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H Pinter

Publications and source records attributed to H Pinter.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Does hyperbaric oxygen enhance the effect of photodynamic therapy in patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma? A clinical pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Experimental studies have shown that the cytotoxicity of porphyrins and related substances is mediated mainly by singlet oxygen and that hypoxic cells are less affected by porphyrins and light. In a clinical pilot study we assessed the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) under hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), compared with PDT under normobaric conditions, in patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: After diagnostic work-up and staging, photosensitization in all patients was carried out using hematoporphyrine derivate (HpD) (2 mg/kg bodyweight 48 hours prior to PDT). We then applied light at 630 nm (KTP-Nd: YAG laser with DYE box) at dose of 300 J/cm, delivered by a fiber with a radial light-diffusing cylinder (length 1 cm), inserted through the biopsy channel of the endoscope. Of the patients, 14 (12 with stage III cancers, and two with stage IV cancers) were treated by PDT alone, and 17 patients (15 with stage III cancers, and two with stage IV cancers) received PDT under HBO at a level of 2 absolute atmospheric pressures (ATA). Transcutaneous PO2 levels of 500-750 mm Hg under HBO, compared with transcutaneous PO2 levels of 60-75 mm Hg under normobaric conditions, were measured. RESULTS: Improvements regarding dysphagia and stenosis diameter were obtained in both treatment arms with no significant differences (P = 0.36 and 0.14, respectively). The tumor length also decreased in both groups and showed a significant difference in favour of the PDT/ HBO group (P = 0.002). Kaplan-Meier statistics showed median overall survival for the PDT group and the PDT/HBO group as 7.0 and 12 months respectively. The 12-month survival rate was 28.6% for the PDT group and 41.2% for the PDT/HBO group. Logrank test showed a difference in survival in favor of the PDT/HBO group (P = 0.059). No major treatment-related complication occurred, and the 30-day mortality rate was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Combined PDT/HBO represents a new approach in the treatment of esophageal cancer which, in this pilot study, appears to have enhanced the efficiency of PDT.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Self-expandable coated stent after intraluminal treatment of esophageal cancer: a risky procedure?

BACKGROUND: Stenting is a well established palliative treatment for stenotic malignant disease of the esophagus. Because of its merely mechanical potential other tumoricidal techniques are often done before stenting. METHODS: We did esophageal stenting in 11 patients (9 men and 2 women) using a self-expanding coated stent system. Three tumors were localized in the proximal, four in the middle, and four in the distal third of the esophagus. In 9 patients tumors were locally or functional nonresectable, 1 patient refused an operation, and 1 had a recurrence after esophagojejunostomy. One patient had had pretreatment by repetitive dilatation and local hyperthermia, 9 had had photodynamic therapy followed by endoluminal iridium 192 high-dose rate brachyradiotherapy, and 1 patient was admitted with esophagotracheal fistula. The interval between the last endoluminal treatment and stent insertion was between 3 and 29 days (mean, 11 days). RESULTS: In 7 patients (63.7%) no complications were observed. Four patients (36.3%) died of major complications within 1 week. Postmortem examination confirmed that the pressure of the fully expanding stent to the esophageal wall caused the rupture. CONCLUSION: The use of self-expanding coated stents in pretreated esophageal tumors is associated with a high risk of perforation due to pressure of the indwelling tube in a less resistant esophageal wall.

Adult↗

Is aggressive surgery in pleural empyema justified?

OBJECTIVE: High risk and a long hospitalization time are often quoted as negative aspects of aggressive surgery in pleural empyema. We did a retrospective analysis evaluating outcome and duration of hospitalization in patients treated according to an aggressive schedule. METHODS: Since 1989 we have treated 101 patients with pleural empyema (72 males, 29 females; mean age 50.3 years, range 11-91 years; 77 metapneumonic empyema, 24 empyema following trauma or abdominal surgery). Sixty-nine patients had had unsuccessful conservative pre-treatment (antibiotics, thorcozentses, drainage/irrigation, VATS). Thirty-one were critically ill patients. In eight cases a seropurulent stage of empyema was present, 17 patients had fibrinous membranes, 30 an organizing stage with and 46 without well identifiable dissection plane. Eighty-five patients proceeded to thoracotomy. Pulmonary abscesses or indurative pneumonia necessitated wedge-resection, lobectomy, or pneumonectomy in 29 cases. In the presence of gross necroses or callosities not amenable to decortication primary open-window thoracostomy (n = 22) was carried out. In six cases a secondary open-window thoracostomy was carried out because of persisting putrid secretion and sepsis persisting after decortication or after drainage. The thoracostomy was closed when clean granulative tissue developed. Sixteen patients underwent only drainage and irrigation because of an early stage or because of a general condition not permitting thoracotomy. RESULTS: Three patients died due to severe sepsis not responding to treatment, one had fatal bleeding from a duodenal ulcer (mortality rate 3.9%). The others were able to resume their preoperative activities. The median duration of hospitalization was 14 days (mean 21.1 days; SEM 1.7 days). CONCLUSION: Aggressive surgery for pleural empyema beyond the seropurulent stage ensures rapid relief from sepsis at a low mortality rate even in very ill patients.

Chest Tubes↗

Life-saving muscle flaps in tracheobronchial dehiscence following resection or trauma.

OBJECTIVE: In the presence of acute inflammation and necrosis of the wall, tracheo-bronchial defects are difficult to manage. The absence of adequate vascularization and the contaminated area prevent successful direct re-suturing. METHODS: In order to restore a sufficient blood supply we used a pedicled latissimus dorsi or a pectoralis major flap that was entered into the thorax after a 10-cm resection of the second rib. A portion of the muscle was fitted into the tracheo/bronchial defect by reinforced sutures. The remaining muscle was sutured to the tissue surrounding the defect. This method was applied in various septic conditions: Bronchial defects; complete dehiscence of the right (n = 6) or left (n = 1) main bronchus at the carinal level following resection for lung cancer (n = 4) or for tuberculous (n = 2) on nontuberculous pleuropneumonia (n = 1). Tracheal defects; (1) destruction of one third of the tracheal circumference involving the cricoid down to the fourth ring following tracheotomy in presence of a septic sternum after intrathoracic goiter and Bechterew's disease; (2) 30% dehiscence of the anastomosis and septic sternum following tracheal resection; (3) Mediastinitis involving tracheal and esophageal wall following a 7 cm long iatrogenous laceration of the intrathoracic trachea. RESULTS: In one case the latissimus dorsi developed venous stasis on day 2 and was replaced by the pectoralis major muscle which showed uneventful healing. In all other patients the muscle flap resulted in an uneventful closure of the defect and recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Large, well vascularized, pedicled muscle flaps ensure a safe closure of tracheo-bronchial defects or dehiscences even in presence of gross necrosis and sepsis.

Aged↗

"Adjuvant" external radiation of the mediastinum in radically resected non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of postoperative external beam radiation in MO non-small cell lung cancer resected with curative intention was evaluated in a randomized trial. METHODS: In 155 patients (121 males, 34 females; mean age: 59 years) 105 lobectomies, 12 bilobectomies and 38 pneumonectomies with radical lymph node dissection to the contralateral side were carried out. Histology revealed squamous cell (n = 68), adeno- (n = 53), large cell (n = 21), adenosquamous (n = 6) or bronchioloalveolar type (n = 7) carcinomas. The pathologic stages T1 (n = 38), T2 (n = 89), T3 (n = 28); NO (n = 39), N1 (n = 67), and N2 (n = 49) were evenly distributed between the two treatment groups: group A (72 patients) had no further oncologic treatment, while group B (83 patients) had external beam radiation to the mediastinum (50-56 Gy, 8 or 23 MeV photons, 2 Gy/day, 5 days a week) beginning 4 weeks after the operation. RESULTS: The overall 5-year survival rate of the whole collective was 24.1% without any significant difference between the radiotherapy group B (29.7%) and the control group A (20.4%) (log-rank test: P > 0.05). The overall 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 20.1%, with no difference between groups B and A (radiotherapy: 22.7, controls: 15.6%, long-rank test: P > 0.05). There was no difference in the incidence of distant metastases (external beam radiation: n = 32; controls: n = 38). The rate of local recurrences at the bronchial stump or in the mediastinum, however, was significantly reduced in the radiotherapy group (n = 5) compared with 17 in the controls (P < 0.01 chi-square test). A multivariate analysis confirmed the independent influence of postoperative radiotherapy on the incidence of local recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: External radiation of the mediastinum in radically resected non-small cell lung cancer reduces the risk of local recurrence, but has no influence on distant metastastic spread and overall survival.

Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar↗

[Hyperbaric surgery and oxygen therapy in clostridial myonecrosis].

116 patients with verified clostridial myonecrosis were treated by means of a regimen of combined cyclic hyperbaric oxygenation at 3 ata and repeated necrectomy. With proximal localization of gas gangrene in the elbow or knee (n = 55) 34.5% of patients survived, whilst with peripheral localization at the limbs (n = 44) the survival rate was 88.6% amputation being avoided in 21 of these cases. Abdominal localization (n = 17) was associated with the lowest survival rate (23.5%). In spite of severe clostridial toxicity in 80.1% of patients at the time of admission, the overall mortality was 50.8%.

Adolescent↗

Rotating brush for video-assisted thoracoscopic pleural abrasion.

We present a simple device enabling parietal pleural abrasion during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The rotating brush facilitates safe pleurodesis in patients with pneumothorax obviating the need for additional chemical agents or pleurectomy.

Adolescent↗

Closure of bronchial defects using a pedicled pericardial flap.

A technique for closure of lateral or terminal defects in the bronchial wall after tissue-saving procedures, which obviates the need for sleeve resection in few selected situations, is described. Its main advantages are a low risk of surgical complications at the suture line and easy performance.

Adult↗

Clinical features and therapy of "typical" and "atypical" bronchial carcinoid tumors (grade 1 and grade 2 neuroendocrine carcinoma).

Between 1971 and 1992, 55 patients with grade 1 (G1) (n = 32) or grade 2 (G2) (n = 23) neuroendocrine bronchial carcinomas (males: 26, females: 29; mean age: 47.7 years, range: 13-77 years) were treated. The sexes were evenly distributed in the two groups. Patients with G1 were significantly younger than those with G2 tumors (43.3 vs 53.7 years; P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between G1 and G2 concerning peripheral or central localization, laterality or maximum tumor diameters. Patients with G1 had a higher incidence of tumor-related symptoms and a longer mean duration of these symptoms (21.8 months) than G2 cases (14 months) but the differences were not statistically significant either. No case displayed any symptoms of hormonal activity. Fifty-two patients underwent resection, one was non-resectable for anatomical, and one for functional, reasons; a third refused an operation. We performed 8 pneumonectomies, 36 lobectomies (8 by using bronchoplasty), 2 bronchotomies and 6 segmental resections. Twelve G2 cases had N1 or N2 lymph node metastases, two intrapulmonary metastases were removed. After a median observation time of 55.7 months the 10-year survival rate for the total collective is 90.6%. For G1 it is 100%, compared with 76.4% for G2 patients, 3 of whom died of the tumor (P < 0.05; significant). In univariate analysis: age over 48 years, lymphatic invasion, and lymph node metastasis were also significantly correlated with a poor survival rate. Multivariate analysis proved lymphatic permeation to be the only independent prognostic factor (the survival rate was 100% where there was no invasion, but only 74% where this had occurred).

Adolescent↗

Open-window thoracostomy in pleural empyema.

Open-window thoracostomy (OWT) was performed in 21 cases of empyema. The indications were postpneumonectomy empyema with (n = 6) or without (n = 1) fistula, early recurrent empyema after decortication (n = 6), chronical empyema in ill elderly patients with (n = 5) or without fistula (n = 2), and total unilateral lung gangrene with a large fistula of the main bronchus after radiotherapy and chemotherapy (n = 1). All cases presented with severe sepsis, eight of them with acute septic shock, and six with signs of multiorgan failure. Three to five ribs were resected, the muscles and skin were sutured to the ribs confining the window located at the lowest point of the empyema cavity, while the intercostal muscles of the resected ribs were used to close fistulae. The cavity was packed with dressings every day. In all cases, the sepsis subsided immediately after OWT. With the exception of one patient with postpneumonectomy empyema, who died of contralateral pneumonia on day 36, no surgery-related complications were seen. Four further patients died of unrelated causes 2, 4, 5, and 7 months, respectively, after OWT. In one of them, the OWT had been closed. Up to this time, obliteration and closure of the cavity has been carried out in 7 cases by using thoracoplasty (n = 2) or predicted muscle flaps (n = 5) either in the early course or after a delay of 11 to 23 months, with fair functional and cosmetic results. In one further case, operative closure has been planned. In seven of the eight remaining patients, four of whom declined further operations, the cavities closed spontaneously, despite their initial size after intervals of between 11 and 21 months.

Adult↗

Surgical and non-surgical treatment of cancer of the oesophagus and the oesophagogastric junction: results of 200 consecutive cases.

200 consecutive, unselected patients with cancer of the oesophagus or the oesophagogastric junction (89 squamous, 110 adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated, 1 oat cell) between 1984 and 1987 were reviewed. Resection with postoperative adjuvant irradiation in the cases of squamous cell cancer, was carried out in 51 patients and non-surgical treatment [57 combined dilation and Nd-YAG-laser, 64 iridium 192 high-dose rate brachytherapy with or without 60 Gy external beam irradiation (EBR); 28 endoprostheses] was performed in the remaining 149 patients. The overall 5 year-survival rate was 9.2% (resections: 17.9%, non-resected: 5.2%). Resected nodal negative T1 or T2 patients had the best prognosis (45.8% 5-year survival). The median survival following dilation and laser was 3.4 months for all T-stages. Endoprostheses yielded a median survival of 1.7 months. Intracavitary brachytherapy gave the best palliative result with 6.5 months median survival, whereby only T1 and T2 patients benefitted from additional EBR. Histological subtype, age, sex or tumour localization did not influence survival. Multivariate analysis showed that in M0 patients the choice of treatment had a significant impact on prognosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Intracardiac malpositioning of a sternoclavicular fixation wire.

A case of intracardiac malpositioning of a sternoclavicular Kirschner pin is reported. After an uneventful closed wire-fixation of sternoclavicular subluxation and a normal postanesthetic recovery, a 17-year-old male patient developed opacification of the right hemithorax and signs of internal bleeding. The lateral chest roentgenogram showed one fixation wire protruding deeply into the anterior mediastinum. Sternotomy showed a large pericardial tear communicating with the right pleural cavity and a puncture hole of the right auricle that had caused a blood loss of 3 L into the pleural space. Although the surgical repair was uneventful, the patient eventually died as a sequelae to prolonged cerebral hypoxemia.

Adolescent↗

Intraoperative plus external beam irradiation in nonresectable lung cancer: assessment of local response and therapy-related side effects.

Since 1987, 24 patients with inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), stage T1-3 N0-2 M0, have undergone lymph node dissection and intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) to the primary with 10-20 Gy. Patient selection criteria were nonresectability based on severe cardiorespiratory impairment, no radiological evidence of distant metastases and a Karnofsky performance status of greater than 80. In 18 patients the IORT procedure was followed by an external beam radiation series (EBR) including the tumor with 46 Gy and the regional lymph nodes with 46/56 Gy. The tumor response was assessed by CAT-scan volumetry before the institution of IORT, 4 weeks later, before the onset of EBR, 8 weeks after the combined treatment course and on a 3 months basis thereafter. Prospectively, MRI of the thorax with/without Gadolinium-DTPA was performed to examine contrast enhancement and signal behavior of the tumor, in an attempt to differentiate residual disease compared to therapy-related collateral damage. So far, 18 patients have completed the combined treatment course with a median follow-up of 11 months (range 4.5 to 25 months). The overall local response rate (CR and PR) was 88.2%. In detail, 11 complete responses, 6 partial responses and one minimal response were observed. The overall and recurrence-free survival at 25 months was 49.6% and 83.3%, respectively.

Aged↗

Pitfalls in intraoperative frozen section histology of mediastinal neoplasms.

We evaluated the reliability of intraoperative frozen section histology in 149 mediastinal tumours of which 106 lesions were localized in the anterior, 18 in the central and 25 in the posterior mediastinum. Gross non-resectability was ruled out by preoperative imaging. No preoperative cytological or histological diagnosis was obtained in any case. At thoracotomy, 3 biopsies from 3 different sites of the tumour were processed for frozen section as well as for paraffin histology and immunohistochemistry. In 67 of 73 benign lesions (91%), the intraoperative diagnosis was correct, 5 cases could not be classified by frozen section and 1 case had to be revised. Only 28 of 76 malignant lesions (36.8%) were diagnosed correctly by intraoperative frozen section. In 27 cases (35.5%), no intraoperative classification was possible and in 21 patients (27.6%), the diagnosis was wrong with the consequence of surgical overtreatment for lymphoma misinterpreted as thymic cancer in 3 cases. In patients in whom preoperative investigations suggest borderline resectability, a staged procedure to obtain histology prior to definitive surgery could prevent overtreatment.

Adolescent↗

[Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) at the Graz University Clinics: results of a pilot study on non-small cell lung carcinoma].

A pilot study was undertaken during which 15 patients with non-small cell pulmonary carcinomas were exposed to an intraoperative irradiation; twelve out of them were submitted to an additional percutaneous photon therapy. The criteria used to select these patients were functional inoperability, exclusion of remote metastases, and a Karnofsky index greater than 70. Central and peripheral tumors of the stages T1-3, N0-2 were included into the study after histological confirmation of the diagnosis. The local regression rate of the primary tumor can be assessed quite well despite the short follow-up time of 4.5 to 16 months (10 months on an average) which does not yet allow to make a conclusion as to a prolongation of the disease-free survival time. Already two months after the end of external irradiation, a complete remission (CR) was seen in three patients (25%), a partial remission (PR) in seven patients (67%), and a minor remission (MR) in one patient. In the course of further follow-up, the number of complete remissions increased to six (50%). We are encouraged by the small morbidity and a therapeutic response higher than average to continue with this therapy method in patients who, for the time being, are still selected according to strict criteria.

Aged↗

[Clinical use of new organ-saving technics in splenic surgery].

During a period of 19 months, 22 organ preserving splenic operations were performed. Eleven of these, were severe third degree traumatic bursting ruptures, which were treated using a resorbable compressive mesh. An intralienal pancreatic cyst, a case of splenomegaly suspicious for lymphoma, one traumatic and two accidental polar lesions were treated by partial splenic resection using stapler. In two patients with traumatic and four with accidental first and second degree lienal lesions, collagen tampon and fibrin adhesive were employed. None of these patients required a second laparotomy. Aside from an edematous tail pancreatitis, no complications arose. Two patients succumbed to their severe cranial injuries. In the same period, four posttraumatic splenectomies were performed. Thus, excluding incidental and technical splenectomies, the application of the described methods resulted in orthotopic splenic preservation in 78% of traumatic splenic ruptures.

Adult↗

[Thoracic wall and lung trauma. Diagnosis, clinical aspects, surgical indications and technic].

Diagnosis, pathophysiology, clinical course, indication for and technique of operative procedure are described for treatment of flail chest, pneumothorax, hematothorax, lung rupture and contusion, and for tracheobronchial injuries. A simple "finger-troicart" technique for thoracocentesis and chest tube is mentioned as well as the value of early and simultaneous fiberoptic exploration of the trachea, bronchi and esophagus.

Humans↗