An experience of renal replacement therapy in a combined neonatal and paediatric intensive care unit of Hong Kong

Intensive care services are expensive. The experience of developing a combined paediatric and neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) in a regional hospital is reported with reference to the provision of renal support for the critically ill patients. The combined unit is staffed by a team of paediatric intensivists, each of whom has special interest in a subspecialty, including cardiology, respiratory medicine, nephrology and neonatology. In the past 7 years, renal replacement therapy (peritoneal dialysis and haemofiltration) was provided to 40 patients, with comparable mortality and complication rates to other reports. This arrangement has been feasible and might be more efficient than running separate paediatric and neonatal ICUs or combining the paediatric ICU with the adult ICU.     

Recognition and management of patients with high-risk vesicovaginal fistulas: Implications for teaching and research

Vesicovaginal fistulas (VVFs) occurring as a result of obstetric trauma are a vast problem in Nigeria and Ghana, where at least 20 000 women await repair, and fewer than 50 physicians have the necessary expertise. Through a series of conferences those VVFs that are at high risk and those at low-risk for repair failure, were identified. A clinic was established where repair of low-risk VVFs was done on an ongoing basis in a remote region of Ghana. A visiting surgical team was utilized to repair the difficult, or high-risk, VVFs, which included 4–6 cm VVFs (3), recurrent VVF (1), combined VVF and RVF (rectovaginal fistula), a large 5 cm juxtacervical VVF (1), and a vesicouterine fistula (1). Management of these patients and others with VVF repair complications is discussed.     

TOTAL LARYNGECTOMY WITH PRIMARY VOICE RESTORATION

Forty-three patients were prospectively studied following tracheo-oesophageal puncture at the time of laryngectomy (primary voice restoration). Blom-Singer voice prostheses were used. The surgery was regarded as successful if a patient continued to use the voice prosthesis as the major means of communication with clear intelligibility 4 months after the operation. Using this criterion, the success in this series was 70%. No attempt was made to assess the quality of speech. Complications and causes of failure are discussed.     

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目的 探讨外伤性十二指肠损伤的处理及影响预后的因素。方法 对1992年1月至2002年月1月收治的32例外伤性十二指肠损伤病例的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 术前确诊19例(59．4％)，漏诊13例(40．6％)；治愈29例(90．6％)，死亡3例(9．4％)；发生并发症9例(28．1％)。十二指肠瘘是主要的并发症。结论 简单而合理的手术方式是治疗十二指肠损伤的重要措施。早期手术，有效的十二指肠减压和术后肠外营养是影响预后的主要因素。     

血管内栓塞治疗脑动静脉畸形

目的探讨血管内栓塞治疗脑动静脉畸形(AVM)的临床意义。方法应用血管内栓塞治疗脑AVM 37例,栓塞剂为NBCA或(和)ONYX,栓塞后11例行γ-刀治疗。结果畸形血管团完全消失6例,消失90％以上11例,70％～90％17例,70％以下3例。栓塞后2例发生灌注压突破出现脑肿胀,另2例发生脑出血。结论血管内栓塞治疗脑AVM的方法是安全的,可治愈部分脑 AVM;对于大型、重要功能区的脑AVM,血管内栓塞联合手术或放疗可提高治愈率,降低致残率和死亡率。     

多层螺旋CT血管成像诊断颈动脉海绵窦瘘

目的探讨颈动脉海绵窦瘘(CCF)的解剖病理基础及螺旋CT血管成像(MSCTA)表现,提高MSCTA对CCF的诊断能力。方法12例经DSA证实的CCF均进行了螺旋CT平扫、增强扫描及血管成像重建。结果CCF的MSCT及CTA表现为:海绵窦扩大及眼上静脉扩张12例,并与颈内动脉同时显影;其他属支静脉扩张6例;对侧海绵窦扩大4例,与DSA检查结果一致。患侧眼球突出12例。颅底、眶壁骨折5例。眼球壁模糊、增厚5例。脑挫伤、出血4例。眼外肌增粗1例。结论螺旋CT及其血管成像诊断CCF简单、快捷、准确、可靠,特别是在外伤性CCF中,是首选的检查及诊断方法。     

脑动静脉畸形血管重构的分子生物学机制

脑动静脉畸形存在活跃的血管重构,本文就其重构的分子生物学机制作一综述。     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FACILITATES ASSESSMENT OF PERIANAL CROHN'S DISEASE

Three illustrative cases of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with perianal Crohn's disease are presented. Modern MRI techniques provided excellent visualization of perineal anatomy, inflammatory tissues and an anorectal stricture. It also allowed detailed delineation of the patho-anatomy of fistulous abscess and any communication to more proximal bowel. This report illustrates the potential of modern MRI as an important investigative adjunct in evaluating the anorectal manifestations of Crohn's disease.     

Postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistula of the renal pedicle treated with detachable balloons: A case report

A case of postnephrectomy arteriovenous fistula of the right renal pedicle is reported here. The diagnosis was confirmed by angiography, and successful treatment was achieved using detachable balloon.     

Ano-cutaneous flap repair for complex and recurrent supra-sphincteric anal fistula.

BACKGROUND: Suprasphincteric fistulae remain the most difficult to cure. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the healing rate of suprasphincteric anal fistula treated by ano-cutaneous advancement flap repair, and the impact of this procedure on continence and quality of life. METHOD: Sixteen patients with complex, recurrent or chronic suprasphincteric fistulae associated with significant tissue damage (necrotizing fasciitis, keyhole deformity and anal stenosis) or who had failed previous surgical procedures were treated by ano-cutaneous flap closure. They were assessed pre and postoperatively by the treating surgeon for wound healing and fistula recurrence and later followed up by phone interview using the St Mark's Hospital incontinence score and the Perianal Disease Activity Index (PDAI) as indicators of treatment outcome. RESULTS: Fifteen patients had successful healing of their fistula with the cutaneous flap, with recurrence in only one. The most common short-term complications were minor graft site wound separation, which healed in all cases without intervention, and wound pain, which settled over time and was not associated with recurrence. Continence improved for almost 70% of the patients, with a significant reduction in St Mark's incontinence scores (t = 2.62, 15 d.f., P = 0.02). PDAI also decreased significantly (t = 7.55, 15 d.f., P < 0.001), demonstrating improvement in quality of life for most patients. CONCLUSION: Ano-cutaneous flap can achieve healing of complex and recurrent suprasphincteric anal fistula in patients who had previously failed at other forms of treatment thus improving their quality of life and continence.