Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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The prognosis of esophageal carcinoma has improved, but along with this improvement, concern has increased about the occurrence of second primary carcinoma, especially gastric carcinoma, in tubes constructed from the stomach after esophagectomy. We describe our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of gastric tube carcinoma. ⋯ EMR for gastric tube carcinoma is safe and has few complications, in contrast to surgical resection of the gastric tube, which places a severe burden on the patient and has high morbidity and mortality. Early detection of the tumor by annual endoscopic examination is recommended for achieving good outcomes in gastric tube carcinoma after esophagectomy.
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The majority of patients with end-stage renal disease are dependent on hemodialysis. Significant stenosis or occlusion of the subclavian vein is known to occur in 20% to 50% of patients who have had central venous catheters inserted into the subclavian vein or the internal jugular vein. Surgical bypass of the obstructed venous segment proximal to a functioning dialysis access site is an established treatment to relieve symptoms and salvage the functional dialysis access. ⋯ Surgical bypass of an occluded or stenotic subclavian vein segment is successful in providing both symptomatic relief and salvage of a functioning dialysis access in the hemodialysis patient population. Study of the central venous system is essential in selecting an appropriate bypass procedure in individual patients.
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The true incidence of missed injuries in trauma-related deaths is unknown, because in only about 60% of injury-related deaths nationwide is an autopsy performed. Few studies have documented the frequency of missed diagnoses leading to deaths specifically in the trauma ICU population. We attempted to evaluate the incidence and nature of missed injuries and complications in trauma- and burn-related deaths in our ICU given an autopsy rate of close to 100%. ⋯ With an autopsy rate of 97%, 3% of deaths bad missed major diagnoses that might have affected outcomes if recognized antemortem. Autopsy findings can still provide valuable feedback in Improving the quality of care of critically ill trauma patients.