Laparoscopic approach to small intestinal obstruction in children: a preliminary experience

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic management of small intestinal obstruction. A retrospective review of 30 children admitted for an attempt of laparoscopic treatment of acute intestinal obstruction was performed, their mean age was 6.7 +/- 1.73 years. Of the 30 laparoscopic attempts, 20 could have been performed successfully, while 10 patients needed a conversion to laparotomy due to inadequate laparoscopic visualization in 6 cases, gangrenous bowel in 2 cases and inability to relieve the obstruction laparoscopically in 2 cases. There were no intra- or postoperative complications in the laparoscopic group

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy

The aim of this study was to assess the applicability and safety of laparoscopic appendectomy [LA] in a prospectively randomized trial. Seventy patients with suspected appendicitis were randomized to laparoscopic or open appendectomy and operated upon an emergency basis. The operative findings, operating time, postoperative complications and length of hospital stay were compared. It was found that LA was associated with a shorter hospital stay, fewer postoperative complications and better diagnostic accuracy. It was recommended as the procedure of choice for the diagnosis and management of acute appendicitis

Diabetic foot presentation and treatment

The aim of this study was to determine the mode of presentation and surgical treatment in diabetic foot. Thirty-four diabetic patients with diabetic foot were retrospectively studied. History of trauma preceding infection was present in 20% of the cases. Peripheral neuropathy was the main precipitating factor in 94% as well as the presence of peripheral vascular disease in 50% of the cases. Smoking was found in 44% patients, foot ulcer was the most common type of presentation in 59% of the patients, 65% of these patients needed debridement. It was concluded that foot sepsis was a common health problem presented particularly among men. Peripheral neuropathy and poor glycemic control were the most common precipitating factors

Effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor [captopril] on isolated rabbit aortic strip

This study demonstrated that captopril and ACE inhibitor induces an endothelium dependent relaxation in isolated rabbit aortic strip and the blood pressure lowering effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors was not based only on the inhibition of circulating and tissue angiotensin II formation. Prostanoids produced by ACE inhibitors [captopril] are involved in the dilatory mechanism