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Biomedical subjects

R W Postlethwait

Publications and source records attributed to R W Postlethwait.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1976

Esophageal dysfunction and Raynaud's phenomenon in patients with scleroderma.

The relationship of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) to the degree of esophageal motility dysfunction was evaluated in 12 patients with scleroderma. Motility abnormalities of the smooth muscle esophagus were quantitated using a motility index (MI). MI of the scleroderma patients differed significantly from controls. No relationship was noted between the extent of motility abnormality and the duration or severity of the RP. A nearly uniform finding was the absence of coordinated esophageal peristalsis, occurring regardless of the duration or severity of the RP. The study demonstrates that it is not possible to predict the degree of esophageal motility dysfunction in scleroderma based on RP alone. The disease may have two different and independent pathogenetic components. One component is closely linked to RP and involves impairment of neuromuscular electrical transmission. The other component (independent of RP) involves progressive loss of muscle strength in the distal esophagus and in the lower esophageal sphincter.

Esophageal Diseases↗
PubMed1976

Alteration in esophageal motility after laryngectomy.

Ten laryngectomees underwent esophageal motility studies to assess the effect of laryngectomy on esophageal function. When these patients are compared with controls, marked derangements in esophageal motility were noted in the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) and in the body of the esophagus. Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function did not differ significantly from the controls. Dysphagia developed postoperatively in five of the ten laryngectomees. This preliminary analysis suggests that esophageal motility disturbances may be relatively frequent after laryngectomy and that these disturbances may be clinically significant. The theoretical basic for the motility abnormalities and areas of future research are discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1976

Comparison of absorbable sutures in urinary bladder.

Experimental cystotomy wounds in dogs were closed with sutures of polyglactin-910, polyglycolic acid, and chromic catgut. Animals were sacrificed at intervals of five to thirty days, and wounds were examined grossly and microscopically. This study reconfirms the benignity of early tissue reaction to catgut and points out the similarity of tissue reaction to polyglycolic acid and polyglactin-910 suture in the urinary bladder, the reaction characterized by early separation and invasion of suture fibers by cellular infiltration.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Pseudosarcoma of the esophagus.

Polypoid lesions of the esophagus occur infrequently and may be benign or malignant. One malignant polypoid tumor, pseudosarcoma, appears to be a distinct pathological entity; the polypoid portion is composed of sarcomatous spindle cells and the base of the polyp shows in situ or invasive squamous cell carcinoma. A patient with this lesion is described and the 16 previously reported patients are reviewed. The results indicate that local resection is inadequate; radical esophagectomy is required for cure.

Biopsy↗
PubMed1975

Human tissue reaction to sutures.

Tissue reaction to sutures was studied in 666 specimens obtained from patients from one day to 23 years after operation. Reaction to catgut depends on the stage of absorption and is mainly histocytic in type. Nonabsorbable sutures are encapsulated by a rim of connective tissue, while near the suture histocytes, giant cells and lymphocytes are found. This is most marked with silk and cotton, less so with Dacron, and least with nylon and wire. Tissue infiltration into the suture interstics is variable. The reactions resemble the findings in experimental animals.

Absorption↗
PubMed1975

Rate of breaking strength loss of absorbable sutures in the stomach.

Plain and chromic catgut, Dexon, and Vicryl were exposed to the acid-pepsin secretions of the stomach in vivo in dogs. No plain gut was recovered in 24 hours; chromic was found as long as 48 hours after implantation but the breaking strength was reduced markedly. Dexon and Vicryl lost strength slowly in a curve similar to the loss after implantation in other tissues.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

A new synthetic absorbable suture.

The experimental synthetic absorbable suture XLG is a co-polymer derived from lactic and glycolic acid through lactide and glycolide intermediates. Determinations of the rate of loss of strength in various sites in experiments on dogs show that XLG loses strength slightly more rapidly than does chromic catgut. An exception is sutures suspended in the stomach, where catgut quickly loses strength, whereas XLG maintained strength similar to that at other implantation sites.

Abdominal Muscles↗