The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 1986
Resection of thoracic and abdominal teratoma in patients after cisplatin-based chemotherapy for germ cell tumor. Late results.
Fifty-one patients with primary testicular (N = 46) or mediastinal germ cell cancer (N = 5) were treated from April, 1975, through May, 1981, and had teratoma resected from residual disease after cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy. All patients had normal serum markers before resection of pulmonary (N = 12), mediastinal (N = 5), thoracoabdominal (N = 8), supraclavicular (N = 1) or abdominal disease (N = 25). Teratoma was classified as mature teratoma (N = 29), immature teratoma (N = 15), or immature teratoma with non-germ cell elements (N = 7). ⋯ According to a multivariate analysis, primary tumor site at the mediastinum is the most significant adverse factor predictive for both relapse and survival (two of five patients survived). This study appears to support the various preclinical models that demonstrate multipotential capabilities of teratoma. Complete surgical excision of teratoma remains the most effective treatment with continued close follow-up recommended for high-risk patients (immature teratoma with non-germ cell elements, large tumor burden, or primary mediastinal tumors.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Oct 1986
Eleven-year experience with composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve.
Between September, 1974, and December, 1985, 127 patients had replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic valve with a composite graft. Annuloaortic ectasia was the most common indication for operation (69 patients), followed by aortic dissection (51 patients). Twenty-four patients (19%) had the Marfan syndrome. ⋯ The actuarial survival rate at 7 years for the entire group was 65%; for the patients with annuloaortic ectasia, 70%; for those with aortic dissection, 61%; for the patients with the Marfan syndrome, 57%. Actuarial freedom from operation on the remainder of the aorta at 7 years was 89%, but it was 78% for the subgroup with the Marfan syndrome. The satisfactory results with extended follow-up support the continued use of the composite graft technique as the preferred method of treatment for patients with annuloaortic ectasia or recurrent aneurysms of the sinuses of Valsalva and for patients with aortic dissection who require aortic valve replacement.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 1986
Cryoanalgesia after thoracotomy. Improvement of technique and review of 600 cases.
The efficacy of cryoanalgesia for the control of post-thoracotomy pain has led to the acceptance of the technique as a routine procedure in this unit. A study of 600 consecutive patients in whom an improved technique was used is not reported. The freezing time for each intercostal nerve in this group was reduced to one 30 second exposure instead of the two 30 second exposures previously used. ⋯ Freezing above the fifth intercostal nerve is no longer practiced in women. Modification to the probe has simplified the procedure. Pulmonary function studies and blood-gas analysis are also described.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Aug 1986
Late results after left-sided cardiac valve replacement in children.
Selection of types of cardiac valve substitutes for children remains controversial. Between 1976 and 1984, 166 children, 15 years of age or younger, underwent aortic (N = 53) or mitral valve replacement (N = 90) or both (N = 23). Biological prostheses were used in 84 patients and mechanical prostheses in 71; both a mitral bioprosthesis and an aortic mechanical valve were used in 11 patients. ⋯ The 7 year probability rates of freedom from all valve-related complications were 43% +/- 6% in the bioprosthesis group and 86% +/- 4% in the mechanical valve group (p less than 0.001). In the aortic position, a mechanical adult-sized prosthesis can always be implanted, and satisfactory long-term results can be anticipated. In the systemic atrioventricular position, the results are less than satisfactory with either type of prosthesis; every effort should be made to preserve the natural valve of the child.
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J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. · Jun 1986
Clinical features of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic diabetic coma associated with cardiac operations.
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic diabetic coma after cardiac operations was reviewed in a total of 12 patients from the literature and from my experience in an attempt to determine the clinical features of this condition. Among the unique features of this disease were the following: The mortality is high (42%). The morbidity and mortality are higher in patients with no previous history of diabetes mellitus (67% and 50%) than in those with such a history (33% and 25%). ⋯ A high or rising serum sodium concentration and/or blood urea nitrogen level with polyuria may be a warning sign of this complication. Too hasty correction of the hyperosmolar state can be dangerous. Pulmonary dysfunction may be involved in the symptoms of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic diabetic coma.