Severe hemothorax due to traumatic fracture of thoracic vertebra.

BACKGROUND: Hemothorax occurs in approx. 0.4% of all chest injury patients, but hemothorax due to a thoracic vertebral fracture is rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 76-year-old Japanese man was transported to our hospital for right hemothorax due to a car accident. We performed emergency hemostasis surgery and tried to stop the bleeding by several methods, but it was difficult to control the bleeding because the bleeding point was an artery branch that runs in front of the vertebral body. CONCLUSION: It is important to be aware that a fractured vertebra can damage the aorta's arterial branch and follow a severe course.

Endoscopic stent placement with laparoscopic stent fixation in a patient with obstruction at a gastrojejunostomy anastomosis site.

BACKGROUND: Palliative endoscopic stent placement may be considered in patients with malignant gastrointestinal obstruction. Stent migration is a potential complication, particularly for those placed at a surgical anastomosis or across a stricture caused by extra-alimentary tract factors. We report a patient with left renal pelvis cancer and gastrojejunostomy obstruction who underwent endoscopic stent placement and laparoscopic stent fixation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old male with peritoneal dissemination of a left renal pelvis cancer was admitted for treatment of upper gastrointestinal obstruction. A laparoscopic gastrojejunostomy had been previously performed for cancer invasion of the duodenum. Imaging showed gastroduodenal dilation and impaired passage of contrast medium through the efferent loop of the gastrojejunostomy. Gastrojejunostomy anastomosis site obstruction due to dissemination of left renal pelvis cancer was diagnosed. Conservative treatment failed and endoscopic stent placement with laparoscopic stent fixation was performed. After surgery, the patient was able to tolerate oral intake and he was discharged without complications. The patient gained weight and was able to resume chemotherapy, indicating the procedure was effective. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic stent placement with laparoscopic stent fixation for malignant upper gastrointestinal obstruction appears effective in patients with a high risk of stent migration.