The effect of haem in red and processed meat on the endogenous formation of N-nitroso compounds in the upper gastrointestinal tract. (65/323)

Red and processed meat (PM) consumption increases the risk of large bowel cancer and it has been demonstrated that haem in red meat (RM) stimulates the endogenous production of N-nitroso compounds (NOCs) within the human intestine. To investigate whether N-nitrosation occurs in the upper gastrointestinal tract, 27 ileostomists were fed diets containing no meat, or 240 g RM or 240 g PM in a randomly assigned crossover intervention design carried out in a volunteer suite. Endogenous NOC were assessed as apparent total N-nitroso compounds (ATNC) in the ileostomy output. ATNC concentration in the diets was 22 microg ATNC/kg (RM) and 37 microg ATNC/kg (PM), and 9 microg ATNC/kg in the no meat diet. Levels significantly increased to 1175 microg ATNC/kg SEM = 226 microg ATNC/kg) following the RM (P=0.001) and 1832 microg ATNC/kg (SEM=294 microg ATNC/kg) following PM (P<0.001) compared to the no meat diet (283 microg ATNC/kg, SEM=74 microg ATNC/kg). ATNC concentrations in the ileal output were equivalent to those measured in faeces in similarly designed feeding studies. Supplementation with either 1 g ascorbic acid or 400 IU alpha-tocopherol had no effect on the concentration of ATNC detected in the ileal output. In in vitro experiments, N-nitrosomorpholine (NMor) was formed in the presence of nitrosated haemoglobin, at pH 6.8 but not in the absence of nitrosated haemoglobin. These findings demonstrate that haem may facilitate the formation of NOC in the absence of colonic flora in the upper human gastrointestinal tract.  (+info)

Correlating the Fecal Incontinence Quality-of-Life Score and the SF-36 to a proposed Ostomy Function Index in patients with a stoma. (66/323)

Quality of life is affected by the creation of a stoma. To assess the validity of the Ostomy Function Index in patients with a stoma, a prospective survey was conducted from July 2000 to September 2001 among patients participating in local United Ostomy Association chapters (N = 99; 55 with a colostomy and 44 with an ileostomy). The Short Form 36 general health survey, Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale, and the proposed Cleveland Clinic Florida Ostomy Function Index were used to assess general health and stoma function in patients with an ostomy. The average proposed function index score (7 = excellent function, 35 = poor function) was 11.97 (range 7 to 22). The proposed function Index correlated with the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale and the physical and mental component scales of the SF-36 (P < 0.05). The correlation between the proposed function index and the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale was stronger in colostomy than in ileostomy patients. With the exception of the SF-36 role-emotional domain in ileostomy patients, the function index correlated with all SF-36 scales (P <0.05) in both patient groups. The results of this study suggest that ostomy function is variable and correlates with quality of life and that the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale offers a limited assessment of quality of life in colostomy patients. The Cleveland Clinic Florida Ostomy Function Index offers an objective assessment of ostomy function that reflects on quality of life. Additional studies to refine measurement of quality of life in stoma patients are warranted.  (+info)

The effect of faecal diversion on human ileum. (67/323)

BACKGROUND: The use of a loop ileostomy is an effective method in protecting pelvic anastomoses. Its use has increased recently, although there is some debate as to the routine use of a stoma. Reversal of the ileostomy is associated with a significant morbidity, which may be related to impaired function of the bypassed distal limb of the ileum. AIM: To investigate the changes that might occur in the distal limb after an interval of faecal diversion. METHODS: Full-thickness intestinal circular muscle (CM) strips were prepared from excised loop ileostomies taken at the time of closure. The study sample was from the distal limb and the control from the proximal limb. Contractile activity was measured using an organ bath set up to record isometric contraction after stimulation by acetylcholine (ACh). Histological sections were assessed for an index of villous atrophy, smooth muscle area, and nerve and vessel density. Analysis was with the Wilcoxon signed ranks test for paired data and the Mann-Whitney U test for unpaired data. RESULTS: Samples were acquired prospectively from 35 consecutive patients. The median time between formation and closure of ileostomy was 34 weeks. Significant reduction was observed in the strength of CM contraction, smooth muscle area and median villous index of the distal limb compared with the proximal limb. CONCLUSION: Impaired intestinal function has been proposed as a contributory factor in the morbidity that may follow closure of loop ileostomy. Significant loss of contractility and smooth muscle strength and villous atrophy occur in the distal ileal limb after faecal diversion. Methods of preventing these changes should be considered.  (+info)

MRSA enteritis causing a high stoma output in the early postoperative phase after bowel surgery. (68/323)

INTRODUCTION: Nosocomial MRSA infection has become an important healthcare issue. We present 6 cases of MRSA enteritis, acquired following bowel surgery and ileostomy formation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data set was obtained from the experience of one consultant surgeon over 6 years in one medical centre. The clinical features and course of six patients that developed MRSA enteritis postoperatively were obtained through review of case notes and laboratory data. RESULTS: Four male and two female patients (age range, 22-80 years) developed a clinical syndrome postoperatively requiring treatment within the high dependency unit. Three developed respiratory distress syndrome, and one died from multi-organ failure. Exploratory laparotomy carried out in three patients was negative. All patients were MRSA-negative on admission but had swabs positive for MRSA from ileostomy site postoperatively. All of the three patients who had ileostomy effluent cultured for MRSA had positive results. DISCUSSION: Fever, abdominal pain, distension and high stoma output in the early postoperative period following bowel surgery should alert the clinician to the possibility of MRSA enteritis. Patients require aggressive resuscitation and culture of ileostomy effluent for MRSA. Exploratory laparotomy has no obvious benefits. As MRSA enteritis has the potential to be a lethally effective disseminator of MRSA, such clinical features should prompt early instigation of appropriate infection control practices.  (+info)

Isoflavonoid glucosides are deconjugated and absorbed in the small intestine of human subjects with ileostomies. (69/323)

BACKGROUND: Although soy isoflavonoids have a number of health-promoting benefits, information concerning the sites of their absorption and metabolism in humans remains limited. Isoflavonoid absorption from the gut requires deconjugation of glucosides to aglycones. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to investigate the role of the small intestine in isoflavonoid absorption and metabolism in humans. DESIGN: Human subjects with fully functional gastrointestinal tracts (n = 6) and ileostomy subjects (n = 6) were fed a single soy meal containing 64.8 mg isoflavonoid aglycone equivalents (95% as glucosides). Metabolism of isoflavonoids in the upper gastrointestinal tract was examined by analyzing ileal effluent from ileostomy subjects, and absorption was assessed indirectly by quantifying isoflavonoids and several metabolites in 24-h urine pools. RESULTS: Chyme contained 36.7% of ingested isoflavonoid aglycone equivalents, primarily (95.8%) as aglycones. Qualitative profiles (x +/- SEM) of isoflavonoid excretion in urine (daidzein > glycitein > genistein) and the quantity of isoflavonoid equivalents were not significantly different between the control (18.4 +/- 2.2 mg) and ileostomy (13.5 +/- 3.2 mg) subjects. Dihydrodaidzein was present in the urine of all subjects, although the amount excreted by ileostomy subjects was less than that excreted by the control subjects. The percentage of producers and mean quantities of dihydrogenistein, equol, and O-desmethylangolensin in the urine of ileostomy subjects also were lower than those of control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Ileostomy subjects efficiently deglycosylate isoflavonoid glucosides in the small intestine and appear to absorb aglycones with an efficiency comparable with that of control subjects. However, the production of microbial metabolites of isoflavonoids is limited in ileostomy subjects.  (+info)

Stomal varices: a rare cause of stomal hemorrhage. A report of three cases. (70/323)

Stomal varices secondary to portal hypertension are a rare but potentially fatal cause of hemorrhage. Management, determined by the site of the bleeding, centers on preventing additional bleeds and may include providing local pressure, applying silver nitrate, injection sclerotherapy, suture ligation of the bleeding point, and/or the placement of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts and refashioning the stoma. Two patients (60- and 69-year-old women) had panproctocolectomy for inflammatory bowel disease and presented at the authors' hospital with bleeding from the ileostomy 1 and 19 years, respectively, following the creation of their stomas. A third patient (a 72-year-old man) bled from an end colostomy following an abdominoperineal resection for Duke's C rectal adenocarcinoma performed 3 years previous. All three patients had recurrent admissions for stomal bleeding and stomal varices secondary to portal hypertension and were initially treated with local measures (pressure, silver nitrate, and suture ligation). Two had undergone revision of their stomas prior to current treatment. One patient responded to local treatment but later died due to liver failure, one stopped bleeding after transjugular portosystemic shunt placement, and one died from metastatic cancer. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion of stomal varices in patients with underlying liver disease who present with recurrent stomal bleeds and provide appropriate treatment to stop active bleeding and reduce portal venous pressure.  (+info)

Health-related quality of life after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in elderly patients with an ileal conduit, ureterocutaneostomy, or orthotopic urinary reservoir: a comparative questionnaire survey. (71/323)

To compare the health-related quality of life of elderly patients after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer in urinary diversion groups: ileal conduit, ureterocutaneostomy, or orthotopic urinary reservoir. The 109 participating elderly patients aged 75 or older completed self-reporting questionnaires: the QLQ-C30, and on satisfaction with urinary diversion methods. Fifty-six patients had undergone constructions for ileal conduit diversion, 31 for ureterocutaneostomy, and 22 for orthotopic urinary reservoir (OUR). The median follow-up period for each group was 4.0 years (range 0.3-11.2), 4.5 years (range 0.3-18.0), and 3.3 years (range 0.3-6.7), respectively. Regardless of the type of urinary diversion, the majority of patients reported having good overall quality of life, although with some problem of pain. No significant differences among urinary diversion subgroups were found in any quality of life area in the QLQ-C30 questionnaire. More patients in the OUR sub-group felt disappointment than those in the ileal conduit or cutaneostomy sub-groups. However, a questionnaire which asked which diversion method would be preferable showed a trend that more patients in the OUR subgroup would have chosen the same one. Health-related quality of life appeared relatively good in these 3 groups. Patient demands and expectations may be so different from the results that the details of each urinary diversion method should be explained thoroughly. OUR construction could be a candidate even for elderly patients.  (+info)

A proposal for classifying peristomal skin disorders: results of a multicenter observational study. (72/323)

The challenges of caring for abdominal ostomy disorders have grown over the years. Because the literature shows no evidence of a tool to classify peristomal skin disorders, a study group comprised of seven enterostomal therapy nurses and four surgeons sought to provide an objective, reproducible, standardized classification instrument. A prospective, observational study was conducted among eight ostomy centers across Italy. The 339 patient participants (272 men, 67 women, average age 63 [25 to 85] years) were divided into two groups according to onset of complications (less than or greater than 1 year); 800 digital photographs were taken to enhance observation and blood samples were drawn for additional data. From the data obtained, a classification scheme was created and subsequently tested using four non-study group experts. The resulting instrument facilitated lesion interpretation and detection, including topography. Thus far, this is the first validated classification attempt not based on assessments of lesions attributable to entirely different etiopathogenetic factors. Further research to refine the tool and to correlate the additional data obtained from blood samples with the classification system is underway.  (+info)