Appendectomy or not in middle-aged male with non-inflamed appendix in Amyand's hernia? Case report and literature review.

Introduction: An Amyand's hernia is a rare disease where a vermiform appendix is found within an inguinal hernia sac. It is reported in the literature as having an incidence between 0.4%-1.

Does sacrifice of the inferior mesenteric artery or superior rectal artery affect anastomotic leak following sigmoidectomy for diverticulitis? a retrospective review.

Background: Anastomotic leak after sigmoidectomy for diverticular disease can have devastating consequences. Preservation or sacrifice of the descending colon or rectal arterial supply may affect the anastomosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether preservation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) or superior rectal artery (SRA) was associated with a decreased anastomotic leak rate.

Hypoxemic versus normoxemic reperfusion in a large animal model of severe ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: Prior studies have suggested a significant benefit of using deliberate hypoxemia to reperfuse ischemic tissue beds, primarily by reducing free radical injury. We sought to examine the effects of a hypoxemic reperfusion strategy in a large animal model of severe truncal ischemia.

Materials And Methods: Adult swine were subjected to 30 min of supraceliac aortic occlusion and randomized to two groups: normoxemia group (n = 9), with resuscitation at a pO2 >100 mmHg or hypoxemia group (n = 10), with initial resuscitation at a pO2 of 30-50.

Vascular surgery knowledge and exposure obtained during medical school and the potential impact on career decisions.

Background: The pathway to primary certification in vascular surgery is evolving, requiring trainees to make earlier career decisions. The goal of this study was to evaluate exposure to and knowledge of vascular surgery obtained during medical school that could affect career decisions.

Methods: A survey was conducted of recent medical school graduates entering military residency programs.

A simplified set of trauma triage criteria to safely reduce overtriage: a prospective study.

Background: Many trauma systems have adopted complex triage algorithms that are difficult to use and contain poorly validated variables.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the performance of our institution's current triage system compared with a simplified system using only 4 highly predictive variables.

Design, Setting, And Patients: A prospective observational study of trauma patients in a 9-month period at an academic level II trauma center was undertaken.

Resectional gastric bypass outcomes in active duty soldiers: a retrospective review.

Background: As in civilian life, some active duty service members have developed severe obesity that is refractory to diet alteration and exercise. In addition to controlling obesity, surgical weight control measures in an active duty population must consider the effect of the postbariatric state on a service member's ability to continue to be deployable to a war zone or other austere military assignment. We report our experience with such patients undergoing open resectional gastric bypass.

Natural course and outcome of cystic lesions in the pancreas.

Background: The number of patients identified with cysts of the pancreas is increasing. The current study was undertaken to assess the natural course and malignant potential of pancreatic cysts.

Methods: From 1995 to 2008, radiology records were reviewed for the presence of cystic lesions of the pancreas (CLP) characteristics, patient demographics, and follow-up.

Improved rates of colorectal cancer screening in an equal access population.

Background: National colorectal cancer (CRC) screening averages 50% to 60%. We aimed to identify screening prevalence in select Department of Defense (DOD) beneficiaries with equal access to care.

Methods: December 2007 cross-sectional data of patients over 50 years of age included patient demographics, screening modality, and compliance.

National trends and outcomes for the surgical therapy of ileocolonic Crohn's disease: a population-based analysis of laparoscopic vs. open approaches.

Purpose: The laparoscopic approach to Crohn's disease has demonstrated benefits in several small series. We sought to examine its use and outcomes on a national level.

Methods: All admissions with a diagnosis of Crohn's disease requiring bowel resection were selected from the 2000-2004 Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

Mesonephric remnant with tubular function in a 15-year-old female.

Congenital abnormalities of the genital or urinary tract are not uncommon and often occur together. This article discusses a unique case in which a functioning mesonephric remnant was found.

Lipoxin biosynthesis in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background And Aims: Lipoxins are anti-inflammatory lipid mediators that are produced in gut mucosa, which serve to limit and resolve persistent inflammation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate colonic lipoxin biosynthesis in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) to establish a possible biochemical basis for persistent inflammation in UC.

Methods: Colonic mucosa from patients with UC or organ donors (controls) was placed into tissue culture for 90 min.

Role of peroxynitrite anion in renal hypothermic preservation injury.

Background: Peroxynitrite anions may play a role in normothermic renal ischemia and reperfusion. The purpose of this study was to determine if endogenous peroxynitrite anion is involved in renal preservation injury.

Methods: Experiments were conducted in isolated canine renal tubules and in a canine autotransplant model of hypothermic preservation injury.