Technical aspects of minicholecystectomy.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D Kopelman.
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The etiology of superficial temporal artery aneurysm (STAA) is usually blunt trauma. This type of aneurysm is more prevalent in young men and is also probably more common than estimated from the literature. We present 3 males and 1 female with STAA, ranging in age from 8 to 30 years, who were successfully treated. 3 were operated on under local anesthesia, while the aneurysm of the fourth was obliterated by continuous local pressure. Application of local pressure is the best measure for preventing the development of pseudoaneurysm following blunt temporal trauma. We consider surgery the treatment of choice for STAA.
During the past year we have used the thoracoscopic approach in performing bilateral upper dorsal sympathectomies for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. We present our first 16 patients. Histological examination proved that sympathetic ganglia had been resected in all 32 procedures. Immediately after operation all hands were completely dry and 31 of them remained so on follow-up 5 months later (97% success rate). The main operative complications were bleeding in 3 cases (9.4%; only 1 severe), and chest and back pain for more than 1 week in 8 (50%). The main late sequela was compensatory hyperhidrosis of the chest and back in 10 cases (62%).
Temporal arteritis is a systemic disease affecting large and medium-sized arteries in the elderly. The incidence of the disease increases with age and its major complications are blindness, cerebrovascular accidents and aortic dissection. Diagnosis is mainly based on clinical signs and symptoms. Temporal artery biopsy is a popular and simple diagnostic procedure and if positive confirms the diagnosis. However, a negative biopsy cannot exclude temporal arteritis due to its segmental nature, and the specific signs and symptoms still require treatment with corticosteroids. During the years 1982-1991 we performed 206 temporal artery biopsies, of which only 21 (10.2%) confirmed the presence of temporal arteritis. Our experience is presented with regard to the usefulness of temporal artery biopsy in particular. In view of the low biopsy yield we recommend more selective referral for this purpose.
The incidence of isolated iliac artery aneurysm is 1-2% of that of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The natural history is of gradual enlargement, with rupture the most common clinical presentation. The signs and symptoms of such an aneurysm are influenced by its concealed location within the bony pelvis. Awareness of these special characteristics improves the chances of early diagnosis and proper surgical treatment before possible rupture. We report 2 cases which demonstrate the spectrum of the clinical presentation.
Total colectomy and mucosal proctectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is the accepted surgical procedure for ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis of the colon. During 1981-1990, 25 patients with ulcerative colitis or familial polyposis underwent this operation in our department. In the majority a J-pouch was performed. In the early years, an 8 cm rectal muscular sleeve was left. In later cases, in accordance with opinions expressed in the medical literature, the length of the sleeve was shortened to about 3 cm. We present the functional results and the early and late complications on follow-up of up to 10 years (mean 3.5 years). Although this operation is not the ideal solution, it is better than the alternatives and is the surgical procedure of choice.
Emergency cholecystectomy in high-risk patients is still associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Occasionally technical difficulties and bleeding diathesis are complicating factors. Our prospective experience with subtotal cholecystectomy in 23 consecutive patients is presented. All presented as increased surgical risks (APACHE II above 10) and suffered from acute cholecystitis with empyema or perforation. 1 patient died (4.4%), but overall, surgical complications were minimal. We conclude that subtotal cholecystectomy combines the advantages of cholecystectomy and cholecystostomy. We believe that this short, simple and safe procedure is a logical choice for emergency situations in critically ill patients.
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Hartmann's procedure is often selected in situations in which the construction of a colorectal anastomosis is considered unsafe. Paradoxically, the creation of the rectal stump involves placement of an intestinal suture line that is prone to leakage. We report our experience with 11 patients with a clinically significant leakage from the rectal stump after Hartmann's procedure, which was manifested as persistent postoperative intra-abdominal infection. A method for the treatment and prevention of this potentially lethal complication is presented.
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Rupture of the epigastric artery with hematoma formation in the rectus sheath is an uncommon condition which can mimic serious intraabdominal disorders. Treatment is primarily conservative, but misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary surgery. However, the correct clinical diagnosis should be suggested by the presence of paroxysmal cough, anticoagulant therapy, or trauma, the precipitating factors found in most cases. Ultrasonography and CT scan are excellent diagnostic modalities in this condition. 3 unoperated cases in which the correct diagnosis was made are presented. Despite its benign nature this condition may be fatal. Awareness and vigorous supportive therapy are therefore recommended to reduce morbidity and mortality.
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Primary palmar hyperhidrosis is a functionally and socially disabling condition. Upper thoracic sympathectomy is the best curative treatment. Several surgical approaches have been suggested and, recently, less invasive techniques have been communicated. To evaluate which method is the best, the short- and particularly the long-term results must be compared. A series is presented of 170 upper thoracic sympathectomies by the supraclavicular approach performed on 85 patients with palmar hyperhidrosis. Follow-up for a mean of 8.3 years was obtained on 124 operated limbs. The immediate failure rate for relief from hyperhidrosis was 2.4 per cent and hyperhidrosis recurred in another 4.1 per cent of limbs after a period of between 2 and 18 months. Thirteen per cent of patients were dissatisfied with the results of operation, one because of persisting vasomotor rhinitis, two because of Horner's syndrome and five because of persisting or recurrent hyperhidrosis. Satisfactory results in approximately 87 per cent of cases make the operation rewarding. This outcome should be compared with the long-term results of other methods, such as percutaneous phenol injection and the transthoracoscopic approach, when such data are compiled and published.
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