Delayed primary repair of intrathoracic esophageal perforation: is it safe?

The management of intrathoracic esophageal perforation with delayed diagnosis is a subject of controversy. Because of the obvious advantages of primary repair as a simple single-stage operation, this technique was preferentially used to treat 18 of 22 consecutive patients with esophageal perforation. These patients were stratified into three groups according to the time interval between perforation and repair: group A, less than 6 hours, five patients (28%); group B, 6 to 24 hours, six patients (33%); and group C, more than 24 hours, seven patients (39%).

Nitrendipine and superoxide dismutase in ischemic renal injury.

The effect of the Ca entry blocker nitrendipine, the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD), and a combination of nitrendipine and superoxide dismutase on postischemic renal function was studied in four groups (n = 24) of rats. The rats in group 1 (n = 6) were the ischemic control and received 10 mL of 0.9% NaCl.

Bullet fragment venous embolus to the heart: case report.

This report describes a case of bullet fragment embolus to the heart following a small-caliber gunshot wound to the mouth. Skull and C-spine films appeared to account for the projectile; however, chest X-ray followed by fluoroscopy and two-dimensional echocardiography demonstrated a venous missile embolus in the right heart. The bullet was palpated, trapped in the right ventricle, and easily extruded.

Effect of calcium entry blocker nitrendipine on renal function after renal vascular occlusion.

The ability of the Ca entry blocker nitrendipine to improve postischemic renal function was studied in nine groups (n = 70) of rats. After anesthesia, nitrendipine was administered for 15 min through the femoral vein. The dose administered depended on the group.

Selective hepatic artery embolization as an adjunct to liver packing in severe hepatic trauma: case report.

Two cases of severe hepatic injury in which bleeding continued despite liver packing are presented. Superselective hepatic artery embolization was used to control the remaining hemorrhage. Embolization is a useful adjunct to liver packing that will decrease mortality in severe hepatic trauma.