From RBRVS to job stress. Medical specialty leaders discuss key issues facing their members. Interview by Mary T. Koska.
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Economics, Medical↗
Biomedical subjects
R A Straffon
Publications and source records attributed to R A Straffon.
Outcome of renal transplantation in patients with a functioning graft for 20 years or more.
In the present study long-term morbidity, quality of life and over-all rehabilitation were assessed in 14 patients with a functioning renal allograft for 20 years or longer. Followup ranged from 20 to 27 years (mean 22.5 years). All patients enjoyed excellent and stable renal function, and the mean serum creatinine level at 20 years was 1.3 mg. per dl. Complications related to long-term immunosuppressive therapy comprised infection in 8 patients (57%), malignancy in 7 (50%), cardiovascular disease in 6 (43%), cataracts in 3 (21%) and avascular necrosis of the hip in 2 (14%). Over-all quality of life was excellent in 13 patients who were able to return to work, participate in pre-illness levels of activity and enjoy sexual activity. While successful renal transplantation allows patients with end stage renal failure to resume relatively normal lives, these patients remain prone to complications resulting from long-term immunosuppressive therapy.
Aged↗
The role of renal autotransplantation in complex urological reconstruction.
From 1972 to 1988, 108 patients underwent renal autotransplantation for renal artery disease (67), ureteral replacement (27), or renal cell carcinoma present bilaterally or in a solitary kidney (14). The most common indication for renal autotransplantation was to allow extracorporeal repair of complex branch renal artery lesions. Of the 54 patients in this group technically satisfactory branch renal arterial reconstruction and a successful clinical outcome were achieved in 52 (96%). Renal autotransplantation is the treatment of choice in these patients and also in selected children with main renal artery disease. Renal autotransplantation provided excellent results in 25 of 27 patients (92%) who required replacement of all or a major portion of the ureter. Over-all renal function was well preserved in these patients and only 1 has experienced chronic bacteriuria. Renal autotransplantation is a useful alternative to ileal interposition in this setting. Extracorporeal partial nephrectomy and renal autotransplantation were successful in 12 of 14 patients (85%) undergoing a nephron-sparing operation for renal cell carcinoma. In situ techniques are associated with less morbidity and currently are preferred in this group.
Adolescent↗
Perioperative management of 63 patients with pheochromocytoma.
During a 10-year period, 60 patients with confirmed diagnoses of pheochromocytoma underwent a total of 63 surgical procedure. To control extreme blood pressure elevations, 6 patients received phenoxybenzamine preoperatively and 28 patients received prazosin. The remaining 29 patients received neither drug. Intravenous sodium nitroprusside and nitroglycerin, alone or in combination, were used in all but 10 patients to control intraoperative hypertensive episodes. One patient died after surgery due to pre-existing intracranial malignant tumor. All other patients were discharged from the hospital with no clinical evidence of stroke or myocardial infarction. We conclude that pheochromocytoma patients can undergo successful surgery without preoperative profound and long-lasting alpha adrenergic blockade.
Adolescent↗
Experience with extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma.
From 1955 to 1985, 20 patients presented with a total of 22 extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas (2 had multiple tumors and 2 had a malignant extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma). There were 13 male and 7 female patients, and the highest incidence was in the second decade. Although most patients presented with symptoms typical of pheochromocytoma, several presented with unusual features related to the anatomical location, such as mediastinal mass (chest tumor), upper airway obstruction (neck tumor) or gross hematuria (bladder tumor). In 5 of 6 patients in whom plasma catecholamine levels were fractionated epinephrine levels were elevated. The most common tumor location was the superior para-aortic region (13 patients). In 16 patients the location of tumors was established before treatment. Computerized tomography (9 patients) was the most accurate imaging study for tumor localization. A total of 19 patients underwent complete excision of all pheochromocytomas. Postoperative followup information (median interval 120 months) was available for 15 of these patients. Three patients had recurrent pheochromocytoma that was treated successfully. One patient had essential hypertension. No patient had metastatic disease. The low incidence of malignancy suggests a benign course for extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma and represents a departure from the previously reported higher incidence of malignancy with extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma.
Adolescent↗
Posterior transthoracic approach for adrenal surgery.
We present a modification of the posterior surgical approach for adrenalectomy wherein the pleura and diaphragm are directly incised to expose the adrenal gland. This technique has been used in 20 patients undergoing adrenalectomy for hyperplasia or a small benign adenoma. In our series chest tube drainage usually was not necessary, operative morbidity was minimal and most patients were discharged from the hospital within 1 week postoperatively. The posterior surgical approach remains an excellent method to perform adrenalectomy in selected patients. The transthoracic modification described can enhance operative exposure of a high-lying adrenal gland through this incision, particularly on the right side.
Adrenalectomy↗
The Cleveland Clinic experience with adrenal cortical carcinoma.
Between 1936 and 1987, 82 patients with adrenal cortical carcinoma were seen at our clinic. Of these patients 49 (72 per cent) have been seen during the last 25 years. A total of 40 patients (48.8 per cent) presented with a hormonally functional tumor and 42 (51.2 per cent) had a nonfunctional tumor. Forty patients (48.8 per cent) presented with localized disease, 12 (14.6 per cent) with regional disease and 30 (36.6 per cent) with distant metastases. Complete surgical removal of all gross tumor was achieved in 49 patients. Over-all 3 and 5-year patient survival rates in this series were 37.5 and 25.1 per cent, respectively. Survival was significantly improved (43.9 per cent at 5 years, p equals 0.0001) in patients with localized disease that was completely removed surgically; postoperative adjuvant therapy with op'-DDD was of no benefit in these patients. Survival in patients with metastatic disease was poor and was not improved by treatment with op'-DDD, cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Actuarial Analysis↗
Operative approaches to the adrenal gland.
Various adrenal disorders necessitate surgical intervention, and familiarity with adrenal pathophysiology and surgical anatomy is crucial to the success of these procedures. A number of operative approaches--anterior, posterior, flank, and thoracoabdominal--are available; the choice must be made on the basis of the patient's adrenal pathology, body habitus, and surgical history as well as the surgeon's experience and familiarity with the different options.
Adrenal Gland Diseases↗
Cutaneous ureterostomy as palliative diversion in adults with malignancy.
Over a twenty-one-year period (1963-1984) 46 patients underwent a permanent urinary diversion using cutaneous ureterostomy. Thirty-seven of these patients had this method of diversion employed as palliation for pelvic malignancies. In 70 per cent of the patients diversion was done secondary to ureteral obstruction and in the other patients because of either severe lower urinary tract symptoms or a failed alternate form of diversion. Forty-nine per cent of the patients experienced a postoperative complication. The late postoperative complications were either related to the choice of diversion or presumed progression of the patient's disease. Palliative diversion is now best initially attempted with percutaneous nephrostomy or indwelling ureteral stents if bladder function allows. Cutaneous ureterostomy no longer is indicated as a primary form of palliative diversion, however, it may be used as an alternative to open nephrostomy tube placement or intestinal conduit should other more conservative forms of management fail. The presence of at least one dilated ureter is a prerequisite to the success of this form of diversion.
Adult↗
Management of locally recurrent renal cell carcinoma after partial nephrectomy.
While partial nephrectomy can provide effective treatment for selected patients with renal cell carcinoma, postoperative local tumor recurs in approximately 10 per cent of the cases. We describe 4 patients in whom tumor recurred in a solitary renal remnant after partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma 1 to 6 years previously. The original tumor was pathological stage I in 2 patients and stage III in 2. Neither of the patients with stage I renal cell carcinoma had metastatic disease when locally recurrent carcinoma was noted. A second partial nephrectomy was done in these patients and they are alive 1 and 10 years later. Both patients with stage III renal cell carcinoma also had metastatic disease when locally recurrent carcinoma was noted. One patient died 1 year later and the other is alive 1 year later. Patients who undergo partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma should be followed closely to allow for early detection of local tumor recurrence. When this occurs, secondary surgical treatment may be possible with complete tumor excision and the opportunity for extended survival.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗
Conservative surgery for transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis.
From 1972 to 1986, 14 patients underwent a conservative operation for transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis. Most of these patients had low grade (12), noninvasive (10) tumors involving a solitary functioning kidney (12). The operations performed were open pyelotomy with tumor excision and fulguration (8 patients), partial nephrectomy (5) and percutaneous nephroscopic fulguration (1). There was 1 operative death. Of the 13 surviving patients 8 (62 per cent) remained free of transitional cell carcinoma postoperatively, while 5 (38 per cent) had recurrent disease. Six patients (46 per cent) presently are free of tumor 6 months to 5 years postoperatively. Conservative surgical techniques can provide satisfactory treatment for selected patients with renal pelvic transitional cell carcinoma when preservation of functioning renal parenchyma is necessary to avoid kidney failure.
Adult↗
Long-term results with renal autotransplantation for ureteral replacement.
From 1970 to 1984 renal autotransplantation was performed on 23 patients to replace all or a major portion of the ureter. The conditions necessitating ureteral replacement were postoperative ureteral injury in 16 cases, recurrent renal colic in 4, urinary undiversion in 2 and an atonic ureter in 1. Six patients presented with a solitary kidney and 1 underwent staged bilateral autotransplantation. After autotransplantation urinary continuity was restored by ureteroneocystostomy in 11 patients, pyelovesicostomy in 7, ureteroureterostomy in 2, pyeloureterostomy in 2 and ureterosigmoidostomy in 1. Postoperatively, there was no mortality and all but 1 of the autotransplanted kidneys functioned immediately. Two kidneys required removal postoperatively owing to bleeding. Currently, 20 patients are alive with functioning renal autotransplants at intervals of 1.5 to 14 years. The current serum creatinine level in these patients ranges from 1.1 to 2.2 mg. per dl., which in each case is improved or stable compared to the preoperative determination. Only 1 patient has experienced chronic bacteriuria. We conclude that renal autotransplantation provides excellent long-term treatment for patients who require ureteral replacement.
Adult↗
Jejunal conduit urinary diversion.
The clinical course of 14 patients undergoing jejunal conduit urinary diversion between 1971 and 1985 is reviewed. Indications for use of jejunum rather than ileum or colon for diversion included radiation changes of the ileum, concurrent colonic neoplasms or injury, concerns about collateral blood supply of the colon and multiple adhesions. There were 2 operative deaths. Followup in the remaining 12 patients was 1 to 116 months (mean 34 months). All of the patients had satisfactory postoperative renal function. Eight patients (67 per cent) experienced a total of 13 complications. Only 3 patients (25 per cent) suffered the electrolyte imbalance characteristic of jejunal conduit syndrome, representing the only complication directly attributable to the use of jejunum. The jejunal conduit is a viable alternative form of urinary diversion in patients in whom the use of other intestinal segments is undesirable because of previous irradiation, surgery or concurrent disease processes. Although jejunal conduits carry an increased risk of electrolyte imbalance, the use of short jejunal loops and prophylactic oral electrolyte replacement therapy can minimize the occurrence of this complication.
Adult↗
Cutaneous ureterostomy in children--long-term followup.
From 1963 to 1983, 45 children with benign disease underwent urinary diversion with cutaneous ureterostomy. Patient selection for cutaneous ureterostomy was predicted on the presence of at least 1 dilated ureter. Followup ranged from 4 months to 20 years, with a mean of 7.9 years. Of the patients 29 (64 per cent) had a minimum followup of 5 years and 18 (40 per cent) were followed for more than 10 years. Postoperative complications, results of followup excretory urography and the ultimate fate of these children were analyzed. The results demonstrate the usefulness of cutaneous ureterostomy as a permanent form of urinary diversion in selected children.
Adolescent↗
The role of intraoperative consultation.
The urologist who has completed an approved residency training program and has been certified by the American Board of Urology is well prepared to meet the daily challenges presented by the practice of urologic surgery. In spite of this careful preparation, there are times in the operating room when intraoperative consultation is needed and will be of great help in managing the surgical problem encountered. Although intraoperative consultation is probably not used as often as it should be, it is the author's hope that the reader of this symposium will be a better consultant in the operating room when called and will also feel more comfortable about calling for help when it is needed.
Humans↗
Endarterectomy and patchgraft angioplasty in treatment of atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension.
From 1962 to 1978, 56 patients underwent transrenal endarterectomy as surgical treatment for renovascular hypertension. Over-all results were 39 per cent cured, 36 per cent improved, and 25 per cent failed. Criteria for selecting patients with atherosclerotic renal artery disease for surgical treatment are reviewed. Transrenal endarterectomy is a simple operation and should continue to be applied in the management of properly selected patients.
Adult↗
Palatal metastases in renal cell carcinoma.
Renal cell carcinoma may metastasize early in its course and sometimes before the primary lesion becomes apparent. Two cases of renal cell carcinoma with the initial manifestation of metastases to the roof of the mouth are presented. The mode of metastases to the palate is discussed.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Aortorenal reimplantation in treatment of renovascular hypertension.
From 1964 to 1977, 33 patients underwent aortorenal reimplantation as surgical treatment for renovascular hypertension. Over-all results were 13 patients cured (39 per cent), 15 patients improved (46 per cent), and there were 5 failures (15 per cent). The results were equally satisfactory in patients with atherosclerotic or fibrous renal artery disease. Postoperative arterial stenosis or occlusion occurred in 5 patients (15 per cent). Aortorenal reimplantation is an effective method of renal revascularization in properly selected patients, and long-term results are comparable with those of aortorenal bypass.
Adolescent↗