True superior gluteal artery aneurysm with neurovascular compromise of the lower limb: a case report and review of the therapeutic options.

Few cases of true superior gluteal artery (SGA) aneurysms have been described in the English-language literature. This is the twenty-second reported case. SGA aneurysms can pose diagnostic problems, specifically when they are non-pulsatile and also therapeutic challenges when they are large. Although more aneurysms are being subjected to endovascular therapies, SGA aneurysmectomy or aneurysmorrhaphy still remain valid therapeutic options, especially in resource-poor settings. Surgery provides quick symptom resolution and still is the only means by which tissue for definitive histological diagnosis can be obtained.

Refractory bleeding from a giant de-differentiated liposarcoma of the chest wall: An indication for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and palliative resection? - A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) is a heterogenous neoplasm of variable histological grade. DDLPS uncommonly arises from the chest wall. There are limited data available about the tumor's response to chemotherapy and accessible reports indicate minimal benefits. Surgery is thus the cornerstone of management. Here, we demonstrate an uncommon situation where chemotherapy was used to arrest bleeding from a giant DDLPS that was refractory to all available hemostatic agents. This case also presents an uncommon indication for palliative chest wall resection and reconstruction (CWRR). PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 55-year old woman presented with refractory bleeding from an ulcerated and foul-smelling mass on the anterior chest wall, confirmed histologically to be DDLPS. Chemotherapy with Doxorubicin and Ifosfamide was used to control the bleeding. She subsequently had CWRR to improve her quality of life. The patient made an uneventful recovery but later died from pulmonary embolism. DISCUSSION: The dedifferentiated component of DDLPS is vascular and may account for why we were able to exhibit a hemostatic response to chemotherapy. CWRR was then employed to improve the quality of life in an advanced, ulcerated and infected tumor of the chest wall. CONCLUSION: We were able to demonstrate a hemostatic response of DDLPS to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and anticipate that this report may serve as a reference for further studies. Furthermore, we believe that palliative resection may be carried out to improve a patient's quality of life even in the face of advanced disease.

Factors affecting interest in cardiothoracic surgery among junior surgical residents in Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: A survey was undertaken to determine the factors that affect interest in cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) among junior surgical residents in Nigeria. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done using a pilottested, 56-item, semi-structured questionnaire, which was filled in by 238 junior surgical residents in accredited hospitals in Nigeria. RESULTS: Few of the respondents (8.4%) were committed to specialising in CTS. A minority of them, 28.2 and 2.1%, had assisted in major thoracic procedures and open-heart surgeries, respectively. The relationship between the level of training, rotation in CTS in junior residency and interest in CTS were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The main important factors responsible for the low interest in CTS include the lack of equipment (92%), limited training positions (64.9%), poor or lack of exposure in CTS as a junior resident (63%) and in medical school (58.8%). CONCLUSION: There is a dire need to provide facilities and training opportunities to improve the cardiothoracic workforce in Nigeria.

Management of Chest Drains: A National Survey on Surgeons-in-training Experience and Practice.

BACKGROUND: Chest tube insertion is a simple and sometimes life-saving procedure performed mainly by surgical residents. However with inadequate knowledge and poor expertise, complications may be life threatening. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the level of experience and expertise of resident surgeons in performing tube thoracostomy. METHODOLOGY: Four tertiary institutions were selected by simple random sampling. A structured questionnaire was administered to 90 residents after obtaining consent. RESULTS: The majority of respondents were between 31 and 35 years. About 10% of respondents have not observed or performed tube thoracostomy while 77.8% of respondents performed tube thoracostomy for the first time during residency training. The mean score was 6.2 ± 2.2 and 59.3% of respondents exhibited good experience and practice. Rotation through cardiothoracic surgery had an effect on the score (P = 0.034). About 80.2% always obtained consent while 50.6% always used the blunt technique of insertion. About 61.7% of respondents routinely inserted a chest drain in the Triangle of safety. Only 27.2% of respondents utilized different sizes of chest tubes for different pathologies. Most respondents removed chest drains when the output is <50 mL. Twenty-six respondents (32.1%) always monitored air leak before removal of tubes in cases of pneumothorax. Superficial surgical site infection, tube dislodgement, and tube blockage were the most common complications. CONCLUSION: Many of the surgical resident lack adequate expertise in this lifesaving procedure and they lose the opportunity to learn it as interns. There is a need to stress the need to acquire this skill early, to further educate and evaluate them to avoid complications.