Annals of surgery
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To assess the clinical, endoscopic, and functional results in a group of patients with Barrett's esophagus undergoing classic antireflux surgery in whom dysplasia and adenocarcinoma were found at a late objective follow-up. ⋯ Patients with Barrett's esophagus who undergo antireflux surgery need close and long-term endoscopic and histologic surveillance because dysplasia or even adenocarcinoma can appear at late follow-up. Metaplastic changes from fundic to cardiac mucosa and then to intestinal metaplasia and later to dysplasia or adenocarcinoma can clearly be documented. There were no significant differences in terms of clinical, endoscopic, manometric, 24-hour pH, and bilirubin monitoring studies between patients with recurrence of symptoms without dysplastic changes, and patients with dysplasia. Therefore, the high-risk group for the development of dysplasia is mainly the group with failed antireflux surgery.
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To review a single-center experience with 201 multivisceral resections for primary colorectal cancer to determine the accuracy of intraoperative prediction of potential curability, to identify prognostic factors, and to examine the effect of surgical experience on immediate outcome and long-term results. ⋯ Multivisceral resection is safe, and long-term survival after curative resection is similar to that after standard resection. Because palliative resections cannot be predicted accurately at the time of surgery, every effort should be made to achieve complete tumor resection. Major blood loss but not surgical experience per se is an independent prognostic factor.
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Comparative Study
Cultured skin substitutes reduce donor skin harvesting for closure of excised, full-thickness burns.
Comparison of cultured skin substitutes (CSS) and split-thickness skin autograft (AG) was performed to assess whether donor-site harvesting can be reduced quantitatively and whether functional and cosmetic outcome is similar qualitatively in the treatment of patients with massive cutaneous burns. ⋯ The requirement for harvesting of donor skin for CSS was less than for conventional skin autografts. These results suggest that acute-phase recovery of patients with extensive burns is facilitated and that complications are reduced by the use of CSS together with conventional skin grafting.
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To investigate a possible association with plasma platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) gene mutation with the risk of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). ⋯ The genetic mutation of plasma PAF-AH gene appear to be an independent risk factor for AAA. Our findings need to be confirmed in a larger, prospective study including patients from different populations.
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To identify the incidence and outcomes of emergent and semiemergent intubations in hospitalized trauma patients with cervical fractures and/or dislocations treated with halo fixation. ⋯ A significant number of trauma patients treated with halo fixation ultimately require an in-hospital emergent or semiemergent intubation. Given the difficulty and potential lethality associated with these intubations, heightened vigilance regarding the airway is warranted. The authors recommend that early tracheostomy be considered in patients with a history of cardiac disease, especially when a high Injury Severity Score is present. Older patients (older than 60 years) are more at risk for arrest-related death and may also benefit from early tracheostomy.