Biomedical subjects

K W Sharp

Publications and source records attributed to K W Sharp.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

18Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography in the management of patients with suspected pancreatic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy and clinical impact of 18fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18FDG-PET) on the management of patients with suspected primary or recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and to assess the utility of 18FDG-PET in grading tumor response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The diagnosis, staging, and treatment of pancreatic cancer remain difficult. Small primary tumors and hepatic metastases are often not well visualized by computed tomographic scanning (CT), resulting in a high incidence of nontherapeutic celiotomy and the frequent need for "blind resection." In addition, the distinction between local recurrence and nonspecific postoperative changes after resection can be difficult to ascertain on standard anatomic imaging. 18FDG-PET is a new imaging technique that takes advantage of increased glucose metabolism by tumor cells and may improve the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative studies for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Eighty-one 18FDG-PET scans were obtained in 70 patients undergoing evaluation for suspected primary or recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Of this group, 65 underwent evaluation for suspected primary pancreatic cancer. Nine patients underwent 18FDG-PET imaging before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation, and in eight patients 18FDG-PET scans were performed for possible recurrent adenocarcinoma after resection. The 18FDG-PET images were analyzed visually and semiquantitatively using the standard uptake ratio (SUR). The sensitivity and specificity of 18FDG-PET and CT were determined for evaluation of the preoperative diagnosis of primary pancreatic carcinoma, and the impact of 18FDG-PET on patient management was retrospectively assessed. RESULTS: Among the 65 patients evaluated for primary tumor, 52 had proven pancreatic adenocarcinoma and 13 had benign lesions. 18FDG-PET had a higher sensitivity and specificity than CT in correctly diagnosing pancreatic carcinoma (92% and 85% vs. 65% and 62%). Eighteen patients (28%) had indeterminate or unrecognized pancreatic masses on CT clarified with 18FDG-PET. Seven patients (11%) had indeterminate or unrecognized metastatic disease clarified with 18FDG-PET. Overall, 18FDG-PET suggested potential alterations in clinical management in 28/65 patients (43%) with suspected primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Of the nine patients undergoing 18FDG-PET imaging before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation, four had evidence of tumor regression by PET, three showed stable disease, and two showed tumor progression. CT was unable to detect any response to neoadjuvant therapy in this group. Eight patients had 18FDG-PET scans to evaluate suspected recurrent disease after resection. Four were noted to have new regions of 18FDG-uptake in the resection bed; four had evidence of new hepatic metastases. All proved to have metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that 18FDG-PET is useful in the evaluation of patients with suspected primary or recurrent pancreatic carcinoma. 18FDG-PET is more sensitive and specific than CT in the detection of small primary tumors and in the clarification of hepatic and distant metastases. 18FDG-PET was also of benefit in assessing response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Although 18FDG-PET cannot replace CT in defining local tumor resectability, the application of 18FDG-PET in addition to CT may alter clinical management in a significant fraction of patients with suspected pancreatic cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed1999

Ileoanal pouch procedures: clinical outcomes and quality-of-life assessment.

Ileoanal pouch (IAP) anastomosis following total colectomy for ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis is performed with the goal of avoiding a permanent ileostomy and its effects on life satisfaction. During a retrospective 10-year study period, 55 patients underwent IAP construction for ulcerative colitis (36) and familial adenomatous polyposis (19). We assessed complications by chart review and surveyed patients regarding quality of life via a standardized questionnaire. There was no operative mortality, and there were three late deaths (6%). Twenty-nine patients (54%) sustained 68 early and late complications. Pouchitis was the most common complication (24%), and two patients required pouch excision (4%), one for pouchitis and one for rectovaginal fistula. Thirty-one patients (65%) have completed questionnaires. Forty-seven patients (87%) responded that their overall quality of life is "always" better since creation of the IAP, and only one patient in the IAP group has greater than ten bowel movements a day. Twenty-one patients (68%) never have interference with intimate relationships and 20 (65%) never have interference with physical activities. However, 20 patients (65%) sometimes have sleep interference, and 19 patients (61%) sometimes have fecal soilage. None of the patients continue to take steroids. We conclude that the complication rate following IAP construction is high, but pouch loss is infrequent. Despite a high complication rate, the majority of patients experience an improvement in quality of life.

Adenomatous Polyposis Coli↗

PubMed1998

The outcome of laparoscopic Heller myotomy without antireflux procedure in patients with achalasia.

We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients with achalasia (18 males, 12 females) undergoing laparoscopic Heller myotomy without antireflux procedure to determine relief of dysphagia and prevalence of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux. Preoperative symptoms were obtained by history alone before 1996 and by standardized questionnaire after September 1996. Twenty-nine patients (97%) had dysphagia, 22 patients (73%) had regurgitation, 21 patients (70%) had weight loss, 7 patients (23%) had heartburn, and 4 patients (13%) had nocturnal aspiration. The first 3 patients were done thoracoscopically, with the subsequent 27 patients performed laparoscopically; 4 cases (13%; 1 thoracoscopic and 3 laparoscopic) were converted. The mean postoperative stay was 1.9 days (1-6 days). One patient underwent repeat laparoscopic myotomy for persistent dysphagia. Twenty-eight patients (93%) were available for follow-up. Patients were asked on a standardized questionnaire to grade their relief of dysphagia, regurgitation, and heartburn. Good to excellent relief of dysphagia was obtained in 25 patients (89%), whereas 3 patients (11%) continued to have significant dysphagia postoperatively. Twenty-four patients (86%) had little or no regurgitation. Four patients (14%) had frequent regurgitation. Twenty-four patients (89%) reported little or no heartburn. Three patients (11%) reported significant postoperative heartburn. Laparoscopic Heller esophagomyotomy without antireflux procedure provides excellent symptomatic relief of dysphagia in patients with achalasia. Early follow-up suggests that minimal occurrence of symptomatic postoperative reflux can be achieved without performing an antireflux procedure.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

Laparoscopic surgical treatment of achalasia.

BACKGROUND: The authors have performed 11 myotomies in 10 patients (aged 12 to 77) with achalasia using minimally invasive techniques. METHODS: The initial 3 patients were treated via transthoracic approach; the subsequent 7 patients via transabdominal approach. The length of the myotomy was determined in conjunction with intraoperative endoscopy to facilitate dissection and demonstrate division of the lower esophageal sphincter. RESULTS: Only 1 patient required intravenous and intramuscular narcotics more than 24 hours postoperatively; 2 patients required no postoperative narcotics. The average hospital stay for those patients successfully treated endoscopically averaged 2.0 +/- 0.5 days (range 1.5 to 3). One patient was converted to open thoracotomy secondary to perforation of the mucosa. One patient required repeat laparoscopic myotomy at 3 months due to recurrent dysphagia. Follow-up conducted at clinic visits showed all patients to have benefitted with relief of dysphagia; 80% (8) reported excellent results, 10% (1) reported good results, and 10% (1) fair results. CONCLUSION: We converted from thoracic to laparoscopic myotomy because the abdominal approach simplified anesthetic and surgical management. We conclude that laparoscopic myotomy is a simple and effective treatment of achalasia.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Breast disease.

Breast diseases are a common aspect of primary care practice. Common benign and malignant breast diseases are reviewed. The evaluation of common breast problems is presented and current recommendations for diagnostic and screening mammography are discussed.

Breast Diseases↗

PubMed1995

Efficacy and safety of pneumococcal revaccination after splenectomy for trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of patient education after splenectomy and vaccination and to determine the safety and efficacy of pneumococcal revaccination 2 or more years after primary vaccination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Titers to serotype no. 6 and no. 23 pneumococcus and cutaneous and systemic reaction to revaccination. RESULTS: A total of 112 consecutive postsplenectomy patients receiving pneumococcal vaccine were identified; 45 were contacted and offered revaccination; 24 patients demonstrated a lack of understanding of the postsplenectomy state (unaware of splenectomy n = 2, unaware of splenectomy risk n = 8, unaware of vaccine n = 23); 3 patients had infections requiring hospitalization (pneumonia, strep throat and tonsillitis, pneumonia and bacteremia); 40 patients agreed to revaccination, and 33 patients returned for follow-up titers; 16 of 33 (48%) demonstrated at least a two-fold increase in at least one titer. Only 15% described the revaccination as worse than a tetanus shot. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Despite physician-patient conversations, pamphlets, and Medic Alert bracelets, patient retention was poor. (2) All splenectomy patients should be revaccinated and reeducated between two and six years after splenectomy. (3) Revaccination after two years was well tolerated. (4) There were no fatal episodes of pneumococcal sepsis in over 200 patient years.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in infants and children: modifications and cost analysis.

Between June 1990 and February 1993, 26 children underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Their ages ranged from 25 months to 19 years (mean, 12.3 years; median, 13 years). Only six of them had hemolytic diseases associated with gallstones. Five presented with acute cholecystitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed on these five, within 5 days of admission; the mean postoperative hospital stay was 2.5 days. The other 21 patients underwent elective cholecystectomy; their mean postoperative stay was 1 day. Several modifications have been made in our technique. Three 5-mm ports and one 10-mm umbilical port are used. In addition, direct incision of the umbilical fascia is performed with insertion of a blunt trocar and cannula rather than using the Veress needle for insufflation. The importance of positioning the epigastric cannula in the left upper quadrant in small children cannot be overemphasized. Cholangiography is now attempted in all patients and is easier with the Kumar cholangioclamp and sclerotherapy needle, under fluoroscopy. The total hospital charges for the patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy are compared retrospectively with those of seven children who had elective open cholecystectomy during the same period. In addition, a comparison is made between the two groups with respect to the costs of operating room equipment and postoperative pain control.

Child↗

PubMed1994

Incidence of inguinal hernias diagnosed during laparoscopy.

This prospective study was done to identify the incidence of asymptomatic hernias diagnosed during laparoscopic surgery. Previously unidentified inguinal hernias were discovered in 13 of 100 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures (13%). Nine of the patients were male, four were female. The average age was 43.3 years. Four defects were direct and nine were indirect (patent processus vaginalis). Eleven defects were small (< 3 cm) but two were large (> 3 cm). All four direct defects occurred in male patients. We conclude that asymptomatic defects are surprisingly common in our surgical population (13%) and that laparoscopic examination of the pelvis is a sensitive technique for identifying these defects. To date, no patient with laparoscopically diagnosed hernia has had symptoms or complications related to the hernia. We recommend that the surgeon should note in the medical record the presence of a defect, but not proceed with prophylactic repair of asymptomatic defects.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

The staged celiotomy for trauma. Issues in unpacking and reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: This article describes the important clinical events and decisions surrounding the reconstruction/unpacking portion of the staged celiotomy for trauma. METHODS: Of 13,817 consecutive trauma admissions, 1175 received trauma celiotomies. Of these, 107 patients (9.1%) underwent staged celiotomy with abdominal packing. The authors examined medical records to identify and characterize: (1) indications and timing of reconstruction, (2) criteria for emergency return to the operating room, (3) complications after reconstruction, and (4) abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients (54.2%) survived to reconstruction, 43 (74.1%) survived to discharge; 9 patients (15.5%) were returned to the operating room for bleeding; 13 patients required multiple packing procedures. There were 117 complications; 8 patients had positive blood cultures, abdominal abscesses developed in 6 patients, and ACS developed in 16 patients. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Reconstruction should occur after temperature, coagulopathy, and acidosis are corrected, usually within 36 hours after the damage control procedure. 2. Emergent reoperation should occur in any normothermic patient with unabated bleeding (greater than 2 U packed cells/hr). 3. ACS occurs in 15% of patients and is characterized by high peak inspiratory pressure, CO2 retention, and oliguria. Lethal reperfusion syndrome is common but preventable.

Abdomen↗

PubMed1993

Improved survival with neoadjuvant therapy and resection for adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the impact of preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy (neoadjuvant therapy) followed by resection in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Long-term survival in patients with carcinoma of the esophagus has been poor. An increase in the incidence of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus has been reported recently. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma of the esophagus treated at this institution from January 1951 through February 1993 were studied. Since 1989, 24 patients were entered prospectively into a multimodality treatment protocol consisting of preoperative cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and leucovorin with or without etoposide, and concomitant mediastinal radiation (30 Gy). Patients were re-evaluated and offered resection. RESULTS: There were no deaths related to neoadjuvant therapy and toxicity was minimal. Before multimodality therapy was used, the operative mortality rate was 19% (3 of 16 patients). With multimodality therapy, there have been no operative deaths (0 of 23 patients). The median survival time in patients treated before multimodality therapy was 8 months and has yet to be reached for those treated with the neoadjuvant regimen (> 26 months, p < 0.0001). The actuarial survival rate at 24 months was 15% before multimodality therapy and 76% with multimodality therapy. No difference in survival was noted in neoadjuvant protocols with or without etoposide (p = 0.827). CONCLUSIONS: Multimodality therapy with preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy followed by resection appears to offer a survival advantage to patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagus.

Actuarial Analysis↗

PubMed1992

Abdominal packing for surgically uncontrollable hemorrhage.

Planned intra-abdominal packing for surgically uncontrollable hemorrhage from liver and retroperitoneal injuries exacerbated by hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy regained popularity over the past decade. The authors reviewed 39 patients injured between August 1985 and September 1990; 31 packed for liver injuries, eight for nonliver injuries. The overall mortality rate was 44% (17/39); 9 (23%) exsanguinated, 3 (8%) died of head injuries, 3 (8%) of multisystem organ failure, 2 (5%) of late complications. The mean age was 33.9 +/- 16.2 (range, 16 to 79); there were 26 men and 13 women. Relaparotomy for pack removal was performed 2.0 +/- 1.1 days (range, 1 to 7) after initial operation. The authors identified intraoperative risk factors of pH less than or equal to 7.18, temperature less than or equal to 33 C, prothrombin time greater than or equal to 16, partial thromboplastin time greater than or equal to 50, and transfusion of 10 units or more of blood as highly predictive of outcome. Patients with four to five risk factors (n = 3) had a 100% mortality rate (p less than 0.04); two to three risk factors (n = 12), 83% mortality rate (p less than 0.003), compared with zero to one risk factors (n = 24), 18% mortality rate. Complications developed in six of 22 survivors (27%): 5 abdominal abscesses (23%), 2 wound dehiscences (9%), and 2 enterocutaneous fistulae (9%). Intra-abdominal packing will not stop all bleeding; 23% of the patients exsanguinated. In 77%, packing helped achieve hemostasis we believed was not otherwise possible. Packing may be done to prevent the development of acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy or may be done early in the treatment of cold, acidotic patients rather than massive transfusion in the face of surgically uncorrectable bleeding.

Acidosis↗

PubMed1992

Treatment priorities in patients with traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta.

Autopsy studies reveal that 90 percent of patients with traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta (TRTA) die at the scene of the accident and 25 percent of those reaching the hospital do not survive their injuries. Treatment priorities in patients with TRTA and associated life-threatening head and intra-abdominal injuries have not been adequately studied. The authors reviewed their experience with 57 consecutive patients sustaining TRTA to establish treatment priorities in these multiply injured patients. The mean age of the population was 35 years (43 men, 14 women). Hospital mortality was 24 percent; the most common cause of death was hemorrhage. Fully 95 percent of the patients had associated injuries requiring operative intervention. Abdominal injuries requiring laparotomy were present in 20 patients (35%): 14 splenic injuries, 8 liver injuries, 3 pancreatic injuries, and 3 mesenteric lacerations. Twenty-eight patients (49%) had orthopaedic injuries requiring operative fixation. Maxillofacial injuries requiring surgical repair occurred in 20 patients (35%). Fifteen patients (26%) sustained significant closed head injuries, but only 1 required craniotomy for hemorrhage. Nine hemodynamically unstable patients with intra-abdominal hemorrhage underwent immediate laparotomy for control of bleeding followed by aortography and aortic repair (2 deaths, 22%). Seven hemodynamically stable patients had aortography followed by laparotomy for control of intra-abdominal hemorrhage with subsequent thoracotomy (1 death, 14%). Thirty stable patients underwent aortography followed by immediate thoracotomy; 22 required no further procedures, while 8 required an additional operation (7 death, 23%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed1991

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the pediatric patient.

Since June 1990, five girls and one boy have been evaluated for biliary colic. Gallstones were documented by sonography. Two girls, ages 8 and 14 years, had hereditary spherocytosis, and a 9-year-old boy had sickle cell disease. The other three girls, ages 13, 13, and 15 years, developed cholelithiasis and biliary colic without a history of hematological disease. Three children weighed less than 90 lb, with the smallest weighing 45 lb. All patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy without complications. Operative cholangiography was performed in five of the six children. The KTP-532 laser was used for dissection of the gallbladder from the liver bed in two patients, and electrocautery was used in the remaining four. The average operating time was 1 hour 45 minutes. This is a report of the use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in pediatric patients. The advantages of its use include a shorter hospitalization, decreased postoperative discomfort, and a much shorter interval between the surgical procedure and return to normal activities such as school and play. At this time, it is recommended for those children without complications from their cholelithiasis such as common duct obstruction and gallstone pancreatitis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Improving palliation in pancreatic cancer: intraoperative celiac plexus block for pain relief.

Most patients with pancreatic carcinoma are not curable. Surgical palliation of obstructive jaundice and gastric outlet obstruction leaves many patients with severe pain from pancreatic carcinoma. Anesthesiologists have drawn increasing attention to the successful use of postoperative percutaneous celiac plexus block for the treatment of pancreatic pain. Ironically, little attention has been paid to celiac plexus block during laparotomy. We reviewed the cases of 12 patients with pancreatic carcinoma and severe abdominal pain who were treated surgically. All patients had operative celiac plexus block with absolute alcohol at the time of exploratory laparotomy for biliary bypass, gastroenterostomy, or tumor biopsy. Complete postoperative pain relief was obtained in 10 of the 12 patients; two had only partial relief. No operative complications were related to celiac plexus block; one patient died postoperatively of pneumonia. Average postoperative hospital stay was 13 days and average postoperative survival was 3 1/2 months. Most patients had excellent pain relief for at least 2 months or until death. Because most patients treated surgically for pancreatic carcinoma are receiving only palliation with biliary bypass or gastroenterostomy, surgeons should pay increased attention to pain relief. Operative celiac plexus block is easy, safe, and highly effective in relieving the agonizing pain of pancreatic carcinoma.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Changes in gallbladder volume do not affect cystic duct resistance.

To our knowledge, the relationship between gallbladder volume and cystic duct function has not been studied. We hypothesized that changes in gallbladder volume would influence cystic duct resistance. The effect of gallbladder volume changes on cystic duct resistance to both prograde (emptying) and retrograde (filling) steady-state flow was tested in 12 dogs under basal cholecystokinin-stimulated conditions utilizing a multiport catheter with a highly compliant balloon placed within the gallbladder fundus. Gallbladder volume was regulated by varying balloon volume from empty to just beyond physiologic distention. Cystic duct resistance was not affected by balloon volume under basal or stimulated conditions or by the direction of perfusate flow. This study demonstrated no relationship between gallbladder volume and cystic duct resistance and did not demonstrate a cystic duct sphincter mechanism at physiologic gallbladder volumes.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Diverticular disease of the jejunum and its complications.

Jejunal diverticulosis is an uncommon, acquired condition that has been encountered recently in four patients. These cases (two patients with diverticulitis, one patient with chronic abdominal pain, and one patient incidentally discovered at laparotomy for colonic diverticulitis) are reported. Acute complications of jejunal diverticulosis include diverticulitis, bleeding, and intestinal obstruction. Chronic complications include intractable abdominal pain, malabsorption, and intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Up to 15 per cent of patients with jejunal diverticulosis may require small-bowel resection for treatment of these acute or chronic complications. The clinical significance, proper diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of jejunal diverticular disease are reviewed.

Abdominal Pain↗

PubMed1990

Local resection of tumors of the ampulla of Vater.

Local resection of an ampullary tumor with reimplantation of the pancreatic and bile ducts was first described by William S. Halsted in 1899. Technical hazard and unsuitability in malignant ampullary tumors have unfortunately led to a disregard for this operation that is unwarranted. Radical pancreaticoduodenectomy is now the most common method of resecting benign and malignant ampullary tumors. Experience was gained with two high-risk patients with benign adenomatous polyps obstructing the ampulla of Vater. Their medical unsuitability for radical pancreaticoduodenectomy led us to revive the procedure of wide local excision of these tumors with reimplantation of the pancreatic and bile ducts. Operative time and blood loss were substantially less than radical resection and postoperative recoveries were relatively uncomplicated. Radical resection of benign ampullary tumors may be appropriate for good-risk patients in whom the risk of local recurrence outweighs the operative risk. We suggest that local resection of benign ampullary tumors is the procedure of choice in high-risk patients and that it be considered in palliation of limited local malignancies of the ampulla in high-risk patients.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗

PubMed1989

Common bile duct healing. Do different absorbable sutures affect stricture formation and tensile strength?

Few basic investigations have addressed the problem of common bile duct strictures. We systematically investigated the healing canine end-to-end choledochal anastomosis and tested the hypothesis that common bile duct anastomoses sutured with monofilament polyglyconate absorbable suture would heal with less stricture formation and greater tensile strength than those sutured with braided polyglactin 910 and chromic catgut sutures. Seventy-six canines, randomized to control vs sutured groups, underwent either mobilization (controls) or transection of the mid-common bile duct and were allowed to heal 5, 10, 15, or 50 days postoperatively before sacrifice. The type of absorbable suture used to construct a common bile duct anastomosis was found to have no major effect on anastomotic strictures nor on anastomotic breaking strength. Polyglyconate suture caused significantly less perianastomotic inflammation than did chromic suture, with polyglactin 910 sutures evoking an intermediate inflammatory response. Surgeons may safely choose sutures for biliary procedures based on the clinical circumstances and personal preference.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗