Severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with Guillain-Barré syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUNDGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder that typically presents with ascending weakness, pain, paraesthesias, and numbness, which mimic the findings in lumbar spinal stenosis. Here, we report a case of severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with GBS.CASE SUMMARYA 70-year-old man with a history of lumbar spinal stenosis presented to our emergency department with severe lower back pain and lower extremity numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of severe lumbar spinal stenosis. However, his symptoms did not improve postoperatively and he developed dysphagia and upper extremity numbness. An electromyogram was performed. Based on his symptoms, physical examination, and electromyogram, he was diagnosed with GBS. After 5 d of intravenous immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg/d for 5 d) therapy, he gained 4/5 of strength in his upper and lower extremities and denied paraesthesias. He had regained 5/5 of strength in his extremities when he was discharged and had no symptoms during follow-up.CONCLUSIONGBS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal disorder, even though magnetic resonance imaging shows severe lumbar spinal stenosis. This case highlights the importance of a careful diagnosis when a patient has a history of a disease and comes to the hospital with the same or similar symptoms.     

Surgical innovation in LMICs–The perspective from India

Surgical Innovations are central to surgical progress, and have led to exponential growth in various fields of Surgery. Surgical Innovations in Lower and Middle Income Countries are the result of creativity of frontline health workers in search of simple, safe and ethical solutions for their unique challenges. The key lies in: ‘simplifying the idea/technique/device’ to find patients' needs-driven low-cost innovative surgical solutions; which can be used on a wider scale to achieve health equity for underserved populations. Local surgeons understand the difficulties and nuances of various problems and can provide local-evidence-based customized solutions for their patients' health problems. We developed a Surgical Innovation Ecosystem allowing us to see difficulties as opportunities, learn from everyone and conduct research on what is ‘important’ rather than what is ‘interesting’. Barriers to Surgical Innovations in Lower and Middle Income Countries are well known; however, a roadmap to overcome these barriers is now available. The right balance has to be found between encouraging creativity and innovation while maintaining ethical awareness and responsibility to patients. Introduction and adoption of Surgical Innovations are governed by evidence-based principles and have to undergo a rigorous and scientific evaluation. Science of Surgical Innovations has finally come of age and is getting its due recognition and the pioneering innovators are receiving the much needed appreciation and support.     

Association of quadriceps angle with plantar pressure distribution,navicular height and calcaneo-tibial angle

ObjectiveThe aim of study was to analyze the association between Quadriceps Angle (QA) and plantar pressure, navicular height (NH), and calcaneo-tibial angle (CTA).MethodsA total of 64 volunteers (mean age: 22.25 ± 2.54 (range:19–33)) participated in this cross sectional study. EMED-m (Novel GmbH, Germany) electronic pedobarograph was employed for dynamic plantar pressure measurement using two step protocol. The angle between the vertical axis of calcaneus and the long axis of Achilles tendon for CTA. The height of navicular tubercle from the ground was measured while the subject was standing on both feet for NH. QA was measured while the subject was standing in a relaxed posture where both feet bearing equal weight.ResultsThere were significant negative correlations between QA and maximum force (MxF) under the 4th. metatarsal head (MH4). The QA was also significantly correlated with MxF and force-time integral (FTI) under the bigtoe (BT). FTI under the 3rd. metatarsal head (MH3), MH4 and 5th. metatarsal head (MH5) were significantly negatively correlated with QA. Pressure-time integral (PTI) under the MH4 and MH5 were found to be significantly negatively correlated with QA. A significant correlation was also found between QA and NH (p < 0.0001), whilst there was no correlation between QA and CTA. Regression analysis showed that NH was appeared as the major contributor for the QA (β = −0.49, p < 0.001) in the dynamic condition, followed by BT-FTI (β = 0.37, p < 0.001) and MH5-MxF (β = −0.21, p < 0.037).ConclusionThese findings may imply that the NH which can at least be controlled by appropriate shoe inserts may affect QA. This way, loading pattern of both plantar region and whole lower extremity may be altered.Level of evidenceLevel III, Diagnostic Study.     

When should patients begin ambulating following lower limb split skin graft surgery? A systematic review

Pretibial lacerations and lower limb wounds are referred to plastic surgery teams for split skin graft surgery. Traditionally, these patients have been immobilised on bedrest following surgery. More recently, patients have commenced ambulation earlier to avoid medical complications and facilitate discharge. The objective of this literature review was to determine when such patients should begin walking. A literature search was undertaken using the electronic databases AMED, Cinahl, Embase, Medline (via Ovid), PEDro and Pubmed. Clinical trials using human subjects, written in English, were included. Seventeen (of 1137) papers met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. The literature suggested that patients should begin walking immediately or at the earliest possible opportunity after lower limb skin graft surgery. Although the literature advocated early ambulation, the evidence base presented with a number of recurrent methodological limitations, including small sample sizes, lack of a control sample, and limited follow-up. Accordingly, further research employing large, well-designed, randomised controlled trials is recommended. It will then be possible to understand with greater certainty when patients should begin walking after lower extremity split skin graft surgery.     

结膜入路整形术治疗下眼袋

自１９９３年以来，对５２岁以下较为严重下眼袋患者施术２２例，共计４４只眼，应用结膜入路下眼袋整形术，这一手术方法既克服了皮肤入路手术皮肤遗留痕迹的缺点，且有手术过程操作简单，出血少，不损伤重要组织及血管等特点，满意率达９７．７３％，取得了满意的临床效果。作者阐述了手术适应证、手术设计、方法以及注意事项，同时认为严格手术适应证和精湛外科技术是手术成功的关键。     

Angiodysplasia as the cause of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in a young adult

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to clarify the importance of bleeding vascular ectasia of the colon as the etiology of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients 40 years of age or younger. METHODS: An otherwise healthy 21-year-old male was admitted to a tertiary medical center with massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Technetium-labeled red blood cell scan, selective visceral angiography, and colonoscopy identified the source of bleeding as vascular abnormality of the descending colon. Segmental colonic resection was performed. RESULTS: Histologic review of the specimen demonstrated a vascular ectasia. The patient recovered uneventfully and has had no further stigmata of hemorrhage. A review of the literature was undertaken to make clear the significance of vascular ectasia as the source for massive colonic hemorrhage in the young adult. CONCLUSION: This is the first report that documents histologically a vascular ectasia as the source of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in an otherwise healthy patient less than 40 years of age. Vascular ectasia is an uncommon cause of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the young adult.The Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Navy Department, Washington, DC, Clinical Investigation Program sponsored this report #84-16-1968-532, as required by HSETCINST 6000.41A. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or the United States Government.     

Fricke supraorbital flap for reconstruction of total lower eyelid defects

Summary Split or full thickness eyelid defects resulting from tumor destruction or surgical excision present a dilemma for plastic and reconstructive surgeons. Full thickness eyelid replacement requires composite grafting of the skin, together with tarsal support of its substitute and mucosa. The flap described by Fricke in 1829 was used for reconstruction of anterior lamella in six lower eyelid defects. In three of our cases chondromucosal grafts taken from nasal septum were utilized for posterior lamella repair. The results have been satisfactory from a functional and cosmetic standpoint.     

不同低浓度罗哌卡因低位硬膜外镇痛对运动神经阻滞的临床观察

目的 观察不同低浓度罗哌卡因（ropivacaine,Rop）低位硬膜外镇痛对运动神经的阻滞作用。探讨罗哌卡因低位硬膜外镇痛的最佳药物浓度。方法 随机选择我院67例下腹部择期手术患者，术后随机分为5个治疗组（A、B、C、D、E）和一个对照组（F），3h后硬膜外腔用药。前5组使用不同浓度罗哌卡因（A：0.1%;B:0.15%;C:0.2%;D:0.25%;E:0.3%），F组使用0.9%生理盐水。注药前后20分钟分别观察、记录以下项目：1.视觉模拟评分（Visual analogue scale,VAS）；2.阻滞区运动神经反射；3. 下肢指令运动。结果 不同低浓度罗哌卡因均有程度不同的术后镇痛作用。对运动神经的阻滞作用A、B、C三组与对照组无显著性差异（P＞0.05），而D、E两组有显著性差异（P＜0.05）。结论 选择浓度为0.2%的罗哌卡因低位硬膜外镇痛既可以有效地发挥术后镇痛作用，又最大程度地减少了对运动神经的阻滞作用，有利患者术后恢复。