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S Sexton

Publications and source records attributed to S Sexton.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Amputation for acute ischaemia is associated with increased comorbidity and higher amputation level.

BACKGROUND: There is some evidence that the early outcome of major amputation is worse after failed thromboembolectomy, but the risk factors and results of amputation done for acute ischaemia have never been compared with those for chronic ischaemia in a large series of patients. METHOD: Retrospective review of 30 day outcome for all 322 primary amputations done for arterial disease during 1992-8. There were 286 patients (163 male; median age 76 years) who had 270 amputations for chronic ischaemia and 52 for acute ischaemia. RESULTS: The acute group had higher prevalences of cardiac disease (48% versus 29%-p<0.02), limiting pulmonary disease (27% versus 13%-p<0.02) and ASA grades 4 and 5 (27% versus 14%-p<0.05). Amputation below the knee was less common after acute ischaemia (31% versus 60%-p<0.001). There were trends towards more revisions (19% versus 11%) and higher mortality (25% versus 19%) in the acute group but neither reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Patients having major amputations for acute ischaemia have higher levels of pre-existing comorbidity than those with chronic ischaemia and are twice as likely to require amputation above the knee. They should be managed as a particularly high risk group.

Acute Disease↗

Factors influencing the early outcome of major lower limb amputation for vascular disease.

A consecutive series of 349 primary lower limb amputations for vascular disease, done during 1992-1998, were reviewed for amputation level, revision, complications and death, seeking associations with the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grade and pre-operative co-morbidities of patients. Attempted revascularisation, and seniority of surgeon supervising the amputation were also examined for their possible influence on outcome. There were 312 patients (163 male) aged 39-92 years (median, 76 years). The majority of patients were ASA 3 or 4 (76%), and ASA 4 was associated with increased mortality (P < 0.01). Limiting heart problems (P < 0.01) and 'general frailty' (P < 0.001) also carried significantly higher risks of death, but limiting chest problems, dementia, and diabetes mellitus did not. There was no significant association between attempts at revascularisation at any time before amputation, and amputation level or the need for revision. There were no differences between consultants, registrars, and senior house officers (most senior surgeon) for any outcome measure. This study documents the medical status of amputees more clearly than usual, and demonstrates the effect of co-morbidity on the substantial mortality of these patients. The results support an aggressive policy of attempted revascularisation, and show that properly trained junior surgeons obtain satisfactory results.

Adult↗

Anaesthesia and analgesia for major lower limb amputation.

This study describes the methods of anaesthesia and analgesia used in 349 major lower limb amputations for vascular disease over a seven year period (1992-8). The main type of anaesthesia was general in 55%, spinal in 29%, and epidural in 14%: there were no significant differences for ASA grade, age, or amputation level, nor any statistical differences in mortality for each method of anaesthesia. The main methods of analgesia in the first 48 hours changed between 1992 and 1998, with decreasing intramuscular and oral opioids (from 38% to 7%, and from 23% to 2% respectively) while epidurals became the commonest method (4% in 1992 and 63% in 1998). Thirty seven percent of patients were prescribed carbamazepine for phantom pain. There have been substantial changes in postoperative analgesia following amputation, and epidurals are now common practice, despite the controversy about their role in preventing phantom pain.

Adult↗

Evaluation of staining methods for identifying Campylobacter pylori.

Campylobacter pylori has been implicated in the pathogenesis of peptide ulcer disease. The rapid identification of this organism may depend upon histologic diagnosis, because culture methods are complex and require a minimum of seven days in order to identify a negative specimen. The purpose of this study was to determine which stain used to identify this organism was the most cost-effective and easiest to perform and interpret on a routine basis. Sixty-one consecutive gastric antral biopsies were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Giemsa, Brown-Brenn, and Warthin-Starry, with 23 of the cases stained by Brown-Hopps. Of the stains tested, the Wright-Giemsa was the easiest to perform. The organisms on the Wright-Giemsa showed a smooth, uniform purple color, whereas the Warthin-Starry gave the organism a granular appearance that at times could be confused for silver precipitate. Both the Wright-Giemsa and Brown-Hopps stain had the highest degree of identification of the organism (defined by percent positivity). The routine use of the Wright-Giemsa stain for identification of C. pylori in antral biopsies is recommended.

Acute Disease↗

Herd composite somatic cell counts: average linear score and weighted average somatic cell count score and milk production.

The relationship between herd production weighted average somatic cell count (average of somatic cell count weighted by individual cow milk production) and average linear score (average of individual cow linear score somatic cell counts) was investigated using three models. The model with the highest R2 was log weighted average somatic cell count versus average linear score. Use of the regression model results to convert an average linear score to weighted average somatic cell count results in a bulk tank somatic cell count approximately twice that of conversion of a linear score somatic cell count when done on an individual cow basis. Rolling herd average milk decreased 190 kg as average linear score increased by 1.

Animals↗

The response to endocrine therapy in patients with advanced breast cancer in Great Britain and Japan.

A prospective study has been carried out to compare the response rates to endocrine therapy of Japanese and British women with breast cancer. Premenopausal women were treated by ovarian ablation, patients who were up to five years postmenopausal were prescribed androgen therapy and patients who were more than five years postmenopausal were treated with oestrogens. No differences in response rate, response time or survival could be detected in the three categories of patients. Significantly more Japanese patients presented with pulmonary metastases in the pre- and postmenopausal groups. In postmenopausal Japanese patients treated with oestrogens, those with pulmonary metastases survived significantly longer.

Adult↗

Pleural effusion in breast cancer: a review of 105 cases.

This paper reviews 105 patients with breast cancer who had a pleural effusion as a direct consequence of metastatic disease. The mean lag time between diagnosis of primary tumor and presentation of the effusion was 41.5 months. Mean survival time after development of an effusion was 15.7 months. Of the 99 patients with unilateral breast tumors, 50% had ipsilateral effusions, 40% were contralateral, and 10% were bilateral. Forty-two percent of the patients had pleural effusion as the first evidence of recurrence. No particular group of women, based on age, menopausal status, or parity could be identified as being at risk of developing a subsequent effusion. However, there was a significantly higher proportion of patients who had central and medial tumors and who had Stage III cancers. Other tumor features, such as size, histologic type, or grade, did not predict the development of pleural metastasis. The success rate of a variety of treatment methods, local, general, or a combination of both, was 17% in achieving control of effusions. There may be a place for more aggressive treatment of pleural effusion at first presentation so that the quality of life could be improved during the patient's remaining months of survival.

Adult↗

Oestrogen receptors and response to cytotoxic chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer.

Of 54 patients with advanced breast cancer, 21/37 (57%) with oestrogen receptor-positive (ER+) tumours and 11/17 (65%) with oestrogen receptor-negative (ER-) tumours responded to cytotoxic chemotherapy. These data and a survey of the literature indicate that oestrogen receptor status is not a determinant of response to chemotherapy. However, ER+ tumours seem to grow more slowly than ER- ones and the response to chemotherapy tends to be longer in ER+ patients.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

Engineering consent.

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Cloning, Organism↗