Recurrent rectoneovaginal fistula caused by an incidental squamous cell carcinoma of the neovagina in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome.

Objective: Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome is a congenital malformation characterized by an absence of the vagina associated with a variable abnormality of the uterus and the urinary tract but functional ovaries. Surgical correction requires the creation of a neovaginal canal by the performance of a neovaginoplasty and an accurate long-term application of an artificial phallus phantom to avoid secondary shrinkage of the canal. Due to the chronic alteration of the posterior neovaginal wall, ulcers and consecutive fistulae may occur.

Effect of anti-CD11b (alphaM-MAC-1) and anti-CD54 (ICAM-1) monoclonal antibodies on indomethacin induced chronic ileitis in rats.

Leukocyte emigration from blood to sites of inflammation involves sequential interaction of specific adhesion molecules expressed by both leukocytes and endothelial cells. The central steps in leukocyte-endothelial adhesive interactions are leukocyte rolling, sticking, and transmigration. This study investigated the effect of monoclonal antibodies against CD54 (ICAM-1) and CD11b (alphaM-chain of MAC-1) on intestinal inflammation.

Changes in intestinal transit time after proctocolectomy assessed by the lactulose breath test.

After proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) patients have increased stool frequency and intermittently use antidiarrheal medication. In addition to other factors, gastrointestinal transit time (MTT) could influence stool frequency. The aim of this study was to investigate how MTT changes after IPAA and to study whether MTT has an influence on daily stool frequency.

Workflow analysis and evidence-based medicine: towards integration of knowledge-based functions in hospital information systems.

The large extent and complexity of scientific evidence described in the concept of evidence-based medicine often overwhelms clinicians who want to apply best external evidence. Hospital Information Systems usually do not provide knowledge-based functions to support context-sensitive linking to external information sources. Knowledge-based components need specific data, which must be entered manually and should be well adapted to clinical environment to be accepted by clinicians.

Preoperative staging of esophageal carcinoma: miniprobe sonography versus conventional endoscopic ultrasound in a prospective histopathologically verified study.

Background And Study Aims: Endosonographic staging of esophageal carcinoma may be limited by non-traversable tumor stenoses. Dilation of malignant esophageal strictures carries a significant risk of esophageal perforation. We therefore evaluated the use of ultrasonic miniprobes in the staging of stenotic esophageal carcinoma compared with conventional endoscopic ultrasound.

[Foreign research position in the career development of academic surgeons].

Since there are no data concerning the results/efficiency of research stipends in foreign countries, the aim of this study was to analyze the experience of German surgeons doing research work abroad. Seventy-four fellows (residents) in surgical training who conducted research outside Germany between 1986 and 1995 were interviewed using a detailed questionnaire. Back in Germany, the results and experience gained from research abroad led in the majority of cases to a PhD degree ("habilitation"), a high number of publications, and intensified research efforts in the same field using the methods learned abroad.

Transepithelial transport processes at the intestinal mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease.

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) of unknown etiology. Oral absorption studies have shown an increased intestinal permeability for various sugar molecules in patients with IBD and their healthy relatives as a possible pathogenetic factor. However, the various transport pathways through the mucosal barrier have not yet been examined.

Decreased HER-2 tyrosine kinase expression in rectal mucosa of FAP patients following low-dose sulindac chemoprevention.

As a part of the mechanisms of action in reversing FAP adenomas by the low-dose sulindac maintenance therapy (2 x 25 mg/patient per day), the extent of HER-2 proto-oncogene expression in the rectal mucosa seems to be of interest. Immunocytochemical analyses were performed in plasma and in rectal tissue of sulindac-treated FAP patients during an 18 months follow-up and compared with rectal tissue of patients with FAP, Crohn's disease, or rectal cancer or with healthy volunteers. HER-2 was significantly reduced and maintained in tissue under sulindac chemoprevention below base line levels of healthy individuals, but not in plasma.

[Clinical anatomy as an integrating element in teaching surgical subjects].

Different conceptions to revise the licensing regulations for physicians (Approbationsordnung für Arzte) aim to interlock preclinical and clinical subjects. Therefore a more practice-oriented anatomy has to be taught in basic and postgraduate medical education. At the Westfalian Wilhelms University of Münster we established an interdisciplinary anatomical education, executed by clinical lecturers in cooperation with the educational staff of the Department of Anatomy.

[Can noninvasive gadolinium 3D MR subtraction angiography of visceral arteries replace conventional intra-arterial catheter angiography?].

Classic catheter angiography is compared with 3D gadolinium MR angiography for evaluation of the vascular anatomy of the celiac trunk, liver supplying arteries, and the portal venous system. Based on 10 patients, this study shows the value of this new non-invasive method of angiography for the diagnosis of visceral vascular anatomy. For this diagnosis MR angiography is expected to replace conventional angiography in the near future.

[Prognostic differences in primary malignancies of the small intestine].

Malignant small bowel tumours are rare, with about 320 deaths every year due to metastases. Tumours of differing histologic entitites (adenocarcinomas, leimyosarcomas, non-Hodgkin, lymphomas, carcinoids) are detected at late stages of the disease because of non-specific symptoms. Valuable diagnostic means are small bowel enema, intestinoscopy and abdominal CT/ultrasound.

[Preoperative staging of stenosing esophageal carcinoma--prospective comparison of mini-endosonography with conventional endosonography].

Staging of esophageal malignancies can easily and safely be performed with ultrasonic miniprobes. Unlike large-diameter ultrasonic instruments, miniprobes may pass even high-grade malignant esophageal strictures without prior bouginage. Image quality and resolution of miniprobe sonography exceeds that of conventional endosonography, thus achieving higher accuracy rates for T staging, while those for N staging have found to be similar.

[Graduate education for specialist in surgery in the USA--aspects for the young German and American physician].

Due to high standards in clinical practice and outstanding research opportunities in the USA, German residents wish to do a part of their surgical education in an American teaching hospital. Currently, German applicants must have an unrestricted license and a valid Standard ECFMG Certificate. For this certificate they must have passed Step I and II of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, which also includes an English test.

[Length of overseas research sojourn in the career path of academic surgeons].

Since there are no data concerning the results/efficiency of research stipends in foreign countries, the aim of this study was to analyze the experience of German surgeons doing research work abroad. Seventy-four fellows (residents) in surgical training who conducted research outside Germany between 1986 and 1995 have been interviewed using a detailed questionnaire. Back in Germany, the results and the experience gained from research abroad led in the majority of cases to a post doctoral degree, a high number of publications, as well as to intensified research efforts in the same field, using the methods learned abroad.

[Clinical anatomy in surgical education and graduate education].

On the basis of the experience that knowledge of anatomy is not as sound in clinical education as it should be and with a view to the new licensing regulations for physicians, at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany, we established an interdisciplinary anatomical education. Clinical practitioners from 14 different specialties together with anatomists give lessons in applied anatomy accompanying the dissection course, and clinical experienced anatomists guide senior medical students in parallel to the practical courses to refresh their anatomical knowledge. Conjointly clinical practitioners and anatomists initiate, organize and establish meetings in postgraduate surgical education and experimental surgery.

[Guidelines and recommendations for a successful congress abstract].

The title and introduction of the abstract must clarify the intention of the study. The methods part must define the study and control groups and the statistical methods of comparison. In the results part, the data must be presented clearly, possibly in tables or graphs, interpretations must be strictly omitted.

[Indications for restorative proctocolectomy in systemic colorectal diseases (ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis coli)].

Restorative proctocolectomy is now the procedure of choice for patients suffering from ulcerative colitis (UC) and familial adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP). The majority of patients with UC require surgery for failure or development of side effects of medical therapy. Other indications include dysplasia, carcinoma and complications from either medical therapy or the disease, such as massive bleeding or perforation.

[Esophageal carcinoma. Staging and necessary preoperative diagnosis].

The routine examination in esophageal carcinoma includes the following established recommendations: endoscopy with biopsy--X-ray of the esophagus--endosonography--cervico-thoraco-abdominal CT scan--bronchoscopy in tumors of the upper half of the esophagus. Diagnostic laparoscopy is gaining increasing importance, especially with regard to the distal adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Other new diagnostic tools directly influencing clinical practice are magnetic resonance tomography, positron emission tomography and possibly the detection of circulating or bone marrow tumor cells.

Effect of surgeon expertise on the outcome in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Background: Success in surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is thought to be closely linked to surgical expertise. We investigated the effect of the surgeon's experience on the postoperative outcome in patients with PHPT.

Design: Cohort study with retrospective analysis.

[Effect of proctocolectomy on fluid balance--comparison of conventional ileostomy, ileorectal anastomosis and ileoanal pouch operation].

Total colectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC) and familiar adenomatous polyposis coli (FAP) is mainly performed as an ileoanal Pouch procedure (IAP). Alternatives are ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) and conventional proctocolectomy with Brooke ileostomy (CPS). The different surgical techniques may influence the excretion of water and electrolytes in stool and urine and may lead to a higher risk for urolithiasis.