Acute rectal ischaemia following emergency abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery.

We present a case of isolated rectal ischaemia, a rare complication after emergency surgery for a ruptured abdominal aneurysm. We discuss the possible aetiology of this condition and how this rare condition may be missed unless care is taken at the time of reoperation.

Day-case re-do varicose vein surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether re-do varicose vein surgery as a day case is feasible and safe. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively on 70 consecutive patients (77 legs) undergoing re-do sapheno-femoral or sapheno-popliteal ligation by consultant surgeons as day cases. Follow-up was by structured telephone interview. RESULTS: The 70 patients comprised 53 females and 17 males. Median age and body mass index were 47.5 years and 27, respectively. All patients were ASA Grade I or II. Median operating time was 75 min (range 25-140). Of the 70 patients intended to be treated as day cases, four (5.7%) were admitted overnight. There were no were re-admissions nor did any patient develop deep vein thrombosis. Eleven per cent developed wound infection and 4% transient lymphatic leakage. Overall, 91% of patients were pleased with the initial surgical result but this decreased to 81% in the longer term. Eighty-nine per cent would have their surgery performed again as a day case. CONCLUSION: Re-do sapheno-femoral or sapheno-popliteal can be performed safely as a day case.

Spontaneous supraceliac isolated abdominal aortic dissection sparing major visceral and renal vessels and presenting as chronic limb ischemia.

Aortic dissections that originate from isolated tears in the abdominal aorta are uncommon. Rarer still are cases of isolated abdominal aortic dissections arising in suprarenal locations, as most appear from infrarenal intimal defects. We present a quite unusual case of a spontaneous supraceliac isolated abdominal aortic dissection sparing the renal and mesenteric arteries and manifesting as chronic rather than acute limb ischemia. The atypical presentation of this case led to repeated misdiagnosis with consequent loss of part of the patient's limb. Better illustration of the natural history of this ill-defined pathology is needed to aid understanding and improve patient care.

Case report: managing a knotted Seldinger wire in the subclavian vein during central venous cannulation.

PURPOSE: To describe the successful removal of a knotted Seldinger wire from a subclavian vein, and review the design and structure of guidewires to formulate recommendations to minimize complications associated with the Seldinger technique. CLINICAL FEATURES: An 81-yr-old patient suffered from an intravascular knotting of a Seldinger wire during subclavian venous cannulation. We describe a technique for successful removal of knotted guidewire under fluoroscopic guidance using the vessel dilator of a central venous cannulation kit. In this case, the technique was successful without associated immediate or delayed complications. Although central venous cannulation with the Seldinger technique is a commonly performed procedure, it may result in numerous complications, including kinking, and rarely complete knotting of the guidewire. CONCLUSIONS: A thorough understanding of procedural complications and physical characteristics of the guidewire is vital in order to ensure patient safety when using the Seldinger technique for central venous cannulation. We have reviewed the relevant literature for guidewire design and structure, associated complications, and provide recommendations for safe use of guidewires.