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Native arteriovenous (AV) fistula are the first choice for primary hemodialysis access. It is essential to save as much vein as possible, and therefore distal AV shunts should be tried first. In patients with diabetes, primary brachiocephalic shunts are indicated and show better results than distal AV fistulae. The major complication of AV fistulae is shunt thrombosis. Immediate surgical repair is necessary, with the aim of preserving enough puncture sites to allow prompt continuation of the hemodialysis therapy. It is important to avoid central venous catheters, because these cause infectious complications more frequently. Shunt infections occur more often in polytetrafluoroethylene grafts than in native AV fistulae and represent a life-threatening situation for dialysis patients.

Aim of this study was to assess whether the decrease in heart rate and oxygen saturation occurring acutely after bolus administration of surfactant is different from the effect of endotracheal suctioning and whether there are effects on cerebral haemodynamics and oxygenation.Twelve premature infants, birth weight 720-1560 g (Median 935 g), gestational age 25-30 weeks (Median 28 weeks), were investigated during surfactant administration (Curosurf) as a single bolus and a preceding endotracheal suctioning procedure. Using near infrared spectroscopy changes in cerebral blood volume and cerebral oxygenation index were assessed. Heart rate, arterial oxygen saturation, PCO2, and arterial blood pressure were registered continuously. Data were compared at 30, 60 and 120 seconds after the beginning of suctioning and surfactant administration.Endotracheal suctioning and surfactant administration induced a similar decrease in heart rate (-29/min, SD 25, p0.01 and -30/min, SD 23, p0.001) during the first 30 seconds and in oxygen saturation at the 30 seconds datapoint (-3%, SD 2, p0.01 and -3%, SD 6, p0.05). The decrease in oxygen saturation persisted at 60 seconds after the start of suctioning (-4%, SD 5, p0.05). In contrast, oxygen saturation was no longer different from baseline levels 60 seconds after surfactant administration (+1%, SD 6, p = 0.5). After suctioning, cerebral oxygenation index had decreased significantly from baseline levels at 30, 60, and 120 seconds. In contrast, after surfactant administration, no significant difference from baseline was noted at 30 and 60 seconds and a significant increase occurred at 120 seconds. Mean arterial blood pressure, PCO2, and cerebral blood volume did not change significantly during endotracheal suctioning and during surfactant administration.Acute decreases in heart rate and oxygen saturation during bolus administration of surfactant are equal to effects occurring during endotracheal suctioning. However, the decrease in oxygen saturation is shorter and more importantly, no decrease in cerebral oxygenation occurs.

Aim of this study was to assess, by use of monitoring parameters and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), whether premature infants tolerate axillary temperature measurement better than rectal.Twenty-one infants were studied. Birth weight was 540-1680 g (median 840 g), weight at the time of investigation 470-1500 g (Median 920 g), gestational age 24-31 weeks (median 29 weeks), age at time of investigation 4-25 days (median 11 days). Four pairs of axillary/rectal temperatures were taken in every infant. Heart rate and oxygen saturation were monitored. Using NIRS cerebral oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin were measured and total cerebral hemoglobin and the cerebral oxygenation index were calculated.Mean heart rate increased slightly but significantly from baseline during axillary and rectal temperature measurement (axillary: +6/min (+/- 7); p0.0001; rectal: +4/min (+/- 6); p0.0001). Peak increase in heart rate was significantly higher during axillary than during rectal temperature measurement (axillary: +18/min (+/- 10); rectal: +14/min (+/- 8); axillary versus rectal: p = 0.02). There was no difference in the number of measurements during which oxygen saturation dropped intermittently below 88% (rectal: 21% of measurements; axillary: 20% of measurements). NIRS parameters were not significantly different between axillary and rectal measurements: cerebral oxygenated hemoglobin and the oxygenation index showed a decrease in cerebral oxygenation during both, axillary and rectal measurement.Axillary temperature measurement is not better tolerated than rectal in premature infants.

Additional therapy of symptomatic popliteal artery aneurysm includes intraoperative lysis for the treatment of the descending thrombosis and spinal cord stimulation for cases of chronic deterioration of the peripheral perfusion state. Between 1989 and 1996, we treated 50 patients with 55 symptomatic aneurysms using this concept, 18 of them as emergency cases. We reached a postoperative amputation rate of 12.7% and good long-term functional results in 34 of 37 patients.

High-resolution real-time ultrasound (US) with a 5 MHz transducer has proved to be an important method in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. In a prospective study we examined 2074 unselected patients with suspected appendicitis to assess the diagnostic and epidemiological value of US. According to the clinical diagnosis females aged 10 to 30 represented the majority of suspected cases. Appendicitis was most often proved in male patients aged 15-30 years. The prevalence of acute appendicitis in childhood is lower (7%) than in elderly patients (33%). US enables the diagnosis of acute appendicitis with a sensitivity of 91%, a specificity of 98% and an overall accuracy of 97%. For differential diagnosis US demonstrates other diseases that mimic acute appendicitis. Thus it is possible to reduce the negative appendectomy rate particularly in children by revealing mesenteric lymphadenitis or terminal ileitis and in young women by directing attention to gynecological diseases.

The authors report a case of extracranial aneurysm of the internal carotid artery. This case of a 53-year-old man demonstrates how difficult an early and exact diagnosis can be, even in these days with their considerable variety of modern diagnostic techniques--depending on the order of their use. In comparable cases, we therefore postulate the early use of angiography, neuromonitoring during the operation and the ultrasound-examination of the complete arterial system in search for further aneurysms.

"Exulceratio simplex Dieulafoy" is a rare cause of massive upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage from a submucosal artery. Dieulafoy's disease is rarely recognized. We present 9 cases of Dieulafoy's lesion and have collected 176 cases described in the literature.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is an accepted technique in the treatment of occlusive vascular disease. We report complications associated with balloon catheter dilatation and their treatment in the period from 1. 1. 1986 to 31. 3. 1990. Complications were found at the site of dilatation and the site of insertion of the catheter, mostly in the pelvic and femoral region. Surgical correction was successful in all patients, however three patients died postoperatively of acute myocardial ischemia. To avoid these complications close co-operation between the radiologist performing the dilatation and the vascular surgeon managing the complications should be assured.

The appendectomy-rate in the Federal Republic of Germany is decreasing. German surgeons have begun to refuse appendectomy if there are no signs of acute inflammation. Preoperative assessment of patients with right lower quadrant pain has acquired new significance. The authors report on 2 years of experience with routine use of high-resolution ultrasonography in 669 cases of suspected acute appendicitis. Only 101 patients (= 15.1%) turned out to be suffering from acute appendicitis. Ultrasonography evaluation was found to have a sensitivity of 84.2%, a specificity of 96.8% and an overall accuracy of 94.9%. Ultrasonography was also useful in detecting mimicking diseases of acute appendicitis. Sonography should help to rule out severe disease in the frequent cases of functional abdominal pain.

The profunda femoris artery has become the most important collateral vessel for compensating femoro-popliteal arterial occlusion. The circulation of the ischaemic limb can be obtained by profundaplasty. From 1972 to 1982, 70 patients with a mean age of 75,7 years underwent surgery. Good results were obtained in 75,9%.

Results of animal experiments are presented on the applicability in the low pressure system of a collagen prosthesis, which has been used successfully, for considerable time, in the arterial replacement in patients and dogs. Grafts of up to 7 cm in length were implanted into the suprarenal segment of the inferior vena cava (v. cava caudalis) in dogs and observed clinically over a period of more than 500 days. Histological investigations were made. With some limitations the results obtained are considered as good and point towards the applicability of the examined graft material in the low pressure system.

Abdominal angiography was performed in patients with occlusive disease of the iliofemoral arteries. In 85 of 389 patients, the anomalous arterial blood supply of the upper abdomen was detected accidentally: 81% of the variations were related to the hepatic artery, 19% to the celiac artery. The possible surgical consequences are discussed if these variations are disregarded. Four patients with aneurysms of the visceral arteries (three aneurysms of the hepatic artery, one aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery) and one patient with a celiac artery compression syndrome were also detected. The latter diseases represent clear indication for operation with high chances of success if treated in time.

A pedunculate patch, obtained from a disconnected segment of jejunum, was implanted into the longitudinal incision of the ductus choledochus. Intra-operatively, the findings were based upon direct cholecystocholangiography; postoperatively, upon laboratory tests. After an observation period of 12 months a new cholangiography of the transplant was made along with a selective picture of the mesenteric arteries. The choledochus duct with the transplant was examined histologically. Three dogs died immediately postoperatively of peritonitis due to suture insufficiency. Five dogs died of invaginate ileus. These animals, as well as the remaining 8 dogs showed macroscopically and microscopically a smooth and uneventful healing of the transplant at the end of the observation period. Radiographies showed free flow of the biliary duct system. The selective mesenteric arteriographies evidenced beginning anastomosis between the transplant and the capillaries of the bile duct. Based on the results presented, the pedunculate jejunal graft can be considered well suited as an expansion graft for the bile duct.

In a controlled randomized trial at four centers, using a common protocol, 57 patients with advanced chronic arterial occlusive disease (21 in stage III, 36 in stage IV) were treated with prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) or adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for three weeks. Both substances were administered intraarterially over 60 min. Daily dose of PGE1 was 20 micrograms, of ATP 30 mg. Both produced a significant reduction in resting pain at the end of the treatment phase, in stage III significantly better with PGE1. There was also a clear reduction in the use of analgesics, significantly more so with PGE1. Healing or improvement of ulcers was significantly better with PGE1, while there was no significant differences between the two drugs as regards stage improvement. Three amputations had to be performed in the PGE1 group, nine in the ATP group, a significant difference. Side effects in the form of reddening, pain and swellings occurred in 15 patients of the PGE1 group and six of the ATP group. Final verdict by the treating doctor about the success of treatment was significantly more favorable for PGE1.

A review of the embryology, pathophysiology semiotics and surgical treatment of malformations of the inferior vena cava is given based on 3 clinical histories. The cases consisted of a typical membrane occlusion, an atresia of the infrarenal segment and of a hitherto not described combination of several malformations of the inferior vena cava: membrane occlusion, aplasia of the infrarenal segment of the vena cava inferior and multiple aneurysms of the iliac vein. The symptomatology of malformations of the vena cava inferior depends on the compensation by the collateral or the persisting embryonic veins, respectively, and on the localization and the degree of the obliteration. The varying hemodynamic reactions are described. The following surgical methods for the treatment of inferior vena cava occlusions in the hepatic segment are available: The so called conservative interventions for the creation of collaterals, the direct or indirect recanalization and the bypass operation. Congenital infrarenal atresias of the vena cava are corrected by homologous or prosthetic interposition. The venous replacement with a bovine heterograft presented here, has not yet been described in the literature.

The article describes the present state of surgery of the v. cava inferior, of the veins of the pelvis and legs in acute phlebothrombosis, post-thrombosis syndrome, traumatic lesions, congenital malformations and in tumour surgery. Every surgical performance concerned with the venous system must be diagnostically clarified by phlebography. The veins of the thigh and pelvis are well visualized by means of ascending phlebography. Closely meshed functional testing by means of phlebography control, as well as venous pressure measurements and peripheral phlebodynamometry are required for timely recognition of an early relapse and for assessing the results of surgery.

A new bovine collagenic prosthesis (Solcograft P) was tested in animal experiments. In 45 dogs the infrarenal abdominal aorta was substituted. During a follow-up period of up to 18 months the functional rate amounted to 88%. Joint-crossing iliaco-femoral bypasses were implanted in 31 dogs, 5 times in both sides. For the new bovine collagenic graft the functional rate ran up to 83%, during a follow-up period of 9 months. A wound infection was observed twice in the inguinal region thus exacting the removal of the prosthesis. An aneurysm was not observed. In our opinion the satisfying results are due to the compliance of the new prosthesis which is similar to natural artery.

A new synthetic, absorbable suture has been tested on 15 mongrel dogs. A total of 132 simple end-to-end anastomoses has been performed in common carotid, iliac and femoral arteries and the aorta abdominalis with monofilament, absorbable polydioxanon. Aneurysms or infections did not occur. The patency rate up to 250 days was 98.5%. All vessels were studied by angiography and light- or electron-microscopy. The new monofilament suture material is characterized by extended absorption time and low foreign body reaction. It leads more rapidly to the restitution of the vascular wall than nonabsorbable sutures.

At the surgical unit of the University of Cologne a new system for autotransfusion (Solcotrans) was used in 18 patients. This system consists of a plastic case connected with a vacuum pump by an airtube. After filling the plastic case with 50 ml sodium citrate, 450 ml of blood can be aspirated by the surgeon and be reinfused by the anaesthesiologist. The system was used in shunt-surgery at portal hypertension, at venous thrombectomy and at aneurysms of the aorta abdominalis. Through this, stored blood was not necessary in 13 operations.

A case report is given of a patient who had surgery because of an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta. During laparotomy a tumor in Meckel's diverticulum was found, which was removed by tangential incision without opening the intestine as to avoid an infection of the prosthesis. The tumor had a diameter of 1.5 cm and histology showed transmural spread of the carcinoid tissue; under these conditions further metastatic spread is possible. After the patient had recovered successfully from aneurysm surgery he was operated again and partial resection of the small intestine including the regional lymphatic system was performed. Carcinoid tissue was found during histological examination in the submucosal layer of the intestine in the area where surgery had been done before; no pathological changes however were found in the mesenterium. Thus the patient can be considered to be cured.

A bovine collagen graft was implanted in 30 dogs for the replacement of the femoral vein, the iliac vein and the inferior vena cava. During the observation period up to 210 days six thromboses of the graft were observed. Histological results after 30 days: development of a "neo-intima" with collagen type III, originating from the anastomosis. After 90 to 210 days: Continuous endothelial layer of the graft with appearance of smooth muscle fibers in the neo-intima. From the graft bed there was found resorption of the bovine collagen and replacement by new collagen type III fibers.

In a retrospective trial preoperative anthropometric and biochemical dates of 72 cancer patients were measured. All patients underwent a major surgical resection. Discriminant analysis and a computer-based stepwise regression procedure were used to identify the most important variables. It was able to compute a linear predictive model of 7 variables, called Nutritional Index, relating risk of operative mortality to preoperative nutritional status. In a prospective control trial it was possible to confirm the predictive value of the Nutritional Index by nutritional assessment of 204 surgical patients undergoing a major surgical procedure. This Nutritional Index provides a quantitative classification in surgical patients at high, low and without increased risk of nutritionally based complications.

The cerebral function of 55 patients with stenosis and occlusion of carotid arteries was monitored intraoperatively by serial examination of somatosensory cortical evoked potentials (SEP). In 40 uncomplicated operations no significant alteration of the SEP was detected. In 13 examination series, however, reversible abnormalities were noted. Furthermore, in two cases irreversible SEP loss was documented. The nature and temporal development of SEP alterations enabled differentiation of possible etiological factors. Bilateral abnormalities were indicative of global hypoxemia whereas acutely arising unilateral SEP loss suggested embolic occlusion of cerebral arteries. Intraoperative SEP monitoring therefore appears to be of diagnostical and differential diagnostical value and allows statements in respect to further intra- and postoperative treatment.

In the surgical department of the University of Cologne a new system for autotransfusion (Solcotrans) was used 74 times in 18 patients. This system consists of a plastic case connected with a vacuum pump by an air tube. After filling the plastic case with 50 ml of sodium citrate, 500 ml blood can be aspirated by the surgeon and reinfused by the anaesthetist. The system was used in venous thrombectomy, in aneurysms of the abdominal aorta and in shunt surgery due to portal hypertension. Thus stored blood was not necessary in 13 operations.

Simple end-to-end reconstruction of benign bile duct stenosis is possible only in a few cases. To preserve the function of papilla of Vater as the best anticholangitis therapy, we developed a method of bile duct expansion by a pedunculated jejunal patch-graft in animal experiments. After these successful experiments three patients with iatrogenic short bile duct stenosis were treated with this operation. These patients remain free of pathologic clinical and radiological findings 8-30 months after surgery.