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Biomedical subjects

G Heberer

Publications and source records attributed to G Heberer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-dependent suppression of interleukin alpha (IL-2) production in patients with major trauma.

The depression of interleukin-2 synthesis represents a major dysfunction within the cascade of immunologic defects induced by mechanical and thermal trauma. This study was undertaken to elucidate the negative control mechanisms that were responsible for the deficiency of IL-2 production in polytraumatized patients. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC's) from 29 patients (average age, 35.8 years; average ISS, 35) were separated on post-trauma days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 and cultured as untreated cells (C), cells treated with indomethacin (C + INDO), and cells depleted of adherent cells (C-AC). Cell cultures were assayed for proliferative responses to PHA, IL-2 synthesis, PGE2 production, gamma-interferon levels, and phenotyping studies. On all days post-trauma there was found a marked reduction of IL-2 production compared to controls with a highly significant nadir from day 5 to day 10 with an almost 80% inhibition of IL-2 (p less than 0.005). C + INDO cells showed increases of IL-2 synthesis over untreated cells ranging from 48% (Day 1) to 220% (Day 7). Removal of adherent cells (C-AC) did not reverse the suppression of IL-2 production. gamma-interferon levels were depressed in parallel with IL-2 levels but did not increase with C + INDO. The phenotyping of the PBMC's showed highly significant suppression of OKT3+, OKT4+, and IL-2R+ lymphocytes as well as a highly significant elevation of the monocyte (p less than 0.005) count. There was a highly significant increase of PGE2 synthesis from monocytes, due to the monocytosis and to a higher capacity of synthesis of the individual cells following trauma. PGE2 levels peaked on Day 5 and 7 post-trauma at 400% of control (p less than 0.005). These data suggest that the suppression of IL-2 synthesis post trauma is caused mainly by two factors: the excessive PGE2 output of inhibitory monocytes and inadequate function in immature and/or blocked lymphocytes. The partial restoration of IL-2 synthesis by indomethacin suggests that blockade of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway as an immunomodulating therapy may reverse some of the immunologic abnormalities in multiple trauma patients.

Adult

Traumatic aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta.

From July 1979 to December 1985 we observed 51 patients with traumatic lesions of the descending thoracic aorta. Twenty-nine had acute ruptures, mostly accompanied by multiple injuries, and 27 had to be operated upon immediately. Twenty-two patients (19 males, 3 females) had chronic traumatic aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta (more than six weeks after trauma). Mean age at the time of trauma was 24 years. Mean age at time of surgery was 36.5 years. Twelve patients were symptomatic. All were treated surgically. At surgery, complete aortic disruption was found in 15 patients and partial rupture in seven. We did not use aortic shunting of any kind, only aortic cross-clamping. Hypertension was controlled by intravenous drug infusion. The ruptured aortic segment was replaced in all cases by prosthetic Dacron graft. There were no operative deaths. One patient (age 77) died 11 weeks after surgery from multiple organ failure. One case of postoperative paraplegia was observed. This patient recovered almost completely from his neurological deficit.

Adult

[Results of repair and direct reconstructive procedures of the sphincter system].

Direct sphincter repair gives good surgical results. In 8 out of 10 patients operated on, incontinence was clearly improved. In 15 patients posterior repair was performed simultaneously with posterior rectosigmoidal resection because of rectal prolapse. 14 patients had been incontinent. Incontinence was improved clearly in 7 patients, remained unchanged in 4 and worsened in 3. However, the good clinical results did not correspond completely to those achieved by perfusion manometry.

Anal Canal

[Diagnosis and treatment of acute injuries to the heart and intrathoracic vessels (author's transl)].

The massive blood loss that accompanies penetrating chest wounds involving the heart or intrathoracic vessels generally leaves no option but to act immediately. Blunt chest trauma in combination with other injuries makes particularly stringent demands on diagnostic and therapeutic skills. Most injuries to the intrathoracic aorta are in the form of intiially closed tears of the descending part; but rupture is an ever-present threat. The symptoms are: enlargement of the mediastinum in the chest roentgenogram, differences in blood pressure between the upper and lower half of the body and haemothorax. Whenever possible aortography should be performed to locate the site of the rupture. The therapeutic measures are determined by the extent and severity of the various injuries.

Aortic Rupture

[Tracheoesophageal fistula after blunt thoracic trauma: recognition and treatment].

Three cases of tracheoesophageal fistula as a result of nonpenetrating chest trauma were surgically repaired. Another 31 cases were found in the literature. 'Thrown against a steering wheel' was the cause of injury in the majority of patients. Though the fistula became characteristically symptomatic 3 to 7 days after the accident, the diagnosis was often delayed for several months. No patient recovered without operation. After demarcation of the area of contusion and necrosis, especially in the esophagus wall, surgical repair is the therapy of choice.

Accidents, Traffic

[Surgical treatment of inflammatory diseases of the colon : ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis].

Operations and follow-up examinations were conducted on 106 patients with ulcerative colitis, 33 with colitis Crohn, and 163 with diverticulitis, at the University Clinics of Cologne and Munich. Overall mortality rates were 24.5% (n = 26), 6.1% (n = 2) and 16% (n = 26), respectively. In the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis the possibility of malignant degeneration and, in the case of Crohn's disease, prevention of recurrences must be taken into consideration. Whether Crohn's disease is a precancerous conditions remains to be clarified. Choosing the optimal time for operative intervention is as important in diverticulitis as in ulcerative colitis. Because of the possibility of complications and the high risk of operation, early intervention is recommended for diverticulitis.

Adult

[Clinical aspects, diagnosis and treatment of organic hyperinsulinism. Experience with 46 operated patients (author's transl)].

The clinical picture of organic hyperinsulinism is presented with reference to experience in 46 operated patients. For the recognition of disease, a careful history is a decisive contribution. The hunger test showed a characteristic hypoglycemic reaction in 100%; the tolbutamide test gave a positive result in 92%. Insulinomas could be localized angiographically in 71%; in one patient this could only be done with an ERCT. The treatment of choice is operation as soon as possible. If possible, enucleation is to be given preference over pancreas resection because of the low complication rate. A search for ectopic (2%) and multiple (12%) adenomas is important. A cure was achieved in 76% of all those operated on. The hospital mortality was about 4%.

Adenoma

[Malignant polyps and early recognized carcinomas of the rectum. Morphological aspects and selective surgical treatment (author's transl)].

The lymphatic drainage of the colon and rectum originates in the submucosal layer. Therefore metastases do not arise from carcinomas confined to the mucosa, and for the same reason the WHO lately recommended to call these lesions severe atypism. The term adenocarcinoma should be reserved in the case of infiltration of the carcinoma into the submucosa. According to the features outlined above adenomas of the rectum showing severe atypism can be removed by careful excision of the mucosa. Even adenomas containing an early diagnosed adenocarcinoma up to 2.5 cm in diameter often can be cured by a local resection of the rectal wall, if no metastases have occurred. From 1971--December 1, 1977, 12 rectal adenomas with severe atypism and 14 rectal adenomas with adenocarcinoma had been removed locally without complications. After 6 years there was no recurrence of carcinoma.

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