[Interdisciplinary position paper "Perioperative pain management"]. / Interdisziplinäres Positionspapier "Perioperatives Schmerzmanagement".

Despite many positive developments, postoperative pain and its treatment is still not always given the necessary attention. Severe pain after surgical procedures affects a significant proportion of patients. This very fact is not only detrimental to the immediate recovery process, but can also form the basis for the development of chronic pain conditions.An adequate and effective management of perioperative pain requires appropriate organizational structures. This multidisciplinary paper which was initiated by the Austrian Society for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care and the Austrian Pain Society and developed together with numerous specialist and professional societies dealing with the subject aims at supporting the organization of perioperative pain management structures and to make best use of proven concepts. Additional recommendations describe specific interventions for selected types of intervention.

Octreotide combined with goserelin in the therapy of advanced pancreatic cancer--results of a pilot study and review of the literature.

The two hormone analogues octreotide and goserelin have been shown to decelerate growth of human pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of these two agents in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Octreotide was injected subcutaneously in dosages increasing weekly, starting with 50 micrograms twice daily, until the level of maintenance therapy of 500 micrograms three times a day was reached. In addition, 3.8 mg goserelin acetate was administered subcutaneously at monthly intervals. A median of 7 cycles (range 1-27 cycles) were applied; 13 out of 14 patients entered into the study were evaluable for response and all 14 were evaluated for toxicity. In one patient with initially non-resectable pancreatic cancer, systemic therapy yielded a partial remission lasting 9 months. The degree of tumour regression then allowed a consecutive macroscopic radical tumour resection followed by an additional 6 months of no evidence of disease while the same drug combination was continued. In an additional 9 patients, no change of disease was observed, in some cases for a remarkably long time (up to 27 months). Nevertheless, the objective response rate of 7% (95% confidence interval 0 +/- 21%) was low. In 5 patients a clear improvement in their performance status was seen soon after the start of therapy; 3 patients showed progression of the disease at first evaluation or earlier and 1 patient was not evaluable at the time of study assessment. According to the product-limit method of Kaplan and Meier, the time to progression was 3.0 +/- 1.8 months [median +/- asymptotic standard error (ASE)] and overall survival was 6.0 +/- 1.5 months (median +/- ASE). Toxicity was rare and only of mild to moderate degree. Overall, the regimen under investigation did not meet the criteria for sufficient antitumoural effectiveness. Nevertheless, this study reinforces the concept that pancreatic cancer is principally responsive to endocrine therapy and therefore the further investigation of hormonal manipulation seems worth while in the future.

[MR-Cholangiopancreatography as a single-shot projection: techniques and results of 200 examinations]. / MR-Cholangiopankreatikographie als Einzelschussprojektion: Erfahrungen und Ergebnisse bei 200 Untersuchungen.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of utility and value of a selective projection technique for bile and pancreatic ducts in MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 200 patient examinations of the pancreaticobiliary duct system using a turbo-SE pulse sequence in "single-shot" technique were evaluated in retrospect concerning anatomic display and diagnostic accuracy compared to surgery, ERCP, i.v. cholangiography, ultrasound and clinical course. RESULTS: Non-dilated ducts allowed visualisation of gallbladders in 78%, common bile ducts in 97%, cystic ducts in 80%, intrahepatic main ducts in 71% and pancreatic main ducts in 69%. When dilatation was present, all common bile, intrahepatic main and pancreatic ducts were visible. Display of cystic ducts and gallbladders with a detection rate of 69 and 85%, respectively, did not improve. Sensitivities for diagnosing papillary stenoses (n = 6), pancreatic ductal stenoses and dilatation (n = 13), compressions and dilatations of the biliary tree (n = 33) as well as for one choledochal cyst were 100%. Choledocholithiasis could correctly be predicted in 11/15 cases (73%), cholecystolithiasis in 71/120 cases (59%). CONCLUSION: "Single-shot" MR-cholangiopancreatography is a fast and non-invasive modality which can replace i.v. cholangiography and restrict the indication for ERCP to therapeutic indications and problem cases.

Cholangiography before biliary surgery: single-shot MR cholangiography versus intravenous cholangiography.

PURPOSE: To compare depiction of the biliary tract with magnetic resonance (MR) and intravenous cholangiography before biliary surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intravenous cholangiograms and heavily T2-weighted single-shot MR images in 60 patients with biliary calculi were compared prospectively. Images obtained with each technique were independently assessed for depiction of anatomy and calculi. RESULTS: The gallbladder was adequately visualized with intravenous cholangiography in 77% of patients and with MR cholangiography in 88%. Rates for visualization of the common bile duct were 97% and 100%, respectively; for the cystic duct, 27% and 75%; and intrahepatic ducts, 28% and 77%. With either technique, calculi in the gallbladder were correctly predicted as solitary or multiple in approximately 80% of patients. Five cases of common bile duct calculi were correctly predicted with this technique, two cases with cystic duct calculi were depicted with only MR cholangiography. CONCLUSION: Single-shot MR cholangiography may replace intravenous cholangiography for visualization of the biliary tract. However, the delineation of tiny gallbladder calculi and shrunken gallbladders with thickened bile is limited.

[Minimally invasive surgery--choledocholithiasis: therapeutic splitting]. / Minimal invasive Chirurgie--Choledocholithiasis: Therapeutisches Splitting.

Patients with cholecysto- and choledocholithiasis may benefit from the advantages of laparoscopic cholecystectomy by intraoperative common bile duct exploration or preoperative endoscopic papillotomy (EPT) with stone removal. We performed therapeutic splitting in 94 patients. Morbidity was 4.2% and mortality was zero. A follow up study of 50 patients shows residual stones in 2% and papillary stenosis in 2%. We believe our results, supported by data on EPT in the literature, show that two-stage endoscopic stone removal prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and effective method for treating cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis.

[Two-stage minimally invasive therapy of cholecysto- and choledocholithiasis]. / Zweizeitige minimal-invasive Therapie bei Cholecysto- und Choledocholithiasis.

Therapeutical splitting consisting of endoscopic sphincterotomy, stone removal and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a valuable alternative method compared to open cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration. In our prospective study we performed this procedure in 89 patients (28.7.1990-28.7.1993). Morbidity was 4.5% and mortality was 0. A follow-up study of 50 patients shows residual stones in 2% and papillary stenosis in 2%.

Nd:YAG laser treatment of colorectal malignancies: an experience of 4 1/2 years.

Between 1985 and 1990, 517 patients were treated for colorectal malignancies at our department of surgery. Nd:YAG laser therapy was used in 37 cases (7.1%). The mean age of these 22 men and 15 women was 71.4 years (range: 22-96 years). One hundred-twenty-nine Nd:YAG laser treatments were performed. Indications for laser treatment were (1) palliative tumor reduction (n = 21), (2) preresectional laser recanalization for obstructing carcinoma (n = 6), and (3) curative treatment (n = 10). Laser related complications included one perforation of the rectum and one rectovaginal fistula. One fatal pulmonary embolism occurred. After palliative treatment, five patients died because of tumor progression (mean survival time: 16 months), two because of other reasons. All patients with obstructing tumors could be recanalized successfully. After curative treatment, eight patients are still alive without tumor recurrence (mean survival time: 25.5 months), and two died of other causes. Palliative Nd:YAG laser treatment of colorectal malignancies is a competitive alternative to conventional surgery. Recanalization of obstructing tumors is an excellent treatment for large bowel obstruction, making one-stage resections possible. Curative treatment should be reserved for special cases only.

[Intra-arterial chemotherapy of the liver]. / Intraarterielle Chemotherapie der Leber.

Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy was introduced to treat non-resectable liver metastases or tumors. Although growth patterns of hepatic metastases and pharmacokinetics of cytostatics are well known, the response rate to intraarterial chemotherapy amounts to a maximum of 50% only, the mean survival time being 1 year or less. Until now, complete healing was not observed. Future efforts should be directed at increasing the response rate, decreasing regional adverse side effects and avoiding extrahepatic disease.

Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy.

Hepatic artery chemotherapy was given to 36 patients, using totally implantable devices consisting of a port and external pump. Twenty-seven patients had inoperable liver metastases of colorectal origin. The infusion system was inserted by laparotomy into the hepatic artery via the gastroduodenal artery. There was no operative mortality. Thirteen infusion systems could not be used for chemotherapy due to dislodgement, early death and lack of follow-up. FUdR was infused every two weeks. There were minor local complications like thrombosis of the system and dislodgement of the port. Toxic effects could be managed by reducing the dose. Response to chemotherapy was evaluated by survival, clinical condition, CEA, ultrasound and CT six months after onset of arterial chemotherapy. Ten/twenty-three patients (43%) responded to therapy, eight of them died on the average 19 months after initial chemotherapy. Six patients were non-responders, seven had stable disease. Five/ten patients developed extrahepatic metastases. Mean survival time was 13.1 months, mean interval until relapse 10.6 months.

[Prevention of adhesions in abdominal surgery. A dose finding study with streptokinase/streptodornase]. / Adhäsionsprophylaxe in der Abdominalchirurgie. Eine Dosisfindungsstudie mit Streptokinase/Streptodornase.

UNLABELLED: Measurement of intraperitoneal fibrinolytic activity on 50 patients having undergone abdominal surgery (four of them controls). Instillation of streptokinase/streptodornase (Varidase) into the abdominal cavity. Determination of total protein, plasminogen, antiplasmin, alpha 2 Mx-plasmin-complex, spontaneous fibrinolysis and fibrinolysis + activator at different points in time p.op. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal fibrinolysis may be stimulated by local substitution of a plasminogen activator (Varidase). Systemic effects are confined to a high dose. No impaired wound healing nor increased propensity to hemorrhaging occurred.

[Gastric bypass in the management of morbid obesity]. / Der Magenbypass in der Therapie der morbiden Fettsucht.

A report is presented on 82 gastric bypass operations performed from 1979 to 1988. The average preoperative body weight was 132 kg, the body mass index (BMI) 45.0 +/- 7.0. 1 patient died (mortality 1%). 88 per cent of all patients were followed up 2 months to 9 years (2.5 years on average) postoperatively. The mean weight loss was 40.8 kg (reduction of BMI 15.1). Obesity-related diseases decreased remarkably, 3 stomal ulcers and 5 cases of anemia occurred as late complications. On the basis of these results gastric bypass is shown to be an effective and safe treatment of morbid obesity.

[Tumor diagnosis by immunoscintigraphy with anti-CEA antibodies (Tc-99m MAK BW 431/26)]. / Immunszintigraphische Tumordiagnostik mit Anti-CEA-Antikörpern (Tc-99m MAK BW 431/26).

We evaluated the clinical application of the monoclonal antibody MAb, BW 431/26, which is easy to label with Tc-99m for tumor localization. This is an anti-CEA antibody and a murine immunoglobulin (Ig G1, Isotype). We investigated patients with colorectal carcinoma (n = 14), with colorectal carcinoma recurrences (n = 24), breast carcinoma (n = 2), stomach carcinoma (n = 1), carcinoma of the urinary bladder (n = 3), lung carcinoma (n = 2) and patients with an elevated CEA level. In primary colorectal tumors (n = 14) all carcinomas were correctly localized by IS and ECT technique. In these patients the diagnosis was already known. The planar pictures showed a false negative result in 3 patients. In patients with colorectal recurrences the investigations were performed twice in 2 patients and three times in 1 patient. In these 31 ECT investigations we found 17 true positive results, 12 true negative results, 1 false positive result and 1 false negative result. The lesions were already visualized within 4 to 6 hours, but 24-hour pictures are desirable. SPECT pictures are absolutely necessary because sensitivity is considerably improved thereby. Elevated CEA levels increase the probability of a positive IS low CEA levels do not exclude positive tumor visualization. HAMA was found in only 1 patient, but follow-up investigations are indicated.

[Circular staplers in esophagojejunal and esophagogastric anastomoses]. / Die zirkuläre Klammernaht bei ösophagojejunalen und -gastralen Anastomosen.

A report on 100 consecutive esophagoenteric anastomoses (EEA stapler) following total (esophagojejunostomy) or proximal gastrectomy (esophagogastrostomy) is presented. The following intraoperative problems occurred: insufficiency of the purse string suture [4], lumen of the esophagus too small [1], rupture of the esophageal wall [4], incomplete rings [4]. Fatal postoperative complications included two cases of insufficiency of the esophagojejunostomy, whilst the remaining six postoperative deaths were not linked to the use of the stapler (operative mortality 8%). Follow-up showed no recurrence at the stapler line, but two anastomotic strictures occurred. The EEA stapler is a helpful instrument to reduce leakage at the esophagoenteric anastomosis and, hence operative mortality after total and proximal gastrectomy.

[Clinical relevance of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) in choledocholithiasis]. / Klinische Relevanz der extrakorporalen Stosswellenlithotripsie (ESWL) bei Choledocholithiasis.

Primary endoscopic removal of bile duct stones is an established method of treatment. However, the extraction of stones is impossible in about 10% of cases despite successful endoscopic papillotomy and manual lithotripsy. Over a period of two years extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was performed in 32 patients. Piezolith 2200, a second generation lithotripter was used, which requires neither analgesia nor anaesthesia for the patient. Localisation of the stones was carried out by means of a 3.5 MH 2 sector scanner. ESWL treatment was successful in 24 of 32 patients (75%). In 6 patients the bile duct stones were too large or too numerous and in 2 patients sonographic localisation was impossible. Out of a total of 131 patients with stones in the biliary tract only 9 (6.8%) needed surgery. Piezoelectric lithotripsy is a safe and effective adjunct procedure for the treatment of bile duct stones which were not extractable by endoscopy.

[Noninvasive diagnosis of post-puncture vascular complications of the femoral artery: i.v. DSA and duplex sonography]. / Nichtinvasive Diagnostik postpunktioneller Gefässkomplikationen der Arteria femoralis: i.v. DSA und Duplexsonographie.

In 1200 cases of angiographic or invasive procedures with puncture of the femoral artery, vascular complications occurred in 10 patients (0.8%). In a prospective study, duplex sonography and intravenous digital subtraction angiography were used as diagnostic methods in these cases. All 10 cases with vascular complications were diagnosed correctly by means of i.v. DSA, and the underlying pathology was documented exactly. Duplex sonography yielded the correct diagnosis in 8 cases, and 1 case was incorrectly diagnosed as an aneurysm; angiography suggested an arteriovenous fistula, which was surgically verified. In one case duplex sonography was negative. The noninvasive procedure of duplex sonography plays an important role in the diagnosis of post-puncture vascular complications. Because of its high accuracy, this simple method should be the first diagnostic step. Intravenous DSA should be used in cases where the results obtained with duplex sonography are equivocal.

Below-knee femoropopliteal bypass using externally supported polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts.

Twenty-seven externally supported polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts were implanted in the femoropopliteal position crossing the knee joint. All patients underwent surgery because of limb threatening ischemia (rest pain or gangrene). There was one early graft failure (successful thrombectomy). No patient died postoperatively. The mean follow-up period was 17.32 months (range 3-44 months). Cumulative patency rate for this follow-up period was 73%. Absence of kinking when bending the knee joint was determined by ankle Doppler pressure measurements and arteriography. If an adequate saphenous vein is not available for knee-crossing femoropopliteal bypass, externally supported PTFE can be used, yielding short-term patency rates comparable to those obtained with autologous venous bypasses.

[Indications for primary anastomosis following resection of acute diverticulitis of the large intestine]. / Zur Indikation einer primären Anastomose nach Resektion wegen akuter Dickdarmdivertikulitis.

A retrospective review of 102 patients (1979-1987) was performed to evaluate the surgical management of complicated diverticulitis. The following operative strategy was found to be effective: 1. the Hartmann procedure in free perforation and diffuse peritonitis; 2. resection with primary anastomosis in free perforation and localized peritonitis, covered perforation, inflammatory tumor and fistulas, if healthy bowel ends could be used for anastomosis.