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Biomedical subjects

R Vara-Thorbeck

Publications and source records attributed to R Vara-Thorbeck.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Severe head injury combined with orthopedic and vascular trauma of the limbs.

From 1982 to 1992, 2766 brain injury patients were admitted to the University Hospital San Cecilio of Granada, Spain. In 873 cases head injury was concomitant with other injuries but the association of severe head injury and combined orthopedic and vascular trauma of the limbs was observed only in 23 cases (incidence 2%). Thirteen patients were scheduled for revascularization, and of these secondary amputation was mandatory in two cases to keep rising intracranial pressure under control. Except for epidural hematomas which constitute an absolute neurosurgical emergency, combined orthopedic and vascular trauma of the limbs can be treated before head injury. However, we prefer to work with two operating teams simultaneously. Physical examination and judicious arteriography provide means for prompt diagnosis and treatment of the injured limb. The compartment syndrome should be anticipated and fasciotomy should be used routinely. Vascular repairs normally using reverse autogenous vein are the first priority, but we must always bear in mind the deleterious effects of the revascularization syndrome which expose the brain to a second aggression, and amputation, when necessary, should be undertaken to reduce mortality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Can the use of growth hormone reduce the postoperative fatigue syndrome?

Convalescence after surgery is characterized by a period of fatigue (POF). If we assume that the POF syndrome has a multifactorial etiology, it is clear that the aim of therapeutic measures should be to reduce the response to surgical stress. The purpose of the present study was to determine if administering exogenous human growth hormone (hGH) can prevent the development or reduce the duration of the POF. We carried out a placebo-controlled randomized double-blind trial with 48 patients after elective cholecystectomy (placebo, or control group, n = 26; hGH-treated group, n = 22). Eligibility criteria were strict so as to introduce as few variables as possible. The results obtained in the study show that for moderate surgical injury (cholecystectomy in metabolically healthy subjects) the administering of low doses of hGH (8 IU/day) minimized the POF syndrome (Christensen score). Furthermore, a positive nitrogen balance was achieved in the hGH-treated group during the postoperative period from the first 24 hours onward. This finding correlates with the significant increase in serum levels of hGH (p < 0.05) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (p < 0.001). On the other hand, anthropometric measurements in the hGH-treated group revealed a slight but continuous decrease in body weight and thickness of the triceps skinfold; however, arm muscle circumference did not significantly change during the postoperative period. These findings are related to the effects of the application of exogenous growth hormone, which preserves or increases lean body mass and reduces adipose tissue mass. The serum transferrin level proved to be a reliable biochemical indicator of POF.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Effects of human growth hormone on the catabolic state after surgical trauma.

The aims of our studies were: (1) to determine if the protein catabolic response after a major or moderate surgical trauma can be restrained by the administration of exogenous human growth hormone (hGH); (2) to determine if the administration of hGH can improve systemic host defenses, thus reducing the risk of infection, and (3) given that the postoperative fatigue syndrome (POF) is mediated by the endocrino-metabolic response to surgery we attempt to determine if the administration of hGH can prevent or reduce POF. Therefore, we performed three placebo-controlled randomized double-blind trials on 216 patients. Major gastrointestinal surgery was treated only with total parenteral nutrition (TPN; n = 20) or TPN plus 4 IU hGH (n = 18). Patients with moderate surgical trauma received either hypocaloric parenteral nutrition (HPN; n = 93) or HPN and 8 IU hGH (n = 87). In this study, we also determined the evolution of the systemic host defenses and thereby the risk of infection. In 48 patients who underwent cholecystectomy treated (n = 26) either with HPN or HPN plus 8 IU hGH, we measured the protein catabolic response, postoperative fatigue and anthropometric modifications. The treatment with hGH together with HPN or TPN (1) overcomes the protein catabolic effects of the trauma response induced by major or moderate surgery by increasing protein synthesis, (2) improves humoral and cellular systemic host defenses, thus reducing the risk of infection, (3) preserves or increases lean body mass and reduces adipose tissue and (4) minimizes POF.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Indications and advantages of laparoscopy-assisted colon resection for carcinoma in elderly patients.

The controversy about laparoscopy assisted colectomy for cancer is based on doubt about performing a radical resection and adequate histopathological staging. Therefore, we selected a group of patients who could profit from the accepted benefits of the technique, while avoiding its uncontrolled outcome. We operated on patients with colorectal cancer with distant metastasis and on patients over 70 years old and American Society of Anesthesia (ASA) III-IV with a high operative risk with standard surgery. The results for the first 18 patients demonstrated the following: (a) the size of the surgical specimen and the number of lymph nodes were similar to those in standard surgery; (b) no mortality and very low morbidity occurred despite the patients' advanced age, debilitated condition, and comorbid diseases; (c) minor postoperative complications occurred in five of 18 patients; (d) the hospital stay was 6-7 days for nonmetastatic patients and 9-12 days for metastatic patients; (e) the 1-year survey revealed a relapse in only one patient 9 months after the first operation.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Effects of growth hormone in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition following major gastrointestinal surgery.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether the administration of a biosynthetic human growth hormone was capable of enhancing the efficacy of total parenteral nutrition. Patients (n = 38) who had undergone major gastrointestinal surgery were randomly divided into two groups. Group I (n = 20) treated only with PN, and Group II (n = 18) treated as in Group I plus human growth hormone (4 IU daily). Our study shows that the administration of human growth hormone produces a statistically significant increase in serum levels of growth hormone, somatomedin-C, transferrin, albumin and total proteins. It also causes a positive nitrogen balance from the first 24 hours onward. These findings suggest that the administration of human growth hormone produces an increase in protein synthesis, perhaps through somatomedin-C as mediator.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Echinococcosis of the spleen. Its conservative surgical treatment].

Echinococcosis cysts in the spleen are very rare, even in endemic areas. We report here on 4 patients (0.5% of the total number of cases of echinococcosis disease) who have been treated in the University Hospital Granada from 1970 to 1990. Formerly, splenectomy was for most surgeons the recommended surgical procedure. From 1980, however, most authors have rejected such a radical procedure and most now recommend conservative surgery of the spleen. We have always followed this conservative procedure, as of course in cases of liver echinococcus, that is: cyst enucleation and marcupialisation (Posadas-Dew method), if there are no cyst complications. And in cases of infected or suppurating cysts we used drainage-marsupialisation. We have obtained very good results: no mortality was recorded.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

[Thovara inguinal hernia operation. Results of follow-up in adults].

A new procedure for inguinal hernia operations is described: the Thovara method, which is really a modified version of the plastic technique by Bassini-Kirschner-Lichtenstein. From 1985-1986 167 patients were operated on for inguinal hernia in our University Hospital, using this hernia plastic technique with a tension-free mesh. Though the rate of early complications is good, we should mention that there were 19 cases of testicle swelling. The number of early and late recurrences were very low: 2 cases (1.2%). Hospitalization averaged from 2 to 4 days. The procedure is easy to perform and almost painless.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Intraoperative autotransfusion in massive hemorrhage following thoracic-abdominal trauma].

In the University Hospital of Granada (Spain), 359 surgical trauma patients underwent intraoperative autotransfusion. The patients were divided into 2 groups, according to their blood loss: group I (blood loss less than or equal to 2000 ml) and group II (blood loss greater than 2000 ml). Patients from group I did not require homologous blood transfusion. So the high risk involved in this type of transfusion was avoided. Macroscopic haemoglobinuria was only found in those patients where the Solcotrans, Viavae type of autotransfusion system was used; with the Bentley ATS system, no macroscopic haemoglobinuria was registered. With patients from group II, however, that is, those with a blood loss of more than 2000 ml, we had to fall back on homologous transfusion in addition to retransfusing autologous blood. When the transfusion exceeds 4000 ml there is increasing bleeding, which requires treatment with fresh frozen plasma, platelets and/or fibrinogen. The mortality rate of patients in group II was very high but the patients died from the severity of their injuries or from postoperative complications which were not due to autotransfusion in itself with the exception of 3 patients who underwent massive autotransfusion (12,000 to 25,000 ml) and died from acute renal failure. The main indication for intraoperative autotransfusion is without doubt abdominal and thoracic trauma which lead to high blood loss.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed1990

Benign osteoblastoma of vertebral column and skull. Report of two cases.

Osteoblastoma of the spine is a rare but important cause of back pain and the sciatica syndrome in young adults. Osteoblastoma of the skull is rare and the involvement of the orbital roof is very unusual. Clinical complaints and physical examination are not specific enough to provide a lead to the diagnosis. Bone scans and computerized tomography scans should be performed in all cases, to show the extent of vertebrae or calvarium infiltration by the tumor. To prevent recurrence and malignant transformation, the tumor should be completely removed whenever possible. If tumor excision is incomplete, a continuous follow-up is necessary to detect any recurrence or malignant transformation, which normally appears 5-10 years after the first operation (in one of our cases 7 years later).

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Phenol treatment of pilonidal sinuses.

Pilonidal disease of the natal cleft is a common condition responsible for much morbidity. The results of phenol injection used in 67 patients treated in our Department of Surgery between 1986-1988 are reviewed. Our study shows that this procedure is an effective treatment. Phenol injection of pilonidal sinuses is a simple operation and produces results which are similar those achieved by surgical procedures but has the advantages of a shorter inpatient stay (1-3 days) with a prompt return to work (1-2 weeks).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Shunt infection in hydrocephalus].

Infection is a generally feared complication of liquor drainage. Shunt sepsis is reported in this paper with reference to 284 patients with liquor drainage. The rate of infection amounted to 9.1 percent. Therapeutic action included application of antibiotics, surgical valve removal, and delayed restitution. The mortality was as high as 29.4 percent. Chemoprophylaxis should begin in parallel with primary shunt implantation.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts↗
PubMed1989

Evaluation of toupet antireflux operation, by means of gastroesophageal scintiscan.

The Toupet operation (270 degrees posterior fundoplication) has been performed in 99 patients suffering from symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux secondary to a hiatal hernia. To assess the effects of the Toupet antireflux procedure, we performed in 20 cases oesophageal manometry, intraoperatively and gastro-oesophageal scintiscan in the early postoperative period (3 months: 98 cases) and also later (5 years). For us gastro-oesophageal scintiscan is the ideal method of detecting reflux because it is a noninvasive technique as sensitive as the intra-oesophageal pH, is easy to perform and well-tolerated by the patient. Our long-term follow-up, with only 6% of poor results show that the Toupet operation like the Nissen fundoplication is the most effective surgical technique that can be used to correct gastro-oesophageal reflux and has an added advantage: the side effects, particularly the postfundoplication or gas-bloat syndrome are minimal. Additional follow-up after 10 years will be needed to establish the final outcome of the operation.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Complications in bland struma surgery. A retrospective study based on 2,035 personal cases].

In the present retrospective study we examine the complications arising from simple goiter operations based on the analysis of 2,035 cases. The mortality rate is extremely low (0.3%). The most typical intraoperative complications - such as unilateral vocal cord paralysis (1.6%) and permanent parathyroprival hypocalcemia (0.4%) were observed to occur much more frequently in cases of subtotal thyroidectomy than in those of partial resection. - As a result of the introduction of synthetic reabsorbent sewing materials, healing problems have been drastically reduced (0.4%). Hypothyreosis and goiter recurrence can be avoided in cases of subtotal thyroidectomy by life-long and individually adjusted administration of thyroid hormones (rate of incidence in our study 3.1%). - In our view a subtotal thyroidectomy is indicate in cases where malignity is suspected (one or more cold nodules).

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Conservative management versus osteosynthesis in the treatment of tibial shaft fractures].

Treatment was rendered to 1,693 patients with 1,728 tibial shaft fractures at the University Hospital of Granada, Spain, between 1971 and 1987. After 139 patients had died, 1,554 patients with 1,571 tibial fractures were actually left for treatment. Forms of fractures were subdivided according to Johner and Wruhs. Conservative treatment, according to Böhler-Sarmiento, was applied to 589 cases, while surgery was performed on 982. Different ways of osteosynthesis were used, including tibial plates (n = 284), intramedullary nailing according to Küntscher (n = 308), and lock nailing according to Klemm (n = 336). Other methods of osteosynthesis, such as elastic nailing according to Ender (n = 36) and external fixation (n = 18) were rarely used and, therefore, were not statistically evaluated. --The author's result have provided evidence to the effect that conservative treatment according to Böhler (and modified by Sarmiento) worked well, with only 11.4 per cent complications in cases of closed and open fractures. However, only moderate results were obtained from follow-up checks, since compensation was usually not possible for the majority of primary lateral fragment displacements, so that for consolidation limbs had to be kept immobilised for much longer periods of time, and this entailed poor functional results. --Very poor results were obtained from plate osteosynthesis, in the context of surgical treatment, with the rate of complications being as high as 34.9 per cent. Better results were achieved by intramedullary nailing, with complications in 14.9 per cent of all cases. Yet, it is the author's view that lock nailing has become the established optional method.

Adolescent↗