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Biomedical subjects

D Girvan

Publications and source records attributed to D Girvan.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

A new radiocolloid for sentinel node detection in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The optimal radioactive tracer and technique for sentinel lymph node localization in breast cancer is yet to be determined. The dilemma of small particle size with dispersion to second echelon nodes versus failure of migration of larger radiocolloids needs to be resolved. A new radiocolloid preparation with particle size under 0.1 micron was developed with excellent primary/post lymphatic entrapment ratio. OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of a new 99mTc radiocolloid cysteine-rhenium colloid in sentinel lymph node (SLN) localization for breast cancer. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with newly diagnosed T1 or T2 breast cancer underwent injection of 99mTc-labeled cysteine-rhenium colloid followed by lymphoscintigraphy. Same day SLN biopsy with patent blue dye and intraoperative gamma probe to identify SLNs were performed. RESULTS: SLN mapping and intraoperative localization were successful in 46/47 (98%) of patients. The blue dye radioactive tracer concordance was 94%. There was one false-negative in a patient with a nonpalpable tumor that underwent ultrasound-guided peritumoral radiocolloid injection. CONCLUSIONS: 99mTc-cysteine-rhenium colloid is highly effective in identifying SLNs. It has the advantage of smaller particle size than sulfur colloid with easier lymphatic migration. It has a more neutral pH with less pain on injection and does not require filtration, thereby minimizing radiation exposure to technologists.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Local resection and brachytherapy confined to the lumpectomy site for early breast cancer: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The commonest site of local breast recurrence after breast conservation surgery is the primary tumor bed. We have tested the feasibility of outpatient high dose rate brachytherapy to the primary tumor bed as the only radiation. Our technique relies on the placement of surgical clips to mark the tumor bed. METHODS: Between March 1992 and January 1996, 39 patients with clinical T1 T2 breast cancer were enrolled in this pilot study. The first 13 patients had intraoperative implantation of the breast. The remaining 26 patients had outpatient postoperative implantation under general anesthesia (2 patients) or local anaesthesia (24 patients). High dose rate brachytherapy was given twice daily at least 6 hours apart for a total dose of 37.2 Gy in 10 fractions over 5-7 days. RESULTS: Three patients had mild clinical cellulitis responding to oral antibiotics. One patient had a small sinus in the lumpectomy scar requiring local excision to heal. Four patients developed fat necrosis at the lumpectomy site at 4 (1 patient), 13 (1 patient), and 18 months (2 patients) post radiotherapy. Patient rated satisfaction with treatment was high. At a median followup of 20 months, one infield local recurrence has been salvaged by wider resection and postoperative conventional external beam radiation. CONCLUSIONS: Except for fat necrosis, which may be associated with this technique, complications have been minimal. Outpatient implantation under local anesthesia is feasible. Longer followup is required to establish the local control rates.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Boerhaave's syndrome and children: a rare and unexpected combination.

Boerhaave's syndrome, or the spontaneous rupture of the esophagus, appears most commonly in males between the ages of 40 and 60. Severe vomiting followed by excruciating chest pain are the classic clinical signs, often in conjunction with a history of over indulgence in food and alcohol. The authors describe a case of Boerhaave's syndrome in a child, the result of missed appendicitis.

Appendicitis↗
PubMed1995

Assessing the safety of pediatric laparoscopic surgery.

We studied deviations from normal physiology in piglets (n = 10; average weight 5.75 kg) during carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum. Cardiopulmonary data were gathered during varying intraabdominal pressures (IAP = 8, 12, 15, 20 mm Hg), each sustained for 10 mins. Each animal was its own preinsufflation and exsufflation control. A rapid, significant rise in arterial CO2 pressure from preinsufflation (46.5 +/- 6.7 mm Hg) to insufflation at 20 mm Hg (72.9 +/- 15 mm Hg; p < 0.05) initiated further cardiac adjustments. Responses included a sustained increase in cardiac index (presufflation = 3.1 +/- 1.4; 20 mm Hg IAP = 3.6 +/- 1.2), increased heart rate (preinsufflation = 121 +/- 21; 20 mm Hg IAP = 150 +/- 28; p < 0.05), and left ventricular stroke work (20 mm IAP = 22.7 +/- 8.9; exsufflation 20 min = 15.3 +/- 9.4 g.m/m2; p < 0.05). There was a significant arterial-end CO2 tidal difference throughout insufflation, as great as 15 mm Hg (p < 0.05), suggesting increasing ventilation dead space. Core temperature decreased significantly from preinsufflation (35.3 +/- 1.3 degrees C) to 20 mm Hg IAP (33.6 +/- 1.5 degrees C, p < 0.05). We suggest the following guidelines based on the above data: (a) preoperative examination screening for cardiopulmonary abnormalities; (b) fluid replacement to normal hydration only; (c) cuffed endotracheal tubes for effective ventilation; (d) careful adjustment of minute ventilation to achieve normocapnia; (e) CO2 warming; (f) maximal insufflation pressure of 12 mm Hg; (g) postoperative care emphasizing respiratory and thermoregulation status.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1988

Intensive care course following liver transplantation in children.

We report the postoperative intensive care course of 16 children who underwent 18 orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) procedures in London, Ontario and compare this experience in our developing transplant center with that reported from the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Assisted ventilation was required in all children, with six requiring ventilation for greater than three days. Six children required positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) therapy and hypertension was common. Physiologic stability index score was initially high in all patients, but fell on subsequent days. Intensive care survival was 100% with 69% long-term survival, which compared favorably with the information from Pittsburgh. Septic complications, despite immunosuppressive therapy were rare, but hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia were common.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Orthotopic liver transplantation in children.

Ten children, aged 3 to 16 years, were part of a group of 61 patients who received liver transplants at University Hospital in London, Canada between November 1982 and April 1986. All of the children received cyclosporine in combination with other agents for immunosuppression. Two children died of rejection, one child died from a lymphoma, and one child died from a hypoxic brain injury sustained during a respiratory arrest. Six children are currently alive from 4 months to 2 1/2 years following transplantation. All of the survivors have returned to a normal life style. With current surgical techniques and modern immunosuppression, hepatic transplantation has become the treatment of choice for patients with endstage irreversible liver disease. The extreme shortage of donor organs is now the major factor limiting the application of liver transplantation in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Peritoneal drainage under local anesthesia for perforations from necrotizing enterocolitis.

During 1974 and 1975, five newborn infants weighing between 760 and 1600 g developed severe intraabdominal complications of NEC due to necrotic bowel with perforation and peritonitis. Because these tiny neonates were very ill with sepsis and other severe medical problems, no attempt at laparotomy under general anesthesia was carried out. Instead, using local anesthesia, the contaminated peritoneal cavity was drained via a small incision, usually in the right lower quadrant. This permitted evacuation of air, pus, and stool. In all babies there was improvement evident in the abdomen within one wk, although two of the five newborns died from other causes. The three survivors are well and have normally functioning intestinal tracts 1-2 yr following surgery. One of these surviving babies developed a bowel stricture which subsequently required resection. We feel this method is preferable in the handling of the tiny sick neonate with a bowel perforation from NEC.

Anesthesia, Local↗