Amputation level following unsuccessful distal limb salvage operations.

Distal arterial grafting for limb salvage remains controversial. Among the criticisms is the potential adverse effect of failed distal bypass on subsequent amputation level. Measurement of popliteal pressure with Doppler ultrasound is useful in predicting healing at the below-knee (BK) level and, pressure of greater than or equal to 60 mm Hg was associated with 87% BK healing in 51 limbs undergoing amputation without prior distal bypass. This study examined the outcome in 40 limbs amputated after unsuccessful distal revascularization and compared the final amputation level with that predicted by popliteal pressure measurements obtained prior to bypass. Forty limbs underwent amputation after unsuccessful limb salvage following attempted femoropopliteal grafts (13), femorotibial grafts (10), a combination of both procedures (10) or tibial artery exploration alone (7). Of 33 limbs with initial pressure of greater than or equal to 60 mm Hg, eventual healing at the BK level was achieved in only 17 (52%). Four of seven limbs with initial pressures of less than 60 mm Hg healed at the BK level, and increased popliteal pressure prior to amputation was shown in three of these. Of the total 40 limbs, only 21 (53%) obtained final healing at the BK level. These results indicate that unsuccessful limb salvage attempts adversely affected ultimate amputation level in limbs initially considered to be candidates for BK amputation.

Aberrant right hepatic artery vena cava fistula: a case report.

An unusual case of visceral arterial venous fistula between an aberrant right hepatic artery and the inferior vena cava is presented. A critical review of the anatomic relationships in this location offers a plausible explanation to account for the rarity of this type of fistula. The second issue deals with the ligation of the hepatic artery. We caution against hepatic artery ligation, especially when dealing with an aberrant right hepatic artery.

Contralateral disease progression after carotid endarterectomy.

BACKGROUND: We report the natural history of the carotid artery contralateral to the ipsilateral endarterectomized carotid artery. METHODS: The incidence of new symptoms and disease progression of the patient contralateral side after unilateral carotid endarterectomy (CE) was studied by clinical follow-up and serial duplex scanning in 127 patients. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 44 months, new hemispheric events occurred in nine (7%) and significant progression was recorded in 27 (21%) patients. In 97 patients with initial stenosis of less than 50% (group I), contralateral progression to greater than 50% was noted in 22% and new symptoms (one transient ischemic attack and one cerebrovascular accident) in 2% of patients; three patients underwent CE. In 30 patients with initial stenosis between 50% and 99% (group II), new symptoms (all transient ischemic attacks) occurred in seven (23%) (group II vs group I; p < 0.003) and nine underwent CE (group II vs group I; p < 0.001). Progression in 26 patients with 50% to 79% stenosis within group II to greater than 80% was noted in 19% of patients (difference not significant compared with group I). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, new symptoms occurred in 7% and significant contralateral disease progression in 21% of patients; subsequent CE was performed in 9.4% of patients. Initial presence of greater than 50% contralateral stenosis is a predictor of future hemispheric symptoms, which are likely to be transient ischemic attacks. New symptoms did not necessarily correlate with disease progression. Because disease progression was observed in patients with varying degrees of initial contralateral stenosis, serial clinical and duplex scanning in all patients undergoing unilateral CE is recommended.

Motor speech malfunction following carotid endarterectomy.

Cranial nerve injury during carotid endarterectomy is a well-recognized complication of this procedure. The evaluation of the extent of the injury and the persistence of the malfunction is difficult to accomplish with conventional methods. A protocol designed to evaluate motor speech function was administered to 36 patients prior to carotid endarterectomy, 2 days after surgery, and 6 weeks postoperatively. The protocol included assessments of hypoglossal nerve function, superior-recurrent laryngeal function, glossopharyngeal nerve function, and integrated motor speech ability. Direct laryngoscopy also was performed at the same time intervals. The total number of operations was 40. Hypoglossal nerve palsy was present in eight (20%) and superior-recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was found in 11 (27.5%). Seven (17.5%) had malfunction of the vocal cords by the second postoperative day. Only seven (17.5%) of the above cases were detected by the spontaneous speech sample. The malfunction persisted by the sixth postoperative week in one patient (2.5%) with hypoglossal palsy and in two (5%) with superior-recurrent laryngeal palsy (one of them with ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis). We think that motor speech-related difficulties are far more common following carotid endarterectomy than is generally believed, and although these difficulties are, by far, temporary in course, they deserve attention, especially in cases of planned bilateral carotid endarterectomy.

Role of staging in bilateral carotid endarterectomy.

Staging of bilateral carotid endarterectomies 1 to 6 weeks apart has been recommended because of presumed excessive morbidity chiefly related to respiratory problems, hypertension, and neurological deficits. Since data regarding the timing of the second procedure are lacking, an analysis of 79 consecutive patients undergoing bilateral endarterectomies staged from 6 days to 34 months apart (median interval, 52 days) was performed. In addition to postoperative neurological deficits, however, transient perioperative mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP) were compared after each side and were correlated with the time interval between the two procedures. No significant difference existed between the two sides in terms of preoperative hypertension, administration of steroids prior to clamping, intraoperative clamp time, the use of shunts, and the duration of operation (P greater than 0.05). Seven temporary neurological deficits occurred after operation, six after the first and one after the second endarterectomy. One permanent deficit following operation on the second side led to the only death (0.6%) in this series. Both neurological deficits (one temporary and one permanent) following the second endarterectomy occurred after procedures staged more than 60 days apart. No differences in mean SBP and DBP existed between patients with and without neurological deficits. Statistical analysis of SBP and DBP recordings during and 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours after operation when the two were staged 7 days (nine patients), 8 to 14 days (five patients), 15 to 30 days (10 patients), 30 to 60 days (17 patients), and more than 60 days (38 patients) apart revealed significantly higher readings after the second procedure, only in patients staged greater than 60 days (P less than 0.05). Therefore, in our experience, neurological deficits were less common after the second endarterectomy, and, although postoperative blood pressures were higher after the second side, these were significant only in patients staged more than 60 days apart. We find no evidence to suggest that increasing the waiting period between bilateral procedures will lower the incidence of undesirable neurological sequelae.

Predictability of present outcome and future recurrence in acute pancreatitis.

Although acute pancreatitis is relatively common, factors useful in predicting immediate outcome or likelihood of recurrence have seldom been studied in greater detail. A ten-year experience with 389 patients hospitalized for 821 separate episodes of acute pancreatitis was reviewed. The overall mortality was 6.7%, being highest on the first admission and considerably greater for white males. Respiratory complications accounting for 27% of the fatalities were the most common causes of death. The incidence of considerable morbidity was 19.5%. Clinical diagnoses of "shock" and "respiratory distress" were associated with mortalities of 88% and 71%, respectively. The overall recurrence rate was 50.1%, with little variation regardless as to the number of previous bouts. Recurrence was more likely if the patient was black, male, older than 30 years of age, and had experienced a second episode of acute pancreatitis. Admission data aid considerably in identifying high-risk patients in whom major complications develop, who die during the present episode, or who have a future recurrent bout of acute pancreatitis.

Paget disease of the male breast.

Twenty-two fully documented cases of Paget disease of the male breast are reviewed, and an additional patient is reported. The most common initial symptom was ulceration and excoriation, while a breast mass was palpable in the majority of patients. Nipple changes were surprisingly rare, in contrast to the female. The prognosis of the disease in the male appears to be worse than in the female, with the Paget carcinoma carrying a worse prognosis than the "ordinary" male breast cancer. The subareolar location and the meager volume of tissue interposed between the tumor and chest wall may be an important factor in this regard. Nipple changes or symptoms (ulceration, discharge, enlargement) are mroe apt to be due to cancer in the male than in the female. Therefore, prompt diagnosis is mandatory.

Factors influencing intraoperative gastric regurgitation: a prospective random study of nasogastric tube drainage.

A prospective study was conducted to determine the incidence of "silent" gastric regurgitation and aspiration during general anesthesia in 146 patients randomized with respect to presence of a nasogastric tube. A bland dye was instilled in the stomach to serve as the determinant marker. The overall incidence of regugitation was 8.9% and of aspiration, 2.1% in spite of the uniform use of an endotracheal tube. The incidence of regurgitation was twice as high when anesthesia was given by an inexperienced anesthetist (11% vs 5.6%) and in patients without nasogastric tubes (12% vs 6%), although such differences were not statistically significant. The primary agent used, difficulty of endotracheal intubation, location of surgical incision, and duration of anesthesia did not alter the incidence of regurgitation or aspiration. No correlation was found between the detection of subclinical aspiration and the development of postoperative pulmonary complications.

Prediction of heparin requirements in acute thromboplastic venous disease.

It has been suggested that early heparin requirements are greater in patients with acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Heparin requirements were recorded for 73 patients with suspected DVT and PE. The maintenance dosage (days 1 through 4) of heparin sodium required to achieve therapeutic partial thromboplastin times (PTTs) was significantly higher in patients with DVT (n = 54; mean +/- SD dosage, 1,151 +/- 246 units/hr) compared with patients with no DVT (n = 19; mean +/- SD dosage, 952 +/- 190 units/hr). The first posttreatment PTT was significantly lower in patients with DVT (mean +/- SD PTT, 68.74 +/- 27.96 s) compared with control patients (mean +/- SD PTT, 89.41 +/- 23.25 s). This study supports the clinical impression that initial heparin requirements are greater and heparin clearance is more rapid in patients with acute DVT and PE.

Normothermic rapid volume replacement in traumatic hypovolemia. A prospective analysis using a new device.

Inadequate infusion flow rates and hypothermia are significant problems encountered in managing traumatic hemorrhagic shock. The Rapid Solution Administration Set (RSAS) allows normothermic volume restoration at flow rates of up to 2200 mL/min via a single peripheral venipuncture. The RSAS was utilized in 33 consecutive multiple-trauma patients with a mean trauma score (TS) of 6.8. Admission systolic blood pressure averaged 66.9 mm Hg. A mean of 5692 mL of packed red blood cells, 5515 mL of blood products, and 12,052 mL of crystalloid solution per patient was infused within 24 hours of admission mostly via the RSAS. Mortality was 45% at 24 hours following arrival and 61% overall. The mortality was 93.8% (15/16) in patients with a TS of 5 or less and 29.4% (5/17) in patients with a TS over 5. The initial postinfusion patient temperatures averaged 35.2 degrees C. All abnormal preinfusion coagulation values normalized within 24 hours in the survivors, and no significant complications occurred with the use of the RSAS. The RSAS seems to provide an uncomplicated means of normothermic volume replacement. The 24-hour survival in potentially salvageable patients may be improved. Its use in patients with lethal injuries (TS less than or equal to 3) requires further evaluation.

Hepatic abscesses: improvement in mortality with early diagnosis and treatment.

This study demonstrates that hepatic abscesses are highly lethal when untreated. There was an overall mortality of 29 per cent; however, if autopsy cases are excluded the mortality was only 13 per cent. Positive blood cultures (especially if multiple or anaerobic organisms), significant anemia, elevated bilirubin levels, multiple abscesses, and being Caucasian were identified as factors associated with increased mortality. Early diagnosis coupled with aggressive surgical and antibiotic therapy is needed.

Kinking of a Warren shunt as a cause of recurrent variceal hemorrhage.

Upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage after portal decompression requires appropriate endoscopic and radiologic evaluation for unrelated causes. Splenoportography may be more definitive than selective visceral angiography and in the present case showed a patent but kinked venovenous anastomosis with a high splenic pulp pressure. A mesocaval interposition shunt controlled the hemorrhage. Various technical factors responsible for anastomotic narrowing and kinking of the Warren shunt are briefly mentioned.

Aortofemoral bypass for severe limb ischemia. Long-term survival and limb salvage.

Long-term survival, graft patency and limb salvage in 74 patients with 96 severely ischemic limbs after aortofemoral bypass grafting is presented. Results in 73 limbs reconstructed for rest pain and 23 limbs reconstructed for ulceration or gangrene were compared by life table analysis, with follow-up of up to 98 months. The operative mortality was 4 percent. Overall 5 and 8 year survival was 74.8 and 52.3 percent, respectively. Overall graft patency at 5 years was 80.8 percent (rest pain 74.4 percent versus ulceration or gangrene 100 percent). Overall limb salvage was 76.7 percent at 5 years (rest pain 83 percent versus ulceration or gangrene 55 percent) (p < 0.001) and 68 percent at 8 years. Distal reconstructions were necessary in 19 limbs (21 percent); limbs with ulceration or gangrene required further attempts at salvage more often (34 percent versus 16 percent for rest pain) (p < 0.01). Aortofemoral bypass for impending limb loss yields satisfactory long-term results, and the extent of tissue loss preoperatively is an important prognostic factor. Prognosis for survival and limb salvage is worse and the need for additional distal reconstruction greater in patients with ischemic ulcer or gangrene.

Surgical and nonsurgical treatment of total carotid artery occlusion.

The natural history of totally occluded internal and common carotid arteries was studied in 102 patients (109 arteries) with a 97 percent follow-up (mean 39.7 months.) Symptomatic occlusions occurred in 72.6 percent of the patients, the reconstructed group (46 patients) having a greater number of symptomatic vessels than the nonreconstructed group (63 patients) (p less than 0.05). Contralateral disease was encountered in 46 percent. Initial mortality was 5 percent. Twenty patients (19.6 percent) were dead at the time of follow-up. Half of these deaths were from strokes and three fourths from atherosclerotic causes. Persisting neurologic symptoms were present in 14 percent of the patients and new events occurred in 5 percent. Fifteen percent of initially asymptomatic vessels were symptomatic at last follow-up. Twenty-one percent of the symptomatic occluded vessels were symptomatic on follow-up, 16 percent being in the reconstructed group and 26 percent in the nonreconstructed group.

An assessment of carotid phonoangiography and oculoplethysmography in the detection of carotid artery stenosis.

Carotid phonoangiography (CPA) and oculophlethysmography (OPG) examinations for the detection of extracranial carotid occlusive disease were performed in 308 patients, 103 of whom underwent arch angiography. When correlated with angiographic findings, the overall accuracy of CPA/OPG was 86 per cent. There were 4 per cent false-positive 9.6 per cent false-negative results, and these were further analyzed. Significant carotid bruits demonstrated by CPA strongly suggested the presence of appreciable carotid stenosis. Noninvasive CPA/OPG is an excellent diagnostic tool in patients with non-hemispheric symptoms, in those with asymptomatic bruits, as a screening procedure in potential stroke victims, and for follow-up after cartotid endarterectomy. Caution is advised in relying on this and other noninvasive technics as the sole method for recommending angiography and operative treatment in symptomatic patients.

Detection of deep venous thrombosis by impedance plethysmography.

Ninety-eight limbs in sixty-seven patients supected of having lower extremity deep venous thrombosis were evaluated by physical examination, venous impedance plethysmography (IPG), and venography. Diagnosis based on physical signs commonly associated with deep venous thrombosis was false-positive in 43 to 66 per cent and false-negative in 26 to 73 per cent when compared with evidence obtained by venography. The overall accuracy of IPG was 94 per cent, with false-positive results occurring in 10 per cent and false-negative results in 4 per cent. IPG is sufficiently accurate to be considered a reliable screening test for lower extremity deep venous thrombosis.

Prospective randomized study of concomitant lumbar sympathectomy with aortoiliac reconstruction.

Ninety-three consecutive patients for aortofemoral bypass grafting were studied to determine the effect of sympathectomy on early and late patency, the need for subsequent distal procedures, amputation rate, and ankle-brachial Doppler systolic pressure indexes. Sixty-seven patients completed the study. Fifty-three limbs were randomized to receive sympathectomy and 81 no sympathectomy. The mean length of follow-up postoperatively was 11 +/- 2.53 months (maximum 24). Five grafts occluded, two early and three late. Both early occlusions occurred in the nonsympathectomy group and all three late occlusions ensued in the sympathectomy group. Subsequent distal procedures were necessary early (within 30 days) in five limbs, all in the nonsympathectomy group. Nine limbs required distal procedures late, four (5 percent) in the nonsympathectomy group and five (9.5 percent) in the sympathectomy group (p greater than 0.05). Altogether, distal bypass was required in 11 percent of the patients in the nonsympathectomy group versus 9.4 percent in the sympathectomy group (p greater than 0.05). Five limbs were amputated 4 to 14 months after aortofemoral bypass, four (5 percent) in the nonsympathectomy and one (2 percent) in the sympathectomy group (p greater than 0.05). The ankle-brachial pressure index increased significantly after aortofemoral bypass in both groups (p less than 0.05). The mean increase after aortofemoral bypass was more marked in the sympathectomy group (p greater than 0.05). Thus, at a mean follow-up time of 11 months after aortofemoral bypass, there was no significant difference in graft patency, need for subsequent distal bypass, or amputation rate between the sympathectomy and nonsympathectomy groups.

Deep vein thrombosis following aortic surgery: prospective evaluation of I125 fibrinogen and impedance plethysmography.

A prospective comparison of I125 Fibrinogen uptake testing (FUT) and Impedance Plethysmography (IPG) was made in 22 patients (44 limbs) following aortic reconstructive surgery to determine the incidence of postoperative deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Normal FUT was obtained in 34 limbs, whereas ten limbs had abnormal uptake over the calf area consistent with venous thrombosis. Nine of the ten limbs with a positive scan underwent phlebography. All venograms and IPG readings obtained were normal. No evidence of DVT following aortic surgery was noted in this study. A high incidence of false positive FUT was evident. IPG is noninvasive, reliable and relatively inexpensive and is therefore recommended if prospective evaluation for DVT in patients undergoing aortic surgery is desired.

Preoperative aortography before abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy?

A review of 100 consecutive patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysmectomy was made to assess the value and necessity of preoperative aortography. Comparison of arteriography with physical examination, plain roentgenograms and ultrasonography suggests that angiography is required only for evaluation of specific problems. Indications for the selective use of preoperative aortography are proposed.

Hypertension following carotid endarterectomy.

Seventy-nine patients undergoing staged bilateral carotid endarterectomy were studied to determine the relationship of perioperative hypertension to postoperative neurologic deficits. Six of the eight neurologic deficits following 158 endarterectomies (5%) occurred after the first operation, all being temporary. Comparison of the mean blood pressures in patients with and without postoperative strokes revealed no statistically significant differences. Patients on antihypertensive medications were at a significantly higher risk of developing postoperative strokes. A trend towards higher blood pressure was noted following the second endarterectomy, particularly when they were staged more than 60 days apart. Based on our findings, a cautious approach is warranted in the treatment of postendarterectomy hypertension.