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Biomedical subjects

R E Barry

Publications and source records attributed to R E Barry.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1978

Physician's use of laparoscopy.

The role of laparoscopy in medical practice was assessed by studying 238 consecutive laparoscopies performed under local anaesthesia by physicians in a single teaching hospital. Indications for laparoscopy were assessment of possible and known hepatic disease, possible disseminated abdominal malignancy, abdominal mass, and conditions such as ascites and splenomegaly. A definitive diagnosis was reached in 223 cases (76.5%). No organic disease was detected in 41 patients, though findings were false-negative in two of them (0.8%). The procedure failed in 15 (6.3%), mostly because adhesions from previous surgery hindered adequate visualisation. Six patients (2.5%) had complications, one of whom subsequently died. If patients are appropriately selected laparoscopy is relatively free of postoperative complications, and is an effective diagnostic procedure in abdominal malignancy and decompensated liver disease. Cost-effectiveness is an additional advantage.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1978

Some problems with antacids.

The author points out that because a high intake of Vitamin D and calcium is normally encouraged in pregnancy, care should be taken in the prescription of certain antacids likely to cause alkalosis. Calcium-containing antacids are probably best avoided because of nocturnal acid rebound. Because of undesirable fluid retention in some situations in pregnancy caution should be exercised in the use of sodium-containing antacids. The very high sodium content of some antacids is stressed.

Alkalosis↗
PubMed1977

Intestinal adaptation after jejunoileal bypass in man.

Gastrointestinal anatomy and function has been studied prospectively in 12 patients undergoing jejunoileal bypass surgery in order to investigate the adaptive response of the intestinal mucosa. The total thickness of the jejunal mucosa did not change after surgery, but the crypts became relatively deeper, suggesting a more rapid turnover of gastrointestinal cells. The absorption of oxalate was depressed in the immediate postoperative period but had improved toward preoperative levels by 6 months. Vitamin B12 absorption also declined postoperatively, and increased thereafter in the patients with an end-to-end jejunoileostomy, but showed a much smaller recovery in the group with an end-to-side anastomosis. The cholesterol concentration (lithogenicity) of the duodenal bile rose by 30% in the first 3 weeks after surgery, but had returned to preoperative levels by 6 months. The segmental absorption of glucose across the jejunum declined after surgery. Caloric intake also declined, whether measured as the quantity of food that patients elected to eat over a 24-hr period, or as the quantity of a liquid lunch which they consumed over a 20-min period. The level of basal gastric acid was increased postoperatively but the maximal output after histamine stimulation was not. The gastrin response to a standard liquid meal was also significantly increased after surgery. Enteroglucagon secretion showed an increase in 3 weeks and a further increase by 6 months after intestinal bypass surgery. The significance of these changes to intestinal adaptations is discussed.

Bile Acids and Salts↗
PubMed1977

Role of intestinal microflora in colonic pseudoobstruction complicating jejunoileal bypass.

A double-blind crossover study using placebo and antibiotics effective against either aerobic or anaerobic organisms has been performed to elucidate the role of intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis of colonic pseudo-obstruction, which is now established as an important complication of jejunoileal bypass. Using strict Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) technique, quantitative bacterial studies of the intestinal flora in the region of bypassed bowel have been correlated with symptoms of abdominal pain and distension. It has been shown that antibiotics effective against obligate anaerobes rapidly relieve the symptoms of pseudo-obstruction and this coincides with the disappearance of these organisms from this region of bowel. Symptoms rapidly recur when anaerobic organisms repopulate the bowel. It is concluded that obligate anaerobes may play a role in the pathogenesis of this complication.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1976

Lipid composition of bile in morbid obesity before and after jejunoileal bypass surgery.

Bile cholesterol, phospholipids, total bile acids, individual bile acids, and fatty acid compositions of bile neutral lipids and phospholipids were analyzed before, at one month and at six months following jejunoileal bypass surgery in a series of morbidly obese patients. Preoperative mole percentages of cholesterol and lithogenic indices were high, indicating that biles were supersaturated with cholesterol and outside the micellar solubility zone when plotted on triangular coordinates. At the one month post-operative period percentages of cholesterol and lithogenic indices were significantly increased as compared to the pre-operative state. At six months post-operatively these values had decreased to approximately the pre-operative levels. No changes were observed in percentages of lithocholic acid, but deoxycholic acid decreased to markedly low levels at one month and remained low at the six month post-operative interval. Relative proportions of cholic acid increased, and the ratio of cholic to chenodeoxycholic acid was significantly increased at both post-operative intervals. No significant changes were noted in bile neutral lipid or phospholipid fatty acid composition, indicating that no depletion of essential fatty acids had occurred.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Intestinal bypass surgery for obesity decreases food intake and taste preferences.

Food intake was measured in 22 obese patients before and after jejunioleostomy for obesity. Most of the weight loss could be accounted for by the observed reduction of caloric intake. Malabsorption was also present as indicated by increased loss of fat in the stools, and decreased absorption of D-xylose and vitamin B12. A dislike for sweet tastes developed after surgery in most patients. Preferences for concentrated solutions of sucrose and glucose were reduced after patients showed a depression of food intake by a 440-calorie preload which had not been detected before surgery. These studies show a decrease in food intake after intestinal bypass surgery and suggest a role for taste or other gastrointestinal factors in regulating food intake.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

Experience with jejunoileal bypass for obesity.

Fifty-eight patients less than 30 years old but who are more than 300 pounds in weight were considered for investigation of jejunoileal bypass. Thirty patients had operations, and the functioning bypass included 40 centimeters of jejunum and 10 centimeters of ileum. In 14 patients, intestinal continuity was restored by either end-to-end or end-to-side anastomosis according to random choice, and in 16 patients, end-to-end anastomoses were used. At present, the follow-up period is one to four years, and the weight loss, so far, has not been significantly related to the type of reconstruction used. Weight loss correlated possitively with the preoperative weights up to one year after operation. Also, weight loss correlated positively with the total measured length of the small intestine during the first six postoperative months, but this correlation currently is showing a trend toward negativity. Food intake decreased by 2,682+/-690 calories per day at six months after operation as a result of the bypass. Chronic acidosis was common. Results of an endocrine evaluation revealed an unexpected significant decrease in parathormone levels within the normal range. A new complication, colonic pseudo-obstruction, has occurred one year or more after operation in five patients or 17 per cent of our group. This complication is related to the intestinal anaerobic flora in proximity of the defunctionalized limb; its symptoms and signs can be alleviated by giving antibiotics or Lactobacillus to change the intestinal flora. Although 90 per cent of our patients are pleased with their progress and the results of routine evaluation corroborate their satisfaction, detailed analysis of the research data available to us revealed that only 43 per cent have had beneficial effects from a jejunoileal bypass without any of the serious sequelae. We consider jejunoileal bypass for obesity justified when carried out by interdisciplinary groups dedicated to the long term follow-up study of the patient and periodic reporting of the results. The long term future for the operation is, as yet, not completely understood, and when the conditions we have recommended are not present, we cannot currently endorse the operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Detection of continuing gluten ingestion in treated coeliac patients.

To assess the incidence and effects of continuing gluten ingestion in coeliac disease 51 adult coeliac patients were studied after four to 132 (mean 63) months on a prescribed gluten-free diet. Each patient completed a prospective dietary questionnaire, underwent a repeat jejunal biopsy, and gave serum for gluten antibody estimation. Altogether 65% of patients were still ingesting gluten, often inadvertently. Direct questioning on dietary habits had failed to uncover most of this consumption. The gluten antibody test proved a useful screening test for detecting continuing gluten ingestion and patients with both persistent subtotal villous atrophy and gluten antibodies were almost certain to be taking large amounts ( more than 2 g/day). The presence of persistent partial villous atrophy was found, however, to be an unreliable guide to gluten intake.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Colonic pseudo-obstruction: a new complication of jejunoileal bypass.

Five female patients ranging in age from 25 to 44 years are reported in whom jejunoileal bypass (three end-to-side and two end-to end), performed for morbid obesity, was complicated 1 1/2 to three years later by symptoms of colonic pseudo-obstruction. In each size, the colon was markedly elongated, dilated, and atonic but with no demonstrate organic obstruction. The cause of this complication is not known. Full thickness rectal biopsy in one case showed normal intrinsic nervous plexuses and ganglia. Serum electrolytes were normal. Functional and defunctionalized small bowel were not involved. Symptoms varied from complete colonic paralysis to incapacitating crampy abdominal pain and distention. In the three patients with end-to-side bypass, dilatation affected the entire colon, while, in the two patients with end-to-end bypass, the dilatation was localized to colon distal to the anastomosis with the defunctionalized small bowel. Resection of the affected portion of colon in one case resulted in recurrence distal to the new site of drainage of defunctioned bowel. Treatment with anti-anaerobe antibiotics in two cases produced dramatic but temporary relief of symptoms.

Adult↗