PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

R I Wesdorp

Publications and source records attributed to R I Wesdorp.

62 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

TPN catheter sepsis: lack of effect of subcutaneous tunnelling of PVC catheters on sepsis rate.

In an effort to diminish the incidence of catheter related sepsis in total parenteral nutrition, the effect of a 10-cm long subcutaneous tunnel was studied in a prospective randomized manner. This tunnel created a longer anatomical distance between puncture site of the catheter and the subclavian vein. In the control group, a direct puncture technique was employed. Eighty-one catheters (group A) were inserted according to the direct technique, 69 (group B) were tunnelled. Catheter sepsis was defined as an episode of clinical sepsis for which no other cause can be identified and which resolves upon removal of the catheter. No significant differences were noted between the two groups, suggesting that tunnelling of subclavian PVC catheters does not diminish the incidence of catheter related sepsis.

Catheters, Indwelling↗

Glutamine-enriched enteral diet increases renal arginine production.

BACKGROUND: Arginine (Arg) is generated in the kidney by the conversion of circulating citrulline. The most important source for circulating citrulline is the metabolism of glutamine (Gln) by the gut. In this study, we investigated the influence of an enteral diet enriched with Gln on renal Arg synthesis in the rat. METHODS: Rats were fed a 12.5% Gln-enriched diet or an isocaloric, isonitrogenous control diet for 14 days. Kidney plasma flow and arterial and renal venous plasma levels of a number of amino acids were measured, and kidney amino acid fluxes were calculated. RESULTS: Compared with the control diet, Gln enrichment resulted in significantly higher arterial plasma levels of circulating citrulline (30%, p < .0001) and Arg (31%, p < .0005). The uptake of circulating citrulline and the subsequent production of Arg by the kidneys were significantly higher in the Gln-enriched group (40% and 38%, respectively) and showed an equimolar relationship in both the control (r = .84, p < .0001) and the Gln-enriched group (r = .83, p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that enteral Gln supplementation caused significantly increased arterial plasma levels of Arg as a result of increased renal Arg production from circulating citrulline. Considering the multiple important biologic properties of Arg, the reported beneficial effects of Gln in catabolic states might be explained in part by increased renal Arg production.

Animals↗

24-hour systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis with gentamicin and metronidazole, or metronidazole alone, in elective colorectal surgery after mechanical bowel preparation with mannitol and whole gut irrigation.

In a prospective randomized trial, systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis with metronidazole and gentamicin was compared to the administration of metronidazole alone in elective colorectal surgery. In both groups, an identical mechanical large-bowel preparation was performed. In order to reduce the duration of the whole-gut irrigation, a 10% mannitol solution was administered before the irrigation procedure. Although no serious infections were observed in either group, the incidence of superficial wound infections was relatively high: 19% in the group with metronidazole and gentamicin prophylaxis and 25% in the other group. From all these wounds E. coli was isolated, and no obligate anaerobic bacteria were cultured. This high rate of wound infections is most likely caused by an overgrowth of E. coli after irrigation, due to the residues of mannitol in the colon, which serve as a nutrient for E. coli. It is concluded that mannitol should not be used in the preoperative mechanical preparation of the large bowel before elective colorectal surgery.

Adult↗

[Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in oncology (author's transl)].

The role of TPN in oncology is, in spite of favourable reports, not yet settled. Selected undernourished cancer patients are certainly helped by parenteral nutrition during their course of therapy. Their nutritional status becomes better, their endurance to antineoplastic therapy is enhanced with less complications and more important, their "quality of life" is improved. However, the survival time of the patient is not prolonged. Well designed prospective randomised clinical studies will provide a better insight into this problem. The anorexia of cancer patients might be caused by tumor-induced alterations in the metabolism of the host which might be medically altered by serotonin-antagonists.

Anorexia↗

[The prognostic value of cholesterol levels in malnourished patients with esophageal carcinoma].

A variety of clinical calculations, including serum cholesterol, have been used as parameters of prognostic value in surgical populations, but there are few studies aimed at patients with esophageal carcinoma. In a set of patients with established esophageal cancer, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were recorded, along with the following parameters: age, sex, body weight, serum albumin, total lymphocytes, and hemoglobin concentration. Manual grip strength was measured, along with delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity response, and the type of surgical treatment was distinguished (palliative versus radical). Total complications and postoperative hospitalisation time are the main indicators used in our study for the surgical results. Patients were divided into two groups: those with serum cholesterol levels over 150 mg/dl (Group I) and those under that figure (Group II). Most nutritional and functional values were lower in Group II patients, for whom the radical surgery rate was also lower, with greater postoperative morbidity. It was concluded that 1): Cholesterol depletion is associated with nutritional and immunological alterations and 2) post-surgical results are poorer in patients with levels below 150 mg/dl.

Adult↗