Does pre-scan oxygen improve ultrasonic imaging of the pancreas?

Ultrasonic imaging of the pancreas is often impaired by overlying bowel gas. Oxygen therapy has, in the past, been shown to be effective in reducing the gas in the cysts of pneumatosis coli. Using the same hypothesis, a randomized, single blind study comparing ultrasonic imaging of the pancreas with and without prior oxygen therapy was carried out. Fifty-eight consecutive patients with acute abdominal complaints were randomized to two groups: Group 1, control - no oxygen (n = 30, 14 male, 16 female, mean age 61.9 +/- 17.8 years); Group 2, treatment (n = 28, 14 male, 14 female, mean age 61.4 +/- 14.5 years) received oxygen therapy (100% humidified at 101/min for 8-10 h prior to the ultrasound). Pancreatic visualization was graded good, moderate or poor. Mean paO2 in Group 1 was 10.9 +/- 1kP and in Group 2 was 36 +/- 10.5kP (P < 0.001 unpaired t-test). Pancreatic visualization was: GOOD-Group 1, 8; Group 2, 19; MODERATE - Group 1, 8; Group 2, 4; POOR - Group 1, 14; Group 2, 5. Oxygen therapy is a safe, cheap, non-invasive method of improving pancreatic visualization and may act by reducing overlying bowel gas.

Acute urinary retention: which catheter?

There is no scientific data on which is the best method and catheter to use in acute urinary retention in males. We therefore compared the efficiency of a size 12 G latex rubber balloon catheter with a similar calibre but more expensive catheter made of polyvinyl-chloride (PVC). A total of 50 patients was studied and a 100% successful catheterisation rate was recorded at first attempt with both catheters, with no significant complications. The importance of the correct management of acute urinary retention, especially adequate analgesia, is stressed and it is concluded that either catheter is satisfactory.

Early experience of intraoperative autotransfusion.

Intraoperative autotransfusion of whole blood was performed using the Solcotrans device in 45 patients undergoing major vascular surgery or other procedures in which there was a clean operative field. Overall, 60% of the blood shed during these operations was reinfused. Approximately 50% of patients avoided the potential complications of homologous transfusion. There were no complications attributable to the use of this device although in a sample of 13 patients, 30% of the erythrocytes were haemolysed and there were other minor haematological abnormalities. In conclusion this device provides a simple method of autotransfusing 2 or 3 litres of blood aspirated from an uncontaminated operative field.

High prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm in men with peripheral vascular disease: screening by ultrasonography.

A study was carried out to see if an ultrasonic examination of the abdominal aorta was indicated in every patient who attended an outpatient clinic with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). One hundred consecutive patients were studied and compared with a control group. The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the control group was 2 per cent. In the study group, the male patients had an incidence of 20 per cent of aneurysm and ectasia, while the female patients had an incidence of 12 per cent. Of all the abnormal aortas found by ultrasound, only 31 per cent were palpable clinically. Two aneurysms that required operation were found, while the remainder are to be followed by regular ultrasound assessment. Further studies are necessary to conclude if screening of a high risk group, such as patients with PVD, is worthwhile.

A randomised comparison of polydioxanone (PDS) and polypropylene (Prolene) for abdominal wound closure.

Two hundred and eighty four patients undergoing laparotomy by vertical incision were randomly allocated to closure with interrupted mass sutures of No. 1 polydioxanone (PDS) or No. 1 polypropylene (Prolene). Dehiscence occurred in 0.7% of the PDS group but in 6.4% of the Prolene group (P = 0.018). Wound infection occurred in 8.6% of the PDS group and 15.4% of the Prolene group (P = 0.1). One hundred and ninety patients attended for review at a minimum of one year. Incisional herniation, usually asymptomatic, was present in 11% of each group. Knots were palpable in 2% of the PDS patients but in 12% of the Prolene: wound pain occurred in 12% of the PDS group but in 23% of the Prolene group (P = 0.06). These results suggest that PDS may be useful for abdominal closure.

Perineal rectopexy for rectal prolapse.

Twenty-two female patients (mean age 75 years) with complete rectal prolapse have been treated by operative fixation of the rectum to the sacrum using a perineal approach. There has been no operative mortality, sepsis or serious morbidity. Recurrence of complete prolapse has been seen once only within a month of operation and was due to inadequate operative fixation. The other 21 patients have been followed for up to 4 years. This type of operation may be the treatment of choice in the elderly patient considered unfit for major abdominal surgery but further experience is required before it can be advocated in other groups of patients.

Abdominal wound closure: a trial of Prolene and Dexon.

The incidence of wound infection, burst abdomen and incisional herniation after a vertical abdominal incision was studied in a prospective trial comparing polypropylene (Prolene) with polyglycolic acid (Dexon). Wounds were closed by interrupted mass suture with an optional reinforcing continuous closure of the anterior rectus sheath. A total of 347 patients was studied, randomly allocated to suture with either Prolene or Dexon. The two groups were well matched for known risk factors. Dehiscence occurred in 0.6 per cent of patients overall and at 6 months 5.7 per cent of cases had an incisional hernia, although many of these were asymptomatic. There was no difference in the rate of infection, disruption or herniation between the two suture materials.

The plain abdominal radiograph in pneumatosis coli.

The clinical features and plain film findings in 14 patients with pneumatosis coli are described. Nine had oxygen treatment. The plain radiographic appearances are analysed and their value in diagnosis is presented. It is concluded that the plain abdominal radiograph is a simple and effective way of monitoring the progress of patients undergoing oxygen therapy.

Presentation and management of aneurysms.

The aetiology and pathology of aneurysms, their sites of occurrence, and their general management are outlined. Since the abdominal aortic aneurysm is the type most commonly encountered by the surgeon its presentation, assessment, and operative and postoperative management are discussed in detail.

Prolonged symptomatic and radiological remission of colonic gas cysts after oxygen therapy.

Colonic gas cysts invariably shrink and disappear and symptoms associated with them resolve if an adequate concentration of oxygen is inhaled over a sufficient period of time. Careful monitoring of inhaled oxygen levels and arterial oxygen tension is necessary to ensure effective therapy. Plain X-ray of the abdomen is the best method of assessing the size and response of the cysts to treatment and for following the patients subsequently. Six consecutive patients managed in this way are discussed and their subsequent progress is documented.