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Biomedical subjects

D T Lai

Publications and source records attributed to D T Lai.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Colour-coded duplex ultrasonography in selection of patients for transluminal angioplasty.

Transluminal angioplasty can be used to relieve symptomatic lower extremity arterial disease with minimal morbidity. This prospective study compares the accuracy of colour-coded duplex ultrasonography with intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography in selection of femoro-popliteal lesions for angioplasty. Isolated, short (< 6 cm) and haemodynamically significant stenosis (> 50% reduction in diameter) were considered for angioplasty. Colour-duplex selection and exclusion was in agreement with angiography in 68 out of 86 lower limbs (79%). The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of colour duplex compared with angiography yielded values of 60.9, 87.5, 60.9 and 85.7%, respectively. The discrepancy between colour duplex and digital subtraction angiography can be partly explained by the tendency of duplex to underestimate the severity and length of disease. It is concluded that colour-coded duplex can be used as a screening tool for lower extremity arterial disease to select appropriate lesions for endovascular procedures. The accuracy of duplex in the present study was not perfect and the decision for further intervention should be based on clinical grounds.

Angiography, Digital Subtraction↗

Fungating carcinoma of the stomach: en bloc multiple organ resection and abdominal wall reconstruction.

A patient with carcinoma of the stomach invading multiple adjacent organs and fungating through the anterior abdominal wall was treated by en bloc multiple organ resection and abdominal wall reconstruction. The patient is alive and well at the time of writing, six months after the operation. The rationale for embarking on multiple organ resection for gastric cancer is discussed. However, such an aggressive surgical approach should only be applied to carefully selected patients who are medically fit and have no evidence of widespread systemic metastases.

Abdominal Muscles↗

Maximizing efficacy and minimizing toxicity in isolated limb perfusion for melanoma.

Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with melphalan is an effective treatment for recurrent melanoma, but complete remission is achieved only in about 40% of patients. Regional toxicity is common, causing short-term disability and occasional longterm incapacity. Methods to maximize the efficacy and minimize the toxicity were investigated in 210 ILPs undertaken at the Sydney Melanoma Unit. Toxicity was found to be related to peak melphalan concentration, as well as to the area under the curve and maximum temperature. A dye dilution technique has been developed to measure perfusion circuit volume, so that a drug dose can be given to achieve an appropriate concentration. ILP with cisplatin was less effective and produced greater toxicity than ILP with melphalan; other drugs and drug combinations warrant investigation. Prophylactic ondansetron successfully controlled post-operative nausea and vomiting in most patients. Daily measurement of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) allowed early recognition of impending severe toxicity, with the greatest risk if CPK exceeded 1000 IU/l after the first post-perfusion day. Isolated limb 'infusion' (ILI) with melphalan, using percutaneously inserted catheters, is a much simpler procedure than ILP and has been found to be effective and easily repeated. The morbidity of ILP and ILI may be minimized by excluding the foot or hand with a rubber bandage.

Chemotherapy, Cancer, Regional Perfusion↗

Obturator foramen bypass in the management of infected prosthetic vascular grafts.

The obturator foramen bypass graft remains an excellent option for revascularizing the lower extremity when dealing with an infected prosthetic vascular graft in the groin. In this series, six obturator foramen bypass grafts were performed in five patients for infectious groin complications following vascular surgery. Conservative measures such as local antibiotic irrigation and abscess drainage designed to preserve the graft in situ had failed to eradicate the infection in all instances and was complicated by suture-line haemorrhage in three instances. An aggressive approach should be adopted, aimed at excision of the infected graft. The obturator foramen bypass graft remains a durable graft for limb salvage. Five out of six obturator foramen bypass grafts were patent after 11-26 months follow up.

Abscess↗