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Biomedical subjects

L Kronberger

Publications and source records attributed to L Kronberger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Immunological surrogate parameters in a prognostic model for multi-organ failure and death.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ability of clinical or biochemical parameters to predict outcome (survival or non-survival; severe or moderate/no complication) using multiple regression analyses. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive cohort study with no interventions SETTING: 12 surgical intensive care units of university hospitals and large community hospitals; four medical school research laboratories in eight European countries PATIENTS: 128 surgical patients with major intra-abdominal surgery admitted for at least two days to an intensive care unit MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prediction of complications or survival based on analysis of clinical (Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score, Multi-Organ-Failure Score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores) and immunological (plasma levels of endotoxin, endotoxin neutralizing capacity, IL-6, IL-8, cell associated IL-8, Fc-receptor polymorphism, soluble CD-14) parameters, with comparison of predicted and actual outcomes. RESULTS: APACHE II, MODS score, MOF score, platelets, IL-6, IL-8, ENC, cell ass. IL-8 were significantly different between survivors and non-survivors and patients with/without severe complications by univariate analysis. By multivariate analysis only MOF, MODS score, IL-6, platelets, comorbidity predicted complications with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 87%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only APACHE II score, plasma IL-8 and complications predicted death (sensitivity 84%; specificity 90%). CONCLUSION: Immunological surrogate parameters may predict complications and death of surgical ICU patients. The use of several parameters may add to increase sensitivity and specificity in a prognostic model.

APACHE↗

Selective decrease of serum immunoglobulin G1 as marker for early stages of invasive breast cancer.

The diagnostic value of the decrease in percentage of immunoglobulin G1 (%lgG1) in breast cancer was analyzed with special emphasis on early tumor stages. IgG1 and total IgG were preoperatively measured in the sera of a total of 801 individuals using a modified quantitative affinity chromatography. Group A consisted of 174 healthy individuals of both sexes, group B of 324 female patients with benign breast disease, and group C of 303 patients with invasive and non-invasive breast cancer. Within group C, 13 patients presented with intraductal carcinoma, and 22 patients with a pT1a-tumour (diameter less than 0.5 cm). The %IgG1 values were compared among groups A, B and C. In addition, correlations were sought between %IgG1 values of group C and tumor size, stage (UICC), histopathological grade and oestrogen (ER) and progesteron receptor (PR) expression. The mean value of %IgG1 in group A was 63.3 +/- 0.5 s.e.m., in group B 57.75 +/- 0.4 s.e.m. and in group C 52.37 +/- 0.5 s.e.m. The differences of mean values were highly significant between all three groups. Sensitivity and specificity of %IgG1 to discriminate between group A and C were 75% and 87%, and between group B and C 62% and 63%, respectively. The significant decrease of %IgG1 in total serum IgG is able to distinguish patients with breast cancer of more than 5 mm in diameter from healthy controls and patients with benign breast diseases. Finally, calculated posterior probabilities revealed that within certain concentration limits %lgG1 may provide predictive information with high probabilities.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy using 2-mm instruments.

Today, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the method of choice for treatment of symptomatic gallbladder disorders. It minimizes effects of the operation that are independent of the gallbladder, such as trauma to the abdominal wall and other soft tissue. The surgical wounds were even smaller when 2-mm trocars were used. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy using 2-mm instruments was performed in a consecutive series of 14 patients with symptomatic gallstones. The procedure was completed in 12 cases, with conversion to open surgery in two cases. Intraoperative cholangiography was always performed. The postoperative course was always uneventful. The cosmetic effect was highly satisfactory. The procedure using 2-mm instruments could be indicated in selected patients with uncomplicated gallstone disease.

Adult↗

[Primary malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the breast: breast preserving therapy in 3 patients].

Primary malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma is rare. The mammographic appearance is unspecific. The final diagnosis can usually be made after examination of paraffin-embedded tissue only. There exists no therapeutic standard for this disease. In the case of 3 patients treated at our institution, tumorectomy only and adjuvant therapy have been performed because there is no survival advantage for patients who underwent radical surgery.

Aged↗

Hemostatic methods for the management of spleen and liver injuries.

The spleen and liver are the most frequently injured organs during blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. Emergency laparotomy is crucial for early control of bleeding and to prevent "secondary" injury as a result of physiologic splanchnic vasoconstriction and free oxygen radicals. Altogether 98 patients with spleen and liver injuries were treated over an 8-year period. Primary orthotopic spleen preservation could be achieved in 46 of 63 patients. In 58 patients with hepatic trauma, hemostatic treatment was chosen based on the severity of the injury. Nonoperative management was used for four splenic and seven hepatic trauma patients. The most commonly used techniques were fibrin sealing, suturing, and débridement for hepatic injury and mesh splenorrhaphy, fibrin glue, and partial resection with a TA stapler for splenic injury. The death of patients with complex injuries was mainly due to preclinical massive blood loss and multiple organ failure.

Hemostatic Techniques↗

Laparoscopic partial splenic resection.

Twenty domestic pigs with an average weight of 30 kg were subjected to laparoscopic partial splenic resection with the aim of determining the feasibility, reliability, and safety of this procedure. Unlike the human spleen, the pig spleen is perpendicular to the body's long axis, and it is long and slender. The parenchyma was severed through the middle third, where the organ is thickest. An 18-mm trocar with a 60-mm Endopath linear cutter was used for the resection. The tissue was removed with a 33-mm trocar. The operation was successfully concluded in all animals. No capsule tears occurred as a result of applying the stapler. Optimal hemostasis was achieved on the resected edges in all animals. Although these findings cannot be extended to human surgery without reservations, we suggest that diagnostic partial resection and minor cyst resections are ideal initial indications for this minimally invasive approach.

Animals↗

[Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS)--evaluating the clinical status].

In 44 patients with biliary obstructions, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) was performed during percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage procedures (PTCD). In all patients the obstruction could be decompressed via the PTCD sufficiently. 30 of these cases who had PTCS showed suspect hepatic and pancreatic malignancies. In contrast to the brush cytology (14% false negative) the biopsies revealed insufficient histology in 33%. However, in 3 cases a more extended tumor site was seen that at the initial exploration, shown by ERCP.

Bile Duct Neoplasms↗

[A new concept in imaging pelvic recurrence of curatively operated rectal carcinoma--image fusion of nuclear magnetic resonance tomography and anti-CEA immunoscintigraphy (SPECT): technique and clinical example].

We present a new technique of image fusion (IF) of magnetic resonance imaging (MRT) and anti-CEA-immunoscintigraphy (Behring 431/26) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). We performed SPECT and MRT within 8 hours on the same day. Glucagon intravenously was used to reduce artefacts due to intestinal motility. Before image fusion we analysed the SPECT and MRT images independently of each other. The MRT and SPECT were connected by a local area network (LAN) to a Gateway computer, which is also used as a picture archive. There a program automatically starts, translates the MRT data from the ACR/NEMA format to the Elscint one and these data are sent for image fusion to the nuclear medicine computer Elscint SP1. By means of a clinical example we present anatomic concordant superimposition and explain the findings and the clinical value of our technique. This system and technique are equally applicable to other digital imaging investigations. By IF, on the basis of the certain evidence of the tracer depot of a pathological lesion diagnosed by MRT and the reliability of the anatomical assignment of a focal lesion diagnosed by SPECT, early detection of local recurrence after surgical treatment of rectal cancer, the correct localisation of recurrent disease and its distinction from non-malignant tissue becomes possible. This enables planning of further therapeutical strategies.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of the stomach. Clinical experiences with a rare stomach tumor].

Gastric epithelioid leiomyosarcoma (epLMS), which generally occurs in mid- or late adult life, is a rare smooth muscle tumor of the stomach. Out of 25 soft tissue tumors of the stomach operated at the Department of Surgery, University of Graz, two epLMS were diagnosed. This paper presents the case of a 67-year-old male with an epLMS in the corpus and of a 80-year-old female with an epLMS in the fundus of the stomach. The tumors were not diagnosed by gastroscopy; they were localized by sonography and CT-scan. In both cases the tumor was completely removed surgically, using a TA 90 4.8 mm respectively a TA 55 4.8 mm stapler. Diagnosis was reached by histological and immunohistochemical examination of the tumor tissue. Surgical excision with wide tumor-free resection margins is the therapy of choice in this tumor group.

Adult↗

Partial splenic resection using the TA-stapler.

Since 1987, we have used the TA-stapler for 15 partial resections of the spleen. The cases included 5 second- to third-degree traumatic ruptures, 4 splenic cysts, 3 injuries resulting from accidents during upper-abdominal surgery, 2 diagnostic resections, and 1 intralienal pancreatic cyst. The TA-55 stapler was used 14 times and the TA-90 once. No patient developed postoperative bleeding or required further surgery. Postoperative laboratory chemistry and scintigraphy findings were within the limits indicative of normal function in all cases. The TA-stapler expands the technical possibilities for organ-conserving splenic surgery.

Adult↗

[Splenic cyst--a rare cause of epigastric expansion].

Cysts are rare lesions of the spleen, and may be divided into parasitic and non-parasitic types. After the parasitic cysts, the second most frequent group is the (secondary) posttraumatic form of non-parasitic cysts. The primary form (congenital and neoplastic) of the latter is the least frequent. Whereas splenectomy was the treatment of choice for lienal cysts until a few years ago, a change has occurred in the techniques of splenic salvage. Against the background of a case report of a primary epidermoid cyst the etiology, diagnostic measures, and the recent developments in conserving spleen surgery are discussed.

Adolescent↗

[New organ-preserving technics for third-grade splenic trauma. An experimental study].

We studied two new techniques for orthotopic preservation of the spleen in an animal model with respect to their technical feasibility and their hemostatic efficacy. This study was performed in two stages. In the first, the treatment of central bursting ruptures by splenorrhaphy using a resorbable compressive mesh was tested. 20 sheep have been used for this part of the study. They were divided into four groups (A: control, B: sham operation, C: splenectomy, D: mesh splenorrhaphy). Following completion of this stage, two animals from group A and two from group B were used to test a second experimental setting. Experimental trauma corresponding to isolated third degree polar rupture of the spleen was induced. This was then treated by a polar resection using stapling instruments. All animals from each stage were subjected to spleen scanning three months postoperatively, followed by splenectomy. The spleens were then examined histologically. Both macroscopically and microscopically normal splenic tissue was found. No difference between the different groups could be detected by laboratory investigations. Gamma-globulins and total serum proteins were within normal ranges after five weeks. Splenic scan revealed an excellent function of the pulp. Both techniques are distinguished by their facility and rapidity, as well as reliable hemostasis and minimal technical prerequisites.

Animals↗

[Clinical use of new organ-saving technics in splenic surgery].

During a period of 19 months, 22 organ preserving splenic operations were performed. Eleven of these, were severe third degree traumatic bursting ruptures, which were treated using a resorbable compressive mesh. An intralienal pancreatic cyst, a case of splenomegaly suspicious for lymphoma, one traumatic and two accidental polar lesions were treated by partial splenic resection using stapler. In two patients with traumatic and four with accidental first and second degree lienal lesions, collagen tampon and fibrin adhesive were employed. None of these patients required a second laparotomy. Aside from an edematous tail pancreatitis, no complications arose. Two patients succumbed to their severe cranial injuries. In the same period, four posttraumatic splenectomies were performed. Thus, excluding incidental and technical splenectomies, the application of the described methods resulted in orthotopic splenic preservation in 78% of traumatic splenic ruptures.

Adult↗

TA-stapler resection of congenital splenic cyst. Case report.

Splenic cysts are uncommon. Primary (true, epithelial) and secondary (false, non-epithelial) forms may be distinguished, the latter being more usual. Organ-preserving resection of a primary mesothelial splenic cyst, using a TA-stapler, is described and alternative techniques of splenic preservation are discussed.

Cysts↗

[Is the search for Meckel's diverticulum in appendectomy still a current problem in common surgical practice?].

During a ten year period from 1978 to 1988, 46 Meckel's diverticula (MD) were removed from patients with clinical symptoms of appendicitis. These were detected incidentally among 3230 appendectomies which were routinely followed by small bowel exploration. Only 45.6% had histopathologically inconspicuous diverticular mucosa. 17.4% of MD displayed pathological mucosal changes in the face of a normal appendix. In 10 patients both conditions co-existed. There were no postoperative deaths. Postoperative complications requiring operative revision occurred in one patient. The search for a MD should be routine, and not only consequence of finding a normal appendix. The rationale for the routine removal of a MD is not only its role as a potential risk factor and the lesser operative risk, but the fact that a macroscopically bland diverticulum reveals histopathological abnormalities considerably more often than commonly assumed.

Adult↗

[Manual suture versus/or mechanical suture from the Austrian viewpoint].

A general inquiry was made at surgical units and university clinics in Austria about the anastomosis techniques used between 1980 to 1985. The result was that in 90.3% the suture was made by hand and in 9.7% by machine. The first mentioned was performed as double row inverting suture by 66% of our surgeons, and only in 30% as an all-layer suture. The stapler-technique was mostly preferred for the oesophago-jejunostomy and the high and lower resection of the rectum. A leakage of the suture line was observed in 3.9% after sewing by hand and in 6.3% after stapling. The total lethality finally was 1.4% for hand made suture and 1.8% for apparative suture.

Austria↗