Irish journal of medical science
-
Acute appendicitis in elderly patients often presents late and atypically. Presentation as an incarcerated femoral hernia is rare. ⋯ Unusual clinical presentations of acute appendicitis represent an interesting diagnostic challenge.
-
Sequentially evolving intracranial bilateral haematomas, where the second haematoma develops after the surgical removal of the first one is rarely reported. ⋯ While rising intracranial pressure after the evacuation of a traumatic haematoma is usually attributed to brain oedema or recurrent haematoma at the craniotomy site, the development of a contralateral epidural haematoma requiring surgical treatment should not be overlooked.
-
The timing of aggressive airway intervention in adult epiglottitis is controversial. ⋯ Friedman originally advocated airway intervention in any patient stage II or worse, but this intubation threshold should probably be lowered to those patients with rapid-onset stage Ill (moderate respiratory distress, stridor, respiratory rate > 30 per minute, pCO2 > 45mmHg) disease.
-
Cancellation of operations increases theatre costs and decreases efficiency. We examined the causes of theatre cancellations in general surgery. ⋯ Elective surgery cancellation is a significant problem with far-reaching consequences. While multifactorial in aetiology, increased bed usage by medical specialties is one important factor. This study has implications for doctors, training, administrators and patients.