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J J De Waele

Publications and source records attributed to J J De Waele.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of fluconazole consumption on long-term trends in candidal ecology.

BACKGROUND: Fluconazole is an antifungal agent that is widely used for the treatment of Candida infection. Because of its favourable safety profile it is extensively used for prophylaxis in patient populations with a substantial risk for Candida infection. At the individual patient level, exposure to fluconazole selects for Candida non-albicans strains such as Candida glabrata and Candida krusei, with reduced susceptibility or intrinsic resistance to fluconazole. The effect of the volume of consumption of fluconazole on candidal ecology, however, is poorly investigated. OBJECTIVES: The long-term effect of fluconazole consumption on distribution of species causing candidaemia was investigated in a university hospital during an 11 year period (1994-2004). METHODS: In a historical cohort the incidence of nosocomial candidaemia (expressed per 100,000 patient days) was linked with volume consumption of fluconazole [expressed as defined daily doses (DDDs) per 100,000 patient days] and evaluated over time. RESULTS: During the study period 308 episodes of candidaemia occurred (63.3% caused by Candida albicans). The incidence of candidaemia varied from 6.0 to 13.8 per 100,000 patient days. The percentage candidaemia caused by Candida non-albicans spp. varied between 21% and 50%. No trends in the number of candidaemias or in the proportion of C. albicans versus Candida non-albicans spp. were observed. Fluconazole consumption was high but stable ranging from 5013 to 6807 DDDs per 100,000 patient days. No relationship could be demonstrated between volume of fluconazole consumption and Candida spp. distribution (Pearson's correlation coefficient: -0.083; P=0.808). CONCLUSIONS: Despite long-term exposure to fluconazole, no change in candidal ecology was observed.

Antifungal Agents↗

Propofol infusion syndrome in a patient with sepsis.

Propofol is widely used for sedation in critically ill patients. Several adult patients, all with acute neurological disorders, have been reported suffering from propofol infusion syndrome, which occurs in patients receiving high-dose propofol and catecholamines and/or steroids. We present a case of a septic patient without neurological illness who developed propofol infusion syndrome.

Abdominal Abscess↗

Life saving abdominal decompression in a patient with severe acute pancreatitis.

Severe acute pancreatitis can be complicated early in its course by life threatening conditions such as abdominal compartment syndrome. We report a patient who needed abdominal decompression three days after admission to the intensive care unit because of intra-abdominal hypertension and end stage organ dysfunction. The clinical course was protracted, but the patient survived and was discharged from the hospital.

Acute Disease↗

Typhlitis in an immunocompromised patient.

We report the case of a young man who presented with right lower quadrant pain, while being treated for acute lymphatic leukaemia. Clinical findings were suggestive of appendicitis. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen was done and showed the presence of a neutropenic enterocolitis or typhlitis.

Adult↗

Postoperative lavage and on demand surgical intervention in the treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse our experience with a combined approach of postoperative local lavage and on demand surgical intervention in the treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients operated on for acute pancreatitis in a tertiary hospital between June 1993 and July 1997 were studied retrospectively. Demographic data, Ranson score, APACHE II score at admission were recorded. Hospital charts and clinical courses were reviewed. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were treated surgically because of end stage multiple organ failure (MOF) (n = 13) or infected necrosis (n = 4). APACHE II and Ranson scores were 26.2 +/- 9.25 and 7.33 +/- 1.35 respectively. All patients had protracted clinical courses, and required aggressive intensive care therapy. Forty-eight surgical interventions were performed in 17 patients. Early mortality was 36 percent. Complications were numerous, and mostly consisted of intra-abdominal abscesses. Young age (under 55) was associated with significantly better outcome (22% vs. 87% mortality, p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Continuous local lavage after surgical debridement, with on demand re-laparotomy, proves to be a valuable approach in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. It appears however, that the role of surgery for acute pancreatitis is limited to patients with infected necrosis or end stage MOF.

Adult↗

The effect of tube thoracostomy on oxygenation in ICU patients.

Previous research found that in noncritically ill patients, thoracocentesis has an unpredictable effect on oxygenation, possibly due to re-expansion pulmonary edema and systemic hypotension. The authors performed a retrospective analysis to study the effect of tube thoracostomy on oxygenation in ICU patients, and the complications associated with it. The authors reviewed the charts of 58 ICU patients in whom 74 procedures were performed. Demographic data, APACHE II score, and indication for thoracocentesis were retrieved from the patient's file. The P(a)O(2)/FiO(2) ratio was calculated before, 12, 24, and 48 hours after tube thoracostomy. P(a)O(2)/FiO(2) ratios at the mentioned time intervals were compared using 1-way analysis of variances (ANOVA) with repeated measures. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with a good response to treatment. Age of the patients was 53 +/- 19.0 years (range, 17-88), APACHE II score was 21 +/- 8.3 (range, 6-38), and median length of stay was 13.5 days (interquartile range, 7-25). The volume drained during the first 24 hours was 1077 +/- 667 ml. P(a)O(2)/FiO(2) ratio was 185 +/- 79.3 before chest drainage, 197 +/- 79.1 at 12 hours, 217 +/- 88.9 at 24 hours, and 233 +/- 99.8 at 48 hours. In only 54% of the procedures, a response to therapy was present. Multivariate analysis identified a P(a)O(2)/FiO(2) below 180 to be independently associated with improvement in oxygenation. At 24 and 48 hours, the P(a)O(2)/FiO(2) ratio was significantly higher than before drainage (P <.001). There were 13 complications in 11 procedures (14.9%). The authors' results suggest that tube thoracostomy can be used as an adjunct in the treatment of selected patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure in the ICU. A low P(a)O(2)/FiO(2) seems to be a good predictor of response to therapy. However, the complication rate is considerable, especially in patients with a prolonged ICU stay.

APACHE↗

Limy bile and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine incidence of 'limy bile' in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy; to analyze patient characteristics and preoperative imaging modalities in these patients and evaluate surgical treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1800 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed between March 1990 and March 1998 for symptomatic gallbladder disease. RESULTS: Five patients with limy bile (0.27%) were identified. Four were female and one was male, age varied from 42 to 66. Most patients were symptomatic longtime before presentation. Ultrasound was not able to differentiate between normal gallstones or sludge. In three patients the diagnosis was made before operation, in one patient it was an incidental finding. Surgery in these patients is not more difficult than in any other patient. CONCLUSION: Limy bile is a rare finding (0.27% in 1800 cholecystectomies). Plain abdominal X-rays mostly suggest the presence of calcium carbonate precipitate in the gallbladder, but ultrasound cannot differentiate between cholelithiasis and limy bile. Laparoscopic resection can be performed without problems in most patients. Preoperative diagnosis of this rare entity is not essential, as it does not alter treatment.

Adult↗

Bronchial rupture after direct chest trauma in a child.

Tracheobronchial injuries are rare in trauma patients, and most often occur after motor vehicle accidents. Occasionally, other mechanisms cause airway disruption. The pliability of the chest wall in children greatly adds to the differences in injuries when compared with adult trauma patients. We present the case of a six-year old girl with an isolated right-sided bronchial rupture after direct trauma to the chest.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗