Effect of theatre temperature on body temperature during anaesthesia for routine neutering of domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Objective: To investigate the effect of theatre temperature on body temperature in rabbits undergoing castration or ovariohysterectomy surgery during general anaesthesia.

Study Design: Prospective, clinical study.

Animals: A group of 88 rabbits presented for elective neutering.

Carotid intima-media thickness: is it correlated with stroke side?

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the possible correlation between the common carotid artery (CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT) and the infarct side.

Method: The CCA IMTs in patients with atherosclerotic non-lacunar stroke were measured.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 64.

Minimally invasive surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism: a systematic review.

Background: The aim of the present paper was to systematically review the literature regarding the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy techniques in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Studies using unilateral or endoscopic exploration following imaging were compared with bilateral open neck exploration.

Methods: Studies on minimally invasive parathyroid surgery were identified using MEDLINE (1984 to August 1998), EMBASE (1974 to August 1998) and Current Contents (1993 to week 34, 1998).

Minimally invasive surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism: systematic review.

Hypothesis: Use of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy techniques, either unilateral or endoscopic, will result in the same or improved safety and efficacy outcomes as those of the bilateral open neck exploration technique in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

Data Sources: Studies on minimally invasive parathyroid surgery were identified using MEDLINE (January 1984 to August 1998), EMBASE (January 1974 to August 1998), and Current Contents (week 1 of 1993 to week 34 of 1998). The search terms were as follows: ((endoscop* or (minimal* and invasive) or unilateral) and parathyroid).

Complications of cholecystectomy: risks of the laparoscopic approach and protective effects of operative cholangiography: a population-based study.

Background: Previous studies suggest that laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is associated with an increased risk of intraoperative injury involving the bile ducts, bowel, and vascular structures compared with open cholecystectomy (OC). Population-based studies are required to estimate the magnitude of the increased risk, to determine whether this is changing over time, and to identify ways by which this might be reduced.

Methods: Suspected cases of intraoperative injury associated with cholecystectomy in Western Australia in the period 1988 to 1994 were identified from routinely collected hospital statistical records and lists of persons undergoing postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Clear parathyroid cysts and hyperparathyroidism.

There is reason to believe that clear parathyroid cysts are a separate pathologic entity distinct from degenerative cystic tumors of the parathyroid. They probably derive from enlargement of vestigial tubules or canals associated with parathyroid embryogenesis and they are rarely, if ever, hyperfunctioning. Indeed, if a clear parathyroid cyst is encountered in the clinical setting of primary hyperparathyroidism, then it is important to exclude a concomitant tumor in one of the other parathyroid gland, as in the case presented here.

Surgically proven primary hyperparathyroidism with a suppressed intact parathyroid hormone.

A patient with hypercalcaemia had persistently suppressed serum intact parathyroid hormone levels (measured by immunochemiluminometric assay). However, other biochemical tests and open-neck exploration confirmed a diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Adjuvant VHF therapy in locally recurrent and primary unresectable rectal cancer.

In a prospective randomized study, 434 mHz microwave therapy combined with external beam radiotherapy (VHF + RT) was compared with standard external beam radiotherapy (RT) in controlling locally recurrent or unresectable primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum. Independent assessors documented quality of life scores, performance status, toxicities, local response to treatment, and systemic disease progression before treatment and after treatment and every 8 weeks thereafter. Of 75 patients randomized, 73 were eligible for inclusion in the study.

Study of intact (1-84) parathyroid hormone secretion in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy.

Patterns of intact (1-84) parathyroid hormone (intact PTH) elimination and subsequent recovery of parathyroid function were studied in 12 patients undergoing parathyroidectomy. Nine patients had primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT), with single gland disease in 6 and multiple gland disease in 3. Two patients had subtotal parathyroidectomy for HPT secondary to chronic renal failure and 1 underwent excision of a hyperfunctioning parathyroid autograft.

Mesenteric panniculitis resulting in bowel obstruction: response to steroids.

Two patients with mesenteric panniculitis are presented. The first developed obstruction of the sigmoid colon requiring a decompressing proximal sigmoid end-colostomy; the second presented with an incomplete small bowel obstruction. A convincing, immediate, symptomatic response to steroids was noted in both patients.

Demonstration of functioning heterotopic splenic autografts by scintigraphy.

The use of heterotopic splenic autografts is demonstrated as a means of preserving functioning splenic tissue in 15 patients undergoing splenectomy for trauma. In all patients, functioning splenic autografts could be shown by scintigraphy, using 99mTc-labelled erythrocytes or 99mTc-labelled sulphur colloid, performed 12 weeks after implantation.

Medical and surgical options in the management of patients with gastrinoma.

We reexamined our experience with the surgical and medical management of 53 patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome due to gastrinoma during the past decade. Surgical "cure" (defined here as resection of all identifiable tumor with normalization of serum gastrin and gastric secretory variables) appeared possible in 7 patients (of 44 explored, or 16%). Five of the 7 "cured" patients had duodenal wall tumors.

The reasons for persistent hypercalcaemia after cervical exploration for presumed primary hyperparathyroidism.

Of 500 consecutive patients who underwent cervical exploration for presumed primary hyperparathyroidism, 461 (92.2 per cent) were cured, as judged by an immediate return of serum calcium levels to normal. Thirty-nine patients (7.

The surgical management of medullary thyroid carcinoma.

Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid may occur in three patient groups: multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2b (MEN2b), MEN2a, and sporadic. The prognosis is best in MEN2a and worst in MEN2b. Multicentric disease occurs in approximately 90% of patients in the MEN groups and in 20% of the patients in the sporadic group.

Adrenal surgery: trends during the seventies.

Surgical experience with adrenal disease from 1970 to 1979 was reviewed in 315 patients. The pathologic conditions that were encountered were hypercortisolism (74 patients), hyperaldosteronism (46 patients), adrenocortical carcinoma (35 patients), pheochromocytoma (77 patients), and nonfunctioning adenoma (47 patients). In addition, 5 patients with metastatic lesions, 14 with cysts, and 4 with myelolipoma were surgically treated.

Adrenalectomy: anterior or posterior approach?

The relative merits of the anterior and posterior approaches to the adrenal gland were assessed in a series of 103 patients with bilateral cortical hyperplasia or unilateral cortical adenoma (less than 25 g). In none of the patients was additional concomitant surgery planned. Sixty-four patients were operated on through the anterior and 39 through the posterior approach.

Surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism: experience with 500 consecutive cases and evaluation of the role of surgery in the asymptomatic patient.

A group of 500 patients with a presumptive diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) was operated upon at the Mayo Clinic between September 1974 and May 1980 using a standardized operative strategy. Clinical profiles, biochemical data, operative findings and pathological changes are reviewed. Of the 500 patients, 461 (92.