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Biomedical subjects

R R Ricketts

Publications and source records attributed to R R Ricketts.

61 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Mini-thoracotomy and chest tube insertion for children with empyema.

In contrast to the two prior decades, empyema in children has become a rare disease during the past 10 years. Thirty-two children with empyema from all causes were treated at The Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago in the 11 years between 1970 and 1982. Twenty cases followed postinfectious pneumonia, most commonly due to Staphylococcus aureus. The remaining patients had either an esophageal leak or a pleural infection following an intrathoracic operation. Fourteen of our patients were managed with a "mini-thoracotomy," which allowed accurate drainage of purulent material, débridement of fibrinous exudate, and rapid expansion of the lung with prompt relief from fever and toxicity. In our hands, this procedure provided results which were superior to those obtained with simple closed chest tube drainage. In addition, during this period of time, ultrasound examination of the chest has provided a rapid, accurate technique for the early detection and localization of fluid accumulations within the pleural cavity. Pre-drainage thoracentesis can be accurately guided by ultrasonic imaging.

Child↗
PubMed1981

Circular esophagomyotomy for primary repair of long-gap esophageal atresia.

Twelve of forty patients (30%) treated for esophageal atresia at the Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago between June 1976 and May 1980 required a circular esophagomyotomy with or without upper pouch bougienage to achieve an anatomical repair. Ten patients had a distal tracheoesophageal fistula; 1 had a proximal fistula as well; and 2 had no fistula. Over 40% of the patients were small for gestational age. One half had severe associated anomalies including congenital heart disease in 1/3 and the VATER association in 1/4. Three patients died, all from congenital heart disease. Immediate complications in 6 patients included anastomotic leaks (3), tracheal injuries (2), and mucosal entry at the myotomy site (1). Late complications included symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux (60%), anastomotic strictures (40%), and severe tracheomalacia requiring long-term tracheotomy (20%). Altered esophageal motility (77%) contributed to poor weight gain (less than 3rd percentile) in most patients. In spite of these complications, satisfactory results were achieved in 8 of the 9 long-term survivors. The ninth patient had a turbulent neonatal period and has persistent swallowing difficulties at 36 mo follow-up. Although an anatomical repair can now be achieved in all patients with esophageal atresia utilizing bougienage and myotomy, some ill neonates may be better served by traditional staging techniques.

Esophageal Atresia↗
PubMed1978

Management of major arteriovenous fistulas by arteriographic techniques.

Five patients with major symptomatic arteriovenous fistulas were treated between July 1976 and December 1977. In two patients the fistulas were due to trauma; in two others, malignant neoplasms; and in one patient, congenital angiodysplasia. The anatomic location or extent of each arteriovenous fistula would have made direct surgical access to the fistula sites difficult; therefore, it was elected to use arteriographic embolization techniques to attempt definitve obliteration of the fistulas. Wool-tufted wire coli emboli were used in three patients and gelatin sponge-autologous blood clot was used in two patients. These were precisely embolized to the fistula site by superselective catheterization of the feeding artery. Complete obliteration of the fistulas was achieved in each case with no morbidity. Follow-up clinical and ateriographic examination confirmed persistence of fistula closure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Tuberculous pseudotumors of the liver.

A 35 year old man presented with fever, weight loss and adenopathy. The clinical presentation, laboratory studies, liver scan and laparotomy all suggested metastatic carcinoma. Bacteriologic and pathologic studies established a diagnosis of macronodular tuberculosis isolated to the liver. Response to antituberculous drug therapy was rapid. Review of the literature revealed this case to be a rare example of tuberculous pseudotumors of the liver.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: experience with 100 consecutive surgical patients.

One hundred newborns with neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) were treated surgically according to a uniform protocol between July, 1980 and June, 1988. The infants (53 females, 47 males) weighed between 600 and 3,800 g, averaging 1,500 g. Twenty-eight weighed less than or equal to 1,000 g, 38 weighed from 1,001 g to 1,500 g, and 34 weighed more than 1,500 g. Median age at the time of surgery was 14 days. Surgery was performed for pneumoperitoneum in 40, a "positive" paracentesis in 51, and for other reasons in 9 infants. A paracentesis was performed if intestinal gangrene was suspected clinically. Resection of gangrenous bowel with exteriorization was the usual procedure; in only 5 patients was primary closure performed. The hospital survival for the infants was 54% for the group weighing less than or equal to 1,000 g, 74% for the group weighing from 1,001 g to 1,500 g, and 79% for the group weighing more than 1,500 g. Overall hospital survival was 70%; it was 81% for those having a definitive procedure (excluding 14 infants with NEC "totalis"). There were 3 late deaths from causes unrelated to NEC. Significant long-term complications included failure-to-thrive in 23% and stricture formation in 30% of the survivors. Long-term follow-up showed gastrointestinal status to be normal in 74%; only 8% have persistent major gastrointestinal dysfunction. Mental and motor development was considered grossly normal in only 53% of the patients.

Birth Weight↗