Biomedical subjects

D Wesson

Publications and source records attributed to D Wesson.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1991

Prograde dilatation with Tucker bougies: a technique for managing postoperative rectal strictures.

Postoperative rectal stricture is an occasional complication of abdominoperineal pull-through and low anterior resection of the rectum. Although the causes and pathogenesis of this phenomenon are poorly understood, various techniques for stricture dilatation have been described. In this article, we present two cases of severe postoperative rectal strictures that were not amenable to conventional methods of dilatation but were successfully managed by a technique of dilatation using Tucker bougies without general anesthesia.

Dilatation↗

PubMed1991

Respiratory failure due to retained esophagus: a complication of esophageal replacement.

Recurrent fistulas occur in about 10% of infants treated for esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula. Failed repair of a recurrent fistula rarely requires esophageal replacement and removal or diversion of the native esophagus. We present a patient who underwent multiple operations for recurrent tracheosophageal fistula whose native esophagus was eventually replaced with a colonic interposition graft. Over the subsequent 9 years he experienced failure to thrive, respiratory distress, and repeated pulmonary infections attributed to chronic aspiration. Eventually, he developed respiratory failure and required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. He became increasingly difficult to ventilate and, in spite of aggressive efforts, suffered a cardiac arrest from which he could not be resuscitated. At postmortem, a dilated blind segment of native esophagus, which was compressing and obstructing the malacic trachea, was found in the posterior mediastinum. Death was caused by massive air embolus, which was in turn attributed to the high airway pressures needed to ventilate the patient. Tracheal compression by a remnant of native esophagus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of respiratory failure after esophageal replacement.

Child↗

PubMed1990

A 13-year experience with peritoneal drainage under local anesthesia for necrotizing enterocolitis perforation.

Between 1974 and 1986, inclusive, over 400 newborns with clinical, radiological, and/or pathological evidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) were treated at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario. Within this group were 37 babies who had a bowel perforation that was treated with peritoneal drainage under local anesthesia. Eighty-eight percent of the 41 weighed less than 1,500 g and 65% weighed less than 1,000 g; during the same time 40 other neonates (9% of the total) with perforated NEC had laparotomies. Twelve neonates (32%) required only drainage with complete recovery of their intestinal tracts. The remaining 25 (68%) fell into one of three groups: (1) nine (24%) had rapid downhill course, sepsis, and death without laparotomy; (2) nine (24%) had rapid downhill course, sepsis, and laparotomy (five deaths); (3) seven (20%) had slow development of bowel obstruction requiring operation (two deaths). The overall survival rate was 56%. These results continue to indicate that this method is effective in temporizing 88% of the small and/or very ill babies with a NEC perforation. However, an added bonus is that 32% of these newborns treated in this fashion had complete resolution of their disease.

Anesthesia, Local↗

PubMed1990

Recurrent pheochromocytomas in children.

Between 1958 and 1987, 13 children (aged 8 to 17 years) with 20 pheochromocytomas were diagnosed and treated. Five of these 13 had multiple (12) tumors and four patients had five recurrences in 6 years (1980 to 1986). There were three girls and one boy between 8 and 15 years of age. One girl had von Hippel-Lindau disease. Three of four original tumors were adrenal and less than 6 cm in diameter. All were excised without complications and went home normotensive. The five recurrent tumors were diagnosed and treated within 6 years of the original tumor when the children were 9 to 17 years; their presenting symptoms and signs (3 months) were hypertension plus others, not necessarily the same as previously. Computed tomography scan was again positive in the three that had this test; vanillylmandelic acid was the only uniformly positive biochemical test. Norepinephrines were positive in the three patients examined. The three girls had their recurrent tumors found in the opposite adrenal and the boy once again had two more tumors (adrenal and chest); all tumors were less than 3 cm in diameter and easily excised. They remain normotensive and well up to 8 years. Within this small group of recurrences, there was no specific pattern that would have led one to suspect that they would return with another pheo. There was nothing unusual about their recurrent tumor, except that it was usually in the opposite adrenal; only one of the four children has no remaining adrenal tissue. Although follow-up is important, recurrent pheochromocytomas seem to be heralded by recurrent symptoms and signs of hypertension.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Percutaneous drainage of traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts in children.

To determine the effectiveness of percutaneous drainage of traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts, we reviewed the courses of 13 children. Six pseudocysts resolved on complete bowel rest and total parenteral nutrition. Seven required further therapy. Two pseudocysts were treated operatively; five were drained percutaneously with fluoroscopic guidance. These five ranged from 5 to 15 cm in diameter and were present for 10 to 42 days (mean, 26 days). In all cases, the cyst fluid was clear, had an amylase level of greater than 40,000 IU/L, and grew no organisms. The pigtail catheters left in place in four of the five children were removed when drainage stopped. Patients were followed by ultrasound while still in the hospital and 1 month after discharge. There were no complications nor any pseudocyst recurrence. Percutaneous drainage of traumatic pancreatic pseudocysts in children is an effective alternative to the standard operative therapy of pseudocystenteric anastomosis.

Abdominal Injuries↗

PubMed1990

Thoracic vascular injuries: a post mortem study.

We reviewed the coroner's records for all pediatric (less than 16 years of age) trauma fatalities in Ontario (population, 9.5 million) for the period January 1, 1985, through December 31, 1987. Twenty-six (8%) of the 322 cases for which complete autopsy data were available had major thoracic vascular injuries. Twenty-five deaths occurred within 6 hours of injury. The majority of patients had at least one AIS 6 injury. The aorta was the most frequently injured vessel. Major thoracic vascular injuries are more common among children than previous reports suggest, probably because they are rapidly fatal. Many deaths occur in the field, at local hospitals, or in transit before the patient can reach a trauma center. Efforts to reduce the number of total thoracic vascular injuries should focus on primary and secondary prevention.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Esophageal atresia with distal tracheoesophageal fistula: associated anomalies and prognosis in the 1980s.

Ninety-seven newborns with esophageal atresia and distal tracheoesophageal fistula (EA-TEF) were treated between 1979 and 1985 inclusive; there were 54 boys and 43 girls. Their weights ranged from 800 to 4,000 g (average, 2.5 kg). They included: 28 neonates with cardiac defects (most common: patent ductus arteriosus [PDA], ventricular septal defect and atrial septal defect [VSD-ASD]), of whom 18 survived (64%); 17 babies with other gastrointestinal anomalies (imperforate anus, duodenal atresia), of whom 12 survived (70%); 12 patients with skeletal malformations (digital, vertebral), of whom 11 survived (91%); 8 newborns with genitourinary abnormalities (hypospadias, undescended testis), of whom 6 survived (75%); and 16 infants with other congenital lesions (trisomy 18, lung agenesis-hypoplasia), of whom 3 survived (18%). Forty-six infants (average, 2.7 kg) had no other anomalies and all survived. As the number of systems with defects increased, both the weight of the baby and survival rate decreased. From this entire series of 97 newborns with EA-TEF, 81 (83%) survived (average, 2.3 kg). Sixteen babies died (average, 1.9 kg); 11 had defects incompatible with life. Eleven of the 16 were never operated on (seven patients with trisomy died within 5 days, and four patients with complex cardiac defects died within 3 weeks). Four of the 16 who were operated on died between 3 months and 2 years from chest problems and one newborn died in the operating room. We concluded that (1) newborns who have the common type of EA-TEF will almost certainly survive if there are no other anomalies; (2) the most frequently associated congenital defects are cardiovascular (28%), gastrointestinal (17%), skeletal (12%), and genitourinary (8%); (3) as the number of systems with defects increases, the weight of the baby and its survival rate fall; and (4) 11% will have trisomy and/or complex cardiac defects with no survival.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

PubMed1989

Total-body protein turnover in parenterally fed neonates: effects of energy source studied by using [15N]glycine and [1-13C]leucine.

The effects of nonprotein energy source (ie, glucose only vs glucose and lipid) on nitrogen retention and total-body protein turnover were studied in 20 parenterally fed newborn infants. All infants received approximately 3 g amino acids and 80-90 kcal.kg body wt.d. Total-body protein synthesis was estimated by using three constant-infusion, end-product methods: enrichment of urinary urea and ammonia in response to a [15N]glycine label and exhaled carbon dioxide enrichment in response to a [1-13C]leucine label. No differences were seen in nitrogen retention between the two energy sources. The estimate of total-body protein turnover obtained from the 13C label was similar to that obtained with the [15N]urea label. No differences in turnover rates were observed between the two diet groups. Use of the glucose-plus-lipid fuel system enhanced energy storage and the reutilization of amino acid for protein synthesis.

Ammonia↗

PubMed1989

A comparison of the estimates of whole-body protein turnover in parenterally fed neonates obtained using three different end products.

Protein turnover rates in neonates have been calculated largely by measuring urinary [15N]urea enrichment following administration of [15N]glycine. Although ammonia has been increasingly recognized as an end product of nitrogen metabolism, in neonates it yields a different estimate of protein turnover than does urea. Comparisons of ammonia and urea end products in parenterally fed neonates have not previously been reported. A third and independent way of estimating protein turnover, developed for adults, is to use breath 13CO2 as an end product following administration of [1-13C]leucine. We therefore carried out simultaneous measurements of protein turnover in 10 parenterally fed neonates, using the three end products. The infants were clinically stable, weighed 2.6 +/- 0.2 kg, and received 3.1 +/- 0.2 g.kg-1.d-1 of amino acid, 2.2 +/- 0.1 g.kg-1.d-1 of lipids, and an energy intake of 90 +/- 4 kcal.kg-1.d-1 (1 kcal = 4.186 kJ). The turnover estimates derived from the 13CO2 and [15N]urea end products were very similar. The [15N]ammonia end product produced values approximately 66% (p less than 0.01) of the other two. We conclude that the ammonia and urea end products probably originate in different precursor pools. The similarity of the urea and breath carbon dioxide results helps validate the use of the urea end product in studying the nitrogen metabolism of parenterally fed neonates. Ideally in future studies two or more end products should be used, since they provide information about different aspects of the neonates' protein metabolism.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed1986

A central venous (W-B-W) catheter for multipurpose vascular access in children.

A central venous (W-B-W) catheter has been developed for vascular access in children of all ages and sizes. The catheter design and implantation technique permit nonsurgical bedside adjustment of catheter position and ease of removal. Multiple possible uses include intravenous fluid administration, blood sampling, central venous pressure monitoring, and plasma exchange therapy in addition to hemodialysis. Twenty-seven W-B-W catheters were placed in 24 patients in a 12-month period. The catheter provided adequate blood flow for hemodialysis. Seven catheters were removed nonelectively in five patients. One episode of catheter-associated sepsis occurred after renal transplantation in a patient on immunosuppressive therapy. It is concluded that the W-B-W catheter is a relatively safe, multipurpose, pain-free acute vascular access for children, which may also suffice for chronic hemodialysis.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Straight ileoanal anastomosis and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in the surgical management of idiopathic ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis coli in children: follow-up and comparative analysis.

We compared the postoperative course in children and teenagers who underwent subtotal colectomy, mucosal proctectomy, and either straight ileoanal anastomosis (group 1, n = 8) or ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (group 2, n = 10) for the surgical treatment of idiopathic ulcerative colitis (n = 15) and familial polyposis coli (n = 3). Two of eight children in group 1 developed intractable diarrhea that persisted despite revision of the anastomosis to include an ileal pouch; therefore, ileostomies were necessary in both cases. One patient in group 2 had a diverting ileostomy as a result of abscess formation at the site of the ileoanal anastomosis. Despite a longer period of postoperative follow-up (48.9 +/- 11.8 months), the remaining six patients in group 1 had a significantly greater number of bowel movements each day (7.8 +/- 6.5) as compared with the nine patients in group 2 who had 4.8 +/- 2.6 stools each day (p less than 0.05) at a mean follow-up of 15.7 +/- 9.0 months. A proportion of children in both groups had a poor postoperative functional outcome as determined by fecal incontinence (2 of 6 in group 1, 6 of 9 in group 2), perianal dermatitis (2 of 6, 4 of 9), and therapy with the antidiarrheal agent loperamide (4 of 6, 2 of 9). Increased school attendance (5 of 6, 7 of 7) and improvement in level of participation in social activities (5 of 6, 7 of 7) as compared with the 6-month period prior to surgery occurred, however, for most of the children with ulcerative colitis in both groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Ileoanal anastomosis with and without reservoir in children and adolescents with ulcerative rectocolitis and familial polyposis].

We compared the postoperative evolution of patients in whom an ileoanal anastomosis was performed, with (group 1, n:9) an without (group 2, n:7) an ileal reservoir. 3 of the 9 patients in group 1 developed intractable diarrhea, it was necessary to reoperate these children and to construct an ileal reservoir. It was not necessary to reoperate any of the group 2 patients; 2 of whom still have an ileostomy due to the presence of preanastomotic abscess. These 2 last patients where excluded from the following analysis. 2 months after surgery, children in group 1 had 16 +/- 2 bowel movements a day, compared with 8 +/- 2 in group 2, p less than 0.05. Children in group 1 did less well than those in group 2 when the following parameters were compared: fecal incontinence (7/9 vs 0/5), perianal dermatitis (6/9 vs. 1/5), treatment with antidiarrheal agents (5/9 vs 0/5), missing school (4/9 vs 0/5) and diminished social activities (4/9 vs 0/5). We conclude that in children who require colectomy, better results are obtained when an ileoanal anastomosis with ileal reservoir is performed.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Home injuries to children.

To describe the circumstances around childhood injuries in the home, information on home injuries to children was collected in the emergency room of a pediatric trauma centre as part of an injury surveillance program. During a one-year period, data on 1,538 patients (age < or = 18 years) injured at home were recorded. An inverse s-shape association of home injuries with age was observed. Falls were the leading cause (51%); other children were struck by objects (18%) or sustained cutting/piercing injuries (9%). Age was positively associated with the likelihood of being struck by objects, cutting/piercing, and overexertion, but negatively associated with falls. Playing was the most common activity at time of injury. The peak time of injuries tended to be the early evening. Because most injuries occurred in an environment that seemed safe to parents, reduction in home injuries may require identification of potential hazards in the context of the stages of children's psychological and motor development.

Accidents, Home↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Pediatric injuries: parental knowledge, attitudes and needs.

OBJECTIVE: To understand current parental knowledge, attitudes and information needs about childhood injuries. METHOD: Telephone survey of 1,516 parents in Metropolitan Toronto and Barrie. RESULTS: Over half of the parents knew that injuries were the leading cause of death and about 70% believed that injuries were the most preventable of major health disorders. However, most parents were not particularly concerned, and most had limited understanding of the major causes of injury. Traditional modes of receiving safety information by obtaining pamphlets from doctors' offices or drug stores and through media coverage were preferred. CONCLUSIONS: Although parents were aware of the risk of general childhood injury, they need to be educated about specific injury risks and effective countermeasures. A concerted and thoughtful effort is needed to market safety information for parents in Ontario.

Adolescent↗