Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Despite the fact that repair of an inguinal hernia is one of the most common operations performed in general surgery, we have very little information on the natural history of the untreated hernia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between hernia symptoms and the duration the patients had their hernias before presentation to a surgical outpatient department for an elective or emergency operation. ⋯ Because many patients with an inguinal hernia are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, prospective clinical trials to assess the role of operations for such hernias are required.
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CT has proved to be helpful in patients with acute pancreatitis for differentiating between mild and severe forms. Followup of acute pancreatitis with CT has been advocated but rarely studied. The aim of this study was to determine if late CT performed at day 7 might be helpful in establishing the prognosis or the type of complications, and to select a subgroup of patients in whom CT could be beneficial. ⋯ Our study showed that in acute pancreatitis: 1) there is little justification for systematic early CT, especially in patients with Ranson score <2, and 2) late CT does not need to be performed routinely, but only in cases of clinical or biologic worsening.
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The role of gastroesophageal devascularization (Sugiura-rype procedures) for the treatment of variceal bleeding remains controversial. Although Japanese series reported favorable longterm results, the technique has nor been widely accepted in the Western Hemisphere because of a high postoperative morbidity and mortality. The reasons for the different outcomes are unclear. In a multidisciplinary team approach we developed a therapeutic algorithm for patients with recurrent variceal bleeding. ⋯ This series was performed during the last decade when all modern therapeutic options for variceal bleeding were available. Our results indicate that the modified Sugiura procedure is an effective rescue therapy in patients who are not candidates for selective shunts, transhepatic porto-systemic shunt, or transplantation. Emergency settings and decreased liver function are associated with an increased morbidity.