Salvage Rate For Patients Research Articles

Peroneal artery-only runoff following endovascular revascularizations is effective for limb salvage in patients with tissue loss

Peroneal artery bypass is effective for limb salvage (LS), however, the efficacy of peroneal artery-only runoff (PAOR) following endovascular (EV) interventions is unknown. The goal of our article was to compare the efficacy of EV interventions with PAOR to those with other runoff vessels for LS in patients presenting with tissue loss. A retrospective review of 111 consecutive patients who underwent infrainguinal EV revascularizations for nonhealing ulcers/gangrene between June 2001 and December 2006 was performed. Patients with PAOR (n = 33) were compared with those with other vessel runoff (OTHER, n = 78). Fisher exact test and chi2 test were used for comparing variables, Kaplan-Meier analyses for patency, LS, and Cox regression multivariate analysis was used for identifying factors associated with limb loss. The patients in PAOR were older, but other morbidities were similar between groups. The most distal level of intervention was infrapopliteal (tibioperoneal or peroneal artery) in 42% in PAOR group whereas this was 24% in OTHER group (P = .071). Preoperative ankle-brachial index (ABI) was similar (0.49 +/- 0.23 vs 0.50 +/- 0.23), however, postprocedure ABI was significantly less for patients with PAOR (0.76 +/- 0.21 vs 0.92 +/- 0.13, P = .001). The primary patency, assisted primary patency, secondary patency and LS were not significantly different between groups. There was also no difference in time-to healing between groups (PAOR vs OTHER, 2.9 +/- 2.1 mo vs 3.7 +/- 3.6 mo, P = .319). We found the presence of gangrene (odds ratio [OR]: 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-10.8, P = .028) and dialysis-dependence (OR: 2.9, 95% CI, 1.0-8.2, P = .046) to be associated with limb loss, when adjusted for diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, location of wound, and PAOR. Endovascular revascularization with PAOR results in acceptable patency and limb salvage rates in patients presenting with tissue loss, and is equivalent to other vessel runoff for patency, limb salvage and wound healing rates.

High-dose rate brachytherapy (HDRB) for primary or recurrent cancer in the vagina

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of HDR brachytherapy for primary or recurrent vaginal cancer.MethodsBetween the years 2000 to 2006, 18 patients with primary or recurrent vaginal cancer were treated with brachytherapy (HDRB). Six patients had primary vaginal cancer (stage II to IVA) while 12 were treated for isolated vaginal recurrence (primary cervix = 4, vulva = 1 and endometrium = 7). Five patients had previous pelvic radiation therapy. All except one patient received external beam radiation therapy to a median dose of 45 Gy (range 31.2–55.8 Gy). The HDRB was intracavitary using a vaginal cylinder in 5 patients and interstitial using a modified Syed-Nesblett template in 13 patients. The dose of interstitial brachytherapy was 18.75 Gy in 5 fractions delivered twice daily. The median follow-up was 18 months (range 6–66 months).ResultsComplete response (CR) was achieved in all but one patient (94%). Of these 17 patients achieving a CR, 1 had local recurrence and 3 had systemic recurrence at a median time of 6 months (range 6–22 months). The 2-year actuarial local control and cause-specific survival for the entire group were 88% and 82.5%, respectively. In subset analysis, the crude local control was 100% for primary vaginal cancer, 100% for the group with recurrence without any prior radiation and 67% for group with recurrence and prior radiation therapy. Two patients had late grade 3 or higher morbidity (rectovaginal fistula in one patient and chronic vaginal ulcer resulting in bleeding in one patient). Both these patients had prior radiation therapy.ConclusionOur small series suggests that HDRB is efficacious for primary or recurrent vaginal cancer. Patients treated with primary disease and those with recurrent disease without prior irradiation have the greatest benefit from HDRB in this setting. The salvage rate for patients with prior radiation therapy is lower with a higher risk of significant complications. Additional patients and follow-up are ongoing to determine the long-term efficacy of this approach.

Limb Salvage Following Laser-Assisted Angioplasty for Critical Limb Ischemia:Results of the LACI Multicenter Trial

To evaluate the effectiveness of laser-assisted angioplasty for patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) who were poor candidates for surgical revascularization. A prospective registry at 14 sites in the US and Germany enrolled 145 patients with 155 critically ischemic limbs; the patients were poor candidates for bypass surgery owing to inadequate target vessel or saphenous vein, prohibitive cardiac disease, or significant comorbidities (ASA class 4). Additional comorbid risk factors included diabetes in 66%, hypertension in 83%, previous stroke in 21%, and myocardial infarction in 23%. Endovascular treatment included guidewire traversal and excimer laser angioplasty followed by balloon angioplasty with optional stenting. Occlusions were present in 92% of limbs. A mean of 2.7+/-1.4 lesions were treated per limb; the total median treatment length was 11 cm (mean 16.2, range 0.2-123). Stents were implanted in 45% of limbs. Procedural success, defined as <50% residual stenosis in all treated lesions, was seen in 86% of limbs. At 6-month follow-up, limb salvage was achieved in 110 (92%) of 119 surviving patients or 118 (93%) 127 limbs. Excimer laser-assisted angioplasty for CLI offers high technical success and limb salvage rates in patients unfit for traditional surgical revascularization.

Heparin-bonded expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular graft for femoropopliteal and femorocrural bypass grafting: 1-year results

Several prosthetic materials have been used for femoropopliteal bypass grafting in patients with peripheral vascular disease in whom a venous bypass is not possible. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) is the most commonly used, but patency results have not always equaled those achieved with vein, especially in below-knee reconstructions. This study assessed the performance of a new heparin-bonded ePTFE vascular graft that was designed to provide resistance to thrombosis and thereby decrease early graft failures and possibly prolong patency. From June 2002 to June 2003, 86 patients (62 men and 24 women; mean age, 70 years; 99 diseased limbs) were enrolled prospectively in a nonrandomized, multicenter study of the heparin-bonded ePTFE graft. Fifty-five above-knee and 44 below-knee (including 21 femorocrural) procedures were performed. Follow-up evaluations consisted of clinical examinations, ultrasonographic studies, and distal pulse assessments. Patency and limb salvage rates were assessed by using life-table analyses. All grafts were patent immediately after implantation. There were no graft infections or episodes of prolonged anastomotic bleeding. During the 1-year follow-up, 10 patients died, 15 grafts occluded, and 5 major amputations were performed. The overall primary and secondary 1-year patency rates were 82% and 97%, respectively. The limb salvage rate in patients with critical limb ischemia (n = 41) was 87%. Primary patency rates according to bypass type were 84%, 81%, and 74% for above-knee femoropopliteal, below-knee femoropopliteal, and femorocrural bypasses, respectively; the corresponding secondary patency rates were 96%, 100%, and 100%. In this study, the heparin-bonded ePTFE graft provided promising early patency and limb salvage results, with no device-related complications, in patients with occlusive vascular disease. Longer-term and randomized studies are warranted to determine whether this graft provides results superior to those achieved with other prostheses, especially in patients at increased risk of early graft failure, such as those undergoing below-knee bypass and those with poor run-off or advanced vascular disease.

Testicular torsion in the armed services: twelve year review of 179 cases.

All cases of testicular torsion occurring in the Armed Services between 1972 and 1983 have been reviewed. All cases were post-pubertal. The incidence in older age groups is higher than previously reported. No cases were seen in undescended testes. No seasonal variation in presentation was detected. Recurrent scrotal pain before acute presentation occurred in 29 per cent of cases. The testicular salvage rate was 75 per cent. The salvage rate in patients with pain for greater than 24 h was 46 per cent. Patients with a history of intermittent scrotal pain should be explored as a matter of urgency. Operation should still be considered in patients who have had pain for greater than 24 h.

A 10-Year Experience with Complementary Distal Arteriovenous Fistula and Deep Vein Interposition for Infrapopliteal Prosthetic Bypasses

Since up to 20% of patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization do not have an adequate venous conduit, some authors have explored the use of prosthetic grafts with adjunctive techniques for lower extremity revascularization. However, the long-term graft patency of those procedures has not been well documented. The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term patency of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) bypass with adjunctive arteriovenous fistula and venous interposition (AVF/VI) for infrapopliteal revascularization. Over a 10-year period, 246 lower extremity reconstructions were performed in 176 (71.5% men) patients with critical ischemia in whom a totally autogenous vein bypass was not feasible. Seventy-six limbs had undergone 1 or more failed ipsilateral infrainguinal bypasses. Indications for surgery were chronic critical limb-threatening ischemia (86%) (rest pain, ischemic ulcer, or gangrene) or acute ischemia (14%). Ages ranged from 46 to 91 years (mean 74 +/-0.6 [SD] years). Risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, end-stage renal disease, and use of tobacco were present in 49%, 49%, 52%, 8%, and 67% of the patients, respectively. During the follow-up, 112 cases (45%) required reinterventions. Twenty-seven patients (15%) required bypass revision twice. During the follow up, 56 limbs (23%) were amputated (above-the-knee amputation 25 (10%); below-the-knee amputation 31 (13%). To date, 150 (85%) patients of a total of 176 are deceased. The primary graft patency rates were as follows: at 1 year, 51%; at 2 years, 41%; 3 years, 35%; and 5 years, 24%. Limb salvage rates were as follows: 1 year, 79%; 2 years, 76%; 3 years 76%; and 5 years, 74%. Patient survival rates were as follows: 1 year, 69%; 2 years, 60%; 3 years, 54%; and 5 years, 40%. Amputation-free patient survival rates were as follows: 1 year, 66%; 2 years, 57%, 3 years, 51%, and 5 years, 30%. This technique appears to offer reasonable patency and limb salvage rates in patients in whom autogenous bypass grafts are not feasible.

Thrombectomy in HIV Related Peripheral Arterial Thrombosis: A Preliminary Report

ObjectivesTo evaluate the limb salvage rate in patients undergoing thrombectomy for HIV related peripheral arterial thrombosis. MethodsA prospective review of patients with HIV related peripheral arterial thrombosis managed at the Durban Metropolitan Vascular Service in Kwazulu-Natal South Africa over a 5-year (1998–2003) period. All patients underwent thrombectomy. ResultsTwenty-two patients (20 males) with HIV related peripheral arterial thrombosis (two upper limbs, 20 lower limbs) were included in the study. The median age was 36 years (24–46 years). All patients had rest pain and seven patients had gangrene (digital five, forefoot two). Seven patients had a short history of claudication before development of rest pain. Mean duration of symptoms was 30 days (1–120 days) with 10 patients presenting within 24h. Most patients had a good general state of health and only three had clinical evidence of HIV infection. Ten patients who presented with threatened limbs from acute arterial occlusion were subjected to thrombectomy without any diagnostic investigations. Twelve patients who did not present with critical limb ischaemia had duplex ultrasonography, which showed arterial occlusion by a thrombus with normal proximal arteries. The striking features were the normal proximal vessels and absence of distal run-off. The search for an underlying cause, echocardiography in seven patients and coagulation screening in 10 patients, was always negative.All patients were subjected to thrombectomy with an on-table angiogram and received systemic heparin intra-operatively and deltaparin post-operatively. In 20 patients, duplex ultrasonography confirmed re-thrombosis within 48h. Two patients remained with patent arteries. Most (16/20) patients who re-thrombosed required a major amputation and thrombectomy did not alter the level of amputation. The other four patients with re-thrombosis had symptomatic relief. Three patients died within 30 days of thrombectomy, all of HIV related complications. Overall the limb salvage rate was 6/22 (27%). ConclusionLimb salvage rate following thrombectomy in HIV related peripheral arterial thrombosis is very low. Duplex ultrasonography appears to be an adequate radiological diagnostic investigation for these patients.

Lower Extremity Bypass Procedures in Diabetic Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: Is It Worthwhile?

Backgroud/Aims: Limb-threatening ischemia in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) represents a challenging therapeutic problem. Furthermore, diabetes mellitus is frequently associated with ischemic gangrene, persistent infection and impaired wound healing. The present study was undertaken to examine graft patency, limb salvage and survival in patients with ESRD and diabetes following bypass grafting to treat lower limb critical ischemia. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 56 arterial reconstructions performed in 39 patients with diabetes mellitus and ESRD during a period of 8 years. The indications for bypass grafting were: ischemic rest pain (n = 13), non-healing ulcer (n = 18) or foot gangrene (n = 25). Risk factors in association with surgical morbidity and mortality, limb loss and graft patency were evaluated. Results: Thirty-four patients were on hemodialysis and 5 on peritoneal dialysis. Forty-nine infrainguinal reconstructions were performed; the site of distal anastomosis was the below knee popliteal artery (n = 22), the anterior tibial artery (n = 12), the posterior tibial artery (n = 8), and the peroneal artery (n = 7). Seven axillofemoral reconstructions were also performed; the site of distal anastomosis was the common femoral artery (n = 5) and the above knee popliteal artery (n = 2). The 30-day operative mortality rate was 18% (7 patients). The mean follow-up was 11.5 (range 1–93) months. Patient survival rate at 1 and 2 years was 63 and 45%, respectively. Primary patency rate was 64% at 1 year and 58% at 2 years. The limb salvage rate was 65% in the first year. Conclusion: Limb salvage rate in patients with ESRD and diabetes justifies an aggressive policy of revascularization, despite decreased survival of this population.

Patency and Limb Salvage after Distal Prosthetic Bypass Associated with Vein Cuff and Arteriovenous Fistula

Objective. To assess the usefulness of vein cuff with or without arteriovenous fistula interposition as adjuvant techniques for improving patency and limb salvage in patients undergoing femorodistal bypass surgery using prosthetic grafts.Method. We undertook a retrospective study of 65 consecutive patients treated over a 5-year period with 67 prosthetic femorodistal bypasses with vein cuff, in whom an arteriovenous fistula was constructed at the distal anastomosis in 35. Patients were followed for a median time period of 23 monthsResults. Primary patency rates were 68, 53 and 44% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. The corresponding figures for secondary patency, limb survival and patients' survival were 73, 64 and 58% for 1 year, 78, 76 and 73% for 2 years and 72, 66 and 63% for 3 years.None of the criteria analyzed influenced patency or limb salvage on prosthetic bypasses using adjuvant techniques. No statistical differences were found between patency and limb salvage rates in patients for whom the vein cuff was constructed with or without an arteriovenous fistula. But patients who managed with a supplementary arteriovenous fistula had significantly fewer distal residual arteries in the limb (p=0.001).Conclusion. Although results in patients treated with adjunctive techniques differed little from those in patients treated with direct prosthetic bypasses procedures, those who eventually had an adjunctive procedure had inferior runoff. This indicates that an arteriovenous fistula might be a valuable supplement in patients with poor runoff who have distal revascularisation using a prosthetic graft.

Number to Treat Analysis for Planned Neck Dissection after Organ Preservation Therapy with Advanced Neck Disease

To perform a number to treat analysis for planned neck dissection after organ preservation protocols (OPPs) in N2-3 neck disease for head and neck cancer. We performed a literature review from 1993 to the present and collected aggregate data to produce the following four variables: (1) percentage of N2-3 necks still harbouring cancer after radiotherapy in OPPs (C); (2) percentage of regional recurrence after planned neck dissection (P); (3) unsuccessful salvage rate in patients in whom a watch and wait strategy for neck disease was employed (S); and (4) the mortality rate of planned neck dissection (M). The number to treat can be estimated as 1/((C x S + C x M) - (P + M)) RESULTS: The number to treat in this analysis was 4.4. In organ preservation therapy with N2-3 disease, one needs to perform 4.4 neck dissections to prevent one fatal regional recurrence. Although this calculation does have some inherent biases and errors, it may form the basis for an informed discussion with patients faced with the option of planned neck dissection.

How to Perform a Below-Knee Amputation

Eventhough modern techniques have improved patient survival and limb salvage rates in patients with critical limb ischaemia and end-stage vascular disease, amputation is sometimes the only possible treatment. In younger patients with traumatic avulsion of a foot, infected gangrene of the foot or a peripheral tumour, amputation is out of discussion and commonly accepted. In older vascular patients, amputation should rather be considered as the starting point for revalidation and rehabilitation than as failure of a revascularization technique. The evolution in prostheses permits a rapid revalidation in most patients. However, an accurate amputation technique is still required to produce a good quality stump allowing early fitting of prosthetics.

Isolated limb perfusion for extremity soft-tissue sarcomas, in-transit metastases, and other unresectable tumors: credits, debits, and future perspectives.

Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) with melphalan is effective against melanoma in-transit metastases but has failed in the treatment of limb-threatening extremity sarcomas. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) has changed this situation completely. Now, ILP with TNF + melphalan is a very successful treatment to prevent amputation. In a multicenter European trial, ILP with TNF + melphalan resulted in a 76% response rate and a 71% limb salvage rate in patients with limb-threatening soft-tissue sarcomas, deemed unresectable by independent review committees, leading to approval of TNF in Europe. We have also reported on the success of this regimen against bulky melanomas, multifocal skin cancers, and drug-resistant bony sarcomas. High-dose TNF destructs tumor vasculature, and, most importantly, it enhances tumor-selective drug uptake (ie, melphalan and doxorubicin) by threefold to sixfold. Similar synergy is observed in well-vascularized liver metastases after isolated hepatic perfusion with TNF and melphalan. New (vasoactive) drugs and mechanisms of action and interaction with chemotherapy are in development. ILP is also a promising treatment modality for adenoviral vector-mediated gene therapy. Many clinical phase I/II evaluations in ILP are now underway.

Autogenous composite vein bypass graft for infrainguinal arterial reconstruction

Purpose: Lower extremity arterial reconstruction in the absence of adequate greater saphenous vein remains a challenging problem in contemporary vascular practice. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the long-term results of autogenous composite vein grafts used for infrainguinal arterial bypass grafting. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a prospective vascular registry and reviewed inpatient and office records. Results: From June 1983 to September 1999, 165 autogenous composite vein infrainguinal bypass grafts were performed in 154 patients (87 men, 67 women; mean age, 69 years). The mean follow-up was 25 months (range, 3-147). Patients had the usual risk factors, including a 30% incidence of prior coronary bypass grafting. Forty-eight percent of bypass grafts were performed after failed previous reconstructions, and 90% were performed for limb salvage. The conduits were comprised of 2 segments (75%), 3 segments (23%), and 4 segments (2%). The distal anastomosis was at the popliteal level in 17% and the tibial/pedal level in 83%. The 30-day operative mortality rate was 1.8%. Perioperative graft failure (< 30 days) occurred in 18 bypass grafts (11%), resulting in early amputation (< 30 days) in 1.2%. The overall 5-year cumulative patency rates were 44% ± 5% for primary patency, 63% ± 5% for primary-assisted patency (PAP), and 65% ± 5% for secondary patency (SP). A high revision rate for stenosis or thrombosis was required during follow-up to maintain patency of the grafts (27%). Limb salvage was 81% ± 5% at 5 years. Primary reconstructions with composite vein fared significantly better than secondary reconstructions (SP 76% vs 54% at 5 years, P <.01). Arm vein composites showed superior patency compared with greater saphenous vein composites (SP 79% vs 61% at 5 years, P <.05). Conclusions: Infrainguinal reconstruction with autogenous composite vein results in durable graft patency and limb salvage rates in patients with few alternatives for revascularization. Intensive graft surveillance with aggressive graft revision is necessary to achieve these results. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:259-65.)

Long‐term results of aggressive management of diabetic foot ulcers suggest significant cost effectiveness

This study was undertaken to examine the hypothesis that the initial high limb salvage rate in patients with diabetes who are treated aggressively with a multidisciplinary approach to management of severe, chronic lower extremity wounds is durable and cost effective. In 1991 a cohort of 41 patients with diabetes with severe, chronic foot wounds was selected by a neutral, blinded observer who had no knowledge of the outcomes from a group of 101 consecutive such patients who had been treated at our wound center from 1983 to 1990. All had limb-threatening lesions, scoring 3 to 4 on the Wagner scale, were treated for at least 7 days with adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen, and had photographic and medical documentation. Durability of wound repair was examined in 1991 and 1993. Initial limb salvage was 85%. Mean hospital charges were $31,264, including average hyperbaric charges of $15,000. At the initial review, 28 of the patients with previously salvaged limbs (80%) were contacted. Of the 28 patients, 27 remained intact (96%). The mean durability of repair was 2.6 years. At the second review, the mean duration of repair in surviving patients was 4.6 years with no further expenditures relative to the salvaged limb. In patients who died, average durability was 3.4 years, also without additional expenditure referable to the salvaged extremity. Most complex lower extremity lesions were healed by a comprehensive wound care program which included vascular surgery and hyperbaric oxygen. The results were durable, and the treatment was cost effective and humane compared with early amputation.

Tacrolimus. A review of its pharmacology, and therapeutic potential in hepatic and renal transplantation.

Tacrolimus (FK 506) is a macrolide immunosuppressant which possesses similar but more potent immunosuppressant properties compared with cyclosporin, inhibiting cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. Like cyclosporin, tacrolimus demonstrates considerable interindividual variation in its pharmacokinetic profile. This has caused difficulty in defining the optimum dosage regimen and has highlighted the usefulness of therapeutic drug monitoring. Most clinical studies with tacrolimus have neither been published in their entirety nor subjected to extensive peer review; there is also a paucity of published randomised investigations of tacrolimus versus cyclosporin, particularly in renal transplantation. Despite these drawbacks, tacrolimus has shown notable efficacy as a rescue or primary immunosuppressant therapy when combined with corticosteroids in adult and paediatric recipients following liver or kidney transplantation. Indeed, graft salvage rates in patients experiencing rejection or drug-related toxicity were > or = 50%, although data in renal transplantation are limited. Compared with cyclosporin as a primary immunosuppressant, tacrolimus showed comparable or greater patient/graft survival rates in liver allograft recipients (where cost savings associated with reduced hospitalisation costs were evident in one study), and comparable patient/graft survival in patients following kidney transplantation. Worthy of note was the efficacy of tacrolimus as a primary immunosuppressant in patients who received en bloc kidney allografts. The incidence of rejection was largely reduced following rescue therapy with tacrolimus and was generally lower (notably for refractory rejection) than that observed for cyclosporin, at least in liver allograft recipients. This was reflected in less need for adjunct immunotherapy including antilymphocyte preparations for the treatment of rejection episodes. The potential for reduction or withdrawal of corticosteroid therapy with tacrolimus appears to be a distinct advantage compared with cyclosporin, and this may be enhanced by the reduced incidence of infectious complications and of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia reported by some investigators. In other respects, however, the tolerability profile of tacrolimus appears to be broadly similar to that of cyclosporin. Against this background, preliminary data indicate that tacrolimus provides a valuable therapeutic alternative to retransplantation in patients experiencing liver or kidney graft rejection or drug-related toxicity. Pending confirmation of initial randomised studies and preliminary results from large randomised investigations, tacrolimus may well be considered as an alternative primary immunosuppressant to cyclosporin in hepatic (particularly) and renal transplantation. Furthermore, the steroid-sparing effects of tacrolimus, although of benefit to all patient groups, may prove to be of particular worth in children and in en bloc kidney recipients. In these patients tacrolimus may well emerge as the drug of choice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

RENAL GUNSHOT WOUNDS

Over the past 14 years, 2079 patients have been seen at our institution with renal trauma. Of these, 84 sustained gunshot wounds (81 unilateral, 3 bilateral; a total of 87 renal units). We evaluated this group to characterize the nature of their injuries and establish a methodology for renal salvage and reconstruction. Preoperative radiographic staging was performed with excretory urography (IVP) or computed tomographic (CT) scanning. The injuries were classified into five categories: 16 contusions (18.4%), 12 minor lacerations (13.8%), 44 major lacerations (50.5%), six vascular injuries (6.9%), and nine combination laceration and vascular injury (10.3%). Most patients had multiple organ injuries, with 79 requiring associated surgical procedures (94%). The mean injury Severity Score (ISS) was 26.7 (range, 4-59). Based on radiographic and clinical staging criteria, 69 renal injuries were surgically explored (79.3%), and 12 patients underwent nephrectomy (13.8%). Forty-six renal units were reconstructed (66.6%) by various methods, including renorrhaphy, omental pedical flaps, mesh or peritoneal patch grafts, partial nephrectomy, and vascular repair. Overall, 75 renal units were salvaged (86.2%). Early renal vascular control was achieved in all patients who underwent renal exploration. Follow-up functional studies were done in 24 (28.5%): none had delayed nephrectomy or postinjury hypertension. Overall, 79 patients survived (94%); however, mortality was not related to renal injury. These findings suggest that aggressive radiographic staging coupled with early vascular control and careful selection of reconstructive techniques can ensure a high renal salvage rate in patients with renal gunshot injuries.

Resuscitative thoracotomy performed in the operating room

The efficacy of resuscitative thoracotomy in the trauma patient has been questioned. Survival rates are variable, but a review of resuscitative thoracotomy in the emergency department of our institution documented an overall survival rate of only 1.8%. Higher survival rates may be anticipated in patients initially presenting with signs of life who can be transported directly to the operating room prior to the need for resuscitative thoracotomy. To test this hypothesis, the clinical course of all injured patients undergoing urgent or exigent thoracotomy in the operating room between July 1983 and June 1989 was reviewed. There were 34 patients undergoing exigent/resuscitative thoracotomy, 8 with penetrating injuries, 25 with blunt trauma to multiple systems, and 1 with isolated blunt chest trauma. Eight median sternotomies were performed and 26 left or bilateral thoracotomies. Twenty-six patients underwent concurrent exploratory celiotomy. The overall survival rate was 9% (3 of 34). The survival rate for patients with penetrating injuries was 37.5% (3 of 8) and 0% (0 of 26) for those with blunt trauma. Fifty-four patients underwent urgent/nonresuscitative thoracotomy with an overall survival rate of 74% (40 of 54). Combined group survival rates were 49% overall, 77% for patients with penetrating wounds, and 22% for patients with blunt trauma. These data underscore the futility of resuscitative thoracotomy in patients with blunt trauma who have deteriorated to the point of being in extremis. The relatively high salvage rates in patients with penetrating injuries support continued use of resuscitative thoracotomy when vital signs are lost, particularly if the injury is to the thorax. Variability in reported survival rates may be primarily due to the mix of patients with blunt trauma and penetrating injuries and disagreement as to what constitutes a resuscitative thoracotomy.

Unilateral aortofemoral bypass: A safe and effective option for the treatment of unilateral limb-threatening ischemia

To determine whether unilateral aortofemoral (AUF) bypass is a safe and effective option for the treatment of unilateral limb-threatening ischemia in patients with aortic or bilateral iliac occlusive disease, we reviewed the results of 42 AUF bypasses performed using polytetrafluoroethylene grafts in patients operated on for limb salvage; 11 (26%) of the patients also underwent femoropopliteal or femorodistal (FP/D) bypasses. The indications for surgery were tissue necrosis or ulceration in 18 (43%) patients and rest pain in 17 (40%) patients. The 5-year primary graft patency and limb salvage rates for AUF bypass were 74% and 84%, respectively. The perioperative mortality rate was 5%. There were no significant differences in the primary graft patency or limb salvage rates in patients who underwent AUF bypass with or without FP/D bypass. Only 3 of 41 (7%) AUF bypass patients required subsequent femorofemoral bypass. We conclude that: (1) AUF bypass is a safe and effective surgical option in patients with unilateral limb-threatening ischemia and aortic or bilateral iliac occlusive disease; (2) the routine performance of an aortobifemoral or axillobifemoral bypass in patients with unilateral limb-threatening ischemia may be unnecessary; and (3) AUF bypass facilitates the combined inflow and infrainguinal operations that are frequently required for limb salvage in these patients.

Evaluation of treatment and survival after positive second-look laparotomy

During the 9-year interval 1977 through 1985, of 250 patients undergoing second-look laparotomy, 116 (46%) were found to have clinically occult ovarian carcinoma. Salvage therapy consisted of external irradiation in 37, intraperitoneal 32P in 12, chemotherapy in 63, and no therapy in 3 or other therapy in 1. Eligible follow-up time ranged from 1 to 9 years. The Kaplan-Meier projected median time-to-progression and survival were 15 and 22.5 months, respectively, with 4-year progression-free and overall survival rates being 21 and 27%, respectively. Survival was independent of the original stage of disease but was significantly influenced by histologic grade and microscopic (55%) versus macroscopic (19%) residual tumor after the laparotomy. Projected 4-year salvage rates in patients with microscopic or residual disease ⩽5 mm was 72, 39, and 19% for intraperitoneal 32P, external irradiation ( 33 37 , whole abdominopelvic), and chemotherapy, respectively. However, multivariable analysis demonstrated that histologic grade and isotope therapy retained independent influence on survival, but no therapeutic advantage for external irradiation over chemotherapy was demonstrable. Furthermore, use of regimens that were identical to, partially altered from, or different from the first-trial agents did not affect chemotherapy salvage rates.

Treatment of local recurrence after primary restorative resection or Hartmann's operation for carcinoma of the colon and the rectum.

Between 1970 and 1985, 20 patients underwent laparotomy for local recurrence following a restorative resection or Hartmann's operation for carcinoma of the colon and rectum. Histological confirmation was made in 18 cases and in 2, recurrence not confirmed at surgery became apparent during subsequent follow-up. Of the 16 patients in whom the site of local recurrence could be defined, there was involvement of the previous anastomosis in 13. At laparotomy 7 patients had disseminated disease and in 5 patients without dissemination, local disease was unresectable. Ten recurrences were amenable to resection. Of these 8 patients had a curative operation with a median survival of 26 months and a 5-year actuarial survival rate of 50%. In 10 patients no resection was performed. Median survival in this group was 5 months but 1 patient is still alive at 10 years after radiotherapy. The results emphasise the importance of follow-up given the high salvage rate in patients in whom a curative resection was possible.