Relationship of obesity and specimen weight to complications in reduction mammaplasty.

Obesity and specimen weight have both been associated with a higher incidence of complications for patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty. However, obesity has been arbitrarily and inconsistently defined, and the degree of obesity has not been considered in these previous studies. Because insurance companies are increasingly demanding weight loss before authorizing surgery, the relationship of obesity and breast size to complications is of great importance.

Penetrating renovascular trauma.

A 10-year experience with 39 patients having 40 renovascular injuries is presented. The overall mortality rate was 30%, predominantly from extensive associated trauma. Nephrectomy was performed in 20 patients (51%).

Selective conservatism in abdominal stab wounds: the efficacy of serial physical examination.

An analysis of 186 consecutive patients with anterior abdominal stab wounds in a 2-year period was carried out to assess the efficacy of serial physical examination as the determining factor for the need for laparotomy. Of 106 patients managed by clinical evaluation, the incidence of negative laparotomy was 0.9% and three patients (2.

Intra-abdominal abscess after penetrating abdominal trauma.

We reviewed our experience with intra-abdominal abscess after penetrating abdominal trauma. Of a total of 872 laparotomies (1980-1986), 29 patients (0.7% of stab wounds and 6% of gunshot wounds) developed abscesses.

Transoral removal of missile fragments from the C1-C2 area: report of four cases.

Low velocity firearm damage to the upper cervical spine without neurological deficit occurs infrequently. Four cases of gunshot fragments involving the anterior elements of C1 and C2 are presented. In all four cases, the fragments were removed via a transoral approach without neurological complications or mechanical instability.