Civilian inferior vena cava injuries

Inferior vena cava injury can be a hidden cause of death in a various types of abdominal trauma. The experience was presented in 39 cases of major inferior vena cava injuries. Twenty-two of them were iatrogenic and 17 were due to abdominal trauma. In 17 cases, there was an associated organ injury that necessitated surgical intervention. Lateral suture was the classical technique of repair with excellent result. Caval ligation was adopted in exceptional cases [4] with accepted morbidity. In two cases, a peak was left for two days succeeding in saving the patients life

Skin thermometry as a tool for evaluation of the effect of elastic stockings and elevation in Post Phlebitic Syndrome

The effect of elevation and elastic stockings on skin temperature in post-phlebitic legs was compared. Thermometric changes at 20 points before and after management were recorded after walking without elastic stockings, after elevation and after walking with elastic stockings. Each group consisted of 20 legs. A similar number of normal legs was used as control. Data analyzed by computer showed marked reversal to normal values at the medial aspect of the leg after elevation followed by walking in elastic stockings

Post-stripping saphenous neuralgia: the problem and a solution

A technique was developed to avoid saphenous nerve injury during stripping of the long saphenous vein. Exposure of the vein at the ankle was make through a small longitudinal incision. The adventitia around the vein was opened and separated from the vein wall for at least 3 cm. Stripping was done in a downward direction. Only the dermal layer of the skin was stitched. The saphenous sensory latency was measured antidromically after stripping by this technique and in limbs operated by the classical method. The clinical and electrophysiological findings showed that the proposed technique herein was not accompanied with saphenous nerve damage after stripping

Lower limb temperature gradients in primary varicose veins before and after stripping

Thirty patients with uncomplicated primary varicose veins of the lower limbs, and the same number of age-matched persons as controls, formed the material of the study. YST tele-thermometer have been used to measure skin temperature in all limbs before and after stripping. A special pattern of cutaneous hyperthermia in primary varicose veins was found depending on the anatomical distribution and communications of the varices. A significant return to normal pattern of skin temperature in the diseased group was found after stripping. This simple, cheap and noninvasive method can show the distribution of clinically occult varices, especially in obese legs which then can be attacked during surgery to avoid recurrence of varices

Anticardiolipin antibodies in young patients with vasculopathies

This study included 40 patients divided into 2 group. Group I composed of 26 patients [65%] presented with thrombotic disorders subdivided into: venous [group IA] 8 patients [30.77%] and arterial [group IB] 18 patients [69.23%]. Group II composed of 14 patients [35%] presented with functional vascular disorders. Their mean age was 29.4 years. 10 normal healthy individuals of comparable age were taken as controls [group III]. All patients and controls were subjected to full clinical examination and laboratory investigations including: CBC, PPBS, lipid profile, whole blood clotting time, APTT, PT and anticardiolipin [ACL] I[g]G and I[g]M antibodies by ELISA. Significant increase in the total ACL antibodies was found in group I as compared to group III, while group II showed no statistical difference as compared to either group III or I. The frequency of ACL antibodies was 32.5% of the overall studied patients, 34.62% in group I and 28.57% in group II. Seven out of 13 patients [53.85%] of the ACL positive cases were associated with different rheumatic diseases; 57.14% in systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], 28.57% in rheumatoid arthritis and 14.26% in scleroderma. It is apparent from this study that ACL antibodies are present among a wide diversity of diseases rather than SLE as was previously thought. So it is mandatory to be searched for among young patients with idiopathic thrombosis, to plan for preventive therapy

Subclavian artery injuries in civilian practice

Fourteen subclavian artery injuries were reported. All cases have been clinically evaluated. Stab injury was the commonest cause of trauma. Different methods of exposure were adopted. Arteriography was omitted in risky patients, and was done when necessary in some patients. Ligation of the subclavian artery when facilities for reconstruction are not available was not followed by limb threat