[Gallstone management in Denmark II].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to S Adamsen.
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BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Increasing numbers of patients are undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and more departments and doctors are performing ERCP, while new data from large prospective series have documented the risks of both diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP. The establishment in Denmark of a Patient Insurance Association, which has covered injury caused during investigation and treatment in public hospitals since July 1992, has made it possible to collect and analyze a large prospective series of ERCP complications for which compensation has been claimed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine consecutive claims for compensation due to complications after ERCP occurring between 1 July 1992 and 31 December 1996 were investigated. Case notes were reviewed, along with laboratory reports and radiographs. The complications were classified according to the international consensus. RESULTS: Claims for compensation were made in 39 cases from 25 hospitals. The indication for ERCP was appropriate in 31. Precut papillotomy for access had been performed in seven. The severity of the complications was mild in one patient, moderate in three patients, severe in 24, and fatal in nine; in two cases, the severity was not classifiable. The complications were: pancreatitis in 23 patients (seven cases fatal, one of which had involved a precut procedure), bleeding in two, perforation in nine (six had a precut procedure, one died), and other reasons in five (including one fatal case). Among the nine fatal cases, cannulation had not been achieved in two and the endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram was normal in four, one of whom underwent a sphincterotomy. One patient with a previous adenoma had an endoprosthesis removed, developed gangrenous cholecystitis afterward, and died. Thirty patients were eligible for compensation. The rejected cases included mild and moderate pancreatitis, a case of fatal hemorrhagic pancreatitis in which the patient had refused blood transfusion, and one patient who had pancreatitis prior to ERCP. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP, even for diagnostic purposes, may be associated with very serious and even fatal complications. The use of the precut procedure for access should still be considered dangerous. Other means of investigating the bile ducts should be developed. If endoscopic ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiography prove to have the same diagnostic value as ERCP, which must be considered the gold standard for visualizing the ducts today, they might replace ERCP as the primary investigation in patients with an intermediate or low risk of bile duct stones; this would reduce the numbers of patients exposed to the risks of ERCP.
BACKGROUND: This study was performed to assess three fields of surgical decision making: (a) selecting patients for cholecystectomy, (b) analyzing the value of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC), and (c) surveying the handling of bile duct (BD) injuries. METHODS: Yearly numbers of laparoscopic (LC) and open cholecystectomies (OC) were collected from official health care statistics. Data concerning handling of BD injuries were taken from each country's LC registry. RESULTS: From 1989 to 1995 the median cholecystectomy rate was 6.82 per 10,000 inhabitants in Denmark, 14.20 in Finland, 6.23 in Norway, and 12.17 in Sweden. Deviations from the median yearly rates in each country were -14.8% to +14.4%. Repair of BD injury was performed in the same local hospital where the injury had occurred in 68-98% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Patient selection differed between countries before the introduction of LC, and these differences have persisted. Few patients with BD injury were treated in referral centers.
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It has been predicted that minimally invasive therapy will have dramatic consequences for the specialty of general surgery, as demonstrated by the diffusion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To investigate the determinants of the diffusion in Denmark of five laparoscopic technologies (cholecystectomy, appendicectomy, surgery for colon cancer, surgery for inguinal hernia and fundoplication), questionnaires on seventeen factors' influence on the adoption (stimulating or impeding) were sent to fifty-nine hospitals. Fifty hospitals (85%) responded. Overall, 98% adopted laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Denmark between 1991 and 1995, whereas the remainder of the technologies were adopted by 7-65% of hospitals performing these operations. Large and specialized hospitals were the earliest adopters. The factors, nature of technology (minimally invasive versus conventional), training (appropriate training courses), competition (between specialties and between hospitals) and media attention have stimulated the diffusion, whereas three budget factors (budget for investment, budget for operation and public regulation) usually had an impeding effect. Stimulating factors prevail for all laparoscopic technologies indicating that some guidance of the adoption and use of new health technologies might be necessary. In Denmark, one of the suggested health policies to secure timely guidance is the establishment of an early warning system.
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The aim was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter heilmannii-like organisms in human gastric biopsies and the associated histology compared with that of Helicobacter pylori-bearing gastric biopsies. Furthermore, the feasibility of culturing H. heilmannii was examined. A consecutive series of 727 gastric biopsies from 650 patients were prospectively scrutinized for H. heilmannii. Their distribution pattern was recorded as well as the affiliated morphology of the gastric mucosa. Additional biopsies from some of the patients were examined microbiologically. Four cases (0.6%)(95% confidence intervals: 0.01-1.2%) of the examined material harboured H. heilmannii. The bacterial burden was graded as sparse in three cases, moderate in one case. The distribution pattern was patchy; thus, in no case did all biopsies from one endoscopy comprise H. heilmannii. Adhesion to epithelial cells was infrequent. A mild gastritis, active in three cases, characterized all biopsies. Lymphoid aggregates occurred in biopsies from three patients. Micropapillary tufting of the epithelial layer and intestinal metaplasia were not apparent. Culture studies proved successful in the one of the four cases assayed. In conclusion the morphology of H. heilmannii-bearing mucosa deviates from that of H. pylori-associated mucosa by the absence of epithelial damage in the former. This observation can in part be explained by the predominant location of H. heilmannii at a distance from the epithelium in contrast to the conspicuous H. pylori adhesion to epithelial cells, coupled with a usually low bacterial burden and patchy occurrence of H. heilmannii as opposed to the generally more heavy infestation with H. pylori.
BACKGROUND: The risk of bile duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been a concern since the procedure became part of the surgical armamentarium. Our study assesses the incidence, types, and treatment for laparoscopic bile duct injury. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case registration in a national database with participation by all departments of surgery performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Denmark since the first operation in January 1991. The case notes for bile duct injury have been reviewed. RESULTS: From 1991 through 1994, 57 of 7,654 patients sustained bile duct injury (0.74 percent; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.55 percent to 0.94 percent), including nine injuries occurring after conversion. The annual incidence did not decrease. Thirty-nine percent of the laparoscopic bile duct injuries were incisions, 39 percent were transections, and 12 percent were clip injuries or strictures. One patient, who sustained transection during open reoperation for bleeding after a converted procedure, died. Bile leaks for reasons other than bile duct injury occurred in 2.1 percent; 71 percent of these were cystic duct leaks. Acute cholecystitis was the indication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 968 patients, with 1.3 percent sustaining laparoscopic bile duct injury (95 percent confidence interval, 0.62 percent to 2.08 percent), while the incidence in patients with other indications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 0.62 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 0.44 percent to 0.82 percent) (p > 0.05). Preoperative knowledge of bile duct anatomy was available by means of preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or intravenous cholangiography in 26 percent of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy but this did not reduce the risk of bile duct injury. The frequency of bile duct injury in patients who had intraoperative cholangiography was not significantly different from those who did not. Intraoperative cholangiography was done in 14 cases of injury (diagnostic for injury in 8, misinterpreted in 2, and normal in 4 patients). The case notes described operative difficulties in 11 of 48 cases of laparoscopic bile duct injury, most often because of fibrosis or difficulty delineating the anatomy. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of bile duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is higher than previously generally anticipated and did not decrease from 1991 through 1994. Risk factors and possible preventive measures should be evaluated in prospective studies.
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Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was introduced in Denmark in 1991, and a prospective case register was established. All departments performing LC agreed to participate. In 1991-1992, 2,415 patients underwent LC in 44 departments. The median number of procedures was 32 (interquartile range 18-58, range 1-370), performed by a median of four surgeons per department (3-5, 1-23). Two hundred and forty-two patients (10%) had acute cholecystitis. Eighteen point five percent had had an ERCP performed prior to LC. The rate of conversion to open operation was 10.5%, occurring significantly more often in acute cholecystitis (25.6%) than in patients with other indications (8.8%) (p < 0.001). Intraoperative cholangiography was used in 22.4%. The median duration of LC was 90 minutes (70-120, 25-415). The postoperative course was without complications in 90.4%. Laparotomy for complications was necessary in 43 patients (2.0%), mainly because of bile leaks. Twelve patients (0.6%) were treated endoscopically for complications. Bile duct injury occurred in 16 patients (0.66%, 95% CI 0.34-0.99%), including three transsections, one stricture, and 12 minor injuries. Six patients (0.25%, 95% CI 0-0.45%), three of whom had procedure-related complications, died postoperatively. All were > or = 72 years of age. Median time to discharge was two days, while median time to resumed work/normal activity was eight days. A comparison with the number of LC registered in the National Patient Register indicates that reporting is complete.
To compare the quality of cholecystectomy before and after the introduction of laparoscopic technique, a comparison was made between 463 consecutive patients undergoing open cholecystectomy (OC) during the 1985-1989 and 329 consecutive patients cholecystectomized during 1991-1993 after the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) (i.e., open or laparoscopic cholecystectomies). The frequency of procedure-related complications was unchanged in the two periods [13 vs. 9% (NS)], but general complications were reduced from 17 to 9% (p < 0.001), mainly attributable to a reduced incidence of pulmonary complications. Mortality was 2.2 and 0.9%, respectively (NS). The frequency of bile duct injury was 0.2% in the first and 0.6% in the second period (NS). The frequency of reoperations was 2.8 and 1.8% (NS), and residual stones were later detected in 3.0 and 3.6%, respectively (NS). Hospital stay after elective surgery was reduced from 6 days in the first period to 4 days in the second (all cases) (p < 0.001). Thus the quality of cholecystectomy improved regarding general complications, while mortality and number of reoperations were unchanged. Further improvement is desirable to prevent general as well as procedure-related complications.
The effect of preoperative sublingual buprenorphine (B) on postoperative pain (VAS), the need for postoperative opioid injections and on time to discharge, was evaluated in a prospective randomised double-blind study. Forty ASA I-II patients scheduled for arthroscopy of the knee received premedication with 0.4 mg buprenorphine (group B) and 42 patients were given placebo (group P). Postoperatively, pethidine was given to patients with pain. Three of the 40 patients in group B vs 11 of the 42 in group P received pethidine (P < 0.05). In group B, however, 13 of the 40 patients complained of nausea, prolonging median time to discharge from 155 to 255 minutes (P < 0.05). In group P, 3 of the 42 patients were nauseated, P < 0.01, compared with group B. Time to discharge did not differ between the groups in patients without nausea. The median respiratory rate was significantly lower in group B, but no patient required ventilatory support. In conclusion, premedication with sublingual buprenorphine cannot be recommended for this procedure. It reduces the need for postoperative injections of pethidine but increases the incidence of postoperative nausea which prolongs the recovery time. Careful monitoring is also mandatory because of the possibility of respiratory depression.
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OBJECTIVES: To describe initial experience with a new technique for obtaining lung biopsy specimens using video-thoracoscopy and Multifire Endo GIA (U.S. Surgical Corporation) stapler. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Central hospital, Denmark. SUBJECTS: Nine patients with suspected pulmonary fibrosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnosis, morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: The endoscopic method provided a specimen of lung tissue large enough to secure a reliable diagnosis in all cases. CONCLUSION: The thoracoscopic technique implies less surgical trauma than thoracotomy resulting in less postoperative pain and a better cosmetic result. In patients suitable for general anaesthesia the endoscopic method for obtaining lung tissue specimen seems to be the ideal method.
Pregnancy has been considered an absolute contraindication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but recently several successful cases have been published. Two patients operated upon during the second trimester with an uneventful intra- and postoperative course and subsequent uncomplicated obstetric course are reported. The procedure requires special consideration with respect to incisions, insertion of cannula and ports, establishment and maintenance of pneumoperitoneum with a pressure of 10 mmHg, intraoperative monitoring of maternal end-tidal pCO2, perioperative foetal monitoring and choice of postoperative analgesics. The use of intraoperative cholangiography is controversial, but it should probably be avoided in pregnant patients. It is not known whether perioperative tocolytic therapy is necessary. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not contraindicated during pregnancy.
Sedation in connection with oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy is carried out in various ways. The investigation may be carried out with surface anaesthesia in the pharynx in well-informed and mentally stable patients but accept of renewed endoscopy is increased significantly when sedation is employed. Patients with an absolute requirement for sedation may be selected possibly employing a brief personality test. Employment of diazepam is extensively employed but diazepam interacts with cimetidin among other drugs, has a relatively long half-life and can cause secondary sedation. Midazolam has a more rapid effect, a briefer half-life, provides deeper sedation and results in more amnesia than diazepam. The oxygen tension decrease during endoscopy regardless of the sedative employed. Other sedatives, opioids, atropin or anaesthetics are not indicated under normal circumstances. Sedation can be abolished immediately after endoscopy with the bendzodiazepin-antagonist, flumazenil.