24% had lost all their excess weight or even more, which could jeopardize nutritional status. Longer follow-up of 6-9 years showed weight gain, with 24% having become morbidly obese again, 74% having lost more than 50% of their excess weight and only 7% having lost all their excess weight. We conclude that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass induces long term weight loss and largely prevents return of morbid obesity, as long as 6-9 years after surgery.

Adult↗

Cefuroxime prophylaxis in biliary surgery: single versus triple dose.

The standard regimen for prophylaxis in bilary surgery consists of three doses of a first- or second-generation cephalosporin (one pre- and two postoperatively). The purpose of our study was to compare a single dose of cefuroxime (1.5 gi.v. on call to surgery) with the standard regimen (1.5 gi.v. on call to surgery followed by two additional doses of 750 mg i.v. each, 8 and 16 h after surgery). One hundred patients participated in the study, 44 in the single-dose group and 56 in the triple-dose group. These two groups did not differ with regard to sex, risk factors, duration of surgery, etc. The incidence of infection was 9% in the single-dose group and 7% in the triple-dose group. We conclude that one dose of cefuroxime is as effective as three for biliary surgery. This regimen would reduce the risk of side effects and/or suprainfections and the emergence of resistant strains of bacteria. It is also more convenient for the nursing staff and reduces the cost by one-half.

Cefuroxime↗

[Nutritional disturbances after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass].

200 patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass were nutritionally followed for an average of 6.7 years. They were randomly selected out of 450 patients operated on during 1980-1985. They had lost a mean of 56 +/- 22% of their excess weight and had remained stable in weight for the preceding 5 years with limited nutritional caloric restriction. Iron saturation, hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume declined gradually and significantly (p less than 0.0001, p less than 0.0001 and p less than 0.001, respectively). However, mean serum concentration of vitamin B12, which also had decreased significantly during the preceding 5 years (p less than 0.0004), increased during recent years, but still was lower than before the bypass. Albumin and transferrin levels remained normal. There was no correlation between weight change and serum concentration of iron or vitamin B12. We conclude that 6.7 years after surgery, while there is no caloric or protein deficiency, there has been gradual development of iron deficiency, but not correlated with weight loss.

Adolescent↗

[Nutritional habits after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity].

The nutrition of 200 patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity was followed for 6.7 years. During the first 2 years their food intake was severely restricted, resulting in an excess weight loss of 69 +/- 14%. At an average of 3 years after surgery they began to regain weight significantly (p less than 0.04) due to nutritional adaptation. In the following years caloric consumption stabilized at an excess weight loss of 48-56%. However, they had continuing meat intolerance with 51.0, 60.3, 59.5 and 55.1% of them avoiding meat during 0-12 months, 13-24 months, 25-72 months and 73-96 months after surgery, respectively. We conclude that after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass there is nutritional adaptation lasting as long as 2 years, when a characteristic nutritional behavior is adopted which persists for years.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Protective effect of vasodilators in donors requiring pressor support.

Renal dose dopamine given to organ donors improves renal blood flow and therefore should theoretically improve the quality of the renal grafts and increase the incidence of immediate graft function (IGF). Allografts which function immediately have a better long-term survival. Dopamine, in doses of less than 4 microg/kg per min, acts directly on receptors in blood vessel walls in the splanchnic bed causing vasodilation. In contrast, dopamine given at doses of greater than 4 microg/kg per min to hypotensive donors to elevate the systemic blood pressure has a direct adrenergic effect and causes vasoconstriction. This vasoconstriction when combined with the reperfusion injury which occurs after transplantation may jeopardize the chance of the graft functioning immediately. We studied 31 consecutive donors to see if those donors requiring pressor support (dopamine) to maintain systemic blood pressure had a lower incidence of IGF and whether this could be modified by giving the donor vasodilator drugs during procurement of the organs.

Blood Pressure↗

Nutritional status seven years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional deficiencies in patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass operations have been mainly attributed to dietary restriction. However, most of these studies have been performed during the period of greatest caloric restriction. METHODS: Two hundred patients who were morbidly obese were followed for 6 to 8 years (mean, 6.7 years) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Each underwent a thorough physical examination and behavioral and nutritional assessments, including hemoglobin, red blood cell indices, serum iron content, iron binding capacity, and serum vitamin B12 and folic acid concentrations. RESULTS: Data obtained from blood tests disclosed a significant gradual decrease of the mean serum hemoglobin (p less than or equal to 0.0000), mean corpuscular volume (p less than 0.001), and iron saturation (p less than or equal to 0.0000). Mean vitamin B12 concentration improved during the last 3 years of follow-up. The mean values of iron saturation and vitamin B12 were not correlated with the patients' weight loss. Meat intolerance was observed in 51%, 60.3%, 59.5%, and 55.1% of the patients during the 0 to 12 months, 13 to 24 months, 25 to 72 months, and 73 to 96 months after surgery, respectively. A significant correlation was found between the eating habits and the laboratory values. The mean serum iron saturation, vitamin B12, and folic acid were significantly higher in patients who eat meat than in patients who do not eat meat (piron less than 0.0046, pB12 less than 0.0052, folate less than 0.01). In addition, oral vitamin and mineral supplements significantly improved the nutritional status of the patients. The patients had no caloric malnutrition or protein deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass induces long-term changes in eating habits, independent of caloric intake. Iron continuously declines 6 to 8 years after surgery, depending (significantly) on the eating behavior, but not on the caloric intake.

Anastomosis, Roux-en-Y↗

Liver histology abnormalities in the morbidly obese.

A prospective study was undertaken in order to investigate the association between clinical and biochemical parameters and the histopathological findings in liver biopsies in the morbidly obese. Wedge liver biopsy specimens were taken at the beginning of the surgical procedure from 100 consecutive morbidly obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Histological abnormalities were found in almost all of the examined material (98 of 100), which ranged from mild fatty infiltration through inflammatory change and alcoholic hepatitis-like change to fibrosis and cirrhosis. The patients with abnormalities were divided into two groups: those with a single abnormality (n = 56) and those with two or more histopathological findings (n = 42). Age, excess body weight, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were significantly higher in the group with more than one histopathological finding. In a discriminant function analysis, it was found that the preoperatively available measures of age, sex and excess body weight, as well as ALT and triglyceride levels, could discriminate between the two patient groups. A model which uses these variables has been described which correctly assigns the patients to their histology groups in 73% of the cases. This model could provide a useful noninvasive clinical tool for the preoperative evaluation of possible hepatic damage in morbidly obese patients in whom there is no other known cause of possible liver disease.

Adult↗