Symptomatic and Clinical Improvement in Morbidly Obese Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Background: Patients who suffer with gastroesophageal reflux Disease (GERD) endure a worsening of symptoms as their weight increases. When medical treatment of this condition in the morbidly obese patients fails, surgical intervention may be indicated. Choosing a procedure which not only helps achieve weight control but which also relieves symptoms and complications of GERD is the goal. We present a review of patients who have undergone Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGBP) and related procedures for this disease. Methods: One hundred eighty-eight patients undergoing surgery for morbid obesity and for GERD in 1992-1996 were contacted by mail or phone. All of these patients had undergone preoperative esophagogastroduodenoscopy to grade the severity of their disease. Their preoperative symptoms were compared to those experienced postoperatively. Results: One hundred thirty patients underwent a RYGBP with modified Hill fundopexy, 22 patients underwent a distal gastrectomy with modified Hill fundopexy, 8 patients underwent distal gastrectomy alone and 28 patients underwent RYGBP alone. There have been no deaths. There were nine surgical complications, eight early and one at 2.5 years postoperation. Follow-up is 4-48 months. The average BMI dropped from 43 to 30.2 kg/m². Whereas all patients were on some form of medical therapy before surgery, only 14 reported the need for medication postoperatively. Conclusions: Surgical intervention for weight control and treatment of GERD has been highly successful in our experience both with respect to weight control and to the reduction of reflux symptoms. Depending upon endoscopic and operative findings a RYGBP with or without an antireflux procedure can provide dramatic improvement. Gastrectomy with antireflux modifications is appropriate in selected cases.     

Changes in Neutrophil Oxidative Potential in Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass with Polypropylene Hollow Fiber Oxygenators

Neutrophil oxidative metabolism, C3d and beta 2 microglobulin levels, were assessed in nine consecutive patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery with polypropylene hollow fiber oxygenators for open cardiac operations. Generation of oxygen free radicals by neutrophils was measured as luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence after stimulation with opsonized Zymosan and phorbol myristate acetate. A significant increase in light emission was detected by using both of the chemiluminescence stimulators. Moreover, a remarkable and significant increase in C3d levels was found already at 10 min. Conversely minimal changes in levels of beta 2 microglobulin were detected during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. These data suggest that the impact of the patient blood with the foreign surface of cardiopulmonary bypass results in activation of phagocyte cells with increased potential in oxygen consumption. These effects could be partially complement-mediated.     

REOPERATION FOR RECURRENT CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: RESULTS OF 200 CONSECUTIVE CASES

Background : It is well known that reoperation for recurrent coronary artery disease is more difficult than primary coronary artery bypass grafting. However, it is possible to reduce the morbidity and mortality of reoperation to the same level as the initial procedure with careful surgical technique. Methods : A retrospective study of the first 200 patients who underwent redo coronary bypass grafting was undertaken. Results : In the first 200 cases of redo coronary bypass grafting at St George Hospital, Sydney (August 1986–January 1995), there were five in-hospital deaths (2.5%). There was one case of sternal infection (0.5%), which required surgical debridement, three cases of stroke (1.5%), one case of postoperative bleeding (0.5%), which required a return to theatre and six cases (3%) required mechanical ventilation for more than 24h. The need for major postoperative support (such as intra-aortic balloon pumping/adrenaline infusion) was significantly affected by the degree of urgency and the degree of pre-operative ventricular impairment. Conclusions : The mortality rate of redo coronary artery bypass grafting in this series is similar to that of primary surgery described in other reports.     

肺动脉灌注低温保护液减轻体外循环肺内炎性反应

目的　研究肺动脉灌注低温保护液减轻体外循环肺内炎性反应的作用。方法　 4 0例行法洛四联症 (TOF)根治术的病儿随机分为肺保护组 2 0例 ,对照组 2 0例。肺保护组体外循环期间肺动脉灌注低温肺保护液 ,对照组行常规TOF根治术。围手术期监测血浆肿瘤坏死因子 (TNF α)水平。收集术后6h气管吸出物 ,检测其中炎性介质白细胞介素 (IL) 6、IL 8水平。征得病儿家属同意 ,术后取右下肺组织活检 ,观察组织内炎性反应情况。同时监测围手术期肺功能及临床指标。结果　肺保护组血浆中TNF α水平低于对照组 ,以回ICU 0h、2 4h差异显著 (P <0 0 1、P <0 0 5 ) ;术后 6h内气管吸出物中IL 6和IL 8水平肺保护组低于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ;肺组织活检对照组可见中性粒细胞浸润 ,肺保护组无明显病理改变。肺保护组术后肺泡 -动脉氧分压差 (A aO2 )较对照组低 ,以回ICU 0h、12h和 2 4h差异显著(P <0 0 5、P <0 0 1和P <0 0 5 ) ;肺保护组呼吸机辅助通气时间短于对照组 (P <0 0 1)。结论　肺动脉灌注低温保护液可明显减轻体外循环中肺内的炎性反应和改善肺功能。     

Postgraduate qualifications of British doctors

Among British-qualified doctors of 1974 and 1977, about 80% held postgraduate qualifications of some kind. The commonest qualifications were DRCOG, MRCP and MRCOG. There were considerable differences between medical schools in the numbers of qualifiers taking various examinations. Apart from the MRC Psych, DRCOG and Family Planning Certificate, qualifications were more commonly held by men than women. Tables show the type of work being done 9-13 years after leaving medical school by holders of various postgraduate qualifications; e.g. 60% of MRCP holders were working in medicine or a medical specialty and 84% of FRCS holders in general surgery or a surgical specialty. Discussion deals with the plurality, specificity, variability, perceived necessity, sufficiency, international utility and career significance of British postgraduate qualifications.     

双腔右心室(附四例报告)

本文对我院1983～1985年经手术证实的4例双腔右心室病例,进行了分析讨论。本病除右心导管检查发现肺动脉与右心室有压力阶差移行曲线、右心造影时心腔内显示充盈缺损、超声心动图等检查有助于诊断外,X线心脏平片、心电图、临床症状、体征均无特异性的诊断价值。认为,由于本病多合并室缺,因此对室缺修补时,应常规探查右心室腔,以免漏诊。另外,对本病与法乐氏四联症的鉴别作了较详细的讨论。     

Does multi-vessel off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting reduce post operative morbidity compared to on-pump CABG?

Background Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) may contribute to the complications and it is assumed that eliminating cardiopulmonary bypass has the potential of reducing post operative morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The study was carried out to compare mortality and morbidity in the off-pump and on-pump CABG groups. Methods We prospectively analysed 200 patients undergoing CABG. Group A consists of 100 patients underwent multi-vessel off-pump CABG and group B consists of 100 patients underwent CABG with CPB. The incidence of complications (mortality, re-exploration for bleeding, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, neurological events, new onset renal failure (s. creatinine>1.6 mg/dL) pulmonary complications, length of ICU stay and hospital stay were recorded, analysed and compared. Results OPCAB patients received 2.73±0.61 grafts/patient and on-pump CABG patients received 3.39±0.75 grafts/patient (p value<0.00001). There was no significant statistical difference in mortality, incidence of stroke between OPCAB and CABG with CPB patients. Length of ICU stay was 32.84±4.22 vs 44.85±7.18 hrs (p value<0.00001) and hospital stay was 6.52±0.69 vs 7.94±0.92 days (p value<0.00001) between group A and group B respectively. Incidence of atrial fibrillation was less in OPCAB group 7% vs 12% although it was statistically not significant (p value 0.33). It was observed in our study that there was no significant deference in worsening of existing renal failure between on-pump CABG and OPCAB 6% vs 2% (P value 0.28). Blood utilization was significantly less in OPCAB group (p value<0.001). Conclusion There was no statistically significant difference in terms of mortality, incidence of stroke and new onset renal failure in both groups. But there was lesser incidence of post operative atrial fibrillation, worsening of existing renal failure in off-pump group though statistically not significant. There was significant reduction in blood utilization, length of ICU and hospital stay in OPCAB group.     

改良超滤技术在体外循环中的应用

目的　观察改良动、静脉超滤技术在体外循环 (CPB)中作用及效果。方法　 4 8例病人随机分为两组 ,各 2 4例 ,超滤组于CPB停机后 ,待血液动力学基本稳定时 ,使体内血液经动脉供血管经超滤器超滤后进入右房。对照组不行改良动、静脉超滤。结果　术后输入库血量对照组 5 90ml,超滤组 310ml(P <0 .0 1)。超滤组平均滤出液5 4 0ml,术后血细胞比容、血小板、血浆蛋白、纤维蛋白与超滤前比速度增高 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　改良动、静脉超滤技术有利于术后多余水分排出 ,可减少术后并发症和输血量 ,适用于小体重、血液稀释度大的婴幼儿和长时间CPB者。     

Recognition of potential morbidity after use of the radial artery as a conduit for coronary artery revascularization

The use of the radial artery as an alternative vascular conduit for coronary bypass surgery has become increasingly popular. The plastic surgery experience with radial forearm flaps has shown that sacrifice of the radial artery is not always a benign maneuver. The potential morbidity after using this conduit donor site in terms of hand dysfunction or wound healing problems can be significant, and frequently must ultimately be addressed as part of the role of the reconstructive surgeon. Case examples of skin necrosis, subsequent forearm wound infection and hypertrophic scarring after radial artery harvest are presented to introduce this as a real concern and to allow a review of the entire spectrum of potential problems in this regard. Any selection process where the radial artery may be chosen as the coronary revascularization conduit must anticipate these known donor site complications.     

Effects of STA-MCA anastomosis for ischaemic oculopathy due to occlusion of the internal carotid artery

Summary Effects of STA-MCA anastomosis on two patients with neovascular glaucoma due to occlusion of the internal carotid artery are presented. Both patients improved in visual acuity and central retinal artery pressure as well as in signs of transient ischaemic attack. Postoperative angiography showed a marked decrease in collateral flow through the ophthalmic artery, which is reversed from the normal direction, with the development of blood flow through the anastomosis. Discussion is offered indicating that the lack of collateral flow through both the anterior and posterior communicating arteries is important in addition to occlusion of the internal carotid artery in order to produce full-blown ischaemic oculopathy such as venous stasis retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma or rubeosis iridis. It is stressed that EC-IC bypass surgery should be performed soon after the appearance of ischaemia and before the development of neovascular glaucoma or rubeosis iridis in order to obtain normal vision. In ischaemic oculopathy the results of EC-IC bypass can be evaluated objectively and quantitatively by many noninvasive neuro-ophthalmological tests which are important in discussing the efficacy of the bypass surgery.