Unique variant of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection with intact atrial septum

Summary Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connections (PAPVCs) are rare in association with an intact atrial septum. However, the diagnosis should be considered in patients with otherwise unexplained findings of left-to-right shunt and right heart enlargement. An unusual variant is presented, which we considered unsuitable for operative repair, based on findings at catheterization. Developmental, hemodynamic, and surgical considerations are discussed.     

Two cases of fatal air embolism in children undergoing scoliosis surgery

Venous air embolism during surgery is a rare but important complication and can be rapidly fatal. We present two cases of fatal air embolism in the prone position occurring in small children undergoing surgery for progressive scoliosis.
Venous air embolism is a rare complication in the prone position. This is thought to be because in this position there is virtually no gravitational gradient between the site of surgery and the right atrium.
The possible sites of entry of air and ways that this may be minimized are discussed.     

Intraoperative radiotherapy of upper abdominal tumours

Thirty patients with malignant tumours in the upper abdomen underwent surgery and intraoperalive radiation (IORT), using electron beam, to: the surgical bed, residual or unresected tumour. The technical aspects and results of this treatment are described. Renal, adrenal, bile duct and gastrointestinal tumours were treated. along with several other lesions. The surgical procedure consisted in 10 cases simply of exposure of the tumour for IORT and in 20 the tumour was resected. The TORT dose ranged from 10 to: 20 Gv. In 13 patients, external beam radiation was also given to: residual tumour or to: areas of high risk for recurrence. Chemotherapy was given to: 10 patients. Tolerance to: the combined treatment was acceptable; with few complications related to: IORT.The median follow-up and survival time 23 months (range 4-more than 70 months). Local tumour control rate (or tumour stabilisation) is 90%. Distant metastases developed in 19 patients (63%). The actuarial survival rate for the group projected at 70 months (maximum follow-up) is 37%. IORT in useful in the management of tumours arising in the upper abdominal organs, for palliation surgery or when resectability of the tumour is in doubt. Indications for IORT include patients with uncommon tumours of the upper abdomen who are not be candidates for standardised cancer treatment.Presented at the European Congress of Radiology, Vienna, September 15–20,1991     

A comparison of nutritional intake, functional status and muscle strength between elderly day hospital and day centre attenders in South London

Two sample groups of elderly were compared from a population living in South London. One group attended a local day centre (a socially orientated establishment), and the other attended a local day hospital (a therapeutically orientated establishment).
The aim of the study was to compare nutritional intake, functional status and muscle strength between these two groups.
The mean nutritional intakes of the day hospital and day centre attenders were similar. Intake of macronutrients, with the exception of fibre, met Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) in both groups. In take of folic acid, vitamin D and zinc fell below recommendations in both groups.
Low intake of folic acid was improved by supplementation, and some individual blood levels of folate reflected this. Blood folate levels were generally within normal limits. Low intake of vitamin D was improved by supplementation, but blood levels were generally normal anyway. There was, however, a tendency for the more dependent day hospital patients to have lower vitamin D levels. This group also had less sunshine exposure.
Communal dining, whether in the setting of day hospital or day centre, may have been an essential means of bolstering nutritional intake for many 'at risk' elderly.
There were significant differences in functional status and muscle strength in favour of the day centre group and these indicate that anthropometric indices rather than nutritional or biochemical indices were the most reliable markers of disease and disability in this study.
The effect of fortifying local meals-on-wheels was also highlighted, and suggests that this may be one means of preventing nutritional deficiencies in the vulnerable, house-bound elderly.
Alcohol intake was reported as being modest. However, discrepancies were noted on review of biochemical indices known to be influenced by alcohol intake.     

Early experience with laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection

Background: Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (LAPR) has not been fully evaluated as a technique in the treatment of rectal and anal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the early experience with laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection at Washington University Medical Center. Methods: A prospective analysis was performed on the first 21 patients undergoing the procedure at Washington University Medical Center. Indications for surgery included rectal cancer (14 patients), anal squamous cell cancer (four patients), inflammatory bowel disease (two patients), and anal melanoma (one patient). Results: The procedure was converted to open procedure in four patients (19%). The mean (±SEM) operative time and blood loss for completed and converted LAPR were 239 ± 11 min and 424 ± 43 ml, respectively. Postoperative hematocrit dropped a mean of 8.3% ± 1.2% SEM; five patients required blood transfusion (24%). Wound complication occurred in four patients (19%; three perineal, one trocar site). Bowel function returned after a mean of 3 days, and mean postoperative hospital stay for the completed LAPR group was 5 days. Mild pain was experienced by 81% of patients (17/21) while 19% (4/21) noted moderate pain, usually of the perineal wound. The mean duration of patient-controlled analgesia use was 2 days. During the 1–44-month follow-up, six patients (29%) died from cancer (stage III or IV at operation) and only one patient developed local recurrence in the pelvis (5%). There were no trocar-site implants of cancer. Furthermore, there was no relationship between prior abdominal operations, the amount of blood loss, postoperative drop of hematocrit, or blood transfusion requirement and the length of hospitalization or complication rates. Conclusion: Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection is a feasible alternative to the conventional open technique in both cancer and colitis patients. Received: 23 April 1996/Accepted: 8 July 1996     

Ambulatory laparoscopic fundoplication

Background: Increasingly larger series of laparoscopic fundoplications (LF) are being reported. A well-documented advantage of the laparoscopic approach is shortened hospital stay. Most centers report typical lengths of stay (LOS) for LF of 2–3 days. Our success with LF with a LOS of 1 day led to an attempt at performing LF on an ambulatory basis. Methods: Sixty-one consecutive patients with appropriate criteria for LF underwent surgery at our institution. Patients were counseled by the authors as to the usual postop course and progression of diet. All patients received preemptive analgesia (PEA) consisting of perioperative ketorolac and preincisional local infiltration with bupivicaine. Anesthetic management included induction with propofol, high-dose inhalational anesthetics, minimizing administration of parenteral narcotics, and avoidance of reversal of neuromuscular blockade. Immediate postop pain management included parenteral ketorolac and oral hydro- or oxycodone. All patients were given oral fluids and soft solids after transfer from the recovery room to the postoperative observation unit. Two patients were excluded from ambulatory consideration due to excessive driving distance from our hospital. Another two were hospitalized for observation after experiencing intraoperative technical problems. Results: Of 57 patients in whom same-day discharge was attempted, there were three failures requiring overnight hospitalization: All were due to pain and nausea; one patient also suffered transient urinary retention. There were no adverse outcomes related to early discharge, and there were no readmissions. One patient returned to the emergency room after delayed development of urinary retention. Median time from conclusion of operation to discharge was less than 5 h. No patients expressed dissatisfaction with early discharge on follow-up interview. Conclusions: LF can be safely performed as an ambulatory procedure. Analgesic and anesthetic management should be tailored to minimize nausea and provide adequate pain control. Received: 1 April 1996/Accepted: 29 May 1997     

Skull base surgery for malignancy: when not to operate

The purpose of this paper is to detail the contraindications for surgery, with curative intent for those patients who suffer from a head and neck malignancy that invades the intracranial space. This is based on a 30-year experience of over 250 patients. The most important contraindications are anatomical. Surgery is not done if the following structures are invaded: brain stem, eloquent portions of the cerebrum, superior sagittal sinus, both internal carotid arteries, both cavernous sinuses and certain vital bridging veins. Certain tumor factors are absolute but are occasionally relative contraindications: such as distant metastatic disease especially if multiple and at multiple anatomic sites. Some tumors that behave in a particularly virulent fashion that defy complete resection but are often difficult to predict preoperatively. Lack of patient medical fitness or absence of patient commitment to the operative procedure is make-up two serious contraindications to surgery. Presented at the 77th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 24–28 May 2006, Mannheim, Germany.     

(iii) Minimal invasive techniques in the management of tibial plateau fractures

Intra-articular fractures of the proximal tibia present a wide spectrum of injury patterns with associated soft tissue injury. The last two decades have seen the techniques of management evolve from extensive open reduction and rigid internal fixation to arthroscopy-assisted minimal invasive surgery (MIS) and biologically benign internal fixation. The ultimate aim is to prevent the occurrence of late degenerative arthritis. This could be achieved in selected patients using minimal invasive surgery, which offers the advantages of better visualisation and management of intra-articular soft tissue injuries, confirmation of fracture reduction viewed from the joint surface, faster rehabilitation and fewer wound complications.