Laparoscopic extirpation of a fork from the duodenum

Background  

A 23-year-old woman who 2 weeks before visiting our institution swallowed a plastic fork while attempting to induce vomiting during a party presented with progressive abdominal pain. Various techniques for removing foreign bodies from the intestinal tract have been described. We present the laparoscopic retrieval of a 15-cm fork from the duodenal bulb.     

Transient compartment syndrome of the forearm resulting from venous congestion from a tourniquet

A case of transient compartment syndrome of the forearm resulting from faulty tourniquet function is described. The patient was followed with serial compartmental pressure measurements. Signs and symptoms subsided within a few hours of limb elevation. Thus, conservative care in the early stages may be therapeutic. Early recognition of tourniquet malfunction, systematic assessment of the source of engorgement, and prompt correction can avoid this post-operative complication.     

Penetration injury of the pyramis caused by a kick from a racehorse

A 56-year-old man presented with an unusual cranial penetration injury due to a horse's hoof. The CT number of the hoof was 269, and thus clearly not that of a wooden fragment or bone. An emergency operation was performed to remove the foreign body. The operation went well, and no infection developed. Eight months later he could walk unaided and had only mild disorientation.     

Arthroscopic excision of a ganglion cyst from the elbow

Summary: Ganglia are benign lesions that are uncommonly seen about the elbow. When conservative treatment fails, surgical excision is recommended, usually through an open approach. The author presents the first report of a case of arthroscopic excision of a large anterior elbow cyst. The success of the excision, documented by magnetic resonance imaging at 18 months postoperatively, shows that the arthroscopic approach is a safe and viable alternative to open excision of ganglion cysts of the elbow.Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related surgery, Vol 16, No 6 (September), 2000: pp 661–664     

Mycoplasma infection of the hand acquired from a cat

Mycoplasmas, the smallest known organism capable of a free existence, have been recognized as human pathogens for 25 years. However, a soft tissue cellulitis caused by a mycoplasma has never been reported in a human subject. This case report of a mycoplasma infection of the hand acquired from an infected cat describes the clinical presentation, operative findings, mycoplasmology, and treatment of this infection.     

Laser-assisted removal of a foreign body from the colon

Summary An 81-year-old woman underwent a colonoscopy because of a sigmoiditis poorly responding to conservative therapy. A rod-shaped foreign body found in the sigma proved impossible to remove conventionally. Irradiation with a low laser energy caused the foreign body to break apart, after which its extraction was straightforward. The further clinical course was uncomplicated. In this case a partial sigmoidectomy would have been indicated had the laser-supported extraction not been successful. The authors suggest that a similar procedure could be helpful in the management of foreign bodies in the esophagus.