Eureka: objective assessment of the empty pelvis syndrome to measure volumetric changes in pelvic dead space following pelvic exenteration.

BACKGROUND: Large tissue defects following pelvic exenteration (PE) fill with fluid and small bowel, leading to the empty pelvis syndrome (EPS). EPS causes a constellation of complications including pelvic sepsis and reduced quality of life. EPS remains poorly defined and cannot be objectively measured. Pathophysiology of EPS is multifactorial, with increased pelvic dead space potentially important. This study aims to describe methodology to objectively measure volumetric changes relating to EPS. METHODS: The true pelvis is defined by the pelvic inlet and outlet. Within the true pelvis there is physiological pelvic dead space (PDS) between the peritoneal reflection and the inlet. This dead space is increased following PE and is defined as the exenteration pelvic dead space (EPD). EPD may be reduced with pelvic filling and the volume of filling is defined as the pelvic filling volume (PFV). PDS, EPD, and PFV were measured intraoperatively using a bladder syringe, and Archimedes' water displacement principle. RESULTS: A patient undergoing total infralevator PE had a PDS of 50 ml. A rectus flap rendered the pelvic outlet watertight. EPD was then measured as 540 ml. Therefore there was a 10.8-fold increase in true pelvis dead space. An omentoplasty was placed into the EPD, displacing 130 ml; therefore, PFV as a percentage of EPD was 24.1%. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported quantitative assessment of pathophysiological volumetric changes of pelvic dead space; these measurements may correlate to severity of EPS. PDS, EPD, and PFV should be amendable to assessment based on perioperative cross-sectional imaging, allowing for potential prediction of EPS-related outcomes.

Variations in carotid sinus anatomy and their relevance to carotid interventions.

BACKGROUND: The carotid sinus (CS) is a dilatation in the carotid bifurcation usually at the origin of proximal internal carotid artery (ICA). It contains baroreceptors which influence blood pressure. Variations in the location of the CS are of importance as atheromatous plaque commonly forms in this area and procedures such as carotid endarterectomy are performed to reduce the risk of stroke. Inadvertent stimulation of the CS baroreceptors during interventions can have profound effects on the patient's haemodynamic status both intra- and postoperatively, causing serious complications. The aim of this study is to determine the inter- and intra-individual variations in the location of the CS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-two carotid arteries were dissected bilaterally from 41 cadavers. The locations of the CS were noted and divided into four potential sites. RESULTS: The commonest site is the origin of the ICA (74.3%), but the CS can also be found in the distal part of the common carotid artery (CCA) inferior to the bifurcation (17.1%); at the bifurcation involving the distal CCA and origins of both the external carotid artery (ECA) and ICA (7.32%); and at the origin of the ECA (1.22%). In individual cadavers, the CS was located at the origin of the ICA in 97.6% on at least one side. The sites of the CS were asymmetrical in 34.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians performing carotid interventions should be aware of these anatomical variations to avoid inadvertent stimulation of the CS which can cause profound bradycardia and hypotension.

The REBOA window: a cadaveric study delineating the optimum site for austere cannulation of the femoral artery for resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta.

INTRODUCTION: Haemorrhage is the major cause of early mortality following traumatic injury. Patients suffering from non-compressible torso haemorrhage are more likely to suffer early death. Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) can be effective in initial resuscitation; however, establishing swift arterial access is challenging, particularly in a severe shock. This is made more difficult by anatomical variability of the femoral vessels. METHODS: The femoral vessels were characterised in 81 cadaveric lower limbs, measuring specifically the distance from the inferior border of the inguinal ligament to the distal part of the origin of the profunda femoris artery (PFA), and from the distal part of the origin of the PFA to where the femoral vein lies posterior to and is completely overlapped by the femoral artery. RESULTS: The femoral vein lay deep to the femoral artery at a mean distance of 105 mm from the inferior border of the inguinal ligament. The PFA arose from the femoral artery at a mean distance of 51.1 mm from the inguinal ligament. From the results, it is predicted that the PFA originates from the common femoral artery approximately 24 mm from the inguinal ligament, and the femoral vein is completely overlapped by the femoral artery by 67.7 mm distal from the inguinal ligament, in 95% of subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, proposed is an 'optimal access window' of up to 24 mm inferior to the inguinal ligament for common femoral arterial catheterisation for pre-hospital REBOA, or more simply within one finger breadth.

Appendicitis due to incarceration within a laparoscopic umbilical port-site hernia secondary to a degree of intestinal malrotation.

A 37-year-old woman presented with an incarcerated hernia at a previous umbilical laparoscopic port site. This was found to contain an ischaemic appendix, which was managed successfully with open appendicectomy and a mesh repair. Previous imaging from a year prior to these events demonstrated a degree of intestinal malrotation with the caecal pole lying just under the umbilicus. Finding the appendix within an incisional port site is very rare, for this to occur at the umbilicus is unique.

An anatomical study of additional radial wrist extensors including a unique extensor carpi radialis accessorius.

BACKGROUND: In this study, 82 forearms from 41 cadavers were dissected to establish the incidence of variant additional radial wrist extensors. Three variants have been described in the literature: extensor carpi radialis intermedius (ECRI), extensor carpi radialis accessorius (ECRA) and extensor carpi radialis tertius (ECRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 41 cadavers studied, 5/41 (12%) had an additional radial wrist extensor. Of these 5 individuals, 2 had bilateral additional muscles and 3 were unilateral. Of the 82 forearms, 7/82 (9%) had additional radial wrist extensors. RESULTS: We found 4 examples of ECRI and 3 examples of ECRA. We did not find any examples of ECRT. One specimen of ECRA had an atypical, previously undescribed, course. CONCLUSIONS: These accessory muscles are of clinical relevance, as they may be a contributing factor in tennis elbow and nerve entrapment, or cause diagnostic confusion, especially in ultrasound scans. However, they may also be used for tendon transfer. Of the 7 muscles found in the current study, 3 would have been suitable for such procedures.

Sexual harassment among nursing professionals: evidence and prescriptions for administrators.

The results of this study indicate that the experience of sexual harassment among nursing professionals may be more widespread than previously reported. With only one percent of respondents reporting ¿quid pro quo¿ harassment, the vast majority of harassment fell into the ¿hostile environment¿ category where the victim's perceptions are all important. Health care administrators should be cautioned that harassment and discrimination are evolving and expanding areas of the law, necessitating current knowledge of the standards for actionable conduct. To lower the risk of liability from claims of both victims and the accused, harassment and discrimination policies should be aggressive, proactive, fair, and thorough.