Annals of surgery
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One hundred consecutive femoropopliteal venous grafts in 85 patients with claudication were followed for five years. At this time, three limbs had been amputated, approximately one quarter of the patients had expired, and 70% of the grafts in surviving patients remained patent. It is concluded that this operation does not appear to increase the risk of amputation and in fact, may lessen it. Moreover, it is associated with minimal risk and generally provides long term relief of claudication, thus enhancing the quality of life in most patients.
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Extra-anatomic bypass of the abdominal aorta was performed in 25 patients too ill to undergo abdominal operation (Group I) and in 22 patients with graft sepsis or hemorrhage (Group II). The graft patency rate determined by life table analysis in Group I patients was 83.5% at one year and 60% at two years. The graft patency rate for Group II patients of 47% at one year was significantly lower than the patency rate for Group I patients (p <.01). ⋯ Thrombectomy is the treatment of choice for occluded extra-anatomic bypass grafts. It can be performed easily under local anesthesia. If unsuccessful, contralateral axillofemoral or femoro-femoral grafts are indicated to re-establish blood flow.
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Since 1950, 300 patients sustaining pancreatic injuries have been managed. Three-fourths of the injuries were due to penetrating trauma with a 20% mortality and one-fourth due to blunt trauma resulting in an 18% mortality. The pancreatic injury was responsible for death in only 3% of patients. ⋯ There has been a tendency toward more frequent use of distal pancreatectomy for simple penetrating injuries without obvious ductal violation which increases operative time, blood loss and possible intra-abdominal abscess since resection usually requires splenectomy. Patients considered for an 80% distal resection are better managed with a Roux-en-Y limb to the distal pancreas since three patients developed diabetes following an 80% or greater resection. A conservative approach consisting of Penrose and sump drainage is adequate for most injuries.
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A patient is presented with the Budd-Chiari Syndrome. Because of a thrombosed inferior vena cava, none of the standard portal-systemic shunts could be utilized for decompression of the engorged liver. A new shunt constructed by interposing a Dacron graft between the superior mesenteric vein and the right atrium was performed. ⋯ Patency has been confirmed post-operatively by catheterization and with angiography. The patient is asymptomatic with normal liver function tests nine months following the procedure. A surgical approach is outlined for symptomatic patients with the Budd-Chairi Syndrom.
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Case Reports
Hepatic--portal venous gas in adults: etiology, pathophysiology and clinical significance.
The roentgenographic finding hepatic--portal venous gas (HPVG) has been reported extensively in the pediatric and radiology literature. The surgical implications and clinical significance have yet to be fully defined. This study reviews the 60 reported cases in the literature and adds four new cases. ⋯ Mucosal damage, bowel distention and sepsis predispose to HPVG. The current mortality rate of 75% represents an improvement from previous experience. Analysis of survivors indicates that the finding of HPVG requires urgent surgical exploration except when it is observed in patients with stable ulcerative colitis.