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Biomedical subjects

S Fritsch

Publications and source records attributed to S Fritsch.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Can the morbidity of esophagectomy be reduced by the thoracoscopic approach?

Esophagectomies have a high morbidity rate, mainly related to pulmonary complications. The aim of this work was to assess whether the thoracoscopic approach could reduce this morbidity. We have made a prospective study of the results of 29 attempts of esophagectomy using a right thoracoscopic approach. There were 20 males and 9 females having an average age of 47. The indication was a squamous cell carcinoma in 22 patients, an adenocarcinoma in 1 patient, a melanoma in 1 patient, and a caustic stenosis in 5. The whole esophagus was mobilized thoracoscopically and the esophagectomy was completed through the abdomen. The reconstruction was achieved using a gastric pull-through and a cervical anastomosis. There were five failures for the following reasons: unresectable carcinoma (one case), large tumor making a thoracoscopic dissection unsafe (two cases), and incomplete lung collapse making the exposure of the posterior mediastinum difficult (two cases). The average time of the thoracoscopic procedure was 135 min. The postoperative course was uneventful in all but five patients who had a pulmonary complication: atelectasis (three cases), right purulent pleural effusion (one case), acute respiratory disease syndrome (one case). The latter complication was lethal. Four out of five respiratory complications occurred in patients for whom the dissection was considered difficult. Among the other complications, there were five anastomotic leakages and three cases of laryngeal nerve palsy. The mortality rate was 3.8%. These initial results do not show a real benefit of the thoracoscopic approach for esophageal dissection, especially with respect to difficult esophagectomies. Further evaluation of the technique is needed.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1995

[Effects of intraperitoneal insufflation on hematogenous seeding of abdominal infections. Preliminary results of an experimental study in rats].

Most laparoscopic procedures require the creation of a pneumoperitoneum. In order to evaluate the potential hazards of bacteriemia related to insufflation, we conducted a study in the rat. Two groups of 20 Wistar rats were used for this study. Peritonitis was induced by opening the terminal ileum. Twenty-four hours later, 20 rats were insufflated at a mean pressure of 6 mm Hg (Group I). After one hour of insufflation, an hemoculture was performed via direct intracardiac puncture and in the other group of 20 non-insufflated rats (Group NI). Five of the 18 hemoculture were positive in the Gr. I (27.7%) and 6 out of 20 in the Gr. NI (30%) (chi 2 = 0.238 p = 0.62 non significant difference). These results suggest that insufflation does not facilitate hematogenous dissemination of bacteria from intraperitoneal sepsis in this animal model.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Can a reduction of morbidity of esophagectomy be expected with the thoracoscopic approach?].

OBJECTIVE: Oesophagectomies have a high morbidity rate, mainly related to pulmonary complications. The aim of this work was to assess whether the thoracoscopic approach could reduce this morbidity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of the results of 26 attempts of esophagectomy using a right thoracoscopic approach. There were 17 males and 9 females having an average age of 47. The indication was a squamous cell carcinoma in 19 patients, an adenocarcinoma in 1 patient, a melanoma in 1 patient and a caustic stenosis in 5. The whole oesophagus was mobilized thoracoscopically, and the eosophagectomy was completed through the abdomen. The reconstruction was achieved using a gastric pull-through and a cervical anastomosis. RESULTS: There were 5 failures for the following reasons: unresectable carcinoma (1 case), large tumour making a thoracoscopic dissection unsafe (1 case) and incomplete lung collapse making the exposure of the posterior mediastinum difficult (2 cases). The average time of the thoracoscopic procedure was 135 min. The post-operative course was uneventful in all but 5 patients who had a pulmonary complication: atelectasis (3 cases), right purulent pleural effusion (1 case), acute respiratory distress syndrome (1 case). The latter complication was lethal. Four out of 5 respiratory complications occurred in patients for whom the dissection was considered as difficult. Among the other complications, there were 5 anastomotic leakages and 3 laryngeal nerve palsy. The mortality rate was 3.8%. CONCLUSION: These initial results do not show a real benefit of the thoracoscopic approach for eosophageal dissection, especially for difficult oesophagectomies. Further evaluation of the technique is needed.

Burns, Chemical↗
PubMed1995

[The diagnostic value of thoracoscopy in solid masses of the mediastinum].

Despite the accuracy of percutaneous biopsy of mediastinal masses under CT scan or sonographic control, there is still a need for surgical biopsy either because of difficult location or because of insufficiency of the percutaneous biopsy, especially for those of the tumors requiring an immunological classification. The thoracoscopic approach of mediastinal masses is an alternative to the usual surgical biopsies performed through thoracotomy, sternotomy or anterior mediastinotomy. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and one-lung ventilation. In a series of 44 cases, an histological diagnosis was obtained in 41 cases (93.1%). There was one haemorrhagic complication requiring thoracotomy (2.3%). The mean post-operative duration of stay was 3.2 days. We conclude that thoracoscopy is the method of choice in case of failure or contraindication of percutaneous biopsy. There is still a role for mediastinoscopy for laterotracheal lymph nodes.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Evaluation of a monoclonal antibody for detection of Helicobacter pylori in a direct immunofluorescence test.

A monoclonal antibody was developed for detection of Helicobacter pylori in gastric tissue sections in a direct immunofluorescence test. On a comparison of the immunofluorescence test with standard methods for detection of Helicobacter pylori, i.e. culture, the urease activity test and histological examination of tissue sections, using 158 biopsy specimens, 30 specimens were positive in all methods and 64 negative. In the remaining cases comparison was not possible because either immunofluorescence (29 specimens) or the standard methods (16 specimens) gave ambiguous results. The direct immunofluorescence test may have potential as an alternative to standard methods, but further testing in a defined patient population is necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

[The nuclear magnetic resonance tomographic differentiation of osteoporotic and tumor-related vertebral fractures. The value of subtractive TR gradient-echo sequences, STIR sequences and Gd-DTPA].

42 patients with known malignancy and vertebral compressions underwent MRI. Sagittal T1-weighted spin-echo images pre and post Gd-DTPA, out of phase long TR gradient-echo images (GE) and short T1 inversion recovery images (STIR) were obtained at 1.0 T. The results were confirmed by histology (6/42) or clinical data (28/42) and follow up MRI studies (8/42). In 39 of 42 cases a correct differentiation between osteoporotic and tumorous vertebral compression fractures was possible by quantification and correlation of SE and GE signal intensities. Gd-DTPA did not improve differential diagnosis, since both tumour infiltration and bone marrow oedema in acute compression fracture showed comparable enhancement. STIR-sequences were most sensitive for pathology but unspecific due to a comparable amount of water in tumour tissue and bone marrow oedema. Susceptibility-induced signal reduction in GE images and morphologic criteria proved to be most reliable for differentiation of benign and tumour-related fractures. In the rare cases of single and nearly complete vertebral compressions with complete loss of bone marrow, differentiation with MRI was not possible.

Contrast Media↗
PubMed1991

Are admission plasma fibrinogen levels useful in the characterization of risk groups after myocardial infarction treated with fibrinolysis?

The aim of our study was to prove or disprove the independent prognostic importance of fibrinogen after myocardial infarction. Plasma fibrinogen levels were determined on admission in 135 patients with an acute myocardial infarction and symptoms up to 4 h (mean: 1.8 h) immediately before starting fibrinolytic treatment with 1.5 mio U. streptokinase i.v. All patients were free from other diseases which are known to cause elevated fibrinogen levels. Coronary angiography was carried out in 87%. During a mean follow-up period of 26.2 months 31 coronary events could be observed in 26 patients: 18 reinfarctions, 6 cases of sudden death, and 7 coronary artery bypass graft surgeries because of new symptoms. While plasma fibrinogen levels were higher in smokers than in non-smokers (3.30 vs 2.94 g/l p = 0.011) and correlated with the number of involved coronary arteries (p = 0.08), values were similar in patients with and without coronary events during follow-up (3.07 vs 3.16 g/l, p = 0.70). This applied as well to univariate analysis as to multivariate Cox's regression model. We conclude that plasma fibrinogen levels determined very early in patients with acute myocardial infarction do correlate with other important prognostic variables, but have no independent prognostic importance.

Diagnostic Tests, Routine↗
PubMed1991

Cmax/AUC is a clearer measure than Cmax for absorption rates in investigations of bioequivalence.

In bioequivalence studies, the maximum concentration (Cmax) is shown to reflect not only the rate but also the extent of absorption. Cmax is highly correlated with the area under the curve (AUC) contrasting blood concentration with time. Therefore, use of the Cmax/AUC ratio is recommended for assessing the equivalence of absorption rates. The ratio is independent of both intrasubject variations and possible differences in the extent of absorption and reflects only the contrast between the absorption and disposition rate constants (ka/k).

Absorption↗
PubMed1991

[Genital prognosis of girls with bladder exstrophy or epispadias].

The authors report ten cases of women with previous exstrophy of the bladder or epispadias with incontinence followed up to child-bearing age. Six of the ten females had urinary diversion and four retained their bladder and were continent. Three key aspects are considered: physical appearance of the external genitalia which was satisfactory in all cases; preservation of sexual function, known in only four of the ten cases and which was reported by these patients to be satisfactory, and finally, the ability to bear children. Three patients became pregnant resulting in four normal births (one patient had twins). Cesarean sections were recommended in patients with pregnancies at term. Cesarean should be performed systematically in patients with bladder reconstruction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

The influence of rejection episodes on the development of coronary artery disease after heart transplantation.

Since 1981, 77 of 116 patients undergoing heart transplantation (HTx) have survived from 6 months to 8 years. Graft control involved a total of 871 endomyocardial biopsies (EMB) and 141 angiographies. Sixteen patients developed coronary artery disease (CAD) manifesting itself 7-60 months after HTx (20.7%). These patients (15 male, 1 female) experienced multiple rejection episodes (RE) and more than half suffered from hypercholesterolaemia and hypertension (n = 10). A mean rejection score (Billingham grading) of greater than 1 (mean = 1.6 +/- 1.1) was calculated in all patients with CAD at the time of angiography or autopsy. By contrast, the mean rejection score ranked less than 1 in patients with undetectable or resolved CAD (means = 0.4 +/- 0.38). This rate is not remarkably different from the rejection score in patients (n = 61) without CAD (mean = 0.2 +/- 0.4). The 8 patients alive (56 +/- 18 months) showed a low number of RE/year (mean = 1.1 +/- 0.4) compared with means = 1 +/- 0.9 in patients without CAD. Eight patients expired within a short period (mean = 31 +/- 26.9) and had a significantly higher number of RE/year (mean = 4.3 +/- 2.9; P less than 0.01 vs. no CAD, CAD alive). Autopsy (n = 6) and angiographic studies (n = 46) demonstrated diffuse, concentric, obliterative arterial disease in all vessels (type A) in 6 patients (RE/yr: mean = +/- 5.5 +/- 2.3), single stenoses in major coronary vessels (type B) in 7 patients and ordinary atherosclerosis (3-vessel disease) comparable to ischaemic heart disease (type C) in 3 patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1989

[Epidemiology and therapy of Campylobacter pylori infection].

The prevalence of Campylobacter pylori in gastric mucosa was investigated prospectively (by histology, cytology, bacterial culture and urease rapid-test) in 302 patients of a routine gastroenterological endoscopy programme. According to the histopathological findings the following prevalence of C. pylori was established: 3 of 35 normals (9%); 116 of 167 with antral gastritis (69%), 28 of 40 with gastric ulcers (70%); 26 of 33 with duodenal ulcers (79%); 5 of 27 with other conditions (19%). The activity degree of the gastritis correlated closely with the presence of C. pylori. In a prospective open trial 110 patients with antral gastritis or gastroduodenal ulcer were treated according to the following schedule: (a) bismuth subsalicylate, 1800 mg/d for four weeks (35 patients); (b) amoxycillin 2250 mg/d for two weeks (6); (c) ranitidine 300 mg/d for four weeks (26); (d) bismuth plus amoxycillin (20); (e) bismuth plus ranitidine (23). Immediately after the end of treatment and four weeks later the elimination rates were: (a) bismuth 51% (18) and 23% (8), respectively; (b) amoxycillin 50% (3) and 17% (1); (c) ranitidine 0% (0); (d) bismuth plus amoxycillin 60% (12) and 25% (5); (e) bismuth plus ranitidine 43% (10) and 17% (4). These data indicate that treatment with bismuth plus amoxycillin will achieve a negative bacterial result in about half the patients. But frequently as early as four weeks later C. pylori can again be demonstrated, so that the long-term elimination rate is only 15-30%.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Perfusion scintigraphy using 99mTc-labeled microspheres in the functional evaluation of an implanted portsystem for intraarterial cytostatic treatment of liver metastases].

Perfusion scintigraphy with 99mTc-labeled microspheres was used to assess the integrity of catheter systems implanted in patients with liver metastases for intraarterial regional chemotherapy, and to document the distribution of cytostatic drugs. 33 examinations in 12 patients were performed after implantation as well as prior to each cytostatic cycle. Recurrent stenosis with (3) and without (9) reflux into the adjacent upper abdominal organs was found in each patient with long-term implantation of the port system. In 50% of all cases, the stenosis was successfully treated using urokinase as a thrombolytic agent.

Antineoplastic Agents↗
PubMed1988

Thyroglobulin and 131I uptake of remaining tissue in patients with differentiated carcinoma after thyroidectomy.

In 158 thyroidectomized patients with well-differentiated non-metastatic thyroid cancer the results of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) determination and 131I uptake values established immediately before radioiodine treatment (19 days after surgery) were compared. In 113 patients (72%) Tg was above 6 ng ml-1 (lower limit of detection) and 131I uptake exceeded 2%. In 11 patients (7%) Tg was undetectable and 131I uptake less than 2%. In these cases a radioiodine treatment was not performed; the thyroid ablation was achieved by surgery only. In 34 patients (21%) with undetectable Tg, 131I uptake values, however, varied between 3 and 46% (mean value: 9.6%). Only in 4 of these 34 patients was TSH not maximally (50 microU ml-1) stimulated because of a shorter (9, 10, 11, 13 days) period from thyroidectomy. In conclusion, remaining thyroid tissue, highly stimulated by TSH, can trap a remarkable amount of radioiodine, but may be unable to produce detectable amounts of Tg. Therefore, in contrast to 131I, measuring Tg is insufficient to document the success of thyroid ablation. For the first follow-up study after ablative therapy, the uptake test with radioiodine is mandatory.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1987

Combined evaluation of first pass radionuclide angiography and equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. II. Results during exercise.

Results of 203 patients who underwent first pass radionuclide angiography (FP) and quantitative equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (qERNV) were stored in a data base system and evaluated statistically. Eighty eight of these patients also underwent exercise equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography (E-qERNV). In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) without previous myocardial infarction (MI), evaluation of global and regional ejection fraction (gEF, rEF) at rest revealed a poor sensitivity of 64%, the specificity was about 71% (qERNV). FP at rest revealed similar values of sensitivity (69%) and specificity (83%). Additional assessment of stress induced changes of gEF, significantly (P less than 0.05) improved sensitivity of qERNV in CAD patients without a history of previous MI to 84% (specificity 86%). In patients with one previous MI, however, similar values of sensitivity were found (R-FP: 87%, R-qERNV: 84%, E-qERNV: 93%). In patients with several MI's, sensitivity was above 90% at rest and during exercise (R-FP: 96%, R-qERNV: 93%, E-qERNV: 100%).

Coronary Disease↗
PubMed1987

[Evaluation of adriamycin cardiotoxicity using equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography. I. Results at rest].

Results of 606 equilibrium radionuclide ventriculographies performed in 348 non-selected patients receiving Adriamycin (ADM) therapy were stored in a data base system. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of a potential cardiotoxic therapy on left ventricular pump function. Increasing ADM doses yielded a significant (p less than 0.05) decrease of the resting ejection fraction (R-gEF), the peak ejection rate and the peak filling rate. End diastolic and end systolic volumes increased significantly. Stroke volume, heart rate and time to peak filling rate did not change significantly. 368 follow-up studies were performed in 128 patients: 65/128 patients presented a decrease of R-gEF, but only in 45 of these patients R-gEF values fell into the pathologic range. In 44 of these follow-ups, R-gEF remained unchanged. In 19 patients, a R-gEF increase was observed. At the beginning of ADM therapy 14% of the patients had subnormal R-gEF values. With increasing ADM doses pathologic findings increased to 86% in patients with ADM doses higher than 500 mg/m2.

Adult↗