Large-Scale Analysis on Accelerated Aging of Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (PETN) Powders in Detonators.

Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) has been used extensively in commercial detonators and other explosive applications for many decades. Here, we show the results of a comprehensive 1.5 year aging study of PETN in commercial detonators, addressing batch-to-batch variations, surface area changes, and comparisons of aged loose powders side-by-side with identically aged detonators.

Muscle-sparing thoracotomy: Anatomy and technique.

The thoracotomy incision is essential for many thoracic surgery procedures. A number of different variations exist, and different techniques can be used, depending both on the patient and on the technical factors. The muscle-sparing technique was first described by Noirclerc et al.

The impact of junior surgical jobs in cardiothoracic surgery on career choice in the United Kingdom.

Objectives: Cardiothoracic surgery is a small specialty, often with a limited presence on the undergraduate curriculum. In the past, there was a heavy reliance on postgraduate exposure to inform career choice. Recent changes in recruitment to the specialty in the United Kingdom may reduce exposure of the best trainees to the specialty, and reduce the quality of future surgeons.

Perioperative detection of circulating tumour cells in patients with lung cancer.

Lung cancer is a leading cause of mortality and despite surgical resection a proportion of patients may develop metastatic spread. The detection of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) may allow for improved prediction of metastatic spread and survival. The current study evaluates the efficacy of the ScreenCell® filtration device, to capture, isolate and propagate CTCs in patients with primary lung cancer.

Surgeon and haematologist: a review of comprehensive care for patients with inherited bleeding disorders in Northern Ireland.

Background: Management of patients with inherited bleeding disorders has improved since the introduction of Comprehensive Care Centres (CCC) in the United Kingdom (UK). In the event such patients need surgery, the aim of the multidisciplinary team is to facilitate outcomes as good as what would be expected in a non-bleeding disorder patient. A review of such comprehensive care was carried out in patients with inherited bleeding disorders when they needed surgery at Northern Ireland CCC.

Malignant primary cardiac tumours.

Objectives: Management of malignant tumours of the heart remains a poorly investigated clinical area due to the scarcity of presentations. The purpose of this series and review is to present an outline of the management emphasized by our personal experience in a regional cardiothoracic centre.

Methods: We reviewed all cases presenting with primary cardiac tumours in our institution within the last 10 years, looking at presentation, management and outcomes.

A 15-cm aneurysm of the right coronary artery presenting as a pericardial cyst.

We report an unusual case of a giant right coronary artery aneurysm, measuring 15 cm in diameter, in a 76-year old woman. The aneurysm was initially identified when the patient was investigated for signs of congestive cardiac failure with a computed tomography scan of her thorax; at this stage, the lesion was misdiagnosed as a large pericardial cyst. The aneurysm was successfully excised at surgery and her heavily diseased right coronary artery was secured with a saphenous vein graft.

Defunctioning loop ileostomy: not always a safe option.

A 74-year-old woman underwent a low anterior resection and defunctioning loop ileostomy for a T1 N1 M0 rectal adenocarcinoma. Three months following surgery she attended complaining of pain inferior to the loop ileostomy. A clinical examination demonstrated an extensive area of spreading cellulitis on the lower abdominal wall inferior to the loop ileostomy with associated crepitus and skin necrosis.