Temporary wound covering with a silicon sheet for the soft tissue defect following open fasciotomy. Technical note.

OBJECTIVE: Temporary covering of a defect of the soft tissues with a silicon sheet after fasciotomy in the treatment of compartment syndrome. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University Hospital, Tübingen. PATIENTS: From January 1991 to June 1996, open fasciotomy was performed a total of 18 times on 17 patients with compartment syndrome. In 17 of the 18 cases acute vascular ischemia was the cause of the compartment syndrome. INTERVENTIONS: For the 18 necessary fasciotomies, a silicon sheet was temporarily used to cover the defect of the soft tissue temporarily a total of 9 times. The silicon sheet was gradually drawn together and the wound was finally closed with a secondary suture. RESULTS: In 6 of the 9 cases a secondary suture could be performed without any difficulties after the swelling had subsided, and a meshgraft covering was not necessary. Only one patient suffered from wound infection because the silicon sheet had not been sutured correctly. In the other cases there was no sign of infection. The wound dressing was changed painlessly and furthermore, an improved cosmetic result was observed. CONCLUSIONS: There are considerable advantages in the use of a silicon sheet as a temporary covering for the defect of the soft tissues in the treatment of compartment syndrome: lower costs because of shorter hospitalisation and the dressing change is practically painless. A reduced risk of infection and improved cosmetic results are further advantages of this method.

Atrial septal defect in adults: cardiopulmonary exercise capacity before and 4 months and 10 years after defect closure.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the cardiopulmonary exercise capacity and ventilatory function in adults with atrial septal defect (ASD) preoperatively and 4 months and 10 years postoperatively. BACKGROUND: Only few data are available on cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance after ASD closure, but detailed knowledge might be helpful for indication for defect closure in certain patients. METHODS: The study was performed in adult patients (mean [+/-SD] age at operation 39.9 +/- 11.5 years; left-right shunt 9.6 +/- 5.6 liters/min; pulmonary/systemic flow ratio 2.8 +/- 1.2; mean pulmonary artery pressure 18.2 +/- 6.2 mm Hg). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed with a bicycle ergometer. We determined peak oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold, performance at anaerobic threshold and maximal performance in relation to these variables in a normal group. Ventilatory function at rest was expressed by vital capacity, maximal voluntary ventilation and forced expiratory volume in 1 s. RESULTS: Preoperatively, ventilatory function at rest was only moderately reduced to approximately 75% to 85%. Four months postoperatively we found no significant improvement, but 10 years postoperatively ventilatory function at rest was normalized. Preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise capacity was markedly reduced to 50% to 60%; early postoperatively it was only slightly higher, but late postoperatively exercise capacity significantly improved and was completely normalized. CONCLUSIONS: Although preoperative cardiopulmonary capacity in adult patients with nonrestrictive ASD was significantly decreased, some improvement was seen at 4 months postoperatively, with complete restitution to normal at 10 years after shunt closure.

[Arterial dominance of the hand]. / Arterielle Dominanz der Hand.

Arterial dominance in the hand was studied in 164 hands using digital pulse electronic oscillography (DPEO) and the Allen test. It was seen that the radial artery more frequently delivered the main blood supply to the digits (radial-ulnar dominance 12.8: 4.2%). The situation where no collateral circulation is present deserves special attention (absolute dominance). This was observed in 3% of the cases for the radial and in 1.2% for the ulnar artery. The Allen test was found useful in detecting ulnar artery dominance for the radial artery, however, false negative results may be obtained. In addition, 29 hands with a thrombosed radial artery were studied. No collateral circulation other than from the ulnar artery could be demonstrated. Since dominance of the ulnar artery is less common and can be reliably assessed with the Allen test, a forearm flap based on the ulnar artery appears to be safer than a radial forearm flap.

The quality of autotransfused chest-drainage blood after cardiac surgery: a study of coagulation factors.

A wide range of experience, dating back as far as 1978, has been gained with both the hard-shell cardiotomy reservoir of the heart-lung machine and the Sorensen autotransfusion system as retransfusion systems. Three remains, however, a lack of knowledge regarding the quality of retransfused blood in systems of less complex construction which are already available on the market and involve the use of a pouch (Sentinel-Seal autotransfusion system and Pleur-evac collecting system). The present study entailed the investigation of blood from the chest drainages of twenty patients after cardiac surgery by using a simple retransfusion system (Sentinel-Seal autotransfusion system). In two postoperative groups of patients with low and high blood loss from chest drainage, we determined, in addition to free plasma hemoglobin, the following: factor XII, kallikrein-like activity, thrombin-antithrombin III complex, tissue-plasminogen and d-dimers. In the collective with a low blood loss, we found remarkable cell alterations as well as highly activated and advanced coagulation and an extraordinary fibrinolytic activity. If done at all, retransfusion by the Sentinel-Seal autotransfusion system should be restricted to the first four postoperative hours in cases of high blood loss.

[Inadvertant suture fixation of a Swan-Ganz catheter to the pulmonary artery following heart surgery]. / Unbemerkte Nahtfixation eines Swan-Ganz-Katheters in der Arteria pulmonalis während Herzoperation.

We report a patient undergoing redo cardiac surgery for combined replacement of the aortic and mitral valves. During the course of the operation, a Swan-Ganz catheter - positioned preoperatively - was accidentally fixed to the wall of the pulmonary artery. As this did not interfere with cardiac output measurement or the pulmonary artery pressure wave form, the fixation was not noticed until an attempt was made to remove the catheter. Fluoroscopy revealed both the catheter's immobility and the location of the suture fixation. The patient required a sternotomy to remove the catheter. In order to avoid this complication, the indications for pulmonary artery catheters during cardiac surgery should be carefully considered. If catheters are inserted, their mobility should by all means be ensured before the chest is closed.

[Spiral CT and CT angiography after coronary bypass surgery]. / Spiral-CT und CT-Angiographie nach koronarer Bypassoperation.

AIM: Evaluation of spiral-CT and CT-angiography for imaging of venous and arterial coronary bypass grafts during the early postoperative period. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 198 patients suffering from coronary heart disease, 583 aortocoronary venous grafts (ACVG), 70 arterial grafts and 24 jumped grafts were investigated 9-15 days following coronary surgery. In 57 patients the results were compared to arterial DSA and reconstructive CT-angiography. RESULTS: At arterial DSA 93% of ACVG and 100% of arterial grafts were patent. Spiral-CT demonstrated 104 of 105 ACVG (99%) and 20 of 29 arterial grafts (69%) correct patent. All occluded ACVG (n = 8) were detected. 90% of ACVG but only 32% of arterial grafts were visualised completely over long segments. Imaging of jumped grafts was insufficient. In CT-angiography artificial vessel stenoses impaired correct visualisation of graft morphology. CONCLUSIONS: Spiral-CT allows sufficient differentiation of patent and obstructed ACVG during the early postoperative period. Diagnostic of arterial grafts is of lower accuracy. For CT angiography of venous and arterial coronary grafts further improvements are necessary.

The sternocleidomastoid flap for treatment of a septic sternum defect.

After sternotomy for prosthetic repair of the ascending aorta and replacement of the aortic valve with a bioprosthesis in a 70-year-old woman local wound infection developed. Preliminary conservative treatment did not succeed. Because of the high risk for the patient due to local infection and partial exposure of the aortic prosthesis there was an indication for local flap surgery. Both healing of the infection and covering the prosthesis was achieved using a sternocleidomastoideus muscle flap.

[Peripheral pulsed laser angioplasty--4-year clinical experience]. / Periphere gepulste Laserangioplastie--Erfahrungen nach 4jährigem klinischen Einsatz.

In 134 patients, 21 iliac, 91 femoropopliteal and 22 crural arterial occlusions were treated by percutaneous laser-assisted angioplasty and in 32 patients femoropopliteal occlusions by conventional balloon angioplasty. Laser angioplasty could be performed in 126 patients following initial guide wire recanalisation using 9.7 and 4.5-F multifiber catheters, respectively. In 72 patients a 308-nm excimer laser and in 54 patients a 504-nm pulsed day laser was used. Luminal opening by laser angioplasty was obtained in 102 of 126 (81%) procedures (9 incomplete catheter passages, 15 persistent occlusions). 95% of iliac, 90% of femoropopliteal and 77% of crural recanalizations including supplemental balloon dilatations (n = 105) and stent implantations (n = 24) succeeded technically. Clinical success rates at 1 (2) years after angioplasty were 95% (89%) for iliac, 66% (63%) for femoropopliteal and 57% (50%) for crural treatments. Technical and clinical results of laser-assisted femoropopliteal recanalizations showed no significant differences in comparison to the results of conventional balloon angioplasty. The use of pulsed lasers for the treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease would require further technical improvements.

[CT-guided percutaneous lumbar sympathicolysis in peripheral arterial occlusive diseases]. / CT-gestützte perkutane lumbale Sympathikolyse bei peripherer arterieller Verschlusskrankheit.

Between June 1991 and November 1992, 36 patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease were treated by CT-guided percutaneous lumbar sympathicolysis. Three months after the procedure, 39% claimed subjective improvement, 53% were unchanged and 8% were worse. Walking distance increased significantly from 86 to 167 m (p = 0.02). There was a comparable increase in walking distance between diabetics and non-diabetics. Comparison of one and two level procedures (each 50%) also showed similar increase in walking distance. There were no serious complications. The results justify the use of CT-guided percutaneous lumbar sympathicolysis in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease who are unsuitable for treatment by revascularisation. The procedure can be carried out on an outpatient basis and on otherwise inoperable patients and therefore has significant advantages compared with surgical sympathectomy.

[Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. Variability of clinical aspects, echocardiography and angiography findings]. / Fehlabgang der linken Koronararterie aus der Pulmonalarterie. Variabilität von Klinik, echokardiographischen und angiographischen Befunden.

OBJECTIVES: Analysis of symptoms, diagnostical difficulties and follow-up in infants and children with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. METHODS: Retrospective study; 12 children between 3 weeks and 2 years old; time period: 1980-1991. RESULTS: Three infants were detected on routine examination because of a new cardiac murmur, the others presented with signs of cardiac failure. Cross sectional echocardiography and color Doppler flow mapping allowed to verify the suspected diagnosis. However, in one infant a false-negative cross sectional echocardiographic result was obtained. In this case nuclear magnetic resonance imaging was able to delineate the exact anatomy. Mean preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction: 33 +/- 4%; percentage of infants below the age of 6 months: 92%; surgery related mortality: 66%; mean follow-up of the remaining 4 patients being in good clinical condition: 2.9 +/- 1 years. CONCLUSIONS: 1. An anomalous origin of the left coronary artery should be included into the differential diagnosis when a new cardiac murmur is detected. 2. Possibility of false-negative echocardiographic results is emphasized. 3. With early symptoms and highly reduced left ventricular function, the mortality is still high.

Laser angioplasty of peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

To evaluate the impact of laser ablation of arteriosclerotic material on the long-term results of transluminal angioplasty, 103 patients were treated by laser-assisted recanalization of peripheral arterial occlusion and followed-up for 6 and 12 months. Two pulsed laser systems (308 nm-excimer laser and 504 nm-dye laser) were tested. Laser energy was transmitted via wire-guided 4.5-, 7- and 9-French multifiber catheters. Stand-alone laser angioplasty was possible in 22% of the patients, especially in the popliteal and the lower-limb arteries. Compared to the results of balloon dilatation in the literature, the clinical success rate at 6 and 12 months after the treatment was better in occlusions with a length between 6 and 10 cm, however no improvement was seen in either shorter or longer occlusion. Due to the limited size of percutaneously applicable catheters, laser treatment and pretreatment seemed to be of most benefit in distal femoropopliteal arteries and in lower-limb arteries. Clinical improvement after revascularization depends on a sufficient run-off in branching vessels distal to the recanalized artery segment.

Dye laser-assisted angioplasty with multifiber catheters: short-term results in the treatment of 29 peripheral arterial occlusions.

The use of pulsed dye laser energy for angioplasty offers the possibility of ablating atherosclerotic plaques without thermal damage to the adjacent arterial wall. However, to be of value, systems that deliver the energy safely and effectively are required. We tested multifiber catheters in 504-nm pulsed dye laser angioplasty for treatment of peripheral arterial occlusions. Flexible multifiber catheters consist of 12 (7-French) and 19 (9-French) concentrically arranged 200-microns quartz fibers allowing guidewire-directed use. Laser-assisted angioplasty was performed in 2- to 13-cm- (mean, 7.5-cm) long occlusions of iliac (six) and femoropopliteal (23) arteries in patients with symptomatic occlusive vascular disease. Angiograms were obtained before and after laser ablation, after subsequent balloon dilatation, and if signs or symptoms indicated restenosis, during follow-up. The laser procedure was impossible to perform in three (10%) of 29 patients; this was related to unsuccessful passage of the wire in one patient and to inability to advance the laser catheter across the lesion in two patients. In one other patient, reocclusion occurred 1 day after angioplasty. Stand-alone laser angioplasty relieved residual stenosis of less than 30% in six (26%) of 23 femoropopliteal arteries, making balloon dilatation dispensable. Immediate clinical improvement was achieved in 26 (90%) of 29 patients. Laser treatment caused no perforation and no embolization, but minor dissections occurred in 36% of the patients. Our experience suggests that pulsed dye laser angioplasty via multifiber catheters converts arterial occlusions into stenoses. With the exception of angioplasty in distal femoropopliteal arteries, additional balloon dilatation is necessary to complete recanalization.

Intraoperative valvuloplasty in calcific aortic stenosis: a study comparing the mechanism of a novel expandable device with conventional balloon dilatation.

In selected patients with calcific aortic stenosis, balloon valvuloplasty is an intermediate alternative to surgery. The effect of balloon valvuloplasty to increase valve area, however, is limited and the restenosis rate is high during follow-up. To improve the results and reduce the complication rate, a new device for valvuloplasty of calcific aortic stenosis was developed. This system consists of three expandable prongs mounted on a freely movable catheter tip. To evaluate the efficacy of this new device, valvuloplasty was performed in 10 patients with severe aortic stenosis intraoperatively just prior to valve replacement. Comparison was made with the results of conventional balloon dilatation performed in an additional 20 patients during surgery. Using the new device, the relative orifice area increased from 10 +/- 3% before to 20 +/- 6% following intervention. However, in only one patient was a considerable increase of static valve area (greater than 15%) found. The results were comparable to the effect of conventional balloon dilatation, which led to an increase of orifice area from 12 +/- 7% to 24 +/- 10%. With both systems, the best results were achieved in patients with aortic stenosis and significant commissural fusion. In contrast, in bicuspid or tricuspid valves without fused commissures the effect of the intervention was limited. Because complete obstruction of the aortic valve does not occur during dilatation, this new device might be superior to conventional balloon dilatation. Preselection of patients according to the morphology of the valve seems mandatory to improve the success and reduce the complication rate of valvuloplasty in aortic stenosis.

Early and late results of the modified Waterston shunt with PTFE grafts for palliation of complex congenital cyanotic heart disease in neonates.

During a 12 year period from 1978 to 1989, 35 infants under 4 weeks of age underwent palliative surgery for complex congenital cyanotic heart disease with a short (1-1.5 cm) PTFE graft between the ascending aorta and the right pulmonary artery (modified Waterston shunt). Twenty-three infants had pulmonary atresia and 14 had severe pulmonary stenosis. Underlying cardiac lesions were tetralogy of Fallot (n = 11), single ventricle (n = 7), transposition complexes (n = 6), and intact ventricular septum and hypoplastic right heart syndrome (n = 13). There were 4 early deaths (10.7%) in the entire series, 2 of which were shunt related. Three of the 4 occurred during our initial experience with this shunt in 1978 and 1979. They led to the modified Waterston shunt being abandoned for 3 years in favor of other shunt procedures. Since 1983 one early death occurred in 28 infants (3.5% mortality) with no death in the latest 26 patients. All patients were followed up between 6 and 108 months. There were 4 late deaths, one of which was shunt related. We observed a significant difference in the shunt patency rate between 4 and 5 mm grafts: palliation was adequate after 2 years in 52% of the patients when a 4 mm graft was used and in 89% of the 5 mm graft group (p less than 0.005). Reshunting was necessary in 7 infants between 5 and 60 months after primary surgery. Recatheterization was performed in 17 infants for suspected shunt failure (n = 6) or diagnostic reasons (n = 11).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Peripheral excimer laser angioplasty. The indications, methods and clinical results]. / Periphere Excimer-Laserangioplastie. Indikationen, Methode und klinische Ergebnisse.

Between March 1989 and January 1990, percutaneous transluminal excimer laser angioplasty was performed in 61 patients (40 men and 21 females; mean age 66 [41-86] years) with 65 peripheral arterial occlusions (iliac: 11, femoropopliteal: 48, tibial: 5, left subclavian artery: 1). The average ankle-arm index before treatment was 0.45 (0.2-0.8) for iliac, 0.52 (0-0.7) for femoropopliteal and 0.3 (0.1-0.4) for tibial occlusion. Recanalization was successful in 58 occlusions, but additional balloon dilatation was necessary in 54. The mean residual stenosis degree after laser application was 54%, after balloon dilatation 22%. Postangioplasty thromboembolism occurred in five patients. Intravascular stents were implanted in 11 patients because of extensive dissection or high-grade restenosis. After four weeks the clinical findings were improved in 54 of the 58 patients, in 47 even after six months. At that point the average ankle-arm index was 0.88 (0.5-1.1) after iliac, 0.79 (0.6-1.15) after femoropopliteal and 0.6 (0.4-0.7) after tibial recanalization.

[Carotid endarterectomy for prevention of stroke: comparison of surgical and conservative therapy]. / Karotisendarterektomie zur Insultprophylaxe: Vergleich der operativen mit konservativer Therapie.

The incidence of TIA, stroke and death among 689 patients with a narrowing of the internal carotid artery exceeding 50% was investigated in a follow-up study. Patients were assigned according to their initial status to one of the following groups: asymptomatic, transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and minor stroke. Patients subjected to carotid endarterectomy (n = 206) were compared to those treated by oral medication only. The follow-up time averaged 2.1 years. The incidence of stroke and death among the initially asymptomatic persons was not significantly different in those who underwent surgery (n = 46) and those who did not (n = 234). The incidence of TIA however was significantly higher in the operated patients. Among patients with TIA the incidence of repeated TIA, stroke and death was similar in those who were operated (n = 90) and those who were not (n = 61). The same was true for subsequent TIA and strokes in patients who had suffered from a first stroke prior to the initial examination. Patients who underwent surgery (n = 70) did not differ in this respect from the 188 patients who were not operated on. The death rate, however, was significantly higher in the non-operated patients (24.5% versus 7.2%). Due to the retrospective character of the study, operated and non-operated groups of patients were not directly comparable. We therefore selected comparable groups of patients by a stratification procedure. These subgroups showed no differences in the incidence of TIA and stroke between operated and non-operated patients. The result indicates, that the decision to perform carotid endarterectomy should be made with great caution.

[Results of emergency aortocoronary venous bypass surgery after failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in patients with unstable angina pectoris]. / Ergebnisse der notfallmässigen aorto-koronaren Venen-Bypass-Operation nach fehlgeschlagener perkutaner transluminaler Koronarangioplastie bei Patienten mit instabiler Angina pectoris.

During a 4-year period from January 1985 to December 1988 140 patients underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of the culprit-vessel for unstable angina. Seventeen patients (12%) needed emergency aorta coronary bypass surgery (ACVB) for failed angioplasty. In 15 cases the culprit-vessel was the LAD and in 2 cases a dominant right coronary artery. Only in 2 cases a history of myocardial infarction was present. Twelve patients were in hemodynamic stable condition after arriving in the operating-room. Five patients were hemodynamic unstable, 4 of them were in cardiogenic shock. Four patients died representing an operative mortality rate of 23%. Three patients died from pump failure despite intraaortic balloon counterpulsation in 2 cases. One patient died from cerebral damage 12 day after surgery. All patients who died were in cardiogenic shock preoperatively. Two patients who survived suffered an extensive myocardial infarction. Thus including the patients who died from pump failure the perioperative infarction rate was 30%. From these results it is concluded that emergency ACVB after failed PTCA of the culprit-vessel in patients with unstable angina results in a significant higher mortality and morbidity as compared with patients who had primary surgery for unstable angina. The prognosis of patients after failed PTCA for unstable angina depends on the hemodynamic situation thereafter and becomes worse in patients with cardiogenic shock.

[Long-term results following aorto-femoral Y bypass. Doppler ultrasound pressure measurement, real-time ultrasound, CT and i.v. DSA]. / Langzeitergebnisse nach aorto-femoralem Y-Bypass. Doppler-Ultraschall-Druckmessung, Real-time-Sonographie, CT und i.v. DSA.

Five to seven years after aortoiliac prosthetic reconstruction 29 patients were examined by sonography (Doppler and real-time), CT and intravenous DSA. Doppler-sonography showed findings due to occlusion, stenosis and severe arteriosclerotic changing. By DSA these changing could be shown and exactly localised. CT demonstrated marginal thrombosis of the bypass lumen, aneurysms and fine paravascular fibrosis. So Doppler-sonography and DSA both bring functional and morphological, real-time sonography and CT morphological informations. The methods are complementary.