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Biomedical subjects

D Henne-Bruns

Publications and source records attributed to D Henne-Bruns.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Bypass surgery versus palliative pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with advanced ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head, with an emphasis on quality of life analyses.

BACKGROUND: In some centers, palliative resection (PR; partial pancreaticoduodenectomy) is, in selected cases, promoted in preference to double loop bypass (DLB) surgery for advanced pancreatic cancer. This prospective study compares PR with DLB, placing particular focus on patients' quality of life (QoL). METHODS: From 01/1993 to 09/2004, 167 patients were analyzed in a prospective single center study of palliative surgical treatment of advanced ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. Thirty-eight underwent PR and 129 underwent palliative DLB. Patients undergoing DLB were divided into: (1) locally advanced disease (LAD-subgroup; n = 61; 47%) and (2) metastasized disease (MD-subgroup; n = 68; 53%). QoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire supplemented by a pancreatic cancer specific module. QoL data were collected pre-operatively and for up to 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Median survival was 7.0 months (95% CI 4.09; 9.91) in PR patients and 6.0 months (95% CI 5.39; 6.61) in patients who received DLB. Mortality and morbidity were, respectively, 7.8 and 58% for PR, and 2.6 and 42% for DLB. QoL decreased more after PR than after DLB. The DLB-group recovered quicker, reaching pre-operative QoL levels after 3 months, and were less impaired when discharged. The LAD-subgroup and the MD-subgroup presented with equal levels of QoL. CONCLUSIONS: QoL analysis revealed favorable QoL data after DLB. Additionally, the survival rates of the two groups did not differ significantly, but morbidity and mortality rates in the PR group were elevated. Therefore, the use of PR for advanced pancreatic cancer needs to be carefully evaluated.

Aged↗

Intraabdominal tissue concentration of ertapenem.

OBJECTIVES: Ertapenem, a class I carbapenem, is approved for the treatment of mild to severe intraabdominal infections, but its in vivo concentrations in intraabdominal tissues are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the concentration of ertapenem in intraabdominal tissue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After informed consent 48 patients, 23 female and 25 male with a median age of 58 years (34-81), requiring surgical intervention at intraabdominal organs were enrolled. Patients received 1 g of ertapenem intravenously for perioperative prophylaxis. Tissue samples were taken after resection of parts of the organs. Plasma samples were taken when tissue samples were taken. Drug concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. An ANCOVA test (analysis of covariance) was performed to assess organ-specific differences in ertapenem concentration and penetration ratios. RESULTS: Mean+/-SD ertapenem tissue concentration (mg/kg) was 16.0+/-8.8 in the gall bladder, 12.1+/-5.3 in the colon, 7.0+/-5.7 in the small bowel, 4.5+/-2.3 in the liver and 3.4+/-2.9 in the pancreas. The mean tissue/plasma ratio was 0.19 (colon), 0.17 (small bowel), 0.17 (gall bladder), 0.088 (liver) and 0.095 (pancreas). The ANCOVA test revealed statistically significant organ-specific differences in ertapenem tissue concentration in the gall bladder versus liver/pancreas and in tissue penetration for the colon versus liver/pancreas. CONCLUSIONS: These pharmacokinetic results support the assumption that ertapenem is suitable for the treatment of intraabdominal infections.

Abdomen↗

Quality of life after pancreaticoduodenectomy for ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head.

BACKGROUND: This study examined quality of life (QoL) after classical partial pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPD) and pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) in patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head, and also evaluated the influence of extended lymphadenectomy (ELA). METHODS: Between January 1993 and March 2004, QoL was analysed in a prospective single-centre study that included 91 patients. Thirty-four patients underwent PPD and 57 had a PPPD. Seventy patients had an ELA and 21 underwent regional lymphadenectomy (RLA). QoL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 questionnaire and a pancreatic cancer-specific module. Data were collected before operation and for 24 months after surgery. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate was 18 percent for all patients and 21 percent in those who had an R0 resection. QoL was impaired for 3-6 months after surgery and then recovered to preoperative levels. There was no significant difference in long-term survival after PPD versus PPPD and ELA versus RLA. Patients who had ELA reported clinically significant higher levels of diarrhoea and pain. PPPD showed a disadvantage in terms of pain. CONCLUSION: The surgical techniques of resection and reconstruction did not affect QoL, but extended lymphadenectomy was associated with an impairment in QoL.

Adult↗

Antiproliferative and overadditive effects of everolimus and mycophenolate mofetil in pancreas and lung cancer cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Everolimus inhibits the growth of several tumor cell lines in vitro as well as tumor growth in a rat model. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) inhibits growth of a Walker sarcoma in a rat model in vivo. Herein we tested the in vitro antiproliferative capacity of everolimus and MMF on a pancreatic tumor cell line Panc-1 and on a small cell lung cancer cell line ScLc. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cells were cultured under standardized conditions. Everolimus was added in increasing doses from 0.005 to 500 microg/mL; MMF was used from 0.05 to 5000 microg/mL. For co-incubation experiments, we combined everolimus (0.005 microg/mL and 0.05 microg/mL) with five concentrations of MMF; and MMF (0.5 microg/mL and 5 microg/mL) with five concentrations of everolimus. The antiproliferative capacity was assessed by a BrdU incorporation assay. RESULTS: Everolimus and MMF inhibited BrdU incorporation into Panc-1 and ScLc in a dose-dependent fashion. A 50% inhibition was seen in Panc-1 only at 50 microg/mL everolimus, but in ScLc at 5 microg/mL everolimus. MMF was clearly more potent in Panc-1: 50% inhibition was observed at 5 microg/L. In ScLc, 40% inhibition of BrdU incorporation was seen only at 50 microg/L MMF. In co-incubation, an effective combination for both Panc-1 and ScLc was 5 microg/mL MMF with 0.005 microg/mL everolimus resulting in 50% inhibition of BrdU incorporation (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Everolimus and MMF showed dose-dependent antiproliferative effects in tumor cell lines in vitro both alone and in combination. The combined use of everolimus and MMF showed supra-additive effects at concentrations used for therapeutic immunosuppression in patients.

Animals↗

Interleukin-4 enhances proliferation of human pancreatic cancer cells: evidence for autocrine and paracrine actions.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is an immunomodulatory cytokine, which can inhibit the growth of tumour cells. Pancreatic cancer cells and tissues express high levels of IL-4 receptors. The aim of this study was to characterise the effects of IL-4 on the growth and signalling pathways of pancreatic cancer cells. Cell growth was determined by cell counting and MTT assays in association with fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, IL-4 expression using ELISA and real-time PCR techniques, and signal transduction using immunoprecipitation or immunoblot analysis. We now report for the first time that IL-4 significantly enhanced the growth of five out of six cultured pancreatic cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner in association with an increased fraction of cells in S-phase. Surprisingly, all six cell lines expressed endogenous IL-4, and IL-4 was detectable in the supernatant. Incubating cells with neutralising IL-4 antibodies resulted in a significant inhibition of basal growth in three cell lines, including IL-4-unresponsive MIA PaCa-2 cells, which however expressed the highest endogenous IL-4 levels. Interleukin-4 enhanced activity of MAPK, Akt-1, and Stat3 in IL-4-responsive, but not in IL-4-unresponsive MIA PaCa-2 cells; however, IL-4 enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 and -2 in all cell lines. Our results demonstrate for the first time that pancreatic cancer cells produce IL-4 and that IL-4 can act as a growth factor in pancreatic cancer cells. Together with the observation that neutralising IL-4 antibodies can inhibit the growth of these cells, our results suggest that IL-4 may act as an autocrine growth factor in pancreatic cancer cells and also give rise to the possibility that cancer-derived IL-4 may suppress cancer-directed immunosurveillance in vivo in addition to its growth-promoting effects, thereby facilitating pancreatic tumour growth and metastasis.

Cell Division↗

[An unusual foreign body in the upper gastrointestinal tract causing nonspecific abdominal pain].

The risk of penetration of vena cava filters through the wall of the vena cava is estimated to be as high as 25%, although clinical symptoms are observed far less frequently in patients with this complication. Due to the close relationship between vena cava and duodenum, the latter can be injured by dislocated filters. We describe the presentation, evaluation, and treatment of a patient with a cava filter protruding into the duodenum, and we review the literature.

Abdominal Pain↗

[New observations on gut trauma].

Abdominal trauma from blunt objects remains a challenge in clinical practice. The primary aims are quick recognition and reversal of life-threatening situations, rational use of the available diagnostic methods, and avoidance of unnecessary laparotomy. The majority of these injuries can now be treated conservatively, whereby interventional methods such as drainage inserts and embolisation are becoming increasingly favoured. Observation of the treatment course by an experienced surgeon is a must. In patients with complicated injuries, special attention must be paid to so-called missed injuries: traumata that may be overlooked such as small intestine and diaphragm ruptures. Aside from retaining organs and their function, the most important concern is damage control (for complex injuries) and laparotomy in the abdominal compartment, with the application of temporary laparotomy as needed. These methods are aimed at reducing mortality pre- and post-admittance. However, we still lack valid prognostic parameters to allow realistic estimation of survival following severe, blunt abdominal trauma.

Abdominal Injuries↗

[GI hemorrhage with fulminant shock induced by jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) coincident with duodenal neuroendocrine carcinoma (NET) + neurofibromatosis (NF) -- case report and review of the literature].

BACKGROUND: The incidence of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) is 0.5 and 1 - 2 in 100,000; the prevalence of neurofibromatosis is 1 in 3000 live births in Western countries. CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old white woman with a six-month history of meleana, paleness, vertigo and fatigue was not referred to any gastrointestinal doctor for diagnostic work-up. Finally, she collapsed and was admitted to hospital because of an acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopically the source of bleeding could not be localized while blood in the duodenum and proximal jejunum was demonstrable. The source of bleeding could not be identified by endoscopy, CT scan or angiography. The patient developed a fulminant gastrointestinal hemorrhage with hemoglobin levels below 3.5 g %. An emergency laparotomy and pylorus-preventing Whipple operation was performed. Pathological studies showed a GIST with 3.5 cm diameter of the proximal jejunum which was the source of bleeding. Coincidentally a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the duodenum was found. CONCLUSION: This case is the first presentation of the coincidence of a neuroendocrine carcinoma of the duodenum with a jejunal bleeding gastrointestinal stromal tumor in neurofibromatosis type1 which led to hemorrhagic shock. In neurofibromatosis -- even if non-symptomatic -- the increased incidence of tumor needs to be considered.

Adult↗

[Emergent surgery for body packing - what happens to the drugs?].

Body packing is a well recognized method of drug trafficking by smuggling drug containers in the gastrointestinal tract. Medical professionals might get involved with body packers after presentation by law enforcement or in case of medical emergencies such as drug overdose or mechanical intestinal obstruction due to the containers within the gastrointestinal tract. Besides the medical aspects in treating these patients, physicians must be aware of all the different legal specifics in dealing with body packers. In case of medical emergencies, drug traffickers have the legal status of regular patients with respect to professional medical discretion. The question remains of what physicians should do with the drugs after surgical removal? Even though the body packer remains the legal owner of the drugs, physicians may not return the drugs, since that constitutes the criminal offence of dealing in narcotics. Returning the drugs to law enforcement authorities is also prohibited because of professional medical discretion. The only way out of this predicament is for physicians to destroy the drugs under the observation of witnesses.

Abdomen, Acute↗

[Cystic tumors of the pancreas-radical or organ-preserving resection?].

Cystic tumors comprise only 1% of all pancreatic tumors, although there is an increasing number of publications about them. These tumors divide into other tumor entities, some of them benign and some of them borderline or malignant. Therefore, the kind of therapy is presently under discussion. Between 1986 and 2003, we treated 97 patients with cystic tumors of the pancreas, evaluated the data retrospectively, and followed the patients up. Sixty-seven percent were treated by radical resection and 32% by organ-preserving resection. With 41%, postoperative "new" diabetes mellitus was significantly more frequent after radical resection than after organ-preserving resection at 24% ( P<0.01). Long-term survival was worst after mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (59% after 36 months), and 90% of all other patients lived longer than 36 months. We conclude that organ-preserving resection should be considered in all serous cystic tumors and solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas. All mucinous cystic tumors are of malignant or borderline nature and should be treated as such by radical resection.

Adult↗

[Abdominal trauma. Injury oriented management].

Successful management of abdominal trauma is characterized by efficient emergency-room work-up aimed at immediate determination of the prognosis by rational use of diagnostic techniques. The purposes of any conservative and/or surgical procedures are the preservation of organ function and low mortality and morbidity in multiply injured patients. State-of-the-art computed tomography with fast trauma scanning has become well accepted among patients with multiple trauma. Organ resections are becoming less common, except in the case of bowel injuries. The surgical treatment of hepatobiliary, splenic and large-vessel trauma is still challenging, as it involves the risk of life-threatening bleeding, while in the case of pancreatic and bowel injuries the challenge lies in the avoidance of septic complications. Interdisciplinary management of complex injuries with application of the "damage control" concept contributes to high-quality results in abdominal trauma.

Abdominal Injuries↗

[Utility of the questionnaire for quality of life EORTC-QLQ-C30 in psycho-oncological outcome research].

Aim of this paper is to examine the utility and validity of the questionnaire for quality of life EORTC-QLQ-C30 (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer). Data were collected within the scope of a study for evaluation of individual psycho-oncological support for inpatients with colorectal cancer undergoing surgery. The study was sponsored by the German Cancer Aid. The design was a prospective randomized controlled trial. After informed consent, patients were randomized in one of two groups: patients in the experimental group received individualized psychotherapeutic support during the hospital stay; those in the control group received a daily program of classical music. All patients were assessed one day before surgical treatment, ten days and three months after surgery. Instruments were questionnaires for quality of life and state anxiety. 106 patients met the inclusion criteria. Results show insufficient discriminative power (high significant bivariate correlations between most EORTC scales, Kendalls tau-b) and insufficient construct validity (high and significant bivariate correlations between most EORTC scales and state anxiety, Kendalls tau-b) of the EORTC scales. The scores of "cognitive functioning" and some symptom scales show an insufficient scatter. The illustration of situational influences and therefore an insufficient illustration of effects of specific interventions are connected with a high sensitivity of the scales and a tendency to extreme sores. The psycho-oncological intervention shows a significant stress reducing effect on the specific EORTC-scale "Emotional Functioning" and on State Anxiety (STAI). The testing of utility and validity of the EORTC-Questionnaire shows that they are insufficient and therefore the benefit for evaluation of specific intervention procedures is restricted.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

[Possibilities in improving patients's turn-over coordination in the OR of an University Hospital].

An efficient Operating Room (OR) management might increase the cost-effectiveness of an OR. For this purpose, we have evaluated the coordination and the times of the solitary processes that are involved in the patient turnover. The mean time between skin suture of the preceding patient and incision of the following patient (SI-time) was, depending on the type of operation, between 44 and 78 minutes. Mean empty-room time (ERT) was 7 minutes. SI-times depended on various factors, including the times necessary to discharge the preceding patient from the OR and the times necessary for induction of anesthesia or for preparation of the OR. Altogether, our data provide evidence for the fact, that optimisation of the patients turnover can decrease SI-times between 10-15 minutes. Although this period appears too short to reliably allow an additional scheduled operation during regular working hours, an improved coordination may result in reduced overtimes of the OR-staff and thus should increase staff satisfaction.

Appointments and Schedules↗

[Surgical treatment of hepatic infections with Echinococcus granulosus].

INTRODUCTION: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a world-wide zoonosis but is relatively rare in Western industrial countries. Surgery is the treatment of choice. However, the technical procedure varies and evidence-based knowledge is fragmentary. Cystectomy and partial resection of the liver (pericystectomy, segmental resection, hemihepatectomy) are the procedures under debate. OBJECTIVE: We present a descriptive analysis of the patients suffering from CE (anamnesis, cyst location, procedures, morbidity, lethality, hospital stay, and long-term follow-up). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of the medical records and questionnaires of patients surgically treated within a period of 16 years at a German university hospital. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients had 101 parasitic cysts which were treated by 67 operations. The average volume of the cysts was about 400 ml (range 10 - 2200 ml). Eighty-six cysts were located within the liver and 15 in extrahepatic sites. The parasitic lesions were removed by hemihepatectomy (n = 4), segmental liver resection (n = 9), pericystectomy (n = 24), cystectomy (n = 34), and cysto-jejunostomy (n = 1). During the first half of the observation period resective procedures were preferred (81 %) whereas during the second half cystectomy predominated (82 %). Lethality was 0 %. Postoperative morbidity after resective procedures and cystectomy was 47 % and 17 %, respectively. Relapses were not observed after cystectomy, but occurred in four cases following resective procedures (twice after hemihepatectomy, 4 and 7 years later, respectively; once after segmental liver resection and once following cysto-jejunostomy, both 2 years after the respective procedure). The more extensive the surgical procedure the longer was the hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Cystectomy should be performed as the procedure of choice because it proved to be safe, simple, effective, and meets all criteria of the surgical treatment for hydatid disease, i. e., complete elimination of the parasite, no intra-operative spillage especially by the use of Aaron's cone, and saving healthy tissue. Pericystectomy should be used for peripheral liver cysts only partially surrounded by liver tissue.

Adult↗

[Mesenteric ischemia. Surgical epidemiology--when to take it into consideration?].

Diagnostic and therapeutic treatment modalities have developed over the last few years. However, the mortality rate of mesenteric ischemia is still high. The incidence amounts to 2-4 patients in 100,000 inhabitants. This is due to the fact that disturbances in the blood circulation of the intestine are not recognized early enough. While clinical symptoms are different during the acute and chronic course of mesenteric ischemia, the diagnostic and therapeutic consequences are similar. In order to decrease the mortality rate, it is important to keep mesenteric ischemia in mind when confronted with abdominal pain in elderly patients. This is particularly important as life expectancy in the western population is increasing.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗