Annali italiani di chirurgia
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Review Case Reports
Phytobezoar-induced small bowel obstruction associated with a concomitant gastric phytobezoar and ulcer in an elderly woman.
Bezoars are aggregates of indigested foreign material that accumulate in the gastroenteric tract, expecially in the stomach and in the narrowest points of the small bowel. They often occur in subjects who follow a diet rich in fruit and vegetables and in those one who previously underwent gastric resective surgery for peptic ulcer. Bezoar formation has even been observed in case of reduced gastric motility and secretion due to diabetes, hypothyroidism, pernicious anemia, myotonic syndromes, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. ⋯ A consequence of this missed diagnosis in the preoperative period is an unnecessary diagnostic delay that can significantly increase morbidity and mortality. This case report illustrates the need to include phytobezoars in the preoperative diagnostic workout of intestinal obstruction in order to rule out the presence of multiple bezoars and prevent recurrent obstruction. Now that phytobezoars are becoming a less infrequent cause of small bowel obstruction than previously thought, such a diagnostic possibility should always be considered.
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Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) is defined as an increase of intra-abdominal pressure (IAH) to values higher than 20 mmHg, associated with reduced perfusion and organ dysfunction. ⋯ It's important to recognize patients at risk of IAH and the first signs of ACS and intervene early with abdominal decompression if this will establish itself. Management of the open abdomen is now facilitated by negative pressure devices, which positively affect the morbidity and mortality of patients with ACS.
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Review Case Reports
Stump appendicitis: a rare and unusual complication after appendectomy. Case report and review of the literature.
Stump appendicitis is a rare but important complication that can occour after an open or laparoscopic appendectomy. Although it represents a recognized serious condition that should not be overlooked, it is not often considered by surgeons within the differential diagnoses faced with a patient presenting right iliac fossa abdominal pain, particularly those who present a previous history of appendectomy. ⋯ Appendectomy, Appendicular residue, Diagnosis, Stump appendicitis.
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Epidemiological data show a continuous expansion of elderly population in Europe. Older individuals require more medical services relative to their younger counterparts. The aim of this review was to summarize the most recent considerations in regards to preoperative assessment, postoperative outcomes, patient satisfaction and cost-effectiveness analysis of day surgery in the elderly. ⋯ A lot of studies show that even elderly patients can successfully undergo day surgery procedures by implementing evidence-based perioperative care programs, minimizing operative duration and tissue trauma and providing a comfortable setting.
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Review Case Reports
Adductor canal compression syndrome: a forgotten disease.
Superficial femoral vessels entrapped at the level of the adductor canal are rarely described. We first report the case of a young patient who practices professional soccer, affected with superficial femoral vein and artery occlusion due to a hypertrophied vastus medialis and adductor magnus at the Hunter's canal outlet. A careful literature search through MedLine was performed to elucidate the fascinating aspect of this occurrence.