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J Krysa

Publications and source records attributed to J Krysa.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Pancreatic cancer--is an aggressive approach justified?

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is the only curative treatment for carcinoma of the pancreas. Resection rates can be low (4.5%), figures of 30% have also been suggested as possible. The approach undertaken in this unit is to consider all patients as potentially resectable unless otherwise proven. PATIENTS & METHODS: 140 patients were studied over 6-year period; 113 underwent palliative treatment (48% distant metastases, 40% local spread, 11% high operative risk); 14 had a triple bypass (14/113 = 12%), 99 were managed conservatively, 43 received palliative chemotherapy. 23/140 (16%) underwent Whipple's procedure (n = 23; 12 females, 11 males; mean age, 60 years); 4/23 had chronic pancreatitis. Distal pancreatectomy was undertaken in 4 patients. RESULTS: Median survival time for patients undergoing a triple bypass was 5 months (range, 0.1-20 months), 3 months for patients treated conservatively (range, 0.1-30 months) and 5 months for patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy (range, 1-30 months). 30-day mortality for Whipple's procedure was 4% (1/23) with median survival rate for patients with carcinoma of 13 months (range, 5-66 months); 31 months for patients with clear resection margins and negative nodes (n = 5). CONCLUSION: This policy allows a resection rate of 19% with increased median survival rate for patients with cancer by 8 months more than those who where not resected. Aggressive staging and pancreatic biopsies allow patients to be entered into chemotherapy trials with improvement in survival and potential future benefits.

Aged↗

Gluteal compartment syndrome following posterior cruciate ligament repair.

Compartment syndrome is a rare but important complication which may occur following injury or surgery to the lower limb. We present a case of contralateral gluteal compartment syndrome following arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament repair. In order to gain a greater understanding of this complication, we undertook a limited study to investigate the effect of patient position on gluteal compartment pressures. Three volunteers were positioned in such a way as to recreate the intra-operative position of the patient described. Gluteal compartment pressures were calculated by placing weighing scales under each buttock and measuring the surface area over which the weight was distributed.Mean pressures exerted on the gluteal compartment of the non-operated leg were significantly higher (mean=44 mmHg) than those of the operated leg (mean=24 mmHg). The difference was significant with P<0.001. This limited study has shown that care should be taken when positioning patients on an operating table to reduce the risk of compartment syndrome. Factors that should be taken into account include mean diastolic pressure, length of operation and the surface area in contact with the operating table.

Adult↗