Studies on administration of cephalothin sodium after open heart surgery (author's transl)

Critical cardiac contamination may occur during extracorporeal circulation in open heart surgery. Prophylactic administration of cephalothin sodium (CET) was studied for their safe and adequate serum concentration after open heart surgery in infants and adults. Methods of administration of CET were discussed for infants and adults.     

Pelviscopic surgery in gynaecology (author's transl)

Surgery of the fallopian tubes has today developed into pelviscopic surgery. The development of suitable instruments such as the tube set, a new endocoagulation method were prerequisites for this development. Operative therapeutic pelviscopic surgery is a development past laparotomy. It is now possible to treat adhesions in the abdomen with this method, to coagulate and divide fallopian tubes for sterilization, to aspirate ovarian cysts and resect walls of ovarian cysts, to coagulate endometriosis and to perform salpingolysis and salpingostomy. In selected cases ovariectomy and myomectomy are possible through the pelviscope. Tables and statistics on 3300 pelviscopies are presented. The indications are discussed. The use of pelviscopy following previous laparotomy (1831 cases) is discussed. The complication rate was 1.10% without death, without injury to large vessels, without embolic phenomenon. The operative risk is therefore less than that of laparotomy. The operative therapeutic pelviscopy can replace the classical laparotomy in about 25% of the cases. For the operation of tubal infertility, a laparotomy is eliminated in about 80% of the cases.     

Gastrostomy in paediatric surgery (author's transl)

Gastrostomy has the same field of application as the feeding tube which is introduced either orally or nasally. With careful nursing and surgical technique, only few and slight disturbances are to be expected. This method, however, ist not suited for routine application by the premature baby because of its possible septic complications.     

Two cases of intracranial epidural hematoma following open heart surgery (author''s transl)

John Hunter's contribution to the understanding of venereal disease is reviewed. Hunter's evidence for the unitary nature of these diseases is examined and the advances he made in diagnosis, pathology, and management are considered.     

Primary open angle glaucoma in Central Africa (author's transl)

Study of 70 cases of primary open angle glaucoma recorded in eleven months in Bangui (C.A.R.). The main features are: -- the age: 21 p. 100 under 40; -- the ocular tonus level: 48 p. 100 above 40 mmHg; -- the already much advanced stage registered at the first medical exam in 54,2 p. 100 of the cases.     

A panel on vascular surgery (author's transl)

For this second panel by correspondence, we have asked 3 distinguished experts to answer 7 questions and to comment on 3 case histories concerning vascular surgery. Although a direct discussion between the participants was not possible an impressive degree of agreement is here being demonstrated.     

Angled micro-scissors for after-cataract surgery (author's transl)

A report is given on new micro-scissors for after-cataract operations. Its shape permits a perfect direction of incision in the pupillary region not only form a temporally placed corneal incision but also from all other meridians without its handling being impeded by the orbital border or th nose of the patient. Especially in certain injury sequels and other postoperative conditions the scissors extend the operative possibilities.     

General immune reactivity and herpes genitalis (author's transl)

Twenty-two Japanese women with herpes genitalis were examined for subpopulations of peripheral lymphocytes, serum immunoglobulin and immune skin tests. The number of "active" T lymphocytes was significantly less in those with herpes genitalis, as compared to the healthy controls. Differences between the number of "total" T lymphocytes and "total" B lymphocytes between the patients and controls were nil. The levels of serum IgA and IgM were increased in patients with herpes genitalis. Mean diameter of both PPD and PHA skin test in patients was within normal ranges. These findings suggest that to some extent, the cellular immunity associated with "active" T lymphocyte is suppressed in patients with herpes genitalis. The significance of the elevated serum IgA and IgM is now being investigated.     

Myocardial infarction after accidents (author's transl)

In a 27-year-old man blunt chest-wall trauma after a car accident gave rise to several retrosternal pain. Coronary angiography demonstrated severe generalised coronary arteriosclerosis. The history revealed heavy smoking (60 cigarettes daily for ten years). Although it must be assumed that there was severe generalised coronary arteriosclerosis without angina pectoris before the accident, the infarction was considered to be a direct consequence of it: it prematurely precipitated the infarction. In a second case, of a 37-year-old woman, severe precordial pressure and contusion of the thorax occurred after a collision. Cardiac symptoms developed two months later and two weeks after this acute myocardial infarction occurred. Coronary angiography demonstrated isolated sub-total occlusion of the anterior interventricular branch in the upper third of the septum without other abnormalities. Because of the two month symptom-free interval, trauma and subsequent myocardial infarction are thought not to be causally related, especially as the patient was a heavy smoker and taking oral contraceptives.     

Physiotherapy after lung resection (author's transl)

Physiotherapy for lung resection begins well before the operation and should serve to improve the respiratory function and to prevent complications. The whole training programme should be carried out in an automated manner, this is especially important for the time immediately after the operation. Postoperative physiotherapy aimsat thorough cleaning of the bronchi, adaption of the ventilation, good peripheral circulation and helps to diminish would pain. In a later period physiotherapy should help to rehabilitate the patient's external respiratory function to train the respiratory stereotype and to improve cardiopulmonary effiency.     

Possibilities and limits of outpatient surgery (author's transl)

The aims of modern outpatient surgery include: the comprehensive development of ambulatory therapy especially the repertoire of operations, preclinical standardized diagnostic procedures, postoperative outpatient care and rehabilitation. The main reasons for this development are analyzed. In order to make further progress in the direction indicated the number of surgeons working in outpatient departments will have to be increased. Own experiences in outpatient saphenectomy, excisions of Dupuytren's contracture, haemorrhoidectomy, mastectomy, herniorrhaphy, enucleation of cold nodes in the thyreoid gland (171 operations between 1972 and 1974) encourage further efforts in this direction.