Tracheo-innominate artery erosion: Successful surgical management of a devastating complication.

Successful management of a patient with tracheo-innominate artery erosion requires the rapid institution of specific resuscitative and operative measures. Ten patients seen at the Charity Hospital of Louisiana in New Orleans and 127 documented cases from the world literature were analyzed regarding predisposing factors, diagnostic features, resuscitative measures and operative treatment. Diagnoses associated with abnormal neck positioning were seen in 48% of patients with tracheo-innominate erosions.

Acute post-traumatic coarctation of the abdominal aorta.

An unusual case of coarctation of the abdominal aorta following trauma in reported. The resultant supratenal aortic constriction was associated with severe hypertension and elevated plasma renin concentration. Gradual aortic dilation at the suture site was accompanied by remission of hypertension and return of plasma renin concentration to normal.

A half-century of experience in the management of colon injuries: changing concepts.

A total of 773 patients who sustained colon injuries during the period 1927-1974 at Charity Hospital of Louisiana in New Orleans was reviewed. For purposes of comparison the patients were grouped into three 15-year periods. The first period (1927-1942) represented patients treated in the pre-antibiotic era exclusively with exteriorization.

Cardiac contusion: a capricious syndrome.

Cardiac contusions are being recognized with frequency. Among 507 patients with non-penetrating chest injuries, 210 had serial electrocardiograms sufficient to evaluate the heart. Forty-five of these 210 patients (21%) had cardiac contusions.