Dissociative amnesia after general anesthesia--a case report

Psychogenic unconsciousness is a rare cause of failure of prompt recovery from general anesthesia. The diagnosis is only made by exclusion of other conditions. We describe a young, healthy female who failed to wake up promptly after total intravenous anesthesia with alfentanil and propofol. She regained consciousness 24 hours later without any specific treatment. However she sustained amnesia for a period of 48 hours. Dissociative disorder was diagnosed after an extensive workup. This case report emphasizes the importance of inclusion of psychiatric disorder in the differential diagnosis should unexplainable delayed emergence from general anesthesia occur.     

Temporary hearing impairment after general anesthesia--a case report

The incidence of hearing impairment after anesthesia is rare. We report a case who received left total knee and hip replacement and developed severe hearing impairment of the left ear after general anesthesia. Examination of the left ear by an otolaryngologist showed that there was no noticeable abnormality. The hearing acuity recovered gradually and returned to normal 3 days later. The use of nitrous oxide during anesthesia was incriminated as the possible cause.     

Accidental subdural catheterization due to complication of epidural anesthesia--a case report

Although accidental subdural injection is a well-recognized complication of epidural block, only a mere handful cases have been substantially proven by radiological evidence. Here we report a case of subdural catheterization during the attempt of epidural anesthesia for a gynecological procedure. Its clinical course and radiological findings are compared with those of the cases previously reported in literature. Whenever there is the occurrence of widespread of sensory block together with respiratory distress and hemodynamic unstability following epidural injection of local anesthetic, a subdural injection should be considered in spite of a negative confirmation. Repeated subdural injection of a local anesthetic at the same site may predispose patients to serious morbidity. Therefore, we recommend that when a subdural injection is evident or suspected, reinsertion of the catheter in the epidural space via another entry or contemplation of a switch to another anesthetic technique is mandatory.     

Pneumonia due to aspiration of povidone-iodine during anesthesia--a case report]

We report a case of pneumonia secondary to aspiration of povidone-iodine, which was used as an oral antiseptic. The patient was 17 y.o. female (body weight: 70 kg) who underwent a transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenoma. Although she had a history of asthma during her childhood, no asthmatic attacks occurred for the past 10 yrs. After satisfactory anesthesia induction and tracheal intubation, 60 ml of 0.7% povidone-iodine solution was used to clean the oral cavity by a surgeon. Insufficient sealing by the cuff occurred after suturing the tube, which had made a needle hole in the cuff. Arterial oxygen saturation dropped to 90% and an increased resistance in the lungs was noted. The trachea was reintubated and she was transferred to the ICU. Her chest X-ray revealed signs of pneumonia and atelectasis in the right upper lobe. Mechanical ventilation with PEEP and periodical bronchial toilet were performed during her stay in the ICU for 42 hrs. A week was needed for the improvement of her X-ray findings. Although povidone-iodine is thought to be safe and affective antiseptics, severe complications from its aspiration may occur in patients whose airways are sensitive as observed in this case.     

Sudden cardiac arrest after induction of general anesthesia: a case report

We experienced sudden cardiac arrest after induction of general anesthesia using isoflurane. The patient had had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation for one year and had been treated with digoxin and cibenzoline succinate. Sinus rhythm appeared soon after the start of closed chest compression. However cardiac arrest recurred, and we inserted a temporary pacemaker catheter to stabilize the circulatory status. She awoke from anesthesia without any complications. The diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome (SSS) was made postoperatively and she had a permanent pacemaker implanted. We thought that the hidden SSS had been the cause of this sudden cardiac arrest.     

Recurrent paraesophageal hernia due to diaphragm rupture: a case report

A 58-year-old male patient was operated for complaints of dysphagia, anemia and retrosternal discomfort due to a type II hiatal hernia. A complete hernia sac excision and posterior crural repair was performed laparoscopically with support of the da Vinci™ robotic system. An antireflux procedure was not performed because of the absence of gastroesophageal reflux disease. Nine months after surgery the patient presented with recurrent complaints of dysphagia and retrosternal pain. Barium esophagram series revealed a recurrent paraesophageal hernia which was confirmed on esophagogastroscopy. A robot-assisted re-laparoscopy was performed. Left to the still intact hiatoplasty of the original operation a tear in the diaphragm, through which part of the stomach covered with peritoneum had herniated, was encountered. The hernia sac was excised, the diaphragmatic defect closed and reinforced with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene strip of 5×8 cm. After surgery the patient recovered quickly, oral intake was resumed on the first postoperative day and the hospital stay was 3 days. The use of prosthetic mesh to reinforce the hiatoplasty and the addition of an antireflux procedure after hiatal hernia repair are ongoing controversial aspects of hiatal hernia repair. Reports on laparoscopic redo surgery for recurrent diaphragmatic hernia are limited and will be addressed in this case report, in perspective of the aforementioned controversial components.     

Duodenal rupture due to giant inguinal hernia: A case report

IntroductionGiant inguinal hernia is unusual, and duodenal rupture accompanying it is particularly very rare and significantly hard to manage surgically.Presentation of caseAn 81-year-old man was admitted to our institution with upper abdominal pain. He had tenderness of the upper mid abdomen and a bilateral large inguinal hernia but he did not have pain in the inguinal–scrotal area. Computed tomography (CT) showed slight dilatation of the small bowel and stomach. There were no remarkable signs of incarceration of the inguinal hernia. Therefore, he was admitted to the internal ward. On the second day in hospital, he suddenly went into shock. CT revealed that there was free air and ascites in the inguinal hernia and therefore an emergency operation was performed.The tranverse colon, ascending colon, and ileum were incarcerated, and perfolation of the cecum was found. We also detected duodenal rupture at the inferior duodenal angle. We resected the terminal ileal (almost 90 cm) and ileocecal area, followed by side-to-side anastomosis of duodenum and jejunum. We only repaired the peritoneum at the internal hernia ring. After the operation, despite intensive-care therapy, this patient passed away on the 18th postoperative day.DiscussionThe mesocolon and third portion of the duodenum were strongly pulled down into giant inguinal hernia, probably causing the rupture of the inferior duodenal angle.ConclusionGiant inguinal hernia possibly provokes duodenal rupture and therefore should definitively be repaired if feasible.     

Spontaneous splenic rupture due to infectious acute mononucleosis: case report

Infectious mononucleosis is an acute, viral, illness associated with a high incidence of splenomegaly. Spontaneous splenic rupture is a rare but life-threatening complication of infectious mononucleosis. The authors report the case of a 19-year-old patient with an infectious mononucleosis causing a spontaneous splenic rupture. When rupture occurs the mortality has been significant. The spleen may be vulnerable for the histopathologic changes that occur as a result of this illness. Two thirds of patients with infectious mononucleosis develop an enlarged spleen, but in only 0.5% of all patients will it rupture. Abdominal pain and tachycardia are unusual in uncomplicated infectious mononucleosis and should alert a doctor to the possibility of spontaneous splenic rupture. The diagnosis of splenic rupture may be confirmed in a variety of ways. In this patient ultrasound and Rutkow's criteria may aid in establishing the diagnosis. In patients with infectious mononucleosis suspected of having rupture of the spleen, a rapid but thorough assessment and prompt implementation of appropriate management should minimize the associated morbidity and mortality. On the basis of review of the medical literature and of our own experience, we advocate emergent splenectomy for spontaneous splenic rupture in patients with infectious mononucleosis.     

Adrenal gland hematoma due to rupture of myelolipoma. A case report

The myelolipoma is a benign tumour of the adrenal cortex, non functioning and normally asymptomatic, which can be diagnosed by chance in imaging test. Rupture and bleeding of the myelolipoma is an infrequent complication, which can conclude with the formation of a haematoma or, less usually, result in a massive retroperitoneal haemorrhage. The compression of adjacent structures by retroperitoneal haematomas with adrenal origin is a possible but not frequent eventuality. Indications for surgery of haematoma retroperitoneal continue to be, nowadays, a difficult and controversial decision, because the problem is normally resolved with conservative treatment and a watchful approach. We are presented with a 69 year old male who came to casualty with abdominal pain of 7 days duration, whose origin coincided with a light blow. The image test revealed the existence of a retroperitoneal haematoma with adrenal gland origin of 16 cm, with active bleeding, which was displaced and compressed the cava vein. We have only found one case, in the literature, of compression of the cava vein coused by adrenal gland haematoma. In the case under our observation, urgent surgery was needed.     

Unexpected intraoperative hypercapnia due to undetected expiratory valve dysfunction--a case report

The normally functioning of anesthetic circle system depends mainly on the integrity of both inspiratory and expiratory unidirectional valves which keep the inspiratory gas will not be contaminated by the expired CO2. In case there is a leakage defect in one or both of these valves, i.e. inability to keep tightly closed during the cycle, retrograde gas flow may happen and the exhaled CO2 may get into the inspiratory limb, resulting in rebreathing and hypercapnia with disastrous aftermath. Here we report a rather rare incident of unrecognized expiratory valve insufficiency that was not detected before anesthesia in a 40-year-old female patient who developed intraoperative hypercapnea during general anesthesia with mechanical ventilation. Discussions on the causes, management, and prevention of hypercapnia due to respiratory valve dysfunction are presented.     

Redo aortic valve replacement due to early structural valve deterioration in a trifecta valve: A case report

Introduction and importanceWhile the number of SAVR cases has been increasing for patients below their sixties due to the improvement of bioprosthetic valves, some early structural valve deterioration (SVD) in Trifecta valves has been reported.Case presentationWe present a case of a female who presented with sudden shortness of breath. Ultrasonography diagnosed SVD. We performed redo aortic valve replacement due to SVD in Trifecta valve. With our surgical technique we could remove the bioprosthetic valve easily.Clinical discussionWe could easily remove the mounted prosthetic valve along with the titanium band. These cases may emerge with acute heart failure due to sudden massive aortic regurgitation, not like the gradual progression of stenosis due to calcification.ConclusionThe postoperative course in Trifecta recipients must be followed carefully.     

Traumatic rupture of the interventricular septum and tricuspid valve: case report

Cardiac injury following blunt trauma is an important cause of morbidity and mortality and is often unsuspected. Isolated chamber rupture and valvular injury are infrequent but recognized consequences of nonpenetrating trauma. This report describes a patient who developed a perimembranous ventricular septal defect and disruption of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve as a consequence of blunt trauma. Diagnosis and management of traumatic ventricular septal rupture are discussed.     

Traumatic rupture of giant hydronephrosis due to ureteral stone: a case report

A case of rupture of giant hydronephrosis due to blunt trauma is reported. A 49-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of right flank pain and gross hematuria after falling from a roof. Radiological evaluation lead to the diagnosis of marked right hydronephrosis with severe parenchymal thinning secondary to ureteral stone, left staghorn calculus and the rupture of right kidney. Right nephrectomy was performed and the postoperative course was uneventful. Three weeks later, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) was performed for left staghorn calculus. Other articles concerning giant hydronephrosis discovered following trauma are reviewed.     

Abdominal cavity unidirectional shunt for refractory pericardial effusion 7 months after cardiac valve replacement: A case report

Refractory pericardial effusion after repeated pericardial drainage and drug therapy for nearly half a year after cardiac valve replacement is rare. We present the case of a 36‐year‐old female patient who underwent an abdominal cavity unidirectional shunt for refractory massive pericardial effusion through a subxiphoid mini‐incision, 7 months after cardiac valve replacement. The head end of a prefabricated bovine pericardial short tube with double leaflets on the tail was sutured to the small incised hole of the diaphragm, whereas the body and the tail of the short tube were dissociated in the left anterior hepatic space. Three months later, the pericardial effusion completely disappeared, no peritoneal effusion occurred, and all symptoms vanished.     

Isolated abdominal aortic rupture in a child due to all-terrain vehicle accident--a case report

Rupture of the abdominal aorta as the result of blunt trauma is uncommon, due in part to its protected position in the retroperitoneum. Isolated aortic rupture following blunt injury is even more rare. A case of isolated abdominal aortic rupture in a 6-year-old girl following blunt trauma due to an all-terrain vehicle accident is reported. The girl survived following an emergent aortoiliac reconstruction.     

Pure aortic regurgitation due to congenital bicuspid valve: a case report

A rare case of pure severe aortic regurgitation (AR) accompanied with congenital bicuspid aortic valve is presented. A 36-year-old female was admitted with rapid development of congestive heart failure. Examinations clarified severe AR with congenital bicuspid valve. Either calcification or vegetation on the valve was completely denied. At operation, both leaflets were apart from each other with a distance of 7 mm at the anterior commissura. A mechanical valve (Bj?rk-Shiley 23A) was sutured and she has been well. Pathological study of the resected leaflets revealed neither calcium deposit nor finding of infection but collagenous fibrous tissue with focal mucinous degeneration. A few cases of AR with bicuspid aortic valve have been reported in patients of annuloaortic ectasia. The partial annular ectasia was suspected as the cause of solitary aortic regurgitation with bicuspid aortic valve in our case.