Minor Vascular Injuries Research Articles

Injury of cutaneous branches of the femoral nerve following varicose vein surgery

The majority of operations carried out for varicose veins (VV) are entirely straightforward and complications are usually concentrated on minor vascular damage or nerve injury [1]. Injury to small sensory nerve branches in the skin is extremely common and largely unavoidable when veins are stripped or avulsed. This can result in small patches of numbness, burning or altered skin sensation close to surgical scars or where VVs have been avulsed. Here, we describe the neurophysiological and ultrasonographic findings in a patient with intermediate and medial femoralcutaneous nerves (IFCN and MFCN) damage following crossectomy and stripping of the great saphenous vein. The patient was a 40-year-old woman affected by VV in stage II according to Widmer clinical classification. Doppler ultrasound showed an incompetent sapheno-femoral junction and great saphenous veins reflux in right leg. She underwent crossectomy and stripping of the great saphenous vein from just below the knee to the inguinal area. Immediately after the surgical procedure, the patient reported numbness over the anterior-medial aspect of the right thigh. 6 months later, she was admitted to our department. Neurological examination showed sensory loss in the lower two-thirds of the anterior-medial thigh, but normal muscle strength. Electrodiagnostic study of the MFCN was performed according to the technique of Lee et al. [2] (Fig. 1a). The sensory action potential of the MFCN of the right thigh could not be elicited, whereas that of the left thigh had amplitude of 6.8 uV and conduction velocity of 67 m/s (Fig. 1b). There were no abnormalities of motor femoral and saphenous nerves conduction. Both IFCN and MFCN could be easily visualized by ultrasonography (fq 4–13 MHz linear probe) below the inguinal ligament (Fig. 1c). On both limbs, the cross-sectional area of the two nerves was 4 mm, whereas the echotexture of nerves was altered in the affected thigh. In particular, the IFCN and MFCN of the right limb were hypoechoic and the physiological fascicular echotexture appeared rarefied or almost lost. In the available literature, there are papers illustrating saphenous, peroneal, tibial or sural nerve damage after VV surgery. Really, nerves of the thigh are also at risk during VV surgery. Two studies were carried out with the aim to clinically evaluate the incidence and the extent of sensory abnormalities following VV surgery [3, 4]. Overall, numbness and paresthesia occurred in 7 out 63 and 8 out 62 limbs at the thigh, respectively. These results demonstrate a fairly frequent impairment of the cutaneous nerves of the thigh following VV surgery. IFCN and MFCN originate from the femoral nerve below the inguinal ligament. IFCN pierces the fascia lata about 7.5 cm below the inguinal ligament, and divides into two branches which descend in immediate proximity along the forepart of the thigh, to supply the skin as low as the front of the knee. MFCN crosses the femoral artery at the apex of the femoral triangle and divides into anterior and posterior branches. The anterior branch innervates the anterior medial thigh, and the posterior branch innervates the medial aspect. The distribution of cutaneous nerves in the thigh is important in the analysis of nerve injuries following VV surgery: in the groin and upper thigh, the ilioinguinal nerve (and to a lesser extent, the femoral branch of the genitofemoral F. Ginanneschi (&) A. Rossi Department of Neurological, Neurosurgical and Behavioural Sciences, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology unit, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy e-mail: ginanneschi@unisi.it

Bladeless Direct Optical Trocar Insertion in Laparoscopic Procedures on the Obese Patient

Recently, we have shown advantages of a direct optical entry (DOE) using a bladeless trocar in comparison with the open Hasson technique (OHT) in older reproductive-age women with previous operations, as well as in comparison with Veress needle entry in reproductive-age and postmenopausal women. A prospective multicenter randomized study to determine whether the DOE is feasible for establishing safe and rapid entry into the abdomen in comparison with those of the OHT in reproductive-age obese women. Two types of surgical techniques were blindly applied in 224 obese reproductive-age women with benign neoplastic diseases of ovary and uterus. Namely, laparoscopic entry into the abdomen in 108 patients was performed by DOE and in 116 women by OHT. Following parameters (entry time in seconds needed to establish the intra-abdominal vision after pneumoperitoneum, blood loss, occurrence of vascular and/or bowel injuries) were compared during surgery as main outcomes. Main baseline characteristics of patients, including age (36.1 ± 4.5 vs 35.7 ± 5.8), body mass index (34.9 ± 5.1 vs 35.1 ± 4.9 kg/m(2)), and parity (2.1 ± 0.4 vs 1.9 ± 0.9), were not significantly different between the DOE and OHT groups (P > .05). While intraoperative parameters such as the entry time (71.9 ± 3.7 vs 215.1 ± 6.2 seconds) and blood loss value (9.7 ± 6.1 vs 12.2 ± 2.9 mL) were significantly reduced in the DOE group in comparison with those of OHT group (respectively, P < .0001 and < .01), there were also trends to slight decrease of the occurrence of the minor injuries, manifested as omental small vessels rupture (0 of 108 vs 4 of 116) and punctures and pinches of jejunal serosa (0 of 108 vs 3 of 116) in patients of the DOE group in comparison with those of OHT group (respectively, P = .0515 and = .0925). DOE reduced entry time and blood loss with trends to slightly decrease of the occurrence of the minor vascular and bowel injuries, thus enabling a possible alternative to OHT in obese women; however, further larger trials need to confirm the possible additional benefits of a DOE.

Could platelet-accumulating polyphenols prevent tumour metastasis?

1, which discussed the observation that cancer patients usually present signs of thrombosis, which is much more severe during metastatic progression. These authors suggest that platelets may protect tumours from immune elimination and enhance adhesion to blood vessels and tumour cell proliferation, which renders them useful for distant metastasis. According to these authors, platelets could be regarded as putative targets for cancer therapy. Platelets have a major role in haemostasis, by repairing minor vascular injuries and thrombosis 2 . Platelets are also recognized by their important roles in the angiogenic process, given their release of pro-angiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2; also known as bFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) upon activation. We have been studying the effects on angiogenesis and inflammation of a group of naturally derived compounds, polyphenols, which have established anti-oxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-angiogenic and antitumour properties. The topical administration of two of these molecules, xanthohumol or iso xanthohumol (IXN), resulted in a reduction in systemic inflammatory factors and angiogenesis in granulation tissue in rat wound-healing assays 3 . Furthermore, we also demonstrated that xanthohumol reduces cancer progression and inflammation in a mouse xenograft breast cancer model 4 . Emerging evidence has revealed that these compounds can be internalized by platelets, in which they undergo further metabolism by platelet enzymatic activity 2 . Interestingly, polyphenols may also interfere with platelet adhesion to the blood vessel wall, which is associated with the development of atherosclerotic plaques. It is therefore conceivable that polyphenol accumulation within platelets in blood circulation may be considered as an anticancer mechanism of polyphenols. In agreement, the

Laparoscopy and Natural Orifice Surgery: First Entry Safety Surveillance Step

We are sharing information regarding the surveillance of the first entrance port in laparoscopic and natural orifice transvaginal endoscopy surgeries. However, we are not analyzing techniques or other surgical findings. In this study, 160 women with previous abdominal pelvic surgeries underwent laparoscopic surgery, 145 patients underwent transvaginal Minilaparoscopy Assisted Natural Orifice Surgery (hybrid), and 3 patients underwent pure natural orifice transvaginal endoscopic surgery (pure). For those patients who had laparoscopy and hybrid procedures, the surveillance was from a laparoscope or gastroscope placed in a secondary port. Surveillance in pure cases was done using a gastroscopic retro view to see the pouch of Douglas. The laparoscopic procedures were gynecological procedures. The hybrid procedures included gynecological procedures as well as appendectomies and cholecystectomies; the pure procedures were cholecystectomies. There were a few minor vascular and bowel injuries in the laparoscopy group. There were no injuries in the transvaginal hybrid or pure procedures groups. The surveillance of the first entrance port can be an effective precautionary step. The cumulative experience suggests that using such surveillance in cases involving patients with prior surgery may assist in recognizing complications that might otherwise be missed.

A 92-year-old man with retropharyngeal hematoma caused by an injury of the anterior longitudinal ligament

Abstract Traumatic retropharyngeal hematoma is a rare condition and may be lethal in some cases. In patients with this condition, the absence of a vertebral fracture or a major vascular injury is extremely rare. We present the case of a 92-year-old man who hit his forehead by slipping on the floor in his house. He had no symptoms at the time; however, he experienced throat pain and dyspnea at 6 hours after the injury. On arrival, he complained of severe dyspnea; therefore, an emergency endotracheal intubation was performed. A lateral neck roentgenogram after intubation showed dilatation of the retropharyngeal and retrotracheal space and no evidence of a cervical vertebral fracture. Cervical computed tomography (CT) with contrast medium revealed a massive hematoma extending from the retropharyngeal to the superior mediastinal space but no evidence of contrast medium extravasation or a vertebral fracture. However, sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an anterior longitudinal ligament (C 4-5 levels) injury. We determined that the cause of the hematoma was an anterior longitudinal ligament injury and a minor vascular injury around the injured ligament. Therefore, we recommend that patients with retropharyngeal hematoma undergo sagittal cervical MRI when roentgenography and CT reveal no evidence of injury.

Isolated sling suspension during resection of the Spiegel lobe of the liver: a safe alternative technique for difficult cases

The Spiegel lobe is located deep in the dorsal portion of the liver, and isolated resections of this region are technically demanding, especially in bulky and/or invasive lesions or in hypertrophied cirrhotic livers. Anterior approach using the isolated hanging maneuver of the Spiegel lobe was attempted in patients in whom the conventional method of mobilizing the Spiegel lobe prior to liver transection would have been difficult. Clinical outcomes were compared with the conventional approach performed during the same period. Of 42 consecutive isolated resections of the Spiegel lobe, the presently reported technique was required in 12 patients (28.6%). The median diameter of the tumors was 33 mm, and tumor invasion to the retrohepatic inferior vena cava was observed in four patients. Although minor vascular injury was observed in one patient during retrohepatic dissection, the isolated sling suspension of the Spiegel lobe was successfully conducted in all cases. No remarkable inferiority of the present technique compared with the conventional approach was noted either in operation data or clinical outcomes. Anterior approach using the isolated sling-suspension technique may be a safe alternative surgical option for bulky and/or invasive lesions located in the Spiegel lobe of the liver.

Initial Laparoscopic Access in Postmenopausal Women: A Preliminary Prospective Study

Hypoestrogenism in postmenopausal women results in skin atrophy with a decrease in both elasticity and skin thickness. The fragility of the skin in aging women may be responsible for the reported 50% or more increase in major laparoscopic complications during the initial entry into the female abdomen. Several first-entry techniques in laparoscopy have been investigated to minimize entry-related complications. The Veress needle approach is the standard method used by most gynecologists. A promising new method is the direct optical access (DOA) which uses optically-guided trocars to provide visual guidance during entry. These 2 techniques have not been compared. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these 2 methods in postmenopausal women. The study was conducted at multiple European gynecology centers between 2004 and 2008. A total of 186 postmenopausal women scheduled to undergo laparoscopy for simple, persistent postmenopausal ovarian cysts were randomized to 2 groups: group I (n = 89) was assigned to surgical entry using DOA, and group 2 (n = 97) was assigned to entry using the Veress needle method. The 2 procedures were compared for the following parameters: the time needed for achieve adequate abdominal access, the occurrence of major and minor vascular and bowel injuries, and blood loss during laparoscopic access. The time needed to establish adequate abdominal access was significantly reduced in the DOA access group compared to the Veress group (65.7 ± 11.9 vs. 192.8 ± 5.6 minutes; P < 0.0001), but there were no significant differences between the two groups in the occurrence of major vascular and/or bowel injuries (P = NS). Although fewer minor vascular injuries were found with DOA method than the Veress technique (1 versus 3), the difference was not statistically significant. The findings of this small preliminary study suggest that use of the DOA technique may be a safe and less time-consuming approach to abdominal entry in postmenopausal women and may avoid the risks of blind access laparoscopy.

Abdominal access in gynaecological laparoscopy: a comparison between direct optical and blind closed access by Verres needle

Objective : Complications associated with initial abdominal entry are a prime concern for laparoscopic surgeons. In order to minimize first access-related complications in laparoscopy, several techniques and technologies have been introduced in the past years. This investigation compares two laparoscopic access techniques. Study design : 194 women underwent laparoscopic surgery for simple ovarian cysts: 93 were assigned to direct optical access (DOA) abdominal entry (group I), and 101 women to classical closed method by Verres needle, pneumoperitoneum and trocar entry (group II). The following parameters were compared: time required for entry into abdomen, occurrence of vascular and/or bowel injury, blood loss. The results were analyzed using SAS software. p-value < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results : No statistically significant differences were observed in the occurrence of blood loss and minor vascular injury between the two techniques, as well as minor bowel injuries; time for of abdominal entry, instead, were significantly reduced in the DOA group. Conclusions : The results of the preliminary comparison between the DOA and the Verres methods, commonly used by gynecologists, suggests that the visual entry system confers a statistical advantage over closed entry technique with Verres needle, in terms of time saving and due to the minor vascular and bowel injuries, thus enabling a safe and expeditious, visually-guided, entry for surgeons.

On the Horizon From the ORS

On the Horizon From the ORS

Initial laparoscopic access in postmenopausal women

Estrogen loss at menopause has a profound influence on skin, with postmenopausal atrophy and loss of tone and elasticity. Because more than 50% of major laparoscopic complications occur during initial entry under the abdominal skin, the efficacy and the safety of two laparoscopic access techniques were compared in postmenopausal women. One hundred eighty-six postmenopausal women underwent laparoscopic surgery for simple ovarian cysts: 89 were assigned to direct optical access (DOA), abdominal entry (group I), and 97 to the classic closed Veress needle approach, pneumoperitoneum, and trocar entry (group II). The following parameters were compared: time needed for entry into the abdomen, occurrence of vascular and/or bowel injury, and blood loss. Results were analyzed using SAS software, considering P value less than 0.05 as significant. No statistically significant differences were observed in the occurrence of major vascular and/or bowel injury between the two techniques (P > 0.05), whereas time for abdominal entry was significantly reduced in the DOA group, as well as the occurrence of minor vascular injuries (P < 0.05). Results of this preliminary comparison on the DOA and the Veress methods, commonly used by gynecologists, suggest that the visual entry system offers a statistical advantage over the closed Veress needle approach, in terms of time saving and limiting minor vascular injuries, thus enabling a safe and fast visually guided entry in postmenopausal women.

Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Patients with Therapeutic International Normalized Ratios

Pulmonary vein antrum isolation (PVAI) plays a pivotal role in the comprehensive treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The need for effective anticoagulation bridging following PVAI is associated with significant vascular complication rates and increased costs. We investigated the safety of PVAI in patients with therapeutic international normalized ratios (INR) the day of the procedure. A case-control analysis was performed on patients who underwent PVAI with therapeutic INR (>2). Patients with normal preprocedure INR served as controls. The incidence of major and minor hematomas, fistulas, vascular injury, and cardiac perforation or tamponade were catalogued. PVAI was performed under fluoroscopic, electro-anatomical, and intracardiac echocardiographic guidance, with an open irrigation ablation technique. A total of 194 patients (mean age 64 +/- 12) were included; 87 patients underwent PVAI with therapeutic INR (cases) and 107 with normal INR (controls). Persistent AF was more prevalent than paroxysmal AF in the therapeutic INR group. The mean INR for cases was 2.8 +/- 0.7 compared to 1.4 +/- 0.3 in the control group (P < 0.01). All procedures were completed without acute complications. Two major adverse events were observed, one in each arm. No significant difference in terms of minor (6.5% vs. 5.7%, P = 0.23) or major (0.93% vs. 1.15%, P = 0.49) vascular events or bleeding was detected between the therapeutic INR and the control group. The combined endpoint of major and minor complications did not differ among groups (9.35% vs. 8.05%, P = 0.19). Atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with therapeutic INR on the day of a procedure appears to be safe and feasible. Expensive outpatient anti-coagulation bridging may be safely avoided in this type of population.

Erythrocyte Hemolysis and Hemoglobin Oxidation Promote Ferric Chloride-induced Vascular Injury

The release of redox-active iron and heme into the blood-stream is toxic to the vasculature, contributing to the development of vascular diseases. How iron induces endothelial injury remains ill defined. To investigate this, we developed a novel ex vivo perfusion chamber that enables direct analysis of the effects of FeCl(3) on the vasculature. We demonstrate that FeCl(3) treatment of isolated mouse aorta, perfused with whole blood, was associated with endothelial denudation, collagen exposure, and occlusive thrombus formation. Strikingly exposing vessels to FeCl(3) alone, in the absence of perfused blood, was associated with only minor vascular injury. Whole blood fractionation studies revealed that FeCl(3)-induced vascular injury was red blood cell (erythrocyte)-dependent, requiring erythrocyte hemolysis and hemoglobin oxidation for endothelial denudation. Overall these studies define a unique mechanism of Fe(3+)-induced vascular injury that has implications for the understanding of FeCl(3)-dependent models of thrombosis and vascular dysfunction associated with severe intravascular hemolysis.

The role of the vascular surgeon in anterior retroperitoneal spine exposure: Preservation of open surgical training

Open vascular surgical procedures have decreased since the advent of endovascular repair. Advances in spinal fusion techniques and artificial disc replacement have led to an increase in the need for anterior retroperitoneal exposure of the lumbar spine (ARES). Vascular surgeons participate as "exposure surgeons" for these cases due to their unique skills in dealing with retroperitoneal structures. We report a single center experience with this procedure and focus on injury pattern and preservation of open surgical training. Patients undergoing ARES over an 8-year period were identified from our vascular registry. A two-team approach involving a vascular surgeon and spine surgeon has been routinely employed. ARES was performed for anterior lumbar interbody fusion or total disc replacement. The intraoperative techniques of vascular manipulation were reviewed. The need for suture repair of vascular structures and the incidence and timing of serious vascular injury was recorded. Four-hundred and five ARES procedures were performed. The levels exposed included L5-S1 alone (128), L4-5 (54), 4-5 and 5-S1 (139), and other combinations in 84 cases. The exposure involved the L4-5 disc in 243 cases (60%). Exposure of L4-5 was accomplished above the left common iliac artery (CIA) in 44%, between the left CIA and common iliac vein (CIV) in 45%, and below the left CIV in 11%. Minor vascular injuries (all venous) needing suture repair occurred in 24% of cases overall. Minor vascular injuries occurred during both exposure (43%) and instrumentation (57%). Minor vascular injuries were significantly more frequent in cases involving the L4-5 disc than in those not involving L4-5 (31.7% vs 11.1%, P < .001). Serious, life-threatening, vascular injuries occurred in 12 patients (3%), all during instrumentation, and included left CIV laceration (seven cases), right CIV laceration (two cases), and inferior vena cava laceration, distal aortic plaque disruption and left CIA laceration in one case each. There was no association between body mass index, prior surgery, or type of instrumentation and the occurrence of minor or major vascular injuries. Postoperative vascular complications included three deep vein thromboses; two of which occurred in patients with CIV laceration. Vascular expertise is important in anterior retroperitoneal lumbar spine exposure. Minor venous injuries frequently occur during exposure and instrumentation. Significant vascular injuries, while rare, occur during instrumentation, therefore the vascular surgeon should remain present throughout the entire procedure. The vascular manipulations required during exposure of the L4-5 disc offer an excellent opportunity for open vascular surgical experience. Vascular surgeon involvement in these cases allows for prompt repair of vascular injuries and provides opportunities for the vascular surgery resident to augment his/her open surgical training.

Vascular injury during anterior exposure of the spine

Fusion of the spine is often performed from an anterior approach requiring mobilization of aorta, iliac artery, and vein. This study describes the preferred techniques and incidence of vascular complications at a spine center. Information and operative notes on all consecutive patients undergoing anterior exposure were entered into a database that was retrospectively reviewed. Four hundred eighty-two procedures performed on 480 patients at one spine center between January of 1997 and December of 2002 were analyzed. Demographics, technique, levels of exposure, and history of prior spine surgery were recorded. Primary outcomes measured included intraoperative vascular complications, estimated operative blood loss, and operative mortality. Vascular injury was defined as any case in which a suture was required to control bleeding. Major vascular injuries were defined as those requiring transfusion, vascular reconstruction, or blood loss greater than 300 cc. An intraoperative vascular injury occurred in 11% (54/480) of patients. The majority of these (45/54) were minor injuries treated with simple suture repair. Nine (1.9%) major vascular injuries did occur; the majority identified and treated during the exposure and not the spinal fusion. One patient required a return to the operating room 24 hours after the initial procedure for removal of packs placed to control severe bleeding from an avulsed branch of the internal iliac vein. Median estimated blood loss (EBL) was 150 cc and there were no mortalities. Eighty-three percent of overall injuries involved exposure of L4-5, and this was statistically significant odds ratio (OR) 2.73, P = .005. The lowest incidence of injury occurred when L5-S1 alone was exposed (5.1% of injuries) OR .34, P = .01. Prior spine procedures did not significantly increase the risk of injury, P = .67. Other factors that did not significantly increase risk included gender, multiple levels vs single levels and technique of exposure. Exposure to the lumbar spine can be readily accomplished via a retroperitoneal approach. Minor vascular injuries during exposure, mostly venous, are not uncommon and are easily repaired. They are increased when L4-5 is part of the exposure and are lowest when L5-S1 alone is exposed. Major injuries occur in less than 2% of patients.

Clinical Practice Guideline: Penetrating Zone II Neck Trauma

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Penetrating wounds of the neck are common in the civilian trauma population. Risk of significant injury to vital structures in the neck is dependent on the penetrating object. For gunshot wounds, approximately 50% (higher with high velocity weapons) of victims have significant injuries, whereas this risk may be only 10% to 20% with stab wounds. The management of injuries to the neck that penetrate the platysma is dependent on the anatomic level of injury. The neck has been divided into threes zones. Zone I, including the thoracic inlet, up to the level of the cricothyroid membrane, is treated as an upper thoracic injury. Zone III, above the angle of the mandible, is treated as a head injury. Zone II, between zones I and III, is the area of controversy. Because of the density of vital structures in this zone, multiple injuries are common and can affect length of stay. Mortality, particularly for major vascular injuries may reach 50%. Delayed complications such as pseudoaneurysms or arteriovenous fistulae can affect long-term outcomes. Appropriate and timely management of these injuries is critical. For the patients with hard signs of significant injury, including active hemorrhage, expanding hematoma, bruit, pulse deficit, subcutaneous emphysema, hoarseness, stridor, respiratory distress, or hemiparesis, immediate operative management may be indicated. Controversy arises over management of the patient without significant symptoms. The management of these patients has been evolving from an era of mandatory exploration to an era of more selective management. Mandatory exploration, while seemingly safe and conservative, led to many nontherapeutic operations. This fact, along with advances in technology, such as high resolution computed tomography (CT), may eliminate the need to explore the neck to determine whether there are injuries. Also during the time that technology had been advancing, many reports have documented the safety of selective management of neck injuries that penetrate the platysma. This experience has demonstrated that physical examination may be reliable and that not all injuries to vital structures in the neck need surgical intervention for repair. This guideline was therefore initiated to examine the specific roles of mandatory exploration versus selective management based on physical examination and current imaging technologies for penetrating neck trauma.

Laparoscopically harvested omental flap for immediate breast reconstruction

Background Breast cancer surgery and accompanying breast reconstruction have been diversified. We report our experience of immediate breast reconstruction using laparoscopically harvested omental flap (LHOF). Methods During a 44-month period, 44 immediate breast reconstructions with LHOF were performed. Patients were followed up for complications and cosmetic results. Results Forty cases of pedicled LHOF and 4 cases of free LHOF were performed after either nipple-sparing mastectomy (n = 21) or breast-conservation treatment (n = 23). Morbidity included 1 minor vascular injury (2.3%) of the LHOF, 4 wound and graft infections (9.1%), and 1 epigastric hernia (2.3%). Cosmetic results were mostly satisfactory, with a soft breast that was natural in appearance. Donor-site scars were minimal. However, in 5 patients (12.5%), omental flap size was found to be inadequate during the procedure. Conclusions Although there is a limit of volume, LHOF is an attractive autologous flap, which makes a natural soft breast and minimal deformity of the donor site.

3053: Can ultrasonography prevent visceral injury during the creation of pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic surgery?

Abdominal access by laparoscopic surgery carries a risk of visceral injury. Bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema, gastro-intestinal perforation, major and minor vascular injury are potential complications associated with abdominal access and the creation of pneumoperitoneum. Between October 2003 and September 2005, we experienced gastrointestinal perforation (three), subcutaneous hematoma (one), renal capsular hematoma (one) and subcutaneous emphysema (three) either by direct trocar insert or blind Veress needle insert.

Single-center experience with pediatric Cushing's disease

Despite ongoing advances in surgical and radiotherapeutic techniques, pediatric Cushing's disease remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The authors report on the results of a single-center retrospective review of 33 pediatric patients with Cushing's disease, providing details with respect to clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, therapeutic course, complications, and outcomes. There were 17 female and 16 male patients whose mean age was 13 years (range 5-19 years) in whom a diagnosis of Cushing's disease was based on clinical and biochemical criteria. Typical symptoms included weight gain (91%), prepubertal growth delay (83%), round facies (61%), hirsutism (58%), headache (45%), abdominal striae (42%), acne (33%), amenorrhea (24%), and hypertension (24%). In 67% of the cases, preoperative magnetic resonance images revealed a pituitary lesion and in 82% of the cases the imaging studies effectively predicted lateralization. Inferior petrosal sinus sampling was performed in seven patients (21%), and in all of these cases lateralization was 100% reliable. Fifty-five percent underwent selective adenomectomies and 45% underwent subtotal hypophysectomies. Complications included one case of diabetes insipidus, one of persistent hypocortisolemia necessitating prolonged glucocorticoid replacement therapy, and one minor vascular injury that did not necessitate postoperative management modification or cause sequelae. There were no surgery-related deaths and no cases of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage or meningitis. During a mean follow-up period of 44 months, clinical remission was ultimately achieved in 91% of patients: 76% after transsphenoidal surgery alone and an additional 15% after adjuvant radiosurgery and/or adrenalectomy following surgical failure. Three patients (12%) experienced disease recurrence and underwent a second surgical procedure at 18, 81, and 92 months, respectively; based on clinical and biochemical criteria a second remission was achieved in all. Three patients (9%) remain with persistent disease. Pediatric Cushing's disease is a rare condition, often requiring a multidisciplinary diagnostic and a multimodal therapeutic approach for successful long-term remission.

The Safety and Efficacy of Direct Trocar Insertion With Elevation of the Rectus Sheath Instead of the Skin for Pneumoperitoneum

Abdominal access in endoscopic surgery carries a finite risk of visceral injury. Bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema, gastrointestinal tract perforation, minor and major vascular injury, and intraperitoneal adhesions are the potential complications associated with abdominal access and creation of pneumoperitoneum. There are 4 basic techniques used to create pneumoperitoneum: blind Veress needle, direct trocar insertion, optical trocar insertion, and open laparoscopy. Veress needle and direct trocar insertion are blind techniques, and their use can result in severe visceral and vascular injuries. To prevent visceral and vascular injuries caused by the technique used for the creation of pneumoperitoneum, laparoscopic surgeons and gynecologists look for safe and effective laparoscopic access techniques. Direct trocar insertion without previous pneumoperitoneum was reported to be a safe alternative to Veress needle insertion. We carried out this study to compare the ease of use, safety, and efficacy of direct trocar insertion with elevation of the rectus sheath and blind insertion of the Veress needle in laparoscopic surgery. In 578 laparoscopic procedures, the patients were assigned to one of the following groups: blind insertion of the Veress needle (group 1, n = 301) and direct trocar insertion with elevation of the rectus sheath using 2 towel clips (group 2, n = 277). Total complication rates were 15.7% (n = 33) and 3.3% (n = 4) in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P < 0.05). Direct trocar insertion with elevation of the rectus sheath using 2 towel clips is an easy, safe, and effective technique.

Incidence and Significance of Cardiac Troponin I Release in Severe Trauma Patients

The incidence and significance of troponin I release and its mechanism are unknown in severe trauma patients. The characteristics of this release were prospectively studied in such patients and correlated with presence of shock, existence of myocardial contusion, and outcome. During a 24-month period, serial electrocardiogram recordings and troponin I measurements were performed in all trauma patients admitted at a surgical intensive care unit. The diagnosis of a significant myocardial contusion was made on electrocardiographic criteria. According to the time course of troponin I, three groups of patients were defined a priori: very transient (</= 12 h) and limited release (troponin I < 2 microg/l), transient (</= 36 h) and significant release (troponin I >/= 2 microg/l), and sustained (> 36 h) and significant release (troponin I > 2 microg/l). In the last group, coronary artery angiography was performed. The incidence of troponin I release was 12% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.6-14.4%) in 728 patients. A significant myocardial contusion was found in 35 patients (5%; 95% CI, 3.4-6.6%) and may occur in the absence of chest trauma and without troponin I release. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of troponin I for the diagnosis of myocardial contusion were 63, 98, 40, and 98%, respectively. Troponin I release was observed in 54 early (> 48 h) survivors (7%; 95% CI, 5.6-9.6%) without preexisting coronary artery disease. A sustained and significant release of troponin I (17 patients) was frequently associated with chest trauma (82%) and constantly with electrocardiographic abnormalities. A coronary artery injury was found in 7 patients (2 major and 5 minor vascular injuries) (1% of the whole group; 95% CI, 0.4-2.0%). Mortality was similar in early survivors with (15%; 95% CI, 7-27%) or without (12%; 95% CI, 9-14%) troponin I release. The odds ratio for late mortality was 1.32 (95% CI, 0.61-2.85) in patients with troponin I release. Serial electrocardiogram recordings and troponin I assessments may be proposed for initial screening in high-risk trauma patients to detect anatomical cardiac injuries through the time course of circulating protein. Troponin I release does not have a prognosis value in trauma patients.