ABSTRACT
These keynote remarks were delivered by the Medical Society of New Jersey's immediate past-president at a health care system reform conference. The author reviews the state of health system reform confronting New Jersey physicians, and the need to work together for change.
Subject(s)
Health Care Reform/economics , Managed Care Programs/economics , State Health Plans/economics , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Humans , New Jersey , United StatesABSTRACT
The devastating consequences of reflux subsequent to transthoracic esophagogastrostomy are aspiration, regurgitation, bleeding, recurrent pneumonias, and recurrent strictures in the majority of patients. The misery of eight such patients was personally witnessed. None of them could sleep in their bed at night. Sixty-eight patients were protected from reflux by the intercostal pedicle esophagogastropexy in the last 26 years. They were followed for 1500 months with esophagram, endoscopy, motility, and pH studies. None had disabling reflux or its complications. Eight patients died. Two patients who survived 18 and 10 years have controllable dumping. The histology of the pedicle was preserved without causing any morbidity. A most gratifying group of five patients with benign disease were protected by the pedicle and survived so far from 2 to 23 years. The intercostal pedicle esophagogastropexy is the only antireflux procedure which has consistently prevented reflux through intrathoracic anastomosis over the past 26 years and 1500-month patient follow-up.
Subject(s)
Esophagectomy/adverse effects , Gastroesophageal Reflux/prevention & control , Gastrostomy/adverse effects , Palliative Care/methods , Surgical Flaps/methods , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Esophageal Neoplasms/surgery , Esophageal Stenosis/surgery , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Gastroesophageal Reflux/epidemiology , Gastroesophageal Reflux/etiology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Quality of Life , Suture Techniques , Time FactorsABSTRACT
A primary fistula between the abdominal aorta and the duodenum is rare and usually fatal. Computed tomography in a symptomatic but stable patient enabled preoperative evaluation and even diagnosis of abnormal communications, real or incipient, between the vascular and enteric system. This case demonstrated the effectiveness, ease, and low cost of documenting a primary aortoduodenal fistula. Surgical results were ultimately improved by initiating early intervention and aggressive management. Therapeutic principles included early intervention with aneurysmectomy, duodenorrhaphy, and extra-anatomic bypass. Anatomic graft placement may be acceptable in selected cases.
