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Biomedical subjects

P B Soeters

Publications and source records attributed to P B Soeters.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Long-term outcome following mucosal advancement flap for high perianal fistulas and fistulotomy for low perianal fistulas: recurrent perianal fistulas: failure of treatment or recurrent patient disease?

BACKGROUND: In this study, we determined the long-term outcome of perianal fistulas treated with mucosal advancement flap (MF) or fistulotomy (FT). METHODS: One hundred three patients with perianal fistulas were treated by MF for high fistulas or FT for low fistulas and were retrospectively assessed by case-note review and examined at the out-patient clinic. The localization and time of recurrence of the fistula were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-one patients [median follow-up of 72 months (range 48-99)] were treated by an MF, and 62 patients [median follow up of 75 months (range 48-99)] were treated by FT. After 12, 48, and 72 months, the fistula had recurred in 9 (22%), 26 (63%), and 26 (63%) patients of the MF group and in 4 (7%), 16 (26%), and 24 (39%) patients of the FT group, respectively. Eighteen (69%) of the recurrences in the MF group and ten (33%) of the FT group occurred within 24 months after surgery (p=0.01). Four (15%) of the recurrences in the MF group and 13 (54%) of the recurrences in the FT group were present in a different localization (p=0.007). CONCLUSION: The success rate of both FT and MF techniques decreases with time. Recurrence appears to be caused by failure of treatment and by recurrent patient disease.

Adult↗

Application of subjective global assessment as a screening tool for malnutrition in surgical patients in Vietnam.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In most hospitals in Vietnam, clinical assessment of nutritional status has yet to become part of the routine clinical history taking and physical examination. It is the aim of this study to apply subjective global assessment (SGA) of nutritional status in surgical patients in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, to determine the incidence of malnutrition according to SGA and to know whether there was an association between SGA class and infectious complications. METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional study design was used. SGA of nutritional status was applied. Patients were rated as well nourished (A), moderately malnourished (B) or severely malnourished (C). Infectious complications (wound infection, intra-abdominal abscesses, anastomotic leakage) were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 438 patients assessed, 194 (44.3%) were classified as A, 126 patients (28.8%) were classified as B and 118 patients (26.9%) were classified as C. Of the 274 patients who underwent major abdominal surgery assessed, 61 patients (22.3%) were classified as A, 97 patients (35.4%) were classified as B and 116 patients (42.3%) were classified as C. Weight loss and percent weight loss, muscle wasting, loss of subcutaneous fat, functional capacity and significant gastrointestinal symptoms correlate significantly with the severity of SGA class (P<0.001). The rate of postoperative infectious complications was higher in patients classified as SGA class C (33.6%) than as class A (6%) and B (11%). CONCLUSIONS: A high rate of malnutrition was found, applying SGA of nutritional state in surgical patients in Vietnam. Malnutrition was associated with an increase in infectious complications. Special attention should be paid to weight loss, muscle wasting, loss of subcutaneous fat, functional capacity and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Abdomen↗

Staged mucosal advancement flap for the treatment of complex anal fistulas: pretreatment with noncutting Setons and in case of recurrent multiple abscesses a diverting stoma.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a staged strategy for the treatment of complex perianal fistula. METHODS: Between January 1999 and April 2003 all consecutive patients with complex perianal fistulas were treated according to a staged strategy. Fistula tracks originating from the middle third or upper part of the anal sphincter were included. Patients were examined for recurrent fistulas and complaints of incontinence and soiling. Initial treatment consisted of a noncutting seton with or without a diverting stoma. Definitive surgical treatment consisted of an advancement flap or fistulotomy. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included (median age; 42 years, range 22-68 years). Seven had Crohn's disease without signs of rectal and anal involvement other than the fistula. At a median follow up of 22 months (range 8-52 months) in 29 (97%) patients, the wounds had healed completely; 7 (22%) patients subsequently developed a recurrent fistula and minor soiling occurred in 7 (23%) patients. CONCLUSION: Initial treatment with a seton with and without a diverting stoma minimizing inflammatory activity at the fistula site before definitive surgical treatment gave good results in this difficult group of patients.

Adult↗

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding versus open vertical banded gastroplasty: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and open vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) are treatment modalities for morbid obesity. However, few prospective randomized clinical trials (RCT) have been performed to compare both operations. METHODS: 100 patients (50 per group) were included in the study. Postoperative outcomes included hospital length of stay (LOS), complications, percent excess weight loss (%EWL), BMI and reduction in total comorbidities. Follow-up in all patients was 2 years. RESULTS: LOS was significantly shorter in the LAGB group. 3 LAGB were converted to open (1 to gastric bypass). Directly after VBG, 3 patients needed relaparotomies due to leakage, of which one (2%) died. After 2 years, 100% follow-up was achieved. BMI and %EWL were significantly decreased in both groups but significantly more in the VBG group compared to the LAGB group (31.0 kg/m2 and 70.1% vs 34.6 and 54.9% respectively). Co-morbidities significantly decreased in both groups in time. 2 years after LAGB, 20 patients needed reoperation for pouch dilation/slippage (n=12), band leakage (n=2), band erosion (n=2) and access-port problems (n=4). In the VBG group, 18 patients needed revisional surgery due to staple-line disruption (n=15), narrow outlet (n=2) or insufficient weight loss (n=1). Furthermore, 8 VBG patients developed an incisional hernia. CONCLUSION: This RCT demonstrates that, despite the initial better weight loss in the VBG group, based on complication rates and clinical outcome, LAGB is preferred. It had a shorter LOS and less postoperative morbidity.

Adolescent↗

Effects of long-term intravenous and intragastric L-arginine intervention on jejunal motility and visceral nitric oxide production in the hyperdynamic compensated endotoxaemic pig.

Alterations in L-arginine availability and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in the intestinal muscularis may contribute to disturbed small intestinal motility that is observed during endotoxaemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of L-arginine infusion on visceral NO production and jejunal motility in hyperdynamic compensated endotoxaemic pigs. Fasted and saline-resuscitated pigs were intravenously infused for 24 h with endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, 50 ng kg(-1) min(-1)) or saline (n = 6). Endotoxaemic pigs received either intravenous L-arginine (n = 6, 5.3 micromol kg(-1) min(-1)) or L-alanine (isocaloric, n = 6). After 24 h, intravenous L-arginine or L-alanine infusion was continued intragastrically for 32-h in an enteral meal. During (0-24 h) and 1 day postendotoxaemia (48-56 h), jejunal motility was recorded by manometry and analysed for migrating motor complex (MMC) characteristics. Visceral NO production was measured at 24 and 48 h by 15N2-arginine-to-15N-citrulline conversion. Visceral NO production was increased during endotoxaemia and was higher in L-arginine than in L-alanine-treated pigs. One day postendotoxaemia, visceral NO synthesis was still increased in L-arginine but not in L-alanine-treated animals. Endotoxaemia shortened the MMC cycle duration and accelerated the MMC propagation velocity. Both were restored by L-arginine. Similar motility disturbances were observed one day postendotoxaemia and were also compensated by L-arginine infusion.

Alanine↗

Decreased plasma orexin-A levels in obese individuals.

Orexin-A and -B stimulate appetite and food intake in rats. Orexins and orexin receptors are present in the hypothalamus as well as the enteric nervous system, the pancreas and the gut. The presence of orexins in peripheral blood, however, has not yet been reported. To determine whether orexin-A is present in human plasma and is related to body weight, we measured plasma orexin-A and leptin levels in a population with a body mass index (BMI) range from 19.8 to 59 kg/m(2). Plasma orexin-A levels correlated negatively and plasma leptin levels correlated positively with BMI. In obese and morbidly obese individuals, orexin-A levels were significantly lower and leptin levels were significantly higher when compared to normal. Our results support previous data suggesting that orexin-A acts also in a peripheral manner. The fact that lower levels of plasma orexin-A are present in obese individuals suggests that it is involved in the regulation of human energy metabolism.

Body Mass Index↗

Case study of the clinical usefulness of bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy in evaluating nutritional status.

Bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) can be a valuable tool in assessing changes in body composition. Although the validity of BIS in healthy subjects is relatively good, in patients considerably larger measurement errors have been reported. In this article the clinical usefulness of BIS in assessing nutritional status of one case study will be discussed. Interpretation of the predictions of BIS in this unstable patient was difficult. This is in agreement with the consensus that BIS does not give accurate prediction of body composition in individual patients. It is recommended that validation studies of BIS should focus on clinical aspects which can influence BIS measurements.

Adult↗

Differential effects of selective and non-selective NOS inhibition on renal arginine and protein metabolism during endotoxemia in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The kidney is the main endogenous producer of circulating arginine. Renal arginine disposal is directed to protein synthesis, urea production and nitric oxide synthesis. The administration of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors during sepsis may be beneficial or detrimental depending on the specificity of the inhibitor. We aimed to measure the effects of two NOS inhibitors, with different specificity, on renal arginine and protein turnover in a rat model of sepsis. METHODS: Rats were subject to double hit endotoxemia and either L-NAME (non-specific), SMT (iNOS specific) or saline. Under anesthesia, vessels supplying and draining the kidney were catheterized. Systemic and intra-renal arginine and protein metabolism were measured using a primed continuous infusion of L-[2,3-(3)H]arginine and L-[2,6-(3)H]phenylalanine. RESULTS: Non-specific NOS reduced systemic protein and arginine turnover, whereas selective iNOS inhibition did not. In the kidney, blood flow was reduced by L-NAME, but not by SMT. In conjunction with this, non-selective NOS inhibition increased renal protein breakdown, whereas selective iNOS inhibition increased renal arginine production. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that non-selective NOS inhibition using L-NAME is detrimental for systemic and renal protein metabolism. Selective NOS inhibition stimulates renal arginine synthesis, without changing circulating arginine levels.

Animals↗

Bio-electrical impedance spectroscopy: alternatives for the conventional hand-to-foot measurements.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bio-impedance spectroscopy (BIS) is a very attractive method for measuring body composition. The standard method measures impedance from hand to foot. However, in patients a hand or foot is not always accessible. In these cases alternative methods would be helpful. The objective of this study was to compare BIS measurements from hand to foot (HF) with foot to foot (FF) and hand to hand (HH) measurements as alternatives. Aims were firstly, to assess the relationship between resistance (R) values measured by the different methods, secondly, to study the influence of body geometry on this relationship and lastly, to assess the predictive capacity of the methods for measuring body fluid volumes. METHODS: In 53 subjects with different degrees of obesity (mean BMI = 38; SD = 9 kg/m(2)) three BIS measurements were performed from HF, HH and FF with a Xitron 4000B machine. Resistances of extracellular (Recw) and intracellular water (Ricw) were extrapolated by fitting the data to a Cole-Cole plot. Total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) were measured by deuterium and bromide dilution respectively. Intracellular water (ICW) was calculated as TBW-ECW. Anthropometric measurements, including length and circumference of limbs and trunk, were performed as measures for body geometry. RESULTS: The Recw, Ricw and R50 values of HF measurements could be accurately described as a function of the Recw, Ricw and R50 values of HH or FF measurements. The relative circumference of arms and legs and the length of the trunk influenced the relationship between R values of the three different measurements. The degree of overweight did not affect this relationship. The precision of the predictions of TBW, ECW and ICW based on R values of the HH measurements were comparable with the traditional HF measurements while the FF measurements gave slightly less accurate results. CONCLUSIONS: Under circumstances where total body BIS measurements cannot be performed, FF or HH measurements may be used as alternatives. However, for clinical use the effect of changes in fluid distribution on the accuracy of these methods needs to be studied further.

Body Composition↗

Gastrointestinal actinomycosis: an unusual presentation with obstructive uropathy: report of a case and review of the literature.

A 55-year-old female patient is described who had recurrent retroperitoneal infections without an apparent focus. After a protracted period of illness the infection proved to be caused by actinomycosis. An unusual feature of the inflammatory process consisted of obstruction of the ureters, ultimately resulting in destruction of the left kidney. Hydronephrosis resulting from inflammatory fibrosis has not been reported in the literature before.

Actinomycosis↗

Increased leptin concentrations correlate with increased concentrations of inflammatory markers in morbidly obese individuals.

OBJECTIVE: To study whether an increase of plasma leptin concentrations, as observed in the case of increased body weight, is associated with an inflammatory state. SUBJECTS: Sixty-three healthy subjects with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 20 to 61 kg/m2. MEASUREMENTS: Plasma concentrations of leptin, the inflammatory parameter soluble TNF-alpha receptors (TNFR55 and TNFR75), the acute phase proteins lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), serum amyloid A (SAA), alpha-acid glycoprotein (AGP), C-reactive protein (CRP), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and the anti-inflammatory soluble Interleukin-1 decoy receptor (sIL-1RII) were measured. RESULTS: As expected, BMI correlated significantly with leptin (r=0.823, P<0.001), but also with all acute phase proteins, both soluble TNF receptors and PAI concentrations. After correction for BMI and sex, no significant correlation between leptin and the acute phase proteins was seen. Interestingly, however, leptin strongly correlated with both TNF receptors (r=0.523, P<0.001 for TNFR55 and r=0.438, P<0.001 for TNFR75). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the development of a pro-inflammatory state with increasing body weight. The BMI independent relationship between leptin and both soluble TNF-receptors is consistent with a regulatory role for leptin in the inflammatory state in morbidly obese subjects.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Role of bioimpedance spectroscopy in assessment of body water compartments in hemodialysis patients.

Bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) has been advocated as a tool to assess fluid status in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, uncertainty remains about the reliability of BIS in patients with abnormalities in fluid status. Aims of the study are to assess the agreement between total-body water (TBW) and extracellular volume (ECW) measured by BIS and tracer dilution (deuterium oxide [D(2)O] and sodium bromide [NaBr]), the influence of the relative magnitude of water compartments (expressed as TBW(D(2)O) and ECW(NaBr):body weight) on the agreement between BIS and tracer dilution, and the ability of BIS to predict acute changes in fluid status. BIS and tracer dilution techniques were performed in 17 HD patients before a dialysis session. Moreover, the relation between BIS and gravimetric weight changes was assessed during both isolated ultrafiltration and HD. Correlation coefficients between TBW and ECW measured by BIS and tracer dilution were r = 0.71 and r = 0.71, respectively. Mean differences (tracer-BIS) were 6.9 L (limits of agreement, -1.5 to 21.6 L) for TBW and 2.3 L (limits of agreement, -1.7 to 9.7 L) for ECW. There was a significant relationship between the relative magnitude of TBW and ECW compartments and disagreement between BIS and tracer dilution (r = 0.65 and r = 0.77; P < 0.05). During both isolated ultrafiltration and HD, there was a significant relation between gravimetric changes and change in ECW(BIS) (r = 0.83 and r = 0.76; P < 0.05), but not with change in TBW(BIS). In conclusion, agreement between BIS and tracer dilution techniques in the assessment of TBW and ECW in HD patients is unsatisfactory. The discrepancy between BIS and dilution techniques is related to the relative magnitude of body water compartments. Nevertheless, BIS adequately predicted acute changes in ECW during isolated ultrafiltration and HD, in contrast to changes in TBW.

Adult↗

Nutrition in patients with acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis is a disease with varying severity. Patients with the mild form do not require nutritional support because oral intake is resumed rapidly. Studies on nutritional support in acute pancreatitis have included patients with both mild and severe disease. In this heterogeneous group, total parenteral nutrition did not improve outcome compared with no nutrition at all. This is caused in part by an increase in septic complications during total parenteral nutrition. Likewise, no benefit from enteral nutrition was observed compared with no nutrition, probably because the group was heterogeneous or because nutritional goals were not achieved. Patients with severe acute pancreatitis become profoundly catabolic. This group undoubtedly requires nutritional support to treat undernutrition. The limited available data indicate that enteral nutrition, if well tolerated, is superior to parenteral nutrition for patients with severe acute pancreatitis. Based on current knowledge, a combination of early total parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition is advisable as soon as enteral nutrition is tolerated. Monitoring of gut function is crucial in this situation.

Acute Disease↗