Endovascular coil embolization of cerebral aneurysm remnants after incomplete surgical obliteration.
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INTRODUCTION: The presence of an aneurysm remnant after incomplete or unsuccessful surgical clipping is associated with persistent risk of regrowth and rupture, and additional treatment is generally recommended. Attempts at surgical re-exploration are technically difficult and carry significant risk. Endovascular therapy can represent a valuable therapeutic alterative in these cases. METHODS: We reviewed the information on 21 patients with postsurgical aneurysm remnants treated at our institution with endovascular coil occlusion between 1991 and 2000. Clinical outcome was measured using the modified Rankin scale. Statistical analysis of outcome predictors was performed using the two-tailed Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of the aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation. The median aneurysm size at the time of surgery was 9.9 mm (range 3 to 35 mm). The mean size of the aneurysm remnants before coiling was 6.4 mm (range 3 to 14 mm). Endovascular coiling resulted in total occlusion of the remnants in 81% of the cases. No major complications were associated with the endovascular treatment. Seventy-two percent of patients left the hospital without any functional impairment (modified Rankin scale 0 to 1). No cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage or symptomatic aneurysmal regrowth were noted after endovascular treatment over a mean follow-up of 22 months. Presence of disability or death was associated with an initial (presurgical) presentation with subarachnoid hemorrhage (P=0.04) and an interval between incomplete clipping and endovascular coil embolization +info)
The direct trocar technique: an alternative approach to abdominal entry for laparoscopy.
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OBJECTIVE: The direct trocar technique is an alternative to Veress needle insertion and open laparoscopy for accessing the abdominal cavity for operative laparoscopy. We review our approach to abdominal entry in 1385 laparoscopies performed between September 1993 and June 2000 by our group at Stanford University Hospital, a tertiary Medical Center. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 1385 patients who underwent operative laparoscopy during the study years. The mode of abdominal entry, patient demographics, and complications were reviewed. RESULTS: The transumbilical direct trocar entry method was used in 1223 patients. In 133 patients, the Veress needle insertion technique was used. Open laparoscopy was used in 22 patients. Three (0.21%) major complicadons occurred: 1 enterotomy, 1 omental herniation, and 1 bowel hemiation. One complication was related to primary access (0.072%) in a patient who had an open laparoscopy. She sustained an enterotomy during placement of the primary trocar. The bowel was repaired laparoscopically. No trocar-related injuries occurred among the 1223 patients in whom the direct trocar entry technique was used. One patient had an omental herniation and required a repeat laparoscopy on postoperative day 2. The second patient had a repeat laparoscopy on the 12th postoperative day to repair a bowel herniation. None of our patients required a laparotomy. No vascular injuries occurred. CONCLUSION: Based on our experience, the direct trocar technique is a safe approach to abdominal entry for laparoscopic surgery. (+info)
Two hundred endoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasties: cost containment by reusable instruments.
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OBJECTIVE: To report our experience of 200 endoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasties utilizing reusable instruments. METHODS: Between August 1999 and June 2000, 200 endoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernioplasties were performed on 163 patients. The mean age of the study population was 63 years with a male to female ratio of 157:6. Perioperative details and postoperative outcomes were prospectively evaluated and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 196 (98%) endoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasties were successfully performed. Conversion rates to transabdominal preperitoneal and open repairs were 1.5% (n = 3) and 0.5% (n = 1), respectively. There were no other intraoperative complications. Postoperative morbidity included retention of urine (n = 7), wound bruising (n = 2), atelectasis (n = 2) and gouty arthritis (n = 1). The mean visual analogue pain scores at rest were 2.3, 1.6 and 1.9 on postoperative days 0, 1 and 2, respectively. The mean length of hospital stay was 1.9 days. 113 patients (69%) returned to normal activities within one week. Of the 35 patients who experienced both open and laparoscopic repair, 80% expressed preference for endoscopic hernioplasty in the event of future recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasty can be safely performed utilizing reusable trocars. Substantial reduction of operative cost could be achieved by the elimination of disposable instruments. Deficiencies of the reusable metallic trocar, namely peri-cannula air-leak and sliding movements of the trocar, can be overcome by purse-string suture of the fascial opening. (+info)
Tick removal.
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Many methods of tick removal that have been reported in the literature have proved to be unsatisfactory in controlled studies. Some methods may even cause harm by inducing the tick to salivate and regurgitate into the host. Ticks are best removed as soon as possible, because the risk of disease transmission increases significantly after 24 hours of attachment. The use of a blunt, medium-tipped, angled forceps offers the best results. Following tick removal, the bite area should be inspected carefully for any retained mouthparts, which should be excised. The area is then cleaned with antiseptic solution, and the patient is instructed to monitor for signs of local or systemic illness. Routine antibiotic prophylaxis following tick removal generally is not indicated but may be considered in pregnant patients or in areas endemic to tick-borne disease. (+info)
Predictive value of conventional computed tomography in determining proximal extent of abdominal aortic aneurysms and possibility of infrarenal clamping.
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The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic reliability of computed tomography in determining the proximal extent of abdominal aortic aneurysms and the possibility of infrarenal clamping. Preoperative computed tomographic findings, together with the operative data for 95 patients, were retrospectively analyzed in light of the operative findings. Eighty-nine (93.68%) of the patients were men and 6 (6.32%) were women, with a mean age of 66.27 +/- 18.14 years. Diagnosis of infrarenal aneurysm by computed tomography was confirmed at the time of surgery in 91 (95.79%) of 95patients. The negative-predictive value of computed tomography in detecting supra-aneurysmal renal arteries was found to be 95.79%. The specificity was 98.91%. Infrarenal cross-clamping was performed in 59 (62.11%) of 95 patients, whose aortic segments between the renal artery orifices and the proximal borders of the aneurysms had a mean length of 26.4 +/- 7.11 mm by computed tomography Suprarenal clamping was required in 36 (37.89%) of the 95 patients, whose aortic segments had a mean length of 12.7 +/- 3.48 mm. We conclude that conventional computed tomography is reasonably accurate in determining the proximal extent of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Although there is a high rate of error in determining the possibility of infrarenal clamping when no specific measurements are taken, infrarenal clamping can be planned when measurement by computed tomography shows a length of > or = 26 mm between the renal arteries and the proximal extent of the aneurysm. In patients with shorter aortic segments, suprarenal aortic clamping should be considered. (+info)
Effectiveness of the hands-free technique in reducing operating theatre injuries.
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BACKGROUND: Operating theatre personnel are at increased risk for transmission of blood borne pathogens when passing sharp instruments. The hands-free technique, whereby a tray or other means are used to eliminate simultaneous handling of sharp instruments, has been recommended. AIMS: To prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of the hands-free technique in reducing the incidence of percutaneous injuries, contaminations, and glove tears arising from handling sharp instruments. METHODS: For each of 3765 operations carried out in main and surgical day care operating theatres in a large urban hospital, over six months, circulating nurses recorded the proportion of use of the hands-free technique during each operation, as well as other features of the operation. The hands-free technique, considered to be used when 75% or more of the passes in an operation were done in this way, was used in 42% of operations. The relative rate of incidents (percutaneous injuries, contaminations, and glove tears) in operations where the hands-free technique was used and not used, with adjustment via multiple logistic regression for the different risk profiles of the two sets of operations, was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 143 incidents (40 percutaneous injuries, 51 contaminations, and 52 glove tears) were reported. In operations with greater than 100 ml blood loss, the incident rate was 4% (18/486) when the hands-free technique was used and 10% (90/880) when it was not, approximately 60% less. When adjusted for differences in type and duration of surgery, emergency status, noisiness, time of day, and number present for 75% of the operation, the reduction in the rate was 59% (95% CI 23% to 72%). In operations with less than 100 ml blood loss, the corresponding rates were 1.4% (15/1051) when the hands-free technique was used and 1.5% (19/1259) when it was not used. Adjustment for differences in risk factors did not alter the difference. CONCLUSIONS: Although not effective in all operations, use of the hands-free technique was effective in operations with more substantial blood loss. (+info)
The cul-de-sac packing method with a metreurynter in gynecologic gasless laparoscopy.
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Laparoscopic surgery has inherent restrictions with respect to the operative field of view and the range of surgical manipulation. Of the two procedures which secure sufficient operative space, the operative view of the gasless method is inferior to that of a pneumoperitoneum. In order to gain greater surgical visualization in gynecological gasless laparoscopy, the authors devised the cul-de-sac packing method employing a metreurynter, an instrument familiar to obstetricians in Japan. A metreurynter was lead into the cul-de-sac, and was inflated with saline, which resulted in the adnexae being raised up. This method was performed in three patients whose preoperative diagnoses were unknown infertility, ovarian cyst, and ectopic pregnancy, respectively. In all cases this method was able to keep the bowels out of the cul-de-sac space. In the first case, we were able to perform a tubal patency test under tension-free conditions, while at the same time bilateral tubal information could be obtained in a single view. In the latter two cases the adnexal lesions were maintained at an inspectional position throughout the operation without the necessity of being held by forceps to prevent them from falling down into the cul-de-sac space. No complications occurred in our three cases. This method will not be useful for patients whose cul-de-sac space is closed due to adhesions. However, except in such cases, this technique supplies a good operative view while being simple, safe, and inexpensive. Furthermore, this method supports gentler and less traumatic manipulation throughout the operation. (+info)
Development and preclinical testing of a new tension-band device for the spine: the Loop system.
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Wire sutures, cerclage constructs, and tension bands have been used for many years in orthopedic surgery. Spinous process and sublaminar wires and other strands or cables are used in the spine to re-establish stability of the posterior spinal ligament complex. Rigid monofilament wires often fail due to weakening created during twisting or wrapping. Stronger metal cables do not conform well to bony surfaces. Polyethylene cables have higher fatigue strength than metal cables. The Loop cable is a pliable, radiolucent, polyethylene braid. Creep of the Loop/locking clip construct is similar to metal cable constructs using crimps. Both systems have less creep than knotted polyethylene cable constructs. (+info)