The facial nerve and the parotid gland (author's transl)

The modern histological classification of epithelial salivary gland tumours is described. An exact knowledge of the behaviour of each type of tumour permits correct surgical planning. Contrary to the teaching that the superficial parotidectomy is the minimal safe resection, the author feels that in many cases dependent on tumour site, size and histological type, a simple excision is sufficient. The application of microsurgical techniques permits careful and safe surgery.     

Vaginal hysterectomy for therapeutic abortion and simultaneous sterilization (author's transl)

Report about the experiences in termination of 25 early pregnancies by vaginal hysterectomy in cases final infertilisation was necessary. Advantages of the method are seen in avoiding dilatation of the cervix and in the calculable blood loss as compared to suction or curettage for abortion and simultaneous sterilization. In contrast to many apprehensions the risks do not seem to rise when performing vaginal hysterectomy of the pregnant uterus up to the 12th week. Advantages and criteria of the method are discussed.     

Therapeutic results in acute acoustic trauma (author's transl)

The prime aim of this study is to investigate the influence of therapeutic measures in acute acoustic trauma (AAT). In a controlled clinical trial 209 patients (Table 1) was observed, starting within 2 days after the traumatic event. Various chemical agents, considered to have some influence on microciculation and metabolism of the inner ear, were administered as shown in Table 2. The control group was treated with NaCl infusions and glucose tablets. Statistical analysis of the audiometric data was performed in two different ways (Fig. 2). First, variations of absolute pure tone thresholds were studied in a regression analysis, revealing a close dependency of absolute hearing gains upon pretherapeutic hearing losses. Significant differences of permanent threshold shifts between test and control group could not be observed. Secondly, distribution curves of relative hearing gains (Figs. 1 and 2) were compared using the Kruskal Wallis test. The hypothesis of all of these curves being part of the same sample could not be rejected (P = 0.01). Thus, it was concluded that the four different forms of polypragmatic therapy used in this trial do not exert an effect on AAT exceeding that of NaCl infusions and glucose tablets. Under the assumption of a placebo effect of NaCl infusions and glucose tablets, either the supply with oxygen and neurotrop vitamins is no limiting factor in the regeneration process of the organ of Corti after an AAT, or the administered drugs fail to influence this supply. The effect of hospitalization with consequent reduction of noise and emotional stress was not studied in this paper.     

Programmed childbirth - methods and results (author's transl)

Reported are 304 patients with whom programmed childbirths were introduced, between 1976 and 1978. A control group was made up of 100 women in labour who had been hospitalised for spontaneous onset of labour but then given slow drip oxytocin infusions for secondary uterine inertia. The parameters tested (time of labour, FHF behaviour, pH of umbilical artery, Apgar score, weight, length, and perinatal mortality) did not reveal any aggravated risk to mother and child. Programmed childbirth may be recommended as another important preventive step towards lower infantile morbidity.     

Diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of endothoracic goiter (author's transl)

Among mediastinal tumors requiring operative treatment endothoracic goiters have to be considered as common cause (13.7%) in differential diagnostic aspects next to dysontogenetic and neurogenic tumors. Final diagnosis is best established by chest x-rays in two directions, perhaps with additional barium swallow and a scintigraphy (131I or technetium). Angiography is of no valuable further information concerning tumor identification or operability. The disadvantage refers to unwanted iodine load in case of thyroid malignancy. The operative approach for real mediastinal goiter necessitates partial or total sternotomy or occasionally lateral thoracotomy.     

A simple flotation and McMaster method (author's transl)

A simple and hygienic flotation and McMaster method is described (cf. Fig. 1): The faeces sample (3-5 gm) is mixed with flotation fluid (40-60 ml) in a disposable plastic cup (cup I) and a circular piece of gauze, with a diameter equivalent to twice the height of the cup plus the diameter of its base, is placed over the cup. By a similar cup (cup II), with the bottom cut off and slits made in the side, the gauze is pressed down in cup I. By this procedure the faeces suspension will be filtered through the gauze and appear in cup II. After 10 minutes some drops after transferred from the surface of the filtrate to a slide by means of a test tube, which is dipped to the bottom of the filtrate and quickly moved over to the slide. The optimal procedure was worked out with faeces containing faeces containing eggs of Ostertagia ostertagi. Saturated sodium chloride with 50 g glucose per 100 ml was found to be a suitable flotation fluid for demonstrating eggs of commonly occurring parasites, e.g., trichostronglyids and ascarids. The described flotation technique is more efficacious than the one hitherto employed. The technique is usable also in connection with a McMaster method: 4 gm. faeces are suspended in 56 ml flotation fluid. Immediately following filtration, filtrate is transferred to a McMaster counting chamber by means of a Pasteur pipette.     

The results of radiotherapy managements in Hodgkin's disease (author's transl)

We reported the results of radiotherapy managements in Hodgkin's disease about 185 patients. From this study, it seems to appear possible to confirm or to note some particular facts: the real good prognosis of the forms begining in the right sus-clavicular fossa; the special staging of the long time survival patients (II Aa, type II); the small value in survival of chemotherapy done before and/or after radiotherapy in the I and II stages; in the other side, the true amelioration comming from chemotherapy in the III and IV stages; the value of irradiation by expanded fields; the particular interest of the total mode irradiation done at the beginning or during the course of the illness; the optimal dose of larger than or equal to 4 000 rads with a weekly dose of larger than or equal to 1 000 rads; the good tolerance of the radiotherapy. From this prelimary study, we hope dowing well in further with a greater number of patients.     

A method for determination of thermally motivated behavior (author's transl)

Constant body temperature in homeothermic organisms results from autonomic and behavioral thermoregulatory reactions. The input variables for thermally motivated behavior are temperatures of the skin and of the hypothalamus. Our aim was to determine the behavioral side of thermoregulatory reactions under the influence of drugs interfering with normal body temperature. Initial experiments were made with phentolamine, which at an ambient temperature of + 4 degrees C causes a dose dependent hypothermia. Rats were trained in a cold box to press a lever and were rewarded by a certain amount of warm air. Trained rats were able to raise the temperature in the box from -4 degrees C up to + 4 degrees C at a response rate of 0.5 min. Treated with phentolamine (3.7-15 mg/kg) these rats increased the rate of lever pressing dose dependently, i.e. they increased their ambient temperature. The hypothermic effect of the drug was therby reduced to a certain extent. Using this method it can be determined whether a drug influences body temperature at the level of autonomic reactions or at that of thermally motivated behavior or at those of both.