Effect of lidocaine gel on povidone-iodine antisepsis and microbial survival.

Purpose: To determine whether the use of lidocaine gel prior to povidone-iodine antisepsis is associated with increased microbial survival.

Setting: Ophthalmology Department, Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Washington, USA.

Methods: A standardized suspension of Staphylococcus epidermidis was used to inoculate 5 blood agar plates that served as a control.

Coronary artery spasm: a rare but important cause of postoperative myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction that is attributed to native coronary artery spasm in the early postoperative phase has rarely been documented. We report three cases of postoperative myocardial infarction secondary to angiographically demonstrated coronary spasm. Native coronary artery spasm is a rare, but important cause of postoperative ischemia and infarction.

Traumatic innominate artery disruption and aortic valve rupture.

Rapid deceleration injury causing blunt thoracic trauma can result in injury to the thoracic aorta. Rupture of the aortic isthmus is the most common presentation; however, injury can occur more proximally in the arch vessels or the aortic root. We present an unusual case of simultaneous innominate artery disruption with aortic valve rupture after a motor vehicle accident, and we discuss issues surrounding the diagnosis and operative management of this rare, but life-threatening condition.