Colorectal carcinoma in the young. A case report and review of the literature.

A case of sigmoid carcinoma in a 16-year-old boy is presented and the topic of colonic carcinoma in the young is reviewed. Although colon carcinoma in the younger patient is uncommon, its prognosis is distinctly worse than in the adult population, because the preponderance of mucinous adenocarcinoma in children and young adults represents a more virulent type of colonic malignancy and because the delay in diagnosis contributes to a more advanced stage of the disease at the time of presentation. When dealing with symptoms potentially referrable to this disease, a thorough diagnostic work-up should ensue.

A historical perspective on the changing methods of management for major trauma of the lower extremity.

The quantity of severe injuries to the extremities challenging the modern, civilian surgeon cannot compare with that produced at Gettysburg or other battles of the Civil War. Nonetheless, the extent and severity of the trauma to the extremity generated on our "civilian battlefields" match and often surpass the wounds confronted by our predecessors. In the Civil War, as it had been for many preceeding years, amputation remained the dominant approach to managing a great variety of injuries to the extremities. However, constant surgical progress, as reflected by a gradual reduction in recourse to amputation, had enabled each succeeding generation of surgeons to surpass and distance themselves from their predecessors. Amputation of the traumatized extremity had always defined and continues to represent the prevalent abilities and limitations of conservative and reconstructive surgical efforts. Operative treatment, for much of its existence, represented a collection of dangerous ablative procedures which were used reluctantly when all other measures were exhausted. Its transformation into a successful reconstructive endeavor evolved primarily in this century. The understanding of bone healing and the functional importance of the knee joint led to a transformation in amputation and to changes in the management of fractures which are still evolving. The next revolution in operative treatment came with the ability to restore blood flow in injured extremities. Finally, the recent introduction of a variety of free flaps enables the reconstitution of extensive soft tissue and bony defects and further lowers the number of obligatory amputations. These innovations enabled the surgeon to reduce his or her recourse to amputation of severely injured extremities. Nonetheless, the significant number of amputations still performed constitute a reminder that there is still work to be done.

Management of acute lower extremity nerve injuries.

While repair of acute nerve injuries in the lower extremity has not been as aggressive as in the upper extremity, there should now be more effective early intervention. Newer microsurgical techniques can be used along with increased understanding of peripheral nerve internal anatomy to obtain more satisfactory repair and reconstruction of the injured nerves. The anatomy and vulnerability of the nerves in the leg are reviewed, and the decision process is analyzed in the context of the functional deficits following such injuries. A priority of goals in lower extremity nerve repair should be established to ensure salvage of the foot.

The evolution of the surgical management of severe lower extremity trauma.

A hundred years ago, the question of whether to amputate a severely injured extremity could be answered rather easily and did not pose a serious dilemma. However, the increasing reconstructive capabilities have permitted the retreat to amputation to be made less frequently and occasionally create a dilemma concerning the best means of securing optimal function for the traumatized extremity. The surgeon must carefully balance the extent of trauma with the likelihood that his or her reconstructive efforts would surpass the functional results afforded by prompt amputation and prosthetic fitting. Although the mechanisms of limb destruction have changed in the past 2 centuries, the fundamental dilemma confronting the trauma surgeon has remained unchanged. In the words of Samuel D. Gross: "The cases which may reasonably require and those which may not require interference with the knife are not always so clearly and distinctly defined as not to give rise, in very many instances, to the most serious apprehension ... that, while the surgeon endeavors to avoid Scylla, he may not unwittingly run into Charybdis, mutilating a limb that might have been saved, and endangering life by the retention of one that should have been promptly amputated."

Lower extremity nerve injuries.

The surgical and anatomic features pertinent to lower extremity nerve injury are reviewed. The common problems associated with specific nerve lesions are discussed and reparative recommendations are offered. A more informed, aggressive approach to lower extremity nerve repair is suggested.

The acute abdomen and Murphy's signs.

The history of the acute abdomen describes a shift from emphasis on prognosis to treatment through correlation of clinical and pathological findings. John B. Murphy was an acclaimed leader of American surgery whose name is associated with several diagnostic maneuvers used in the evaluation of the acute abdomen. These include deep-grip palpation used in examination for suspected biliary disease.