Anal dynamic graciloplasty in the treatment of intractable fecal incontinence
Article Abstract:
Gracioplasty combined with implanted electrodes appears to be an effective method of achieving fecal continency in patients with nonfunctional anal sphincters. Gracioplasty involves the use of the gracilis muscle to construct a new sphincter that circles the anal canal. Implanted electrodes provides stimulation to the transposed gracilis muscle that promotes sustained contraction. Of 52 patients treated with this technique, 38 (73%) achieved continence after 2.1 years and improved their quality of life. The frequency of defecation decreased from five times in 24 hours to two times in 24 hours after stimulation for eight weeks. At 52 weeks, defecation could be postponed to 19 minutes, compared to a median 9 seconds prior to stimulation. Patients aged from 18 to 71, and had long-term incontinence that could not be treated successfully by other methods.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1995
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A 67-year-old man with three years of dementia
Article Abstract:
A 67-year-old man was hospitalized because of progressive dementia beginning three years before admission. He had been a boxer for 10 years and participated in more than 100 fights. An MRI scan of his brain showed atrophy and other changes. He had behavioral disorders and was treated with anti-psychotic drugs. He was ultimately transferred to a nursing home, where he died five days after admission. His behavioral disorders indicated damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. An autopsy ruled out Alzheimer's disease and he was diagnosed with dementia pugilistica, a consequence of boxing.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1999
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A 30-year-old woman with intractable seizures despite a temporal lobectomy
Article Abstract:
A 30-year-old woman was admitted to a hospital for chronic seizures. She had her first seizure at the age of 23 and continued to have seizures despite taking anticonvulsants. The seizures were traced to her right temporal lobe, which was surgically removed. One year after surgery, she began having seizures that could not be controlled by anticonvulsants. An MRI scan revealed a lesion close to the right temporal area, which was removed surgically. Microscopic analysis revealed it to be a dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1997
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