Does hyperketonemia affect protein or glucose kinetics in postabsorptive or traumatized man?

Leucine and glucose turnover were measured using simultaneous infusions of [13C]leucine and [2H]glucose before and during an infusion of Na DL-hydroxybutyrate (Na DL-HB) in overnight-fasted patients the day before and 3 days after total hip replacement. The ketone body infusion before surgery resulted in a significant increase in plasma leucine concentration and leucine turnover, while glucose concentration and turnover decreased. Surgery increased leucine turnover. Ketone body infusion after surgery caused a further increased leucine turnover while turnover fell as before surgery. We suggest that exogenous ketone bodies decrease hepatic glucose production and probably stimulate a rise in protein synthesis above breakdown leading to a decreased nitrogen excretion as observed by other investigators. Despite the metabolic adaptation to trauma, this response was not affected by surgery.

An evaluation of the preoperative diagnosis and management of cystosarcoma phyllodes

Cystosarcoma phyllodes is a rare tumour of the breast which is notoriously difficult to diagnose accurately preoperatively. In this review we report the clinical, imaging and histopathological features of 20 patients who have presented in our Centre over a 10-year period.

Clinical, radiological and cytological diagnosis of breast cancer in young women

In women over the age of 35 years, an accurate diagnosis of breast cancer can be made in over 95 per cent of patients using a 'triple assessment' system collating information from clinical examination, mammography, sonomammography, and fine-needle aspiration cytology. These methods have not been specifically evaluated in women aged 35 years or less, hence a study was undertaken on 30 such patients. Clinical examination was unreliable in predicting malignancy with a sensitivity of only 37 per cent. Thirty per cent of patients presented with a lump which had the clinical features of a fibroadenoma. Radiological methods were less sensitive in detecting malignancy in this age group than in older patients. The sensitivity of aspiration cytology was 78 per cent which was higher than that for breast cancer at all ages. Histology showed that there were fewer low grade tumours and fewer scirrhous tumours in this age group than in a control group of women aged over 35 years. This study indicates that cytological confirmation of apparently benign focal breast lesions in young women is essential, especially when these are managed conservatively.

Radiological evidence for the polyp/cancer sequence in the colon

Three cases of frank malignancy developing in pre-existing colonic polyps are presented. Although this sequence of events is well recognised, it is rarely demonstrated radiologically. The cases illustrate the importance of identifying and appropriately treating polypoid colonic lesions.

Ultrasound detection of axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer

Presence or absence of lymph node metastases is the most accurate prognostic indicator in breast cancer. Clinical examination is unreliable in detecting involved nodes. Preoperative ultrasound scan of the axilla has been performed in 140 consecutive women with breast cancer. The sensitivity for involved nodes was 66% which was significantly higher than clinical examination (42%) (P = less than 0.01). However ultrasound gave more false positives than clinical examination and thus no overall improvement in prognostic information was achieved.

Changes in the surgical management of early breast cancer in England

A questionnaire survey of consultant surgeons in England indicates that there has been a considerable change in opinion over the past few years concerning the management of early breast cancer; only 39.1% would now perform mastectomy, whereas 64.4% would perform conservative surgery. The most common forms of management are simple mastectomy and axillary clearance (21.9%); wide excision, axillary clearance plus radiotherapy (20.1%); and wide excision plus radiotherapy alone (16.9%). The majority of the surgeons would offer patients a choice of surgery, but only 52% had access to a breast care nurse.

Glucose kinetics in protein depletion--effect of glucose infusion in the fasted rat

A primed constant infusion of [6-3H]glucose was used to determine glucose turnover in rats fasted for 48 h that had previously been pair-fed isoenergetic 4% and 14.4% protein diets for 6 wk. The protein-depleted rats had a low body weight and lower plasma glucose and plasma insulin concentrations compared with the 14.4% protein pair-fed control animals. The rate of appearance of glucose in plasma in the protein-depleted rats was significantly less than that in the pair-fed controls. During an intravenous infusion of unlabeled glucose (38.8 mumol.kg-1.min-1) plasma glucose concentrations and glucose appearance increased in both groups. Plasma insulin concentration remained lower in the 4% protein-fed group though the percentage of increase above basal was similar in both groups during glucose infusion. The clearance of glucose from the blood and suppression of endogenous glucose production during the exogenous glucose infusion were similar in both control and protein-depleted rats. Rats fed a 14.4% protein diet ad libitum consumed more diet than the pair-fed groups and their body weights were greater. However, fasting plasma glucose and insulin, concentrations were similar to the 14.4% protein pair-fed animals. This indicates that the observed changes in glucose metabolism in the 4% protein-fed animals were due to a reduced dietary ratio of protein to carbohydrate rather than reduced energy intake.

Pre-operative or postoperative colonic examination for synchronous lesions in colorectal cancer

A review of 130 consecutive large bowel examinations at which a cancer of the colon or rectum was diagnosed has been undertaken. Of 50 patients examined by colonoscopy, the whole colon was seen in only 21 (42 per cent) and almost half of these had a tumour in the caecum or ascending colon. In most cases, an incomplete examination was the result of narrowing of the lumen by the tumour preventing passage of the endoscope. Of 80 patients examined by double contrast barium enema, the entire length of the colon was visualized in 83 per cent but the quality of the examination was sufficient to confidently exclude synchronous neoplastic lesions in only 51 per cent. The incidence of synchronous cancer in this series was within the expected range, although two such cancers were not detected until laparotomy, but the incidence of synchronous adenomas was two-thirds of the expected number in colonoscopy patients and one-third in those examined by barium enema. It is concluded that, in patients with known colorectal cancer, preoperative investigation is unreliable for the detection of all synchronous neoplasia and that patients should have postoperative colonoscopy.

Open access colonoscopy for suspected colonic neoplasia

An open access endoscopy service for direct referral of patients suspected to have colonic neoplasia has been analysed. In the first year of the service 137 patients were referred by 52 general practitioners. The most common reason for referral was rectal bleeding (58%). Colonoscopy was done without outpatient consultation or barium enema examination in 130 patients: there were no complications. The diagnostic yield was 57%: 34 patients (25%) had neoplasia (cancer 14, adenoma 20), which was higher than the yield of neoplasia in patients referred for open access double contrast barium enema during the same period. Only nine patients (7%) needed further investigation because colonoscopy was incomplete and 21 (16%) were treated by polypectomy at the diagnostic colonoscopy.

Wide excision of primary breast cancer: the incidence of residual carcinoma at the site of excision

Fifty-one consecutive women with early breast cancer underwent wide excision and axillary clearance. After wide excision five biopsies were taken from the walls of the cavity. On histological examination tumour was present in the cavity biopsies in 13 cases (25%). The presence of ductal carcinoma in situ in the primary tumour was not associated with an increased number of positive cavity biopsies. In nine cases incomplete excision was due to separate foci of invasive or in situ carcinoma, in two cases tumour was contiguous with the primary carcinoma and in two, separate foci and contiguous disease both occurred. The high incidence of residual local tumour after wide excision of breast cancer demands the need for postoperative irradiation to the breast and frequent review.

Bilateral inguinal hernias: simultaneous or sequential repair?

Two hundred and forty four patients underwent either simultaneous bilateral inguinal hernia repair (n = 122) or unilateral inguinal hernia (n = 122) repair at a general hospital between January 1971 and December 1981. The two groups of patients were matched for age and sex. Both groups had a similar overall incidence of post-operative complications and in both groups the duration of post-operative stay and duration of operating time were similar. Chest infections developed in 12 patients after bilateral repair and in 3 patients after unilateral repair (P less than 0.02). All patients were assessed prospectively from 4 to 15 years after operation, when no significant difference in the number of recurrent hernias was found. Our results suggest that simultaneous bilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy is economical in terms of both operating time and duration of hospital stay, and that this economy is not bought at a cost of increased short term morbidity or long-term recurrence rate.

Offering patients a choice of surgery for early breast cancer: a reduction in anxiety and depression in patients and their husbands

Thirty patients with early breast cancer have been studied prospectively to assess whether being offered a choice of surgery (simple mastectomy or wide excision plus radiotherapy) influences levels of anxiety and depression pre- and post-operatively. A significantly higher percentage of the patients not offered a choice of surgery experienced clinical levels of anxiety and depression pre-operatively and up to 2 months post-operatively compared with patients offered a choice; the results were also similar for the husbands of these patients. At 6 months, differences between the 2 groups were not statistically significant, although the trend remained the same with more patients not offered a choice of treatment showing high levels of anxiety and depression. Patients offered a choice of surgery had similar pre-operative levels of anxiety and depression to patients with benign breast disease and patients undergoing surgery for non-cancerous conditions. This study indicates that with proper counselling patients and husbands suffer less stress if they are allowed to take an active part in the treatment of their cancer.

The practical management of Fournier's gangrene

Effective early treatment of this serious condition is necessary to prevent death. Urgent exploration by the most experienced surgeon available should include wide excision of all necrotic or dubious tissue, and adequate drainage of deep fascial planes. Deep and apparently healthy tissues must be exposed and the surgeon must be prepared to proceed to laparotomy, and even diverting colostomy and/or suprapubic cystotomy when necessary. Cross matched blood must be available, and we have found hydrogen peroxide irrigation useful. Pus, tissues, and blood samples for bacteriological culture and sensitivity should always be sent, but broad spectrum antibiotics should be started without delay to prevent systemic complications. In addition to the urgent initial surgery, repeated daily examination of all wounds is necessary, usually under general anaesthesia to allow full inspection, further débridement, irrigation and change of dressings, until the infective process is halted. This is a serious condition with a high mortality which we believe may be reduced by early diagnosis and appropriate aggressive surgery.

Choice of surgery for early breast cancer: pre- and postoperative levels of clinical anxiety and depression in patients and their husbands

Two groups of patients with early breast cancer were studied prospectively to assess whether being offered a choice of surgery (simple mastectomy or wide excision plus radiotherapy) influenced levels of anxiety and depression pre- and postoperatively. A significantly higher percentage of the patients not offered a choice of surgery experienced high levels of anxiety and depression pre-operatively and up to 2 months postoperatively compared with patients offered a choice; the results were also similar for the husbands of these patients. At 4 months, differences between the two groups were not statistically significant, although the trend remained the same with more patients not offered a choice of treatment showing high levels of anxiety and depression. Patients offered a choice of surgery had similar pre- and postoperative levels of anxiety and depression to patients with benign breast disease and patients undergoing surgery for non-cancerous conditions.

Angiodysplasia of the small bowel; a 'brilliant' technique for localizing the quiescent lesion

Intraoperative transluminal endoscopic illumination is of benefit to locate angiodysplasias of the small bowel at laparotomy in the quiescent non-bleeding phase.

Depression and social stress among patients with benign breast disease

One hundred and forty women referred to the Southampton breast clinic had a psychiatric interview at home, before their first clinic attendance. The 107 subsequently diagnosed as having benign breast disease had a high rate of depressive symptomatology in comparison with women in published surveys of the general population. In the year before referral, 25 (23 per cent) had had definite depression and 19 (18 per cent) had had borderline depression: at the time of interview 9 (8 per cent) had major depression and 22 (21 per cent) had minor depression. Depression in these patients was associated with recent life events and social difficulties. Mood disturbance and psychosocial stress may lead to medical consultation about benign breast disease, or even contribute to its development. Severe depression was less common in the 33 patients who turned out to have breast cancer, though more of them had minor depression, and they reported fewer recent life events.

The accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast disease

The accuracy of breast ultrasound using all purpose static beta-scanning equipment has been compared with mammography. Ultrasound was found to be both more sensitive (93%:82%) and specific (95%:89%) in a large retrospective series of 1000 patients undergoing investigation for symptomatic breast disease. In a smaller prospective and consecutive series of 142 patients undergoing surgery where histological proof was obtained ultrasound was also found to be more sensitive (91%:81%) and specific (81%:69%). In both studies, the greater accuracy of ultrasound was attributed to its ability to diagnose lesions hidden in X-ray dense breasts and where mammography had revealed featureless asymmetical densities of uncertain nature. In these instances ultrasound may have a significant role to play as an adjunct to mammography in the preoperative assessment of breast lesions.

A new intravenous emulsion containing medium-chain triglyceride: studies of its metabolic effects in the perioperative period compared with a conventional long-chain triglyceride emulsion

The effects of carbohydrate, lipid, and nitrogen metabolism of recently available lipid emulsions containing either 50% medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) and 50% long-chain triglyceride (LCT) or 100% LCT were compared in elective surgical patients. Postoperative urinary urea excretion was similar during isocaloric MCT/LCT and LCT infusions (1.9 mg/kg/min) and was decreased compared with a standard infusion of 5% glucose (1 mg/kg/min). Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were similar during both lipid and low dose glucose infusions. However, plasma triglyceride and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were decreased during the MCT/LCT infusion compared with the LCT infusion, suggesting that the MCT/LCT emulsion was cleared from the circulation faster than pure LCT. Ketone body concentrations were similar during all three infusions. MCT/LCT emulsion can be safely infused perioperatively and has similar nitrogen conserving properties to LCT in these circumstances.

Vitamin K requirements in patients receiving total parenteral nutrition

The vitamin K requirements of 47 adult patients on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were investigated by randomly allocating them to receive either 0.15 mg vitamin K1 (1 ampoule of 'Vitlipid') per week or 20.15 mg vitamin K1 (1 ampoule of 'Vitlipid' plus 10 mg vitamin K X 2) per week. Vitamin K1 in a dose of 0.15 mg was as effective as a dose of 20.15 mg per week in maintaining a normal BCR (British Corrected Ratio) in most TPN patients. Seven patients in each group developed a BCR greater than 1.3; this was significantly associated with the use of cephalosporin antibiotics and responded to 10 mg vitamin K1 per day. Most patients receiving parenteral feeding require no more vitamin K than that provided by 1 ampoule of 'Vitlipid' per week. Regular monitoring of the BCR, especially in patients on antibiotics, will reveal those who need more. Such patients need 10 mg vitamin K1 per day.