Thoracostomy tubes: A comprehensive review of complications and related topics.

Tube thoracostomy (TT) placement belongs among the most commonly performed procedures. Despite many benefits of TT drainage, potential for significant morbidity and mortality exists. Abdominal or thoracic injury, fistula formation and vascular trauma are among the most serious, but more common complications such as recurrent pneumothorax, insertion site infection and nonfunctioning or malpositioned TT also represent a significant source of morbidity and treatment cost.

Potential role of oral anticoagulants in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease: focus on dabigatran.

The pharmacologic management of patients with high-risk coronary artery disease consists of aspirin and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor. Chronic oral anticoagulation with warfarin is the major treatment strategy to attenuate thromboembolism or stroke in patients with deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, heart failure and atrial fibrillation. A substantial percentage of the latter group of patients have coronary artery disease and may require stenting with long-term dual antiplatelet therapy in addition to therapy with warfarin to reduce arterial ischemic events in addition to stroke.

Review of abdominal damage control and open abdomens: focus on gastrointestinal complications.

Massive trauma and abdominal catastrophes carry high morbidity and mortality. In addition to the primary pathologic process, a secondary systemic injury, characterized by inflammatory mediator release, contributes to subsequent cellular, end-organ, and systemic dysfunction. These processes, in conjunction with large-volume resuscitations and tissue hypoperfusion, lead to acidosis, coagulopathy, and hypothermia.

Leukocytosis and hypercalcemia: a rare combination of paraneoplastic features in squamous cell penile cancer.

Penile cancer is very rare in North America and Europe, as compared with the rest of the world. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for more than 95% of the cancer type. Paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS), a clinical syndrome of nonmetastatic systemic effects that occurs in patients with malignant disease, is often associated with SCC.

Complications related to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a comprehensive clinical review.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is one of the most commonly performed endoscopic procedures. It provides the treating physician with both diagnostic and therapeutic options. The recent shift towards interventional uses of ERCP is largely due to the emergence of advanced imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and ultrasonography.

Premature peripheral arterial disease - difficult diagnosis in very early presentation.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is defined as an ankle-brachial index of less than 0.9. It is mostly prevalent in patients older than 50 years of age; its occurrence in younger patients is rare.