Recurrent appendicitis after conservative management of perityphlitic abscess: report of two cases.

We report on two cases of recurrent appendicitis after conservative management consisting of antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of perityphlitic abscess. The first patient presented 13 years after acute appendicitis with a perityphlitic abscess that was treated operatively. This patient refused to undergo interval appendectomy after the initial event.

Strategies for the reduction of live animal use in microsurgical training and education.

Education and training in microsurgical techniques have historically relied on the use of live animal models. Due to an increase in the numbers of microsurgical operations in recent times, the number of trainees in this highly-specialised surgical field has continued to grow. However, strict legislation, greater public awareness, and an increasing sensitivity toward the ethical aspects of scientific research and medical education, emphatically demand a significant reduction in the numbers of animals used in surgical and academic education.

Solid apocrine carcinoma of the skin: report of a rare adnexal neoplasm mimicking lobular breast carcinoma.

The so called 'sweat gland carcinoma' is a rare skin malignancy. The differentiation between apocrine and eccrine neoplasms remains difficult. Skin tumors of the axilla are often suspected to be metastasis of other neoplasms in particular breast cancer.

Postoperative splinting after open carpal tunnel release does not improve functional and neurological outcome.

Although surgical division of the transverse carpal ligament is the operative treatment of choice for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), controversy exists about the immediate postoperative treatment regimen. Splinting for up to 6 weeks after surgery is recommended by some investigators. We therefore evaluated effectiveness of splinting after open carpal tunnel surgery by a randomized, controlled trial.

Special problems of pacing in children.

The number of children suffering from congenital or acquired rhythm disorders, and therefore being pacemaker dependent, is very small. This is one of the reasons why a special hardware has never been developed for this cohort. Pacemaker implantation into children does not differ substantially from operations in adults.

Pulsatile perfused porcine coronary arteries for microvascular training.

Microsurgery is today an established technique in specialties such as plastic surgery, neurosurgery, and trauma surgery. However, specialized training is a prerequisite for mastering anastomosis of small-diameter vessels or coaptation of nerves in the operating room. The training should be as realistic as possible and thus, laboratory animals such as the rat are preferably used as a substitute.

Diffuse phlegmonous phlebitis after endovenous laser treatment of the greater saphenous vein.

Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT) has become a valuable and safe option in the treatment of varicose veins. Although long-term results are lacking, most patients seem to benefit in the short-term from EVLT. Reported postoperative complications are limited, consisting usually of pain, ecchymosis, induration, phlebitis, or spot skin burn injuries.

Adolf Jarisch (1850-1902): an important contributor to Austrian dermatology.

Adolf Jarisch was born on the 15th of February 1850 in the city of Vienna, where he also studied medicine. He soon pursued a career in dermatology and venereology and, thus, joined the clinic of von Hebra, one of the founders of the famous new Vienna School of Medicine. After temporarily replacing von Hebra, Jarisch became the chief of the Department of Dermatology at the University of Innsbruck (1887).

Comparison of the effectiveness of gene therapy with transforming growth factor-beta or extracorporal shock wave therapy to reduce ischemic necrosis in an epigastric skin flap model in rats.

The induction of neoangiogenesis by exogenous growth factors in failing skin flaps has recently yielded promising results. Gene transfer with virus vectors has been introduced as a highly capable route of administration for growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor or fibroblast growth factor. Extracorporal shock waves (ESW) deliver energy by means of high amplitudes of sound to the target tissue and have been shown to induce angiogenesis.

Cardiac hepatopathy before and after heart transplantation.

Chronic cardiac hepatopathy is a common entity in patients evaluated for heart transplantation (HTX). Hepatic injury is caused by severe heart failure resulting from prolonged recurrent congestion and/or impaired arterial perfusion. No data are available on the reversibility of cardiac hepatopathy in patients undergoing HTX.

Control of suture hole bleeding after aortic valve replacement by application of BioGlue during circulatory arrest.

Bleeding from suture holes in aortic valve replacement (AVR) may represent a difficult problem especially if the aortic wall is friable. We describe a case in which suture hole bleeding after AVR was present at the posterior aortic wall close to the pulmonary artery. Following several attempts to suture the leak using felt pledget armed prolene sutures, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was induced and BioGlue in combination with Tabotamp was applied for successful sealing of the bleeding source.

Evaluation of factors damaging the bronchial wall in lung transplantation.

Background: Lung transplantation has become important in treating end-stage lung disease; however, bronchial complications are common. Lack of bronchial arterial circulation, ischemic time, and acute rejection episodes may damage the bronchial wall. In this study, we analyzed factors that may hamper bronchial airway healing, requiring intervention after lung transplantation.

Analysis of original contributions in three dermatology journals.

In a cross-sectional analysis, the three top ranking dermatology journals ( Archives of Dermatology , British Journal of Dermatology , and the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ) were evaluated for their scientific content, the characteristics of their authors, and funding aspects in 2002. A flood of scientific papers are published each year covering a broad variety of dermatologic topics. Aside from the actual content, a scientific article provides information about the number of authors, their nationality and affiliations, and, with some limitation, about previous presentations and funding.

Restoration of the gluteal fold by a deepithelialized skin flap: preliminary observations.

Background: The gluteal fold represents an important aspect of the gluteal region. Destruction of this anatomic landmark as a consequence of trauma or tissue harvest can result in an aesthetically disturbing disfigurement. A technique for reconstruction of the gluteal fold and preliminary results are presented.

Management of a traumatically avulsed skin-flap on the dorsum of the foot.

Background: It is common for traumatologists to see avulsion injuries with resulting composite skin flaps. Simply reattaching the avulsed flap by suturing it back into its bed may result in ischemic necrosis of the distal portion of the flap.

Case Report: The authors present a case in which an extensive avulsion injury of the dorsum of the foot with amputation of the fourth and fifth toe was treated by defatting the avulsed flap and reattachment as a full-thickness graft.

Analysis of publications in three plastic surgery journals for the year 2002.

The goal of this study was to analyze the publications in the plastic surgery literature for the year 2002. Contents of these articles, authors' information (such as nationality affiliation of the first author), type of institution, presence of grant support, and previous presentation were analyzed. For inclusion in this study, the publications had to be original articles from the three most frequently read general plastic surgery journals: Annals of Plastic Surgery, British Journal of Plastic Surgery, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.