An analysis of cell kinetic parameters as a function of intralobular localization of hepatocytes was performed using autoradiographic methods to obtain a basis for a quantitative description of cell cycle compartments after partial hepatectomy. The influx into the S compartment revealed a maximum in a lobular zone not immediately adjacent to the portal tract, with a decrease towards the perivenous and periportal area of the lobule. The maximum influx was found in the intermediate zone at 34 hr and a lower one in the perivenous parts of the lobule at 40 hr. The influx pattern at 56 hr was similar to the situation at 18 hr. The fraction of labelled mitoses in the whole liver and in subunits of the lobule disclosed a constant duration of S whereas the duration of G2+ M was prolonged from the periportal to the perivenous zone. A graphical model of kinetic events after partial hepatectomy is proposed, which describes the sizes of the various cell cycle compartments; the model successfully predicted the results of a continuous labelling experiment.

The success rate for the Cook Surgisis AFP anal fistula plug for the closure of complex anorectal fistulas both in cryptoglandular and Crohn's associated fistulas was 45.5 and 85.7%, respectively. Further analysis is needed to explain the definite role of this innovative technique in comparison to traditional surgical techniques.

To study the effect of sclerotherapy of varices on esophageal function, the motility of the tubular esophagus and of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) were recorded in 19 patients after 7 to 13 sclerotherapy sessions and in 15 healthy volunteers. In addition, esophageal functional scintigraphy (EFS) was performed in the patient group. Compared with the volunteers the patients had lower contraction amplitudes in the distal esophagus (30.5 +/- 17.5 mm Hg versus 43.6 +/- 9.1 mm Hg, p less than 0.01) and a higher percentage of non-propulsive simultaneous contractions (NPC) in the distal (33.4 +/- 23.2% versus 9.0 +/- 8.6%, p less than 0.005) and mid-esophagus (15.0 +/- 8.2% versus 8.3 +/- 8.1%, p less than 0.05). There was a negative correlation between the percentage of NPC in the distal and mid-esophagus and radionuclide transit (rs - 0.53, p less than 0.02). Three of 19 patients had a positive reflux index by EFS. The LES tone was only slightly lower in the patients than in the controls (10.7 +/- 3.2 mm Hg versus 13.4 +/- 3.6 mm Hg, p less than 0.05). Our findings indicate that sclerotherapy of esophageal varices may lead to a reduced peristaltic esophageal motility with an impaired transport function. This could contribute to the development of dysphagia or esophagitis.

No abstract

Of 1,134 patients treated for rectal cancer from 1973 to 1985, local therapy was used in 310. Forty‐two underwent local excision and the operative morbidity and mortality were lower than after radical operations. The 5‐year survival rate was 84%. This treatment should be reserved for patients who have totally resectable tumors of 3 cm or less in size and of low histologic grade (1 or 2). For local palliation, cryosurgery was applied in 268 patients. By use of this low‐risk treatment, a colostomy could be avoided in 80% of patients (mean observation time 2.3 years). The best results were achieved for “small” carcinomas in high‐risk patients (no evidence of disease in 24 of 31 patients). Local palliation by cryosurgery does not influence the prognosis of survival if distant metastases are present.