KENNETH FITZPATRICK RUSSELL: THE FIRST READER TO THE GORDON CRAIG LIBRARY

A review of the life and achievements of Kenneth Fitzpatrick Russell, whose death in his 76th year robbed us of a civilized gentleman who was at the zenith of his creative output, would be a daunting task, if only because of the breadth of his hobbies and interests: art and medical literature; reading; sinology and seal carving; numismatics, medical philately; bookbinding, collecting bookplates; carpentry; metal work, including pewter casting and silversmithing; model ship building and cooking. Yet these various interests were simply a backdrop to his public career at the University of Melbourne and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, where he laid the foundations of an international reputation as scholar and collector.     

Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity: a Standard Surgical Technique by Consensus

Background: The gastric bypass operation has evolved since 1966 when it was first introduced. The purpose of this study was to determine the present state of gastric bypass by consensus among the members of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery (ASBS). Method: A questionnaire was sent to all members of the ASBS. Forty-three percent responded reporting over 41,200 cases. Results: Results were analyzed by using χ² tests with a null hypothesis. Surgeons agreed on several technical aspects, preferring a vertical to a horizontal stapleline; estimating, rather than measuring, the pouch volume at an average of 22 cc. Few surgeons divide the short gastric vessels, and only 25% of surgeons polled use a restrictive ring or band proximal to the gastroenterostomy. Most surgeons calibrate the gastroenterostomy, reporting a preferred average diameter of 12.3 cm. There was no consensus regarding forming the gastroenterostomy, 58% preferring hand-sewn and 42% stapled anastomoses. There was no consensus regarding dividing the gastric pouch from the bypassed stomach: Conclusion: The preferred gastric bypass is vertical, with the pouch estimated at 20-25 cc, and the gastroenterostomy calibrated at 12 mm diameter. The short gastric vessels need not be divided, and restrictive bands or rings are not preferred. This technique of gastric bypass should be used as the control procedure when modifications are tested in future trials. Randomized prospective studies are suggested to probe the benefits of division of the stomach pouch from the bypassed stomach.     

An observer blind trial of co-amoxiclav versus cefuroxime plus metronidazole in the prevention of postoperative wound infection after general surgery

A consecutive series of 509 patients undergoing abdominal surgery were entered into a randomized, observer and patient blind, controlled, prospective, study to evaluate the efficiency of co-amoxiclav (‘Augmentin’, SmithKline Beecham, UK) compared with cefuroxime (‘Zinacef’ Glaxo, UK) plus metronidazole (Flagyl, M&B, UK) for the prevention of postoperative wound infections. One or three doses of antibiotics were given depending on the type of surgery and operative factors. Co-amoxiclav was given to 230 patients with a total wound infection rate of 5·6% and cefuroxime plus metronidazole were given to 225 patients with a total wound infection rate of 3%. The difference between infection rates was not significant. Both groups were comparable in terms of demographic details, type and duration of surgery, risk factors associated with surgical procedures and postoperative management. Although not statistically significant, a difference in the wound infection rate for those patients undergoing colorectal surgery was seen: for the co-amoxiclav group and for the cefuroxime/ metronidazole group. The estimated cost to our hospital (October 1993) of one dose of co-amoxiclav was less that half the cost of cefuroxime and metronidazole. This study demonstrates that co-amoxiclav is an effective prophylactic antibiotic for abdominal surgery.     

贲门失弛缓症术式探讨

目的 探讨治疗贲门失弛缓症的理想术式。方法 回顾分析66例贲门失弛缓症患者的治疗效果，评估手术方式与其疗效的关系。结果 单纯Heller肌层切开术15例，Heller手术附加Belsey MarkⅣ底折叠术17例，自行设计的改良Heller手术附加胃底折叠术34例。全组随访3年以上，失访3例按无效计算，疗效优，良者占91．2％（60／66）／单纯Heller手术病例术后复发3例（3／15，20．0％），发生反流性食管炎4例（4／15，26．7％）;Heller手术附加Belsey MarkⅣ底折叠发生反流性食管炎2例（2／17，11．8％），膈裂孔疝1例（1／17，5．9％），而改良Heller手术附加胃底折叠术无复发及反流。全组无手术死亡及其他并发症。结论 改良式Heller手术加胃底折叠术式治疗贲门失弛缓症疗效较好。     

24例骨折术后深部感染的原因及对策

目的 探讨骨折术后深部感染的原因、预防和治疗方法。方法 对骨折术后深部感染病灶行扩创后置管闭合灌洗。结果 24例经清创闭合灌洗平均27．5d后，感染均得以控制，效果满意。结论 骨折手术后深部感染原因是多方面的，宜积极预防，早期发现，及时扩创闭合灌洗，遗留肢体功能障碍者留待后期治疗。     

Hygiene in Operationsabteilungen – Empfehlungen des Nationalen Referenzzentrums für Krankenhaushygiene

Zusammenfassung. Viele Hygienema?nahmen in Operationsabteilungen sind durch wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen nicht belegt. Die in dieser Arbeit vom Nationalen Referenzzentrum für Krankenhaushygiene, das 1996 vom Bundesgesundheitsministerium eingerichtet wurde, zusammengestellten Empfehlungen stützen sich auf die Ergebnisse wissenschaftlicher Untersuchungen und trennen so die unbedingt notwendigen von den weniger bzw. nicht sinnvollen Ma?nahmen.

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Summary. Many hygienic procedures performed in operation units are not supported by scientific investigations. The following recommendations by the National Reference Center for Hospital Epidemiology, founded by the German Ministry of Health in 1996, are based on the scientific literature and separate necessary from less necessary and unnecessary procedures.

     

皮肤软组织扩张器在整形外科中的应用

作者应用皮肤软组织扩张器进行软组织缺损修复１３例，全鼻再造１例，除１例皮瓣远端血运不佳外，其余病例均获满意效果。本文介绍了皮肤软组织扩张术的优点及适应症，重点讨论了下列问题：①皮肤扩张面积的估计；②扩张囊埋植层次；③注射壶、连接导管的安放位置；④纤维囊的处理；⑤扩张皮瓣的正确设计。     

Mivazerol, a new α2-adrenergic agonist, blunts cardiovascular effects following surgical stress in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats

Background: Mivazerol is a new and selective α₂-adrenoceptor agonist, devoid of hypotensive effects, which has been designed to prevent adverse cardiac outcome in perioperative patients with, or at risk of coronary artery disease. Methods: In the present study, the effects of mivazerol on hemodynamic changes induced by trachea-exposure surgery stress were investigated in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, and compared to those of dexmedetomidine. Results: Intravenous infusion of 3 different doses of mivazerol (3.75, 7.5 and 15 μg kg^-1 h^-1) did not significantly alter BP but caused a dose-related decrease in HR. The maximal decrease in HR was approximately 87 beats/min. Contrary to mivazerol, dexmedetomidine (7.5 μg kg^-1 h^-1, i.v.) decreased both BP (11±3.2 mmHg) and HR. The maximum decrease in HR was approximately 104 beats/min. Surgical stress produced a rapid increase in BP (maximal increase of 50 mmHg) and HR (maximal increase of 100 beats/min), which lasted for at least 15 min. Constant infusion of mivazerol, at a dose of 15 μg kg^-1 h^-1, beginning 20 min prior to surgery and lasting for 35 min, significantly inhibited surgical stress-induced increases in BP (P < 0.05) and HR (P < 0.001). Dexmedetomidine, at a dose which produced hypotension and profound bradycardia prior to surgery, did not have any effect on the surgical stress-induced elevation in BP (P>0.05), but prevented the increase in HR (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with the α₂-adrenoceptor antagonist rau-wolscine (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) blocked the bradycardia induced by mivazerol as well as the inhibitory effect of mivazerol on surgical stress-induced elevations in HR and BP. Conclusion: Mivazerol attenuates surgical stress-induced elevations in BP and HR during pentobarbital anesthesia in rats, and these effects are mediated by stimulation of α₂-adrenoceptors. Unlike dexmedetomidine, mivazerol does not reduce BP, and is also more potent than dexmedetomidine in blunting surgical stress-induced increases in BP in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats.     

Effect of thoracic epidural etidocaine 1.5% on somatosensory evoked potentials, cortisol and glucose during cholecystectomy

The effect of thoracic (T7-8) epidural etidocaine 1.5%, 9 ml, and continuous per- and postoperative epidural infusion of etidocaine 1.5%, 4 ml/h, on early (less than 500 ms) somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), and cortisol and glucose in plasma during cholecystectomy, was examined in ten patients. Spread of analgesia (pin-prick) was T3 (T1-T3) to L2 (T11-L3) 35 min after injection of etidocaine, and T3 (T2-T4) to T12 (T8-L4) 3 h after surgical incision (median (range)). Before operation, epidural etidocaine had no significant effects on peak-to-peak amplitude of SEPs to electrical stimulation at the L1, T10 or T6 dermatomal level (P greater than 0.09). SEPs were abolished in only two patients at T6, and no patient had SEPs abolished at T10 or L1. The plasma concentrations of cortisol and glucose were significantly increased 20 min after surgical incision and remained increased throughout the study. No correlation was found between the block-induced decrease in the peak-to-peak amplitude at T6 or T10 and increase in plasma cortisol, except for a negative correlation at T10 and the initial increase in cortisol (Rs = 0.72, P = 0.03). In conclusion, thoracic epidural administration of 9 ml of etidocaine 1.5% does not provide total afferent somatic blockade assessed by SEP and the stress response to cholecystectomy.     

针式腹腔镜在泌尿外科的应用现况

针式腹腔镜是新近出现的直径只有2 mm的腹腔镜设备,目前已用于普通外科、妇产科等一些疾病的治疗上.在泌尿外科方面,针式腹腔镜在肾上腺切除术、小儿隐睾固定术等手术上也得到了应用.虽然对针式腹腔镜手术的定义仍存在争议,目前2 mm的器械也尚有局限性,但其相对于传统腹腔镜有明显的优点,如损伤比传统腹腔镜手术更小、美观性更好、住院时间更短、恢复更快.针式腹腔镜将是常规腹腔镜发展的必然结果.