A new technique for robotic thyroidectomy: "the daVinci gasless single-incision axillary approach".

Robotic thyroidectomy has been recently introduced as a new modality of treatment for selected benign and malignant thyroid lesions. The standard technique, popularized by a leading Korean group, combines an axillary and a thoracic approach to accomplish thyroid resection without neck incision. We recently introduced a modified technique that has enabled us to complete robotic thyroidectomy through a single axillary incision. We herein report our initial successful experience in 35 cases with the modified technique.

Alcoholic hepatitis with leukemoid reaction after surgery.

Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a clinicopathologic syndrome resulting from an excessive intake of alcohol. Leukemoid reactions (LRs) are characterized by a strikingly elevated granulocyte count over 40,000-50,000 cells/mm(3). Although a leukocytosis of 15,000-18,000 cells/mm(3) is frequently seen in AH, LRs are rare in this context. AH-associated LRs are a sign of poor prognosis and have a high mortality. A 64-year-old male with a history of heavy alcohol intake underwent a right hemicolectomy for cecal carcinoma. Preoperative laboratory data were normal with the exception of an albumin of 2.1 g/dL. Liver biopsies that were taken because of a nodular appearance revealed micronodular cirrhosis, steatohepatitis, and Mallory bodies. Postoperatively, the patient developed a leukocytosis that progressively increased to 72.6 cells/mm(3). He also developed signs of impaired hepatic and renal function. Extensive workup failed to reveal a source of infection. A trial of intravenous antibiotics had no impact on the leukocytosis. Methylprednisolone at a dose of 40 mg IV daily was started on postoperative day 9. The patient experienced a progressive decline in white blood count (WBC), which reached 25.2/mm(3) on postoperative day 14. However, he died on postoperative day 16. We conclude that the patient had AH-associated LR in the postoperative period, but died despite successful treatment of the LR with steroids.

Pseudomembranous gastritis: a complication from aspergillus infection.

Pseudomembranes in the gastrointestinal tract are usually associated with the use of antibiotics, steroids, and severe immunosuppression. Reported cases of this condition have usually been confined to the large and small bowel. We discuss a 41-year-old woman who was transferred to The University of Mississippi Medical Center for severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding after admission to an outside facility following a motor vehicle collision. Upper endoscopy revealed an antral ulcer with fungal hyphae found in the biopsy specimen. Because of her exsanguinating hemorrhage from her gastric pathology a total gastrectomy was performed. Pathological inspection of the stomach revealed a green/brown pseudomembranous gastritis throughout the entire stomach. Aspergillus cultures confirmed the etiologic agent. The patient later fell into multiorgan system failure and died. Autopsy results showed no aspergillus in other organ systems. The current literature suggests that this is the first reported case of isolated pseudomembranous gastric aspergillosis.