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PubMed1991

Prognosis of patients with medically treated aortic dissections.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the long-term results of medical treatment for a dissecting aorta and to detect the risk factors that determine the prognosis of medically treated patients. During the past 10 years, 228 patients with aortic dissections were admitted to our hospital and affiliated hospitals. One hundred thirty-four patients, including 60 with proximal type (Stanford, type A) and 74 with peripheral type (Stanford, type B) dissections, were treated by medical means alone. The survival rates of medically treated patients with type A dissections at 24 hours, 2 weeks, and 5 and 10 years after the onset of the disease were 72, 43, 34, and 28%, respectively, and the survival rates in type B dissections were 100, 92, 76, and 56%, respectively. The risk factors that determine poor prognosis in the acute phase of dissections were type A dissection and serious complications (rupture of the aorta, shock, cerebral accident, myocardial infarction, severe aortic regurgitation, renal failure, mesenteric infarction, and arterial occlusion in the extremities). The risk factors in the chronic phase were serious complications, excluding shock and rupture in the acute phase, the large diameter of the dissecting aorta, and increasing age. These results show that emergency surgical intervention is indicated in the patients with acute type A dissections and in those who had acute type B dissections with these serious complications. Medical treatment may be tentatively recommended for the patients with uncomplicated type B dissections until the operative death rate in these patients becomes less than presently identified.

Aortic Dissection↗

PubMed1989

[Experimental study on the dissecting aortic aneurysm].

Type I dissecting aortic aneurysm is not only the most common type of all but an extremely lethal event. It is important to create the experimental model of type I dissection for clarifying behavior of this disease and successful treatment. The purpose of this study is: (1) production of experimental model of type I aortic dissection; (2) examination of progression manner of dissection; (3) and investigation of influence of dissection upon aortic valve and coronary artery. The experimental model of type I aortic dissection was produced in adult mongrel dogs. Bilateral thoracotomy was made and intimal tear was created in the ascending aorta by modified Blanton's procedure. Hypertension and creation of large pocket of the aortic media were necessary to produce type I aortic dissection. Extension of dissection had a tendency toward the inner layer of the aortic wall at distal site. However, at proximal site the dissection progressed in the same layer of the aortic wall. In this series, retrograde extension of dissection remained blind above annulus of aortic valve, and no incidence of aortic regurgitation or coronary ischemia was occurred. But on histologic examination, degeneration of the aortic wall by the dissection was observed. Such weakness of aortic wall showed potentiality to developed into subsequent aortic regurgitation or coronary ischemia.

Aged↗

PubMed1994

Intracranial vertebral artery dissection in Wallenberg syndrome.

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of vertebral artery dissection in Wallenberg syndrome. METHODS: Sixteen patients (12 men, 4 women; mean age at ictus, 51.6 years) with symptoms of Wallenberg syndrome and an infarction demonstrated in the lateral medulla on MR were reviewed retrospectively. The study items were as follows: (a) headache as clinical signs, in particular, occipitalgia and/or posterior neck pain at ictus; (b) MR findings, such as intramural hematoma on T1-weighted images, intimal flap on T2-weighted images, and double lumen on three-dimensional spoiled gradient-recalled acquisition in a steady state with gadopentetate dimeglumine; (c) direct angiographic findings of dissection, such as double lumen, intimal flap, and resolution of stenosis on follow-up angiography; and (d) indirect angiographic findings of dissection (such as string sign, pearl and string sign, tapered narrowing, etc). Patients were classified as definite dissection if they had reliable MR findings (ie, intramural hematoma, intimal flap, and enhancement of wall and septum) and/or direct angiographic findings; as probable dissection if they showed both headache and suspected findings (ie, double lumen on 3-D spoiled gradient-recalled acquisition in a steady state or indirect angiographic findings); and as suspected dissection in those with only headache or suspected findings. RESULTS: Seven of 16 patients were classified as definite dissection, 3 as probable dissection, and 3 as suspected dissection. Four patients were considered to have bilateral vertebral artery dissection on the basis of MR findings. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebral artery dissection is an important cause of Wallenberg syndrome.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

[Operative results and long-term prognosis of type A acute aortic dissection].

Between 1983 and 1997, we operated upon 91 patients with type A acute aortic dissection. The dissection was localized in 22 patients and extensive in 69 patients. All patients underwent graft replacement and 61 (67%) patients underwent simultaneous replacement of ascending aorta and total aortic arch. The hospital mortality rate were 9% for the localized dissection and 21% for the extensive dissection. The actuarial survival rates in patients with localized dissection at 5 and at 10 years was 91% and 76%, whereas those in patients with extensive dissection at 5 and at 10 years was 68% and 62%. The freedom from dissection related death or reoperation in operative survivors with localized dissection at 5 and at 10 years was 100% and 83%, whereas those in patients with extensive dissection at 5 and at 10 years was 78% and 56%. The simultaneous replacement of ascending aorta and total aortic arch in patients with extensive dissection was effective to obliteration of the distal false channel, although this extended procedure has to be carefully adopted in high risk patients with associated complications such as acute dissection organ ischemia.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed2001

Selective dissection of levels II-III with intraoperative control of the upper and middle jugular nodes: a therapeutic option for the N0 neck.

BACKGROUND: Selective neck dissections are accepted elective treatment in N0 patients. We present the results of a dissection of levels II to III and intraoperative pathologic control of a sample of subdigastric and supraomohyoid nodes in a group of patients with laryngeal carcinoma. When intraoperative analysis was positive, dissection of levels IV and V was completed. METHODS: Between 1991 and 1997, 145 neck dissections with intraoperative control were carried out in 79 patients with laryngeal carcinomas. Postoperative radiotherapy was used in 49 patients. RESULTS: There were occult metastases in 29 neck dissections (20%). In 22 cases (15%), tumor was found in the nodes sent to intraoperative pathologic study, and dissection of levels IV and V was completed. In 7 additional cases tumor was found in the postoperative study. The sensitivity of the use of frozen sections in the detection of occult metastases was 76%. In no case were positive nodes found at level V. There was no regional relapse in any of the 145 selective neck dissections. CONCLUSIONS: The lateral selective neck dissection is an effective method in the elective treatment of the neck of N0 laryngeal carcinoma patients. Dissection of level IV can be spared when intraoperative biopsy specimens of a sample of the subdigastric and supraomohyoid nodes are negative. According to our results, at present we do not consider it necessary to dissect level V in selective neck dissections in patients with laryngeal carcinoma.

Biopsy↗

PubMed1984

Limited or selective nodal dissection for malignant melanoma of the head and neck.

Fifty-eight patients with invasive melanoma of the head and neck underwent regional nodal dissections by one surgeon from 1971 to 1981. Types of nodal dissections employed were radical neck dissection and modified radical neck dissection, alone or in combination, with selective nodal dissection of the parotid, jugular, suprahyoid posterior neck, or posterior triangle lymph node groups. Patients undergoing secondary nodal dissections had early recurrence (9 months versus 30 months) and earlier times of death (26 months versus 41 months). There was no demonstrable difference in morbidity, mortality, or rate of recurrence based on type of nodal dissection. There were no regional failures after selective nodal dissection alone when the nodes removed were negative. This limited study suggests that selective nodal dissection, alone or in conjunction with radical neck dissection or modified radical neck dissection, depending on the location and measurements of the primary lesion, allows accurate pathologic staging and apparent control of local disease with minimal morbidity. Longer follow-up and greater numbers are necessary for valid conclusions.

Female↗

PubMed1992

Morbidity and recurrence with modifications of radical vulvectomy and groin dissection.

Vulvar carcinoma has been managed in recent years with modifications of radical vulvectomy and groin dissection. Separate groin incisions, superficial inguinal lymphadenectomy, unilateral groin dissection, and wide excision have been utilized to reduce the morbidity of treatment. In this study, the surgical management of 82 patients with vulvar squamous cell carcinoma was reviewed in order to assess morbidity and risk of recurrence. A modification of radical vulvectomy and groin dissection was employed in 67 patients, while 15 patients underwent classical en-bloc vulvar and groin dissection. Wound complications of the vulva occurred in 1 of 12 patients undergoing hemivulvectomy, in 8 of 55 undergoing radical vulvectomy, and in 7 of 15 who had en-bloc vulvar resection and groin dissection (P = 0.01). Among the 46 patients undergoing bilateral groin dissection through separate incisions, groin breakdown, lymphocyst, and lymphedema occurred in 10 (22%), 7 (15%), and 7 (15%), versus 0, 1 (7%), and 2 (13%) of the 15 who had unilateral groin dissection. Modification of vulvar resection did not increase the risk of local recurrence. Groin recurrence developed in 2 of 15 patients who underwent en-bloc groin dissection and in 1 of 46 who underwent bilateral groin dissection through separate incisions. Two of 15 who had a unilateral groin dissection recurred in the contralateral groin. The risk of recurrence as well as morbidity following modifications of radical vulvectomy with groin dissection should be considered when planning treatment.

Aged↗

PubMed1991

Effect of intracoronary stenting on intimal dissection after balloon angioplasty: results of quantitative and qualitative coronary analysis.

The effect of the Palmaz-Schatz stent on the angiographic appearance and residual luminal stenosis in patients with intimal dissection after balloon angioplasty was evaluated in 84 consecutive patients (90 lesions). Coronary angiography was performed before angioplasty, after conventional angioplasty and after stent implantation. The degree of intimal disruption was assessed as follows: grade 0, no dissection; grade 1, simple dissection (intraluminal linear defect or extraluminal cap extravasation); or grade 2, complex dissection (nonlinear spiral defect or luminal defect with multiple irregular borders). Quantitative coronary analysis of digitized cineangiograms was performed with use of a computerized automatic edge detection algorithm. After balloon angioplasty, 31 (34%) of 90 lesions demonstrated intimal dissection (18 simple, 13 complex). After stent implantation, intimal dissection improved by greater than or equal to 1 grade in 29 (94%) of the 31 lesions with 27 (87%) reduced to grade 0 (that is, no dissection). Dissection grade improved after stenting in 16 (89%) of 18 simple dissections and in all 13 complex dissections. Mean diameter stenosis was 77 +/- 17% before angioplasty, 47 +/- 17% after angioplasty and 14 +/- 10% after stenting (before angioplasty vs. after angioplasty and after angioplasty vs. after stenting, p less than 0.0001). In conclusion, intracoronary stenting is effective in reducing the residual luminal stenosis and in improving the angiographic appearance of intimal dissections after conventional balloon angioplasty.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Comparison of complications after D2 and D3 dissection for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: D3 dissection is accepted as having higher rates of mortality and morbidity than D2 dissection. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the mortality and morbidity rates of D3 dissection in our department and to compare these with mortality and morbidity after D2 dissection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent radical gastric resection with lymph node dissection for gastric adenocarcinoma between June 1999 and June 2002 were evaluated. Clinicopathologic features of the tumour, the resection and lymphadenectomy, the postoperative mortality and morbidity were analysed. RESULTS: There were 359 patients admitted for the treatment of gastric cancer. One hundred twenty four underwent palliative resection and 134 underwent resection with curative intent. Of 34/134 patients, underwent gastric resection with D3 dissection, and 100 underwent D2 dissection. The overall operative mortality rate of D2 and D3 dissections was 1 and 8.8%, respectively (p<0.05). The relaparotomy rate was almost doubled in D3 dissection group (11.8% vs. 6%) but this difference was not statistically significant. D3 dissection was also associated with an increase in morbidity (35.3% vs. 10%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that D3 dissection can be performed with reasonable safety. It may be a useful alternative procedure in advanced cases for which additional risks of surgical morbidity and mortality are felt to be outweighed by potential benefits to patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2004

Results of macular hole surgery with and without epiretinal dissection or internal limiting membrane removal.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of idiopathic macular hole surgery with or without epiretinal dissection or peeling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM). DESIGN: Retrospective consecutive nonrandomized comparative interventional trial. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred seventy-two eyes of 162 patients with previously untreated idiopathic macular holes of <24 months duration. INTERVENTION: All eyes were treated with pars plana vitrectomy by 1 surgeon using 1 of 3 techniques: no epiretinal dissection (116 eyes), epiretinal dissection (27 eyes), or ILM peeling (29 eyes). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Closure of the macular hole and visual acuity. RESULTS: The macular hole was closed with 1 surgery in 92.9% of 56 eyes with epiretinal dissection/ILM peeling versus 79.3% of 116 eyes without dissection (P = 0.03) and was closed with 1 surgery in 85.1% of 27 eyes in the epiretinal dissection group compared with 100% of 29 eyes in the ILM peeling group (P = 0.05). Visual acuity improved 3 or more lines in 57.1% of 56 eyes in the epiretinal dissection/ILM peeling group compared with 38.8% of 116 eyes in the no dissection group 3 months postoperatively (P = 0.03). Visual acuity improved 3 or more lines at 3 months in the no dissection group in 32.2% of 87 eyes placed faceup for 24 hours compared with 58.6% of 29 eyes placed immediately prone postoperatively (P = 0.02). The visual and anatomic results of the no dissection and epiretinal dissection/ILM peeling groups were similar when comparing eyes in the no dissection group placed immediately prone with the epiretinal dissection/ILM peeling eyes also placed immediately prone. Visual improvement of 3 or more lines at 3 months occurred in 79.2% of 24 eyes in the epiretinal dissection group versus 44.8% of 29 eyes in the ILM peeling group (P = 0.01) in eyes with successful macular hole closure. Visual acuity results were similar in all subgroups at the final examination after reoperations. CONCLUSIONS: The faceup position for 24 hours using adjuvants reduced the initial anatomic and visual outcomes of macular hole surgery. Internal limiting membrane peeling improved the likelihood of successful macular hole closure but reduced the amount of initial visual improvement at 3 months compared with epiretinal dissection alone. Final visual acuities were similar in all groups.

Aged↗

PubMed1993

Clinical, angiographic, and procedural determinants of major and minor coronary dissection during angioplasty.

Angiographic evidence of coronary dissection after angioplasty is found in 25% to 30% of cases. Although patients are usually asymptomatic, in a small percentage angioplasty-induced coronary dissection results in luminal impairment and ischemic complications. The present study was undertaken to identify factors responsible for a predisposition to coronary dissection after angioplasty and to determine whether major and minor dissections share the same underlying risk factors. Clinical records and angiograms from 363 patients with 489 lesions were retrospectively graded for the presence and severity of dissection and complications. Both major and minor angiographic dissections were noted in 30.3%, and in 8.8% they were major. On multivariate analysis the most significant correlates of any dissection included a balloon-to-artery ratio > 1.1 (p = 0.0001), calcification (p = 0.003), presence of other lesions in the angioplasty vessel (p = 0.018), and lesion length (p = 0.02). However, in a multivariate model there were no variables that could predict whether a dissection would be major or minor. Only the mean total number of inflations was significantly different, but this was likely the result rather than the cause of dissection. Thus a number of variables can predict the occurrence of angiographic coronary dissection after angioplasty. Major dissections constitute a small fraction of the total number but are difficult to predict differentially.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Angiographic and clinical outcome of mild to moderate nonocclusive unstented coronary artery dissection and the influence on coronary flow velocity reserve. The Debate I Study Group.

Limited data are available regarding the angiographic healing rate and physiologic impact of coronary artery dissections. Therefore, we studied the impact of coronary dissections on coronary flow velocity and outcome as well as their healing rate at 6-month follow-up balloon angioplasty. Of 297 patients who underwent balloon angioplasty, 225 underwent intracoronary Doppler measurements and 184 had Doppler and angiographic assessment at 6-month follow-up. Dissections were scored by an independent core lab (Cardialysis BV) and divided in 4 groups: mild (types A to B), moderate (type C), severe (D to F), and patients without dissections. Severe dissections (types D to F) were excluded from the analysis. Clinical, angiographic, and Doppler data were compared among the remaining 3 patient groups. From the 67 dissections detected after balloon angioplasty, only 3 (4.5%) remained unhealed at follow-up. Immediately after balloon angioplasty, the moderate dissection group was associated with a lower coronary flow velocity reserve than the patients with mild (2.16 +/- 0.60 vs 2.82 +/- 1.00, p = 0.037) or no dissections (2.16 +/- 0.60 vs 2.71 +/- 0.88, p = 0.046), respectively. In addition, higher recurrence of angina at 30 days was observed in the moderate group rather than in the mild group (5 [50%] vs 8 [16%], p = 0.0160) and in the patients without dissections (11 [12%], p = 0.007). After standard balloon angioplasty, the occurrence of unhealed dissections is a rare phenomenon. An impaired coronary flow reserve was observed after the development of nonocclusive type C dissections, which was associated with a worse short-term outcome.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗

PubMed2002

Ejaculatory function in stage T1 nonseminomatous germ cell tumors: retroperitoneal lymph node dissection versus surveillance--a decision analysis.

PURPOSE: Ejaculatory function remains a major concern for patients with low stage nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis. Whereas, it has been extensively studied in patients undergoing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, preservation of ejaculatory function on surveillance protocols has not been studied. To compare ejaculatory function for surveillance protocols to primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection appropriately, we constructed a decision analysis model mimicking the standard treatment algorithm for stage 1 nonseminomatous germ cell tumor of the testis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary clinical payoff for this study is ejaculatory function. Based on this model, we established that a primary nerve sparing retroperitoneal dissection must be performed with a 96.8% ejaculatory function rate to be recommended as the appropriate therapy. However, if a highly skilled surgeon routinely performs post-chemotherapy dissection with an ejaculatory function rate of 69.2% or greater, surveillance should be offered as the primary treatment modality. This result simply demonstrates a high skill level to allow the surgeon to salvage ejaculatory function in post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection settings. If this level cannot be achieved, primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is the best choice. If we account for a 10% loss of ejaculatory function from primary chemotherapy, the minimum ejaculatory function rate for primary retroperitoneal dissection decreases to 95.7%. RESULTS: In the post-chemotherapy setting an 85.7% ejaculatory function rate must be achieved for surveillance to be considered the optimal choice. Clearly, less surgical rigor is needed with a primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection when correcting for the effects of chemotherapy on ejaculatory function. Despite this fact, 1-way sensitivity analysis revealed that our model is insensitive to the ejaculatory function effects of chemotherapy. Furthermore, if the likelihood of recurrence on surveillance is greater than 16%, primary nerve sparing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection should again be recommended. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, to maximize ejaculatory function for patients with stage 1 nonseminomatous germ cell tumor a nerve sparing primary retroperitoneal lymph node dissection should always be performed, unless the likelihood of recurrence on surveillance is low or the surgical skill level allows for a highly successful post chemotherapy nerve sparing dissection.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Comparative financial analysis of laparoscopic versus open pelvic lymph node dissection for men with cancer of the prostate.

Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection has been applied as a minimally invasive staging technique for men with prostate cancer. This procedure has been shown to shorten markedly postoperative hospitalization, decrease analgesic requirements and shorten convalescence period compared to open pelvic node dissection. However, the laparoscopic procedure takes longer to perform and many disposable instruments are used, thus increasing the cost. We determine the overall cost of laparoscopic versus open pelvic lymph node dissection. Between January 1989 and April 1992, 61 men underwent only staging pelvic lymph node dissection for cancer of the prostate at a single university teaching hospital. Of these patients 11 and 50 underwent open and laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection, respectively. Information from the hospital business office was reorganized into preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative expenses. All individual charges were transformed up or down to the dollar amounts of the 1990 to 1991 fiscal year so as to correct for inflationary changes. Preoperative costs were not significantly different between the 2 operative approaches. Intraoperative expenses were 52% greater if laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection was performed and can be explained by the longer operative times and use of disposable instrumentation. However, the postoperative period lasted an average of 1.61 days following laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection. Postoperative nursing and analgesic requirements were significantly more for patients undergoing open pelvic lymph node dissection. The overall postoperative costs following open pelvic lymph node dissection were 280% more expensive than for the laparoscopic procedure. The overall total costs were approximately $1,250 more for laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection. Wages lost or earned during this period and rapid return to normal activity following laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection would, in our opinion, justify this additional cost.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Immediate or delayed dissection of regional nodes in patients with melanoma of the trunk: a randomised trial. WHO Melanoma Programme.

BACKGROUND: The use of elective regional node dissection in patients with cutaneous melanoma without any clinical evidence of metastatic spread is still debated. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of immediate node dissection in patients with melanoma of the trunk and without clinical evidence of regional node and distant metastases. METHODS: An international multicentre randomised trial was carried out by the WHO Melanoma Programme from 1982 to 1989. The trial included only patients with a trunk melanoma 1.5 mm or more in thickness. After wide excision of primary melanoma, patients were randomised to either immediate regional node dissection or a regional node dissection delayed until appearance of regional-node metastases. FINDINGS: Of the 252 patients entered, 240 (95%) were eligible and evaluable for analysis. 122 of these were randomised to immediate node dissection. 5-year survival observed in patients who had delayed node dissection was 51.3% (95% CI 41.7-60.1) compared with 61.7% (52.0-70.1) of patients who had immediate node dissection (p=0.09). 5-year survival rate in patients with occult regional node metastases was 48.2% (28.0-65.8) and 26.6% (13.4-41.8, p=0.04) in patients in whom the regional node dissection was delayed until the time of appearance of regional node metastases. Multivariate analysis showed that routine use of immediate node dissection had no impact on survival (hazard ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.5-1.02), whilst the status of regional nodes affected survival significantly (p=0.007). The patients with regional nodes that became clinically and histologically positive during follow-up had the poorest prognosis. INTERPRETATION: Node dissection offers increased survival in patients with node metastases only. Sentinel node biopsy may become a tool to identify patients with occult node metastases, who could then undergo node dissection.

Elective Surgical Procedures↗

PubMed1999

Short- and long-term evolution of unstented nonocclusive coronary dissection after coronary angioplasty.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the short- and long-term clinical and angiographic outcome of nonocclusive unstented dissection after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and its correlation with restenosis. BACKGROUND: The use of stents has dramatically increased both the number and the cost of coronary revascularization procedures. However, this technique is not completely risk free, and its benefits have not been fully demonstrated in uncomplicated dissections. METHODS: We studied 129 consecutive patients with 49 nonocclusive dissections after PTCA (grades A to D of National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute classification) and good distal flow (TIMI [Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction] flow grade 3). All patients underwent coronary angiography at 24 h and at six months post-PTCA. Clinical status was assessed every three months in the outpatient clinic. Study subjects were matched with 60 other patients in whom stenting was performed for the presence of dissection. RESULTS: In the former group, all but two patients (with type E dissection, which evolved to coronary occlusion and myocardial infarction) improved their dissection score during follow-up: at six months only 18 dissections were still angiographically visible, and no clinical adverse events were recorded. In the dissected vessels, the restenosis rate was significantly lower than in those without dissection (12% vs. 44%, p < 0.001); in the stented vessels, the restenosis rate was 25% (15/60). CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of TIMI flow grade 3, coronary dissection is associated with a favorable outcome and predicts a low restenosis rate. These results caution against the indiscriminate use of intravascular prostheses in the event of nonocclusive coronary dissection.

Adult↗

PubMed1976

Ascending vs descending aortic dissections.

One hundred eight patients with spontaneously developing thoracic aortic dissection were seen between 1966-1973, 78 of whom had acute dissection and 30 chronic. The age (49 vs 60 yrs) and incidence of hypertension (32% vs 71%) were significantly lower in the 56 patients in whom dissection originated in ascending aorta than in the 52 patients in whom the dissection originated in the upper descending aorta. The mortality rate in medically treated patients with acute ascending aortic dissection was 88%. Cardiac tamponade was the major cause of death. The mortality rate was significantly lower in those who were treated surgically (24%). Fifteen (54%) of the patients with ascending aortic dissection and significant aortic incompetence did not have aortic valve replacement and only two subsequently (53 and 92 months later) required valve replacement. Although the initial mortality in patients with acute descending aortic dissection treated medically and surgically was similar, the long term survival rate was higher in the surgically treated group. We conclude that ascending aortic dissection and descending aortic dissection have different clinical profiles and prognoses. Immediate surgical intervention is indicated in patients with acute ascending aortic dissection. Patients with acute descending aortic dissection can be treated medically initially followed by early elective operation.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1999

Extent of lymphadenectomy achieved by various modifications of neck dissection: a pathologic analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Quantify the extent of lymphadenectomy achieved by the various modifications of neck dissection based on microscopic pathologic analysis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of neck specimens of patients who underwent neck dissection for head and neck malignancies at our institution over a 5-year period. METHODS: Charts and pathology report findings on patients who underwent neck dissection were reviewed. Patients who received preoperative chemotherapy or radiation therapy to the neck were excluded. The number of lymph nodes documented by pathologic microscopic examination for each specimen was recorded. RESULTS: There were 164 neck specimens on 135 patients (29 patient had simultaneous bilateral neck dissection). Those were divided into four groups based on the nonlymphatic structures preserved. There were 58 radical neck dissections (radical neck dissections) (group 1), 50 modified radical neck dissections sparing the eleventh cranial nerve (group 2), 15 modified radical neck dissections sparing the eleventh cranial nerve and internal jugular vein (group 3), and 33 modified radical neck dissections sparing the eleventh cranial nerve, internal jugular vein, and sternocleidomastoid muscle (group 4). The remaining 8 had other modifications of radical neck dissection. The mean number of lymph nodes found per specimen was 34 in group 1, 27 in group 2, 31 in group 3, and 22 in group 4. We performed one-way between-group analysis of variance (ANOVA). Pair-wise comparisons of means were carried out subsequent to ANOVA utilizing the Fisher Exact Test. Group 4 was significantly different from all other groups. Additionally, group 2 significantly differed from group 1. CONCLUSIONS: The extent of lymphadenectomy achieved by neck dissection decreases as the number of nonlymphatic structures preserved in the neck increases. The impact of this finding on the pathologic staging or prognosis needs further analysis.

Accessory Nerve↗