Side-to-side anastomosis fashioned as stoma after sigmoid resection for sigmoid volvulus: a case report.

PURPOSE: Colonic volvulus is one of the causes of large bowel obstruction with sigmoid colon being the most usually affected part. Surgery is the gold standard when signs of peritonitis are present or endoscopic decompression fails. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report the case of 65-year-old man with acute large bowel obstruction due to sigmoid volvulus who underwent a laparoscopic-assisted sigmoid resection on an emergency basis. The condition of the bowel wall precluded a primary anastomosis. But instead, a side-to-side anastomosis that its common blind stump was brought out as an end stoma was performed. RESULTS: The postoperative period was eventless. The patient was discharged on the 6th postoperative day. Eight weeks after the initial operation, the patient was readmitted for the secondary closure of the anastomotic stoma. Local anesthesia and minor sedation were enough in order to perform the stoma take down. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic-assisted sigmoid resection is a useful adjunct to the surgical armamentarium when facing the problem of sigmoid volvulus. When a safe restoration of the alimentary tract continuity cannot be achieved safely with a primary anastomosis, the proposed anastomotic stoma technique is a useful and practical alternative.

Anterior clinoidal meningioma coincidental with bilateral intracranial aneurysms.

Coexistence of aneurysms and brain tumors is a rare occurrence. Coincidence is highest in patients with meningiomas rather than other types of tumors. We report a case in which a meningioma of the left anterior clinoid process was coexisting with a right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and a left anterior cerebral artery (ACA) aneurysm. While the right MCA aneurysm was detected preoperatively, the left ACA aneurysm was not detectable, being concealed by the major finding of the region. This report focuses on pitfalls of diagnosis and questions the surgical planning in aneurysms concealed by coincidental brain tumors.

Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma with intratumoral hemorrhage in the absence of tuberous sclerosis.

Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) is an uncommon tumor that usually occurs in the setting of tuberous sclerosis (TS) syndrome. We report a rare case of an intratumoral and a small intraventricular hemorrhage complicating a SEGA in an adult patient without any signs of TS. Although pre-operative CT and MRI findings for the tumor were typical of SEGA, SEGA was not considered in the differential diagnosis because the patient was lacking any symptoms of TS. This is the second report of intraventricular and intratumoral hemorrhage complicating a SEGA and the first case in which these complications occurred in an adult patient in whom there was no previous suspicion of systemic disease.

The evolution of lower limb amputation through the ages. Historical note.

The aim of this study was to highlight the important stages of the evolution of limb amputation through the ages through the search of the relevant international literature. Limb amputation is one of the most serious surgical operations, which is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Evidence regarding the execution of limb amputation can be found back in Neolithic times. The most important steps in the evolution of the technique of limb amputation were made in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries when A. Pare' introduced the vessel ligation and the French barber surgeon Morell introduced the use of a tourniquet to reduce the bleeding. During the same period, from the ''one-stage circular cut'' the technique evolved to either ''three-stage circular cut'' or to ''flap amputation'', single or double. Limb amputation represents one of the oldest and most serious surgical operations. Its evolution parallels the maturation process of surgery, with the major developments in the technique to have been made from the 16th to the 18th century. In the beginning of the 21st century, limb amputation appears to be a safe operation ending up with a functional stump.

Laparoscopic placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunts: an innovative simplification of the existing techniques.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) remains one of the alternative choices for the surgical treatment of hydrocephalus. During the last two decades laparoscopy has been utilized to facilitate the placement of the abdominal portion of the shunt. We describe a minimally invasive laparoscopic technique, which facilitates the rapid, safe and direct placement of the peritoneal component of the VPS. A side frontal ventricular catheter is placed through a small burr hole and connected to the valve at the postauricular region. An infra-umbilical trocar is placed, using the Hasson technique, and after the pneumoperitoneum is established, a 10-mm laparoscope is introduced for identification of a VPS entry side free of adhesions. A 5-mm skin incision is made at the decided point of catheter insertion, usually at the right upper quadrant. Using a tunneler, the VPS catheter is placed subcutaneously from abdomen insertion point, to the postauricular region, where it is connected to the valve. A split type, 10-12 Fr and 12-15 cm long metallic puncture cannula, like those used for suprapelvic percutaneous bladder drainage, is introduced into the abdomen. Under direct laparoscopic vision the peritoneal portion of the VPS is passed into the abdomen through the cannula. The catheter is leaded to a desirable location by pointing the needle accordingly. Alteration of the position of the catheter can also be attained by entraining the catheter with the laparoscope and without using auxiliary graspers. The function of the VPS is confirmed under direct visualization. Suturing the abdominal and cranial incisions completes the procedure. We used this technique in a series of 12 patients with excellent outcome. There were no intra- or postoperative complications and no mortalities. Our technique is less invasive than a minilaparotomy, embraces all laparoscopic benefits and does not require auxiliary forceps or guidewires. It uses easy available materials with low cost, and attains an easy, rapid, and safe placement of the abdominal portion of the VPS.