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Biomedical subjects

M Starlinger

Publications and source records attributed to M Starlinger.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Preoperative angiographic marking of angiodysplasia of the small intestine with platinum coils].

In patients with occult lower gastrointestinal bleeding, locating of the source of hemorrhage can be quite difficult. While multiple diagnostic tests, like arteriography, enteroclysis, nuclear scans, may confirm a small bowel source of bleeding, precise localization allowing a directed, conservative surgical resection may be problematic. We describe a patient presenting with hemorrhage from an angiodysplasia in the small intestine. The preoperative use of highly selective angiographically placed platinum coils into the feeding artery allowed us to precisely locate the angiodysplasia radiographically during operation and to resect a conservative length of small intestine. We believe that preoperative bleeding site localization with platinum coils is a simple, effective tool to aid surgical resection of small bowel angiodysplastic lesions.

Aged↗

Clinical course after transanal advancement flap repair of perianal fistula in patients with Crohn's disease.

A total of 36 rectal advancement flap repairs were performed in 32 patients with perianal Crohn's disease. There were 12 anovaginal and 20 trans-sphincteric fistulas. Patients were followed prospectively for a mean of 19.5 months to evaluate postoperative recurrence rate. The prognostic influence of fistula type, rectal disease, intestinal disease and faecal diversion on recurrence was assessed. Four of 36 repairs showed primary failure, the operated fistula recurred in 11 patients after a median of 7 months, and a new fistula developed in six patients. The fistula recurrence rate was higher in patients with anovaginal fistula or Crohn's colitis but did not correlate with disease activity. Transitory mild incontinence of stool was observed in one patient only. Although rectal advancement flap repair does not cure perianal fistulas in most patients with Crohn's disease, those without Crohn's colitis may have long-term benefit. Short-term improvement of symptoms justifies this simple procedure even in patients with anovaginal fistula.

Adult↗

Clinical course of perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease.

The clinical course of perianal fistulas and associated abscesses was evaluated prospectively in 90 patients with Crohn's disease. Fistula type, rectal disease, faecal diversion, and immunosuppression were examined as prognostic indicators for fistula healing and recurrence. Median follow up was 22 months. The outcome was evaluated with life table analysis. Prognostic factors were analysed by multiple regression. Inactivation was achieved in all patients. The risks of recurrent fistula activity were 48% at one year and 59% at two years. Fistulas were healed in 51% after two years but reopened in 44% within 18 months of healing. Faecal diversion and absence of rectal disease decreased recurrence rates (p = 0.019/0.04) and increased healing rates (p = 0.005/0.017). The outcome in patients with trans-sphincteric fistulas was better than that in those with ischiorectal fistulas but worse than in patients with subcutaneous fistulas (p = 0.015 for healing; p = 0.007 for recurrent fistula activity). After initial treatment about 20% of the patients were symptomatic and about 10% had painful events per six month period. Incontinence was rare and did not increase during the study period. Perianal fistulas and associated abscesses can be controlled safely by simple drainage of pus collections. Frequent reinfection and re-opening after healing of fistulas are characteristic. Fistula type, rectal disease, and stool contamination influence the clinical course. Only a few patients, however, have continuous symptoms from perianal fistulas.

Crohn Disease↗

[Evacuation proctography: physiological variability and clinical relevance of the anorectal angle and the position of the pelvic floor].

Evacuation proctography is an important imaging method for the investigation of abnormalities of defecation. For this procedure, the most commonly carried out measurements are the ano-rectal angle and the position of the pelvic floor. The given mean values and the physiologically acceptable deviations vary just as much as the perceived clinical value of these measurements. 173 evacuation proctograms were evaluated in a prospective study; the subjective abnormalities were correlated with clinical findings. No significant correlation between the measurements from the proctograms and the clinical findings could be determined. The clinical relevance of these measurements is, therefore, uncertain.

Adult↗

[Magnetic resonance imaging in perianal Crohn's disease].

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was undertaken in a prospective study of 34 consecutive patients (21 women, 13 men; median age 31 [18-53] years) suspected of having active perianal Crohn's disease. The results of the investigation were compared with those obtained by independent observers on proctological and intraoperative examination (n = 31). A total of 58 fistulas and 21 abscesses were noted intraoperatively, 47 fistulas and all 21 abscesses by MRI, and 40 fistulas and 13 abscesses proctologically. The proctological examination proved to be more sensitive in demonstrating short subcutaneous or anovaginal fistulas (three of four subcutaneous and two of five anovaginal fistulas were not shown by MRI). Intersphincteric, ischiorectal and supralevator involvement was shown better by MRI. These results indicate that in perianal Crohn's disease MRI is a useful addition to proctological examination.

Abscess↗

Intestinal stenosis and perforating complications in Crohn's disease.

The charts of 384 patients with Crohn's disease were reviewed to assess the prognostic value of a bowel stenosis documented at the time of initial diagnosis for the occurrence of perforating (abscess, fistula, free perforation) or obstructing complications requiring surgical intervention. Mean follow-up was 5.6 years. At time of diagnosis a bowel stenosis (S) was documented in 143 patients (37.2%). 130 patients underwent surgery, 62 (48%) for obstruction, 18 (14%) for a perforating complication, 12 (9%) for both obstructing and perforating complication and 38 (29%) for intractable disease. The cumulative rates of surgery were calculated using lifetable analysis. The presence of a stenosis at the time of initial diagnosis was a risk factor for the likelihood of surgery overall [65% (S) vs. 40% (no S) after 10 years; P < 0.001] and of surgery for obstruction [70% (S) vs. 34% (no S); P < 0.001] but did not increase the likelihood of a perforating complication [24% (S) vs. 29% (no S); n.s.]. A perforating complication requiring surgery may therefore not be predicted by the mere diagnosis of a stenosis. Prophylactic surgery of stenotic lesions in patients with Crohn's disease to prevent the development of a perforating complication therefore is not recommended.

Adult↗

Technique and results of transanal endoscopic microsurgery in early rectal cancer.

The anatomy of the pelvis makes it difficult to perform local excisions in the rectum when the tumor is some distance from the anal verge. We have, therefore, developed a new minimally invasive technique for tumor resection. A rectoscope with a 40-mm diameter permits tumor resection under stereoscopic control in the gas-dilated rectal cavity. Excisions in full-thickness technique up to segmental resections with end-to-end anastomosis can be performed. In selected cases, local excision of a small rectal cancer can be regarded as appropriate treatment. However, most local resections of carcinomas are performed when removal of an adenoma is planned, and the postoperative histology shows a carcinoma. Since 1983, we have operated on 326 patients, 274 who have been enrolled in a prospective clinical trial. Definitive histologic examination proved that 74 of these tumors were carcinomas. The rate of severe complications in patients with carcinomas was 9%, and the mortality rate was 0%. The advantages of this new technique are: The stereoscopic magnified view in the gas-dilated rectum allows precise surgery in an operative field that is otherwise difficult to reach. During the postoperative period, minimal discomfort and pain result in a short hospitalization.

Adenoma↗

[Endoscopic sonography of the anorectum in inflammatory rectal diseases].

213 patients, classified in 3 groups, were examined in a prospective trial using endorectal ultrasound. 80 patients (group A) had no anorectal disease, the endorectal ultrasound showed normal structures of the anorectum and the perirectal tissue. 80 patients (group B) suffered from Crohn's disease, 30 of them had no clinical signs, the rest of this group (50 patients) felt pain in the anal/perianal region. 83 patients (group C) had perianal abscesses or fistulas, Crohn's disease could be excluded. In all 64 perianal fistulas and 66 perianal abscesses were diagnosed. The results of the rectal-proctological examination were compared with endorectal ultrasound. 100% of the perianal abscesses could be recognized using endosonography. The digital-proctological examination revealed only 57% of perianal abscesses and 48% of perianal fistulas; the supralevatory abscesses couldn't be detected proctologically at all. By endorectal ultrasonography we obtained useful informations about localization and extension of the inflammatory process. From a therapeutic and prognostic view the endorectal ultrasound is a simple, practicable and useful method to investigate perianal and anorectal diseases.

Abscess↗

[Do perioperative blood transfusions affect the postoperative recurrence rate in Crohn disease?].

The influence of perioperative blood transfusion on postoperative recurrence rate was investigated in 109 patients with Crohn's disease after primary surgery. 52 of the 109 patients had received transfusions during the perioperative period. The symptomatic recurrence rate 5 years after surgery was 31% in transfused and 33% in non-transfused patients (p = 0.99). The reoperation rates were 10% (transfused) and 12% (non-transfused) after 5 years respectively (p = 0.70). Therefore, the finding of decreased postoperative recurrence rates in patients who received perioperative blood transfusions cannot be supported by our results.

Adult↗

[Prognostic factors in Crohn's disease. Is the probability of a later operation assessable at the initial diagnosis?].

Data were retrospectively analysed of 492 patients (268 women, 224 men; mean age 27 [9-71] years) to find out what features present at time of first diagnosis (age, sex, site of disease, biochemical findings) will play a role in determining the probability of surgery ultimately becoming necessary. The probability of an operation ten years after first diagnosis was 55%, after 20 years it was 88%, significantly higher if the ileum rather than only the colon was affected. Age and sex had no influence. Patients with a haemoglobin content below 12 g/dl (women) or below 13.5 g/dl (men), or an albumin concentration under 4.0 g/dl, or a blood sedimentation rate over 30 mm in the first hour had a probability of operation after ten years nearly three times higher than those without one of these findings. A prognosis about the likely future course of the disease can be made from its localization and the biochemical values. Thus patients with an early ileocolitis and unfavourable biochemical findings apparently constitute a subgroup in which the disease takes a primarily aggressive course.

Age Factors↗

[Crohn's disease: disease activity and recurrence following surgery].

The data from 238 patients (108 men, 130 women, mean age 29 [15-71] years), who had undergone operations for Crohn's disease between 1968 and 1988, were analysed retrospectively with the purpose of ascertaining the significance of an endoscopically demonstrated "early recurrence". In 170 patients postoperative colonoscopy had been performed at least once. In 130 patients the activity of the disease in the years before and after operation was compared in terms of such parameters as haemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum albumin, body weight and the frequency of acute flare-ups of the disease and admissions to hospital. The probability of an endoscopically demonstrable recurrence was 90% after 5 years, while the corresponding figure for a symptomatic recurrence was 40%. This indicates that the routine performance of postoperative colonoscopies is of no value in assessing the prognosis. The probability of a reoperation was 21% after 5 years; in cases where both the ileum and colon were involved the probability was three times as high as in those with isolated involvement of either the small or the large intestine. Post-operatively, a substantial reduction in disease activity of several years' duration was achieved in the overall majority of cases.

Adolescent↗