The entity of thermal-crush-avulsion hand injury (hot-press roller burns) treated with fast acting debriding enzymes (nexobrid): literature review and report of first case.

Hand burns are present in >60% of all burn cases and in fire mass casualty incidents even up to 100%. Most trauma and especially burns may be detrimental to the complex and delicate structures of the hand by direct injury, indirect BICS (Burn Induced Compartment Syndrome and interstitial high pressure) or by delayed or faulty treatment. BICS represents a special threat as the increasing swelling and oedema of the small diameter hand and forearm will exert pressure on the capillary/venous system, eventually ending in irreversible damage to the skin, nerves, muscle and vascular bed. Immediate release of constricting skin by incisional escharotomy and sometimes fasciotomy may arrest this vicious cycle: escharotomy is simple for experienced hand or burn surgeons, but they are not always present at the primary treatment site. The diagnosis of BICS is not simple either, as the direct measurement of interstitial/compartment pressure is rarely done. Burns caused by hot rollers such as industrial linen ironing machines are especially traumatic as besides the "simple" thermal burn, the hot rollers exert immense crushing pressure to the hand caught between the rollers. Over the last few years, several publications have described the role of a newly approved Bromelain derived enzymatic debriding agent (NexoBrid) for burns in general and hand burns in particular, and its ability to resolve or prevent BICS. We present a rare severe thermal/crush hand injury case where we were able to successfully treat the patient with NexoBrid enzymatic debridement-escharotomy.

Une atteinte des mains est observée dans plus de 60% des brûlures, et dans quasiment tous les cas de catastrophes. La plupart des traumaitismes, en particulier les brûlures, peuvent être délétères pour les structures complexes et délicates de la main. Ceci peut être dû à la brûlure elle même, à un syndrome compartimental (SC), à un traitement tardif ou mal conduit. Le SC est particulièrement dangereux dans les espaces ténus de l'avant bras et de la main. L'augmentation de pression consécutive à l'oedème obère la microcirculation, entraînant au bout du compte des lésions cutanées, nerveuses, vasculaires et musculaires irréversibles. La libération immédiate des tissus ainsi comprimés par incision de décharge cutanée voire aponévrotomie peut interrompre le cercle vicieux. Il s'agit d'un geste simple pour des chirurgiens spécialisés, malheureusement pas toujours disponibles sur le site du traitement initial. Le diagnostic de SC n'est pas toujours aisé si la mesure directe des pressions tissulaires n'est pas réalisée. Les brûlures dues à des rouleaux chauffés comme ceux des presses à repasser industrielles car, outre le dégagement de chaleur, les rouleaux exercent une pression intense sur la main coincée entre eux. Depuis quelques années, plusieurs articles on décrit le rôle d'un nouvel agent de débridement enzymatique à base de bromélaïne (Nexobrid) pour le traitement des brûlures dont celles des mains ainsi que ses capacité à prévenir et traiter les SC. Nous présentons ici un cas de main de presse avec utilisation, couronnée de succès, de Nexobrid.

Bromelain-based enzymatic debridement and minimal invasive modality (mim) care of deeply burned hands.

The objective was to critically review the data and assess the implications of NexoBrid [NexoBrid-NXB formerly Debrase Gel Dressing-DGD]a in the special field of deep hand burns. Detailed analysis of endpoints in the treatment of hand burn patients was conducted as part of a multi-center, open label, randomized, controlled two-arm study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NXB enzymatic debridement, comparing it to the current standard of care (SOC). These results were compared to a large cohort of patients treated with NXB in a previous, single arm study. Thirty-one burned hands were treated with NXB and 41 hand burns were in the SOC group. In the NXB group, 4 out of 31 hand burns (12.9%) required some excisional debridement compared to 29 out of the 41 (70.7%) in the SOC group (p<0.0001). Mean percentage of burn wound area excised in the NXB group was 4.4 ± 13.1% compared to 52.0 ± 41.4% in the SOC group (p<0.0001). None of the NXB-treated hands required escharotomy compared to 4 out of the 41 (9.7%) in the SOC group. NXB enzymatic debridement demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in burn wound excision and auto-grafting compared to SOC, and seems to prevent the need for emergency escharotomy. a DGD is produced by MediWound and distributed under the name NexoBrid®.

Le but était de réaliser une révision attentive des données et d'évaluer la place de Nexobrid (Nexobrid-NXB, précédemment Debrase Gel Dressing-DGD) dans l'indication particulière des brûlures profondes de la main. Une analyse détaillée des objectifs dans le traitement des brûlures de la main a été conduite en partie par une étude multicentrique, ouverte, randomisée, contrôlée avec 2 groupes pour évaluer la sécurité et l'efficacité de ce débridement enzymatique par rapport aux soins habituels (Standard of Care ou SOC). Ces résultats ont été comparés à une vaste cohorte de patients traités par NXB dans une étude précédente sur un seul groupe. 31 mains brûlées furent traitées par NXB et 41 dans le groupe SOC. Dans le groupe NXB, 4 sur 31 mains brûlées soit 12,9 % nécessitèrent une excision partielle, alors que 29 sur 41 dans le groupe SOC (70,7 %) (p < 0,0001). La moyenne des zones brûlées excisées dans le groupe NXB était de 4,4 (+ ou - 13,1 %) comparée aux 52,0 (+ ou - 41,4 % du groupe SOC) (p <0,0001). Aucune des mains traitées par NXB ont nécessité une excision totale, comparée à 4 sur 41 du groupe SOC (9,7 % du groupe). Le débridement enzymatique NXB montre une réduction statistiquement significative de l'indication d'excision avec autogreffe par rapport au groupe traité classiquement et semble prévenir la nécessité d'une escarrotomie en urgence.

A new bromelain-based enzyme for the release of Dupuytren's contracture: Dupuytren's enzymatic bromelain-based release.

OBJECTIVES: Injectable Bromelain Solution (IBS) is a modified investigational derivate of the medical grade bromelain-debriding pharmaceutical agent (NexoBrid) studied and approved for a rapid (four-hour single application), eschar-specific, deep burn debridement. We conducted an ex vivo study to determine the ability of IBS to dissolve-disrupt (enzymatic fasciotomy) Dupuytren's cords. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specially prepared medical grade IBS was injected into fresh Dupuytren's cords excised from patients undergoing surgical fasciectomy. These cords were tested by tension-loading them to failure with the Zwick 1445 (Zwick GmbH & Co. KG, Ulm, Germany) tension testing system. RESULTS: We completed a pilot concept-validation study that proved the efficacy of IBS to induce enzymatic fasciotomy in ten cords compared with control in ten cords. We then completed a dosing study with an additional 71 cords injected with IBS in descending doses from 150 mg/cc to 0.8 mg/cc. The dosing study demonstrated that the minimal effective dose of 0.5 cc of 6.25 mg/cc to 5 mg/cc could achieve cord rupture in more than 80% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results indicate that IBS may be effective in enzymatic fasciotomy in Dupuytren's contracture.Cite this article: Dr G. Rubin. A new bromelain-based enzyme for the release of Dupuytren's contracture: Dupuytren's enzymatic bromelain-based release. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:175-177. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.55.BJR-2016-0072.

Minimally invasive burn care: a review of seven clinical studies of rapid and selective debridement using a bromelain-based debriding enzyme (Nexobrid®).

Current surgical and non-surgical eschar removal-debridement techniques are invasive or ineffective. A bromelainbased rapid and selective enzymatic debriding agent was developed to overcome these disadvantages and compared with the standard of care (SOC). The safety and efficacy of a novel Debriding Gel Dressing (DGD) was determined in patients with deep partial and full thickness burns covering up to 67% total body surface area (TBSA). This review summarizes data from seven studies, four of which were randomized clinical trials that included a SOC or control vehicle. DGD eschar debridement efficacy was >90% in all studies, comparable to the SOC and significantly greater than the control vehicle. The total area excised was less in patients treated with DGD compared with the control vehicle (22.9% vs. 73.2%, P<0.001) or the surgical/non-surgical SOC (50.5%, P=0.006). The incidence of surgical debridement in patients treated with DGD was lower than the SOC (40/163 [24.5%] vs. 119/170 [70.0%], P0.001). Less autografting was used in all studies. Long-term scar quality and function were similar in DGD- and SOCtreated. DGD is a safe and effective method of burn debridement that offers an alternative to surgical and non-surgical SOC.

Les protocoles actuels de détersion d'une brûlure, chirurgicaux et non chirurgicaux, sont soit invasifs soit inefficaces. Un enzyme détersif rapide et spécifique, dérivé de la bromélaïne, a été développé dans le but de palier à ces 2 inconvénients. Il a été comparé aux techniques usuelles (TU). L'efficacité et l'innocuité d'un Gel Topique Détersif (GTD) ont été évaluées chez des patients souffrant de brûlures intermédiaires et profondes atteignant jusqu'à 67% de la Surface Corporelle Totale (SCT). Cette revue compile les données de 7 études cliniques, dont 4, randomisées, faisaient appel aux TU ou à un groupe contrôle. La détersion obtenue avec GTD était toujours > 90%, comparable aux TU et meilleure que dans le groupe contrôle. La surface relative excisée totale était moindre après GTD que chez les contrôles (22.9% VS 73.2%, p<0,001) ou les patients sous TU (50.5%, p=0,006). Le nombre de patients ayant eu besoin de chirurgie a été inférieur dans le groupe GTD que dans le groupe TU (40/163 [24.5%] VS 119/170 [70%], p<0,001). Le recours aux greffes était moins fréquent dans toutes les études. Les qualités cicatricielle et fonctionnelle à distance étaient comparables après TU et GTD. GTD est une technique de détersion efficace et sûre qui offre une alternative au TU, chirurgical ou non.

Time course studies on the effectiveness of tetrodotoxin in reducing consequences of spinal cord contusion.

Focal injection of the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX) into the injury site at either 5 or 15 min after a standardized thoracic contusion spinal cord injury (SCI) reduces white matter pathology and loss of axons in the first 24 hr after injury. Focal injection of TTX at 15 min after SCI also reduces chronic white matter loss and hindlimb functional deficits. We have now tested the hypothesis that the reduction in chronic deficits with TTX treatment is associated with long-term preservation of axons after SCI and compared both acute (24 hr) and chronic (6 weeks) effects of TTX administered at 15 min prior to and 5 min or 4 hr after SCI. Our results indicate a significant reduction of acute white matter pathology in rats treated with TTX at 15 min before and 5 min after injury but no effect when treatment was delayed until 4 hr after contusion. Compared with injury controls, groups treated with TTX at 5 min and 4 hr after injury did not show a significant deficit reduction, nor was there a significant sparing of white matter at 6 weeks compared with injury controls. In contrast, the group treated with TTX at 15 min before SCI demonstrated significantly reduced hindlimb functional deficits beginning at 1 week after injury and throughout the 6 weeks of the study. This was associated with a significantly higher axon density in the ventromedial white matter at 6 weeks. The results demonstrate that blockade of sodium channels preserves axons from loss after SCI and points to the importance of time of administration of such drugs for therapeutic effectiveness.

Modulation of JNK and p38 stress activated protein kinases in isolated islets of Langerhans: insulin as an autocrine survival signal.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of islet isolation and cytokine exposure on e-JUN NH2 terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 activation and whether insulin or the p38 inhibitor PD169316 could modify the response. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Islet transplantation exposes the cells of the graft to a variety of stressful stimuli that could promote beta-cell death and lead to graft failure. METHODS: Islets from canine (n = 12) and cadaveric human (n = 6) pancreata were isolated and purified. Islets were cultured in CMRL 1066 with and without 100 ng/ml insulin. The response to cytokine stimulation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha and IL-1 beta and the p38 inhibitor PD169316 was also observed. Islet lysates were analyzed by Western blotting for total and phosphorylated JNK and p38 content. Apoptosis was assessed by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and by a specific cell death enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). RESULTS: In unstimulated islets, JNK activity was highest immediately following isolation, declining over 3 days to a low baseline level. The activity of p38 was lowest immediately after isolation, increasing progressively with time. The addition of insulin resulted in a more rapid decline in JNK activity, as opposed to p38, which showed no decrease in phosphorylation in response to insulin. In the cytokine stimulation studies, IL-1 beta stimulated p38 activation in a dose dependent manner, while JNK was relatively unaffected. PD169316 (100 microg/ml) was able to inhibit p38 activation in response to the isolation procedure as well as cytokine stimulation. Apoptotic activity was highest 24 hours after isolation, and was significantly reduced when islets were maintained in insulin-supplemented medium. CONCLUSIONS: Inhibition of the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) pathways may be important for the maintenance of islet cell survival following islet isolation for transplantation. This study supports an autocrine role of insulin in this process.

Pancreatic cancer: a review of emerging therapies.

The incidence of adenocarcinoma of the pancreas has risen steadily over the past 4 decades. Since pancreatic cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage, and because of the lack of effective therapies, the prognosis of such patients is extremely poor. Despite advances in our understanding of the molecular biology of pancreatic cancer, the systemic treatment of this disease remains unsatisfactory. Conventional chemotherapy has not produced dramatic improvements in response rates or patient survival. New treatment strategies are clearly needed. This paper reviews emerging therapies for pancreatic carcinoma. A more profound understanding of the molecular biology of cell growth and proliferation, as well as of neoplastic cell transformation, has led to advances in several areas, including the use of somatostatin analogues and antiandrogens as adjuvant therapy; inhibition of tumour growth and metastasis by inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases and angiogenesis, and by small molecules such as retinoids, which interfere with progression through the cell cycle; immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies; disruption of intracellular signal transduction with farnesyltransferase inhibitors; and finally gene therapy with specifically designed vaccines.

Expression of Reg gene in the Syrian golden hamster pancreatic islet regeneration model.

We have reported previously that cellophane wrapping of the hamster pancreas is a stimulus that leads to the induction of duct epithelial cell proliferation, followed by endocrine cell differentiation and new islet formation. Reg is a candidate gene that has been reported to be expressed in regenerating pancreatic islets, suggesting a role in islet growth. We examined Reg gene expression in the cellophane-wrap model by isolating total RNA from hamster pancreata at various times after wrapping. Northern blot analysis using a rat cDNA Reg probe showed no expression of Reg in control non-wrapped hamster pancreas, whereas a strong signal was detected in control wrapped rat pancreas. Using reverse transcription of RNA followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) we amplified, isolated and sequenced a 194 base pair product which showed homology to rat Reg in both control and wrapped hamster pancreas. When the PCR product was used as a probe for Northern blot analysis, no signal was detected in control non-wrapped pancreata. In contrast, a strong signal was detected 1 and 2 days after wrapping, which then returned to basal between 4 and 6 days after wrapping. A similar temporal pattern was observed using in situ hybridization to localize the Reg gene. One- and 2-day wrapped but not control pancreas expressed Reg in acinar cells, but not in islets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coffee consumption and myocardial infarction in women.

Whether coffee consumption increases the risk of coronary heart disease has not yet been established. In a case-control study of nonfatal myocardial infarction among Massachusetts women aged 45-69 years in 1986-1990, 858 cases with first infarctions were compared with 858 community controls matched on age and town precinct. Detailed information on coffee drinking, cigarette smoking, and other factors was obtained by telephone interview. Relative risks (as estimated by odds ratios) and their 95% confidence intervals were computed from multiple logistic regression analyses that controlled for smoking and other risk factors. The risk of myocardial infarction increased with increasing number of cups per day among both drinkers of any type of coffee and drinkers of caffeine-containing coffee only: tests for trend, p = 0.002 and p = 0.0004, respectively. For consumption of caffeine-containing coffee alone, the relative risk estimates for 5-6 cups, 7-9 cups, and 10 or more cups per day relative to less than 1 cup per day were 1.4 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8-2.5), 2.1 (95% CI 0.9-4.9), and 2.5 (95% CI 1.0-6.5), respectively. No increase was observed for fewer than 5 cups per day. The positive association with heavy coffee drinking was present among nonsmokers as well as smokers. These findings and other recent studies suggest that heavy coffee consumption increases the risk of myocardial infarction.

Human cystathionine beta-synthase cDNA: sequence, alternative splicing and expression in cultured cells.

Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency is the major cause of homocystinuria in humans. The most frequent symptoms of homocystinuria include: dislocated optic lenses, vascular disorders, skeletal abnormalities and mental retardation. Patients with this deficiency have elevated levels of homocyst(e)ine, methionine and low cysteine in their body fluids. These abnormal levels often partially or fully normalize upon treatment with pharmacological doses of vitamin B6. To investigate the molecular and biochemical basis for these conditions, it was necessary to determine the nucleotide and polypeptide sequence of CBS. We report here the human CBS cDNA sequence of 2,554 nucleotides encoding the CBS subunit of 551 amino acids. An intron of 214 bp appears to be retained in the 3'-untranslated region of most of the fibroblast and liver mRNA. We also report a frequent Mspl polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated sequence and two synonymous mutations in the coding region: 699C/T (Y233Y) and 1080C/T (A360A). The amino acid sequence similarity of human and rat CBS is greater than 90%; the enzyme also exhibits 52% similarity to O-acetylserine(thiol)-lyase from bacteria and plants. Lastly, we demonstrate that expression of the human enzyme in CHO cells yields enzymatically active protein of the expected size with a half-life of approximately 14 hrs.

Jellyfish envenomation: a summer epidemic.

During the summer of 1987 the shores of Israel were infested by waves of jellyfish. Thirty patients, mainly children, suffering various degrees of painful injuries to different parts of their bodies were treated in our emergency ward. A typical case is reported and the appropriate treatment recommended.

Maternal vitamin A supplementation in relation to selected birth defects.

High doses of vitamin A cause birth defects in animals. Concern over vitamin A teratogenicity in humans has been prompted by reports of teratogenic effects of the vitamin A analogue, isotretinoin. The pattern of defects observed among isotretinoin- and vitamin A-exposed infants and animals suggests a possible mechanism involving cranial neural crest cell activity. Data from a case-control study were used to assess maternal use of vitamin A supplements alone and vitamin A-containing multivitamin supplements in relation to the occurrence of certain birth defects involving structures derived, at least in part, from cranial neural crest cells. Cases were 2,658 infants with such defects (primarily craniofacial and cardiac malformations). Controls were 2,609 infants with other malformations. Vitamin A supplementation was defined as daily use for at least 7 days of retinol alone or with vitamin D, or of fish oils. Information on vitamin A dose and nutrition was not available. The mothers of six controls used vitamin A supplements in each of the first three lunar months of pregnancy in comparison to the mothers of 15, 14, and 10 cases in lunar months 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Relative risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals were 2.5(1.0-6.2) for lunar month 1, 2.3(0.9-5.8) for lunar month 2, and 1.6(0.6-4.5) for lunar month 3. These findings should be considered tentative because no dose information was available, small numbers of cases and controls were exposed to vitamin A supplements, and relative risk estimates were not statistically significant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Coffee and tea consumption in relation to the risk of large bowel cancer: a review of epidemiologic studies.

Most of the few epidemiologic investigations of the relation of methylxanthine ingestion to risk of large bowel cancer have concerned coffee consumption. A slightly increased risk in coffee drinkers was suggested by one study, no association by another and an inverse association by four, but there was a statistically significant trend across levels of consumption in only one of the latter studies. Based on the data on hand, there is little reason for concern that coffee consumption increases the risk. Although some evidence suggests an inverse association, the data are not compelling and a biologic mechanism is not established. There is even less information on tea consumption and the relation of consumption of this beverage to risk of large bowel cancer is unknown.

The risks of cancers of the colon and rectum in relation to coffee consumption.

To assess whether recent coffee consumption is related to the incidence of large bowel cancer, the authors analyzed data from a multipurpose hospital-based case-control study of several cancers, conducted from 1978 to 1986 in Boston, Massachusetts, New York, New York, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland: 717 cases of colon cancer and 538 cases of rectal cancer were compared with 3,883 controls admitted for nonmalignant and malignant illnesses unrelated to coffee use. Relative risks were estimated by multiple logistic regression with allowance for age, sex, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and several other potential confounding factors. Overall, relative to the consumption of one cup of coffee per day, the estimated relative risk of colon cancer for consumption of up to four cups per day in the period before admission was close to 1.0; for consumption of five or more cups per day, it was 0.6 (95% confidence interval 0.4-0.8). The results were consistent in men and women, and similar results were obtained whether the measure of consumption was use in the year before admission or use three years before admission. For rectal cancer, some relative risk estimates were elevated, particularly in men, but there was no consistent pattern of association, nor was there a trend of increasing risk with increasing consumption. The data suggest that recent coffee consumption is not related to an increased risks of large bowel cancer and that heavy coffee consumption may reduce the risk of colon cancer. A biologic rationale for such a reduction has not been established.

Managing the group monopolist.

This article explores, both theoretically and clinically, the behavior of the habitual group monopolist, an individual who dominates a group in a nontherapeutic manner. It examines clinical data to illustrate various ways a client can monopolize a group and how other group members react to this behavior. The article concludes with some therapist and group interventions that have a significant effect in lessening a group member's monopolistic behavior.

Coffee drinking and nonfatal myocardial infarction in men under 55 years of age.

The relation of coffee consumption to the risk of nonfatal first myocardial infarction in men under 55 years of age was assessed in a hospital-based case-control study conducted from 1980 to 1983 in hospitals in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York: 1,873 men with first nonfatal myocardial infarctions were compared with 1,161 controls admitted for conditions unrelated to coffee ingestion. After allowance for major risk factors for myocardial infarction, the relative risk estimate for recent consumption of caffeine-containing coffee increased with increasing level of daily intake, from 1.4 for one to two cups per day to 1.6 for three to four cups, 1.8 for five to nine cups, and 2.9 for greater than or equal to 10 cups, relative to consumption of no coffee (p less than 0.001 for trend). The association was apparent in each age group and in both smokers and nonsmokers. For those who drank decaffeinated coffee only, on the basis of small numbers, there was a suggestion of an increased risk among men who had consumed at least five cups daily for less than five years but not among those who had drunk this amount for at least five years; whether the apparent association among the shorter-term drinkers was due to previous consumption of caffeine-containing coffee could not be determined. The findings suggest that caffeine-containing coffee increases the risk of myocardial infarction and that men who drink at least five cups daily may increase their risk by about twofold or more.

Maqua (therapeutic burn) as an indicator of underlying disease.

The origin and nature of the maqua (the Arabic therapeutic burn) is presented together with our clinical experience of patients previously treated by this traditional method. Maquas are small deep burns inflicted in areas either in proximity to a diseased organ or in points related traditionally to the original basic problem. These relationships may be rooted in historical ties between old Arab medicine and traditional Oriental, antique Egyptian, and Greco-Roman medicines. Maquas alone only rarely present a threat to the patient, but in many cases they may serve as an indicator of the original underlying disease. This and other folklore treatment modalities, together with the healers themselves, should be acknowledged by us, as markers for health problems or maybe for potential healing methods and doctor-patient relationships.

Epithelial ovarian cancer and coffee drinking.

A recent report from a case-control study in Greece suggested that coffee consumption is related to an increase in the risk of ovarian cancer. This hypothesis was examined in a hospital-based case-control study in the US. Information on coffee drinking and other factors was obtained from 290 incident cases of epithelial ovarian cancer and compared with that of 580 controls with non-malignant conditions of acute onset and 476 controls with cancer of other sites. Adjustment was made for the potential confounding effects of several factors, including the major known risk factors for ovarian cancer. The estimated relative risk for drinking five or more cups of coffee per day, relative to none, was 1.1 (95% confidence interval, 0.6-2.0) using the controls with non-malignant conditions and 1.0 (0.5-1.8) using the controls with cancer. The estimates for drinking less than five cups per day were greater than 1.0, but this could have been due to chance. The consumption of decaffeinated coffee and tea also appeared to have no influence on risk. The evidence from this study suggests that, if coffee drinking increases the risk of ovarian cancer, the effect is small.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: indications and results.

Patients requiring feeding gastrostomies are often poor risks for either laparotomy or general anesthesia. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy can be performed at the bedside by a surgeon-endoscopist and with minimal sedation. The authors performed this procedure on 45 patients ranging in age from 17 to 88 years. The procedure was indicated for neurologic disorders in 34 patients, head and neck tumours in 2, failure to thrive in 4, esophageal obstruction from lung cancer in 1 and tracheostomy for multisystem failure or trauma and sepsis in 4. In three cases the procedure could not be performed because the stomach could not be intubated. In 29 cases local anesthesia and sedation (diazepam and meperidine) were used, but in 16 cases general anesthesia with hyperventilation was preferred. The mean operative time was 32 minutes, decreasing with experience so that the current mean operative time for the last nine cases was 23 minutes. Feeding was begun on day 1 after operation in most patients and on day 2 in others. Complications included tube displacement in three patients, superficial infection at the site of the tube insertion in three (not requiring drainage or tube removal) and asymptomatic pneumoperitoneum in one patient. These complications all occurred early in the series. No patient suffered paralytic ileus, vomiting, aspiration or significant leaking around the tube. In the authors' opinion percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is the preferred method for placement of a feeding gastrostomy. It can be performed rapidly with minimal stress in high-risk patients.

Breast cancer and the consumption of coffee.

The hypothesis has been raised that coffee consumption may increase the incidence of breast cancer, based on the report that fibrocystic breast disease, a risk factor for breast cancer, regresses after abstention from coffee and other methylxanthines. The relation between recent coffee consumption and the risk of breast cancer was evaluated in a case-control study, based on interviews conducted 1975-1982 at several mainly eastern US teaching and community hospitals. The responses of 2,651 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer were compared with those of 1,501 controls with nonmalignant conditions and 385 controls with cancers at other sites. The relative risk estimates for levels of coffee drinking up to seven or more cups daily, relative to none, approximated 1.0 with narrow 95% confidence intervals. After allowance for confounding, the relative risk estimate for drinking at least five cups a day was 1.2 (95% confidence interval, 0.9-1.6) using the noncancer controls and 1.1 (0.7-1.6) using the cancer controls. Coffee consumption was not associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer among women with a history of fibrocystic breast disease, nor were tea or decaffeinated coffee associated with an increase in the risk of breast cancer. The results suggest that the recent consumption of coffee does not influence the incidence of breast cancer.