Characteristics of Climbers with High Altitude Pulmonary Edema on Mount Aconcagua.

Introduction—: Mount Aconcagua (6961 m) in Argentina is the highest peak in the Americas, and more than 3000 climbers attempt to summit annually. High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a leading cause of mortality and evacuation on Aconcagua.

Objective—: This study sought to describe the characteristics of climbers who developed HAPE on Aconcagua to aid in future prevention efforts.

Acute Coronary Syndrome at Altitude: Diagnostic Dilemma on Aconcagua Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound.

At the Plaza de Mulas medical tent, located at 4300 m (14,100 ft) along the Normal Route to the 6960 m (22,837 ft) summit of Aconcagua in Argentina, a Korean male in his 50s with no known medical conditions presented with lightheadedness and shortness of breath. He had taken sildenafil and acetazolamide that morning without improvement. Vital signs on arrival were notable for oxygen saturations in the high 60s with basilar crackles on lung auscultation, concerning for high altitude pulmonary edema.

[Impact of obesity on postoperative results of elective laparoscopic colectomy in sigmoid diverticulitis: a prospective study].

Study Aim: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the outcome of laparoscopic colectomy for sigmoid diverticulitis in normal weighted, overweighted and obese patients.

Patients And Method: From January 1995 to December 2000, all patients (n = 77) undergoing an elective colectomy for sigmoid diverticulitis were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 29): normal weighted patients (BMI: 18-24.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis. A prospective comparative study in patients with acute vs. chronic cholecystitis.

Background: The aim of this prospective study was to compare the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with acute cholecystitis versus those with chronic cholecystitis and to determine the optimal timing for LC in patients with acute cholecystitis.

Methods: From January 1991 to July 1998, 796 patients (542 women and 254 men) underwent LC. In 132 patients (67 women and 65 men), acute cholecystitis was confirmed via histopathological examination.

[Role of subtotal/total colectomy in emergency treatment of occlusive cancer of the left colon].

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of management of acutely obstructed carcinoma of the left colon by emergency subtotal/total colectomy (STC) with immediate anastomosis without diversion.

Methods: STC was performed in 60 consecutive patients (mean age 72 years). Inclusion criteria were reasonable operative risk, resectable acutely obstructed carcinoma, massively-distended colon of dubious viability, signs of impending cecal perforation.