Long-term surgical outcome of closed mitral commissurotomy.

Seven hundred and fifty-four patients who underwent closed mitral commissurotomy (CMC) between 1958 and 1993 (71% female, 29% male; mean age 39 years) for acquired mitral stenosis were reviewed postoperatively. Particular attention was given to those patients who later required mitral valve replacement (MVR). The total follow up experience was 9,607.

Pathogenesis of aortoenteric fistula. An experimental study.

The pathogenesis of aortoenteric fistulas was studied in the experimental laboratory. In 23 dogs patch of woven dacron was interposed in the anterior wall of the infrarenal abdominal aorta. In two groups (I and II), the serosa denuded duodenal wall was sutured to an opening of the proximal anastomosis--creating a pseudoaneurysm--, with induction of staphylococcal bacteremia, without (group I) and with simultaneous administration of methicillin (group II) pre and postoperatively.

[Rare primary localizations of Echinococcus cysticus].

Seven cases of unusual location of echinococcus cysts are described. Three of them were located in the muscles, three in the subcutaneous tissue and one in a retroperitoneal position.

Inferior vena cava thrombosis due to migration of retained functionless pacemaker electrode.

Thrombosis of the inferior vena cava due to migration of a pacing wire has not been published previously. We describe such a complication due to migration of a retained pacemaker electrode. The distal cut end of the wire was found looped at the level of thrombosis of the inferior vena cava.

[Surgery of pulmonary hydatid diseases in childhood].

Fourteen cases of hydatid cysts of the lung in childhood are reported. The lung organ constitutes the most frequent site of the disease in childhood. The possible pathogenetic factors and the complications such as rupture and suppuration of the cyst are described.

[Operative treatment of the invasion of Echinococcus cysticus of the liver into the bile ducts].

The basic principles, methods, and results of treatment are reported from personal experience in the treatment of 32 patients with intrabiliary rupture of hydatid cysts of the liver. These patients were treated from 1970-1979 in Surgery I of the University of Thessaloniki. Total cystectomy combined with sphincteroplasty of the sphincter Oddi is the method of choice.

[Annular pancreas - complications and therapeutic problems].

Five cases of annular pancreas with symptoms and signs of high duodenal obstruction are reported. The diagnosis was established during the operation, and four of five patients were complicated by duodenal ulcer and a marked relapse of cholangitis. The results and the operative procedures are discussed.

[Nonocclusive vascular insufficiency of the bowel (author's transl)].

The particular problems of nonocclusive mesenteric vascular insufficiency are discussed on the basis of reports in the literature and 4 patients observed by the authors. Diminution in splanchnic blood flow as a manifestation of splanchnic compensation to low cardiac output seems to be the most common cause. The symptoms are described and the necessity for early diagnosis and immediate treatment are stressed.