Surgical therapy of varicose veins of the lower limb (author's transl)]

Between 1969 and 1975 302 patients were surgically treated for varicose veins of the lower limbs (bilaterally in 61 cases) in the 2nd Department of Surgery, University of Vienna. 151 patients (including 30 cases operated on bilaterally) were followed up. The "classic" technique of vein stripping introduced by Babcock [1], modified in regard to certain details, was employed. The results of the follow-up examinations are presented and discussed.     

Legal aspects of suicide (author's transl)

The legal and forensic aspects of suicide are explained with particular reference to penal and civil code and social welfare legislation. This includes inter alia suicide as a result of injuries sustained during an accident a well as mental diseases of various etiology and pathogenesis, all of which are given detailed attention. Special problems, such suicide in a hospital, etc. have already been dealt with in great detail in other publications, so that reference is made to them within the framework of the present article.     

Prostaglandin-F-levels in human plasma during late pregnancy and labour (author's transl)

The concentrations of prostaglandin F-equivalents were measured in peripheral plasma during labour at a cervical dilatation of 5 cm and at complete dilatation. After purification, extraction and chromatography the PGF-equivalents were measured radioimmunologically. The intraassay variation was 1.5%, the interassay variation 3.5%. The specificity for PGF was 96-98%. Logit/log transformation of the standardcurve yielded a sensitivity of the assay of 120 pg. At cervical dilatation of 5 cm PGF-equivalents varied between 1300 and 3200 pg/ml plasma. At complete dilatation values changed between 1200 and 5400 pg/ml. These fluctuations correlate timedepending to the uterine contractions recorded and may be interpreted as a result of uterine PGF-release.     

Surgical aspects in arterial occlusion (author's transl)

Acute arterial occlusion was found to be the most frequent emergency (10%) among vascular patients of the Department of Surgery of the University of Düsseldorf. Rheumatic heart diseases receded as etiological factors whereas atherosklerotic obstructive diseases exhibited a clear increasing tendency. Operation is urgent if acute ischemia is present. The best method is represented by embolectomy by means of the Fogarty-catheter, if it is performed within the first 6 to 12 hours after or vascular occlusion. Angiography is only indicated if ischemia is not complete or if the cartoid artery or great visceral arteries are involved. In cases of incomplete occlusion embolectomy may be successful even after days and weeks. Mortality after these operations is found to be 18 to 20%, the rate of amputation being 9%. The final results of operative results are better in arterial embolism than in arterial thrombosis.     

Some aspects of congenital glaucoma (author's transl)

The following paper on certain aspects of congenital glaucoma was read at a meeting for advanced medical education. Particular emphasis was placed on a review of the theories and concepts dealing with pathogenetic factors of congenital glaucoma. Two main concepts appeared to be most prominent in past and current literature: 1. The concept of a membrane obstructing the chamber angle, 2. underdevelopment or malformation of all or some structure of the chamber angle region. In order to clarify the above mentioned concepts, three stages of development of normal human chamber angles were demonstrated by light and electronmicroscopy. Aspects of surgical treatment of congenital glaucoma were discussed. Light and electronmicroscopic findings in some trabeculectomy specimens were shown. In eyes which underwent repeated surgery, marked scar tissue was seen in the area of trabecular meshwork, thus obliterating aqueous pathways. In those cases, an excision of trabecular tissue (trabeculectomy) was recommended rather than destruction of remaining trabecular tissue (trabeculotomy).     

Operation on varicose, especially in the malleolar region (author's transl)

The great number of people with varicosities and the relatively high percentage of venous pathology among this group shows the importance of their detection and treatment. The results achieved in more than 1000 operations on varicose legs underline the great benefits arising from surgical treatment of the varicose saphenous vein. The treatment of chronic venous insufficiency in the malleolar region has been aided by the use of the Klapp tenotoma. The simple and atraumatic manipulation of this instrument enables the surgeon to overcome the most important obstacles in this region, the perforator veins (Cockett I, II), the venous leg ulcer and the corona phlebectatica paraplantaris. Conscientious postoperative supervision of the patient by the surgeon personally or by a dermatologist trained in this speciality is an essential condition for the successful operative treatment of varicose veins.     

Social medical aspects of patients with a permanent colostomy (author's transl)

Problems of 39 patients with permanent colostomies/ileostomies are investigated one up to seven years after having got the anus praeternaturalis. The postoperative problems of everyday life are various and often serious, they are the more severe, the less patients had been informed preoperatively and the older the patients are. Younger and more intelligent patients integrate the colostomy easier and more quickly in their everyday life. Very useful for rehabilitation is the close contact between patient and the surgeon, respectively special colostomy-consulting hours.