Saddle Pulmonary Embolus and Simultaneous Common Carotid and Subclavian Artery Emboli.

A patent foramen ovale (PFO) is present in 27-35% of the population. Right to left cardiac shunts predispose patients to arterial emboli in the presence of venous thromboembolisms. Paradoxical embolus should be suspected in patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and arterial emboli. A 45-year-old man with hypercoagulability and history of DVT presented with a week-long history of chest pain, shortness of breath, and left arm numbness. Imaging showed a saddle pulmonary embolus (PE) and emboli involving the aortic arch, left common carotid, and left subclavian artery. The patient proceeded with an endovascular thrombectomy of the pulmonary artery, followed by open thrombectomy. Echocardiogram confirmed a right to left intra-cardiac shunt consistent with a PFO. Paradoxical emboli are rare manifestations of venous thromboemboli in patients with right to left intra-cardiac shunts. Patients should be evaluated for these to help prevent further manifestations.

Inferior Vena Cava Filter Occlusion Causing Phlegmasia Alba Dolens.

Phlegmasia alba dolens is a rare sequela of acute extensive venothrombus of the iliofemoral segments. Rarely, phlegmasia alba dolens can also result from clotted inferior vena cava filter. A 39-year-old with protein S deficiency, and prior inferior vena cava filter placement after remote trauma presented to the emergency department with progressive bilateral lower extremity pain and swelling. Venous duplex revealed extensive bilateral deep vein thromboses from the external iliac veins to popliteal veins, as well as thrombophlebitis of the left great saphenous vein. Venography confirmed patency of the suprarenal vena cava with abrupt occlusion of the infrarenal segment at the level of the inferior vena cava filter. The filter was removed followed by endovascular thrombectomy and adjunctive venoplasty. The patient progressed well and discharged on therapeutic anticoagulation. This case illustrates that a staged endovascular approach may be utilized for acute on chronic caval thrombosis and filter removal.

Contained Giant Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Rupture Secondary to Type I and III Endoleaks Requiring Open Repair With Endograft Explantation.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Common complications include endoleaks, which are continued blood flow into the aneurysm sac external to the graft. Type I endoleaks occur proximally or distally, resulting from inadequate seals between the graft and artery. Type III endoleaks stem from defects between components in modular grafts or fabric tears. Re-intervention is indicated for type I and III endoleaks due to pressurization of the aneurysm sac resulting in a high risk of rupture. A 68 year-old man presented with an infrarenal AAA and underwent EVAR. He developed a late type I endoleak requiring reintervention with a stent graft cuff, and later presented with a recurrent type I endoleak and type IIIb endoleak. The AAA increased in size to 18 cm with contained rupture, requiring emergent endograft explantation and repair with a bifurcated Dacron graft. His postoperative course was uncomplicated.

The role of the Vascular Surgery Board in surgical education.

The American Board of Surgery (ABS) has more than 80 years of both direct and indirect involvement in US surgical education, with its primary role being certification of graduates of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-approved surgical training programs. The ABS's impact on education has been at multiple levels, including the development of the content and administration of qualifying and certifying examinations; original education research based on the Board's unique data sets; and surgical training and education-related initiatives in partnership with multiple regulatory bodies and surgical societies. Within these efforts, by incremental steps, the specialty of vascular surgery attained recognition as a primary specialty of the ABS, and the Vascular Surgery Board of the ABS was established 20 years ago, in 1998. The 2 decades that followed have witnessed significant transformations in the evaluation and treatment of vascular disease, the paradigms for training vascular and endovascular surgeons, and the Vascular Surgery Board has partnered with stakeholder organizations to continually ensure quality education for the evolving vascular surgical workforce. Looking forward, while surgical education remains outside of its primary mission, the ABS and Vascular Surgery Board will continue as key stakeholders and leaders in the complex network of professional societies and training institutions that will guide the evolution of vascular surgery training.

Modulation of the inflammatory response by increasing fetal wound size or interleukin-10 overexpression determines wound phenotype and scar formation.

Wound size impacts the threshold between scarless regeneration and reparative healing in the fetus with increased inflammation showed in fetal scar formation. We hypothesized that increased fetal wound size increases pro-inflammatory and fibrotic genes with resultant inflammation and fibroplasia and that transition to scar formation could be reversed by overexpression of interleukin-10 (IL-10). To test this hypothesis, 2-mm and 8-mm dermal wounds were created in mid-gestation fetal sheep. A subset of 8-mm wounds were injected with a lentiviral vector containing the IL-10 transgene (n = 4) or vehicle (n = 4). Wounds were harvested at 3 or 30 days for histology, immunohistochemistry, analysis of gene expression by microarray, and validation with real-time polymerase chain reaction. In contrast to the scarless 2-mm wounds, 8-mm wounds showed scar formation with a differential gene expression profile, increased inflammatory cytokines, decreased CD45+ cells, and subsequent inflammation. Lentiviral-mediated overexpression of the IL-10 gene resulted in conversion to a regenerative phenotype with decreased inflammatory cytokines and regeneration of dermal architecture. In conclusion, increased fetal wounds size leads to a unique gene expression profile that promotes inflammation and leads to scar formation and furthermore, these results show the significance of attenuated inflammation and IL-10 in the transition from fibroplasia to fetal regenerative healing.

Failure events in transition of care for surgical patients.

BACKGROUND: Unexpected clinical deterioration (failure events) in surgical patients on standard nursing units (WARDs) could have a significant impact on eventual survival. We sought to investigate failure events requiring intensive care (surgical ICU [SICU]) transfer of surgical patients on WARDs in a single-center academic setting. STUDY DESIGN: Surgical patients admitted to WARDs over a 12-month period, who developed failure events, were retrospectively reviewed. Time to deterioration since WARD arrival, clinical factors, notification chain, and outcomes were identified. A physician review panel determined the preventability of failure events. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients experienced 111 failure events requiring SICU transfer. Most patients (85%) were emergency admissions. Of 111 events, 90% had been previously discharged from an SICU or a postanesthesia care unit (PACU). Recognition of failure was by nursing (54%) and on routine physician rounds (34%). Rapid response or code blue alone was less common (12%). A second physician notification was needed in 29%, with delays due to failure to identify severity of illness. Most commonly, respiratory events prompted notification (77 of 111, 69%). Overall mortality was 26 of 98 (27%). Median time to failure was 2 days and was associated with early transfer from the SICU or PACU. Rapid response or code blue activation was associated with higher mortality than physician notification. CONCLUSIONS: Patients most at risk for WARD failures were those with acute surgical emergencies or recently discharged from the SICU or PACU. Respiratory complications were the most common cause of WARD failure events. Many early failures may have been due to premature transfer from the SICU or PACU. Failure events on WARDs can have lethal consequences. Awareness, monitoring, and communication are important components of preventative measures.

Medical student education in the Department of Surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in the 21st Century.

The approach of the Department of Surgery at the University of Mississippi to the education of medical students is considerably different from that of earlier eras. An overview of the current strategies for medical student education adopted by the Department in recent years and the philosophies behind them is presented.

Ankle-brachial index (ABI), abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), and coronary artery calcification (CAC): the Jackson heart study.

To examine the associations of peripheral atherosclerosis, assessed by the ABI at baseline with the extent of AAC and with CAC measured by MDCT at follow-up examination in the Jackson Heart Study cohort. Four categories of ABI: <0.90, 0.90-0.99, 1.00-1.39; >1.40. Presence of CAC/AAC was defined as scoring above the 75th percentile among participants with non-zero CT calcium scores. We conducted multivariable log-binomial models for this analysis examining the relationship between ABI and the presence of CAC or AAC using normal ABI (1.0 ≤ ABI ≤ 1.39) as the reference group. We estimated prevalence ratios adjusted for age, smoking, HTN, DM, BMI, LDL, HDL, CRP, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and use of lipid-lowering medication. There were 2,398 patients in this analysis (women: 65 %, average age 55 years). AAC scores were not significantly different between sex. CAC scores were significantly higher in males than females regardless of ABI groups. The prevalence of significant AAC was 1.7 times higher for ABI < 0.90 (PR = 1.70; 95 % CI = 1.26-2.28; p = 0.0004) and 1.57 times higher for ABI 0.90-0.99 (PR = 1.57; 95 % CI = 1.20-2.03; p = 0.0008) than the normal ABI; AAC prevalence did not differ between subjects with ABI > 1.40 compared to those with normal ABI. The prevalence of the significant CAC was higher for ABI < 0.90 (PR = 1.55; 95 % CI = 1.12-2.14; p value = 0.0081) and ABI 0.90-0.99 (PR = 1.60; 95 % CI = 1.05-2.46; p = 0.0402) compared to normal ABI; CAC prevalence did not differ between subjects with ABI > 1.40 compared to those with normal ABI. Lower ABI was significantly associated with the extent of AAC and CAC in this cohort. ABI can provide clinicians with an inexpensive additional tool to assess vascular health and cardiovascular risk without exposing the patient to ionizing radiation.

Lentiviral-mediated over-expression of hyaluronan synthase-1 (HAS-1) decreases the cellular inflammatory response and results in regenerative wound repair.

Fetal wounds have been found to have increased levels of high-molecular-weight hyaluronan (HMW-HA) compared with those of adults. The primary enzyme responsible for producing HMW-HA is hyaluronic acid synthase-1 (HAS-1). We hypothesized that over-expression of HAS-1 in adult dermal wounds would decrease inflammation and promote regenerative healing. To test this hypothesis, the flanks of adult C57Bl/6 mice were treated with a lentiviral construct containing either HAS-1-GFP or GFP transgenes. After 48 h, a 4-mm excisional wound was made at the site of treatment. Wounds were harvested at days 3, 7, or 28 after wounding. Wound phenotype was assessed by histology to examine tissue architecture and immunohistochemistry for CD45. At 7 and 28 days, lenti-HAS-1-treated wounds demonstrated the restoration of the normal dermal elements and organized collagen fiber orientation. In contrast, the lenti-GFP-treated wounds lacked normal dermal architecture and demonstrated a disorganized collagen scar. At 3 and 7 days, wounds treated with lenti-HAS-1 exhibited a significant decrease in the number of inflammatory cells when compared with wounds treated with lenti-GFP. Thus, HAS-1 over-expression promotes dermal regeneration, in part by decreasing the inflammatory response and by recapitulation of fetal extracellular matrix HMW-HA content.

A solution to the decreased resident exposure to open operations in the era of minimally invasive surgery and restricted duty hours may be with organ procurement and transplantation surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The surgical resident experience regarding open surgical procedures and techniques is being significantly limited by the maturation of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and duty-hour restrictions. MIS has replaced many open procedures as the current standard of care. As MIS progresses, the surgical residents' access to open surgical techniques will become significantly limited by the lack of exposure to common open operations. METHODS: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) database was retrospectively reviewed to quantify and categorize resident experience in self-reported surgical procedures. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was retrospectively reviewed to determine the amount of organ transplants and procurements performed during the study period. Data from 1999-2000 and 2008-2009 were collected and compared. RESULTS: There were dramatic changes between the time periods regarding the transition from the open to the laparoscopic approach for multiple operations. In 2008, there were 23,276 transplanted organs and 29,077 organs procured (7990 multi-organ procurements). However, the graduating general surgery chief residents reported doing an average of 2 organ procurements and 7 organ transplantations over a 5-year period. This provides the opportunity for each graduating chief resident to perform 38 more procurements during their residency. CONCLUSION: It is imperative for surgical educators to find solutions to safely train the future general surgery residents to perform more surgical techniques in less time. One solution to this problem may lie within the field of organ transplantation and procurement. The field of organ transplantation and procurement may be an untapped resource for valuable exposure to the basic principles of open surgical techniques that are declining due to the advancement of MIS and mandated duty-hour restrictions.

The role of microRNA-146a in the pathogenesis of the diabetic wound-healing impairment: correction with mesenchymal stem cell treatment.

The impairment in diabetic wound healing represents a significant clinical problem. Chronic inflammation is thought to play a central role in the pathogenesis of this impairment. We have previously shown that treatment of diabetic murine wounds with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can improve healing, but the mechanisms are not completely defined. MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) has been implicated in regulation of the immune and inflammatory responses. We hypothesized that abnormal miRNA-146a expression may contribute to the chronic inflammation. To test this hypothesis, we examined the expression of miRNA-146a and its target genes in diabetic and nondiabetic mice at baseline and after injury. MiR-146a expression was significantly downregulated in diabetic mouse wounds. Decreased miR-146a levels also closely correlated with increased gene expression of its proinflammatory target genes. Furthermore, the correction of the diabetic wound-healing impairment with MSC treatment was associated with a significant increase in the miR-146a expression level and decreased gene expression of its proinflammatory target genes. These results provide the first evidence that decreased expression of miR-146a in diabetic wounds in response to injury may, in part, be responsible for the abnormal inflammatory response seen in diabetic wounds and may contribute to wound-healing impairment.

Management of traumatic vascular injuries to the neck: a 7-year experience at a Level I trauma center.

Injury to the carotid artery results in significant mortality and morbidity. The general consensus is to repair all injuries to the common and internal carotid arteries. Ligation is usually reserved for neurologic or hemodynamic instability. We report our experience at a Level I trauma center with vascular injuries to the neck. Retrospective chart review of all patients with vascular injuries in the neck resulting from either blunt or penetrating trauma treated at a Level I trauma center between January 2000 and February 2007. Demographics and outcomes were collected from a chart review. Twenty-five patients with vascular injuries to the neck were identified. There were 13 carotid artery injuries (CAI), five internal jugular vein (IJV) injuries, and 13 external jugular vein (EJV) injuries. Of the carotid artery injuries, six (50%) underwent operative repair (4 primary repairs and 2 bypasses), five (38%) were managed nonoperatively, and one was treated using endovascular techniques. No patient had a postoperative decrease in Glasgow Coma Scale score. There were five isolated IJV injuries (3 primary repair and 2 ligations). Four of the venous injuries (all internal jugular veins) were repaired and the remaining 13 were ligated. Vascular injuries to the neck have significant mortality and morbidity. Treatment of these injuries must be individualized. All CAI in noncomatose patients should be repaired if hemodynamically stable. All IJV injuries should be repaired but may be ligated if hemodynamically unstable. All EJV injuries can be ligated without reservation regardless of neurological status.

Ectopic liver masquerading as a floating intracaval mass.

Ectopic liver is defined as liver parenchyma situated outside the liver proper with no connection to native hepatic tissue. This rare developmental anomaly is most commonly described as an attachment to the gallbladder with an incidence <0.3%, but it has been reported in other locations within the abdomen and thorax.(2-4) Most cases are found incidentally in asymptomatic patients, but ectopic liver has been known to cause visceral or vascular obstruction.(4,5) Herein we present a unique case of ectopic liver attached by a thin stalk seemingly floating in the suprahepatic inferior vena cava.