novel technique for the reconstruction of resected sternoclavicular joints: a case report with a review of the literature

Sternal metastasis in thyroid cancer is an uncommon occurrence with only a handful of cases of chest wall resections being done. Sternal reconstruction for both primary and secondary tumors has been performed using various techniques and materials such as the mesh, methyl acrylate resin, and steel plates; however, this is a case of papillary thyroid cancer involving the sternum in a 50-year-old woman who had resection of the sternum with reconstruction using titanium bars and clips [STRATOS system] fixed to the clavicles with an underlying Proceed mesh. STRATOS system showed good recovery postoperatively. The functional results were excellent with the patient being able to perform all daily activities unassisted after 1 month and almost complete range of motion with acceptable limitations in power of the shoulder muscles after 2 months. We have reviewed all the English language publications of the subject by doing Medline search for the last 25 years and we present here the surgical management of this pathology with our novel approach by using the titanium steel bars to stabilize both medial aspects of the resected clavicles as a promising therapy for manubrial reconstruction and clavicular fixation

Laparoscopy in the treatment of a giant [true] epiphrenic diverticulum with migration of the gastrointestinal anastomosis staples

Our case is a 62-year-old diabetic man with a long-standing history of regurgitation, halitosis, recurrent chest infection, and most recently upper gastro-intestinal bleeding. He was diagnosed 10 years earlier with an epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum, and also has a family history of this condition. Barium study revealed a 10x10 cm epiphrenic diverticula with a 4 cm neck, the lower margin of the opening lying 6 cm from the gastro-esophageal junction. Endoscopy confirmed the x-ray findings, and motility studies were within normal limits. The patient underwent laparoscopic excision of the diverticulum via the trans-abdominal approach. Histopathological examination revealed this diverticulum to be of the true type

Laparoscopic enucleation of a duodenal lipoma, with review of the literature

We present a case of duodenal lipoma in a 53-year-old lady causing symptoms of vomiting and abdominal discomfort, treated by laparoscopic enucleation. Lipomas of the duodenum are rare tumors with less than 230 cases reported in the literature, most of these are from autopsy records rather than clinical experience. Most recent reports are of endoscopic excision of these tumors while operative procedures, although less frequent, have been described for specific indications. We present a case of a duodenal lipoma excised laparoscopically with a review of the literature.