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Biomedical subjects

D J Vellar

Publications and source records attributed to D J Vellar.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

Phytobezoars--an overlooked cause of small bowel obstruction following vagotomy and drainage operations for duodenal ulcer.

Phytobezoar impaction is an important cause of small bowel obstruction in patients who have had previous vagotomy and drainage procedures for duodenal ulcer. Most cases present with typical symptoms and signs of small bowel obstruction, but in some there are no definite radiological signs of bowel obstruction on plain X-ray. In these the phytobezoar is often located by barium studies. Operation is required in the majority of cases and the phytobezoar milked into the large bowel or removed at enterotomy. Before laparotomy is performed, it is essential to endoscope these patients to avoid overlooking gastric phytobezoars which are easily removed via a gastrotomy at the time of the laparotomy. The incidence of phytobezoar obstruction will be reduced by the giving of simple dietary advice and by employing highly selective vagotomy whenever possible in the surgery of duodenal ulcer.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Rupture of the bowel due to road trauma: the emergence of the "seat belt syndrome".

Seat belts have proved to be life saving for drivers and passengers involved in motor-car collisions. The number of severe head, face and trunk injuries has been significantly reduced. However, the wearing of belts has been responsible for an increased incidence of bowel rupture, in itself a potentially lethal injury if not diagnosed and treated early. There is still much to be done in improving seat belt design.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1976

Traumatic retroperitoneal rupture of the duodenum.

A report of six cases of retroperitoneal rupture of the duodenum is presented. A high index of suspicion is necessary to enable early diagnosis to be made and appropriate treatment carried out. Early treatment will prevent the extremely rare, but at present uniformly fatal complication of gas gangrene. Plain X-ray and Gastrografin studies may help to elucidate the situation in particular cases, but are no substitute for repeated careful abdominal examination. It is suggested that large doses of penicillin be employed where possible in the management of these cases, in addition to such antibiotic therapy as may be expected to be effective against the usual Gram-negative bowel flora.

Adult↗