Annals of surgery
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This study evaluated a possible protective and therapeutic effect of moderate hypothermia in the treatment of severe hemorrhagic shock. A modified Wiggers shock preparation was used. Normothermic dogs (Group I, N = 6) were maintained at normal body temperature throughout hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. ⋯ After resuscitation and rewarming, stroke volume (mL/beat) and cardiac output (L/min) were lower in hypothermic animals with persistent acid-base derangements (12.6 +/- 2.5, 1.3 +/- 3.0, respectively) compared to hypothermic dogs with acid-base correction (20.1 +/- 3.3, 2.2 +/- 0.3) and normothermic dogs (24.6 +/- 3.0, 3.0 +/- 0.3, p less than 0.05), while myocardial O2 extraction and myocardial lactate production were higher. Results suggest hypothermia decreases the metabolic needs and maintains myocardial contractile function in hemorrhagic shock. Hypothermia may have a beneficial effect and, with normalization of acid-base balance, a therapeutic role in hemorrhagic shock.
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Comparative Study
Colorectal villous and tubulovillous adenomas equal to or greater than four centimeters.
The records of 237 patients treated for benign and malignant villous and tubulovillous adenomas at Roswell Park Memorial Institute from 1963 to 1987 were reviewed. Sixty-five adenomas were greater than or equal to 4 cm and form the basis of this report. Fifteen (23%) were in the cecum, 3 (5%) in the right colon, 1 (1%) in the splenic flexure, 10 (15%) in the sigmoid colon, and 36 (55%) in the rectum. ⋯ Four of nine benign, large adenomas were associated with synchronous adenomas but with no adenocarcinomas. No relationship was found between the size of the adenoma, location, or Dukes' stage. Though the incidence of in situ and invasive carcinomas is clearly related to the size of the adenoma, a linear relationship could not be demonstrated.
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In contrast to other studies, a recent report from the authors' institution has shown a good prognosis for functional recovery in geriatric patients that survive trauma. Because most survivors regained their pre-injury function, the authors examined factors related to nonsurvival in this population of 82 consecutive blunt trauma victims older than the age of 65. Seventeen patients died (21%). ⋯ A Geriatric Trauma Survival Score (GTSS) based on the discriminant function was calculated for each of the 143 patients studied and was highly correlated with mortality rate (r = 0.99, p less than 0.001). Thus, the GTSS may serve as a valuable tool for evaluating death in geriatric trauma victims. Furthermore, because complications are potentially avoidable and contribute to increased mortality rates, routine aggressive care for geriatric patients with moderate overall injury is indicated.
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Total thyroidectomy is an operation that has generally been reserved for the management of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Over the last decade total thyroidectomy has become used increasingly and is now the preferred option in the authors' unit for the management of multinodular goiter affecting the entire gland. Over the period from 1975 to 1985, 853 thyroidectomies have been performed for multinodular goiter; of these, 115 have been total thyroidectomies. ⋯ There have been two cases of permanent hypoparathyroidism and one case of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and these occurred in patients who had less than total thyroidectomy. Total thyroidectomy is an appropriate operation for the management of diffuse multinodular goiter where the entire gland is involved because it precludes patients from requiring further surgery for recurrent disease, with its high associated risks. It must be emphasized, however, that protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands must still be paramount in dealing with benign thyroid disease.
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A clinical program in liver transplantation was begun at UCLA in 1984 after a period of laboratory investigation. The first 100 orthotopic liver transplants (OLT) were performed in 83 patients (43 adults and 40 children) between February 1, 1984 and November 1, 1986. Donors and recipients were matched only for size and ABO blood group compatibility, with OLT performed across blood groups in 28 patients. ⋯ Of 14 perioperative variables assessed as predictors of early mortality, only postoperative dialysis (p less than 0.0005) and presence of severe rejection (p less than 0.01) had statistical significance. Seventy per cent of adults returned to work, and 84% of children had normal or accelerated growth. A new program in liver transplantation provides a dramatic option in patient care and an academic stimulus to the entire medical center.