Ipsilateral pedicled TRAM flaps: the safer alternative?

Transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction has become a commonly performed procedure in the 1990s. The original description of the procedure was that of an ipsilaterally based pedicle procedure. Concerns about potential folding of the pedicle with possible compromise of the vascular supply led many surgeons to prefer the contralateral pedicle.

Analysis and treatment of severe trigonocephaly.

A retrospective analysis of seven patients with clinically severe trigonocephaly was performed, including a review of preoperative and postoperative computed tomography scans. A method of analyzing the trigonocephalic deformity was developed. This is based on determination of the angular severity of the forehead (110 +/- 4 degrees) and the length of half of the supraorbital bar (40 +/- 3 mm).

Thoracoscopic vagotomy as a safe adjunct to remedial gastric surgery.

Patients who have had prior subdiaphragmatic dissection with an incomplete vagotomy or Nissen fundoplication present added challenges when they require vagotomy and gastric resection. In this setting, thoracoscopic vagotomy offers significant advantages. A second attempt at vagotomy in a previously dissected field can be prolonged and frustrating.

Palliative gastric transposition following pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy.

Extensive extirpative resection of advanced head and neck tumors followed by functional reconstruction is a formidable undertaking. Poor long-term survival and substantial morbidity and mortality have often conferred a nihilistic approach toward these patients. We reviewed our experience with transhiatal gastric transposition with pharyngogastric anastomosis for reconstruction of pharyngoesophageal defects to assess the value of undertaking such a formidable surgical intervention.

Endoscopic preperitoneal herniorrhaphy in professional athletes with groin pain.

Introduction: Surgical exploration of the groin with subsequent herniorrhaphy has been recommended for obscure groin pain in athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic preperitoneal herniorrhaphy and, if indicated, contralateral groin exploration in professional athletes with groin pain.

Patients And Methods: Eight professional athletes presented with groin pain and underwent endoscopic preperitoneal herniorrhaphy between February 1994 and May 1996.

Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: the experience of a university-affiliated teaching hospital.

Background: In most published reports on laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the cases have been accrued from small community hospitals in a multicenter fashion. The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of complication following laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed at a single university-affiliated teaching hospital to those quoted in the literature.

Study Design: A retrospective review of the first 1300 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at the Videoscopic Surgery Center at Pennsylvania Hospital from May 1990 through January 1994 was undertaken.

The efficacy of epidural anesthesia for endoscopic preperitoneal herniorrhaphy: a prospective study.

Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy has been criticized because of the need for general anesthesia. The endoscopic preperitoneal approach allows the use of epidural anesthesia, obviating the potential complications and side effects seen with general anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of epidural anesthesia for preperitoneal herniorrhaphy.

Gasless laparoscopic esophagomyotomy.

A case of gasless laparoscopic esophagogastric myotomy for achalasia is presented. The technical aspects of the technique as well as the benefits of this approach are reviewed.

Trocar site herniation following laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the significance of an incidental preexisting umbilical hernia.

With the expansion of both laparoendoscopic surgery and the number of those performing it, the surgeon must remain cognizant of the uncommon complication of herniation through a previous trocar site. Herniation through laparoscopic trocar defects most often occurs as a Richter's hernia, hence its presentation can be insidious and can lead to significant morbidity. A retrospective chart review of 1300 consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies over 5 years was performed.

Small bowel obstruction following endoscopic extraperitoneal-preperitoneal herniorrhaphy.

Laparoscopic hernia repair has a number of unique potential complications. These include complications of pneumoperitoneum, general anesthesia, trocar injuries and complications of small bowel obstruction related to trocar site fascial defects, intraabdominal adhesions, and reaction with the synthetic mesh. A totally extraperitoneal approach should, in theory, eliminate postoperative small bowel obstruction in that the peritoneal space is never entered.

Bile leak following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

The incidence and significance of bile leak after open cholecystectomy have been studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and significance of postoperative bile leak associated with both emergent and elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies. One thousand four hundred patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy from July 1990 to January 1995 were retrospectively reviewed.

Pulmonary risk factors of elective abdominal aortic surgery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively identify risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic surgery via a midline incision.

Methods: We reviewed 181 consecutive patients who underwent operation between July 1986 to December 1992. Preoperative factors analyzed included age, sex, diabetes mellitus, history of smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, indication for surgery (aneurysm [126] or aortoiliac occlusive disease [AIOD] [55]), history of coronary artery disease, length of preoperative hospital stay, American Society of Anaesthesiologists class, and pulmonary function tests.

Primary aortoduodenal fistula due to septic aortitis.

We report the second case of a primary aortoenteric fistula resulting from septic aortitis with a contained aortic leak into the retroperitoneum and finally erosion into the duodenum. An emergency laparotomy revealed a fistula between the third part of the duodenum and a decompressed sac (false aneurysm) arising from a nonaneurysmal, grossly infected pararenal aorta. The purpose of this report is to present this rare case in detail and to review primary aortoenteric fistulas reported in the English language literature.