A Fatal, Post-Intubation, Tracheoesophageal Fistula.

Despite the use of safer tubes with high-volume, low-pressure cuffs, post-intubation injury is still the leading cause of benign, acquired, tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). Cuff pressure, which is their primary pathogenetic driver, is not routinely monitored as a quality metric. To highlight the devastating consequences, we report this case of a fatal, iatrogenic fistula in a 64-year-old Asian male.

Esophageal Actinomycosis Masquerading as Cancer in an Immunocompetent Patient.

A 79-year-old African American woman presented with acute hematemesis after progressive dysphagia for 6 weeks and 12-pound weight loss. She had no predisposing immunocompromising comorbidity such as the human immunodeficiency virus or active malignancy. Computed tomography showed air-fluid levels within the esophagus with partial obstruction.

Unusual complication of a percutaneous gastrostomy tube.

Percutaneous Gastrostomy (PEG) tube is an endoscopic-guided procedure to provide enteral nutrition, medications and/or fluids to patients with oral or esophageal pathologies. PEG tubes are a relatively safe intervention but commonly known to have complications like insertion site infection, tube leakage, and tube blockage. This was an unusual case in which the PEG tube was discovered to be obstructing the third part of the duodenum after migration resulting in mechanical gastric obstruction with septic shock and severe hemodynamic instability.

On-table urethral catheterisation during laparoscopic appendicectomy: Is it necessary?

Introduction: Laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) is the most commonly performed surgical emergency procedure. The aim of this study was to highlight a series of iatrogenic bladder injuries during LA and suggest a simple method of prevention.

Methods: A retrospective review was carried out of all LA performed in a university teaching hospital over a two year period 2012-2013.