The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Jun 2003
Case ReportsHepatic portal vein gas: clinical features and outcomes.
Hepatic portal vein gas (HPVG) is found as branching gas extending to near the periphery of the liver. Increased utilization of CT may identify HPVG in more patients. In the past HPVG was associated with acute abdomen and high mortality. ⋯ Physical examination and laboratory findings were not reliable indicators of intra-abdominal catastrophe. Furthermore CT scans are inaccurate for predicting the etiology of HPVG. Close observation may be appropriate in stable patients with HPVG without other specific findings.
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This is a case presentation and discussion of a dialysis patient who presented to the surgical service with abdominal pain, hypotension, and tachycardia and in extremis who was found to have a contained retroperitoneal hematoma after rupture of his left kidney. Six months after an uneventful nephrectomy and postoperative recovery he again presented with hypotension and anemia and was found to have a contralateral retroperitoneal hematoma consistent with renal hemorrhage. After unsuccessful angioembolization, the patient underwent a right nephrectomy and recovered without sequelae. ⋯ Trauma is the most common cause of renal rupture, but other causes of spontaneous renal rupture are rare and include polyarteritis nodosa and urothelial carcinoma. The diagnosis of acute abdominal pain in the dialysis patient is a challenging differential. While a rare complication the diagnosis of spontaneous renal rupture should not be excluded in a patient presenting with abdominal pain, hypotension, and anemia.
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The American surgeon · Jun 2003
The natural history of stab wounds of the diaphragm: implications for a new management scheme for patients with penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma.
For most patients with abdominal stab wounds expectant management has become the norm. Thoracoabdominal stab wounds, however, raise concern about possible diaphragmatic injury, and diagnostic minilaparotomy, laparoscopy, or thoracoscopy have been advocated in such patients. The present study examined the natural course of an untreated diaphragmatic stab wound. ⋯ The tip of the left lateral segment of the liver and the superior pole of the spleen were found in the defect at laparotomy. We conclude that the vast majority of stab wounds to either the muscular or tendinous diaphragm heal spontaneously. Thus invasive procedures to assess the status of the diaphragm in all patients with thoracoabdominal stab wounds is unwarranted.
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The American surgeon · May 2003
Clinical TrialA prospective evaluation of a bedside technique for placement of inferior vena cava filters: accuracy and limitations of intravascular ultrasound.
Our objective was to evaluate the safety and accuracy of a bedside technique for placing vena cava filters with intravascular ultrasonography. We conducted a prospective case series of 36 patients requiring prophylactic vena cava filter placement. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was used to assess the best location for inferior vena cava filter placement. ⋯ In three patients our bedside technique differed from best filter placement by more than 3 cm. Excluding these three patients the difference between best filter placement and bedside technique was 0.92 +/- 0.79 cm. This bedside IVUS technique for placement of inferior vena cava filters is established as safe and accurate; however, knowledge of the limitations involving the technique is important.
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The American surgeon · May 2003
Comparative StudyLaparoscopic adrenalectomy and splenectomy are safe and reduce hospital stay and charges.
The proposed benefits of laparoscopy for certain surgical procedures have been decreased post-operative pain and hospital stay balanced against the proposed deficits of increased costs. We have reviewed our data to evaluate factors associated with patient, procedure, and hospital charges for patients undergoing open versus laparoscopic adrenalectomy and splenectomy during the same time period. Eighty-seven patients underwent adrenalectomy (n = 47) or splenectomy (n = 40) from October 30, 1995 to June 6, 2001 and were retrospectively reviewed. ⋯ We conclude that a laparoscopic approach for adrenalectomy or splenectomy can be accomplished in approximately 95 per cent of patients selected for this procedure. Despite prolonged OR time and increased OR/RR charges the laparoscopic procedures resulted in significantly decreased length of hospital stay and overall patient charges. Laparoscopy is a safe and cost-effective approach and should be strongly considered in patients requiring adrenalectomy or splenectomy.