The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Nov 1994
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialLocal anesthesia is superior to spinal anesthesia for anorectal surgical procedures.
In this prospective study we compared local with spinal anesthesia for anorectal surgical procedures with regard to pain control, recovery time before unassisted ambulation, incidence of postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, and cost effectiveness in 80 consecutive patients. Patients were allocated in two groups: group 1 (n = 52) received local anesthesia, and group 2 (n = 28) had spinal anesthesia. There were no intraoperative complications related to the anesthetic technique, and there was no difference between groups in the number of doses of narcotics required to control postoperative pain (1.2 +/- 1.5 vs 1.8 +/- 1.7 in group 1 and 2 respectively, P > 0.05). ⋯ As a result of urinary retention, more patients in group 2 required overnight hospitalization (12/52 in group 1 vs 21/28 in group 2, P < 0.05). Patients in group 2 required 36 hospital days in contrast to 21 days for patients in group 1, P < 0.05. The difference in hospital days resulted in $18,000 greater cost for patients in group 2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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The American surgeon · Nov 1994
Review Case ReportsDelayed pathology of the appendiceal stump: a case report of stump appendicitis and review.
A case of right lower quadrant pain in a 53-year-old postmenopausal female who underwent appendectomy 21 years previously is presented. Recurrent appendicitis with rupture was noted in the appendiceal stump on exploratory celiotomy after diagnosis by computed tomography scan. ⋯ Malignancy and hemorrhage can also occur in the appendiceal remnant, but the large number of disorders that can cause acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain makes appendiceal stump pathology extremely difficult to detect preoperatively. Because of the extensive differential diagnosis, timely operative intervention for clinical peritonitis in this region should not be delayed.
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The American surgeon · Nov 1994
Comparative StudyTrauma in the elderly: an analysis of outcomes based on age.
This study evaluated the comparative outcomes of elderly trauma patients admitted to a tertiary Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) over a 5-year period (4/1/87-3/31/92). A total of 289 trauma patients 65 or older (mean age 76.3 +/- 0.4 years) were compared with 1,877 trauma patients under age 65 (mean age 31.4 +/- 0.3). The Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) severity of illness on admission for elderly trauma patients was 12.2 +/- 0.3, significantly higher than the SAPS of the younger patient group, 7.9 +/- 0.1 (P < 0.0005). ⋯ Thirty-three elderly trauma patients (11.4%) died in the SICU, compared with 90 (4.8%) deaths in younger patients (P < 0.00005). However, when patients were stratified by admission SAPS, SICU mortality was nearly equivalent between the older and younger patient groups. An additional 14 elderly patients (4.8%) died in the hospital after SICU discharge, compared with 9 additional deaths (0.5%) in the younger patient group (P < 0.00005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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The American surgeon · Nov 1994
Case ReportsNephrogenic diabetes insipidus secondary to lithium therapy in the postoperative patient: a case report.
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) presents a rarely encountered but challenging fluid management problem in the perioperative period. This case is that of a patient with a perforated duodenal ulcer and previously undiagnosed NDI who received standard preoperative and postoperative hydration with normal saline, causing hypernatremia and an inappropriate diuresis. ⋯ Though refractory to 1-desamino-8-D-argenine-vasopressin (dDAVP), thiazide diuretics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents have a role in managing selected patients. Early diagnosis with careful fluid and electrolyte management are critical in successful management of these patients in the perioperative period.
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The American surgeon · Oct 1994
Clinical TrialAppendiceal mass: conservative therapy followed by interval laparoscopic appendectomy.
Current therapy of patients with appendiceal abscess or phlegmon is in evolution. Controversial areas include initial conservative therapy, drainage of periappendiceal abscesses, and the role of interval appendectomy. ⋯ 1) Initial conservative management of patients with appendiceal abscess/phlegmon is prudent, safe, and effective. 2) Interval laparoscopic appendectomy can be performed safely and effectively.