Delayed primary closure versus primary closure for wound management in perforated appendicitis: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: It is still a matter of debate whether delayed primary closure (DPC) of contaminated abdominal incisions reduces surgical site infections compared with a primary closure (PC). The aim of this study was to determine the optimal method of wound closure for patients with perforated appendicitis.

Methods: A total of 70 patients with perforated appendicitis were included.

Gastrointestinal tract pseudo-obstruction or obstruction due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis breakthrough.

The development of tuberculosis-related bowel obstruction or pseudo-obstruction during anti-tuberculosis therapy is rarely reported in immunocompetent patients. A 44-year-old male, who had neither HIV infection nor diabetes, was hospitalized because of pulmonary tuberculosis in November 2006. Three months after starting anti-tuberculosis therapy, he was admitted for suspected mechanical bowel obstruction.

Necrotizing fasciitis in southeast Taiwan: clinical features, microbiology, and prognosis.

Objectives: To determine the spectrum of microorganisms, clinical features, and risk factors of necrotizing fasciitis in southeast Taiwan.

Methods: We retrospectively studied patients diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis and fully treated in our hospital for the period January 1995 to December 2006.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 58.

Comparison of primary wound closure versus open wound management in perforated appendicitis.

Background/purpose: Open wound management has long been the most common practice after appendectomy for perforated appendicitis. Primary closure, however, has recently been advocated to reduce cost and morbidity. The aim of this study was to compare the results of open wound management and primary wound closure in adult patients (age, > or =15 years) with perforated appendicitis.

Spontaneous rupture of recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumor associated with neurofibromatosis type 1.

The incidence of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) among neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) patients is approximately 3.9-25%, and this relationship is generally considered to be non-coincidental. We report a patient with NF-1 who underwent laparotomy 3 times due to recurrent intra-abdominal tumor rupture with internal bleeding in the space of 13 years.