Femoral pseudo-hernias

Before surgical intervention in the femoral area, doctors should be mindful of two situations in which surgery is not indicated and, in fact, may cause harm. Electronic Publication     

Cosmetic benefits of lower midline skin incision for pediatric open heart operation

OBJECTIVE: Since we developed the procedure in 1996, we have now performed 100 pediatric open heart operations using a lower midline skin incision and a minimal sternotomy approach. METHODS AND RESULTS: To elucidate the benefits of this approach, we analyzed these 100 cases retrospectively. There was no death, and no major complication, caused by this approach, and the resulting scarring in each patient is difficult to be seen under a common undershirt. CONCLUSION: This review shows that the technique of a lower midline skin incision and minimal sternotomy approach is a safe reliable and cosmetically advantageous method for a pediatric cardiac operation.     

Laparoscopic repair of a diaphragmatic hernia through the foramen of Morgagni

A 78-year-old woman is described who presented with a diaphragmatic hernia through the foramen of Morgagni. A definitive diagnosis was confirmed by a sagittal view on magnetic resonance imaging prior to surgery. The hernia was repaired laparoscopically under an abdominal wall lifting technique without pneumoperitoneum, and her symptoms completely resolved postoperatively with no evidence of recurrence. The laparoscopic repair was considered a suitable and safe procedure for the treatment of a Morgagni hernia. Received: 3 April 1996/Accepted: 3 May 1996     

The role of the endoscopic extraperitoneal approach in large inguinal scrotal hernias

The role of endoscopic extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy (EEPH) in the management of giant scrotal hernias has not been well defined, and the technical details relating to operations on such hernias have not been described. We present our experience with 17 patients undergoing repair of giant scrotal hernias. Foley catheter bladder decompression was routinely employed. The Retzius space was developed early in the procedure and hernia sac contents were reduced in all cases. The inferior epigastric vessels were likewise divided in all patients. The average operative time was 76 min and all patients were discharged home the same day. There have been no recurrences on follow-up. There was no mortality, and morbidity was limited to seroma formation in two patients. We conclude that with certain technical modifications, EEPH can be safely employed for the treatment of giant scrotal hernias. Received: 7 May 1996/Accepted: 12 July 1996     

先天性心脏病患儿肺动脉,上腔静脉血一氧化氮含量检测及意义

目的:探讨一氧化氮(NO)与先天性心脏病(CHD)引起的肺动脉高压(PH)发病间的关系。方法:应用NO试剂盒检测了CHD患儿肺动脉及上腔静脉血浆中NO含量。结果;(1)伴PH组肺动脉血浆NO含量明显高于不伴肺动脉高压组(37.58±9.99μmol/L:19.03±15.25μmol/L,P<0.01);(2)在PH组中,肺动脉血浆NO含量明显高于上腔静脉血(P<0.01);而不伴PH组,肺动脉和上腔静脉血浆NO含量无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:(1)伴PH的先心患儿肺动脉血浆NO含量升高;(2)NO可能介入了CHD引起的PH发病过程。     

Lethal Congenital Muscular Dystrophy with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita: Three New Cases and Review of the Literature

Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) comprises a heterogeneous group of muscle disorders. We report on two stillborn sibs with early lethal CMD and a prematurely born boy who died within minutes after birth. The pregnancies were complicated by polyhydramnios. All presented with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, severe muscle wasting, lung hypoplasia, and hydrops. The muscle biopsies showed fibrosis, variation in fiber size, and extensive fat replacement compatible with muscular dystrophy. Fatal CMD seems to be distinct from CMD with survival after birth and is probably autosomal recessively inherited.     

Cohen syndrome: fertility in a female patient

In this report we describe fertility in an adult female with Cohen syndrome. She gave birth to a son, now 1.5 years old, with discrete facial stigmata and slight psychomotor retardation.