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Biomedical subjects

J Ringers

Publications and source records attributed to J Ringers.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Interstitial rejection, vascular rejection, and diffuse thrombosis of renal allografts. Predisposing factors, histology, immunohistochemistry, and relation to outcome.

Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were made of biopsy specimens from 50 consecutive patients who experienced putative graft rejection. The mean age of the patients was 44.5 years (range, 17-69 years) and 26 were men. There were 67 evaluable allograft specimens, which were grouped according to the histological diagnosis: group 1, acute tubulointerstitial rejection (n = 42); group 2, acute vascular rejection (n = 18); and group 3, diffuse thrombosis (n = 7). Over a follow-up period of 21-57 months, the mean number of rejection episodes was 1.7, 2.8, and 3.3 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Allograft loss occurred in 7 out of 30, 10 out of 16, and 4 out of 4 patients in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The following histological parameters differed significantly (P < 0.05) among the groups: interstitial edema, congestion of peritubular capillaries, glomerular thrombosis, and glomerular ischemia (group 3 > group 2 > group 1). Interstitial bleeding was seen more often in group 2 and 3 tissues than in group 1 specimens (P < 0.01). Immunohistochemical analyses showed that vascular rejection was associated with WT14 staining for monocytes and macrophages around the tubuli and with interstitial deposition of complement factor 3. With regard to serology, positive anti-endothelial cell antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity was associated with vascular rejection and thrombosis of the graft in all patients tested, and with graft loss in 75%. Pre-existent positive anti-IgG immunofluorescence on peritubular capillaries in pretransplant biopsy specimens incubated with patient serum was found in only 3 of the 50 patients, but was associated with graft loss in 2 of the 3. Cytomegalovirus infection was associated with a higher percentage of graft loss. There were significant intergroup differences in panel reactive antibodies before transplantation (P < 0.001), with higher titers in groups 2 and 3. The findings in relation to interstitial rejection are compatible with cellular rejection, while the data on vascular rejection support a humorally mediated pathogenesis.

Adolescent↗

Auxiliary liver transplantation: regeneration of the native liver and outcome in 30 patients with fulminant hepatic failure--a multicenter European study.

Auxiliary liver transplantation (LT) is a special procedure of LT which could be proposed to patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) and has for aim that complete regeneration of the native liver (NL) left in place will allow the graft recipient to resume normal liver function after allograft withdrawal. We report 30 cases of auxiliary LT performed for FHF in 12 European centers. Twenty-five of 30 patients were younger than 50 years. The cause of FHF was hepatitis A virus (HAV) in 4 patients, hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 7, paracetamol overdose in 5, ecstasy in 2, hepatotoxic drugs in 4, autoimmune hepatitis in 2, liver lesions of preeclampsia in 1 and unknown in 5. A postoperative, both clinical and histological follow-up of more than 3 weeks was obtained in 22 patients, enabling us to look for indicators predictive of NL regeneration and outcome. Histological changes observed in the NL included complete regeneration in 68%, incomplete regeneration with obvious fibrous sequelae in 14% and severe liver fibrosis or cirrhosis in 18%, of the 22 patients studied. The percentage and distribution of necrosis observed in tissue samples of the NL at the time of transplantation was not related to the final outcome. Complete NL regeneration was observed in 15 patients, out of whom 14 were younger than 40 years. Patients with complete regeneration were mainly affected by FHF due to HAV, HBV, or paracetamol overdose. After a follow-up of 18/11 (mean/median) months (range, 3 to 67 months), 19 of the 30 patients (63%) survived and 13 of them (68%), i.e., 43% of the 30 patients, had resumed normal NL function, with interrupted immunosuppression, the ultimate goal of emergency auxiliary LT. We conclude that, in patients with FHF, auxiliary LT is a procedure feasible in a number of centers and is associated with a complete regeneration capability of the NL in a majority of survivors, especially in those younger than 40 years. Confirmation of these encouraging preliminary results by large-scale prospective studies is required.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopic-assisted colectomy with the dexterity pneumo sleeve.

UNLABELLED: The dexterity pneumo sleeve is designed to provide abdominal access for the surgeon's hand while preserving pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy. The first experience using the dexterity pneumo sleeve in colorectal surgery is reported. METHODS: Four patients with diverticulitis and one with a dolichocolon had manually assisted laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy with the dexterity pneumo sleeve. RESULTS: Assistance of the left hand, introduced through the dexterity device proved to be extremely helpful in identifying the plane of dissection in one patient with a large diverticular mass and in another with a colovaginal fistula. Mean operative time was 109 minutes, blood loss was 80 ml, and length of incision was 7.5 cm. Flatus reoccurred at the second postoperative day, bowel movement occurred on the third day after surgery, and patients were discharged after 4.8 days. CONCLUSIONS: With the dexterity pneumo sleeve, the tactile sensation is regained, which makes laparoscopic-assisted colectomy safer and faster.

Blood Loss, Surgical↗

Temporary heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation for fulminant hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Orthotopic liver transplantation has been shown to improve survival in fulminant hepatic failure. However, after orthotopic liver transplantation life-long immunosuppression is necessary and graft complications may occur. METHODS: We employed heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation in a 26-year-old man with fulminant hepatic failure due to hepatitis B virus infection. RESULTS: From a comatose state with seizures and decerebrate posturing, the patient woke up the day after heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation. The graft functioned sufficiently. After 2 weeks, when peritonitis developed, immunosuppression was stopped since the native liver was recovering as shown by serial HIDA scans, liver biopsies, clotting parameters and serum bilirubin. When severe rejection of the graft developed 2 weeks later, and the peritonitis had been treated successfully, the native liver had recovered sufficiently to allow the graft to be removed. Now, more than 1 year after heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation, the patient is free from medication and he is immune for hepatitis B virus, his liver tests have returned to normal and he has regained his normal life. CONCLUSIONS: Temporary heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation for fulminant hepatitis B is feasible.

Acute Disease↗

The incidence of interstitial and vascular kidney rejection after pancreas-kidney transplantation.

Several groups have reported that recipients of a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation suffer from more kidney rejection episodes than do recipients of a kidney transplantation (1-6). However, it is not known whether this is interstitial rejection, vascular rejection, or both. In this study, the renal biopsies and transplantectomies of 45 pancreas-kidney and 48 kidney transplant recipients were evaluated for the presence of interstitial and vascular rejection. Furthermore, the influence of OKT3 induction therapy on rejection after pancreas-kidney transplantation was studied. Of the 45 pancreas-kidney recipients. 4 patients did not suffer from rejection during follow-up, 28 suffered only from interstitial rejection, and 13 suffered from vascular (with or without interstitial) rejection, whereas 12, 19, and 14 of the 48 kidney transplant patients had no rejection, interstitial rejection, or vascular (with or without interstitial) rejection, respectively. Three patients with a kidney transplant were treated for rejection although no biopsy was taken. In the pancreas-kidney group, 38 of the total of 149 biopsies and transplantectomies taken contained no rejection, 92 had interstitial rejection, and 19 had vascular rejection. In the kidney group, these values were 13, 41, and 25, respectively, of 79 biopsies and transplantectomies taken (P = 0.002). Five-year renal graft survival was 79% in the kidney group and 60% in the pancreas-kidney group. Renal graft survival rates differed significantly (P = 0.02). Renal graft survival and occurrence of rejection did not reach significance between pancreas-kidney recipients treated with OKT3 induction therapy and pancreas-kidney recipients receiving conventional triple therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Intraperitoneal local anaesthetics after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: effects on postoperative pain, metabolic responses and lung function.

We have compared the efficacy of 0.9% NaCl 20 ml (n = 15), 0.25% bupivacaine 20 ml (n = 15) and 0.5% lignocaine 20 ml (n = 15), administered i.p., in reducing postoperative pain and opioid requirements, and modifying the metabolic response to surgery and postoperative lung function after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There were no differences in postoperative pain scores (visual analogue scale and verbal rating scale) between the three groups in the first 4 h after operation and in analgesic requirements during the first 24 h. In all groups, forced vital capacity, peak expiratory flow and forced expiratory volume in 1 s decreased 2 h after surgery (P < 0.001). Ventilatory values recovered only partially in the first 2 days after operation (P < 0.05), with no significant differences between groups. Plasma concentrations of glucose and cortisol increased after surgery (P < 0.05). Cortisol concentrations returned to baseline 48 h after operation. There were no significant differences between the groups in any measured variable. These data suggest that the administration of 20 ml of local anaesthetics i.p. is not effective in reducing postoperative pain, improving lung function, or attenuating the metabolic endocrine response after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Adult↗

Haemodynamic effects of pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic surgery: a comparison of CO2 with N2O insufflation.

We studied the haemodynamic effects of intra-abdominal insufflation with either CO2 (n = 15) or N2O (n = 15) in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. Haemodynamic variables were measured at increasing levels of intra-abdominal pressure up to 20 mmHg. In the CO2 group cardiac index decreased from 2.6 +/- 0.6 to 2.0 +/- 0.4 litre min-1 m-2 (mean +/- SD, P < 0.001) and in the N2O group from 2.6 +/- 0.5 to 1.8 +/- 0.4 litre min-1 m-2 (P < 0.001)). In the CO2 group, this was accompanied by increases in mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance index and central venous pressure without change in heart rate. In contrast, during N2O insufflation mean arterial pressure decreased (from 77 +/- 8 to 63 +/- 15 mmHg (P < 0.001)) without change in vascular resistance. No further changes in haemodynamic variables were observed during head-up tilt in both groups. After desufflation mean arterial pressure increased in the N2O group to pre-insufflation levels and cardiac index increased in both groups (P < 0.001), but reached pre-insufflation levels only in the CO2 group. In both groups central venous O2 tension and saturation decreased at maximum intra-abdominal pressure and increased after release of the pneumoperitoneum. The results indicate that laparoscopic insufflation with either CO2 or N2O results in cardiovascular depression. Insufflation with N2O may decrease blood pressure, whereas mean arterial pressure is better preserved with CO2 insufflation.

Adult↗

Bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: the value of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

This study describes the value of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Twelve consecutive patients were studied over a one year period. In all patients the biliary tree was visualised during ERCP. Four patients had complete bile duct obstruction, seven patients had a stricture (two with concomitant leakage), and one patient had leakage from a hepatic branch. Three patients with complete obstruction, presented with a relatively prolonged symptom free, 'silent' period before diagnosis. In all four patients with complete transection, a proximal hepaticojejunostomy was performed. In one patient with a tough fibrous stricture, secondary to incorrect clip placement, passage of the guidewire was impossible, leaving surgical reconstruction as the only therapeutic option. All remaining seven patients with leakage or strictures, or both were successfully treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy only (n = 1) or sphincterotomy and subsequent stent placement (n = 6). When patients do not recover uneventfully after laparoscopic cholecystectomy even without cholestasis or jaundice, early ERCP is recommended as a safe and valuable method to detect bile duct injury and to suggest treatment. Subsequently, more than half of such patients can be treated endoscopically. Extended follow up is needed to evaluate the longterm results.

Adult↗

Initial experience with laparoscopic fundoplication in The Netherlands and comparison with an established technique (Belsey Mark IV).

Since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an alternative for conventional cholecystectomy, the number of cholecystectomies per year is showing an increased tendency, suggesting that indications for surgery have broadened now that the morbidity of the procedure has decreased so much. For gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) the current number of operations performed per year in The Netherlands is small compared with the calculated prevalence of complicated GORD. If the data on epidemiology of GORD by Richter are extrapolated to the population of The Netherlands, there must be at least 4,500 potential candidates for antireflux surgery currently available and only 250 operations are performed per year. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is practised with acceptable results. If with this new development the same tendency as for laparoscopic cholecystectomy arises, this may mean either that too many patients will undergo antireflux surgery or that the potential candidates will now get their chance to have an effective operation with the prospect of low procedure-related morbidity. In The Netherlands, 62 laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications have been performed. There have been no deaths and in 5 patients the laparoscopic procedure had to be converted into a laparotomy. Forty-two of these 62 patients were treated according to a protocol and were included in the follow-up. At one month, 38 out of 42 patients were available for follow-up. At one month after surgery, 38 patients felt that their reflux symptoms had improved. Surgery-induced symptoms were present in 19 out of 38 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗