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Biomedical subjects

Irene D Feurer

Publications and source records attributed to Irene D Feurer.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Access to pediatric liver transplantation: does regional variation play a role?

The purpose of this study was to assess regional variability in access to pediatric liver transplantation. The study population included all pediatric patients (age less than 18 years) listed for liver transplantation in the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database between 1988 and 2004. The effect of region on waiting list survival, the proportion of patients transplanted, and the proportion of patients remaining on the list was determined using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard methods. The proportion of technical variant grafts used was compared between regions using chi-square analysis. Kaplan-Meier analyses showed significant effects of region on survival on the waiting list, transplantation, and remaining on the list (all log-rank P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazard models demonstrated that region, urgency status, and listing period exerted independent effects on survival on the waiting list, transplantation, and remaining on the list (all model P < 0.01). Regional variation existed with regard to donor type (P < 0.001). Similar to adults, pediatric survival on the waiting list, the proportion of patients transplanted, and the proportion of patients remaining on the waiting list vary considerably within the 11 U.S. regions. Organ procurement organization specific effects and regional differences in utilization of deceased donor split and living donor organs may contribute to this variability.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Liver transplantation for childhood hepatic malignancy: a review of the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database.

BACKGROUND: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only treatment option for unresectable hepatoblastoma (HB) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in children. Aggregated outcomes of OLT for these hepatic malignancies have not been evaluated in the United Network for Organ Sharing national database. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate graft and patient survival in pediatric OLT recipients with HB and HCC. METHODS: Data from the United Network for Organ Sharing Standard Transplant and Research Files were analyzed and included pediatric (<18 years) OLT recipients with HB or HCC from 1987 to 2004. The effects of diagnosis on pretransplant variables were evaluated using analysis of variance methods or chi2 tests, as appropriate. Actuarial survival and effect of diagnosis on survival were determined using Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank tests. RESULTS: Since 1987, 152 OLTs have been performed in 135 pediatric patients for HB and 43 OLTs in 41 pediatric patients for HCC. Respective 1-, 5-, and 10-year patient survival after OLT was 79%, 69%, and 66% for HB and 86%, 63%, and 58% for HCC (P = .73). The primary cause of death for both groups was metastatic or recurrent disease, accounting for 54% of deaths in the HB group and 86% in the HCC group (P = .338). Patients with hepatoblastoma were younger (mean age, 2.9 +/- 2.5 vs 10.4 +/- 4.8 years for the HCC group; P < .001) and more likely to receive a living donor organ (16% vs 4%, P = .03). A greater proportion of the patients with HB had previous abdominal surgery than patients with HCC (63% HB vs 37% HCC, P = .04). Pretransplant medical condition and transplant era were associated with graft and patient survival on univariate and multivariate analysis (all P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Orthotopic liver transplantation remains a viable option for pediatric patients with unresectable primary hepatic malignancies and results in good long-term survival. Pretransplant medical condition is an important predictor of outcome. Thus, in conjunction with better chemotherapy regimens, earlier evaluation for OLT in patients with unresectable HB and HCC may result in yet further improved long-term survival.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Screening asymptomatic diabetic patients for coronary artery disease prior to renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a significant contributor to excess mortality in renal transplant candidates with diabetes mellitus (DM). Prior studies relating to risk stratification for significant CAD in diabetics are confined to Caucasian type 1 DM patients. METHODS: To assess the prevalence of clinically silent CAD and to identify variables that are associated with CAD, we retrospectively analyzed the cardiac catheterization data of 97 asymptomatic type 1 and 2 DM kidney and kidney-pancreas transplant candidates. RESULTS: Thirty-three percent of type 1 and 48% of type 2 DM patients had significant stenosis (> or = 70%) in 1 or more coronary arteries. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, body mass index (BMI) >25 was significantly associated with CAD (relative risk = 4.8, P = 0.002). The age of the patient (7% increase in risk/year, P = 0.01; or relative risk = 3.0 if age >47 years, P = 0.032) and smoking history (2% increase in risk/pack-year of smoking, P = 0.10) were also associated with CAD. African American patients, who comprised 30% of the sample, had a 71% lower risk compared with Caucasian patients (P = 0.03). Factors that were not significantly associated with CAD included gender, type of diabetes, and whether dialyzed for >6 months prior to catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a notable proportion (approximately one-third to one-half) of asymptomatic type 1 and type 2 diabetic renal transplant candidates have significant CAD. Additionally, young African American DM patients with no smoking history and a BMI </=25 are at reduced risk, and invasive tests may not be necessary in this group.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Impact of donor, technical, and recipient risk factors on survival and quality of life after liver transplantation.

HYPOTHESIS: Donor, technical, and recipient risk factors cumulatively impact survival and health-related quality of life after liver transplantation. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary care center. PATIENTS: A total of 483 adults undergoing primary orthotopic liver transplantation between January 1, 1991, and July 31, 2003. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Graft and patient survival, Karnofsky functional performance scores, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 Health Survey scores, and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale scores as influenced by potential risk factors including donor age, weight, warm ischemia time, cold ischemia time (CIT), sex, United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) status (1 or 2A vs 2B or 3), recipient age and disease, bilirubin level, and creatinine level. RESULTS: Five-year graft survival was 72% for recipients of donors younger than 60 years and 35% for recipients of donors 60 years and older (P<.001). A CIT of 12 hours or more was associated with shorter 5-year graft survival (71% vs 58%; P = .004). Five-year graft survival for UNOS status 2B or 3 was 71% vs 60% for status 1 or 2A (P = .02). A comparable pattern was seen for patient survival in relation to donor age (P = .003), CIT (P = .005), and urgency status (P = .03). Urgent UNOS status, advanced donor age, and prolonged CIT were independently associated with shorter graft and patient survival (P<.05). Functional performance and health-related quality of life were not affected by donor, recipient, or technical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Combining advanced donor age, urgent status, and prolonged CIT adversely affects graft and patient survival, and the cumulative effects of these risk factors can be modeled to predict posttransplant survival.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Survival after pediatric liver transplantation: why does living donation offer an advantage?

HYPOTHESIS: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) results in improved survival compared with deceased whole and split organ transplantation in children. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of LDLT on graft and patient survival in pediatric liver transplantation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. METHODS: Data included all pediatric recipients (aged <18 years) registered in the UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) database from October 1, 1987, to May 24, 2004. Covariates predictive of survival by univariate analyses were included in the Cox proportional hazards regression models in a blockwise fashion to determine predictors of survival. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier graft and patient survival rates were improved in LDLT recipients compared with recipients of deceased whole and split organ transplantations (P<.01). In the initial model (model P<.001), prognostic factors for graft and patient survival included recipient age, race, origin of liver disease, certain pretransplantation laboratory data, medical condition, multiorgan transplantation, retransplantation, recipient-donor ABO blood compatibility, and cold and warm ischemia times. The addition of graft type to the initial covariate set did not significantly change the model (P = .21, covariate P = .09). However, most of the positive prognostic factors identified in the model were inherent characteristics of LDLT recipients and the LDLT procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Graft and patient survival in the pediatric population is better with LDLT than deceased organ transplantation. Factors that contribute to this difference include recipients who are less ill, who have shorter cold and warm ischemia times, and those with a decreased need for retransplantation but not the type of graft per se.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2005

Creating an emergency general surgery service enhances the productivity of trauma surgeons, general surgeons and the hospital.

BACKGROUND: Several models that integrate trauma and emergency general surgery (EGS) have been proposed to provide a diverse and challenging operative practice for trauma surgeons and improve recruitment. In July 2002, our institution established a 24/7 EGS consult service, staffed primarily by critical care/trauma surgeons (CCTS). The objective of this report was to evaluate the impact of this new service on CCTS, general surgeons (GS) and the hospital. METHODS: All admissions to CCTS and GS from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2003 were reviewed by querying hospital and physician databases for demographics, diagnoses, operative intervention(s), and resource utilization. Data were analyzed using nonparametric methods. RESULTS: [See ]. 9,405 admissions were identified, with GS and EGS admissions increasing over time. In July 2002, EGS became a separate service and captured 26% of GS admissions. Hospital-wide trauma admissions remained stable despite a slight decrease in trauma admissions to CCTS. A decrease in trauma operations by CCTS was offset by an increased EGS operative volume. EGS included "bread and butter" GS procedures including appendectomies and cholecystectomies and complex surgical procedures. EGS patients were often sicker with more than 50% requiring ICU admission compared with GS admissions of which only 10% required ICU care.(Table is included in full-text article.) CONCLUSIONS: Departmental restructuring to include an EGS service: 1) increased CCTS volume despite decreased CCTS trauma admissions and operations; 2) increased elective GS volume; 3) generated increased use of ICU and operating room resources; and 4) demonstrated that CCTS with broad operative GS backgrounds and critical care knowledge can effectively staff an EGS service.

Delivery of Health Care, Integrated↗
PubMed2004

Long-term detrimental effect of bile duct injury on health-related quality of life.

HYPOTHESIS: Long-term quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) incurring bile duct injury (BDI) and repair is comparable to that of patients undergoing uncomplicated LC. DESIGN: Case comparison study. SETTING: Secondary and tertiary care centers. PATIENTS: Eighty-six patients incurring BDI during LC between January 1, 1991, and July 31, 2003, were surveyed. Comparison subjects underwent uncomplicated LC during the same period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Health-related QOL as assessed by the Karnofsky Performance Scale, Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale. RESULTS: Fifty patients with BDI (39 [78%] female; mean +/- SEM age, 55 +/- 2 years) and 74 patients with uncomplicated LC (51 [69%] female, mean +/- SEM age, 52 +/- 2 years) responded. Of the 50 BDI patients, 48 (96%) had no stricture and normal liver function at QOL assessment. The mean +/- SEM follow-up period to QOL assessment for the BDI and uncomplicated LC groups was 62 +/- 6 and 47 +/- 3 months, respectively. The mean +/- SD Karnofsky Performance Scale scores were 77 +/- 9 vs 93 +/- 8 for the 2 groups, respectively (P <.001). The mean +/- SD SF-36 physical component scale scores after BDI vs uncomplicated LC were 36 +/- 11 vs 47 +/- 12, respectively (P <.001), compared with 50 +/- 10 for the normal population (P <.001). The mean +/- SD SF-36 mental component scale scores were 43 +/- 14 vs 49 +/- 11 for the 2 groups, respectively (P =.02), compared with 50 +/- 10 for the normal population (P =.01). Patients with BDI scored poorer on the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale health care orientation and domestic environment scales (P=.01). CONCLUSION: After BDI and repair, there are long-term detrimental effects of BDI on health-related QOL.

Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic↗
PubMed2004

Is there racial disparity in outcomes after solid organ transplantation?

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine if disparities in survival and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) occurred after solid organ transplantation at our institution. METHODS: Data were extracted from a database including information regarding transplants that took place from 1990 to 2002. The HRQOL was assessed in patients by using the Karnofsky functional performance (FP) index and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. RESULTS: Data were collected on recipients of liver (n = 413), heart (n = 299), kidney (n = 892), and lung (n = 156). Blacks represented a minority of recipients: liver 7%, heart 8%, kidney 23%, and lung 6%. There were no statistically significant differences in patient survival between blacks and whites. Graft survival differed in kidney only with a 5-year survival: 72% for blacks versus 79% for whites (P <0.001). The FP and HRQOL improved (P <0.05) after transplantation in both groups. There were no differences on measures of the FP or HRQOL. CONCLUSIONS: Blacks had comparable survival and improvement in FP and HRQOL in comparison with whites.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Endoleak following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: implications for duration of screening.

OBJECTIVE: Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EAR) requires long-term surveillance for endoleak or increase in aneurysm diameter. We analyzed the natural history of and risk factors for endoleak development. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Endoleak is a common complication of EAR that can lead to aneurysm enlargement and even rupture. Following EAR, imaging studies are used to identify leaks since patients with endoleak may require additional endovascular interventions or conversion to open repair. No criteria currently exist for cessation or reduction in frequency of screening imaging studies. METHODS: Data on 220 patients undergoing EAR were retrospectively reviewed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression were used with the end point being new endoleak development. Potential risk factors included preoperative aneurysm diameter, number of negative surveillance studies, and postoperative increase in diameter. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients (24%) who underwent EAR had endoleak detected during postoperative follow-up, which averaged 19 months (range, 0.4-101 months). One, 6-, 12-, and 24- month endoleak-free survival was 90%, 80%, 77%, and 73%, respectively. Three leaks occurred after year 2, at postoperative months 24, 48, and 85. Increasing number of negative screening studies was negatively associated with risk for endoleak development (B = -3.122, P < 0.001), while increase in aneurysm diameter was positively associated with risk for endoleak (B = 0.072, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Risk for endoleak declines as the number of negative postoperative scans increases, but new endoleaks are identified as late as 7 years following EAR. Reduction in screening frequency cannot be uniformly recommended at this time. Patients with documented aneurysm expansion should be monitored carefully and endoleak should be suspected.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Refining a health-related quality of life assessment strategy for solid organ transplant patients.

PURPOSE: The psychometric properties of generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) assessment instruments were evaluated to identify a reliable, valid, and non-redundant battery to measure longitudinal outcomes in organ transplant patients. METHODS: Objective functional performance and subjective HRQOL were assessed in 371 solid organ (liver, heart, kidney, lung) transplant patients using the Karnofsky scale, the SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS). The surveys' internal-consistency reliability, criterion-related validity, and redundancy were tested. RESULTS: The SF-36 mental (MCS) and physical components (PCS), and PAIS summary scales were internally consistent (all alpha > or = 0.83). Four out of seven PAIS scales (vocational, domestic, sexual, social) were collectively associated with the PCS (R = 0.65, P < 0.001), as was functional performance (r = 0.52, P < 0.001). Three PAIS scales (family, social, psychological distress) were associated with the MCS (R = 0.72, P < 0.001). Only the PAIS healthcare orientation (satisfaction) scale was not associated with the SF-36((R)). The relationship between functional performance and the PCS is stronger (r = 0.52, P < 0.001) than with the MCS (r = 0.25, P < 0.001) and the PAIS global score (r = 0.37, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The SF-36 and PAIS are internally consistent and exhibit divergent criterion-related validity but, with the exception of the PAIS healthcare orientation scale, are statistically redundant. The advantages of the SF-36 include wider use, more norms, and a lesser response burden. A transplant-specific patient satisfaction inventory was indicated and was developed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2004

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia repair on extracorporeal life support: a decade of lessons learned.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a vexing anomaly that manifests with variable pulmonary compromise in neonates. More than one-third of neonates with CDH require extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for refractory pulmonary hypertension (PHN). To assess the outcome of neonates having CDH repair on ECMO, we reviewed our experience for babies treated between 1992 and 2003. Of 97 neonates with CDH, 40 required ECMO, and 30 were repaired on bypass. Eighteen were supported by veno-venous bypass (VV) and 12 by veno-arterial bypass (VA). While on ECMO, transfusion requirements increased twofold postoperatively (15 to 33 cc x kg(-1) day(-1), P = 0.03) and then significantly decreased after decannulation (1.5 cc x kg(-1) x day(-1), P < 0.01). Non-intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 7 (23%) infants and intracranial hemorrhage in 3 (10%). Twelve (40%) infants died; one (3%) on ECMO secondary to refractory PHN. The mean length of stay for the 18 (60%) survivors was 48 days. Comparisons between survivors and nonsurvivors showed a significantly increased mortality for infants placed on VA bypass (P < 0.01). However, no other variable was predictive of survival. We conclude that CDH repair on ECMO is technically feasible, shows similar survival to the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry, and is associated with few bleeding complications.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed2003

Recurrent lupus nephritis in renal transplant recipients revisited: it is not rare.

BACKGROUND: Although recurrent lupus nephritis (RLN) after kidney transplantation is reported to be rare (1%-4%), recent studies suggest a higher incidence. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of RLN in a large cohort of renal transplant recipients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: The records of 54 renal transplant recipients with SLE were reviewed. Thirty-one patients underwent biopsy because of worsening renal function and proteinuria. All biopsy specimens were evaluated by light microscopy, immunofluorescence (IF), and electron microscopy (EM). RESULTS: Among the 50 patients with at least 3 months of follow-up, RLN was present in 15 (52% of patients who underwent biopsy, 30% of total patients): mesangial lupus nephritis (LN) (class II) in eight, focal proliferative LN (class III) in four, and membranous LN (class Vb) in three patients. One patient had graft loss because of RLN (class II) at 10.5 years. The duration of dialysis before transplantation was not different between patients with RLN compared to patients without RLN (P=0.40). Overall patient survival (n=50) was 96% at 1 year and 82% at 5 years, and graft survival was 87% at 1 year and 60% at 5 years. Graft survival was worse in patients who underwent biopsy compared with patients who never underwent biopsy (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: RLN is more common than previously reported, but in our series, graft loss because of RLN was rare. Aggressive use of allograft biopsies and morphologic evaluation with IF and EM are important factors in the diagnosis of RLN. The impact of new immunosuppressive agents on the incidence of RLN remains to be seen.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Effects of diabetes and cadaveric organs on functional performance and health-related quality of life after kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The current study was undertaken to identify factors specific to kidney transplantation that are associated with posttransplant functional performance (FP) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). METHODS: Karnofsky FP status was assessed longitudinally in 86 adult kidney transplant recipients. Patients reported HRQOL using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) health survey and the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS). RESULTS: FP improved (P <0.001) after kidney transplantation (from 75 +/- 1 to 77 +/- 1, 81 +/- 1, and 82 +/- 1 at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively). Patients receiving organs from living donors showed continued improvement through posttransplant year 1 while those receiving cadaveric organs stabilized at month 6 (simple interaction contrast, year 1 versus pretransplant; P <0.05). Patients receiving dialysis therapy for 6 months or more prior to transplantation demonstrated lower SF-36 posttransplant physical component scores in comparison with patients who were transplanted preemptively (38 +/- 1 versus 45 +/- 2, P <0.05). Path analysis demonstrated the positive direct effect of time on FP with kidney transplantation (beta = 0.23, P <0.05), and the negative direct effects on FP of diabetes (beta = -0.22) and cadaveric organs (beta = -0.22, both P <0.05). In turn, FP had a positive direct effect on HRQOL (beta = 0.40, P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Overall improvement in FP is attenuated 1 year after kidney transplantation in recipients of organs from cadaveric donors. The positive effect of time after transplantation, and the negative effects of cadaveric organs and diabetes on posttransplant HRQOL, are indirect and are mediated by the direct effects of these variables on posttransplant FP.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Modeling the effects of functional performance and post-transplant comorbidities on health-related quality of life after heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life and functional performance are important outcome measures following heart transplantation. This study investigates the impact of pre-transplant functional performance and post-transplant rejection episodes, obesity and osteopenia on post-transplant health-related quality of life and functional performance. METHODS: Functional performance and health-related quality of life were measured in 70 adult heart transplant recipients. A composite health-related quality of life outcome measure was computed via principal component analysis. Iterative, multiple regression-based path analysis was used to develop an integrated model of variables that affect post-transplant functional performance and health-related quality of life. RESULTS: Functional performance, as measured by the Karnofsky scale, improved markedly during the first 6 months post-transplant and was then sustained for up to 3 years. Rejection Grade > or =2 was negatively associated with health-related quality of life, measured by Short Form-36 and reversed Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale scores. Patients with osteopenia had lower Short Form-36 physical scores and obese patients had lower functional performance. Path analysis demonstrated a negative direct effect of obesity (beta = - 0.28, p < 0.05) on post-transplant functional performance. Post-transplant functional performance had a positive direct effect on the health-related quality of life composite score (beta = 0.48, p < 0.001), and prior rejection episodes grade > or =2 had a negative direct effect on this measure (beta = -0.29, p < 0.05). Either directly or through effects mediated by functional performance, moderate-to-severe rejection, obesity and osteopenia negatively impact health-related quality of life. These findings indicate that efforts should be made to devise immunosuppressive regimens that reduce the incidence of acute rejection, weight gain and osteopenia after heart transplantation.

Bone Diseases, Metabolic↗
PubMed2003

Teachers' screening for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: comparing multinational samples on teacher ratings of ADHD.

This study evaluates a measurement model for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The DSM-IV divides 18 symptoms into two groups, inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive. Elementary school teachers rated 21,161 children in 4 locations: Spain, Germany, urban US, and suburban US. Confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the 2-factor model (inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity) shows the best fit. A third factor, impulsivity, was too slight to stand-alone. Children with academic performance problems were distinguished by inattention, but children with behavior problems typically had elevations in inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Between-site differences were statistically significant, but so small that we conclude that same measurement model fits all 4 samples in 2 continents.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗
PubMed2002

Biliary reconstruction is enhanced with a collagen-polyethylene glycol sealant.

Bile leaks occur in up to 27 per cent of liver transplant patients after biliary reconstruction. Synthetic sealants have not been investigated for these biliary procedures. We performed a randomized controlled study to evaluate a novel absorbable polyethylene glycol/collagen biopolymer sealant (CT3 Surgical Sealant) after incomplete end-to-end choledochocholedochostomy (CDCD) in pigs. Pigs (n = 18) underwent transection of the common bile duct and incomplete CDCD over a T-tube, leaving a one-sixth circumferential defect anteriorly. Animals were randomly assigned to treatment (CDCD with sealant, n = 9) or control (no sealant, n = 9). Drains were used to monitor leak volume and bilirubin (bili) concentration. Cholangiography was performed on postoperative day 3. Leaks were defined as drain bili/serum bill > 3, total drain output > 10 mL/kg, and/or extravasation on cholangiography. Animals sacrificed at 3 and 8 weeks (n = 4 and n = 5 from each group, respectively) underwent pathologic examination of the CDCD site. Statistical methods included Student's t test, chi2, linear regression, and analysis of variance procedures. The control group had a higher drain output rate over the first 4 postoperative days than the treatment group (P < 0.05, analysis of variance). Five of nine (56%) control and one of nine (11%) treatment animals had a bile leak (P < 0.05, chi2). There was no major inflammatory response to the sealant versus controls. We conclude that CT3 is effective in decreasing biliary leaks in an incomplete CDCD porcine model with no major adverse pathologic changes. This sealant should be considered for trials for biliary reconstruction in humans.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Survival and functional quality of life after resection for hepatic carcinoid metastasis.

Retrospective studies suggest that resection improves 5-year survival for patients with hepatic carcinoid metastasis (HCM). The purpose of our study was to describe clinical outcomes following resection for HCM, including survival and longitudinal functional quality of life (QOL). We reviewed the records of patients undergoing resection for HCM from 1980 to 2001 at our institution. Outcome measures included tumor symptoms, biochemical tumor markers, functional QOL through Karnofsky functional scores, and survival. Thirteen patients underwent a total of 17 resections. Overall 5-year survival was 85%. Eleven patients were symptomatic, including eight with classic carcinoid syndrome. Nine experienced complete relief of symptoms and two had incomplete relief for 30 +/- 12 months. Eight patients had elevated tumor markers, and 50% of these had postoperative normalization of all tumor markers that persisted to the close of the study. For the 10 patients with longitudinal follow-up available to 54 months, significant improvement in functional QOL was observed at all follow-up time points compared to preresection functional QOL (P < 0.05). Resection of >/=90% tumor volume was significantly associated with more favorable survival and tumor marker normalization compared to resection of <90% tumor volume (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively), but trajectory of functional QOL improvement did not differ between these two groups (P=0.24). We conclude that resection for HCM is associated with significantly improved and sustained functional QOL and prolonged survival. Resection of >/=90% tumor volume is significantly associated with extended survival and normalization of tumor markers, but is not required for symptomatic or functional QOL improvement.

Adult↗