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G L Colborn

Publications and source records attributed to G L Colborn.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Iliolumbar membrane, a newly recognised structure in the back.

Despite intensive research in the anatomical sciences for the last two centuries, some structures of the human body still remain controversial or incompletely described. We describe a new membranous fascial anatomical entity, which we refer to as the iliolumbar membrane (ILM). During the 2004-2005 academic semesters at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine we dissected 40 human cadavers fixed in formalin-alcohol-phenol solution. Iliolumbar membrane is a thick connective tissue structure, deep to the skin, originating from the fibres of the thoracolumbar fascia at the lateral border of the erector spinae. It runs inferior to the superior border of the iliac crest, lateral to the posterior superior iliac spine, overlying the iliac crest at the level of the 4th lumbar vertebra. Iliolumbar membrane terminates within subcutaneous fat, where it divides into multiple layers. All cadavers showed considerable variation in the blending of the membrane's multiple layers with the subcutaneous fat. However, all specimens consistently showed a uniform appearance of ILM at the point of origin. Iliolumbar membrane could be demonstrated objectively by ultrasound examination with a frequency of 7.5 MHz and also with a Stryker endoscope. A hypothesis is put forth, conjecturing that this new structure may have relevance in creating a natural barrier between the musculature of the back and the muscles of the gluteal region, similar to Scarpa's fascia of the anterior abdominal wall.

Aged↗

Clinical anatomy of the popliteal blood vessels.

The surgical management of venous injuries in the popliteal fossa is a contested issue. The basic options are ligation or repair. Most anatomy textbooks briefly describe a single popliteal vein, and the literature contains few references on venous patterns in this region. Although the primary objective of this study was to analyze venous variability in 52 dissected cadaveric popliteal fossae and 63 venograms, data were also collected on the popliteal artery. Nine groups (A-I) were designated regarding the manner of formation of the popliteal vein. These groupings were based primarily on differences in the union of the anterior tibial, posterior tibial, and fibular (peroneal) veins to form medial and lateral (popliteal) veins, and whether these two veins fused to form a singular popliteal vein proximal or distal to the transverse plane at the level of the distal edge of the femoral condyles (FC). In the majority of the dissections and venograms, multiple veins crossed the FC, and the medial vein was larger in diameter than the lateral vein. Two patterns of popliteal artery termination were observed based on differences in the site of origin of the fibular artery. The results were compared with anatomy and vascular surgery textbook descriptions and sparse literature reports on vascular variations in the popliteal fossa. It is hoped that these data will benefit surgeons performing procedures in this region.

Cadaver↗

Embryologic and anatomic basis of duodenal surgery.

The following points should be remembered by surgeons (Table 1). In writing about the head of the pancreas, the common bile duct, and the duodenum in 1979, the authors stated that Embryologically, anatomically and surgically these three entities form an inseparable unit. Their relations and blood supply make it impossible for the surgeon to remove completely the head of the pancreas without removing the duodenum and the distal part of the common bile duct. Here embryology and anatomy conspire to produce some of the most difficult surgery of the abdominal cavity. The only alternative procedure, the so-called 95% pancreatectomy, leaves a rim of pancreas along the medial border of the duodenum to preserve the duodenal blood supply. The authors had several conversations with Child, one of the pioneers of this procedure, whose constant message was to always be careful with the blood supply of the duodenum (personal communication, 1970). Beger et al popularized duodenum-preserving resection of the pancreatic head, emphasizing preservation of endocrine pancreatic function. They reported that ampullectomy (removal of the papilla and ampulla of Vater) carries a mortality rate of less than 0.4% and a morbidity rate of less than 10.0%. Surgeons should not ligate the superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries because such ligation may cause necrosis of the head of the pancreas and of much of the duodenum. The accessory pancreatic duct of Santorini passes under the gastrointestinal artery. For safety, surgeons should ligate the artery away from the anterior medial duodenal wall, where the papilla is located, thereby avoiding injury to or ligation of the duct. "Water under the bridge" applies not only to the relationship of the uterine artery and ureter but also to the gastroduodenal artery and the accessory pancreatic duct. In 10% of cases, the duct of Santorini is the only duct draining the pancreas, so ligation of the gastroduodenal artery with accidental inclusion of the duct is catastrophic. With the Kocher maneuver, surgeons reconstruct the primitive mesoduodenum and achieve mobilization of the duodenum, which is useful for some surgical procedures. Surgeons should not skeletonize more than 2 cm of the first part of the duodenum. If more than 2 cm of skeletonization is done, a duodenostomy using a Foley catheter may be necessary to avoid blow-up of the stump secondary to poor blood supply. Proximal duodenojejunostomy is advised for the safe management of patients with difficult duodenal stumps. Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy and duodenojejunostomy divert bile and food in the treatment of the complicated duodenal diverticulum. The suspensory ligament may be transected with impunity. It should be ligated before being sectioned so that bleeding from small vessels contained within can be avoided. Failure to sever the suspensory muscle completely, which is possible if the insertion is multiple, fails to relieve the symptoms of vascular compression of the duodenum (Fig. 18). Mobilization, resection, and end-to-end anastomosis of the duodenal flexure have been performed as a uniform surgical procedure, avoiding the conventional gastrojejunostomy. With a large, penetrating posterior duodenal or pyloric ulcer, surgeons should remember that The proximal duodenum shortens because of the inflammatory process (duodenal shortening) The anatomic topography of the distal common bile duct and the opening of the duct of Santorini and the ampulla of Vater is distorted Leaving the ulcer in situ is wise Careful palpation for or visualization of the location of the ampulla of Vater or common bile duct exploration with a catheter insertion into the common bile duct and the duodenum are useful procedures In most cases, the common bile duct is located to the right of the gastroduodenal artery at the posterior wall of the first part of the duodenum. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)

Common Bile Duct↗

The peroneus brevis muscle flap for lower leg defects.

The peroneus brevis is a small muscle with a Mathes-Nahai type II vascular pattern found in the lateral compartment of the leg. It is supplied by branches of the peroneal artery and it maintains its muscular component to the lateral malleolus, allowing it to be transposed to cover small distal third defects. The authors describe their experience with eight peroneus brevis flaps covered with split-thickness skin grafts utilized to cover lateral malleolar fractures with exposed hardware or bone and one case of exposed Achilles' tendon. Seven flaps were successful and one (in a diabetic) underwent partial necrosis, requiring a small fasciocutaneous flap. The peroneus brevis flap provides limited coverage of the distal third of the leg but can be quite useful for problematic wounds of this difficult area.

Adult↗

Tribute to a triad: history of splenic anatomy, physiology, and surgery--part 1.

The spleen is an enigmatic organ with a peculiar anatomy and physiology. Though our understanding of this organ has improved vastly over the years, the spleen continues to produce problems for the surgeon, the hematologist, and the patient. The history of the spleen is full of fables and myths, but it is also full of realities. In the Talmud, the Midrash, and the writings of Hippocrates, Plato, Aristotle, Galen, and several other giants of the past, one can find a lot of Delphian and Byzantine ambiguities. At that time, splenectomy was the art of surgery for many splenic diseases. From antiquity to the Renaissance, efforts were made to study the structure, functions, and anatomy of the spleen. Vesalius questioned Galen; and Malpighi, the founder of microscopic anatomy, gave a sound account of the histology and the physiologic destiny of the spleen. Surgical inquiry gradually became a focal point, yet it was still not clear what purpose the spleen served. It has been within the past 50 years that the most significant advances in the knowledge of the spleen and splenic surgery have been made. The work of Campos Christo in 1962 about the segmental anatomy of the spleen helped surgeons perform a partial splenectomy, thereby avoiding complications of postsplenectomy infection. With the recent successes of laparoscopic splenectomy in selected cases, the future of splenic surgery will undoubtedly bring many more changes.

History, 16th Century↗

Elevated basilic vein arteriovenous fistula.

BACKGROUND: Many surgeons continue to use prosthetic arteriovenous grafts for dialysis access despite the clear superiority of native arteriovenous fistulas. This study was undertaken to review our experience with elevated brachial-basilic fistulas as an alternative to prosthetic grafts in patients lacking veins suitable for more conventional arteriovenous fistulas. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 67 patients receiving elevated brachial-basilic arteriovenous fistulas over a 10-year period. Operative complications and causes of failure were identified and actuarial fistula patency determined. RESULTS: No patients suffered wound infections, and only 1 developed a steal syndrome in the late postoperative period. Actuarial fistula patency was 84% at 1 year, 73% at 3 and 5 years, and 52% at 10 years. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated brachial-basilic arteriovenous fistula is a superb alternative to prosthetic arteriovenous grafts in patients lacking suitable cephalic veins for native arteriovenous fistulas. Operative complications are uncommon, vascular steal is rare, and long-term patency is excellent.

Adolescent↗

Use of an internal fixator device to treat comminuted fractures of the distal radius: report of a technique.

An internal fixator technique for stabilizing comminuted Colles fractures has been developed in the anatomy laboratory and used in 35 clinical cases. The Colles Fracture Plate (Biomet, Inc, Warsaw, Indiana) can be used to treat any comminuted Colles fracture for which an external fixator is considered proper management. We have determined, based on our surgical experience with both the internal and external fixator techniques, that internal fixation using the Colles Fracture Plate is technically just as simple as external fixation. In addition to requiring a significantly less expensive device, internal fixation using this technique offers the advantages of better patient acceptance and fewer complications. This report will be followed by a more comprehensive analysis of the technical outcome of this procedure to further substantiate the initial results presented here. The process of compiling and analyzing these data is under way.

Bone Plates↗

The dimensions and vascular anatomy of the cricothyroid membrane: relevance to emergent surgical airway access.

Following traumatic injury, rapid surgical access to the airway may be required, with surgical cricothyroidostomy the procedure of choice. Immediate complications of cricothyroidostomy include unsuccessful or incorrect site of tube placement and hemorrhage. Subglottic stenosis is the most common late complication. This project was undertaken to better define the dimensions and vasculature of the cricothyroid region. In 15 cadaveric specimens, cervical dissection revealed the average width of the cricothyroid membrane visible between cricothyroid muscles to be 8.2 mm, and the average height 10.4 mm. Latex injection of the carotid artery demonstrated a transverse cricothyroid artery arising from the superior thyroid artery in 93% of cases. The cricothyroid artery crossed the upper one-half of the cricothyroid membrane in all but one specimen. Branches of the cricothyroid artery penetrated the membrane and ascended along the undersurface of the thyroid cartilage. Unilateral superior thyroid artery injection demonstrated anastomoses between right and left cricothyroid arteries. In 54% of specimens, the superior thyroid artery coursed anterior to the sternothyroid muscle and then the lateral edge of the cricothyroid membrane. The membrane was also crossed by venous tributaries to the superior and inferior thyroid veins. To lessen the possibility of complications following cricothyroidostomy, a knowledge of the dimensions, relations, and vasculature of the cricothyroid membrane is of inestimable value.

Aged↗

Testicular atrophy and neuropathy in herniorrhaphy.

This study is based upon our collective experience with more than 3000 open herniorrhaphies, dissection of 99 cadavers from the external approach, and 39 cadavers from open dissections, including 14 laparoscopic dissections. These observations may be of use in avoiding pitfalls in hernioplasty, either from the classic external surgical approaches or those from within, whether transperitoneal or preperitoneal.

Atrophy↗

Crucial anatomic lessons for laparoscopic herniorrhaphy.

Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is generally performed using a transabdominal approach, an approach to hernia repair that is unfamiliar to most general surgeons. There is sufficient published anecdotal experience to indicate that the relationships of structures near the internal ring are not generally known and that this may predispose to their injury. There is considerable variability of nerves that pass through, or deep to, the iliopubic tract lateral to the internal inguinal ring, making it potentially hazardous to place staples or sutures in this region. Medially, the surgeon must be conscious of the possible presence of an aberrant obturator artery or vein and unexpected iliopubic vessels and take appropriate precautions to avoid unexpected sources of hemorrhage. The human cadaver, especially in the unfixed state, can be an ideal model to learn the surgical anatomy for laparoscopic hernia repair and to avoid neurovascular injuries.

Cadaver↗

The surgical anatomy of the deep femoral artery.

Lower extremity ischemia is a common disorder that in the majority of cases is associated with occlusion of the superficial femoral artery. The deep femoral artery is recognized as an important collateral pathway to the genicular arterial system, thus accounting for the appearance of symptoms only after its involvement in the disease process. Surgical exposure of the deep femoral artery is often necessary in vascular reconstructive procedures. Furthermore, because it supplies the bulk of the thigh musculature, plastic surgeons have shown great interest in the muscular branches of the deep femoral artery when designing procedures that incorporate myocutaneous flaps. This article gives a detailed account of the embryology, anatomical relations, important variations, and branches of the deep femoral artery. Recommendations for the surgical exposure of this artery at different levels are also presented.

Femoral Artery↗

The surgical anatomy of the popliteal artery.

The popliteal artery is a common recipient site for above or below knee bypass grafts. It is also frequently affected by penetrating and blunt trauma involving the lower extremity. Exposure of this artery is, therefore, often required in both emergent and elective vascular procedures. In close proximity to the artery, within the confines of the popliteal fossa, are the tibial nerve, common peroneal nerve, and the popliteal vein. An understanding of the normal anatomy and the important variations in the popliteal bifurcation patterns is essential. In this report, we have combined data from new cadaver dissections with prior anatomical data to describe the anatomy of the popliteal fossa and important vascular anomalies.

Humans↗

The surgical anatomy and technique of the thoracoabdominal incision.

The thoracoabdominal incision provides excellent exposure of the thoracic, abdominal, and retroperitoneal compartments and can be safely performed in the vast majority of cases. To be more specific, the advantage of the left thoracoabdominal incision is excellent exposure of the lower esophagus, the gastroesophageal junction, the gastric cardia and stomach in toto, the left hemidiaphragm, the distal pancreas and spleen, the left kidney and adrenal gland, and the aorta. The advantage of the right thoracoabdominal incision is excellent exposure of the upper esophagus, the liver, the hepatic triad and inferior vena cava, the proximal pancreas, the right hemidiaphragm, the right kidney, and the adrenal gland. Several possible disadvantages should also be taken into consideration when contemplating this procedure. Morbidity and mortality may be increased with the opening of the two cavities. The surgeon must possess good detailed anatomic technique for opening and closure. This procedure is not advisable for children; it should be used only for good technical indications. Some of the more commonly encountered anatomic complications to be avoided include (1) splenic injury, occurring most often during division and resection of the diaphragm; (2) phrenic nerve injury, with subsequent diaphragmatic dysfunction; (3) ureteric injury during retroperitoneal dissection; (4) left first lumbar vein injury (located in the posterior aspect of the left renal vein) during left kidney mobilization; and (5) pain in the early postoperative period, which can occur secondary to transection of the cartilaginous costal arch. This may be minimized by secure fixation using No. 1 Prolene. Patients occasionally complain of a clicking sensation owing to nonunion of the costal cartilage.

Abdomen↗