Magenkarzinom – eine Infektionskrankheit

Gastric cancer still represents the second most common cause of gastrointestinal cancers in Germany. A disturbing issue is that at the time of diagnosis there are less than 15% of patients for whom a cure can be achieved. Nowadays, biological, histomorphological, molecular genetic and epidemiological data suggest that Helicobacter pylori eradication may lead to the prevention of gastric pre-neoplastic lesions and even gastric cancer. At present, eradication can be offered to selected patients and populations at increased risk, but more research is required before embarking on general and global H. pylori eradication for gastric cancer prevention. The main challenge is to determine how long mucosal abnormalities remain reversible and gastric cancer development can be halted.     

Sleep and recovery in physicians on night call: a longitudinal field study

Background  

It is well known that physicians' night-call duty may cause impaired performance and adverse effects on subjective health, but there is limited knowledge about effects on sleep duration and recovery time. In recent years occupational stress and impaired well-being among anaesthesiologists have been frequently reported for in the scientific literature. Given their main focus on handling patients with life-threatening conditions, when on call, one might expect sleep and recovery to be negatively affected by work, especially in this specialist group. The aim of the present study was to examine whether a 16-hour night-call schedule allowed for sufficient recovery in anaesthesiologists compared with other physician specialists handling less life-threatening conditions, when on call.     

Coccygectomy has a favorable effect on the intensity, manifestation, and characteristics of pain caused by coccygodynia: a retrospective evaluation of 34 patients followed for 3–18 years

Background  Coccygodynia can cause severe pain and disability in patients. There are contradictions in the literature regarding the final results of coccygectomy for coccygodynia. We evaluated the long-term effects of coccygectomy on the intensity, characteristics, and manifestation of pain caused by coccygodynia to determine the adequacy of operation among treatment modalities. Materials and methods  Thirty-four patients with coccygodynia were treated by coccygectomy. In 22 cases, trauma, and in one case childbirth was the cause. 11 cases were regarded as idiopathic. The intensity, characteristics of pain, and the most painful activities were evaluated at an average of 7.6 (3–18) years of follow-up time. Results  Before the operation, all 34 patients had pain while sitting, moreover, 26 of them had pain during standing, walking, at night or a combination of these. 21 patients had intolerable or very intensive, mainly acute, sharp or burning pain. 11 patients had dyschesia, 2 had dysuria and 6 had dyspareunia. At follow-up, 7 patients were completely free of pain, 15 others had moderate, 11 medium, and only one patient had severe, but none had intolerable pain. Only seven patients had acute, sharp or burning pain postoperatively. The decrease of average pain score from 8.0 to 3.2 was significant (P < 10⁻¹²). The number of the patients with dyschesia and dyspareunia decreased from 11 to 7 and from 6 to 3, respectively. Two patients had dysuria, but their complaints did not change after the operation. One of the two patients who needed reoperation had an excellent final result, while the other remained unchanged. 12 and 16 patients (together 82%) regarded the final result of the operation excellent and good, respectively. The condition of five others did not change, while one became worse. The patients with younger age, smaller body mass index, and less co-morbidities had better final result. There were no serious complications. Conclusion  Coccygectomy for coccygodynia is a safe method to decrease the intensity of pain and other complaints of the patients. The operation can be the choice of treatment if conservative measures fail.     

Iniencephaly and long-term survival: a rare case report

Introduction Iniencephaly, a neural tube defect involving occiput and inion and combined with rachischisis of the cervical, thoracic spine, and retroflexion position of the head is a very rare congenital abnormality of the fetus–newborn with a 0.1–10 of 10,000 prevalence. This abnormality’s prognosis is thought to be dismal. This abnormality can be associated with other abnormalities such as anencephaly, encephalocele, hydrocephalus, cyclopia, absence of the mandible, cleft lip and palate, cardiovascular disorders, diaphragmatic hernia, renal abnormalities, overgrowth of the arms compared to the legs, and club food and gastrointestinal atresia. Discussion Most of the patients are dead born, and the others die in a few hours. There are only six previously documented long-term survivors. In our case, our patient with iniencephalic signs and findings is still living. She is 2 years old now. We think that this patient presents a mild form of iniencephaly.     

Comparative early and midterm results of open juxtarenal and infrarenal aneurysm repair

Background and aims Since the introduction of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) for aortic aneurysms, the number of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms (JRA) has been growing steadily due to selection bias (neck morphology for EVAR). This case-match study compares the perioperative outcome and midterm results of suprarenally clamped JRA with infrarenal aortic aneurysms (AAA). Methods From 1997 to 2004, patients who received open surgery with suprarenal clamping for JRA were included in the study and compared to matched patients with infrarenal clamping (AAA). Measurements analyzed were the in-hospital mortality and morbidity. Midterm results were obtained through clinical investigation and magnetic resonance angiography imaging. Results Thirty-five patients (mean age, 68.4 years; 30 male and 5 female) received suprarenal cross-clamping for JRA. The overall in-hospital mortality for JRA and for the controls (AAA) with elective aortic repair was 4.5% (6.1% JRA; 3% AAA, p = 0.058). The morbidity of JRA was elevated according to the rate of pulmonary complications (p = 0.021) and the need for re-operation (p = 0.019). The mean follow-up time was 2.3 years (range, 8–96 months). At follow-up, 28 patients (80%) from the JRA group and 29 patients from the AAA group (82.9%) were alive. Conclusion Open aortic surgery for JRA with the need for suprarenal cross-clamping shows a slightly elevated in-hospital mortality rate without statistical significance and equal midterm mortality results in comparison with infrarenally clamped aortic aneurysms.     

Präklinische Intubation

Endotracheal intubation is required in 5–10% of all prehospital emergencies. Poor environmental conditions (e.g. limited space, poor or excessive lighting etc.), unfavorable patient-related factors (e.g. trauma, bleeding, pulmonary aspiration etc.) and the pressure of time make prehospital airway management a challenging procedure even for experienced emergency physicians. The incidence of difficult endotracheal intubation is significantly higher than in-hospital. Profound clinical practice, recognition and adequate treatment of complications of intubation, and ongoing clinical practice are essential for successful and responsible prehospital airway management. A brief physical examination helps to identify predictors for difficult intubation, thereby modifying treatment strategies. Every emergency physician must be closely familiar with at least one supraglottic airway device and the recent algorithms to manage the unanticipated difficult airway.