Endoscopic release of unicoronal craniosynostosis.

We demonstrate a novel method of endoscopic frontal-orbital advancement for the treatment of unicoronal craniosynostosis. The evolution of this cranioplasty modality burrows from an established precedent of safety and technical experience in strip craniectomies and endoscopic brow surgery. The procedure facilitates osteotomies similar to open frontal-orbital advancement and uses reabsorbable materials to achieve immediate intraoperative correction of unicoronal craniosynostosis through smaller incisions. The patients in the study underwent endoscopic frontal-orbital advancement and cranial vault remodeling. This was made possible with the use of a novel ultrasonic bone saw that permits osteotomies to be made with minimal disruption to the dura matter. After full frontal-orbital advancement, immediate reabsorbable fixation was used to stabilize the advancement as in the open technique. There were no major complications. All patients demonstrated improvement in plagiocephaly due to unilateral coronal synostosis. Patients and their families reported a 100% patient satisfaction and an improvement in cranial asymmetry from 10 to 2 mm (P < 0.5). This is a new endoscopic cranial vault remolding technique that achieves state-of-the-art correction of unicoronal craniosynostosis with less morbidity and mortality.

A multidisciplinary approach for the treatment of GIST liver metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) can metastasize and recur after a long remission period, resulting in serious morbidity, mortality, and complex management issues. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old woman presented with epigastric fullness, mild jaundice and weight loss with a history of a bowel resection 7 years prior for a primary GIST of the small bowel. The finding of a heterogeneous mass 15.5 cm in diameter replacing most of the left lobe of the liver by ultrasonography and CT, followed by positive cytological studies revealed a metastatic GIST. Perioperative optimization of the patient's nutritional status along with biliary drainage, and portal vein embolization were performed. Imatinib was successful in reducing the tumor size and facilitating surgical resection. CONCLUSION: A well-planned multidisciplinary approach should be part of the standard management of advanced or metastatic GIST.

Intercostal artery-based rectus abdominis transposition flap for sternal wound reconstruction: fifteen-year experience and literature review.

The rectus abdominis transposition (RAT) flap is a well-accepted alternative to pectoralis muscle flaps for sternal reconstruction after debridement in poststernotomy mediastinitis. Use of this flap based on an intercostal artery pedicle, after division of the ipsilateral internal mammary artery (IMA), is a less-recognized option for reconstruction, given its less substantial vascular supply. The authors present 15 cases where intercostal artery-based RAT flaps were used for sternal reconstruction over a span of 15 years. They describe patient demographic data, management approaches, surgical techniques, and clinical outcomes. Perioperative flap survival and wound healing was optimal in all cases. One morbidity and 1 mortality were encountered in patients with multiple chronic medical problems. Follow-up demonstrated optimal surgical results and satisfied patients. Our observations suggest that the intercostal artery-based RAT flap is a safe treatment option for sternal reconstruction when pectoralis muscle flaps have failed or do not adequately provide coverage of sternal defects after debridement of the poststernotomy wound.

Periappendiceal dermoid: a rare cause of right lower quadrant pain.

Dermoids are mature teratomas lined with a stratified squamous epithelium. They are known to present anywhere in the body, mostly with minimal or no associated symptoms. The authors present the case of a 44-year-old man who presented with an acute abdomen suggestive of appendiceal disease. On surgical exploration, the patient was found to have an inflamed cystic lesion in the mesoappendix that was resected and diagnosed as a dermoid cyst on pathological examination. This is the seventh case in the literature of a periappendiceal dermoid, but the first that presents in such a manner. This report is presented because of its important clinical applications for the general surgeon.

Laparoscopic-assisted peritoneal dialysis catheter placement: a microinvasive technique.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis is an alternate form of dialysis for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Although not as widely used as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis (PD) has clear advantages, especially those related to patient satisfaction and simplicity. The purpose of our study was to describe and look at the results of a microinvasive technique for placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters under laparoscopy. METHODS: From August 2003 to January 2006, 12 patients with ESRD underwent laparoscopic-assisted peritoneal dialysis (LAPD) catheter placement with the microinvasive technique at our institution. Data collected included age, gender, underlying renal disease, and length of operation. Followup was completed for all patients (at least 6 months) and catheter-related morbidity and mortality were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were 13 procedures performed (one patient had LAPD catheter placement twice). The average age was 45 years and the most common cause of ESRD was uncontrolled arterial hypertension. Procedural time averaged 33.6 min (range = 24-50 min). Peritoneal dialysis was introduced two weeks after the procedure and no dialysate leaks were observed. There were two catheter-related morbidities; both were catheter exit-site abscesses, one managed surgically with removal of the PD catheter and the other managed conservatively with culture-sensitive antimicrobials. Patient satisfaction was beyond acceptable in 92% of the patients (12 of 13). Average longevity of the catheter was 61 weeks (427 days). There were no mortalities. CONCLUSION: LAPD catheter placement is an easy technique with acceptable catheter longevity and minimal morbidity. The microinvasive technique leads to better patient satisfaction and cosmetic outcome without affecting its function. Therefore, we believe that by promoting microinvasive LAPD catheter placement, PD will gain more acceptance among doctors and patients.