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Symptomatic improvement with one-year cisapride treatment in neuropathic chronic intestinal dysmotility.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of a prokinetic agent in the long-term treatment of chronic intestinal dysmotility and the influence of extrinsic denervation. METHODS: We assessed symptoms, compliance and untoward effects in an open, 1-year trial of cisapride, 20 mg t.d.s., in 37 patients with neuropathic forms of chronic intestinal dysmotility. Patients' autonomic function had previously been characterized; effects of cisapride at 12 weeks in a placebo-controlled trial were previously reported. RESULTS: Seventeen patients had idiopathic dysmotility, 11 had diabetes mellitus with autonomic dysfunction, five had had previous gastric surgery and four had neurological syndromes. Median medication compliance was 98.9% for the study period completed by each individual. Median duration of follow-up was 9.5 months; 20 patients completed 1 year of treatment, and 27 of 37 at least 6 months of treatment; seven dropped out because of lack of benefit. Mean total symptom score was significantly reduced at the last observation relative to the entry into the trial; this was particularly the case in those patients without abdominal vagal dysfunction. One patient withdrew because of aggravation of abdominal pain. CONCLUSIONS: During an open, long-term trial, cisapride, 20 mg t.d.s., provided continued symptomatic relief to patients with chronic intestinal dysmotility, particularly those without vagal neuropathy.

Adult↗

Sexual function after rectal excision.

BACKGROUND: Rectal excision is associated with a risk of autonomic nerve damage and associated sexual dysfunction (SD). The evolution of our understanding of the anatomy and physiology of sexual function together with continual refinement of surgery for both benign and malignant disease has led to a decrease in the incidence of SD after rectal surgery. A knowledge of the degree of risk of postoperative SD is important both for the patient and as a benchmark for audit of individual colorectal practice. METHODS: The available literature on the anatomy, physiology and surgical aspects of this topic has been researched through the Medline database. The more recently available data are reviewed in the context of the historical evolution of surgery for benign and malignant rectal disease. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: In the best hands, permanent impotence occurs in less than 2% of patients following restorative proctocolectomy and at a similarly low rate after proctocolectomy and ileostomy. Isolated ejaculatory dysfunction is also numerically a minor problem post operation for benign disease. Patient age is the most important predictor of SD after surgery for rectal cancer. The incidence of permanent impotence remains high (>40%) after abdomino-perineal excision of the rectum (APE) but the continued decline in the use of this operation in favour of low anterior resection (LAR), which carries about half the risk of impotence compared to sphincter ablating surgery, is likely to have resulted in a fall in the absolute number of patients rendered impotent as a result of rectal cancer surgery. Anatomical dissection of the pelvis with preservation of the named autonomic fibres results in a low and predictable rate of sexual morbidity. Surgeons could profitably spend more time with their patients discussing the possible effects of surgery on sexual function. Further research is required to determine the effects of adjuvant therapy for rectal cancer on sexual function.

Autonomic Nervous System Diseases↗

Total mesorectal excision, lateral lymphadenectomy and autonomic nerve preservation for lower rectal cancer: significance in the long-term follow-up study.

We clarify the significance of total mesorectal excision (TME), lateral lymphadenectomy (LLA), and of autonomic nerve preservation (ANP) compared to conventional surgery (CVS), for lower rectal cancer. All 458 patients curatively resected between 1962 and 1997 were retrospectively investigated. In Period I from 1962-1974, when CVS only was performed, in Period II from 1975-1984, TME or TME + LLA was performed, and in Period III from 1985-1997, TME + ANP, TME + ANP + LLA, or TME + LLA was performed. In Dukes A + B disease, there was no significant difference among the three periods, regardless of operation methods. In Dukes C disease, in Period I, CVS (42 patients: pts) had a local recurrence (LR) rate of 45.2% and 5-year disease-free survival (5YDFS) rate of 33.3%. In Period II, TME + LLA (82 pts) had a lower LR rate of 26.8% (p = 0.0628) and higher 5YDFS 51.0% (p < 0.05) vs CVS. In Period III, TME + ANP (12 pts) had LR 25.0% and 5YDFS 55.6%, TME + ANP + LLA (45 pts) had LR 13.3% (p < 0.005, vs CVS) and 5YDFS 56.1% (p < 0.01, vs CVS), and TME + LLA (18 pts) had LR 16.7% (p < 0.05, vs CVS) and 5YDFS 20.8%. Also, CVS had the lowest curability rate 64.8% and the highest mortality rate 7.2%. TME and/or LLA was significant for reducing LR and improving survival in patients with Dukes C lower rectal cancer, compared to CVS. ANP was beneficial with LLA. TME + ANP was suitable for Dukes A or B disease.

Autonomic Nervous System↗

Evaluation of thyroid nodules.

The first consideration in evaluating the thyroid nodule is whether it is functioning and causing hyperthyroidism. Autonomous nodules should be treated with either surgery or I-31, with surgery favored due to the possibility, although small, of malignancy. Thyroid scans are no longer recommended during the initial evaluation of the thyroid nodule. Ultrasound is useful in determining the size of the nodule and whether it is multinodular thyroid disease, but it cannot detect thyroid cancer. Fine needle aspiration biopsy is currently the procedure of choice for evaluating all thyroid nodules. For accuracy of the cytological analysis, it is important that adequate tissue samples be obtained. False negative findings are of most concern to the clinician and occur in 2-10% of reported fine needle aspiration biopsy series. Nodules thought to be benign will need continued follow-up.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

[Indications for conservative and operative therapy of thyroid autonomy and Basedow hyperthyroidism from the internal medicine viewpoint].

The risk of recurrent hyperthyroidism can be eliminated indefinitely in patients with autonomously functioning thyroid tissue (AFTT) by selective surgery or radioiodine, whereas medical treatment inhibits only the actual thyroid hormone over-production. Therefore, AFTT should be removed. In immunogenic hyperthyroidism the natural history of the disease can be influenced only symptomatically. The relapse rate after medical treatment is more than 50%. After surgical or radioactive therapy long-term remission of hyperthyroidism, not of the underlying thyroid disease can be achieved more effectively. Therefore surgical treatment should be preferred.

Goiter, Nodular↗

Nerve growth factor, nerve grafts and amniotic membrane grafts restore erectile function in rats.

In an effort to reduce complications arising from radical pelvic surgery, an improved technique for restoration of autonomic innervation has been developed. The ability of nerve growth factor (NGF) alone or in combination with interposition nerve grafts, as well as the use of fetal amniotic membrane as an alternative growth matrix to enhance regeneration of ablated cavernous nerves were investigated in rats. Rats with ablated cavernous nerve displayed little or no penile erection, either in response to direct electrical stimulation or to an estrous female rat. A step wise improvement in electrically induced erections was observed by NGF alone, nerve graft alone, and the combination of NGF and nerve graft. Restoration of sexual behavior followed the same pattern obtained with electrical stimulation. Furthermore, the use of neonatal amniotic membrane as an alternative nerve growth matrix enhanced both electrically stimulated erection and mating behavior. These results suggest that the use of NGF and appropriate grafting materials can facilitate autonomic nerve regrowth and potentially reduce the morbidity of surgically induced nerve injuries.

Amnion↗

Effect of cardiac exposure by median sternotomy on atrial fibrillation cycle length.

BACKGROUND: Epicardial mapping is a powerful tool that has enabled us to gain insight into the electrical phenomena perpetuating atrial fibrillation and has guided the design of surgical and catheter-based therapeutic strategies. However, epicardial data are acquired during abnormal physiological conditions; the patients are anaesthetized, their chests opened, dislocating the heart and exposing it to air of room temperature, and the autonomic tone is modulated due to the surgery. The effect of intra-operative conditions on atrial electrophysiological properties have not been investigated before. Thus in the present study we assessed the atrial cycle length, shown to be an index of atrial refractoriness, and the ventricular rate before and during open-heart surgery in 10 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation and an underlying heart disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using a newly introduced and validated ECG method known as frequency analysis of fibrillatory ECG (FAF-ECG), the atrial cycle length and the ventricular rate were determined just before surgery. After anaesthesia and median sternotomy, epicardial mapping of the entire right atrial free wall was performed. The mean ventricular rate as well as the dominant atrial fibrillation cycle length consistently increased, the former from 71 to 92 beats x min(-1) (mean of all patients, P<0.05) and the latter from 156 to 172 ms (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Atrial fibrillation cycle length, an index of atrial refractoriness, is increased as an effect of anaesthesia and heart exposure during open-heart surgery in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation, implying that atrial activation might be altered, which must be considered when interpreting data from epicardial conduction analysis.

Aged↗

Quality of life after open-heart surgery in patients over 75 years old.

In a postal study we used the Nottingham Health Profile questionnaire to assess the quality of life of elderly survivors of open-heart surgery. From January 1984 to October 1993, 146 patients over 75 years of age underwent open-heart surgery in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Beasançon (France). Eleven patients (7. 5%) died in the immediate post-operative course. Patients' mean follow-up was 3.4 +/- 2.4 years. Fourteen patients died during follow-up. One hundred and four completed Nottingham Health Profile questionnaires were returned. Five per cent of the patients lived in an old people's home. Six per cent of the patients were unable to walk at all. One patient out of five felt isolated. Fifteen per cent of the patients were in constant pain. Half of the patients took sleeping pills. Conversely, 87% of the patients felt an improvement after surgery. Sixty-two per cent continued to drive. Ninety-seven patients (92%) did at least one of the following three activities: watched television, listened to the radio, read books or magazines. Fifty-eight patients (56%) walked on a regular basis. The different types of pathology, of surgical procedures and whether or not a pacemaker was implanted during the post-operative course were not reflected in the quality of life (QOL) scores. After cardiac surgery, most of the patients were physically autonomous and related to their exterior world.

Aged↗

Clinical and physiological effects of stereotaxic bilateral amygdalotomy for intractable aggression.

The amygdala is thought to be an important neural structure underlying the "fight-or-flight" response, but information on its role in humans is scarce. The clinical and psychophysiological effects of amygdalar destruction were studied in 2 patients who underwent bilateral amygdalotomy for intractable aggression. After surgery, both patients showed a reduction in autonomic arousal levels to stressful stimuli and in the number of aggressive outbursts, although both patients continued to have difficulty controlling aggression. The "taming effect" reported after bilateral amygdalar destruction may be due to the amygdala's inadequate processing of perceived threat stimuli that would normally produce a fight-or-flight response.

Adult↗

Gum-chewing stimulates bowel motility after surgery for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: During the perioperative period after open colorectal surgery, surgical stress affects changes in the autonomic nervous system of patients. The decreased intestinal motility results in many complaints for patients. To resolve this problem, the usefulness of gum-chewing for improving the motility was examined. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-two patients with colorectal cancer were divided into two groups; gum-chewing and control groups. From after their operation, chewing gum was given to the former group three times a day. RESULTS: The first passage of flatus and stool in the chewing-gum group after operation were 35 and 50 hours, respectively, sooner for the controls. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that gum-chewing provides a simple and effective method to improve the postoperative state of patients.

Adult↗

[The prevention and treatment of postoperative intestinal paralysis in peptic ulcer surgery].

Under analysis were results of using intraintestinal electrostimulation with autonomous electrostimulators of gastrointestinal tract and graded enteral probe nutrition under control of intraintestinal pressure in 68 patients after operation on the stomach and duodenum. The method gives more rapid recovery of the intestine mobility, is economically profitable, makes the risk of insufficiency of the duodenal stump after gastric resection considerably less. The method is recommended for clinical practice.

Adolescent↗

[Urinary retention in connection with postoperative pain treatment with epidural opioids].

The incidence of retention of urine in cases of postoperative epidural opioid analgesia varies from 15% to 90%. The extent to which this phenomenon depends upon the dosage employed has not been elucidated. The cause of postoperative retention of urine (PU) is probably a combination of the central and peripheral effect of the opiate involving altered autonomic activity. Increased sympathetic activity resulting from surgery may, similarly, be a pathogenetic factor. The current methods of treatment are prophylactic or symptomatic alpha-receptor blockade, naloxon in refractory doses or catheterization. Inhibition of per- and postoperatively increased sympathetic activity may possibly prevent PU. Carbacholine is not effective in the treatment of postoperative retention of urine. In animal experimental studies, kappa-receptor agonists have an analgesic effect without urodynamic side-effects but no clinical trials on man have hitherto been undertaken. When postoperative retention of urine occurs after epidural opioid treatment, clean intermittent catheterization or introduction of a thin suprapubic catheter are recommended.

Analgesia, Epidural↗

Pelvic nerve grafts restore bladder function in denervated rats.

BACKGROUND: Autonomic nerve preservation techniques for use during surgery for rectal cancer have improved. Nevertheless, in some patients pelvic nerves must be sacrificed to excise all tumor. For these patients, nerve reconstruction at the time of operation by using nerve grafting would be useful. A rat model of this type of nerve reconstruction is described. METHODS: Animals were divided into three groups. In the sham control group, a pelvic exploration was conducted without division of the pelvic nerves. In the nerve ablation group, both pelvic nerves were excised segmentally. In the graft group, both pelvic nerves were excised and genitofemoral nerves were interposed bilaterally. At 2-week intervals postoperatively, animals from each group underwent cystometry under urethane anesthesia and neuronal tracing using fragment C of tetanus toxin for demonstration of axonal transport via regenerated nerves. RESULTS: At 6 weeks postoperatively, 60% of the grafted animals produced rhythmic contractions of the bladder. In neuronal tracing studies at weeks 4 and 6, respectively, 40% and 100% of the nerve-grafted rats had labeled neurons in the sacral parasympathetic nucleus. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that pelvic nerve grafting in rats can successfully restore bladder function after surgical injury. Clinical use of pelvic nerve grafting may be indicated for patients whose pelvic nerves must be sacrificed to excise all tumor.

Animals↗

Assessment of sexual and voiding function after total mesorectal excision with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation in males with rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Total mesorectal excision with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation has been reported to be an optimal surgery for rectal cancer. It minimizes local recurrence and sexual and urinary dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of total mesorectal excision with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation in terms of voiding and sexual function in males with rectal cancer. METHODS: We performed urine flowmetry using Urodyn and a standard questionnaire using the International Index of Erectile Function and the International Prostate Symptom Score before and after surgery in 68 males with rectal cancer. RESULTS: Significant differences in mean maximal urinary flow rate and voided volume were seen before and after surgery (18.9 +/- 5.7 13.7 +/- 7.0, 240 +/- 91.9 143 +/- 78; < 0.05, < 0.05, respectively), but no differences in residual volume before and after surgery were apparent (4.4 +/- 2.6 8.1 +/- 4.4; > 0.05). The total International Prostate Symptom Score was increased after surgery from 6.2 +/- 5.8 to 9.8 +/- 5.9 ( < 0.05). There were no changes of score for one of each of seven International Prostate Symptom Score items in 49 patients (73.5 percent) to 61 patients (89.7 percent). Five International Index of Erectile Function domain scores (erectile function, intercourse satisfaction, orgasmic function, sexual desire, and overall satisfaction) were significantly decreased after surgery (18.2 +/- 9.3 13.5 +/- 9, 8.4 +/- 4.2 4.4 +/- 2.9, 5.8 +/- 2.9 4.4 +/- 2.9, 6.1 +/- 2.4 4.8 +/- 2, 6.1 +/- 2.2 4.5 +/- 2.3, respectively; < 0.05). Erection was possible in 55 patients (80.9 percent); penetration ability was possible in 51 patients (75 percent). Complete inability for erection and intercourse was observed in three patients (5.5 percent). Retrograde ejaculation was noted in 9 patients (13.2 percent). International Index of Erectile Function domains such as sexual desire and overall satisfaction were greatly decreased in 39 patients (57.4 percent) and 43 patients (63.2 percent), respectively. Multiple regression analysis of factors affecting postoperative sexual dysfunction showed that age older than 60 years (sexual desire, P = 0.019), within six months (erectile function, P = 0.04; intercourse satisfaction, P = 0.011; orgasmic function, P = 0.03), lower rectal cancer (erectile function, P = 0.02; intercourse satisfaction, P = 0.036; orgasmic function, P = 0.027) were significant factors adversely affecting sexual function. CONCLUSION: Total mesorectal excision with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation showed relative safety in preserving sexual and voiding function. The International Prostate Symptom Score and International Index of Erectile Function questionnaires were useful in assessing urinary and sexual function.

Adult↗

[Epidural anesthesia in a child with femoral fracture and congenital pain insensitivity].

An 8-year-old boy with congenital insensitivity to pain underwent open reduction of a fractured femur with osteosynthesis under epidural block, without complications and with intraoperative hemodynamic stability. The postoperative course was favorable with minimal analgesia. Congenital insensitivity to pain is a rare hereditary condition characterized by abnormal response to painful stimuli and associated with orthopedic complications requiring surgery. Anesthesia is essential because, even though pain is absent, autonomic dysfunction and catecholamine metabolism alterations are present. An epidural block can be recommended for patients with congenital insensitivity to pain who must undergo surgery.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗

Clinical-neuroendocrinological syndromes due to lesions of the cingulate gyrus in humans.

Clinical and neuroendocrinological studies were performed in 41 patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the cingulate gyrus. Before surgery, the primary affliction in 38 patients consisted of memory disturbance, 5 of these having signs of Korsakov's syndrome. Autonomic and epileptic fits were not typical. Of 38 patients undergoing surgery, postoperative worsening of memory occurred in 23, but no qualitatively new disturbances appeared. Korsakov's syndrome appeared de novo after surgery in 3 patients. The extent of memory disturbances correlated with the extent of lesions to the cingulate gyrus and with the extent to which AVM affected the corpus callosum. Qualitative analysis of memory loss syndromes revealed alterations in trace selectivity in nearly all patients and failure to retain the meaning of stories, which was accompanied by lack of insight into the patients' abnormalities. The signs of these syndromes showed clear similarity with memory deficiencies in patients with frontal lesions. This suggests that not only the frontal lobes themselves, but also their connections, are involved in producing the clinical picture in humans.

Adolescent↗

Autonomic dysreflexia and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in spinal cord injury patients.

This study reevaluates the significance of our previously reported blood pressure monitoring during cystometrographic studies in spinal cord injury patients who had detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. We have now evaluated 26 spinal cord injury patients (21 tetraplegics and five high paraplegics) with complex urodynamic studies both before and after transurethral modified sphincterotomy (TURS). In these patients, mean systolic rise prior to TURS was 32.4 mm Hg (S.D. +/- 16.3) and diastolic rise was 14.3 mm Hg (S.D. +/- 9.3). Following TURS, mean systolic rise was 15.5 +/- 0.1 and diastolic rise was 7.3 +/- 8.6. This is a statistically significant difference (p value .001). Following TURS, blood pressure rises were transitory and not associated with significant symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia. The present study confirms our previous findings that a high correlation exists between the magnitude of blood pressure response, level of injury and severity of detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. These results indicate that following the modified external sphincterotomy, there was a significant reduction in the dysreflexic response during cystomanometry of the bladder (CMG). The potential of a significant rise in blood pressure during CMG makes it necessary to monitor blood pressure during these studies and be prepared to expediently deflate the bladder to prevent an inordinate rise in blood pressure, preventing cerebral vascular complications. Patients with a significant rise in blood pressure during CMG are at risk for severe dysreflexia when their bladder is full and require management strategies to optimize control of blood pressure response with medication and/or transurethral surgery.

Adult↗

Autonomously functioning thyroid nodules in a patient with a thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma: possible cause--effect relationship.

A 51-year-old female patient with long-standing hyperthyroidism due to a thyrotropin-secreting pituitary adenoma is reported, who became thyrotoxic again shortly after successful pituitary surgery. Functional testing and scintigraphy suggested the diagnosis of autonomous functioning thyroid nodules, which was confirmed by pathological examination of the resected thyroid tissue. This is the first report revealing the transition from a pituitary-dependent to a thyroid-dependent hyperthyroidism. Autonomous functioning thyroid nodules are, however, considered an intrinsic thyroid defect. In similarity with other disorders, in which trophic hormones may induce an autonomous secretion by the target gland, this report opens the possibility that a humoral factor may play a role in the development of autonomous functioning thyroid nodules.

Adenoma↗