Medicine
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Case Reports
Gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by adult intussusception secondary to small intestinal tumors: Two case reports.
Adult intussusception is rarely observed, and the clinical manifestations are very atypical. The most common symptom is abdominal pain, while the incidence of hematochezia is relatively low. We report two cases of adult intussusception secondary to small intestinal tumors with gastrointestinal hemorrhage as the main symptom. ⋯ Adult intussusception is very rare, particularly with gastrointestinal hemorrhage as the main symptom. Isolated hamartoma polyp is a rare cause of intussusception in adults. The clinical manifestations of adult intussusception are very atypical, and thus, making a preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Abdominal CT or CTA is an effective diagnostic method for adult intussusception. For adult patients with gastrointestinal hemorrhage caused by intussusceptions, active surgery should be performed when conservative treatment is not effective. Laparoscopic surgery is a safe and effective treatment for adult intussusceptions caused by benign diseases.
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We herein present a case in which satisfactory analgesia and sedation were provided by the combination of epidural anesthesia with dexmedetomidine for exploratory laparoscopy in a patient who was highly suspected to have tuberculosis. This is an optimal anesthesia method to minimize the risk of nosocomial infection, especially in developing countries that lack sterilizers for anesthesia machines. ⋯ We conclude that administration of dexmedetomidine combined with epidural anesthesia can provide comfortable sedation for short laparoscopic procedures in patients with suspected tuberculosis. This technique can minimize the risk of nosocomial infection.
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Surgical site infections (SSIs) increase the risk of mortality, postsurgery, extend hospital stay, and increase the costs of healthcare. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary, evidence-based, surveillance program combined with intrawound application of vancomycin in lowering the incidence rate of SSI after spinal surgery with instrumentation. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 637 patients who underwent spinal fusion with instrumentation in our institution at 3 different time periods: prior to our surveillance program (control group), surveillance only (surveillance group 1), and surveillance combined with intrawound vancomycin application (surveillance group 2). ⋯ A bundled approach that includes surveillance and intrawound application of vancomycin is an effective strategy to lower the risk of SSI after spinal fusion with instrumentation. The use of steroid and longer operative time are risk factors of SSI. Our findings support the implementation of a program of surveillance, combined with intrawound vancomycin application, to reduce the incidence rate of SSIs in spinal surgery.
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We report a rare, acute neurological deterioration after cervical laminoplasty due to post-decompression spinal cord edema associated with ankylosing spondylitis in a 52-year old male patient. The patient was diagnosed with cervical spondylotic myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament which was complicated by ankylosing spondylitis. A cervical laminoplasty was performed, adversely resulting in paraparesis and loss of tactile sense. An emergency CT scan following the first laminoplasty revealed that the spinal cord compression due to spinal cord swelling and limited-expansion in cervical canal space. The abnormal pathological state of ankylosing spondylitis may have aggravated spinal cord re-perfusion and increased edema after decompression. ⋯ Abnormal spinal cord immune inflammatory reaction associated with ankylosing spondylitis and limited decompression may lead to acute neurological deterioration. The potential overactive inflammatory response following surgery in the patients with autoimmune rheumatoid disease should be carefully considered in spinal surgery. Timely diagnosis and treatment may benefit these patients.
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Cardiogenic shock secondary to aortic stenosis (AS) is a challenging problem owing to the high mortality associated with treatment, and successful treatment of such patients has been rare. ⋯ Patients with cardiogenic shock secondary to AS are very difficult to treat medically. ECMO with TAVR may be a reasonable strategy.