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Biomedical subjects

R W Stitz

Publications and source records attributed to R W Stitz.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Large intestinal lymphocytic phlebitis and venulitis in chronic ulcerative colitis.

Colonic vasculitis is seen in Crohn's disease and as a component of primary systemic vasculitis. It has rarely been described in chronic ulcerative colitis. Here we report a case of ulcerative colitis with prominent transmural lymphocytic phlebitis and venulitis. Although this is, to our knowledge, the first description of such an association, its recognition is important if confusion with other entities is to be avoided. The etiology of the vascular changes is unclear but they may be a secondary phenomenon induced by antigens, toxins or cytokines draining from the inflamed mucosa.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic-assisted colorectal surgery. Lessons learned from 240 consecutive patients.

PURPOSE: To audit the development and outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal surgery at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. METHODS: Since July 1991, laparoscopic-assisted colectomy for benign and malignant colorectal disease has been performed on more than 300 patients at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. This paper summarizes the outcome for the first 240 patients who underwent a laparoscopic colorectal procedure. All laparoscopic data were collected prospectively, and for selected studies, data were compared with open surgical controls. RESULTS: Nineteen patients required open conversion (7.9 percent). There was a significant decrease in wound infection rates in patients having a laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (3.6 percent) compared with historical controls (7.9 percent) (P < 0.05; chi-squared). There were five anastomotic leaks, five laparotomies for postoperative adhesive obstruction, and four perioperative deaths. A total of 103 patients had a procedure for colorectal cancer. Of the 79 potentially curative procedures, there have been 5 (6.3 percent) recurrences to date. CONCLUSION: The overall morbidity and mortality in this series seem to be acceptable compared with that of open procedures.

Colonic Diseases↗
PubMed1996

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery--new advances and techniques.

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is being assessed in many centres worldwide. This paper looks at the authors' experiences of 320 laparoscopic colorectal procedures and discusses modifications of technique, new instruments and changes in outcomes as experience is attained. Operating times are now approaching that of open surgery as the "learning curve" levels out. For example, the median operating time for the last 20 patients undergoing a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was 2.1 hours and anterior resection was 2.2 hours. Of the 320 laparoscopic colorectal procedures performed, the conversion rate of 8.1% (26 patients) and perioperative death rate of 2.2% (7 patients) appear to be acceptable for the extent of surgery performed. The median inpatient stay for the last 20 patients undergoing a laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy or high anterior resection was 5 days (range 3 to 11 days) and 4 days (range 3 to 18 days) respectively. Outcomes for cancer patients are encouraging. Of 106 selected patients having a potentially curative resection for colorectal and anal cancer, there have been 10 recurrences (9.4%) to date. Sixty-four patients have now been followed-up for more than 2 years. It is our belief that with appropriate patient selection a laparoscopic approach can give outcomes similar to open surgery with a slightly decreased hospital stay and convalescence. Laparoscopic colorectal surgery, particularly for benign disease, should be encouraged.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Do the teaching hospitals of the University of Queensland really want a four-year medical course? A guarded yes.

OBJECTIVE: To gauge the measure of support among clinical teaching staff for the University of Queensland's proposals to introduce a four-year graduate entry integrated medical curriculum. SETTING: The three largest teaching hospitals of the University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 565 consultants and 493 junior medical staff regarding deficiencies of the present six-year course, deficiencies in present methods of selecting students, and possible solutions. RESULTS: 154 (68%) full-time consultants, 174 (51%) visiting consultants and 197 (40%) junior staff replied. Ninety per cent of the consultants and 60% of the junior staff were current teachers. Respondents strongly supported the need for major change, the integration of biomedical sciences into clinical teaching and the use of problem-based learning. Regarding selection, over 80% of respondents considered graduate entry to have no advantage over undergraduate entry, but there was strong support for an external examination including sciences. There was also strong support for broadening entry criteria to include common sense, motivation and empathy. Seventy-two per cent of consultants and 82% of juniors opposed the proposals in their present form. However, 52% of consultants (but only 23% of juniors) would support the concept of a four-year integrated course if the issue of selection criteria could be resolved. CONCLUSION: A majority of consultants support the concept of a four-year integrated curriculum which uses problem-based learning methods. They do not support the proposed selection criteria based upon graduate entry, but would support a predominantly science-based selection process, not necessarily restricted to graduate applicants, but incorporating broader personal characteristics than are used at the present time.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1991

Metastatic carcinoid tumour: stability throughout pregnancy.

A patient with asymptomatic histologically proven extensive hepatic metastases of carcinoid tumour had no progression of disease for over 4 years without specific treatment. Throughout a normal pregnancy the hepatic metastases remained stable by clinical, computerized tomography and biochemical criteria.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Colonoscopic polypectomy.

Seven hundred and forty-one colonic polyps have been removed by colonoscopic polypectomy during 300 examinations. Up to 36 polyps were removed at a single examination. Colonoscopic treatment of villous adenomas to 7 cm has been successfully performed in elderly and infirm patients. There were no deaths or incidents of perforation and the only significant complications were two secondary haemorrhages requiring transfusion. The presence of a polyp was not definitely reported in 40% of barium enema X-ray examinations carried out within three months of polypectomy. Double contrast X-ray examinations were significantly more sensitive in the detection of polyps. Colonoscopic polypectomy is a safe and effective technique. All colonic polyps should be removed by this technique after diagnosis.

Adenoma↗