Acute pancreatitis in Hong Kong

A series of 311 Chinese patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, over a 10-year period is reviewed. Biliary tract disease was associated with pancreatitis in 52.4 per cent of patients and 77.9 per cent of them had stones, mud or parasites in the common bile duct. Fever and jaundice were present in 55 per cent and 41.2 per cent of patients respectively. Because of the prevalence of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis among the indigenous population, emergency operation, with the aim of common duct decompression, was conducted in 54.3 per cent of patients during the acute episode, with a mortality rate of 14.8 per cent. Five of 142 patients (3.5 per cent) died whilst on conservative treatment and all 5 had haemorrhagic pancreatitis. The overall mortality rate was 9.6 per cent. Exploration of the common bile duct, which was carried out in 57.4 per cent of patients in the acute phase, was not associated with a higher mortality than when laparotomy alone was performed, and 19 patients had sphincteroplasty without any death. Subtotal pancreatectomy was performed in 2 patients with haemorrhagic pancreatitis with 1 death.

The inability to transfer classroom learning to clinical nursing practice: a learning problem and its remedial plan

The inability to transfer classroom knowledge to clinical nursing practice is a common learning problem encountered by many nursing students. Manifestations of this problem may involve both the academic performance and personal development of the students: inability to solve problems in nursing situations; inflexibility and rigidity in the exercise of nursing care; fragmentation of nursing care; and apathy towards clinical practice. Because of the seriousness of this learning problem, a plan must be formulated to rectify it. This plan is developed with major emphasis on the teaching process, the student and the curriculum. One of the important roles of a teacher is to help students understand many widely useful relationships, principles or generalizations. In order to enhance transfer, nursing students must be given ample opportunities to apply the learned principles in a variety of nursing situations. Learning is a self-active process; an ideal transfer demands the students' conscious realization that transfer is possible. Students need to be committed to the belief that particular facts in the classroom study are pertinent in other situations. To promote transfer, the curriculum must be designed in such a way so that it has transfer value in terms of the students' goals and purposes. Furthermore, proper sequence of curricular activities is crucial if transfer of classroom knowledge to clinical practice is to occur.

Gastric histology and function in patients with intrathoracic stomach replacement after esophagectomy

The histological changes and gastric function alterations in 19 patients who had intrathoracic stomach replacement following esophagectomy were studied. Atrophic gastritis was noted in 13 of the 19 patients. The mechanical response of the stomach to distention by food was largely retained. The basal and maximal acid output was reduced markedly, and the serum gastrin was elevated. An association between the degree of gastritis, the percentage of gastric motility at rest, and acid secretion is demonstrated. These changes are consistent with patients with duodenal ulcer following vagotomy and dyloroplasty. Postprandial elevation in serum gastrin was noted in patients with or without vagotomy. The lack of significant difference in integrated gastrin response suggests that the vagus may not be important in the control of postprandial gastrin release.

Chylothorax following resection of the oesophagus

Chylothorax complicating operations on the oesophagus has been reported infrequently; it carries a mortality rate of about 50 per cent. A search of the literature has yielded only 10 cases. This paper reports 4 further cases which occurred among 685 resections of the oesophagus, giving an incidence of 0.6 per cent. The diagnosis should be confirmed with lymphangiography. Treatment should be early exploration and ligation in patients in whom the thoracic duct has been divided at operation. If the duct has been injured during blind dissection a period of conservative treatment is advisable. Parenteral nutrition is a useful adjunctive treatment.

Acute suppurative cholecystitis: a retrospective study of 173 cases

Over a 14-year period we treated 2,290 cases of non-malignant biliary tract conditions, and among them were 173 cases of acute suppurative cholecystitis, an incidence of 7.6%. A correct preoperative diagnosis of acute suppurative cholecystitis was made in only about half the cases because features of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis dominated the clinical picture on many occasions. The diagnosis was confirmed in all cases at operation. Cholecystectomy (88%) was performed whenever this was found to be safe, and cholecystostomy (12%) was carried out only in poor-risk patients or when operative difficulties were encountered. The overall mortality of operation was 5.8%. Old age, preoperative shock, delay of operation and the presence of free perforation affected the prognosis adversely.

The effects of experimental division of the vascular pedicle of a transposed subcutaneous ileal loop

The effects of immediate division of the neurovascular pedicles of ileal loops implanted in the subcutaneous tissues for four weeks were studied in eight mongrel dogs. The structural and functional changes were studied by examining sections under light and electron microscopy and by comparing D-xylose absorption and motility patterns. Arteriograms were done to show the new subcutaneous collaterals supplying the loops. Of the eight dogs, four had loops showing normal histological appearances and D-xylose absorptive functions after division of the pedicles. In the remaining four dogs, the loops showed evidence of pseudomembranous changes in some areas, resulting in patching necrosis possibly due to inadequate collaterals. The absorption of D-xylose was impaired in these dogs. Perhaps a longer period of transposition and a gradual division of the vascular pedicle would improve the results. The motility pattern did not change after division of the pedicle, though the response to intravenous carbachol was significantly delayed.

Cilia with defective radial spokes: a cause of human respiratory disease

We studied the fine structure of respiratory-tract cilia in three siblings with chronic respiratory disease, comparing them with those from a patient with Kartagener's syndrome who had dynein-deficient cilia and with control patients who had chronic bronchitis or chronic sinusitis. Electron microscopy of the siblings revealed a new abnormality in the ciliary axoneme--namely, lack of the radial spokes. Their cilia showed an eccentric central pair of tubules but otherwise had a normal central sheath, outer-doublet microtubules, nexin links and dynein arms. The cilia were immotile. Mucociliary clearance was completely lacking in the three siblings and in the patient with Kartagener's syndrome, but was normal in their parents and unaffected siblings. Sperm from the male sibling showed identical structural abnormalities and were immotile. We consider the radial spoke defect to be the congenital anomaly responsible for dysfunction of the mucociliary clearance mechanism in these three patients and of the immotile sperm in one of the them. This defect is apparently another cause of the "immotilecilia syndrome."

Factors influencing morbidity and mortality in esophageal carcinoma

In 1977, 152 patients with carcinoma of the esophagus were admitted under our care. The lesions were located from the hypopharynx to the cardiac portion of the stomach. A prospective study was conducted and the results (mortality and morbidity) were analyzed by computer. Resection was possible in 88 patients and a bypass procedure in 15. On exploration in five patients, the disease was found to be so extensive that no further operative procedures were undertaken. The mortality rate was high, hospital deaths being included in the operative mortality statistics. The best results were obtained by applying the Lewis-Tanner one-stage esophagectomy. When the disease was extensive, a bypass procedure using the Kirschner operation and postoperative irradiation was the method of choice. When the general condition of the patient was poor, the best procedure was a staged esophagectomy, with the reconstruction being undertaken at a later date.

Fasting and postprandial serum gastrin levels before and after highly selective gastric vagotomy, truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty and truncal vagotomy with antrectomy: is there a cholinergic antral gastrin inhibitory and releasing mechanism?

Fasting serum gastrin levels and postprandial gastrin response were measured before and 1 month after highly selective vagotomy, truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty and truncal vagotomy with antrectomy. The three groups of patients, 12 in each group, were closely matched for age, sex, maximum acid output and completeness of vagotomy. After highly selective and truncal vagotomy an identical and significant increase in fasting gastrin was observed, whereas after truncal vagotomy with antrectomy the pre- and postoperative fasting gastrin levels were not different. The net postprandial gastrin output over basal value was significantly increased after highly selective vagotomy, unchanged after truncal vagotomy and significantly lowered after truncal vagotomy with antrectomy. These results suggest the presence in the intact subject of a cholinergic inhibitory mechanism in the gastric body and fundus for the release of antral gastrin in the fasting and postprandial states and a possible cholinergic facilitatory mechanism for the release of antral gastrin after meals.

Unresectable malignant obstruction of the bile ducts

Over a 13-year period we encountered 135 patients with malignant obstruction of the bile ducts, and in 81 of these patients only palliative surgery was possible. The type of operation was largely determined by the site and nature of the obstruction and the condition of the patient. The operative mortality of palliative operation was 37%. Relief of jaundice or pruritus was obtained in 68%, and this figure included a number of patients who died in the first 30 days. The majority of survivors lived for between three and four months after operation, although occasional patients have lived for more than one year.

Accommodation dynamics I. Range nonlinearity

We show the presence of a new nonlinearity in accommodation dynamics. Positive accommodation is slower when the eye is operating in the near range; conversely, relaxation of accommodation is apparently slower during work in the far range. Latency of accommodation is unaffected by working range. This new dynamic range nonlinearity has been defined in connection with a continuing research study of accommodation responses in normal subjects and in clinic patients. Instrumentation and analysis procedures are described.

Buerger's disease--a review of 105 patients

One hundred and five cases (101 males and four females) of Buerger's disease occurring in Hong Kong have been reviewed. In the foot the digits affected were predominantly the big, second and little toes, whereas in the hand the index and middle fingers were most commonly involved. There was no selective involvement of the left or right side in the upper or lower extremities. The majority of patients were operated on and had amputation, sympathectomy, or both procedures performed. Major lower limb amputation was carried out in 22.6% of patients with lower limb involvement. Reconstructive arterial surgery was possible in only four patients, and early failure of grafts in three patients resulted in major amputation.

Changes in metabolism of major food components in patients with intrathoracic replacement of the oesophagus with the stomach

In 19 patients in whom the stomach had been used as an intrathoracic replacement after osephagectomy the absorption of fat, carbohydrate and protein was studied. There is no single pattern of disturbance of such absorption. Protein digestion and absorption occur earlier and more rapidly than in normal subjects, probably as a result of accelerated gastric emptying.

Allograft vein arterial bypass

Untreated allograft saphenous veins used for arterial bypass failed in ten of 11 cases. The precise cause of failure was uncertain, but immune reactions of the recipient against the allograft seemed to be related to failure.

Colorectal carcinoma in Hong Kong

The clinical and pathological features of colorectal carcinoma occurring in 470 Chinese patients in Hong Kong are reported. There was a preponderance of advanced stages of the disease in spite of the presence of a large number of well-differentiated lesions. Polyposis coli was the predisposing cause in 1% of our patients, and none of them had ulcerative colitis. The clinical features of our patients on presentation were generally similar to those exhibited by Caucasians. An abdominal mass was palpable in about half of patients with colonic lesions, and virtually all rectal cancers could be felt by rectal examination. Almost a quarter of our patients presented with complications. In 2% of our patients the initial diagnosis was acute appendictis. A high resection rate was achieved, but many radical resections turned out to be only palliative. Our operative mortality was 8.3%, although for social reasons, the "in-hospital" mortality was 19.2%. The corrected five-year survival rate was 42.7% when curative resection was attempted.

Leiomyosarcoma of the duodenum: a report of three cases

Three cases of leiomyosarcoma of the duodenum are reported in this paper. The first patient demonstrated the development of a leiomyosarcoma from a leiomyoma, and also posed diagnostic problems as a Pólya gastrectomy had previously been performed. The second patient presented with acute pancreatitis--a hitherto unreported complication of this condition. The third patient showed that even though the primary tumour was unresectable, the patient remained well for more than a year after diagnosis.

Arterial problems seen in a teaching hospital in Hong Kong

Over a 12-month period, 58 patients presented with arterial disease or other arterial problems to the University Surgical Unit, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. These patients accounted for only 0.6% of this Unit's annual admissions. In spite of the reported rarity of atherosclerotic arterial disease in this part of the world, this was the cause of the disease in nearly half of our patients. Abdominal aortic aneurysm was the single most common condition encountered. In at least one-third of patients with atheromatous disease of the aortoiliac segment, chronic peptic ulcers were demonstrated. It is concluded that peripheral arterial disease is rare, but atherosclerosis is the most common cause.

Hyperplasia of similar and dissimilar mucosa adjoining gastric mucosal wounds in the rat

Deep mucosal wounds were produced within 1 mm of the squamo-columnar junction of the stomach of the rat, either on the squamous or on the glandular side, and the response of both the regenerating epithelium and of the adjoining, dissimilar epithelium was studied 24 hours to 12 weeks later. Squamous epithelium, both overlying previously injured squamous areas and adjoining previously injured glandular areas showed distinct hyperplasia that began on the 3rd day and was still present at 12 weeks. Glandular epithelium overlying previously injured glandular areas and adjoining previously injured squamous areas showed no hyperplasia but modulation of parietal and chief cells into mucus-secreting cells with increased mitosis. These changes appear more likely the effects of non-specific mitogenic agents than of reduced concentration of epithelial chalones.

A double trial of amoxycillin in the treatment of gonorrhoea

A double blind comparison of two regimens of amoxycillin plus probenecid in the treatment of uncomplicated anogenital gonorrhoea is reported. Forty-three (86-0%) of 50 patients treated with 1 g amoxycillin plus 1 g probenecid and followed-up for 14 days were regarded as cured, and 51 (94-4%) of 54 patients treated with 3 g amoxycillin plus 1 g probenecid were regarded as cured. Fifty-nine per cent of 69 isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were sensitive to amoxycillin (minimum inhibitory concentration less than or equal to 0-05 mg/ml). Although there was no statistical difference between the results of the two regimens it is concluded that the larger dose of amoxycillin plus probenecid is required where only 60% of gonococci are sensitive to amoxycillin.

Benign non-parasitic cysts of the liver: a review of 18 cases

Benign non-parasitic cysts of the liver are a clinical and pathological curiosity except when they cause symptoms or are incorrectly diagnosed as metastases in patients with abdominal malignancy. It is difficult to make a correct diagnosis of benign liver cysts in spite of the armamentarium of modern diagnostic aids available, and on many occasions the diagnosis is made at laparotomy. This is a report of 18 patients with benign cysts of the liver, two of whom suffered complications which we believe have not previously been reported.

The incidence of unsuspected peripheral arterial disease amongst surgical patients in Hong Kong

A survey of surgical in-patients in Hong Kong has shown that subclinical peripheral arterial disease caused by atherosclerosis and detected by palpation is not uncommon and is similar in incidence to that reported in European populations. However, only a small proportion of affected patients had any associated symptoms. Reduced or absent ankle and ulnar pulses occurred with the same frequency in our patients as in those in Europe. Cigarette smoking does not appear to be associated with symptomatic arterial disease in the local population in Hong Kong.