The American surgeon
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The American surgeon · Apr 2007
Relationship between initial margin status for invasive breast cancer and residual carcinoma after re-excision.
Little data exists addressing the relationship between initial margin status in a specimen from an excisional biopsy and the presence of residual carcinoma in a subsequent specimen from lumpectomy or mastectomy. We sought to determine the relationship between initial margin status and the presence of residual invasive cancer, and to identify any relationship to other variables. This study was a retrospective review of pathology reports of 582 early-stage invasive duct carcinomas with open excisional biopsies. ⋯ Women with palpable tumors, larger tumor size, and positive axillary nodes were more likely to have multiply focal and focally positive margins. Multiply focally positive and focally positive margins had similar residual invasive carcinoma rates and should be re-excised. All clear margins were equivalent; thus, re-excision was not necessary.
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The American surgeon · Apr 2007
Case ReportsMesenteric venous thrombophlebitis--septic thrombophlebitis of the inferior mesenteric vein: an unusual manifestation of diverticulitis.
We report a case of a 57-year-old female patient who presented with fever, abdominal pain, and bacteremia. A CT scan demonstrated sigmoid diverticulitis and air within the inferior mesenteric vein. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy and sigmoid colectomy. ⋯ It may manifest as bacteremia not responding to intravenous antibiotics. CT scan findings are diagnostic, and include evidence of intraluminal gas within the inferior mesenteric vein. As with any case of complicated diverticulitis, the treatment is surgical resection of the involved colon.
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The American surgeon · Mar 2007
Case ReportsRemoval of a large spherical foreign object from the rectum using an obstetric vacuum device: a case report.
Reports of retained rectal foreign bodies are increasingly common worldwide. It is likely that any surgeon practicing at a major medical center will encounter this type of case, and thus, should be familiar with both surgical and nonsurgical management options. ⋯ Low-lying objects can usually be extracted in the emergency room transanally, whereas high-lying foreign bodies may require anesthesia and laparotomy. We report an experience using an obstetric vacuum device to extract a high-lying foreign body from the rectum.
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The American surgeon · Mar 2007
Case ReportsA surprising twist to an old problem: sigmoid volvulus in a 19-year-old man.
Sigmoid volvulus classically presents in the seventh or eighth decade, therefore, diagnosis of sigmoid volvulus in an adolescent may be delayed or missed. This life-threatening diagnosis should be considered in young patients presenting with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Intraoperative findings in a 19-year-old man with a sigmoid volvulus highlight the importance of considering further studies, such as an abdominal CT scan, which goes beyond the typical obstruction evaluation in the adolescent patient. When nonoperative management fails to decompress the volvulus, complicating factors should be considered, and laparotomy is indicated to provide definitive treatment for this condition.
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Cases of burns from child abuse are low because of under-reporting, low index of suspicion, or lack of verity proof. Although the reported incidence of child abuse by burns is 4 to 39 per cent, less than one-half are substantiated. We retrospectively reviewed all burns in children less than 6 years old admitted to our burn center within an 8-year period (1997-2003). ⋯ In extreme cases, however, multiple areas of the body were involved with intervening spared sites. The perpetrator was the mother's boyfriend in all cases. Burns in children less than 2 years old left in the care of the mother's boyfriend, involving the left extremity (or extremities), and caused by tap water should prompt the clinician to more actively confirm or exclude abuse.