Gastric outlet obstruction secondary to Morgagni hernia: a case report.

An 89-year old female presented to us with symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction which appeared to be secondary to gastric volvulus on preoperative work-up. On laparoscopy the stomach was found to be incarcerated in a right-sided Morgagni hernia with surrounding adhesions. The hernia was reduced after dissecting the adhesions and the diaphragmatic defect was repaired using a biologic mesh onlay patch (Surgisis GOLD, Cook Biotech Inc.). Her postoperative recovery was uneventful and she was doing well at three months follow-up.

Incarcerated intrathoracic stomach with antral ischemia resulting in gastric outlet obstruction: a case report.

A 73-year-old man underwent laparoscopic repair of intrathoracic gastric volvulus after presenting with chest discomfort and inability to belch. After a few weeks, he developed early satiety, nausea and postprandial bloating and was found to have developed a tight stenosis 2 cm proximal to the pylorus. He underwent a series of endoscopies with balloon dilation with full resolution of symptoms and is doing well at 1-year follow-up. Gastric volvulus with ischemia resulting in a stricture has not been previously reported.

Short-term outcomes of inguinal hernia repair in octogenarians and nonagenarians.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to report the 30-day outcomes following inguinal hernia repair in octogenarians (80-89 years of age) and nonagenarians (≥90 years) using a large, prospective, multi-institutional database and to identify the individual risk factors associated with increased morbidity and mortality. STUDY DESIGN: Patients aged 80 and above undergoing inguinal hernia repair were identified from the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2007-2008). Univariate analysis was performed using chi square, Fisher's exact test and t test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to assess factors associated with increased postoperative complications and mortality. RESULTS: Of 2,377 patients above 80 years of age, 226 (9.5 %) were nonagenarians. Men accounted for 81.4 % (1,936) of patients. There were significantly more female patients in the nonagenarian group (29.2 vs. 17.4 %, p < 0.0001). Laparoscopic repair was performed in 210 (9.9 %) patients. Emergency repair was more frequent in nonagenarians than octogenarians (12 vs. 4.4 %, p < 0.0001). The 30-day overall complication rate was significantly increased in nonagenarians compared to octogenarians (6.1 vs. 3.2 %, p = 0.03). Mortality is increased tenfold in elective inguinal hernia repair in nonagenarians compared to octogenarians (3 vs. 0.3 %, p < 0.0005). On multivariate analysis, preoperative variables found to be significantly associated with morbidity included totally dependent functional status, congestive heart failure and emergent nature of procedure, while higher age, emergency repair and open wound are associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Elective inguinal hernia repair can be safely performed in octogenarians with low morbidity and mortality but is increased in nonagenarians. More vigilant postoperative care is required after emergent hernia repairs due to the increased risk of morbidity and mortality, and effort should be made to electively repair inguinal hernias early in this elderly population.