Biomedical subjects

C Wullstein

Publications and source records attributed to C Wullstein.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

Results of laparoscopic vs. conventional appendectomy in complicated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Although many trials show some advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy over open appendectomy, the value of laparoscopic appendectomy is still controversial. Specifically the question of whether there are benefits of laparoscopic appendectomy over open appendectomy in complicated appendicitis remains to be answered. METHODS: Of 1,106 consecutive appendectomies (717 laparoscopic appendectomies, 330 open appendectomies, and 59 conversions) between 1989 and 1999, the results of 299 patients with complicated appendicitis (defined by perforation, abscess, or peritonitis) were analyzed retrospectively to compare the complications of laparoscopic appendectomy and conversion (intention-to-treat group) with those of open appendectomy. RESULTS: Complicated appendicitis (n = 299) was treated by laparoscopic appendectomy in 171 patients, by open appendectomy in 82 patients, and by conversion in 46 patients. Laparoscopic appendectomy and conversion showed fewer abdominal wall complications than open appendectomy (13/217; 6 percent vs. 15/82; 18.3 percent; P < 0.003), which led to a decrease of the total complication rate in the intention-to-treat group (21/217; 9.7 percent vs. 19/82; 23.1 percent; P = 0.004). The rate of intra-abdominal abscess formation was nearly the same after laparoscopic appendectomy (4.1 percent) and open appendectomy (4.9 percent). The total complication rate was higher in complicated appendicitis than in acute appendicitis (P < 0.005) but was independent of the laparoscopic technique. The conversion rate was higher in complicated appendicitis than in acute appendicitis (21.2 vs. 2.3 percent; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In comparison with open appendectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy (by itself and in an intention-to-treat view) leads to a significant reduction of early postoperative complications in complicated appendicitis and therefore should be considered as the procedure of choice.

Abscess↗

PubMed2001

[Pyoderma gangrenosum after TAPP hernioplasty. A rare differential necrotizing wound infection diagnosis].

Pyoderma gangrenosum is an aseptic skin disease that occasionally complicates operative incisions and mimics postoperative necrotising wound infection. So far there are only a few case reports about bacterial necrotising infections following laparoscopy; no report exists about postoperative pyoderma gangrenosum after minimally invasive surgery. Differential diagnosis of both these diseases with potentially high morbidity and mortality is, however, essential, as they require opposite therapeutic regimens. Here we present the case of a patient who developed pyoderma gangrenosum after laparoscopic hernioplasty. Pathophysiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of the disease are discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Compression anastomosis (AKA-2) in colorectal surgery: results in 442 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: The morbidity and mortality associated with colorectal surgery results partly from anastomotic leakage. Animal experiments have shown some advantages of sutureless anastomosis over conventional colorectal anastomosis. Compression anastomosis follows the same biological principles as sutureless anastomosis. METHODS: The compression anastomosis AKA-2 was evaluated in a prospective consecutive audit of 442 patients between September 1989 and August 1998. RESULTS: Anastomoses were performed in 372 elective and 70 emergency situations. The indication for operation was colorectal cancer (56.3 per cent) and diverticulitis (23.5 per cent). A defunctioning colostomy was performed in 110 patients (24.9 per cent). Fourteen patients died (3.2 per cent). Death was related to anastomotic complications in three patients (0.7 per cent). Twenty-four patients (5.4 per cent) developed intra-abdominal complications. There were 11 symptomatic (2.5 per cent) and six asymptomatic (1.4 per cent) leakages. Anastomoses that were more than 10 cm from the anal verge leaked in seven (2.4 per cent) of 291 cases, while anastomoses between 5 and 10 cm leaked in three (2.6 per cent) of 116 cases and those less than 5 cm from the anal verge leaked in one (3 per cent) of 35 cases. CONCLUSION: The low incidence of anastomotic complications demonstrates good biological healing of compression anastomoses. The compression anastomosis AKA-2 is safe in both high and low anterior resection and can therefore be recommended for use in colorectal surgery.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Laparoscopic treatment of colonic perforations related to colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Colonic perforations associated with colonoscopy are rare but major complications. Conservative treatment is less invasive than major surgery, but any case of failure leads to more extensive surgical procedures with a higher morbidity and mortality than the immediate operative repair. To reduce the invasiveness of major surgery and avoid the risk of failure, we introduced laparoscopic techniques to deal with iatrogenic colonic perforations. METHODS: Each colonic perforation was identified by diagnostic laparoscopy. The perforation was then characterized by size and extent of thermal damage into one of three types, followed by type-dependent treatment (suture, tangential resection, segmental resection, or open procedure). Operative time, complications, clinical outcome, and patient satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy for colonic perforations. Laparoscopic treatment was performed on five patients (one simple closure by suture, three tangential resections, and one segmental resection). Two cases required open procedures. There was one intraoperative complication that necessitated conversion. There were no postoperative complications. All laparoscopically treated patients were satisfied with their clinical outcome and cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic treatment seems to reduce the invasiveness and morbidity of major surgery. At the same time, it is more definitive than conservative treatment, so that we now prefer to use laparoscopic techniques to treat colonic perforations related to colonoscopy.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Laparoscopic versus conventional appendectomy--a comparison with reference to early postoperative complications].

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: To compare the complications of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and conventional appendectomy (CA) 930 consecutive patients from 1989 until 1997 were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Conventional appendectomy was performed in 330 patients, laparoscopic in 554 patients and another 46 patients required conversion after laparoscopy. The groups were similar in sex ratio, age and degree of inflammation. Postoperative complications occurred in 8.78%. There were less complications in the LA-group (4.69%) than in the CA-group (13.33%) (p < 0.01), especially wound infections were found less in the LA-group (1.8% vs. 11.21%, p < 0.01). The incidence of intraabdominal abscesses was similar in the LA and CA group (1.44% vs. 1.52%). The differences between the groups are not influenced by complicating appendicitis (perforation or abscess). Systemic complications were similar for LA and CA (0.72% and 0.61%), but were seen more often after conversion (6.52%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective analysis shows that laparoscopic appendectomy significantly reduces postoperative complications, especially wound infections. The authors consider laparoscopic appendectomy to be the procedure of choice in patients with acute appendicitis.

Adolescent↗