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Biomedical subjects

V Dhir

Publications and source records attributed to V Dhir.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Effect of preoperative biliary stenting on immediate outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative biliary stenting is associated with bacterial contamination of bile and an increased rate of infectious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Preoperative drainage has been found to have conflicting effects on morbidity and mortality, and no studies have been published on the effect of stent complications and duration of stenting on postoperative outcome. This study examined the effects of preoperative biliary stenting on early outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Details of 144 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy from 1992 to 2001 were entered into a database. Variables included biliary stenting, duration of stenting, stent complications and bile culture results. Details of surgery and postoperative complications were noted. Patients were grouped as stented and non-stented. Factors likely to affect postoperative mortality and morbidity were analysed. RESULTS: Preoperative biliary stenting was performed in 74 of the 144 patients; post-stenting complications developed in 18 patients (24 per cent) before surgery. After surgery there were nine deaths (6.3 per cent) and 60 (41.7 per cent) of the 144 patients developed complications, with no significant difference in morbidity rate between stented and non-stented patients. Logistic regression showed that a positive intraoperative bile culture was the only factor significantly associated with operative morbidity (P < 0.001) and mortality (P = 0.019). Biliary stenting was not significantly associated with a positive culture (P = 0.073), but stenting that resulted in complications (P = 0.006) and drainage for less than 6 weeks (P = 0.011) was associated with significantly greater culture positivity. Stenting followed by complications was shown by logistic regression to be the only factor significantly associated with a positive culture (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: A positive intraoperative bile culture was associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates following pancreaticoduodenectomy. A positive culture in the stented group was related to stent complications and duration of stenting. Uncomplicated stenting was not associated with increased morbidity or mortality.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

Helicobacter pylori eradication does not worsen quality of life related to reflux symptoms: a prospective trial.

BACKGROUND: Concern has been raised that Helicobacter pylori therapy may lead to the development of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. This prospective study was designed to assess reflux-related quality of life and the symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in patients undergoing H. pylori therapy. METHODS: Patients with a primary complaint of dyspepsia (upper abdominal pain or discomfort) and endoscopic biopsy positive for H. pylori received triple therapy for 2 weeks. A validated reflux-related quality of life questionnaire sensitive to change was given at baseline, 1 month and 6 months after therapy; symptoms were also recorded. A urea breath test was performed 1 month after the end of therapy; patients and investigators were blind to the results. RESULTS: H. pylori was eradicated in 48 of 61 patients. The mean scores in cured patients for each of the five domains were comparable at baseline and 6 months after therapy: differences were - 0.23 to 0.13 (P > 0.20) on a scale of 1-7. The proportion of cured patients with a large decrease in quality of life (10-17% in the five domains) was similar to the proportion with a large increase (15-21%). Heartburn was present at baseline in 22 cured patients; at 6 months, it persisted in 13 and resolved in nine, whilst nine patients developed new heartburn. CONCLUSIONS: A population of patients presenting with dyspepsia should have no overall increase or decrease in quality of life due to symptomatic gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in the 6 months after H. pylori therapy.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

Effects of castration and androgen replacement on erectile function in a rabbit model.

We investigated, in a rabbit model, the effects of castration and testosterone replacement on: 1) the hemodynamics of the corpus cavernosum; 2) alpha-1 adrenergic receptor protein expression; 3) neural NO synthase protein expression and activity; 4) phosphodiesterase type 5 activity; and 5) trabecular smooth muscle/connective tissue balance. One week after bilateral orchiectomy, animals were treated for 7 days with vehicle alone, testosterone, or estradiol. Intact control animals received vehicle only. Systemic arterial blood and intracavernosal pressures (ICP) were measured in each animal before and after electrical stimulation of the cavernosal nerve. Alpha1-adrenergic receptor protein expression was determined by ligand binding studies. NO synthase expression and activity were determined by Western blot analyses and conversion of L-arginine to citrulline, respectively. Phosphodiesterase type 5 activity was determined by hydrolysis of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) in tissue extracts in the absence or presence of 100 nM sildenafil. Smooth muscle content was assessed by Masson's trichrome staining and computer-assisted histomorphometry. Castration significantly reduced ICP, but it did not alter systemic arterial blood pressure during stimulation of the cavernosal nerve. Testosterone, but not estradiol, treatment prevented the effects of castration and restored ICP to values similar to those obtained in intact animals. Castration reduced expression of alpha1-adrenergic receptor, and this reduction was prevented or reversed by testosterone replacement. Neural NO synthase protein expression and total activity were not altered significantly by castration or after testosterone replacement. However, phosphodiesterase type 5 activity increased in castrated animals treated with testosterone. Castration significantly reduced trabecular smooth muscle content, and this reduction was restored by testosterone (but not estradiol) treatment. The results of this study demonstrate that androgen deprivation alters the functional responses and structure of erectile tissue.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Reversibility of retinal flow abnormalities is disease-duration dependent in diabetic rats.

Decreased retinal blood flow has been measured in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes of 1 week's duration, and primary insulin intervention was effective in maintaining normal retinal blood flow in diabetic rats. Retinal blood-flow abnormalities precede clinical diabetic retinopathy in both diabetic animals and patients. An important characteristic of diabetic retinopathy is the difficulty of reversibility once it has been established. Because altered retinal hemodynamics is a possible marker of early diabetic retinopathy, we investigated in this study whether retinal blood-flow changes in rats can be normalized by secondary insulin intervention following short and chronic periods of untreated STZ-induced diabetes. Subcutaneous insulin pumps were placed into diabetic rats for 1 week after 1 week of diabetes (2-week group) and after 3 weeks of diabetes (4-week group). Retinal circulatory parameters were determined using image analysis of video fluorescein angiogram recordings. For the 2-week group, retinal blood flow was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the untreated diabetic rats compared with nondiabetic and insulin-treated diabetic rats (80.6+/-29.2, 131.9+/-50.1, and 151.3+/-54.0 pixels2/s respectively). Retinal blood flow was also significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in the 4-week untreated diabetic rats compared with nondiabetic rats (95.7+/-22.2 vs. 125.7+/-29.5 pixels2/s). In contrast to the shorter-duration group, insulin treatment for 1 week after 3 weeks of diabetes did not totally normalize retinal blood flow (117.5+/-32.4 pixels2/s). These results suggest that vascular abnormalities could become more resistant to normalization following short-term (1 week) insulin treatment after longer periods of untreated diabetes.

Animals↗

Precut papillotomy using a needle knife: experience in 100 patients with malignant obstructive jaundice.

BACKGROUND: Precut papillotomy enhances the success of selective bile duct cannulation. Doubts have been raised about the relative safety of the procedure. This study was undertaken to assess the success rate and complications of precut papillotomy using a needle knife. METHODS: 100 consecutive patients undergoing precut papillotomy for biliary endoprosthesis placement were studied. A needle knife was used in these patients after bile duct cannulation was not successful using other techniques. The success rate, complications and mortality were determined. RESULTS: Selective bile duct cannulation was achieved in 65 patients. There were six complications: bleeding (3), pancreatitis (2), and perforation (1). One patient died following duodenal perforation. The success rate for endoprosthesis placement was increased by 14.2% following precut papillotomy. CONCLUSIONS: Precut papillotomy enhances the success of selective bile duct cannulation, with complication rates similar to standard papillotomy.

Ampulla of Vater↗

Topical pharyngeal anesthesia without intravenous sedation during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: There have been conflicting reports about the usefulness of topical pharyngeal anesthesia as a pre-endoscopic medication. AIMS: To assess the effect of topical pharyngeal anesthesia without intravenous sedatives on easing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. METHODS: 153 consecutive consenting patients were randomized to receive either placebo (normal saline) spray (78 patients) or 80 mg of 4% lidocaine spray (75 patients). Difficulty of intubation was judged both by the patient and the physician on a linear analogue scale. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the scores in the two groups (p > 0.05). The patient and physician assessments correlated well. CONCLUSIONS: Topical lignocaine spray does not facilitate upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in the absence of intravenous sedation.

Administration, Topical↗

Synchronous adenocarcinoma and lymphoma of the colon.

Synchronous lymphoma and adenocarcinoma of the colon are extremely rare. A 32-year-old woman was referred to us for colon cancer. Investigations revealed two primary tumors, one in the cecum and the other in the sigmoid colon. Subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis was performed. Histology revealed the cecal tumor to be non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse small cell type with plasmacytoid features. The sigmoid colon tumor was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient received 6 cycles of chemotherapy postoperatively for lymphoma but died of recurrent disease after 17 months.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Endoscopic palliation of malignant obstructive jaundice using resterilized accessories: an audit of success, complications, mortality and cost.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the success, complications and cost of endoscopic endoprosthesis placement for palliation of obstructive jaundice caused by malignancy. METHODS: Four hundred and two consecutive patients with obstructive jaundice due to nonresectable malignancy undergoing endoscopic stenting were studied. Commercial or home-made 7F or 10F endoprostheses were placed using minor modifications of the standard technique. The accessories were sterilized and reused. RESULTS: Endoprosthesis placement was successful in 291 patients (72.4%, 95% CI 67.7-76.7)-241 in one attempt, 49 in two attempts, and one in three attempts. Fifty nine patients (14.6%, 95% CI 11.4-18.6) had procedure-related complications, including cholangitis (30), pancreatitis (15), perforation (3) and bleeding (11). The incidence of cholangitis was significantly higher in bifurcation blocks than in other lesions (17.6% vs 4.7%, p = 0.0005). The success rate did not differ between distal and proximal lesions (68.1% vs 72.9%). The procedural cost per patient could be reduced from Rs 14,850 to Rs 6565 by reusing accessories after sterilization, and using home-made stents. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic endoprosthesis placement is a safe and effective method for palliation of malignant obstructive jaundice. Preparation of indigenous stents and reuse of accessories can reduce the cost of the procedure by over 50%.

Adult↗

Dilation of proximal esophageal strictures following therapy for head and neck cancer: experience with Savary Gilliard dilators.

BACKGROUND: There is little information on dilation of proximal strictures following surgical and/or radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. We studied the feasibility and efficacy of dilating proximal strictures following therapy for head and neck cancer using Savary Gilliard dilators. METHODS: Twenty-one consecutive patients with proximal strictures resulting from surgery and/or radiation therapy of head and neck cancer were studied. Savary Gilliard dilation was performed using the standard and a modified method. Dysphagia was graded before and after dilation using a 5-point scale. RESULTS: Technical success, dysphagia relief, complications, and duration of relief were noted. Technical success was achieved in 20 (95%) patients. Adequate dysphagia relief was obtained in 15/20 (75%) patients, which lasted for 4-36 weeks (median 14 weeks). There were no perforations, bleeding, or deaths. Four patients required repeat dilation after a median interval of 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Savary Gilliard dilation is a safe and effective method for dilating strictures caused by therapy for head and neck cancer.

Adult↗