Pediatric Outcomes following Cranial Vault Remodeling with Restricted Use of Postoperative Narcotics: A Retrospective Review.

Background: The appropriate use of narcotics for postoperative pain control is controversial because of potential medication-induced complications. The authors sought to determine the effects of narcotics in the pediatric population following cranial vault remodeling operations.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed on 160 consecutive patients who underwent cranial vault remodeling for craniosynostosis.

A Pilot Study Examining the Effects of Ischemic Conditioning on Walking Capacity and Lower Extremity Muscle Performance in Patients with Claudication.

Introduction: This study investigated whether a novel therapy called ischemic conditioning (IC) improves walking capacity and lower extremity muscle performance in patients with peripheral vascular disease who experience intermittent claudication.

Methods: Forty-three patients with claudication were enrolled and received either IC or IC Sham for 2 weeks in this randomized, controlled, double-blinded, prospective study. IC sessions involved five cycles of alternating 5-min inflations of a blood pressure cuff to 225 mm Hg (25 mm Hg for IC Sham) and 5-min deflations, around the thigh of the affected lower extremity.

A unique case of bilateral lower extremity post-endovascular aneurysm repair claudication.

The majority of abdominal aortic aneurysms have been treated by endovascular aneurysm repair in the past decade. Common perioperative complications after this procedure are mostly related to vascular access and improper stent-graft placement. We present the first case of bilateral lower extremity claudication due to severe angulation of the graft-aorta interface, which may have been prevented by a more critical consideration of the patient's anatomy.

Anti-Ku antibody-positive systemic sclerosis-polymyositis overlap syndrome in an adolescent.

Systemic sclerosis-polymyositis overlap syndrome is rare in children. Anti-PM/Scl is the most common autoantibody associated with this syndrome. We present a case of systemic sclerosis-polymyositis overlap syndrome in a child with isolated anti-Ku antibodies, an uncommon antibody associated with this rare syndrome.

Diagnostic workup and endovascular treatment of popliteal artery trauma.

Although management paradigms for certain arterial trauma, such as aortic injuries, have moved towards an endovascular approach, the application of endovascular techniques for the treatment of peripheral arterial injuries continues to be debated. In the realm of peripheral vascular trauma, popliteal arterial injuries remain a devastating condition with significant rates of limb loss. Expedient management is essential and surgical revascularization has been the gold standard.