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This study aims to estimate the critical fluid flow velocity for preventing the development of a stationary bed using empirical correlations valid for horizontal and highly inclined wellbores that can be easily used at the field. For this purpose, experiments have been conducted at METU-PETE Cuttings Transport Flow Loop for various conditions. Observations showed that a stationary bed is developed when the fuid velocity is less than 6.0 ft/s, and a critical fluid velocity of 8.0 ft/s is required to establish a no-bed condition. Results showed that the critical velocity and the thickness of the stationary bed, if developed, could be estimated with a reasonable accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the outcome after initial non-operative treatment in patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO). Design: Prospective study. Setting: University hospital, Norway. Patients: One hundred and fifty-four patients with 166 episodes of SBO admitted during the period (1994-1995). Patients younger than 10 years as well as patients with large bowel obstruction, paralytic ileus, incarcerated hernia or SBO caused by cancer were excluded from the study. Interventions: Patients with signs of strangulation were operated on early. The rest were given a trial of conservative treatment. Main outcome measures: Need of operative treatment. Incidence of bowel strangulation, complications and death. Results: There were 166 cases of SBO. Twenty patients were operated on early among whom bowel was strangulated in 9. Among the 146 patients initially treated conservatively 93 (64%) settled without operation, 9 (6%) had strangulated bowel and 3 (2%) died. Of the 91 patients with partial obstruction but no sign of strangulation, 72 (79%) resolved on conservative treatment. Conclusions: Patients with partial obstruction with no sign of strangulation should initially be treated conservatively. When complete obstruction is present, it may settle on conservative management, but the use of supplementary diagnostic tools might be desirable to find the patients who will need early operative treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study separation of wound edges in midline laparotomy incisions closed with either a mass stitch or a stitch incorporating only aponeurosis. Design: Experimental study in pig. Setting: University hospital, Norway. Animals: 8 domestic pigs. Methods: Steel sutures were used and metallic clips were placed in the aponeurosis. After increasing the intra-abdominal pressure the distance between the lateral edge of stitches and between pairs of clips was measured on sequential radiographs. Results: After three hours with raised intra-abdominal pressure the lateral edge of stitches became separated by a mean (SD) of 5.6 (1.3) mm with a mass stitch and by 0.5 (0.6) mm with stitches placed only in the aponeurosis (p < 0.001). Corresponding figures for separation of clips was 3.6 (1.5) mm and 0.1 (0.3) mm (p < 0.001). The suture cut through the muscle by more than 3mm in 25 out of 36 mass stitches. Muscle and peritoneum included in the mass stitch was compressed, darkly discoloured, and there were signs of haemorrhage. Conclusions: Wound edges become separated with a mass stitch but not with stitches placed only in the aponeurosis when the intra-abdominal pressure is raised after closure of midline laparotomy incisions. This results from sutures compressing or cutting through subcuticular fat, muscle, and peritoneum enclosed in a mass stitch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compares linear miniature ultrasound probe and radial-scanning echoendoscope in TN staging of esophageal cancer. Finding that the two endosonographic systems had similar accuracy for assessing transmural tumor growth; Superiority of the echoendoscope in staging advanced transmural tumors and in predicting lymph node metastasis with traversable tumors.

Objective: To find out whether contrast radiography helps to resolve small bowel obstruction. Design: Prospective randomised trial. Setting: University hospital, Norway. Subjects: 98 consecutive patients with symptoms of small bowel obstruction and a plain abdominal radiograph that confirmed the diagnosis. Interventions: The patients were randomly allocated to receive a mixture of barium and sodium diatrizoate (Gastrografin) (n = 48) or not (n = 50). Both groups were followed up clinically and by repeated abdominal films. Main outcome measures: Non-operative resolution of small bowel obstruction; number of patients with strangulated bowel; bowel resections; mortality; complications; hospital stay; and time from admission to operation. Results: No significant differences were observed between the groups in the incidence of non-operative resolution (31/48 in contrast group, 35/50 in control group, OR: 0.89), strangulation obstruction (1/48 in contrast group, 4/50 in control group, OR: 0.24), bowel resection (3/48 in contrast group, 4/50 in control group, OR: 0.76), complications (8/48 in contrast group, 5/50 in control group, OR: 1.80), mortality (3/48 in contrast group, 1/50 in control group, OR: 3.26), and hospital stay (0-7 days: 34/48 in contrast group, 38/50 in control group, p = 0.95). The contrast group had a shorter interval between admission and operation than the control group (0-24 hours: 12/48 in contrast group, 3/50 in control group, p = 0.005). Conclusion: The contrast examination did not contribute to the resolution of small bowel obstruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Survival is lower in ulcer perforation patients than in the general population. This study assesses the causes of death in patients treated for peptic ulcer perforation. Methods: Cause-specific mortality in a population-based cohort of 817 patients treated for ulcer perforation in western Norway during the period 1962–1990 was compared with cause-specific population death rates. Analyses were based on observed and expected mortality curves for major causes of death and on standardized mortality rates (SMRs). Cox regression models were used to analyse possible differences on the basis of sex, birth cohort, surgical procedure, and ulcer location. Results: Ulcer perforation patients experienced increased mortality from neoplasms (SMR = 1.8; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4-2.1), lung cancer (SMR = 3.6; 95% CI = 2.3-4.9), circulatory diseases (SMR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.1-1.6), ischaemic heart disease (SMR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.03-1.6), and respiratory diseases (SMR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.3-2.6). Postoperative deaths accounted for 38% of all excess deaths. Death from recurrent peptic ulcer was increased also in subjects who survived the 1st year after the perforation (SMR = 5.8; 95% CI = 1.2-10.4) but accounted for only a few deaths. The increase in mortality from lung cancer was higher in subjects born after 1910 than in patients of older generations. Excess mortality from lung cancer and from circulatory diseases was higher in male than in female patients. Conclusions: Increased mortality in ulcer perforation patients could mainly be attributed to smoking-related diseases. This is indirect evidence that smoking may be an important aetiologic factor for ulcer perforation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]