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Biomedical subjects

F Langer

Publications and source records attributed to F Langer.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Valve-preserving replacement of the ascending aorta: remodeling versus reimplantation.

OBJECTIVE: Aortic valve regurgitation in combination with dilatation of the ascending aorta and root requires a combined procedure to restore valve function and eliminate pathologic dilatation of the proximal aorta. Two techniques have been proposed for this purpose; the aortic root may be either remodeled with an especially configured vascular graft or replaced with reimplantation of the aortic valve within the graft. We have used both techniques depending on the individual pathologic condition of the aortic root. METHODS: Of 107 patients undergoing operation for proximal aortic disease between October 1995 and November 1997, 40 patients had morphologically intact aortic valve leaflets in conjunction with dilatation of the aortic root. Of these, 15 patients underwent an operation as a surgical emergency for acute aortic dissection type A. In 29 instances, root remodeling in conjunction with ascending aortic replacement was performed; 11 patients underwent radical replacement of the proximal aorta with reimplantation of the aortic valve. Partial or total arch replacement was performed additionally in 27 of these patients. Other concomitant procedures were coronary artery bypass grafts (n = 11) and mitral reconstruction (n = 1). RESULTS: Two patients died after repair of acute aortic dissection, for a total operative mortality rate of 5%. No patient died after elective surgery. Aortic valve function could be effectively restored with both techniques. No patient underwent reoperation on the proximal aorta; freedom from aortic regurgitation of grade II or more at 1 year is 88% with both techniques. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on individual root pathologic condition, both the remodeling and the reimplantation techniques appeared to have their individual merits. Both result in adequate restoration of aortic valve function and elimination of pathologic aortic dilatation.

Adult↗

[Aneurysm of the aortic arch: presenting as mediastinal tumor].

We report the case of a 62-year-old woman who presented with severe abdominal pain. The routine chest x-ray showed an anterior mediastinal mass measuring approximately 10 cm in diameter. CT-Scan and angiography demonstrated an aneurysm of the aortic arch compromising the left pulmonary artery and main bronchus. An additional aneurysm of the abdominal aorta and right iliac artery was seen, which apparently led to the abdominal symptoms. Coronary angiography revealed coronary artery disease. The aortic arch aneurysm was treated by interposition of a vascular graft. Aorto-coronary bypass grafts were implanted. The abdominal aneurysm was resected in a staged approach after recovery from the first operation.

Aorta, Thoracic↗

Complex acetabular reconstruction for metastatic tumor.

Twenty-six hips were reconstructed in 25 patients with periacetabular metastatic lesions. Twelve hip reconstructions were performed using a modified Harrington technique with polymethyl methacrylate, cancellous screws, and reinforcement rings (type I). Fourteen hip reconstructions were performed using bulk bone-graft and reinforcement rings (type II). According to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional rating score, there was no appreciable difference between the two types of reconstructions. Either technique can give satisfactory results depending on the anatomic location and extent of bone loss. Careful patient selection is the prime determinant of a successful outcome.

Acetabulum↗

Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of bone. A clinicopathologic study.

BACKGROUND: This study relates our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of a rare clinical entity, non-Hodgkin's primary lymphoma of bone. METHODS: Seventeen cases of patients with primary lymphoma of bone diagnosed and treated at a single institution between 1975 and 1992 are reviewed. Ten patients received combined-modality therapy, consisting of an anthracycline-containing combination chemotherapy (CT) regimen, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) to the primary site of disease. Five patients were treated with CT alone; one patient received RT alone; and one patient was treated with CT after emergency RT for spinal cord compression. RESULTS: Thirteen patients presented with Stage I disease, two with Stage II; and two with Stage IV disease (multiple bony sites only). Thirteen patients had an intermediate-grade diffuse large cell lymphoma; two had an intermediate-grade mixed small and large cell lymphoma; and two had a high-grade lymphoma (one immunoblastic and one small non-cleaved cell lymphoma). The overall response rate was 94% (18% complete response, 58% partial response 1, and 18% partial response 2). Thirteen patients are alive and disease-free at a median of 29 months; 10 of these received CT+RT, and 3 received CT alone. Three patients have died; one of these received CT+RT and one CT alone, and one relapsed immediately after CT. One patient, who was initially treated with RT and then with CT+RT after relapse, was lost to follow-up 40 months from the start of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Because experience in the literature suggests a 50% distant relapse rate in primary lymphoma of bone treated with RT alone, our policy is to treat all patients with combined-modality therapy (CT+RT). However, only a Phase III randomized, controlled clinical trial will determine whether CT+RT is superior to either modality alone.

Adolescent↗

Fresh osteochondral allografts for advanced giant cell tumors at the knee.

Sixteen patients with advanced giant cell tumors presenting at the knee were treated with complete tumor resection and reconstruction using fresh osteochondral allografts. All patients had one or more of the following indications for tumor resection (as opposed to curettage): tumor recurrence, pathologic fracture, or destruction of the subchondral bone plate. At the 3-15-year follow-up period (mean, 9 years), two grafts have been revised to second fresh grafts because of fracture and one graft has been converted to an allograft-implant composite reconstruction. One joint was fused because of late infection. Functional assessment was carried out in 13 patients, and 8 were good or excellent, 4 were fair, and 1 was poor. The authors conclude that the fresh osteochondral allograft is a viable treatment alternative to prosthetic arthroplasty in advanced, benign, aggressive bone tumors.

Adult↗

Wound-healing complications after soft-tissue sarcoma surgery.

One-hundred and eighty patients undergoing limb-salvage surgery for soft-tissue sarcoma from 1986 to 1991 were assessed retrospectively for risk factors associated with major wound-healing complications. Twenty-three of 137 patients (16 percent) treated with primary direct wound closure sustained complications. In univariate analysis, the cross-sectional area of tumor resection, the use of preoperative irradiation, the width of the skin excision, a history of smoking, and a history of diabetes and/or vascular disease were associated with wound failure. Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative irradiation (p = 0.04) and resection diameter (p = 0.017) accounted for the risk of complications. Eighteen additional patients were treated empirically with distant vascularized tissue transfer following preoperative irradiation because of concerns regarding potential wound complications. The lower complication rate in this group suggested that vascularized tissue transfer may be beneficial in lowering wound complication rates.

Adolescent↗

Paraspinal soft-tissue sarcoma. Classification of 14 cases.

Fourteen patients were treated surgically for soft-tissue sarcoma arising in the paraspinal muscles. Eleven patients received adjuvant irradiation administered before or after resection. In describing the treatment and outcomes of these patients, a new classification of paraspinal soft-tissue sarcoma is introduced that is based on the anatomic relationship of the tumor to the spinal lamina and the epidural space. This classification can be used in planning combined modality treatment for paravertebral sarcomas. Lesions that extend through the lamina into the epidural space present an unanswered problem for local control.

Adult↗

[Fresh osteochondral transplants in the treatment of advanced giant cell tumors].

Eighteen patients with advanced giant cell tumors were treated with complete tumor resection and reconstruction using fresh osteochondral allografts. All patients had one or more of the following indications for tumor resection (as opposed to curettage): tumor recurrence, pathological fracture, or destruction of the subchondral bone plate. At the 4- to 16-year follow-up (mean 9 years), two grafts were revised to a second fresh graft because of fracture, one graft was converted to an allograft implant composite and two joints were fused because of infection. The functional results were assessed in 14 patients: 9 were good or excellent, 4 fair and 1 poor. We conclude that the fresh osteochondral allograft is a viable treatment alternative to prosthetic replacement in advanced benign, aggressive bone tumors.

Adult↗

Wound healing complications in soft tissue sarcoma management: comparison of three treatment protocols.

A prospective, nonrandomized comparison of three treatment protocols was undertaken in 45 patients with soft tissue sarcoma designated preoperatively as being at high risk of wound healing complications. All patients underwent complete resection of the gross tumour mass (5 with positive and 40 with negative microscopic margins). Fourteen patients received postoperative adjuvant irradiation (group I), 16 preoperative irradiation (group II), and 15 preoperative irradiation and vascularized tissue transfer to the surgical bed after resection (group III). Major wound healing complications (defined as complications requiring at least 1 further surgical procedure) were lower in group III patients (chi-square = 5.57, P less than 0.03), as was the mean postoperative hospital stay (P less than 0.02, analysis of variance), and the mean number of secondary surgical procedures. Multivariate analysis showed that the only variable influencing length of stay was the use of tissue transfer. Careful intraoperative assessment of the adequacy of resection is essential prior to performing vascularized tissue transfer to ensure that tumour contamination of the donor site is avoided. Since this study is a nonrandomized clinical trial using sequential distribution of patients to the treatment groups, the data should be considered as preliminary, rather than definitive, evidence of the efficacy of vascularized tissue transfer.

Combined Modality Therapy↗

Functional outcome in patients treated with surgery and irradiation for soft tissue tumours.

One hundred five consecutive patients underwent surgical resection and adjuvant irradiation in treatment of soft tissue sarcoma or aggressive fibromatosis. All patients were entered in a prospective study evaluating functional outcome and 88 patients were examined at 12 months following surgery. Outcome was characterized using the Enneking system as well as documenting employment/recreational status and limb edema. Sixty-eight of 88 patients had functional scores of 21 or better (out of a possible total of 35). Forty-four patients were serially evaluated at 12 and 24 months and there was no difference in their outcome at the 2 time points. Univariate analysis demonstrated that large tumour size, postoperative complications, and neural sacrifice were associated with poor functional outcome.

Adolescent↗

Fractures following limb-salvage surgery and adjuvant irradiation for soft-tissue sarcoma.

In a prospective study, consecutive patients were treated for soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) by wide resection and adjuvant irradiation. Twelve patients had resection of bone to achieve a tumor free margin; five of these patients were left with lower extremity open segmental cortical defects in the high-dose radiation field. Four of the five patients with cortical defects suffered a fracture through the defect more than six months after surgery. Only one of 71 patients not treated with bony resection suffered a late fracture. Patients requiring bony cortex resection for STS of the lower extremity should be considered at risk for late fracture if adjuvant irradiation is prescribed.

Adult↗

Allograft-implant composite reconstruction following periacetabular sarcoma resection.

Ten patients with primary periacetabular sarcomas were treated with internal hemipelvectomy and allograft-implant composite reconstruction. Three patients developed local recurrences, one of which was salvaged with repeat resection. One patient underwent hemipelvectomy for infected wound recurrence. At a mean follow-up period of 25 months (range, 7-85 months; median, 18 months), six of nine patients assessed with the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional assessment had satisfactory results, with scores of 21 or better (of a possible 35). Although complications were frequent and functional scores were often limited by the muscle resection required for adequate tumor removal, we remain cautiously optimistic about the early results of this procedure.

Acetabulum↗

Modified Van Nes rotationplasty for osteosarcoma of the proximal tibia in children.

Above-knee amputation has been the traditional treatment for osteosarcoma of the proximal tibia. Recent advances in chemotherapy have encouraged the development of limb-salvage techniques. Van Nes rotationplasty for malignant lesions of the distal femur has increased in popularity as a reconstructive technique, but no similar procedure has been described for lesions of the proximal tibia. We have developed a modified rotationplasty for this lesion and have performed it in four children. The surgical technique, postoperative management and results of the procedure are described. Two patients had delayed wound healing. No other complications have developed and our patients were disease-free at follow-up, while the appearance of the leg was well accepted by the patients and their parents. This procedure is a useful addition to the armamentarium of the tumour surgeon for the treatment of malignant lesions of the proximal tibia.

Amputation, Surgical↗

The inguinal sarcoma: a review of five cases.

A review of five patients who presented during a 3-year period with sarcoma arising in the inguinal canal demonstrated that the lesion is frequently mistaken for a hernia. In three of the patients incomplete excision of the inguinal mass resulted in spread of the lesion beyond the inguinal canal. The authors suggest that neoplastic lesions discovered in the inguinal canal should be evaluated by a small incisional biopsy followed by wide resection if sarcoma is confirmed on pathological examination. Preoperative irradiation and re-excision should be considered if widespread microscopic disease remains after excisional biopsy.

Adult↗

Complications and functional results after limb-salvage surgery and radiotherapy for difficult mesenchymal neoplasms: a prospective analysis.

Wide resection with adjuvant radiotherapy is generally accepted as the optimal treatment for patients with extremity soft-tissue sarcomas. However, there is a subset of patients with "difficult" tumours who sustain such marked loss of function from limb-salvage procedures that amputation might offer a superior functional alternative. To evaluate this issue, the authors prospectively designated 19 of 52 patients registered in Toronto's Princess Margaret Hospital Prospective Sarcoma Database in 1986 as "difficult" cases, on the basis of tumour size and anatomical location. Complications and functional results of wide resection and adjuvant radiotherapy were documented. The most frequent complication was related to wound healing (8 of 19 patients). Functional analysis at 1 year follow-up demonstrated that all 19 patients had results superior to those that would be expected with amputation.

Adult↗

The surgical margin in soft-tissue sarcoma.

In a retrospective review of 231 patients who were referred to Princess Margaret Hospital because of a soft-tissue sarcoma in an extremity, 100 patients were identified who had no metastases when they were first seen and who had been treated by local resection and adjuvant radiation therapy. Complete data were collected for each patient for the following variables: age; sex; location of the tumor and its size, grade, depth, and compartmental status; chemotherapy; and dose of radiation. The surgical margins were characterized as positive or negative for histological evidence of disease on the basis of an independent review of the pathological and operative reports by a surgeon and a radiation oncologist who were experienced in the management of sarcoma. Cox multivariate analysis was used to determine which of these variables contributed to local recurrence and evidence of systemic disease. Adequacy of the margin of resection was the only variable that was associated with local relapse (p = 0.0004). The size of the tumor (p = 0.0008) was the major determinant of the risk of systemic disease.

Adolescent↗

A clinical and histologic analysis of failed fresh osteochondral allografts.

Fresh small osteochondral allografts were implanted in 108 patients. A clinical and histologic analysis was undertaken in 18 patients whose grafts failed and were excised. Twelve of these patients had evidence of viable hyaline cartilage despite adverse conditions. If careful attention is given to patient selection, age, appropriate timing for correction of alignment, and meticulous technique associated with graft positioning, size, and thickness, then the incidence of clinical failure should be minimized.

Adolescent↗