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Biomedical subjects

D Mutter

Publications and source records attributed to D Mutter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The new 4DDome prosthesis: an original light and partially absorbable composite mesh for hernia repair.

INTRODUCTION: The use of non-absorbable meshes for the repair of inguinal hernias has become standard; however, these meshes have been associated with complications including long-term postoperative pain. To this end, a new partially absorbable composite mesh has been developed, and the aim of this study was to investigate its efficacy in animal and human trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were used to evaluate the behavior of the newly designed composite mesh. Composite meshes were implanted in the extra-peritoneal plane for 2, 4 and 8 weeks and compared to a standard polypropylene mesh. Forty patients with symptomatic inguinal hernias were treated using a new 4DDome designed prosthesis. Follow-up was by clinical and ultrasound examination at 1, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: The animal study demonstrated that the inflammatory reaction associated with the new composite mesh was significantly lower than a standard polypropylene mesh, characterized by a lower macrophage infiltrate (P < 0.001). The mesh did not shrink over the 8-week period, unlike the polypropylene mesh (P < 0.05). The human study showed that there were three minor postoperative complications, no recurrences and the mesh was well tolerated. Follow-up with serial ultrasound showed that at 10 days and 1 month the dome was clearly visible in position; however, by 6 months it had flattened out, been partially absorbed and become incorporated into the repair. CONCLUSION: These experimental and clinical studies have validated the concept of the new 4DDome composite mesh. It was well tolerated and was associated with good short-term results. The combination of the dome shape and the new composite mesh means that less polypropylene is required and represents a significant advance in anterior hernia repair.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Two-stage totally minimally invasive approach for acute complicated diverticulitis.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical options for acute diverticulitis with peritonitis include Hartmann's procedure or resection and primary anastomosis with or without a stoma. Initial laparoscopic lavage and drainage can control the acute intra-abdominal sepsis to allow for a delayed definitive procedure in nonemergency conditions. Potential advantages include the avoidance of a laparotomy, stoma and local infections at the origin of dehiscence and incisional hernias. We evaluated this approach in a selected group of patients. METHODS: Patients with intra-abdominal pus secondary to diverticular perforation requiring surgery were included in the study. Patients with localized pus amenable to computerized tomography (CT)-guided drainage, faecal peritonitis, severe generalized peritonitis, and those in which the perforation was spontaneously visible were excluded. Standard demographic data, CT findings, intra-operative findings and postoperative outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: Ten patients were suitable for the approach. Mean patient age was 60.2 years. Mean body mass index was 28.2 m2/kg. Mean postoperative stay was 8.5 days and uneventful in all patients. One patient re-presented after 3 weeks with acute peritonitis requiring open sigmoidectomy. Six patients successfully underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis 2-3 months later. Two patients were not re-operated because of comorbidity and one refused surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A two-stage totally minimally invasive approach may be a safe alternative strategy for selected cases of acute complicated diverticulitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2006

Website navigation and surgical education.

We evaluated the way in which medical students interacted with a surgical education Website. Ten medical students on their paediatric surgery rotation were asked to study online a chapter on intussusception in young children, for a period of 1 h. The computer was connected by video link to a video-recorder that recorded their navigation movements, i.e. navigation time, time spent in front of each page, stepwise, progressive exploration of the surgical contents, and use of interactive links. The students were asked to complete a questionnaire to identify their overall competency in computers and Internet navigation capabilities. The mean time spent viewing the entire Website was 48 min (range 31-63) and the mean time spent on the assigned chapter was 38 min (range 8-53). Each page out of 14 within the chapter was visited a mean of 1.8 times (range 0-10). Access to video selections occurred after a mean of 10 min after beginning the session. A connection was made to the video a mean of 2.3 times per session. The mean time spent viewing video footage was 9 min (24% of the time spent viewing the chapter). The questionnaire results showed that few students regularly accessed the Internet for educational purposes.

Attitude to Computers↗
PubMed2005

Digital technologies and quality improvement in cancer surgery.

Telecommunications, multimedia and computer technologies will introduce marked changes in the management of cancer. New modalities in the representation of patient's medical records using computer technology products and services allow unlimited cross-sharing of information. Education taught through multimedia methods, and through the Internet, is available anywhere and any time just like surgical simulation, robotics and virtual reality. Thanks to computer and IT technologies, surgeons will be able to acquire, assess and validate new surgical procedures or concepts from any geographical location. Live demonstrations shared via videoconferencing facilitate mental development through the acquisition of the cognitive aspects of surgical procedures. Virtual reality is a major improvement in the processing of medical imaging. As a result, the interpretation and the simulation of therapeutic approaches to patients with cancer are facilitated through transparency, navigation and manipulation. The Internet eventually offers uninterrupted communication links between healthcare providers (teaching, training or multidisciplinary telementoring included). Computer and IT technologies will undoubtedly contribute to standardized cancer treatment modalities and determined guidelines for good clinical practice worldwide.

Computer-Assisted Instruction↗
PubMed2004

Stereoscopic vision provides a significant advantage for precision robotic laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Current surgical robots provide no sense of touch and rely solely upon vision. This study evaluated the effect of new stereoscopic technology on the performance of robotic precision laparoscopy. METHODS: Eight experienced laparoscopists with no experience in robotics performed five tasks of increasing complexity using a laparoscopic robot. The tasks were as follows: rope pass, paper cut, needle capping, knot tying and needle threading. Each test was performed ten times under both stereoscopic and monoscopic conditions. Performance times and errors were recorded. RESULTS: Mean(s.e.m.) final performance times were calculated from the final five trial times for each test, and were as follows for monoscopic and stereoscopic conditions respectively: rope pass 112.8(4.2) and 97.0(3.7) s (P = 0.013), paper cut 117.1(6.0) and 98.4(9.8) s (P = 0.020), needle capping 144.5(12.7) and 99.7(6.8) s (P = 0.008), knot tying 138.7(14.3) and 70.3(6.0) s (P = 0.002), and needle threading 210.8(28.2) and 92.3(4.1) s (P = 0.002). The mean(s.e.m.) number of errors per candidate was 60.6(7.8) and 20.8(3.9) under monoscopic and stereoscopic conditions respectively (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Stereoscopic vision provided a significant advantage during robotic laparoscopy in situations that required a precise understanding of structural orientation.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2004

[What education means in surgery? A surgery among chirurgical residents in university hospital in Strasbourg].

OBJECTIVE: Numerous tools for surgical education are available. The objective of the study is to know how future surgeons do feel about these different possibilities to learn and what do they think about the place of e-learning, or virtual universities and on-line training and learning in their formation. METHODS: A questionnaire has been sent to each surgical student of Strasbourg University. Learning and training methods were evaluated: observation, fellowship, Internet, reading videos, reading books or scientific journals, discovery of pathology by oneself or performing surgical procedures by oneself, sharing meetings, playing pedagogic games. RESULTS: Fellowship is voted by plebiscite, as using Internet which grows the usual book contents thanks to interactivity, videos, quickenings and actuality of the inquiries. The difficulties to approach this tool is emphasized : the cost, availability, time consuming, lack of any tutor, ability with a computer. Dissection of corpses or live animals is wished by the majority of young surgeons. Using simulators or robots remains something for the future and must be evaluated. CONCLUSION: Fellowship is voted by plebiscite for learning surgery. The interest for new technologies of communication is more out of curiosity than necessity.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer surgery: long-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Total mesorectal excision (TME) offers the lowest reported rates of local recurrence and the best survival results in patients with rectal cancer. However, the laparoscopic approach to resection for colorectal cancer remains controversial due to fears that oncologic principles will be compromised. We assessed the feasibility, safety and long-term outcome of laparoscopic rectal cancer resections following the principles of TME. The aim of this study was to evaluate the perioperative outcome and long-term results of laparoscopic TME. METHODS: We reviewed the prospective database of 102 consecutive unselected patients undergoing laparoscopic TME for rectal cancer between November 1991 and December 2000. Follow-up was done through office charts or direct patient contact. Recurrence and survival curves were generated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Laparoscopic TME was completed successfully in 99 patients, whereas conversion to an open approach was required in three cases (3%). The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 27% and 2%, respectively, with an overall anastomotic leak rate of 17%. Of the 102 patients, four were excluded from the oncologic evaluation because final pathology was not confirmatory (two had anal canal squamous cell carcinoma and two had villous adenoma with dysplasia). In 90 of the 98 remaining patients (91.8%), the resection was considered curative. The remainder had a palliative resection due to synchronous metastatic disease or locally advanced disease. Mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 6-96). There were no trocar site recurrences. The local recurrence rate was 6%, and the cancer-specific survival of all curatively resected patients was 75% at 5 years. The overall survival rate of all curatively resected patients was 65% at 5 years; mean survival time was 6.23 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.39-7.07). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic TME is feasible and safe. The laparoscopic approach to the surgical treatment of operable rectal cancer does not seem to entail any oncologic disadvantages.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The physiologic effect of the pneumoperitoneum on radiofrequency ablation.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is gaining widespread acceptance as a safe and effective method for liver tumor ablation. Complete tumor ablation is essential for the success of the procedure. Multiple modalities have been explored in an effort to increase the size of the lesion created by RFA. The purpose of this study was to determine the physiologic effects of the pneumoperitoneum on RFA lesion size. METHODS: A total of 32 RFA lesions were created in eight pigs. After the induction of anesthesia, pneumoperitoneums of 2, 12, and 24 mmHg were established sequentially in each animal. After an equilibration period of 2 min, RF was administered with a constant saline-infused (0.9%) needle at 25 W for 3 min. In subsequent and complementary experiments, both before and during RF administration at each intraperitoneal pressure (IPP), Doppler flow was measured by laparoscopic ultrasound in the portal vein and hepatic artery while blood pressure was monitored by a femoral arterial line. The animals were then killed humanely and the livers were harvested. Measurements were taken in three dimensions of the ablated areas, and the volume was calculated. Statistical analyses were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and repeated measures test. RESULTS: The average volumes of the lesions (in cm3) were 3.1 +/- 1.8, 5.2 +/- 1.7, and 6.7 +/- 3.3 for IPP of 2, 12 and 24 mmHg, respectively; there was a significant difference between the area of lesion at an IPP of 2 mmHg and an IPP of 24 mmHg ( p < 0.05). Blood flow in the portal vein also decreased significantly from 1.8 +/- 0.6, 0.98 +/- 0.5, and 0.43 +/- 0.2 at IPP of 2, 12, and 24 mmHg, respectively ( p < 0.001). Hepatic artery blood flow and peripheral blood pressure did not change significantly in the respective IPP groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that the volume of liver ablated by RF can be increased by augmenting the IPP. Our data support the theory that a decrease in portal blood flow results in decreased heat dissipation during RFA. The laparoscopic approach to RFA offers the advantage of allowing control of the IPP, which may result in a larger volume of ablated tissue per treatment than can be achieved with the percutaneous technique. These preliminary data on normal hepatic tissue must be confirmed clinically in the setting of hepatic tumors.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Fatal bile pulmonary embolism after radiofrequency treatment of a hepatocellular carcinoma.

Radiofrequency is increasingly used to manage liver tumors. This report describes the case of a 74-year-old man who received two courses of percutaneous radiofrequency thermal ablation for a hepatocellular carcinoma over a 4-month period. He subsequently required computed tomography-guided drainage for an area of intrahepatic necrosis. During the procedure, hemobilia developed, followed by respiratory distress and collapse. The diagnosis of bile pulmonary embolism was established on the basis of high biliary acid concentrations in pulmonary fluid aspiration and blood plasma. Radiofrequency thermoablation provides local control of advanced liver tumors with low recurrence and morbidity. However, this interventional procedure risks damage to liver parenchyma involving vascular and biliary structures, which may lead to biliary-venous fistula and possible bile emboli.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Laparoscopic liver resection of benign liver tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility, safety, and outcome of laparoscopic liver resection for benign liver tumors in a multicenter setting. BACKGROUND: Despite restrictive, tailored indications for resection in benign liver tumors, an increasing number of articles have been published concerning laparoscopic liver resection of these tumors. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 18 surgical centres in Europe regarding their experience with laparoscopic resection of benign liver tumors. Detailed standardized questionnaires were used that focused on patient's characteristics, clinical data, type and characteristics of the tumor, technical details of the operation, and early and late clinical outcome. RESULTS: From March 1992 to September 2000, 87 patients suffering from benign liver tumor were included in this study: 48 patients with focal nodular hyperplasia (55%), 17 patients with liver cell adenoma (21%), 13 patients with hemangioma (15%), 3 patients with hamartoma (3%), 3 patients with hydatid liver cysts (3%), 2 patients with adult polycystic liver disease (APLD) (2%), and 1 patient with liver cystadenoma (1%). The mean size of the tumor was 6 cm, and 95% of the tumors were located in the left liver lobe or in the anterior segments of the right liver. Liver procedures included 38 wedge resections, 25 segmentectomies, 21 bisegmentectomies (including 20 left lateral segmentectomies), and 3 major hepatectomies. There were 9 conversions to an open approach (10%) due to bleeding in 45% of the patients. Five patients (6%) received autologous blood transfusion. There was no postoperative mortality, and the postoperative complication rate was low (5%). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5 days (range, 2-13 days). At a mean follow-up of 13 months (median, 10 months; range, 2-58 months), all patients are alive without disease recurrence, except for the 2 patients with APLD. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection of benign liver tumors is feasible and safe for selected patients with small tumors located in the left lateral segments or in the anterior segments of the right liver. Despite the use of a laparoscopic approach, selective indications for resection of benign liver tumors should remain unchanged. When performed by expert liver and laparoscopic surgeons in selected patients and tumors, laparoscopic resection of benign liver tumor is a promising technique.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Fully automatic anatomical, pathological, and functional segmentation from CT scans for hepatic surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To improve the planning of hepatic surgery, we have developed a fully automatic anatomical, pathological, and functional segmentation of the liver derived from a spiral CT scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a 2 mm-thick enhanced spiral CT scan, the first stage automatically delineates skin, bones, lungs, kidneys, and spleen by combining the use of thresholding, mathematical morphology, and distance maps. Next, a reference 3D model is immersed in the image and automatically deformed to the liver contours. Then an automatic Gaussian fitting on the imaging histogram estimates the intensities of parenchyma, vessels, and lesions. This first result is next improved through an original topological and geometrical analysis, providing an automatic delineation of lesions and veins. Finally, a topological and geometrical analysis based on medical knowledge provides hepatic functional information that is invisible in medical imaging: portal vein labeling and hepatic anatomical segmentation according to the Couinaud classification. RESULTS: Clinical validation performed on more than 30 patients shows that delineation of anatomical structures by this method is often more sensitive and more specific than manual delineation by a radiologist. CONCLUSION: This study describes the methodology used to create the automatic segmentation of the liver with delineation of important anatomical, pathological, and functional structures from a routine CT scan. Using the methods proposed in this study, we have confirmed the accuracy and utility of the creation of a 3D liver model compared with the conventional reading of the CT scan by a radiologist. This work may allow improved preoperative planning of hepatic surgery by more precisely delineating liver pathology and its relationship to normal hepatic structures. In the future, this data may be integrated with computer-assisted surgery and thus represents a first step towards the development of an augmented-reality surgical system.

Humans↗
PubMed2001

Safety of laparoscopic approach for acute cholecystitis: retrospective study of 609 cases.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is now widely accepted as the modality of choice for the treatment of symptomatic uncomplicated cholelithiasis. The application of the laparoscopic technique in the setting of acute cholecystitis (AC) is more controversial. The precise role as well as the potential benefits of LC in the treatment of the acutely inflamed gallbladder have not been clearly established through large clinical series. The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility, safety, benefits, and specific complications of the laparoscopic approach in patients with AC. A retrospective chart analysis involving the patients admitted to two busy emergency digestive surgical units between October 1990 and December 1997 was carried out. Six hundred and nine patients meeting our criteria for AC were identified and evaluated. Overall complication rate was 15% with 12 postoperative bile leakages (1.97%) and 4 biliary tract injuries (BTI) (0.66%). The overall mortality rate was 0.66%. Local and overall complication rates were significantly correlated with the delay between the onset of acute symptoms and the operation but not the rate of general complications nor deaths. Our results demonstrate the safety and feasibility of LC in the setting of AC. Early cholecystectomy within 4 days is strongly recommended to minimize complications and increase the chances of a successful laparoscopic approach.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Teleeducation in surgery: European Institute for Telesurgery experience.

The information age is revolutionizing the practice and education of surgery. The use of video-conference systems through Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) teletransmission connects surgeons around the world without the limits of distance. Teleeducation, teleteaching, teletraining, telementoring, and teleaccreditation have been clearly demonstrated and are now common practice. Pre- and perioperative surgical advice may be obtained from expert networks. Patient data can be reconstructed as virtual tridimensional images analyzed by computers, and the surgical procedure can be simulated to obtain an optimal surgical decision. Finally, the use of the Internet will provide access to this information, whenever and wherever necessary, through dedicated websites. It remains to be adequately demonstrated that these means will allow improvement in patient care.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed2001

[Experimental study of monopolar electrical and ultrasonic dissection].

The aim of this experimental study was to compare the disadvantages of a monopolar electric scalpel and an ultrasonically-activated scalpel in a porcine model. Using thermal gradients, the ultrasonically-activated scalpel significantly decreased thermal energy dispersion to surrounding structures and thus decreased the risk of injuries to adjacent tissues and nerves, as opposed to the monopolar electric scalpel. Histological examination of nerves showed that necrosis was significantly less important with the use of the ultrasonically-activated scalpel. This experimental study demonstrated that the ultrasonically-activated scalpel caused less thermal and histological damage than the monopolar electric scalpel.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

An evaluation of telemedicine in surgery: telediagnosis compared with direct diagnosis.

HYPOTHESIS: Telemedicine for real-time transmission of clinical documents and interactive remote telediagnosis allows accurate clinical application in surgery. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study in which 2 hospitals, 120 miles apart, were connected via integrated services digital network (ISDN) teleconferencing units, and each evaluated clinical cases in real time. SETTING: A tertiary care university hospital and primary care county hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Between May 1, 1998, and June 30, 1998, 112 patients undergoing digestive or endocrine surgery were evaluated by teletransmission (study group) and direct vision (control group). Diagnosis had to be known by the viewer, and either conventional magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomographic scans were available. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Picture quality, organ structure, and pathologic finding viewed on telemedicine documents were evaluated by radiologists and surgeons blind to diagnosis. Accuracy of remote 128-kilobit (kb)/s transmission-rate diagnoses and results were compared with those obtained directly. RESULTS: Picture quality was "good" or "excellent" in 92.9% of transmitted documents and 95.5% of live images (P>.4). The target organ was always recognized, structure and pathologic finding were analyzable in 98.2% of transmitted documents and 99.1% of live documents, and fine structures were assessable in 89.3% of transmitted pictures and 95.5% of live pictures (P>.05). Diagnosis was made in 84.8% of transmitted cases and 93.8% of live cases (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Low bandwidth (128 kb/s) telemedicine application in surgery is reliable in evaluating remote cases. Loss of image quality through teletransmission occurred in 2.7% of cases, and diagnosis was not possible in 15.2% of transmitted vs 6.2% of live cases, suggesting factors other than technical quality (choice of radiological studies, additional clinical information required, etc). This underscores the importance of real-time interactive discussion during surgical teleconferences.

Cohort Studies↗