Bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma of the lung: a clinicopathological study.

Thirty-nine patients with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma were reviewed. The primary lung tumor from 27 patients was examined and divided by histological criteria into three categories. The type 1 pattern was associated with a mean survival of 4.7 years. A mean survival of 3.8 years was attained in patients with type 2. Patients with the type 3 pattern had an average survival of 1.4 years. There was a statistically significant difference in survival when types 1 and 2 together were compared with type 3 (rho less than 0.05). Another statistically significant finding was a mean survival of 5.2 years in patients with negative lymph nodes after surgical resection and a 2.2 year mean survival in patients with positive nodes. The tumor histology of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma should be examined carefully to obtain helpful information in predicting survival. We recommend that these tumors be classified as well-differentiated or poorly differentiated bronchioloalveolar carcinoma.     

Pulmonary Valve Replacement with a Porcine Aortic Heterograft

Pulmonary valve replacement is an uncommon surgical procedure, yet lifesaving when performed under the appropriate circumstances. The patient reported on here had the classic indications for valve replacement: increased pulmonary vascular resistance and associated pulmonary valve incompetence following repair of a congenital heart defect resulting in right heart failure and secondary tricuspid insufficiency. A review of the literature provides the basis for the decision to replace the pulmonary valve with a glutaraldehyde-preserved porcine heterograft.     

Pulmonary artery banding: long-term results in 63 patients.

Sixty-three patients who underwent banding of the pulmonary artery between 1968 and 1975 were studied. Mortality among patients who underwent the banding procedure was 22%, and among those with ventricular septal defect it was 7%. Thirty-eight of the 49 survivors of the banding procedure were investigated for abnormalities of the pulmonary outflow tract caused by the band. Seventy-one percent of these 38 patients had an identifiable abnormality of the pulmonary valve or artery. These complications occurred more frequently in patients banded at a very young age (less than 2 months old) and in patients in whom the band was in place more than two years. Corrective operations have been performed in 24 of the 49 patients who survived banding. Seventy-six percent of the patients with ventricular septal defect survived corrective operation, while only 29% of the patients with more complex lesions survived.     

Development of a practical membrane lung system

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a compact, single-pump membrane oxygenator system designed for both short-term open-heart procedures and long-term extracorporeal support. Work was directed at developing a compatible, disposable venous reservoir, fabricating a compact mounting board, determining acceptable priming volumes, and establishing safe and effective modes of setup and operation. Ten adult baboons undergoing total cardiopulmonary autotransplantation as part of a separate study were operated on using a 1.5 m2 Kolobow spiral-coil membrane system. Blood gases, oxygen transfer, extracorporeal blood flows, priming volume, and setup times were determined. In addition, 3 infant and 6 adult human subjects undergoing cardiac operations in which spiral-coil membranes of various sizes were used were also similarly studied. The data and experience from these studies suggest that the spiral-coil membrane system utilized is safe and effective in procedures requiring short-term cardiopulmonary bypass.     

Pulmonary valvulotomy under inflow stasis for isolated pulmonary stenosis.

One hundred ten patients were operated upon between 1961 and 1972 for isolated pulmonary stenosis by the inflow stasis technique. Analysis of the preoperative and postoperative clinical and catheterization data define the role of inflow stasis as an acceptable method of pulmonary valvulotomy except in relieving stenosis due to a dysplastic pulmonary valve. Patient ages ranged from 2 days to 36 years. All underwent preoperative catheterization and 69 (63%) were restudied postoperatively. Mean preoperative and postoperative peak systolic gradients were 93 and 23 mm Hg, respectively. Mean valve areas before and after operation were 0.38 and 1.10 cm2/m2. Operative mortality was 3.6% (4 patients), and there was 1 late death. Two of the dead were children 2 and 9 days old, respectively. Four patients required reoperation for residual gradients; 2 had dysplastic pulmonary valves. The overall results were excellent or good in 78%, fair in 15%, and poor in 7%. Patients with dysplatic pulmonary valves were in the poor or fair group, and it is recommended that the inflow stasis technique not be used for this type of pulmonary stenosis. The excellent surgical exposure, adequate time for valvulotomy, low morbidity, and freedom from problems of cardiopulmonary bypass are reasons for continued use of this technique for treatment of selected patients with pulmonary valve stenosis.     

The technique of the Fontan procedure with posterior right atrium-pulmonary artery connection

A detailed technique is described for use of a modified Fontan procedure applicable to transposed as well as nontransposed anatomy. In the modified procedure, the use of circumferential grafting is eliminated, as are the complications arising from an anterior conduit in front of the aorta. Clinical results are reported for 9 young adults undergoing this operation.     

Chest wall reconstruction

The use of the End-to-End Anastomosis (EEA) circumferential stapler for reconstruction following resection of the esophagus and stomach for carcinoma of the cardia is reported here in 9 consecutive patients with fifteen anastomoses performed with this unit. The technical aspects of the EEA stapler are emphasized. Two frequent problems associated with this type of operation, namely, stenosis or leak at the suture line, are completely avoided by the use of this stapler unit. Its use is recommended.     

Pressurized Rapid Cardioplegia versus Administration of Exogenous Substrate and Topical Hypothermia

Five hundred fifty-nine patients undergoing aortocoronary operation were analyzed retrospectively according to the type of myocardial protection implemented during the period of ischemia. In Group 1 (253 patients), a rapid method of hypothermic cardioplegia alone was utilized. In Group 2 (306 patients), slower infusion of the same solution with topical hypothermia was implemented. Cardiac isoenzymes (CPK-MB, LDH₁, LDH₂, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT]) and myocardial infarct index (MII) were measured postoperatively for 48 hours.Immediately after operation, a significant difference was found between Groups 1 and 2 in the CPK-MB isoenzyme mean value levels—12.1 versus 18.6 IU, p < 0.01—and MII mean values—5.2 versus 8.1, p < 0.01. CPK-MB variances between subgroups receiving two, three, and four grafts were significantly different in favor of Group 1. Differences were also found in LDH₁, LDH₂, total lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and SGOT: Group 2 levels were significantly higher than in Group 1. There were ten intraoperative infarctions in Group 2 and none in Group 1. In 45% of the patients in Group 2, inotropic agents were necessary in the postoperative period versus none in Group 1. Spontaneous cardiac rhythm following ischemia occurred in 89.7% of the patients in Group 1 versus 29% in Group 2. A method of pressurized high-flow rapid cardioplegia with intermittent reperfusions alone, seems to provide adequate protection of the myocardium during ischemia over a slower low-flow method of infusion combined with topical hypothermia.     

Hepatocellular transplantation for experimental ischemic acute liver failure in dogs

Recovery from acute liver failure is possible if metabolic support can be provided during the period of exogenous liver regeneration. The ability of transplanted dispersed autologous hepatocytes to alter the course of experimental ischemic acute liver failure in dogs was tested. Liver failure was induced by occlusion of blood flow in the proximal portal vein and hepatic artery(s) 48 hr after creation of a side to side portacaval shunt and immediately after a left lateral hepatic lobectomy. Dogs in Group 1 had ischemic injury with no treatment. Dogs in Group II received intrasplenic autotransplants of hepatocytes (26 ± 4x × 10⁸ intact cells) after the ischemic period. Cells for transplantation were prepared from the excised lobe during the period of liver ischemia. Dogs in Group III received intrasplenic transplants of autologous hepatocytes (26 = 3 × 10⁸ intact cells) after liver ischemia and after ligation of the main splenic artery. Serum bilirubin, serum glutamic oxalocetic transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase were measured before and serially after ischemia, and showed that the degree of liver injury in all three groups was similar, although survival in Group III was better. Only 20% of nontransplanted animals (Group I) survived 10 days. Liver histology in animals that died showed hemorrhagic necrosis situation around the terminal hepatic central veins. Transplantation did not improve survival in dogs with arterialized spleens and histological examination of dogs that died showed pulmonary infarcts and additional liver injury from embolization of hepatocytes. In contrast, 70% of the animals undergoing splenic artery ligation before intrasplenic transplantation of hepatocytes were alive at 10 days. Ligation of the splenic artery reduced the tendency for hepatocytes to escape into the splenic vein and the spleen remained viable due to collateral circulation. On histological examination, hepatocytes were readily identified in the splenic parenchyma at 24 hr. 2 and 4 weeks after transplantation. In conclusion, intrasplenic hepatocytes provide sufficient metabolic support for dogs to recover from otherwise lethal ischemically induced, acute liver failure.     

Free-Water Clearance and the Early Recognition of Acute Renal Insufficiency after Cardiopulmonary Bypass

The predictive value of free-water clearance measurements for the early recognition of acute renal insufficiency was evaluated in 59 patients immediately following cardiopulmonary bypass. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine measurements were taken before and after operation. Intraoperatively, immediately after completion of bypass, urine and serum samples were obtained for osmolality. Duration of bypass, urine output, degree of hemolysis, and quality of perfusion were recorded. Fifty-four patients developed no signs of renal insufficiency following bypass, and all had free-water clearance values equal to or less than ?20 ml per hour. Five patients who had free-water clearance values equal to or greater than ?8 ml per hour developed manifestations of an acute renal insufficiency state. There were no false-negative or false-positive determinations.Consequently, free-water clearance measurements appear to be a reliable indicator of those patients who will develop renal insufficiency following cardiopulmonary bypass. Early recognition provides an opportunity immediately after operation for initiating treatment consisting of administration of diuretics, potassium restriction, and oliguric fluid regimens.     

Mediastinal Nonseminomatous Germ Cell Tumors: The Role of Combined Modality Therapy

Twelve male patients with mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumors were treated with chemotherapy (with or without operation and radiation therapy) between 1963 and 1980. Eight patients, treated with only chemotherapy and radiotherapy, died with a median survival from diagnosis of 6 months (range, 3 to 12 months). The 4 survivors remain alive at 12, 15, 34, and 56 months from diagnosis; all are without evidence of disease. All surviving patients were treated with surgical resection of disease either before or after chemotherapy. A major problem in the management of mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumors is the persistence of local disease, which may be overcome by vigorous cytoreductive intervention. Multicenter collaboration will be required to define the optimal combined-modality approach.     

Residual Right-to-Left Shunt Following Repair of Atrial Septal Defect

Information about 5 patients with residual right-to-left shunts following repair of an atrial septal defect is presented. In each patient the defect was located low in the atrial septum adjacent to the inferior vena cava. During operation, either the eustachian valve of the inferior vena cava had been mistaken for the lower margin of the defect or the lower portion of the defect was not closed; blood flow was then diverted from the inferior vena cava into the left atrium. To prevent this occurrence, the inferior margin of the atrial septal defect should be closed first.     

The postoperative course and quantitative aspects of rat islet and segmental pancreas isografts

Duct-ligated segmental pancreas transplants with systemic venous drainage were compared to intrahepatic islet grafts for beta-cell mass (proportional to tissue insulin content) and function in diabetic Lewis rats. Rats were serially killed to measure insulin in the segmental pancreas grafts and in the liver of the islet recipients. Segmental pancreas weight was maximum and insulin concentration and content lowest (P less than 0.05) on Day 3 when acute inflammation was present. At 21 days, there was no inflammation, and graft weight had decreased, but not to Day 0 level because of normal growth; insulin concentration was similar on Days 21 and 0. At 3 months, moderate fibrosis of the graft was present, but both total insulin and insulin concentration had increased (P less than 0.05). In the recipients of islet grafts, total insulin in the liver on Day 1 was only 43% of that contained in the original islet preparation, but by 3 months the insulin content in the liver had increased to that transplanted. IVGTT K values were similar in normal rats (-3.5 +/- 0.7%) and in recipients of segmental pancreas (-4.5 +/- 1.6%) and islet (-4.0 +/- 1.5%) grafts at 3 months post transplant. Acute segmental graft pancreatitis resolved, followed by an increase in beta-cell mass. Islet cell damage during transplantation is either reversible or residual viable islets proliferate, and provide metabolic control equivalent to segmental pancreas transplants, even though the final beta-cell mass is less.     

Palliation of infants with truncus arteriosus through creation of a pulmonary artery ostial stenosis.

A surgical procedure for palliation of infants with truncus arteriosus and excessive pulmonary blood flow (types I, II, and III) is described. The technique involves the production of ostial stenosis of the pulmonary artery from within the truncus using cardiopulmonary bypass. This method has advantages over pulmonary artery banding, which in general has produced disappointing results.     

Left ventricular aneurysm resection: indications and long-term follow-up.

Forty-four patients had resection of a chronic postinfarction left ventricular aneurysm. Operative indications were heart failure, angina, and ventricular arrhythmias. Twenty-six patients (59%) had coronary grafting in addition to aneurysmectomy. The operative mortality rate was 4.5% (2/44), and late mortality (mean follow-up, 31 months) was 17.9% (7/39). Preoperatively all patients were in New York Heart Association Functional Class III or IV; 91% were Class I or II postoperatively. Coronary bypass grafting did not increase the operative mortality rate, and long-term survival was similar between those receiving coronary grafts and those not receiving grafts. Postoperative ventriculograms were evaluated in 10 patients by means of a system of internal grids. Amount of regional myocardial contraction correlated well with the patient's postoperative functional capacity. It is concluded that ventricular aneurysmectomy in combination with coronary bypass grafting is safe and effective, resulting in marked improvement in the patients' functional capacity and longevity.     

Cold storage of segmental canine pancreatic grafts for 24 hours

The feasibility of cold storage of pancreatic segments for 24 hr was studied in a dog autograft model. Two groups of dogs were studied. In Group 1 n = 9) the tail of the pancreas was removed with its vascular pedicle, flushed with lactated Ringer's solution, and immediately transplanted intraperitoneally to the left iliac vessels. The pancreatic duct was left open. The grafts in Group 2 (n = 9) were flushed and stored at 4°C in Collins solution for 23 to 25 hr prior to transplantation. Total pancreatectomy was performed in all animals at the time of transplantation. Seven animals in Group 1 and five animals in Group 2 underwent intravenous glucose tolerance tests (0.25 g/kg) on the seventh postoperative day. Mean glucose values at all time points were not significantly different. Mean (±SEM) K values were 1.36 ± 0.12% for Group 1 and 1.24 ± 0.17% for Group 2. Serum insulin concentrations (basal and peak) increased from 7 ± 1 to 30 ± 4 μU/ml in Group 1 and from 11 ± 2 to 35 ± 6 μU/ml in Group 2 during glucose tolerance testing, a similar response. In all dogs of both groups surviving for over 1 week, plasma glucose was in the normal range (71–146 mg/dl) immediately after transplantation and stayed within physiologic limits (65–155 mg/dl) throughout the follow-up period (1–10 months). Two dogs in each group died of vascular complications that were clearly secondary to technical difficulties at the time of transplantation. Two dogs in Group 2 died of complications (one peritonitis, one respiratory failure) in which the transplant may have been a contributing factor. Histologic and electron microscopic studies of stored grafts from biopsies taken before, during, and after 24 hr of cold storage and transplantation showed normal pancreatic architecture, no changes in islets, and minimal changes in the exocrine pancreas. In acinar cells a dilation of the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and an increase in mature and immature zymogen granules could be demonstrated. Six hours after transplantation the acinar cells looked normal, showing that the morphologic manifestations of injury were reversible. We conclude that 24 hr cold storage in Collins solution at 4°C is a reliable method for preservation of pancreatic grafts. If this technique can be applied to human pancreases, it will simplify the logistical aspects of clinical pancreas transplantation.     

Consistent protection from pancreatitis in canine pancreas allografts treated with 5-fluorouracil

A consistent protection from pancreatitis and a significant prolongation of survival was observed in canine pancreas allograft recipients treated with azathioprine and 5-FU. Dogs that were treated only with azathioprine did not survive nearly as long as the treated dogs and pancreatitis and peritonitis were the cause of death in more than 50% of the animals. Untreated animals survived an average of 5 days and most of the animals died as a consequence of severe pancreatitis or an associated infectious process.     

Atraumatic coronary perfusion cannula

A coronary perfusion cannula has been developed that allows the administration of cold cardioplegic solution or blood into either the right or left coronary artery without trauma to the coronary ostia or to the proximal portion of the coronary artery.     

Rejection of islets versus immediately vascularized pancreatic allografts: a quantitative comparison

It has been suggested that free grafts of islets are rejected more vigorously than immediately vascularized intact organs grafts. However, the physiological manifestations of rejection depend, in part, upon the functional reserve of the transplanted tissue. If the number of islets transplanted is just adequate to maintain normoglycemia, the immune destruction of only a few islets will be manifested by hyperglycemia. Thus, differences in rejection time could be an artifact of the islet mass transplanted. We compared the onset of rejection of immediately vascularized segmental pancreatic grafts and of free grafts of islets under conditions in which the β cell mass transplanted, as determined by tissue insulin content, was equivalent. Lewis rats, made diabetic (plasma glucose > 400 mg/dl) by streptozotocin, received either free islet allografts by portal embolization or vascularized segmental pancreatic allografts derived from Fischer donors. Identical pancreatic segments that were not transplanted had a mean (± SE) total tissue insulin content of 33 ± 3 μg. The mean total insulin content of Fischer islets prepared by collagenase digestion in a quantity identical to that used for transplantation to single recipients was 35 ± 7 μg. Similar measurements were made in Fischer to Fischer and Lewis to Lewis isograft control groups. Recipients of both segmental pancreas and free islet grafts became normoglycemic after transplantation and this state was sustained indefinitely in recipients of syngeneic grafts. In rats receiving allografts, the day of rejection, defined as an elevation of plasma glucose to >200 mg/dl, occurred at a mean of 12.1 ± 0.3 days for recipients of pancreatic grafts (n = 17) and 5.2 ± 0.3 days in recipients of islet grafts (n = 17) (P < 0.001). The functional survival of free grafts of allogeneic islets is less than that of islets contained within immediately vascularized pancreatic grafts, even when the transplanted β cell mass is equivalent. However, this difference could still be due to nonimmunologic, quantitative factors that influenced the rate with which hyperglycemia occurred after initiation of the rejection process. The insulin content in the livers of islet isograft recipients showed that only 53 to 71% of the transplanted islets survived. Further experiments that compensate for this factor are needed to determine whether or not there are differences in susceptibility to rejection of the two types of grafts. Nevertheless, on the basis of the number of donors used per recipient, islet allotransplantation is less efficient than pancreas allotransplantation.     

Improvement of pancreas allograft survival after perfusion with concanavalin A.

Perfusion with Con A significantly improved the survival of canine pancreas allografts minimally immunosuppressed. Control dogs and those that received no Con A survived for only short periods of time. When the immunosuppression to the recipient animals was increased by adding methylprednisolone, the prolonging effect of Con A was even more significant.