- Email: [email protected]
ANEURISM BY ANASTOMOSIS.
726 said that blood could not be extravasated in the brain for fourteen days without undergoing these changes; but it has been shown to be the case in patients whose vital powers have been greatly depressed by active depletion, and probably a somewhat similar state of things might exist in a person worn out by a long-continued and exhausting organic disease. Then, as to the cause of death, few or none will be disposed to deny that had the brain remained perfectly healthy, life might have been prolonged. As to the treatment, the means I adopted were such as I thought calculated to calm the irritation of the stomach, with the careful removal of every cause likely to augment it. The diet was strictly regulated, and the state of the evacuations and secretions attended to ; hut I troubled her with no more medicine than was absolutely neLeeches cessary to effect these objects. were applied to the forehead, two or three times, but gave no relief. When the pain was most intense, it was usually alleviated by a full dose of opium and ammonia.
ation of blood, for there is constant pulsa. ,ion, the tumour is permanent, but its occasional variation in bulk is singular; it swells like the gills of a Turkey-cock in a passion; it is puffed up by exercise, drinking, or emotions of the mind; it is filled and distended with blood upon any occasion which quickens the circulation, as by venery, menstruation, the pleasures of the table, heated rooms, or the warmth of bed.
The tumour beats continually, inslowly ; its surface bursts ; it bleeds from time to its pulsation and hæmorrhages give it a title to rank with aneurisms, and its internal structure is such that I may venture to name it, aneurism from the dilatation of anastomosing vessels.’ " It is to be feared, that even in the present day this disease has, in some instances, been far too little thought of, and its cure attempted on unsound principles: pressure is creases
time;
only inadmissible, however judiciously applied, but has frequently been found to aggravate the complaint. Simple incisions into the swelling have, also, sometimes been not
tried; the result has
been active haemor-
rhage, controlled only by pressure, the patient, perhaps, being exposed to great ex-
haustion from loss of blood. When it is considered that the texture of the tumour is made np of a congeries of enlarged vessels, To the Editor of THE LANCET. freely anastomosing with each other, it fol. SIR:—It may be affirmed that aneurism lows that no plan of treatment, short of from anastomosis has, until within the last complete insulation of the morbid tissue, few years, been far too little understood ; affords the least rational hope of a permathe surgeon not being acquainted with its nent cure, whenever the disease is situated exact nature, has performed only very im- in a part to admit the use of the knife. It perfect operations for its cure. Mr. John must, therefore, not be cut open, but cut Ol,t;s Bell is aliowed to have been the first person and the incision should extend to the unwho accurately described the disease : pre- divided branches of the arteries before they vious to his time, very vague conceptions have formed their inosculations. In cases were entertained regarding its true charac- where incisions cannot be safely practised, ter, and it was not until this distinguished the plan of needle and ligature, adopted by w surgeon published his Principles of Sur- Mr. Liston, may be employed. The fullowit that looked was gery " upon as deserving ing case which lately came under my care, more serious attention. Amongst modern affords a further exemplication of the above surgeons Mr. Liston stauds foremost on this remarks:— R. R., Esq., aged 21, about two years subject, having contributed, through the medium of your valuable Journal, several since observed a swelling on the centre of interesting cases in elucidation of this kind the forehead ; at this time it was not larger of aneurism ; to him we are indebted for than a split pea. It soon began to throb, much important information as regards both and slowly, but uncuntroliable, to grow its pathology and treatment. larger, unattended by pain, or tenderness In adverting to the true character of this upon pressure. From its slow development disease, I feel I cannot do better than tran- Mr. R.’s attention was not particularly discribe Mr. Bell’s own account of it:-The rected to it, until about six months since, swelling is a congeries of active vessels, and when it rapidly enlarged; it was shortly the cellular substance through which these after this period that he consulted me. In swellings are expanded, resembles the gills the centre of the forehead I found a pulof a Turkey-cock. The tissue is made up sating tumour, not of a very circumscribed of small and active arteries, absorbing veins, form, approaching the size of an aimond Oft and intermediate cells : the irritated and in- its upper surface was observed a purple cessant action of the arteries fills the cells spot, the lower portion of the skin appearing with blood ; from these cells it is reabsorbed sound; it was easily compressed, but by the veins, the extremities of the veins redistended itself when the finger was rethemselves, perhaps, dilate into this cellular moved from its surface; both temporal form. There seems to be a perpetual circu- arteries could be distinctly traced, large,
ANEURISM BY ANASTOMOSIS.
quite
727
tortuous, and throbbing, entering the upper third of the tumour, whilst the orbitary artery beneath greatly increased in calibre, was found to enter its right and inferior portion. The pressure of these vessels by the finger caused the pulsation to be more feeble, but did not suppress it entirely ; bodily exertion or mental excitement invariably augmented both its size and throbbing.
Mr.
Crosse, of Norwich, who saw the in consultation with me, agreed with my opinion as to the expediency of cutting out the morbid tissue. On Saturday, the 3rd of May, I performed the operation, as. sisted by an intelligent friend. An incision was made on each side the tumour, forming an ellipsis, and these at such a distance from each other as completely to encompass the diseased mass; the tumour was rapidly dissected out, laying bare the pericranium. For a short time the bleeding was vehement, until the divided trunks of the arteries which nourished the disease were secured by ligature : these means, in conjunction with moderate pressure, effectually arrested the haemorrhage. For the first two or three case
days
cold-water dressings were employed, and at the end of a month cicatrisation of the wound was completed. I remain, Sir, vour obedient servant.
globe ; also, should any fibres remain undivided, he can, in consequence of the
the
free motion which the peculiar curve of the hook allows, readily find them : it likewise enables him to make an even division of the fibres of the muscle, which, with the scissors (without the use of the director or hook), cannot be done. To the patient the advantages of this hook over the common director are inestimable, as it saves all the pain caused by the stretching of the nerves, and of the parts which attach the eyeto the orbit. Its advantage over the scissors (when used without the director or hook) is, that it allows of an even division of the muscle close to its insertion, for in many cases where the muscle is not cleanly and closely divided to its insertion, the irregular fibres swell, become inflamed, and granulate, so as to require several applications of caustic or sulphate of copper during two or three weeks after operation. In not any case where I have employed the hook and divided the muscle evenly, and closed its insertion, has the application of any caustic been required. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, JAMES J. ADAMS. 27, New Broad-street, City, Aug. 3. P.S.-My friend, Mr. Macmurdo, has requested me to say, that he has found very considerable advantage in the use of the
W. C. WORTHINGTON, Surgeon to the Lowestoft Infirmary. above-mentioned instrument. Lowestoft, July 27, 1840. NEW HOOK FOR THE OPERATION OF
DIVIDING THE INTERNAL RECTUS MUSCLE. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR:—That you may render a service to the profession, and a relief to the sufferings of many afflicted with obliquity of vision, I beg an early notice of an improved hook which I have recently employed in many cases with perfect success. The shape and size of the instrument (which was made by Mr. Weiss) are accurately indicated by the annexed figure. Being formed with a view to its turning freely in a small and deep space, its object is to pass beneath the rectus muscle at its narrowest part, in such a manner as to inclose all the fibres of the latter at once, and bring the muscle perfectly into view, without causing it to be violently stretched, or the globe pulled from its socket ; a process which causes intense pain to the patient, when a strait or slightly curved director is used to separate the muscle from the sclerotic. Its advantages to the surgeon are, that he can readily secure the whole muscle, and separate it to any extent he pleases, without using more force than necessary to separate the cellular tissue between the muscle and
ation of blood, for there is constant pulsa. ,ion, the tumour is permanent, but its occasional variation in bulk is singular; it swells like the gills of a Turkey-cock in a passion; it is puffed up by exercise, drinking, or emotions of the mind; it is filled and distended with blood upon any occasion which quickens the circulation, as by venery, menstruation, the pleasures of the table, heated rooms, or the warmth of bed.
The tumour beats continually, inslowly ; its surface bursts ; it bleeds from time to its pulsation and hæmorrhages give it a title to rank with aneurisms, and its internal structure is such that I may venture to name it, aneurism from the dilatation of anastomosing vessels.’ " It is to be feared, that even in the present day this disease has, in some instances, been far too little thought of, and its cure attempted on unsound principles: pressure is creases
time;
only inadmissible, however judiciously applied, but has frequently been found to aggravate the complaint. Simple incisions into the swelling have, also, sometimes been not
tried; the result has
been active haemor-
rhage, controlled only by pressure, the patient, perhaps, being exposed to great ex-
haustion from loss of blood. When it is considered that the texture of the tumour is made np of a congeries of enlarged vessels, To the Editor of THE LANCET. freely anastomosing with each other, it fol. SIR:—It may be affirmed that aneurism lows that no plan of treatment, short of from anastomosis has, until within the last complete insulation of the morbid tissue, few years, been far too little understood ; affords the least rational hope of a permathe surgeon not being acquainted with its nent cure, whenever the disease is situated exact nature, has performed only very im- in a part to admit the use of the knife. It perfect operations for its cure. Mr. John must, therefore, not be cut open, but cut Ol,t;s Bell is aliowed to have been the first person and the incision should extend to the unwho accurately described the disease : pre- divided branches of the arteries before they vious to his time, very vague conceptions have formed their inosculations. In cases were entertained regarding its true charac- where incisions cannot be safely practised, ter, and it was not until this distinguished the plan of needle and ligature, adopted by w surgeon published his Principles of Sur- Mr. Liston, may be employed. The fullowit that looked was gery " upon as deserving ing case which lately came under my care, more serious attention. Amongst modern affords a further exemplication of the above surgeons Mr. Liston stauds foremost on this remarks:— R. R., Esq., aged 21, about two years subject, having contributed, through the medium of your valuable Journal, several since observed a swelling on the centre of interesting cases in elucidation of this kind the forehead ; at this time it was not larger of aneurism ; to him we are indebted for than a split pea. It soon began to throb, much important information as regards both and slowly, but uncuntroliable, to grow its pathology and treatment. larger, unattended by pain, or tenderness In adverting to the true character of this upon pressure. From its slow development disease, I feel I cannot do better than tran- Mr. R.’s attention was not particularly discribe Mr. Bell’s own account of it:-The rected to it, until about six months since, swelling is a congeries of active vessels, and when it rapidly enlarged; it was shortly the cellular substance through which these after this period that he consulted me. In swellings are expanded, resembles the gills the centre of the forehead I found a pulof a Turkey-cock. The tissue is made up sating tumour, not of a very circumscribed of small and active arteries, absorbing veins, form, approaching the size of an aimond Oft and intermediate cells : the irritated and in- its upper surface was observed a purple cessant action of the arteries fills the cells spot, the lower portion of the skin appearing with blood ; from these cells it is reabsorbed sound; it was easily compressed, but by the veins, the extremities of the veins redistended itself when the finger was rethemselves, perhaps, dilate into this cellular moved from its surface; both temporal form. There seems to be a perpetual circu- arteries could be distinctly traced, large,
ANEURISM BY ANASTOMOSIS.
quite
727
tortuous, and throbbing, entering the upper third of the tumour, whilst the orbitary artery beneath greatly increased in calibre, was found to enter its right and inferior portion. The pressure of these vessels by the finger caused the pulsation to be more feeble, but did not suppress it entirely ; bodily exertion or mental excitement invariably augmented both its size and throbbing.
Mr.
Crosse, of Norwich, who saw the in consultation with me, agreed with my opinion as to the expediency of cutting out the morbid tissue. On Saturday, the 3rd of May, I performed the operation, as. sisted by an intelligent friend. An incision was made on each side the tumour, forming an ellipsis, and these at such a distance from each other as completely to encompass the diseased mass; the tumour was rapidly dissected out, laying bare the pericranium. For a short time the bleeding was vehement, until the divided trunks of the arteries which nourished the disease were secured by ligature : these means, in conjunction with moderate pressure, effectually arrested the haemorrhage. For the first two or three case
days
cold-water dressings were employed, and at the end of a month cicatrisation of the wound was completed. I remain, Sir, vour obedient servant.
globe ; also, should any fibres remain undivided, he can, in consequence of the
the
free motion which the peculiar curve of the hook allows, readily find them : it likewise enables him to make an even division of the fibres of the muscle, which, with the scissors (without the use of the director or hook), cannot be done. To the patient the advantages of this hook over the common director are inestimable, as it saves all the pain caused by the stretching of the nerves, and of the parts which attach the eyeto the orbit. Its advantage over the scissors (when used without the director or hook) is, that it allows of an even division of the muscle close to its insertion, for in many cases where the muscle is not cleanly and closely divided to its insertion, the irregular fibres swell, become inflamed, and granulate, so as to require several applications of caustic or sulphate of copper during two or three weeks after operation. In not any case where I have employed the hook and divided the muscle evenly, and closed its insertion, has the application of any caustic been required. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, JAMES J. ADAMS. 27, New Broad-street, City, Aug. 3. P.S.-My friend, Mr. Macmurdo, has requested me to say, that he has found very considerable advantage in the use of the
W. C. WORTHINGTON, Surgeon to the Lowestoft Infirmary. above-mentioned instrument. Lowestoft, July 27, 1840. NEW HOOK FOR THE OPERATION OF
DIVIDING THE INTERNAL RECTUS MUSCLE. To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR:—That you may render a service to the profession, and a relief to the sufferings of many afflicted with obliquity of vision, I beg an early notice of an improved hook which I have recently employed in many cases with perfect success. The shape and size of the instrument (which was made by Mr. Weiss) are accurately indicated by the annexed figure. Being formed with a view to its turning freely in a small and deep space, its object is to pass beneath the rectus muscle at its narrowest part, in such a manner as to inclose all the fibres of the latter at once, and bring the muscle perfectly into view, without causing it to be violently stretched, or the globe pulled from its socket ; a process which causes intense pain to the patient, when a strait or slightly curved director is used to separate the muscle from the sclerotic. Its advantages to the surgeon are, that he can readily secure the whole muscle, and separate it to any extent he pleases, without using more force than necessary to separate the cellular tissue between the muscle and