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Biomedical subjects

W Oettinger

Publications and source records attributed to W Oettinger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Emergency carotid thromboendarterectomy: safe and effective.

Whether to perform emergency carotid thromboendarterectomy (CTEA) in the presence of crescendo transient ischemic attacks or stroke-in-evolution is controversial, with the operative mortality in some reports exceeding 20% and improvement in neurologic deficit of less than 40% in others. Our anecdotal experience with emergency CTEA for acute, persistent, or crescendo neurologic deficit had been strikingly better than published reports. Accordingly, we carried out a restrospective comparison of 43 such patients undergoing emergency CTEA with 237 patients concurrently undergoing elective CTEA for conventional indications. A standard protocol followed in emergency CTEA patients included carotid Doppler ultrasonography, computed cerebral tomography (CT), four-vessel cerebral arteriography, and intravenous heparin. Exclusions from emergency CTEA included coma or cerebral CT scan evidence for either hemorrhagic or ischemic infarction with edema. Operative techniques included standard carotid endarterectomy with Dacron patch or direct suture, eversion endarterectomy, or shortening resection. No mortality or central neurologic complications resulted among the 43 emergency CTEA patients, in comparison to no deaths and one temporary hemiparesis (0.4% central neurologic morbidity) in the 237 elective CTEA patients. Our results suggest that in the absence of coma or cerebral CT scan evidence for an unstable blood-brain barrier, emergency carotid reconstruction can be performed safely and with excellent outcome notwithstanding the magnitude and severity of the acute preoperative neurologic deficit.

Aged↗

[MR angiography of the lower extremities with an automatic table translation (Mobitrak) compared to i.a. DSA].

PURPOSE: Comparison of the diagnostic information obtained by MRA using a moving bed ("MobiTrak") with i.a.DSA for angiography of the lower extremities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 20 patients, i.a.DSA and MRA were performed within a few days. The image quality and diagnostic information were evaluated by two radiologists and two surgeons. RESULTS: The radiologists assessed the quality of MRA higher for 18%, for 79% image quality was equal, for 3% the quality was graded as lower in comparison to i.a.DSA. The surgeons found the quality of MRA higher for 16%, equal for 75% and lower for 9%. In all cases, MRA was sufficient for planning of further treatment. CONCLUSIONS: For examinations of the arterial vessels of the lower extremities, MRA with a moving bed ("MobiTrak") can be used instead of i.a.DSA. The diagnostic information from MRA is sufficient for planning the further treatment. The advantages of MRA (no radiation, no i.a. puncture, no contrast medium with iodine) will lead to an increasing application of this method.

Adult↗

[Pancreas carcinoid with extensive liver metastasis--simultaneous excision].

This case report describes an unusually large islet cell tumour of the pancreas presenting clinically with extensive metastases in the liver. The patient involved was a 55-year-old woman. The leading symptom was severe, hardly tractable diarrhoea. Histological examination including immunohistochemistry and measurements of the proliferation index revealed a probable malignant Vipoma of low grade. It was treated by simultaneous R0 resection of the tumour masses; the postoperative course was unremarkable. This outcome is seen as a strong argument in favour of a radical surgical approach even if there is significant metastatic disease in the liver. The advantage of intraoperative ultrasound is discussed along with aspects of tumour classification and alternative therapeutic modalities.

Female↗

Extended uses for the Herbert/Whipple screw: six case reports out of 35 illustrating technique.

We have used 6.5-mm and 4.5-mm Herbert/Whipple screws in our Trauma Center since 1991. This double-threaded headless device is used primarily in the scaphoid to manage fractures and delayed unions, but can be used successfully to fixate other fractures at diverse sites. In reviewing our experience, we will discuss several characteristics of this screw. These include advantages of the screw, such as generation of only minor soft-tissue trauma in areas of poor soft-tissue coverage or for transcartilaginous fixation, as well as its disadvantages, such as weak interfragmentary compression and low pullout resistance. Case reports are presented to illustrate applications of this device in the upper extremity (fractures of the humeral neck, the articular surface of the shoulder blade, and pseudarthrosis of the olecranon) and in the lower extremity (fractures of the talar neck, the medial malleolus, and Volkmann's triangle).

Adolescent↗

[Results of modern osteosynthesis procedures in fractures of the radial head--are conservative therapy, bone pin osteosynthesis or primary resection still allowed?].

In a retrospective study, we evaluated the outcome of 38 patients who underwent open reduction internal fixation for displaced radial head fractures. We used resorbable material, as well as titanium implants which need no hardware removal. Our results were 84% good, 6% satisfying and 10% unsatisfying. The latter were due to more severe damage to the elbow joint.

Adult↗

[The effect of thoracic epidural anesthesia on the pathophysiology of the eventration syndrome].

Abdominal mesenteric traction (MT) results in decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP), systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and increased cardiac output (CO). This response is induced by a considerable release of prostacyclin (PGI2). Precipitous falls in systemic arterial pressure related to central and/or autonomic nervous reflex arcs also have been described during operations on the upper abdominal viscera. Those hypotensive responses to visceral traction appear to be transmitted along afferent fibres contained within the splanchnic nerves. We investigated the influence of supplementary thoracic epidural anaesthesia on mesenteric traction response during major abdominal surgery. METHODS. With the approval of the Human Investigation Review Board we studied 40 patients scheduled for major abdominal surgery (infrarenal aortic, gastrointestinal and pancreatic surgery) according to a prospective, randomized double-blinded protocol. Patients were randomized to two different anaesthetic regimens. Patients in group 1 received general anaesthesia (GA n = 20) with 0.1-0.15 mg/kg midazolam and 10 micrograms/kg fentanyl prior to skin incision. Maintenance included 65% nitric oxide in oxygen and 0.1 mg increments of fentanyl as required. Group 2 patients (EA n = 20) underwent a combined technique of dose-reduced general anaesthesia and supplementary continuous, thoracic epidural anaesthesia (bupivacaine 0.25%, sensory blockade T4 to L1-3). In both anaesthesia groups ibuprofen (400 mg i.v.) or a placebo equivalent was administered 15 min before the induction of anaesthesia. MT was applied in a uniform fashion. Baseline values preceded the incision of the peritoneum. Further assessments followed 5, 15 and 30 min after MT. The plasma concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (stable metabolite of PGI2), TXB2 (stable metabolite of thromboxane), PGF2 alpha, KH2-PGF2 alpha (stable metabolite of PGF2 alpha) were determined by radioimmunoassay. At all assessments we recorded systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and measured arterial blood gases. Statistical analyses were performed using three-factor ANOVA for repeated measurements after log(x) transformation. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant when the Bonferroni-Holm adjustment was applied. RESULTS. Patients with supplementary epidural anaesthesia demonstrated lower systolic (P = 0.0001) and diastolic (P = 0.006) blood pressure than those in the GA group. Nevertheless, in untreated patients in the EA and GA group there was a significant decrease of about 20-30% in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.0001) after mesenteric traction. Irrespective of the anaesthetic procedure, paO2 (P = 0.0001) decreased after mesenteric traction in the placebo group. The control patients in the GA group exhibited a more pronounced increase in heart rate after MT. After traction on the mesentery a significant 20- to 30-fold increase in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha plasma concentrations occurred in the placebo group: GA group 1950/58 (5 min), 1574/59 (15 min) 858/66 (30 min) ng/l, P < 0.0001; EA group: 2002/106 (5 min), 2955/107 (15 min) 1807/70 (30 min) ng/l, P < 0.0001, for placebo vs ibuprofen. There was no statistically significant difference between the two anaesthetic procedures used. In ibuprofen-pretreated patients haemodynamics and paO2 values were stable, while 6-keto-PGF1 alpha plasma concentrations remained within the normal range. CONCLUSION. Our data clearly indicate that the mesenteric traction response consists in relevant haemodynamic alterations and a significant decrease of paO2. Stable haemodynamics and paO2 following cyclooxygenase inhibition signify an action mediated by prostacyclin. Deafferentation of the splanchnic nerves by supplementary thoracic epidural anaesthesia did not influence either prostacyclin release or the decrease in blood pressure and paO2 after traction on the mesentery root...

Abdomen↗

[Cholecystectomy--the gold standard of therapy].

Elective CCE is still the treatment of choice for more than 80% of patients with gallstone disease. Surgery is indicated for biliary symptoms along with sonographic or radiographic evidence of gallstones and/or pathology of the gallbladder wall. Non-operative procedures are limited to patients with open cystic duct, preserved contractivity of the gallbladder and non-calcified stones. Mortality of elective cholecystectomy in patients less than 70 years today is 0. Emergency cholecystectomy and old age (greater than 70) are the only mortality risk factors amounting up to 4%. Recurrent surgery is necessary in less than 1% of the patients, conservatively treated postoperative morbidity less than 5%. Cholecystectomy still remains the only method, by which immediate stone release is achieved and long term medication avoided.

Cholecystectomy↗

[Risk in elective cholecystectomy].

From 3/1982 to 12/1989 773 patient underwent an elective Cholezystectomy at the Surgical University Hospital of Ulm. In 87% of cases the indication was a symptomatic cholelithiasis, the mean age being 55.4 years for females and 56.6 years for males. Intraoperative complications were rare (2.8%) and of a technical nature. Postoperative morbidity was 15.2%. General disturbances occurred in 10.3% and were age-depended. Local postoperative problems (4.9%) did not show this age-dependent distribution. Residual stones were detected in 0.8% of cases; they were removed operatively or endoscopically or crushed by shock waves. 1.3% of patients had to be re-operated. In the age group under 70 years as well as over 70 years lethality was 0%. In 9 cases (1.16%) a gallbladder carcinoma was found incidentally during the operation. We think that elective cholecystectomy is a safe therapeutic procedure in gallbladder stone disease, which also considers the association of chronic cholelithiasis and gallbladder carcinoma.

Adolescent↗

[Colorectal invagination in adults following removal of a sigmoid polyp].

A unusual case of colorectal intussusception after transanal surgery of a polyp of the sigmoid colon is presented. Clinical Signs consisted of transanal bleeding and mucous diarrhoe. The diagnosis was established after an enema with water-soluble contrast media and computed tomography of the pelvis. The radiological appearance was similar to that of intussusception at other sites of the large bowel: The enema showed a sharply outlined filling defect whereas CT demonstrated a target-like intraluminal mass.

Colonic Diseases↗

[Thromboxane A2 and granulocyte elastase after severe trauma--relationship to complications and survival rates].

Of 64 polytraumatized patients with a mean injury severity score of 33.1, 42 showed marked systemic release of thromboxane B2 and granulocyte elastase during the initial 18 hours after trauma, reaching peak arterial levels of greater than 1,000 pg/ml and ng/ml, respectively. If those patients ("responders": plasma TXB2 greater than 250 pg/ml) were compared with the remaining 22 ("non-responders": TXB2 less than 250 pg/ml) the following became obvious: "Late" mortality (greater than 3 d) was 31% in responders, which is significantly higher than in non-responders (9%). No correlation was observed between "early" mortality (less than 3 d) and mediator release. There was no difference in the incidence of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (38% versus 32%) or the late sepsis syndrome (17% versus 18%) between responders and non-responders. Morbidity, however, differed markedly in that ARDS in responders was associated with significantly higher elastase levels, a higher mortality and 10 times higher incidence of sepsis as compared to responders without ARDS. ARDS in non-responders, by contrast, did not change elastase maxima or the mortality rate as compared to non-responders without ARDS. It is concluded that TXB2 is not a predictor of posttraumatic ARDS, but is related to a complicated course, in particular to sepsis and mortality. Elastase with high probability predicts ARDS and/or the late sepsis syndrome. Simultaneous determination of TXB2 further enhances the predictive value of elastase.

Adult↗

Duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas in severe chronic pancreatitis. Early and late results.

In 128 patients with severe chronic pancreatitis and inflammatory enlargement of the head of the pancreas, a duodenum-preserving resection of the pancreatic head was performed. Median post-operative hospitalization was 15.5 days, and the frequency of reoperation was 5.5%. One patient died during the early post-operative phase, and hospital mortality amounted to 0.8%. After a median follow-up period of 3.6 years (range of 7 months to 16 years), six of 127 patients died (late mortality of 4.7%). Seventy-seven per cent of the patients were completely free of abdominal pain, 67% returned to their former occupations. During the late follow-up period, the glucose metabolism was unchanged in 80.7% of the patients, in 13.7% it deteriorated, and in 5.5% it improved permanently; 80% of the patients experienced a marked increase in weight averaging 8.7 kg. Compared with the Whipple procedure, the duodenum-preserving resection of the head of the pancreas spares the patient with chronic pancreatitis a gastrectomy, duodenectomy, and resection of the extrahepatic biliary ducts. In terms of a subtotal resection, the limited operative intervention at the head of the pancreas and the preservation of the duodenum explain the low early and late postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Adult↗

[Treatment of infection in intensive care patients].

A basic prerequisite of successful treatment of sepsis in intensive care patients is early recognition. Aside from the classic clinical signs of infection, minute changes in volume demand, respiratory need, kidney function and cardiovascular regulation may indicate a septic complication. The surgical/mech. elimination of septic foci is still the paramount therapeutic principle. Volume and respiratory therapy, hemofiltration, cardiovascular and antibiotic medication may add to the standard procedure of intensive care. Contact site inhibitors, mediator antagonists, and antibodies targeted against endotoxin, bacteria or leukocyte surface antigens are either still controversial or undergoing preclinical evaluation.

Critical Care↗

Bacterial microflora, endogenous endotoxin, and prostaglandins in small bowel obstruction.

The objective of this experimental study of small bowel obstruction was to investigate luminal bacterial colonization and assess the most likely mediator substances responsible for the pathophysiologic alterations, those being endogenous endotoxin and prostaglandins. Eighteen pigs with small bowel obstruction and 11 sham-operated control animals given constant infusion therapy were investigated over 7 days. Bacteria determinations were performed at operation and at sacrifice. Endotoxin levels were determined three times and prostaglandin levels, twice daily in portal and central venous blood. In the pigs with small bowel obstruction, greatly increased microflora with a predominance of E. coli bacteria was observed in the obstructed bowel. Endotoxin measurements proved general release into the circulation, with potentially toxic levels in the systemic circulation arising relatively late on the fourth postobstruction day. Beginning on the first postobstruction day, stimulation of the prostaglandin system occurred which was initially limited to the gastrointestinal tract but spread systemically when the obstruction persisted for more than 5 days. Vasoactive eicosanoids were predominantly involved. The control animals showed none of the alterations seen in the animals with small bowel obstruction.

Animals↗

[Necrosectomy and bursa lavage in necrotizing pancreatitis. Results of a prospective clinical study].

In a prospectively performed clinical trial a surgical management protocol including necrosectomy and postoperative local lavage of the necrosis cavity and the omental bursa was applied in 95 patients with necrotizing pancreatitis. In 80% of them severe organ failures occurred preoperatively, in spite of intensive care treatment. The median value of early prognostic signs of these patients was 4.5. Intraoperatively 59% showed extended pancreatic necroses and 66% an extension of the necroses into extrapancreatic tissue structures; in 42% bacteria were detected in the necrotic material. After necrosectomy the postoperative local lavage was performed for an average period of 25 days with 8 1 of lavage fluid per 24 hours in median. The average intensive care period came to 7.0 days, the average postoperative hospital time was 60 days. The hospital mortality amounted to 8.4%. The advantage of this management protocol including necrosectomy and postoperative local lavage lies in the continuous emptying of vasoactive and toxic substances, germs and necrotic material.

Acute Disease↗

The clinical significance of prostaglandins and thromboxane as mediators of septic shock.

An evaluation was made of 106 surgical patients with Gram-negative septic shock, both for clinical criteria as well as the biochemical mediators endotoxin, prostaglandin F2 alpha, prostaglandin I2 (prostacyclin), and thromboxane. These data were correlated to various defined shock phases, functional data of vital organs, and clinical outcome. Patients underwent invasive organ function monitoring and the usual laboratory tests of intensive care. Prostaglandins and thromboxane were measured radioimmunologically, endotoxin by the limulus amebocyte lysate test. Endotoxin proved to be a more accurate predictor of severe sepsis than did positive blood cultures. Endotoxin as well as prostaglandins and thromboxane are predominantly released in early shock phases, appearing in plasma concentrations, which correlate with the severity of organ failure. Sepsis-induced respiratory failure coincides with a deterioration of pulmonary prostaglandin inactivation, which contributes to the release mechanism. High systemic prostacyclin activity benefits the patients' organ functions and clinical outcomes, while a predominance of thromboxane seems to effect the opposite. Transpulmonary-thromboxane gradients correlate significantly with pulmonary hypertension in the early phases of septic shock.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

[Endotoxin and eicosanoids--trigger function, endogenous and therapeutic elimination in 120 surgical patients].

In patients with diffuse bacterial peritonitis and septic shock a correlation is found between endotoxin and certain eicosanoids and of both factors to the clinical degree of severity of the disease. Respiratory dysfunction secondary to septic shock is associated with an impairment of endogenous prostaglandin elimination in favour of pathological pulmonary de novo synthesis. Therapeutical elimination of endotoxin and eicosanoids can be effectively achieved by continuous intraperitoneal lavage during and after surgery for the septic focus.

Eicosanoic Acids↗