Intrathoracic kidney: A rare presentation of ectopic kidney

The thoracic kidney is the rarest form of renal ectopia. Furthermore, it is usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. It is seen as a mass in the posterior mediastinum or juxta-diaphragmatic on chest radiography. A computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging is usually needed for a definitive diagnosis. The thoracic kidney typically exits the retroperitoneal space through the foramen of Bochdalek.     

Application of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for normal anatomy after hiatal hernia repair: A case report

We describe a case of pancreatic tumor associated with a giant type IV hiatal hernia that had prolapsed into the posterior mediastinum. Hiatal hernia repair should be performed first because it enables laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy to be performed in the normal anatomical position.     

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目的总结1997年11月至2011年12月复旦大学附属华东医院开展开放式腹股沟疝无张力修补术4438例的临床经验。方法根据各种不同类型的开放式腹股沟疝无张力修补术,对4438例腹股沟疝采用相对应的不同补片进行手术治疗,对不同术式的手术时间、术后疼痛、疝复发、血肿、血清肿、慢性疼痛、生殖系统并发症等及其他相关并发症进行观察、总结及数据分析。结果无手术死亡病例。术后平均随访33.7个月,术后血肿18例(0.40%),血清肿45例(1.01%),切口感染或愈合不良16例(0.40%),缺血性睾丸炎3例(0.07%)。复发14例(0.32%),慢性疼痛7例(0.60%),异常勃起1例(0.02%);3例睾丸疼痛(0.07%)。结论开放式无张力疝修补术治疗腹股沟疝安全有效,不同术式的疗效及并发症发生率情况接近,开展技术早期需特别注意预防手术并发症,对不同的病例宜采用个体化治疗方案,以期达到最佳的治疗效果。     

Intrathoracic omental herniation through the esophageal hiatus: Report of a case

(Received for publication on Dec. 8, 1997; accepted on July 7, 1998)     

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair with spinal anesthesia and nitrous oxide insufflation

Background: Laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia is traditionally performed under general anesthesia mainly because of the adverse effects that carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum has on awake patients. Since a mandatory use of general anesthesia for all hernia repairs is questionable, the feasibility of laparoscopic extraperitoneal herniorraphy using spinal anesthesia combined with nitrous oxide insufflation was investigated. Methods: Over a 4-month period, February to May 1998, we performed 35 consecutive total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia procedures (24 unilateral, 11 bilateral) using spinal anesthesia and nitrous oxide extraperitoneal gas. Data on operative findings, self-reported operative and postoperative pain and discomfort (visual analog pain scale), procedure-related hemodynamics, and complications were collected prospectively. Results: All 35 procedures were completed laparoscopically without the need to convert to general anesthesia. Mean operative time was 39 ± 7 min for unilateral hernia and 65 ± 10 min for bilateral hernia. Incidental peritoneal tears occurred in 22 patients (63%) resulting in nitrous oxide pneumoperitoneum, which was well tolerated. The patients remained hemodynamically stable throughout the procedure, and operative conditions and visibility were excellent. Complications at a mean of 4 months after the procedure included seven uninfected seromas (20%), three patients with transient testicular pain, and one (3%) recurrence. Conclusions: Laparoscopic total extraperitoneal hernia repair can be safely and comfortably performed using spinal anesthesia with extraperitoneal nitrous oxide insufflation gas. This method provides a good alternative to general anesthesia. Received: 17 February 1999/Accepted: 1 July 1999     

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair

We have devised a reproducible approach to the preperitoneal space for laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias that is based on an understanding of the abdominal wall anatomy. Laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy was performed on 99 hernias in 90 patients at the Los Angeles County–University of Southern California Medical Center, using a standardized approach to the preperitoneal space. Operative times, morbidity, and recurrence rates were recorded prospectively. The median operative time was 37 min (range, 28–60) for unilateral hernias and 46 min (range, 35–73) for bilateral hernias. There were no conversions to open repair, and there was only one conversion to a laparoscopic transabdominal approach. Complications were limited to urinary retention in two patients, pneumoscrotum in one patient, and postoperative pain requiring a large dose of analgesics in one patient. All patients were discharged within 23 h. There were no recurrences or neuralgias on follow-up at 2 years. A standardized approach to the preperitoneal space based on a thorough understanding of the abdominal wall anatomy is essential to a satisfactory outcome in hernia repair. Received: 18 November 1998/Accepted: 19 March 1999     

Intraabdominal adhesion formation after preperitoneal dissection in the murine model

Background: The laparoscopic approach to hernia repair has been advocated by many as a potentially superior method of herniorraphy. Several techniques have been described, each with its own proposed advantages. These techniques involve different anatomic approaches, the most recent of which is the totally extraperitoneal approach (TEPA). One presumed advantage of the extraperitoneal approach is the avoidance of adhesion formation because the peritoneum is not entered and mesh is not placed in direct contact with intra-abdominal structures. We hypothesize, however, that when the peritoneum is dissected from the abdominal wall, it is partially devascularized, leading to scar formation and potential adhesion formation. This would suggest that the TEPA method of herniorraphy may not completely avoid the risks of intra-abdominal adhesion formation. Methods: After appropriate approval was obtained, 88 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two equal groups. One group underwent laparotomy followed by careful blunt dissection of the peritoneum from the left abdominal wall. The control group underwent laparotomy without manipulation of the peritoneum. All animals were re-explored 14 days later, and the abdominal cavity was examined for adhesions. The type and location of any adhesion was recorded. Results: Adhesion formation occurred in 10 of 44 (23%) subjects in the peritoneal dissection group, compared with 3 of 44 (7%) in the nondissection group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Dissection of the peritoneum from the overlying abdominal wall in the murine model leads to intra-abdominal adhesion formation. This suggests that peritoneal dissection in the TEPA method of herniorraphy may lead to intra-abdominal adhesion formation. Received: 13 January 1998/Accepted: 22 May 1998     

Incarcerated ventral (epigastric) hernia containing a strangulated Meckel's diverticulum

Summary A Meckel's diverticulum is the result of an incomplete obliteration of the omphalomesenteric, or vitelline, duct. The duct connects the midgut to the yolk sac of the developing intestinal tract and normally atrophies by the eighth to ninth week of gestation. This event fails to occur in approximately two percent of the population, resulting in the congenital anomaly named after Johann Friedrich Meckel, who first characterized this diverticulum in 1809. Our patient presented with signs and symptoms consistent with a small bowel obstruction secondary to an incarcerated hernia, and underwent emergent laparotomy. An ischemie small bowel segment with a Meckel's diverticulum was resected. Pathology revealed ectopic pancreatic tissue within the diverticulum. Meckel's diverticula have been observed among the contents of hernia sacs in various locations including the inguinal, femoral, and umbilical regions. We report a case of a Meckel's diverticulum presenting in a spontaneous ventral (epigastric) hernia.