The British journal of surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Long-term results of a prospective randomized comparison of total fundic wrap (Nissen-Rossetti) or semifundoplication (Toupet) for gastro-oesophageal reflux.
The importance of the extent of the fundic wrap that encircles the distal oesophagus for the establishment of long-term control of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and for the risk of symptoms after fundoplication was evaluated in a prospective, randomized clinical trial. Of 137 consecutive patients with GORD, 72 were allocated to a semifundoplication (180-200 degrees, Toupet) and 65 to a total fundoplication (360 degrees, Nissen-Rossetti). Dysphagia was more common in the early postoperative period after a total fundic wrap, a difference which disappeared with time. ⋯ In addition, symptoms in the form of flatulence were more frequently seen after Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication (P < 0.05 at 2 years and P < 0.01 at 3 years). Both Nissen-Rossetti and Toupet fundoplication equally well and durably controlled GORD. Fewer symptoms occurred in those having a semifundoplication, both in the early and late postoperative period.
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POSSUM (Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Morbidity and mortality) has been studied as a possible surgical audit system for a 9-month interval using a sample of 28 per cent of the general surgical workload. Mortality or survival was analysed as an endpoint. In this sample the published POSSUM predictor equation for mortality overpredicted deaths by a factor of more than two. ⋯ Logistic regression was done on a set of 1485 surgical episodes to generate a local predictor equation for mortality. This process gave a predictor equation that fitted well with the observed mortality rate and gave a minimum predicted risk of mortality of 0.20 per cent. The previously published POSSUM predictor equation for mortality performed badly when tested using a standard test of goodness of fit for logistic regression and must be modified.
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Anal fissure is often treated surgically by sphincterotomy. There is growing concern over the effects of this procedure on continence. Nitric oxide donors such as glyceryl trinitrate are thought to cause a reversible 'chemical sphincterotomy', capable of healing the fissure. ⋯ The fissure recurred in four patients after cessation of treatment; three were successfully treated by further glyceryl trinitrate. Mild headache occurred in four patients. Anal fissure can be successfully treated with 0.2 per cent glyceryl trinitrate ointment applied topically.
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Severe local and systemic complications may occur after revascularization of extremities exposed to prolonged complete or incomplete ischaemia. These complications may be reduced by controlling the reperfusate and the circumstances of the reperfusion period. Ten adult German domestic pigs were exposed to 6 h of incomplete limb ischaemia by occlusion of the left iliac artery. ⋯ In the other five pigs, a controlled reperfusate was delivered at controlled pressure before establishing normal blood reperfusion (controlled reperfusion). At the end of the observation period (90 min after start of reperfusion), the group with controlled reperfusion had a lower mean(s.e.m.) tissue water content (81.8(0.7) versus 84.3(0.7) per cent, P < 0.05, a greater increase in tissue adenosine 5'-triphosphate compared with values at the end of ischaemia (6.2(1.5) versus -2.5(1.8) mumol per g protein, P < 0.03), a higher tissue pH (7.2(0.1) versus 6.8(0.1), P < 0.03), a smaller temperature decrease (0.3(0.2) versus 1.2(0.3) degrees C, P < 0.05), lower concentrations of creatine kinase (355.0(87.5) versus 624.4(73.4) units/l, P < 0.05) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (369.5(42.5) versus 538.4(39.2 units/l, P < 0.03) in the femoral vein blood and lower LDH concentrations (356.5(48.9) versus 546.0(37.8 units/l, P < 0.03) in central venous blood. These data indicate that severe local and systemic damage occurs with uncontrolled (normal blood) reperfusion even after incomplete limb ischaemia, and that these changes can be reduced by delivering a controlled reperfusate under controlled conditions.