Is there a role for transplantation in gynecologic oncology? Autotransplantation and other lessons.

We describe an exciting and novel surgical option, which may be used to treat formerly unresectable masses. This process is commonly referred to as autotransplantation (AuTn), and it combines the advances in transplant medicine and applies them to surgical oncology. The idea behind AuTn is the removal of the cancerous organ(s) to allow complete anatomic resection of the tumor mass, with consequent anastomotic reimplantation or AuTn of the now macroscopically tumor-free organ back into the patient. Autotransplantation has been used to remove large fibromatosis and desmoid tumors as well as malignant tumors. Our belief is that using lessons learned from the field of transplantation, AuTn can be applied in gynecologic oncology.

Ileocolocolic intussusception secondary to a submucosal lipoma: an unusual cause of intermittent abdominal pain in a 62-year-old woman.

We present a case of subacute nonobstructing ileocolocolic intussusception secondary to a submucosal lipoma and a mobile cecum diagnosed sonographically in a 62-year-old woman. The patient was seen following a 2-month history of nonspecific intermittent pain in the right and middle abdomen and weight loss. Sonography revealed ongoing intussusception involving distal ascending and transverse colon. Analysis of the distal intussusception end demonstrated a 3.0 x 2.5 cm echogenic polypoid lesion consistent with a lipoma serving as a lead point. The sonographic diagnosis was confirmed at surgery.

Patient satisfaction and clinical results at a mean eight years following BHR arthroplasty: results from a district general hospital.

We present the clinical and radiological results of a prospective study of a consecutive series of patients treated with the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing (BHR) prosthesis between 1999 and 2006 and followed for six to 12 years. Patients were reviewed preoperatively and six, 12, 26 and 52 weeks postoperatively and annually thereafter. They were assessed clinically and radiographically and the Merle d'Aubigne Postel and Oxford Hip scores were calculated at each visit. A SF-36 form assessed general health. Patient satisfaction was assessed by a Visual Analogue Score. Kaplan Meier survival analysis was performed.One hundred and seven patients (109 hips) were included (45 males, 62 females). Median age was 44 years. Mean follow-up was 97.4 months. Median preoperative Merle d'Aubigne Postel and Oxford hip scores were 10 (3-14) and 42 (26-55) respectively. Median SF36 score was 29 (0-65) and patients rated their level of pain as 7.7 on a scale of 0-10 (10 being the worst score). At final follow-up, median MDP and OHS scores were 17 (16-18) and 25 (12-46). Median SF36 score was 72 (27-97). Seven revisions were performed in six females and one male patient. Survival was 96.2% with revision for any reason as the end point. No revisions were performed in the group with hip dysplasia.The BHR prosthesis provides pain relief, high levels of patient satisfaction and improvement of function and well being in the medium-term. Failures occurred primarily in the female group.

The impact of snow on orthopaedic trauma referrals.

Adverse weather has been shown to increase orthopaedic referrals and place strain on services. This retrospective study undertaken at a teaching hospital concerned referrals between April 2009 and April 2010 comparing days when snow fell to days when it did not. Referrals increased significantly on snow days (to 74.9 per day) in comparison to normal weather days (33.5 per day). During snow days there were significant increases in the number of distal radius and ankle fractures referred but not of fractured necks of femur. Complications during the snow fall period were related to procedures performed outside of the trauma unit with further difficulties related to a lack of operating equipment and implant availability. As a result of our study, we recommend that during periods of heavy snow fall orthopaedic and trauma units should place senior orthopaedic trainees in Accident and Emergency to review patients as a triage service, organise trauma lists related to surgeon specific expertise and avoid sending trauma patients outside the unit for operation.