Free flap reconstruction of the lower extremity in the elderly

Summary Over a four year period, thirteen patients over the age of 60 (mean 69 years) underwent reconstruction of lower extremity defects with free tissue transfers. Ten latissimus dorsi, one tensor facia lata, and two rectus abdominus free flaps were used. Despite significant risk factors which included previous tobacco use, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and angiographic vessel abnormalities, ten of thirteen cases had successful outcomes. There was one acute flap failure secondary to arterial thrombosis. Four flaps had delayed healing, with one patient eventually requiring amputation secondary to persistent pain and wound drainage. This experience demonstrates that free flap reconstruction of lower extremity defects in the elderly patient is a reasonable alternative to amputation when other options are limited.From the Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota, USA Requests for reprints: J. Fisher, M.D.     

Difficulties with tooth protectors in endotracheal intubation

The suitability of three tooth protectors for routine use during endotracheal intubation was studied in 300 consecutive patients undergoing elective operations under general anaesthesia. The main disadvantages of the protectors were lack of space and the consequent difficulty of guiding the endotracheal tube into the larynx, and poor visibility, especially when the Camo protector was used. These difficulties could be avoided in most cases by cutting off the right angle of the Camo protector. The less experienced anaesthesiologists especially had difficulties with the protectors: 20% of patients in the Camo group were considered impossible to intubate unless the protector was removed. The silicone inlay of the Camo protector melts and becomes adhesive at body temperature, which makes its prolonged use hazardous. Two patients lost a maxillary incisor despite the proper use of a protector (Denex). Thus the use of a tooth protector alone does not guarantee avoidance of dental trauma. Better results could be obtained by improving the design of the protectors and by careful pre-anaesthetic dental examination.     

慢性硬膜下血肿的微创治疗

目的：为减少慢性硬膜下血肿术后并发症，减轻患者经济负担．方法：对21例慢性硬膜下血肿行锥颅冲洗术．术中迅速置管，缓慢引流陈旧性血液，并用生理盐水冲洗至消亮．术后充分引流，早期复查头颅CT，配合高压氧治疗．结果：21例均痊愈出院，术后随访无1例复发．结论：此法不仅简便易行，经济有效，而且能有效防止钻孔引流术后并发症的发生．     

介入治疗并发症的发生与防治

介入治疗是融合了内科药物治疗、外科手术治疗及医学影像学的一种特殊的治疗体系 ,其疗效受到世人瞩目并成为目前发展最为迅速的学科之一。但是 ,再好的方法也会存在不足之处 ,介入治疗也不例外。随着介入治疗在各家医院的普遍应用 ,并发症的发生也会越来越多 ,迫使人们关注这个问题。所谓介入治疗并发症 ,是指因血管造影及 (或 )血管内治疗所引起、需要一定治疗、使病人的治疗复杂化或延长病人住院时间的不良反应 ,就其全身多系统而言 ,介入治疗引发并发症的原因大致可归纳为两个主要因素即介入器材操作和引入人体内的物质(包括介入治疗所…     

Early complications of stenting in patients with congenital heart disease: a multicentre study.

AIMS: Stenting has become an established interventional cardiology procedure for congenital heart disease. Although most stent procedures are completed successfully, complications may occur. This multicentre study evaluated early complications after stenting in patients with congenital heart disease, including potential risk factors. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this combined Dutch-Belgian retrospective study, 309 consecutive patients had undergone 366 catheterizations and received 464 stents in 13 different anatomical positions (418 sites). Seventy-two stenting-related complications (19%) occurred, of which 24 (5.7%) were major. Seven procedure-related deaths were documented (2.3%). Stent malpositioning and embolization were most common (7.7%). The use of non-premounted stents tended to be associated with higher complication rates. Centre inexperience with stenting and stenting of native vs. post-surgical stenosis tended to be associated with increased major complication rates. CONCLUSION: After stenting, complications are common for congenital heart disease. The vast diversity of stenotic sites combined with relatively small patient populations makes these procedures sensitive to complications. Combining operator experience may reduce the risks of stenting in congenital heart disease. The availability of premounted stents for greater vessel diameters will likely reduce incidences of stent migration and embolization.     

Complications of intestinal augmentation and substitution cystoplasty

Summary The content of these papers has been heavily weighted towards reconstructions performed utilizing segments of stomach. This was not done to place a value judgment on this type of reconstruction, rather it helps establish an awareness of: (1) potentially serious metabolic and gastrointestinal complications not previously reported in children and (2) particularly frequent symptomatic disturbances collectively included in the hematuria-dysuria syndrome. Recognition of problems specifically associated with a certain type of intestinal segment, as well as complications generally accompanying any form of intestinal reconstruction, will hopefully provide pediatric urologists and nephrologists with a better understanding of the issues that must be addressed in using these newer surgical techniques and focus attention on the specific indications and contraindications for incorporating intestinal segments into the urinary tract. Although long-term follow-up information still remains sparse, it appears that regular surveillance programs are required and both pediatric nephrologists and urologists need to be part of these programs.     

甲状腺手术显露喉返神经的临床研究

目的探讨甲状腺手术时显露喉返神经(RLN)对预防RLN损伤的作用。方法分析810例甲状腺手术中252例甲状腺手术中显露RLN(甲组)和558例术中未显露RLN(乙组)患者的临床资料。结果虽然甲组甲状腺手术切除范围大于乙组;但甲组RLN损伤发生率(1.19%)明显低于乙组(3.05%)(P<0.01)。结论甲状腺手术时有选择地显露喉返神经,可明显降低喉返神经损伤发生率。     

普通钢板内固定治疗胫骨骨折并发症原因分析

目的分析普通钢板内固定治疗胫骨骨折术后骨不连的发生原因与治疗对策。方法自1998年7月～2005年12月共收治胫骨骨折患者182例。全部采用普通钢板内固定治疗。术后平均随访14个月（12～18个月）。结果182例中有175例达到临床愈合标准，并已拆除钢板，未发生骨髓炎、再骨折等并发症。经X线片检查，骨折均为骨性愈合，骨折临床愈合时间12～16周，平均14周。7例未达到临床愈合标准，发生率为3．85％。患者同时合并有腓骨骨折，主要并发症为术后骨不连。结论普通钢板内固定目前仍是基层医院治疗胫骨骨折的有效方法，只要严格掌握适应症，熟练掌握操作规程，可以减少并发症，提高疗效。     

颈动脉支架置入术治疗颈动脉狭窄

颈动脉支架置入术(CS)作为一种治疗颈动脉狭窄(CAS)的新方法，与传统的颈动脉内膜剥离术相比较，具有易操作、创伤小、并发症低等优点，作者就CS的现状、操作方法及并发症处理作一综述。