Ibuprofen versus buffered phenylbutazone in the treatment of osteoarthritis: double-blind trial.

In a double-blind multiclinic trial, a new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent (ibuprofen) was compared with an established therapeutic agent (phenylbutazone-alka) for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Of the 159 patients from the 17 contributing clinics, 144 completed the four weeks of therapy. More than 60 per cent of them reported improvement in exercise-related pain by week 4, and there was no significant difference between treatment groups. The patients' and the physicians' evaluations of the total state of disease, as well as range-of-motion and functional tests, demonstrated similar degrees of improvement in both treatment groups. The incidence of side effects was within acceptable limits, and the frequency distribution was similar in both groups. Of the 70 reported side effects, 29 were considered by the investigator (blind trial) to be drug-related-11 in association with ibuprofen and 18 with phenylbutazone-alka. Hematologic and blood chemical studies, as well as urine and stool examinations, yielded normal results with the exception of a reduced mean value for serum uric acid and a slightly elevated mean value for SGPT in the phenylbutazone-alka group.

Metabolic intestinal surgery. Its complications and management.

From November 1970 to August 1974 small intestinal bypass was performed in 475 patients for morbid obesity with an operative mortality of 1.6%. Immediate postoperative complications were superficial wound infection (17 patients), pulmonary complications (seven patients), cardiac complications (five patients), wound dehiscence (nine patients), intestinal tract fistula (four patients), and miscellaneous complications (14 patients). Delayed complications included hypokalemia (28%), hypocalcemia (9%), anemia (11%), calcium oxalate urinary calculi (6%), gout (2%), and hepatic failure (1.4%). Fourteen patients died of late complications. Ventral incisional hernia occurred in 3% of the patients; failure to lose sufficient weight in 21%, all but one occurring in patients with end-to-side shunts. Thirteen end-to-side shunts have been converted to end-to-end shunts because of insufficient weight loss. A team concept is important in the handling of the morbidly obese. Small bowel bypass is effective in producing sustained weight reduction in these patients. Careful and continued study of these patients for the rest of their lives is of paramount importance.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy in crossed fused renal ectopia.

Operative laparoscopy offers the patient a minimally invasive alternative to open surgery. We have recently performed a laparoscopic nephrectomy of the upper moiety of a crossed fused renal ectopia. The procedure lasted approximately six hours, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 3. He was able to resume normal physical activity in one week. This case demonstrates the advantages of minimally invasive surgery.

Retroperitoneal and pelvic extraperitoneal laparoscopy: an international perspective.

OBJECTIVES: To assess technical preferences and current practice trends of retroperitoneal and pelvic extraperitoneal laparoscopy. METHODS: A questionnaire survey of 36 selected urologic laparoscopic centers worldwide was performed. RESULTS: Twenty-four centers (67%) responded. Overall, 3988 laparoscopic procedures were reported: transperitoneal approach (n = 2945) and retroperitoneal/extraperitoneal approach (n = 1043). Retroperitoneoscopic/extraperitoneoscopic procedures included adrenalectomy (n = 74), nephrectomy (n = 299), ureteral procedures (n = 166), pelvic lymph node dissection (n = 197), bladder neck suspension (n = 210), varix ligation (n = 91), and lumbar sympathectomy (n = 6). Mean number of total laparoscopic procedures performed in 1995 per center was 41 (range 5 to 86). Major complications occurred in 49 (4.7%) patients and included visceral complications in 26 (2.5%) patients and vascular complications in 23 (2.2%). Open conversion was performed in 69 (6.6%) patients, electively in 41 and emergently in 28 (visceral injuries, n = 16; vascular injuries, n = 1 2). Retroperitoneoscopy/extraperitoneoscopy is gaining in acceptance worldwide: in 1993, the mean estimated ratio of transperitoneal laparoscopic cases versus retroperitoneoscopic/ extraperitoneoscopic cases per center was 74:26; however, in 1996 the ratio was 49:51. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneoscopy and pelvic extraperitoneoscopy are important adjuncts to the laparoscopic armamentarium in urologic surgery. The overall major complication rate associated with retroperitoneoscopy/extraperitoneoscopy was 4.7%.

Comparison of motility stimulants for cryopreserved human semen.

Caffeine, pentoxifylline, 2-deoxyadenosine, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), relaxin, adenosine, kallikrein, and calcium were compared for their ability to stimulate motility of cryopreserved sperm. Caffeine, pentoxifylline, and 2-deoxyadenosine significantly increased the percentage of motile sperm at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after administration. Sperm velocity was significantly increased by caffeine at 0, 15, 30, and 45 minutes, and by pentoxifylline at 0, 45, and 60 minutes. Consistent stimulation was not observed for other chemicals. Caffeine, pentoxifylline, and 2-deoxyadenosine were then examined for their ability to provide motility stimulation after removal with washing. With the exception of caffeine, percent motility and velocity for stimulated and untreated sperm were similar after washing. A significant reduction in motility was observed at 48 hours after washing for caffeine. The percentage of hamster oocytes penetrated at 24 hours after washing was significantly reduced for caffeine, 2-deoxyadenosine, and pentoxifylline combined with 2-deoxyadenosine. Pentoxifylline-treated sperm showed no reduction in fertilizing capacity. These results indicate that, of the chemicals examined, pentoxifylline is superior for motility stimulation of cryopreserved sperm.

Laparoscopic urologic surgery. The financial realities.

Since 1990, laparoscopic surgery has gained an important role in the specialty of urology. This article provides a financial analysis of the three most common urolaparoscopic procedures compared with their open surgical counterpart. The intraoperative costs of laparoscopic surgery are more expensive, but the postoperative expenses are less compared with open surgery. The financial ramifications of a shorter period of convalescence following laparoscopic surgery must be considered.

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: initial case report for benign disease.

On February 12, 1992, a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy was performed on a woman with a lower-pole caliceal diverticulum containing a stone. By incorporating the laparoscopic argon beam coagulator and a tourniquet device, the procedure was completed in 6 hours and 10 minutes. The postoperative course and period of convalescence was markedly improved over that expected from open surgery. This laparoscopic intervention demonstrates the expanding horizons of minimally invasive surgery and the remarkable development of new laparoscopic devices.

Laparoscopic nephrectomy of a horseshoe kidney.

The role of laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of benign renal diseases continues to evolve with the development of equipment and refinement of techniques. A minimally invasive approach to the treatment of these lesions offers several advantages, including shorter convalescence. We describe the first laparoscopic nephrectomy involving a horseshoe kidney.

Carbon dioxide homeostasis during transperitoneal or extraperitoneal laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy: a real-time intraoperative comparison.

The primary goal of this study was to evaluate differences in carbon dioxide metabolism between patients undergoing transperitoneal or extraperitoneal laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection (L-PLND) for staging of adenocarcinoma of the prostate (CaP). Eighteen candidates undergoing L-PLND were divided between the transperitoneal (N = 12) and extraperitoneal (N = 6) approaches. End-tidal partial pressure of CO2 (PeCO2) and minute volume of expired CO2 (VCO2) were considered indicators of CO2 absorption. These two parameters were monitored intraoperatively utilizing a metabolic cart and Ohmeda Rascal-II. The cardiostimulatory effect of increasing serum CO2 and the ventilatory countermeasures used to correct the iatrogenic hypercapnia associated with CO2 insufflation were also measured. With the exception of the region of CO2 insufflation, the operative procedure and perioperative care were identical for the two groups. Preoperative patient characteristics were similar. The mean time of CO2 insufflation was 136 minutes for the transperitoneal group and 120 minutes for the extraperitoneal group. The absorption of CO2 was significantly greater and more rapid during extraperitoneal L-PLND. This may be attributable to more profound CO2 absorption from the parietal peritoneal surface compounded by subcutaneous CO2 emphysema. Disruption of microvascular and lymphatic channels during the development of the extraperitoneal working space facilitates direct CO2 absorption into the intravascular space. A minor increase in heart rate and systolic blood pressure was noted during CO2 insufflation. In all but one patient (extraperitoneal group), hypercarbia and acidemia were prevented by an increased ventilatory rate. The potential dysrhythmogenicity of hypercarbia may contraindicate the extraperitoneal approach in patients with cardiopulmonary disease.

Sequential mitogen stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from chickens inoculated with infectious bursal disease virus.

Chickens were inoculated wih the pathogenic Edgar strain of infectious bursal disease virus at 1 week, 2 weeks, or 1 day of age. In the 3 experiments, phytohemagglutinin stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes was significantly decreased on day 3 or 4 after inoculation. Subsequently, on days 7 through 21, stimulations were similar between lymphocytes from inoculated birds and those from control birds. Pokeweed mitogen stimulation was affected minimally in virus-inoculated chickens. In each experiment, on day 7, the spontaneous [3H]thymidine uptake was greater in nonstimulated lymphocyte cultures from inoculated chickens than in such cultures from control chickens. In an additional experiment, chickens 1 week of age were exposed to a pathogenic vaccinal virus given in their water. The vaccinal virus exposure resulted in significant decrease of phytohemagglutinin stimulation of lymphocytes on days 3 and 7 of the experiment. A significant decrease in pokeweed mitogen stimulation was observed on day 10 after inoculation.

Laparoscopic varix ligation.

Varicocele, dilated veins in the pampiniform plexus, is frequently a contributing factor in male infertility. We performed outpatient laparoscopic varix ligation in 14 patients (5 bilaterally) with clinically evident varices and persistent oligospermia and/or asthenospermia. The spermatic artery was identified and preserved in all but 1 varix ligation. Mean interval to resumption of preoperative activity levels was 3.4 days. On average, patients consumed 8.4 tablets of acetaminophen (325 mg.) with codeine (30 mg.) during the recovery period. The procedure is effective and decreases postoperative morbidity.

The therapy of genital trauma by dog bite.

Genital trauma by dog bite rarely is reported. We present 2 cases of dog bite to the external genitalia involving male infants. Rabies precautions, tetanus prophylaxis and antimicrobial therapy are reviewed. Both children required surgical debridement and split thickness skin grafts for repair. Since pediatric genital trauma may be the result of negligence or even deliberate abuse, a thorough investigation of the child's environment is mandatory in such situations.

Laparoscopically assisted penile revascularization for vasculogenic impotence.

Young patients with impotence and cavernous arterial insufficiency resulting from trauma-induced arterial occlusive disease are ideal candidates for microvascular arterial bypass surgery. To avoid the long abdominal incision required to harvest the inferior epigastric artery, a laparoscopic approach was used. We report a case of laparoscopically assisted penile revascularization for vasculogenic impotence.

Deoxycholate effects on plasma solute clearance by gut perfusion in dog.

In vivo luminal perfusion of in situ intestinal segments isolated from continuity with the alimentary tract has been used to treat uremia. One prior study showed that 2 mM deoxycholate markedly increased clearances of inorganic phosphorus, urate, urea, and creatinine. The other investigation failed to confirm the increased inorganic phosphorus or urate clearance. Because of the clinical potential of the findings, we systematically examined the effects of perfusing deoxycholate (2, 7, 15, and 30 mM) on clearance of plasma solutes by a 90-cm jejunal Thiry-Vella loop in the conscious dog. During control perfusion, clearance of all solutes was in a steady state in the final five of seven successive 30-min samples. During deoxycholate perfusion, all solutes except inorganic phosphorus and urate also attained a steady state of clearance in these final five samples. Inorganic phosphorus and urate clearances were elevated several orders of magnitude above control, but only during the first two 30-min collection periods. This increase was deoxycholate concentration-dependent and progressively declined during the subsequent five 30-min collection periods (P < 0.0001). Steady-state clearances of sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and creatinine were increased (P < 0.05) by 2 mM deoxycholate. Clearance of urea was decreased by deoxycholate. In summary, (a) deoxycholate increased clearances of most solutes, but steady-state increases were modest; (b) clearances tended to increase further with increasing deoxycholate; (c) the markedly increased clearances in a prior study were probably non-steady state; (d) urea clearance was decreased by deoxycholate. We conclude that detergents such as deoxycholate cause only modest increases in steady-state gastrointestinal clearance of plasma solutes.

Physical determinants of solute and water clearance by the perfused dog jejunum.

We systematically compared the individual effects of infusion rate, solution osmolality, and temperature on plasma solute secretion during luminal perfusion of an isolated 90-cm jejunal segment in the conscious and otherwise normal dog. The control state was perfusion at a rate of 3 ml/min of a 25 degrees C temperature solution containing (mM): NaCl, 40; NaHCO3, 10; and mannitol, 220 (320 mosm/kg). Increasing infusion rate from 3 to 9 ml/min increased secretion of Na-, K+, and urea (P < 0.05); further elevation of infusion rate to 18 ml/min increased only Cl- and urea secretion (P < 0.05). Thus, increasing infusion rate of the control solution had only a limited role in promoting solute secretion. In contrast, perfusion solutions elevated in osmolality to 600 and 1200 mosm/kg by mannitol progressively augmented the secretions of water, Na-, K+, Cl-, HCO3(-), Ca2+, and urea (P < 0.05). Perfusion of the 1200 mosm/kg solution produced solute secretions either equivalent to or greater than secretions obtained during 18-ml/min perfusion with the control solution, despite the fact that 1200 mosm/kg perfusion yielded about one-third the effluent volume. Warming of the control solution to progressively increase infusion temperatures from 29 to 41.9 degrees C increased (P < 0.05) water, Na+, K+, and Cl- secretion and HCO3 absorption linearly. Urea secretion increased (P < 0.05) above a temperature threshold of 38-38.9 degrees C. In conclusion, perfusion solution infusion rate, osmolality, and temperature are unique independent determinants of plasma solute secretion by jejunum. These data are the basis for optimizing the physical determinants of jejunal clearance for applying jejunal perfusion to treatment of renal failure.

Traumatic inferior vena caval obstruction.

A 57-year-old male sustained an injury to the supradiaphragmatic portion of the inferior vena cava, which presented as progressive lower extremity thrombophlebitis culminating in thrombosis of his inferior vena cava. The indications for operative intervention centered around impaired renal, hepatic, and intestinal circulation. Extracorporeal circulation permitted extraction of the clot and repair of the injury.