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Biomedical subjects

B Andreassian

Publications and source records attributed to B Andreassian.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Intra-caval leiomyomatosis. Surgical treatment].

The authors report a case of intracaval leiomyomatosis diagnosed in a 11-year old female, who had been initially operated for a massive tumor of uterus (35 X 45 X 25) and who had had subtotal hysterectomy performed. The histologic diagnosis at was intravenous leiomyomatosis. Investigation of extent of neoplastic spread included echography, cavography and revealed inferior vena cava involvement. Cavotomy removed a tumor fragment. Intravenous leiomyomatosis has always its source in the uterus and spreads by progressive invasion of the vena cava. The right cardiac cavities and, at times, the pulmonary artery are also involved. Management of cardiac invasion is a determinant factor of the severity of the disease. Indication for surgery is systematic and should result in complete tumor excision.

Adult↗

[Value of X-ray computed tomography of the brain in controlled carotid surgery].

The usefulness of computerized tomography (CT) in elective carotid surgery was evaluated in a prospective study of 402 patients who had a surgical operation on one or two atheromatous arteries and were explored by pre and post-operative CT of the brain. Pre-operative CT scans revealed an ischaemic lesion in 22 per cent of asymptomatic patients and in 29 per cent of patients who had experienced a transient ischaemic accident. Abnormal pre-operative CT scans were associated with a statistically significant increase in per-operative electroencephalographic changes, but there was no significant increase in post-operative neurological complications. Post-operative CT scans showed a "silent" infarct in 6 per cent of the cases; 59 per cent of patients with neurological complications had normal or unchanged post-operative CT images. This study suggests that pre-operative CT is not necessary to evaluate the neurological risk and that post-operative CT alone is inadequate to quantify the morbidity of carotid surgery.

Aged↗

[Unilateral lung transplantation in panlobular emphysema].

Out of 8 unilateral transplantations, 5 were performed for panlobular emphysema. The operation and the post-operative period were highly satisfactory, although the oldest patients, those who had lost much weight, had prolonged post-operative asthenia. Only 2 patients could be followed up for a sufficient length of time; the functional result is favourable, except for stenosis of the suture in one case.

Aged↗

Unilateral lung transplantation in end-stage pulmonary emphysema.

Patients with end-stage pulmonary emphysema are usually proposed for either heart-lung or double-lung transplantation. The single-lung transplantation is reversed for patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Patients with emphysema are thought to be unsuitable for single-lung transplantation because of the ventilation-perfusion imbalance that is supposed to occur, the ventilation being preferentially distributed to the native lung when the perfusion is distributed to the transplanted lung. We now report a preliminary success with single-lung transplantation in two consecutive patients with end-stage pulmonary emphysema. Despite the persistence after transplantation of an obstructive syndrome, the clinical status was good, the blood gases were markedly improved, and ventilation-perfusion imbalance did not occur on lung scans. After discharge from the hospital, the patients could return to an almost normal life. Thus, our data support the feasibility of single-lung transplantation in patients with end-stage pulmonary emphysema, and we consider that single-lung transplantation could be the optimal form of lung transplantation in these patients.

Humans↗

Prelining of polytetrafluoroethylene grafts with cultured human endothelial cells isolated from varicose veins.

Prelining graft material with autologous functioning endothelial cells might be one of the ultimate requirements to obtain a biocompatible surface. Accordingly, endothelial cells from stripped varicose veins were enzymatically harvested and grown on a fibronectin matrix. Proliferation was investigated in defined medium supplemented with various concentrations of endothelial cell growth supplement (ECGS) (25, up to 150 micrograms/ml) and heparin (10(-8), up to 10(-5)mol/L): optimal growth required both 150 micrograms/ml of ECGS and 10(-5)mol/L heparin. Under these conditions, cell culture achieved cell densities at a confluence of 1.2 +/- 1.1 10(5) cells/cm2 with a doubling time of 1 day. During subcultivation cultured cells consistently exhibited characteristic cobblestone morphology and immunofluorescent staining for factor VIII-related antigen, whereas prostacyclin production determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha reached 21.1 +/- 1.2 ng/10(6) cells after 15-minute stimulation with 1 U/ml of thrombin. Heparin-containing culture medium-endothelial cell interactions were particularly studied, and with iodine 125-heparin, binding was demonstrated with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.36 +/- 0.04 mumol/L. A cold storage technique at -80 degrees C was sought, and freezed cells were used to coat in vitro polytetrafluoroethylene grafts. Protein-treated material allowed cell attachment and growth to a confluent monolayer as assayed by light and scanning electron microscopy. These data validate the feasibility of prelining grafts in vitro with autologous functioning endothelial cells. This approach may be useful in improving the performance of small-caliber vascular grafts according to prostacyclin production and surface-bound heparin of these cells.

Adult↗

[Anatomical basis of the transposition of the serratus anterior muscle. Study of 40 dissections].

In order to explore the possibility of serratus anterior muscle (SAM) flap transposition in head-neck and thoracic surgery, we performed an anatomical study including 40 dissections of the muscle's vascular pedicle, the subscapular-thoracodorsal axis, which is a branch of the axillary artery (A. subscapularis A. thoracodorsalis). The SAM is characterized by: its location: extending from the anterior and lateral aspect of the thorax to the medial border of the scapula; its easy surgical access; its constant and reliable vascularization by the thoracodorsal artery, a branch of the subscapular artery; its long arc of rotation allowing the utilization of the SAM flap in head and neck and mediastinal surgery without microvascular anastomoses; its versatility in comparison with other perithoracic muscles. These considerations prompted us to use the SAM in head and neck reconstructive surgery, chest wall surgery, chest wall reconstruction following resection for tumor; breast reconstruction; intrathoracic and mediastinal surgery, reinforcement of high-risk tracheobronchial sutures or anastomoses; management of bronchopleural fistulas and empyema spaces; repair of tracheo esophageal fistulas and tracheal or esophageal defects.

Arteries↗

Anatomic basis of serratus anterior muscle flap transposition.

In order to explore the possibility of serratus anterior muscle (SAM) flap transposition in head, neck and thoracic surgery, we performed an anatomic study including 40 dissections of the muscle's vascular pedicle, the subscapular-thoracodorsal axis, which is a branch of the axillary artery. The SAM is characterized by its location: extending from the anterior and lateral aspect of the thorax to the medial border of the scapula; its easy surgical access; its constant and reliable vascularization by the thoracodorsal artery, a branch of the subscapular artery; its long arc of rotation allowing utilization of the SAM flap in head and neck and mediastinal surgery without microvascular anastomoses; its versatility in comparison with other perithoracic muscles. These considerations prompted us to use the SAM in head and neck reconstructive surgery; chest wall surgery, including chest wall reconstruction following resection for tumor and breast reconstruction; intrathoracic and mediastinal surgery, including reinforcement of high-risk tracheobronchial sutures or anastomoses, management of bronchopleural fistulas and empyema spaces, and repair of tracheo-esophageal fistulas and tracheal or esophageal defects.

Back↗

Renal artery emboli: the role of surgical treatment.

Twelve cases of emboli to the renal artery (one of which was recurrent) were reviewed. In seven patients, emboli were unilateral and the opposite kidney was functional. In five patients, emboli were bilateral or occurred in a solitary kidney, leading to anuria. Cardiac rhythm disorders were encountered in eight patients and were responsible for emboli in other areas in three. Arteriography in ten patients demonstrated seven complete truncal occlusions (one bilateral), two incomplete truncal occlusions, and one distal embolus. One patient with a distal embolus was treated by heparin alone with satisfactory results. One patient in poor general condition was treated with intraarterial streptokinase, resulting in incomplete lysis of the clot. The five patients with anuria were operated on: four regained satisfactory renal function whereas the other patient died. In five patients without anuria who were operated upon, renal function returned to normal in four, and one patient required nephrectomy. Surgical treatment is imperative with anuria and is indicated in unilateral emboli with a functional contralateral kidney, especially when there is complete occlusion of the renal trunk. If the embolus is recent, intraarterial fibrinolytic treatment or percutaneous embolectomy can be attempted, but these techniques are not of proven efficacy. Patients with distal emboli or contraindications to operation should be treated by anticoagulant therapy, alone or with local fibrinolytic treatment.

Aged↗

Spiramycin concentrations in lung tissue.

Spiramycin concentrations in lung tissue were studied in patients undergoing pulmonary surgical procedures. The first group of six patients received 500 mg spiramycin iv 16 h before surgery and 500 mg at anaesthetic induction (total 1 g). The second group of six patients received three doses of 500 mg spiramycin iv 24, 16 and 8 h before surgery, and 500 mg at anaesthetic induction (total 2 g). Samples were taken from lung tissue, pleura, fat tissue and muscle. In group 1, the mean lung tissue concentration of spiramycin was 1.15 +/- 0.14 mg/kg and 7.99 +/- 2.02 mg/kg in group 2 (P less than 0.02). The differences in concentration in pleura, fat tissue and muscle samples between treatment groups 1 and 2 were not statistically significant.

Humans↗

Prophylactic Timentin in patients undergoing thoracic or vascular surgery.

Timentin (ticarcillin + clavulanic acid) and cefamandole were compared in 484 patients undergoing elective thoracic or vascular surgery. Two hundred and forty eight patients received three 3 g/200 mg injections of Timentin and 236 patients received three 0.75 g injections of cefamandole. The patients were evaluated at discharge. Among the 248 patients given Timentin, only six (2.4%) had a post-operative infection, while nine (3.8%) of the 236 patients given cefamandole had a post-operative infection. There was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment regimes. This comparative study shows that Timentin may be used for antibiotic prophylaxis of clean vascular or thoracic surgery.

Bacteria↗

[Value of short prophylactic antibiotherapy in thoracic and vascular surgery. Comparative randomized double-blind study of 3 and 8 injections of cefamandole].

The subject of whether an optimal duration of prophylactic antibiotic therapy exists was evaluated by comparing results of short and medium-term treatment in aseptic surgery during a double-blind, randomized, prospective trial in 507 patients undergoing vascular or thoracic operations. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either 3 injections of cefamandole: at induction of anesthesia and after 4 and 10 hours (251 cases) or 8 injections of the same antibiotic: at induction of anesthesia, after 4 hours and then every 6 hours up to 40 hours (256 cases). Evaluation on discharge showed that among the 251 patients receiving 3 injections, 21 (8.33%) were infected while in the group treated with 8 injections (256 cases) 25 (9.8%) were infected. The X2 was 0.25 and there is a lack of statistically significant difference between treatments. Duration of prophylactic antibiotic therapy can be shortened, without loss of efficacy in thoracic or vascular aseptic surgery, to reduce selection of resistant germs and to lower costs.

Bacterial Infections↗

[Fatal hematemesis due to erosion of a retro-esophageal right subclavian artery by an esophagogastric tube].

A case of fatal haematemesis due to erosion of a retro-oesophageal right subclavian artery by a nasogastric tube is reported. In view of this exceptional but extremely serious complication, no oesophageal tube should be used in patients known to have this abnormal anatomical arrangement. Systematic treatment of aberrant subclavian arteries should perhaps be considered when it can be performed during thoracic surgery.

Aged↗

[Surgery of pericannular recurrence and extensive tumors of the trachea].

Treatment proposed for pericannular recurrence and previously irradiated vast, extensive, subglottotracheal tumors involves the performance of a manubriectomy with reconstruction using a musculocutaneous flap. The former solves the problem of the route of approach and local carcinologic safety and the latter provides a solution to the problem of congruence of trachea and presternal teguments as well as postoperative complications by protecting the brachiocephalic arterial trunk.

Humans↗

[Late renal revascularization].

Late renal revascularization could be indicated in totally occluded renal artery with hypertension and or renal insufficiency. Six cases of secondary revascularization after occlusion of renal artery are reported here. In three cases severe renovascular hypertension was the indication for renal revascularization. In three other cases, indication was proposed for renal insufficiency. In four cases, renal revascularization for totally occluded renal artery have been beneficial for the patients. In two cases of terminal renal insufficiency, chronical hemodialysis could be suppressed. In the others two cases, hypertension was clearly improved. The criteria for renal revascularization before and during surgery are discussed here. The kidney length, the cortico-medullary ratio at kidney echography, and the visualization of a nephrography during angiography are the principal criteria before surgery for renal revascularization. The macroscopic aspect of the kidney, the immediate results of renal biopsy and the importance of a blood reflow in the renal artery are the principal criteria during surgery, but must be discussed because there are no definitive criteria. Renal revascularization shall be proposed when totally occluded renal artery is associated with renal insufficiency and/or hypertension, especially when the other side can be affected by the same disease.

Adult↗