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D D Picus

Publications and source records attributed to D D Picus.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Endovascular stent grafts for aneurysmal and occlusive vascular disease.

BACKGROUND: This report details our initial experience with two types of endovascular grafts- one for the treatment of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms and the other for the treatment of iliac artery occlusive disease. METHODS: An abdominal aortic aneurysm was repaired in 34 patients using 3 different types of Ancure endografts (Menlo Park, California). Control patients (n = 9) had a standard aneurysm repair. Patients with chronic lower extremity ischemia (n = 7) secondary to iliac artery occlusive disease were treated with a Hemobahn endograft (W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, Arizona). RESULTS: Ancure graft deployment was achieved in 33 of 34 (97.1%) patients. Perioperative mortality for the Ancure and control group patients was 2.9% and 0%, respectively. Periprosthetic leaks were identified within 48 hours of deployment in 6 (18.2%) Ancure graft patients. All but 2 of the leaks resolved on serial follow-up. Additional endovascular procedures were required in 11 (32.4%) Ancure graft patients at the initial procedure or during follow-up to correct graft or arterial stenoses. Patients treated with an endovascular graft had significantly less blood loss and shorter hospital stays than control group patients. For Hemobahn patients, the technical success for graft deployment was 100%. There were no perioperative deaths. The ankle/brachial index increased from a mean of 0.52 preoperatively to 0.86 postoperatively (P = 0.004). One patient required a Wallstent in follow-up to correct a graft wrinkle. Angiography at 6 months demonstrated mild intimal hyperplasia in the stent graft in 5 of 6 patients. CONCLUSIONS: These early results support the potential for endovascular grafts in the treatment of aneurysmal and occlusive vascular disease. Further modifications in the devices and deployment techniques are necessary to reduce the incidence of periprosthetic leaks, graft limb stenoses, and intimal hyperplasia.

Aged↗

Clinical experience with the Kaye nephrostomy tamponade catheter.

Herein, we report our clinical experience with achieving intraoperative hemostasis with the Kaye nephrostomy tamponade catheter. Since June 1990 this device has been used 10 times in 7 patients at our institution; in each patient immediate hemostasis of the nephrostomy tract was achieved.

Adult↗

Comparison of endoscopic and radiological residual fragment rate following percutaneous nephrolithotripsy.

The stone-free rate after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is primarily determined by a plain abdominal radiograph alone. However, the accuracy of that assessment can be challenged by renal tomography and flexible nephroscopy. We report on 29 patients with large renal calculi treated with a combination of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy and ESWL. Stone-free rates were determined by plain abdominal radiograph, renal tomography and flexible nephroscopy. The plain abdominal radiograph and renal tomography overestimated stone-free rates by 35% and 17%, respectively, compared to flexible nephroscopy. To determine stone-free rates after ESWL renal tomography is superior to a plain abdominal radiograph alone. Also, among patients with large renal calculi the use of the flexible nephroscope markedly improves the stone-free rate.

Endoscopy↗

Endourological treatment of ureteroenteric anastomotic strictures: long-term followup.

In 1987 we reported our initial experience with an endosurgical incisional approach to ureteroenteric anastomotic strictures (that is endoureterotomy). We have extended that initial report to encompass 15 patients with 19 ureteroenteric strictures followed for an average of 2.5 years. In all cases an endosurgical approach was well tolerated, blood loss was less than 50 cc and hospital stay averaged 3.5 days. A 16 to 22F external stent was left in place for 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively in 14 strictures. A permanent external 12F catheter was left in 5 strictures due to the presence of metastatic disease (4) and a complete dense stricture (1). The only major complication was a ureteroenteric fistula that healed over a ureteral stent without any open surgical intervention. Among 14 ureteroenteric strictures in which the stent was removed, the ureteroenteric area has remained patent in 8 (57%) with an average followup of 28.6 months (range 9 to 57 months). Failures were associated with metastatic disease in 2 cases, generalized debility in 2 and unexplained in 2. In this series an endosurgical approach to ureteroenteric strictures provided long-term satisfactory management of the problem in the majority of patients with benign and malignant disease. By current standards, only 1 patient (7%) would have been considered a candidate for open surgical repair.

Adolescent↗

Ureteronephroscopic endopyelotomy.

The percutaneous nephrostomy tract has provided urologists with antegrade access to the upper urinary tract. Via this approach ureteropelvic junction obstruction has been treated with an endoscopically controlled incision with a cold knife. While less invasive than an open operation, we have noted significant discomfort from the 24 to 32F percutaneous tract. Accordingly, we sought to achieve the same results by using a less invasive approach, that is retrograde ureteronephroscopic endopyelotomy. A total of 10 patients (9 women and 1 man) with 5 primary and 5 secondary ureteropelvic junction obstructions underwent ureteroscopic endopyelotomy with a 3 or 5F Greenwald cutting electrode passed through a 12F rigid, 10.8F flexible or 9.8F flexible deflectable ureteronephroscope. Preoperatively, ureteropelvic junction obstruction was documented by a furosemide washout renal scan and/or a Whitaker test in 8 of 10 patients. In 2 patients an excretory urogram or retrograde pyelography was diagnostic. Duration of the procedure averaged 180 minutes (245 minutes with a concurrent Whitaker test). At the conclusion of the procedure a 7/14F indwelling ureteral stent was placed. The nephrostomy tube was removed after 3 days and average hospital stay was 5 days. The ureteral stents were routinely left in place for 6 weeks. Followup in 10 patients averaged 12 months. Flank pain was largely resolved in all patients. A followup Whitaker test, excretory urogram or renal scan ultimately has demonstrated decreased or no obstruction in 9 of 10 patients. In summary, early results with retrograde ureteronephroscopic endopyelotomy, specifically in female patients, appear to be promising. Morbidity is minimal and efficacy is satisfactory given the favorable objective response noted in 90% of the patients.

Adult↗

Effect of low osmolar, ionic and nonionic, contrast media on the cytologic features of exfoliated urothelial cells.

The effect of low osmolar, ionic and nonionic, contrast media on the cytologic features of exfoliated urothelial cells were measured in vitro and compared to those induced by standard, high osmolar radiographic contrast media. The low osmolar agents were found to induce no significant adverse effects on the cytologic features of the urothelial cells, whereas the ionic agents clearly distorted certain cytoplasmic and nuclear features. These findings may support the use of low osmolar nonionic agents for retrograde urography if posturographic cytologic studies are contemplated.

Contrast Media↗

Color Doppler sonography of hemodialysis vascular access: comparison with angiography.

This study was performed to define the color Doppler sonographic appearance of normal and abnormal hemodialysis vascular access and to compare color Doppler sonography with angiography. Twenty-eight patients (nine with Brescia-Cimino fistulas and 19 with synthetic grafts) were imaged with digital subtraction angiography and color Doppler sonography. The examinations were interpreted independently and then interpreted together to determine the accuracy of the two methods. With angiography as the gold standard, color Doppler sonography correctly identified 20 of 23 stenosed vessels, three of four occluded vessels, four of four thrombosed vessels, and 18 of 19 pseudoaneurysms. Overall, color Doppler sonography correctly identified all lesions that were seen angiographically in 16 of 19 patients with synthetic grafts and in four of nine patients with Brescia-Cimino fistulas. Five asymptomatic arterial steals were detected sonographically. One of these was identified with angiography. Color Doppler sonography is an adequate means of imaging suspected complications of hemodialysis vascular access, and it should be used in selected patients. However, digital subtraction angiography is more sensitive and should be the initial imaging technique for most of these patients.

Adult↗

Ureterorenoscopic endopyelotomy. Preliminary report.

In conclusion, the concept of endopyelotomy remains extremely attractive, and the early results appear promising. However, the methodology appears to be far in advance of the actual science. Objective studies with furosemide washout renography or Whitaker tests prior to endopyelotomy and at 1 year following endopyelotomy are lacking. Currently, because of its less-invasive nature, lack of external catheters, and rapid convalescence, we are continuing to use a ureteroscopic approach to endopyelotomy. However, although this method overall represents a less-invasive approach, the reader is cautioned to keep in mind that our patient series is too small and the follow-up is too brief for any conclusions to yet be drawn in favor of this method.

Aged↗

Percutaneous gallstone removal: long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate gallstone and symptom recurrence rates, long-term complications, and life expectancy after percutaneous gallstone removal. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of 87 patients (mean age, 69 years +/- 14 [standard deviation]) undergoing percutaneous gallstone removal between 1987 and 1992 were reviewed. Physicians and patients (or their families) were contacted for clinical follow-up. Thirty-one patients returned for follow-up ultrasound (US). RESULTS: The final study group consisted of 65 patients. Mean survival from the time of initial gallbladder drainage was 33 months +/- 19. Over a mean clinical follow-up period of 33 months, eight of 65 patients (12%) developed recurrent symptoms; six of these eight had recurrent gallstones shown at US. Of 30 patients with technically adequate US images (mean follow-up, 14 months +/- 12), 12 (40%) had recurrent gallstones. Six of these 12 patients had recurrent symptoms. No long-term complications were identified. CONCLUSION: The risk of gallstone recurrence after percutaneous removal is notable, but the symptom recurrence rate is much lower. Percutaneous gallstone removal is beneficial for patients at prohibitive surgical or general anesthetic risk.

Aged↗

Results of a new strategy for reconstruction of biliary injuries having an isolated right-sided component.

Poor results after repair of biliary injuries are most common when injuries are above the bifurcation of the left and right hepatic ducts or involve aberrant ducts. We have developed a novel approach to the right-sided component of such injuries. Preoperatively all isolated sections of the biliary tree are intubated percutaneously. At surgery the left duct is found by the Hepp-Couinaud approach. Dissection is continued to the right, staying within the coronal plane of the left hepatic duct, and continuing across the gallbladder plate into segment 5 between the hepatic parenchyma and the Wallerian sheath of the right portal pedicle. Hepatic parenchyma, anterior to the sheath, is resected. After a length of portal pedicle is exposed, right-sided bile ducts are opened on their anterior surface, using the percutaneous transhepatic stents as a guide, and hepaticojejunostomy is performed. Twenty-three patients were treated from May 1993 to February 1999. Injury types and (number of patients) were as follows: B (n = 2), C (n = 5), E4 (n = 10), and E5 (n = 6). There were no perioperative deaths. Follow-up ranged from 8 months to 7 years (median 3 years). There have been no cases of restricture, reoperation, or jaundice, and no interventional procedures. Serum bilirubin is normal in all patients. Alkaline phosphatase is normal or less than two times the normal value in 21 of 22 living patients. This novel approach brings the benefits of the Hepp-Couinaud approach to the right hepatic ducts. Very satisfactory results were obtained in the most severe types of biliary injury.

Adolescent↗