Pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy versus standard pancreatoduodenectomy for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and polyps in the duodenum.

BACKGROUND: Pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy (PPTD) was introduced as a replacement for pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). This study analysed the results of PPTD in the Netherlands and reviewed the relevant literature. METHODS: All 26 patients who underwent PPTD for FAP in four centres in the Netherlands between January 2000 and January 2007 were compared with a group of 77 patients who had PD for ampulla of Vater adenocarcinoma at one centre during the same interval. RESULTS: Morbidity rates were similar after PPTD for FAP (16 patients, 62 per cent) and PD for ampulla of Vater adenocarcinoma (44 patients, 57 per cent) (P = 0.694). One patient (4 per cent) died after PPTD and two (3 per cent) after PD. A review of the literature, including patients from the present study, found that 71 patients had PPTD, with postoperative morbidity in 36 (51 per cent) and one death (1 per cent). In publications containing a total of 94 patients who underwent PD for FAP, 43 (46 per cent) developed complications and three (3 per cent) died. CONCLUSION: PPTD has similar short-term results to PD in terms of morbidity and mortality.

Surgical intervention in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the various surgical strategies for treatment of (suspected) infected necrotizing pancreatitis (INP) and patient referrals for this condition in the Netherlands. METHODS: This retrospective study included all 106 consecutive patients who had surgical treatment for INP in the period 2000-2003 in one of eight Dutch university medical centres including three teaching hospitals. Surgical approaches included an open abdomen strategy, laparotomy with continuous postoperative lavage, minimally invasive procedures or laparotomy with primary abdominal closure. The National Hospital Registration System was searched to identify patients with acute pancreatitis who were admitted to the 90 Dutch hospitals that did not participate in the present study. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 34.0 per cent, 70 per cent (16 of 23) for the open abdomen strategy, 25 per cent (13 of 53) for continuous peritoneal lavage, 11 per cent (two of 18) for minimally invasive procedures and 42 per cent (five of 12) for primary abdominal closure (P < 0.001). During the study interval, 44 (12.2 per cent) of 362 patients with acute pancreatitis who were likely to require surgical intervention had been referred to university medical centres. CONCLUSION: Laparotomy with continuous postoperative lavage is the surgical strategy most often used in the Netherlands. The results of the open abdomen strategy are poor whereas a minimally invasive approach seems promising.

Prevalence and outcome of paediatric and adolescent limb fractures in rural Zambia.

Little is known about the prevalence and outcome of paediatric limb fractures in rural African children. The objective of our study was to assess the prevalence and outcome of paediatric and adolescent limb fractures in this population. We performed a retrospective population survey of 355 secondary school students with a mean age of 16.9 years in Katete, Zambia. Fracture type and cause were assessed using anamnestic data and physical examination. In the surveyed group 52 students (29 male, 23 female) sustained 56 fractures. We found a fracture prevalence rate of 15-19% in male and 11% in female students. The most common fracture was that of the wrist (39%). Forty-eight fractures (86%) were treated in a general hospital, and 4 (7%) in rural health centres. Only 4 students with a fracture (7%) did not receive medical treatment at all. Sport was the most common cause of fractures in the surveyed group (41%). Of all fractures, 25% led to significant impairment.

Grapefruit juice increases the bioavailability of artemether.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of artemether in plasma and saliva after a single oral dose and to detect concentration-dependent electrocardiographic changes (bradycardia and QTc prolongation). METHODS: Six healthy male subjects were given a standard breakfast followed by two tablets of 50-mg artemether administered with water; 1 week later, the tablets were administered with 350 ml double-strength fresh frozen grapefruit juice. For 8 h, 17 blood- and saliva samples were collected, and 17 electrocardiograms were recorded. Drug and metabolite concentrations were measured by means of high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using a one-compartment model. RESULTS: Grapefruit juice significantly (P = 0.001) increased the mean peak concentration (Cmax) of artemether more then twofold from 42 (SD 17) ng/ml to 107 (28) ng/ml. The time to reach Cmax (tmax) with grapefruit juice was 2.1 (0.6) h compared with 3.6 (17) h with water (P = 0.02). The area under the concentration time curve (AUC) almost doubled with grapefruit juice from 177 ng x h/ml to 336 ng x h/ml (P = 0.003). The elimination half-life remained unchanged (1.0 h vs 1.3 h). No major changes in the kinetics of the metabolite dihydroartemisinin were detected. Low artemether levels and zero dihydroartemisinin levels were found in saliva. No influences of artemether were observed on 17 electrocardiograms during the 8 h after drug intake in particular there were no signs of bradycardia or QTc prolongation. CONCLUSION: Grapefruit juice significantly increases the oral bioavailability of artemether without an effect on the elimination half-life. It suggests a role for intestinal CYP3A4 in the presystemic metabolism of artemether.