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Biomedical subjects

D M Glassford

Publications and source records attributed to D M Glassford.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

Videothoracoscopy: improved technique and expanded indications.

Current videoendoscopic technology and percutaneous techniques of exposure and dissection have been successfully applied to abdominal surgery with favorable results. Application of this technology to our practice of thoracoscopy is the basis of this report. Videothoracoscopy has been performed in 39 patients for the following indications: chronic pleural effusion, interstitial lung disease, mediastinal lymphadenopathy in lung cancer, persistent air leak after decortication, mediastinal mass, recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax, hydropneumothorax with persistent air leak, and pleural-based mass. The technique we employ includes lateral decubitus positioning and double-lumen endotracheal intubation with ipsilateral lung collapse. The videoscope, retractors, and instruments are introduced through separate 10-mm incisions. Percutaneous manipulation of instruments and the videoscope is guided by images produced on television screens without dissection, and if resection is performed, the incision is enlarged to allow specimen retrieval. Procedures performed using this technique include pleural biopsy, partial pleurectomy, lysis of adhesions, lung biopsies, staging lymph node biopsy, lung nodule biopsy, pleural-based mass resection, and mediastinal mass biopsy and resection. This videoendoscopic technique greatly improves visualization of thoracic anatomy, facilitating thoracoscopy and enhancing exploration of the chest. It is preferred over conventional thoracoscopy and, in some patients, reduces the magnitude of operation by avoiding thoracotomy.

Adult

Internal mammary artery graft at reoperation: risks, benefits, and methods of preservation.

To determine the effect of a prior internal mammary artery (IMA) graft on coronary artery bypass reoperation (CABR), we reviewed our experience with 410 consecutive patients: 313 received only saphenous vein grafts at initial coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and 97 received at least one IMA graft at CABG. Cardiac catheterization data before CABG were available in 110 patients (56 received only saphenous vein grafts, 54 received at least one IMA graft), allowing comparison of left ventricular function at CABG and CABR. Injury of the IMA graft occurred in 5 patients (1 death), but presence of an IMA graft was not an independent predictor of morbidity or mortality. Overall, the incidences of complications and deaths were higher in patients with saphenous vein grafts than in patients with IMA grafts, though not significantly so. Internal mammary artery grafts better preserved cardiac function: patients with IMA grafts had worse left ventricular function before CABG but better left ventricular function before CABR than patients with saphenous vein grafts. Left ventricular function deterioration from before CABG to before CABR was significantly less in patients with IMA grafts. We conclude that the risk of CABR is not increased by a previously constructed IMA graft and that left ventricular function is better preserved at CABR when an IMA graft was constructed at the initial operation.

Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic

Efficacy of cefazolin, cefamandole, and gentamicin as prophylactic agents in cardiac surgery. Results of a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial in 1030 patients.

In an effort to develop an improved regimen of antibiotic prophylaxis in cardiac surgery, 1030 patients who were to have elective cardiothoracic surgery involving a median sternotomy were selected at random to receive cefamandole or cefazolin, with or without gentamicin, in a prospective double-blind study. Cefazolin was significantly less effective than cefamandole at both the sternal (1.8% vs. 0.4%, respectively, p less than 0.05) and donor sites (1.3% vs. 0%, respectively, p less than 0.02). Seven Staphylococcus aureus infections occurred among cefazolin recipients as compared with no such infections among the patients receiving cefamandole (p less than 0.01). All five wound infections yielding fungi or gentamicin-resistant gram-negative rods occurred in patients who had received gentamicin as a second prophylactic agent. These data suggest that gentamicin has no role as a prophylactic antibiotic in cardiac surgery and that, compared with cefamandole, cefazolin offers unreliable prophylaxis against deep infection at both the sternal and donor sites.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures

Internal mammary artery grafts: technical factors influencing patency.

Eight hundred fourteen patients with internal mammary artery (IMA) coronary artery bypass grafts have been restudied 961 times with coronary arteriography, primarily to evaluate the patency of the grafts in the setting of symptomatic coronary occlusive disease. Their records were reviewed to assess graft patency as related to the technical aspects of coronary artery bypass surgery. Patency was evaluated using life-table analysis of the data. The method of harvesting the IMA played no role in patency. The left anterior descending coronary artery was the recipient coronary artery with the highest patency rate. The left IMA had a significantly higher patency rate than the right IMA. As a group, the IMAs had a significantly higher patency rate than saphenous vein grafts. However, there was no difference between right IMA grafts and saphenous vein grafts. The mammary artery grafts that remained patent throughout the study had a significantly higher blood flow after bypass than did those that became occluded (43.0 +/- 0.9 versus 28.9 +/- 1.8 ml/min; p less than .001).

Blood Flow Velocity

Techniques and results of ventricular aneurysmectomy with emphasis on anteroseptal repair.

We have reviewed an 8 year experience with ventricular aneurysmectomy in 170 patients. Ninety percent had anterior aneurysms and underwent "anteroseptal repair" with exclusion of nonfunctioning septal myocardium. Preoperative left ventriculograms and coronary arteriograms were studied and "scored," and the hospital mortality and long-term survival rates for various subsets of the group were correlated with their radiographic data. A postoperative score for the coronary arteries was developed according to the preoperative anatomy and the vessels bypassed. Both the ventriculogram score and the postoperative coronary score had significant effects on both hospital mortality and long-term survival rates. The severity of preoperative coronary disease had minimal predictive value. Recent myocardial infarction did not preclude a good result. The value of an aggressive surgical approach to patients with ventricular aneurysm was confirmed even for certain subsets with indicators suggestive of poor prognosis. Anteroseptal repair appears to give optimal results for the typical "anterior" aneurysm. All suitable coronary arteries should be bypassed. Attention to the details of preoperative anatomy and function allows the most accurate prediction of prognosis and dictates the optimal therapeutic approach.

Adult

The risk of anticoagulation in hemodialysis patients.

The risks of intermittent anticoagulation with heparin for hemodialysis and longterm anticoagulation with warfarin to prevent clotting of arteriovenous shunts were assessed in a group of 125 home dialysis patients. Over a 7-year period, there were nine bleeding complications attributable to heparin anticoagulation for an incidence of one complication for every 40 patient year on dialysis. In contrast, 20 of 48 patients anticoagulated with warfarin for an average of 2 years each, had a total of 50 hemorrhagic complications requiring 542 days in the hospital and 15 operative procedures. Concersion to an alternative form of vascular access, the internal arteriovenous fistula, obviated the need for warfarin therapy and its unacceptably high complication rate in this population of patients.

Blood Coagulation

Hyperparathyroidism in the maintenance dialysis patient.

At least one component of the secondary hyperparathyroidism of end stage renal failure is hyperphosphatemia. Since 1968, 101 patients were treated definitively in a home dialysis program, and 78 of the patients remain active. Despite maintenance of the serum phosphate level below 5 milligrams per cent, one-fourth eventually had progressive hyperparathyroidism develop, primarily manifested by bone disease. Serum calcium levels were generally normal and, except at the extremes, were not predictive. The incidence of hyperparathyroidism was not influenced by the age of the patient, but it increased with duration of dialysis. Hyperparathyroidism developed in 13 of 15 patients with serum parathormone levels greater than 500 but in only six of 56 patients with values less than 500. The single most important manifestation was progressive bone disease. Of 16 patients treated by subtotal parathyroidectomy, all had large hyperplastic parathyroid glands. All of the patients who were observed for longer than six months had progressive improvement in the bone disease. Hyperparathyroidism is a significant problem in the dialysis patient, despite phosphate control. Progressive bone disease and elevated serum parathormone levels are the most important indicators. The incidence is directly influenced by duration of dialysis. Subtotal parathyroidectomy is effective in reversing the bone changes.

Adult

Lymphocele: a significant complication following renal transplantation.

Six pelvic lymphoceles occurred in a series of 88 renal transplants. All of the patients had ipsilateral leg edema and one-half had a urinary tract infection and/or pain. Displacement of the urinary bladder away from the kidney with or without some degree of ureteral obstruction was diagnostic. External or internal drainage resulted in reliev of the symptoms.

Adolescent

Bovine graft fistulas in patients with vascular access problems receiving hemodialysis.

Thirty-three bovine grafts were placed in 28 patients for vascular access for hemodialysis. The indications were lack of shunt sites and anticoagulation with Coumadin in patients without vessels suitable for construction of a primary arteriovenous fistula. All but one of the grafts were loops placed in the forearm. There were 20 complications associated with the 33 procedures. Three patients required replacement of the initial graft in the early postoperative period due to thrombosis. One additional patient required two graft replacements and eventual anticoagulation with Coumadin before a successful result was obtained. There have been no serious ischemic problems. Presently, there are 27 functional bovine grafts, and 68 per cent of these are currently used for vascular access for dialysis. Patient acceptance of the fistulas has been good. The loop bovine graft fistula in the arm is an excellent means for vascular access in the patient receiving hemodialysis.

Animals