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Biomedical subjects

H Gallagher

Publications and source records attributed to H Gallagher.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Physiological and metabolic responses to open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

This study examined respiratory function and metabolic and subjective responses in patients undergoing laparoscopic (n = 10) and open (n = 11) cholecystectomy for chronic cholecystitis and biliary colic. Patient groups were matched for age, sex, weight and height. The duration of operation was similar in both groups. Respiratory function tests (vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, peak flow and arterial blood gases), urinary cortisol, vanillylmandelic acid, metanephrines and nitrogen loss, serum complement component C3 and C-reactive protein (CRP), full blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and subjective responses as assessed on a pain analogue scale and by analgesic usage were determined for up to 48 h after surgery. Deterioration in perioperative respiratory function was significantly less for laparoscopic surgery. Arterial blood gas determinations indicated a greater perioperative decrease in arterial pH, with carbon dioxide retention in patients undergoing open cholecystectomy (P < 0.02), reflecting poorer respiratory performance. Hormonal profile changes demonstrated an increase in urinary vanillylmandelic acid in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (P < 0.04); no differences were detected in urinary cortisol, metanephrine or nitrogen excretion. Acute-phase responses were greatest in patients undergoing open cholecystectomy as determined by ESR and CRP level (P < 0.02 and P < 0.003, respectively). Pain and analgesic usage were significantly decreased in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (P < 0.0009) and P < 0.0001), which led to a decreased hospital stay after operation in these patients (P < 0.0001). These data indicate improved respiratory and subjective responses and diminished acute-phase responses associated with laparoscopic surgery. Catabolic hormone release may, however, be increased.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMed1991

A preventable cause of tracheal injury at oesophagectomy.

Advocates of transhiatal oesophagectomy warn of the danger of tracheal injury resulting from the blind dissection of tumours of the upper and middle thirds of the oesophagus when the tumour has invaded the membranous part of the trachea. We report an unusual cause of tracheal injury at transhiatal oesophagectomy due to dissection at the level of the inflated endotracheal cuff in a patient with a tumour at the gastro-oesophageal junction.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Spinal needles.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Lung function in an Australian population: 2. Spirometric performance and cigarette-smoking habits.

The FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC% in 12016 females and 18 359 males were related to cigarette-smoking habits. Over all, non-smokers had significantly better lung function than cigarette smokers. Ex-smokers of either sex had significantly higher FEV1 and FEV1/FVC% than cigarette smokers, but the FVC values were higher only in females. With consumption in excess of 10 cigarettes per day, deterioration in lung function was manifest in both sexes, but was greater in males than females. The mean chronological age of males who smoked from 30 to 50 cigarettes per day was 12.9 years and 9.6 years less than would have been predicted on the basis of their FEV1 and FVC values respectively. The corresponding values in women were 9.3 years and 7.9 years respectively. Additionally, the deterioration in lung function with increasing age was greater in cigarette smokers than in non-smokers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Lung function in an Australian population: 1. Spirometric standards for non-smoking adults.

Relationships between age, height, weight and spirometry with FEV0.5, FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC are described for a sample of 6275 female and 6511 male non-smoking adults living in New South Wales. Prediction equations for ventilatory function tests are derived from non-smokers and compared with other standards that are available in a population sample of 31172 subjects. It is concluded that the standards described in this paper are more appropriate for use in Australian populations. Nomograms for predicting FEV1 and FVC in females and males are provided.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Some laboratory correlates of drinking habits.

The effect of drinking habits on the frequency distributions of eight biochemical or haematological test results was studied in 7915 patients attending a multiphasic health testing centre. Increasing incidences of abnormal results with increasing alcohol intake, at levels of alcohol intake habitual for a large proportion of the population, were found for plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, triglycerides and uric acid, and for erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume. Of four frequently used liver function tests, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, and albumin, only aspartate aminotransferase was strongly affected by drinking habits. These findings have relevance for the detection of individuals whose drinking habits are harmful to them, and for the interpretation of 'profile' results.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1978

Estimation of alcohol intake from laboratory results.

Subjects with abnormalities in a number of laboratory tests were shown to have higher than usual probabilities of being heavy drinkers. Quantitative estimates have been made of the probabilities of heavy drinking from the results of the following tests: gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, mean corpuscular volume, uric acid, triglyceride, and aspartate aminotransferase. In men, but not in women, there was a clear increase in this probability with increasing test results for these five tests, which may prove useful in the detection of individuals who are at risk from their drinking habits.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed1976

Drinking and drug taking patterns of 8,516 adults in Sydney.

Data on the drinking and drug taking patterns of 8,516 adults who had been through a Medicheck screening were analysed. This is the largest sample studied in Australia to date. The alcohol intake pattern of at least 29% of males and 9% of females puts them "at risk" of physical and/or psychosocial complications; 11% of males and 2% of females were considered to be at high risk. Very few heavy drinkers considered themselves to have a drinking problem and even fewer had been told by their doctor that they were problem drinkers. One-quarter of all the women took either psychotropic drugs or analgesics regularly; 19% of females, compared with 7% of males, took one or more of the psychotropic drugs (mainly tranquillizers) regularly, and 9% of females compared with 3% of males took analgesics regularly. Approximately one-third of both males and females were current smokers, but more males than females had given up smoking. The important role to be played by general practioners in the prevention and early treatment of drug dependence is highlighted by these findings.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Perioperative nutrition in cancer patients.

Cancer patients have the highest incidence of protein-calorie malnutrition seen in hospitalized patients, with significant malnutrition occurring in more than 30% of cancer patients undergoing major upper gastrointestinal procedures. Clinically significant malnutrition occurs as a result of diminished nutrient intake, increased nutrient losses, and tumor-induced derangements in host metabolism. In the absence of adequate exogenous nutrients, the body utilizes endogenous substrates to satisfy the ongoing requirements of both host and tumor for energy and protein. In those patients with malignant obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, the tumor itself may induce diminished nutrient intake. Present day treatment modalities including gastrointestinal resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy compound these metabolic derangements, further increasing the risk of postoperative morbidity and death. The presence of malnutrition in cancer patients has prognostic importance. In a review of more than 3000 cancer patients, DeWys and colleagues identified significantly improved survival in those patients without weight loss compared with those had lost 6% of their body weight (Am J Med 69:491-497, 1980). Other investigators have noted increased postoperative morbidity and mortality associated with malnutrition. Early hypotheses suggested that reversal of weight loss would improve survival. The development and refinements of enteral and parenteral nutrition have provided the opportunity for studying the relationship between nutritional supplementation and postoperative prognosis. Nutrition support is therefore often instituted to improve nutritional status and thereby reduce the risks of postoperative complications. This article addresses the beneficial role of preoperative nutrition therapy in cancer patients.

Anorexia↗