Int Surg
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This is a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy of the Perkins traction in the treatment of adult femoral shaft fractures from October 1, 2007, to the present at the Black Lion Hospital in Addis Ababa University Hospital in Ethiopia. All femur fractures admitted to the hospital were reviewed and evaluated for treatment. Black Lion Hospital (Tikur Anbessa) is the university hospital in Addis Ababa and the highest tertiary teaching hospital in a country of 85 million inhabitants. ⋯ Superficial pin care infections were noted in 8 patients (11.8%) and treated appropriately. The conservative treatment of 69 femoral shaft fractures using the Perkins traction at Black Lion University Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has been proven to be a safe and effective method. It should be encouraged in countries like ours where it is a luxury to have a C-Arm in the operating room and where the hardware often is not available to perform a stable stabilization of the long bone fractures.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of Lichtenstein and laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair of recurrent inguinal hernias.
The aim of our study was the comparative analysis of the results of two surgical methods: tension-free repair by the Lichtenstein technique and laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair. In total 52 patients with recurrent inguinal hernia were randomly assigned to the two groups: Lichtenstein (28 patients) and TAPP (24 patients). Comparisons between these groups were done by several preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors. ⋯ There were no cases of hernia recurrence observed during the followup. Chronic pain developed in 5 patients from the Lichtenstein group (17.9%) and 2 patients from the TAPP group (8.3%; P = 0.28) more than 1 year after the operation; 4 Lichtenstein patients (14.3%) and 1 TAPP patient (4.2%; P = 0.23) more than 2 years after the operation; and 3 Lichtenstein patients (10.7%) and 1 TAPP patient (4.2%; P = 0.36) more than 3 years after the operation. For the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernias, which are developed after use of conventional (nonmesh) methods, the first choice should be given to the laparoscopic method, especially for young, physically active, nonobese patients, and if there are any contraindications for the laparoscopy, the Lichtenstein approach should be recommended.
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Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is very successful in patients with short-segment Barrett's esophagus (BE), but in patients with long-segment BE, the results remain in discussion. In these patients, during the open era of surgery, we performed acid suppression + duodenal diversion procedures added to the antireflux procedure (fundoplication + vagotomy + antrectomy + Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy) to obtain better results at long-term follow-up. The aim of this prospective study is to present the results of 3 to 5 years' follow-up in patients with short-segment and long-segment or complicated BE (ulcer or stricture) who underwent fundoplication or the acid suppression-duodenal diversion technique, both performed by a laparoscopic approach. ⋯ Regression of intestinal metaplasia to the cardiac mucosa was observed in 56.9% of patients with short-segment BE who underwent fundoplication and in 61% of those with long-segment BE treated with the acid suppression-duodenal diversion procedure. Patients with long-segment BE who experienced fundoplication alone presented no regression of intestinal metaplasia; on the contrary, progression to dysplasia was observed in 1 case (P = 0.049). Patients with short-segment BE can be successfully treated with fundoplication, but for patients with long-segment BE, we suggest performance of fundoplication plus an acid suppression-duodenal diversion procedure.
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Blood conservation is based on the principle of avoiding allogeneic blood transfusion with the aim of improving outcome and protecting patients' rights. Surgical patients receive a significant proportion of the allogeneic blood transfused in the hospital. Blood conservation in surgery greatly reduces overall allogeneic blood use, thereby reducing costs, hazards, and adverse outcomes. ⋯ Bloodless medicine and surgery programs represent the gold standard in blood conservation. Blood conservation is evidence based, and it results in faster recovery, lower morbidity, lower mortality, shorter hospital stay, lower cost, and better patient (and physician) satisfaction while avoiding the hazards of allogeneic blood transfusion. Blood conservation is thus the current standard of care.
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A traumatic splenic rupture (ASR) is a rare clinical entity. Several underlying benign and malignant conditions have been described as a leading cause. We report on a case of ASR in a 41-year-old man treated with laparoscopic splenectomy. Considering ASR as a life-threatening condition, a prompt diagnosis can be life saving.