Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Interventional Options For Malignant Upper Gi Obstruction, 2nd Ed, James R. Ouellette, Lisa Patterson, Paula M. Termuhlen

Department of Surgery Faculty Publications

Background

Patients with unresectable cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract often suffer severe symptoms due to pain, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, cachexia, and poor food tolerance. This can be related to gastric and duodenal cancers causing intrinsic obstruction of the intestinal lumen or pancreatic and biliary cancers causing extrinsic biliary compression. Management options vary depending on the site of obstruction, the patient’s functional status, the patient-defined goals of care, and estimated prognosis. Fast Fact #45 discussed medical management options. This Fact Fact reviews interventional approaches for upper GI obstructions, especially when further radiation, chemotherapy, medical management, or curative surgical …

Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastatic To The Duodenum: Treatment By Classic Pancreaticoduodenectomy And Review Of The Literature, Robert Adamo, Patrick J. Greaney Jr., Agnieszka Witkiewicz, Eugene P. Kennedy, Charles J. Yeo

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Renal cell cancer (RCC) most commonly metastasizes to the lungs, bones, liver, renal fossa, and brain, although metastases can occur elsewhere. RCC metastatic to the duodenum is especially rare, with only a small number of cases reported in the literature. Herein, we describe a case of an 86-year-old woman with a history of RCC treated by radical nephrectomy 13 years previously. The patient presented with duodenal obstruction and anemia from a solitary duodenal mass invading into the pancreas and was treated via classic pancreaticoduodenectomy. Preoperative imaging and intra-operative assessment showed no evidence of other disease. Pathology confirmed metastatic RCC without …

Comparison Of Eight Prosthetic Aortic Valves In A Cadaver Model., Benjamin A. Youdelman, Hitoshi Hirose, Harsh Jain, J Yasha Kresh, John W.C. Entwistle, Andrew S. Wechsler

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Proper valve selection is critical to ensure appropriate valve replacement for patients, because implantation of a small valve might place the patient at risk for persistent gradients. Labeled valve size is not the same as millimeter measure of prosthetic valve diameters or the annulus into which it will fit. Studies that use the labeled valve size in lieu of actual measured diameter in millimeters to compare different valves might be misleading. Using human cadaver hearts, we sized the aortic annulus with 8 commonly used prosthetic aortic valve sizers and compared the valves using geometric orifice area. This novel method …

A Decade Of Cardiothoracic Surgery At A Tertiary Care Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan, Fahad Javaid Siddiqui, Shahid Ahmed Sami

Section of Cardiothoracic Surgery

Objective: The medical records at Aga Khan University were reviewed to analyze the trends, mortality and patients characteristics of cardiothoracic surgeries in the last decade.METHOD: The medical records of all adult cardiac, thoracic and combined cardiothoracic operations performed during January 1995 to December 2004 at the Aga Khan University Hospital were reviewed. Data were retrieved and analyzed for trends, patient characteristics, and procedure mortality.Results: From January 1995 - December 2004, 4553 cases were eligible for the study, of which 73% were males and 9.4% were children. Male to female ratio changed from 1.3:1 to 3:1 from childhood to adulthood. Number …

Ancient Schwannoma Presenting As A Thoracic Mass, Muhammad Z Tahir, Saulat H. Fatimi, S. Ather Enam

Department of Surgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Ancient schwannoma is a rare variant of schwannoma, histologically showing atypical features that may result in erroneous diagnosis of a malignant tumor. There are only few reported cases in literature.

CASE DESCRIPTION:

We report a case of a 34-year-old man who was found to have giant mediastinal tumor. He underwent thoracotomy to remove the mass, which was proven to be ancient schwannoma on histopathology.

CONCLUSIONS:

Clinical and radiological findings are important aids for further consideration of surgical removal of these potentially respectable tumors with good outcome.

Traumatic Carotid-Cavernous Fistula: Clinical Presentation And Outcome, Atta A. Bhatti, S. Soulat Raza, Muhammad Ehsan Bari, S. Ather Enam, Tanveer Ul Haq, Zafar Sajjad

Section of Neurosurgery

Objective:To evaluate the presentation, clinical course and outcome of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) withendovascular treatment at our institution during the last five years.
Design: Retrospective descriptive study.
Setting: The study included patients seen at Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2000 to December 2005.
Methods: Retrospective analysis based on data retrieval from medical records using ICD coding system. Only those cases who had traumatic CCF and underwent endovascular treatment were included in the study.
Results: A total of 8 patients were diagnosed with post-traumatic CCF and 11 procedures were done. Mean age at presentation was 35.6 years; …

Neurosurgical Training In Pakistan, Ather Enam

Section of Neurosurgery

No abstract provided.

Regional Variability In Use Of A Novel Assessment Of Thoracolumbar Spine Fractures: United States Versus International Surgeons., John Ratliff, Neel Anand, Alexander R Vaccaro, Moe R Lim, Joon Y Lee, Paul Arnold, James Harrop, Raja Rampersaud, Christopher M Bono, Ralf H Gahr

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Considerable variability exists in clinical approaches to thoracolumbar fractures. Controversy in evaluation and nomenclature contribute to this confusion, with significant differences found between physicians, between different specialties, and in different geographic regions. A new classification system for thoracolumbar injuries, the Thoracolumbar Injury Severity Score (TLISS), was recently described by Vaccaro. No assessment of regional differences has been described. We report regional variability in use of the TLISS system between United States and non-US surgeons.

METHODS: Twenty-eight spine surgeons (8 neurosurgeons and 20 orthopedic surgeons) reviewed 56 clinical thoracolumbar injury case histories, which included pertinent imaging studies. Cases were classified …

Imatinib Challenge Dismissed In India, Khabir Ahmad

Department of Surgery

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Eight Prosthetic Aortic Valves In A Cadaver Model, Benjamin A. Youdelman, Hitoshi Hirose, Harsh Jain, J. Yasha Kresh, John W.C. Entwhistle Iii, Andrew S. Wechsler

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVES: Proper valve selection is critical to ensure appropriate valve replacement for patients, because implantation of a small valve might place the patient at risk for persistent gradients. Labeled valve size is not the same as millimeter measure of prosthetic valve diameters or the annulus into which it will fit. Studies that use the labeled valve size in lieu of actual measured diameter in millimeters to compare different valves might be misleading. Using human cadaver hearts, we sized the aortic annulus with 8 commonly used prosthetic aortic valve sizers and compared the valves using geometric orifice area. This novel method …

Re: Various Irrigation Fluids Affect Postoperative Brain Edema And Cellular Damage During Experimental Neurosurgery In Rats, Syed Faraz Kazim, Ather Enam

Section of Neurosurgery

No abstract provided.

Role Of Surgery In The Management Of Low Grade Glioma, Faraz Kazim, Ather Enam

Section of Neurosurgery

No abstract provided.

Craniocerebral Aspergillosis In Immunocompetent Hosts: Surgical Perspective, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Arshad A. Siddiqui, Ather Enam, Ahmed Ali Shah, Rashid Jooma, Saleha Anwar

Section of Neurosurgery

Craniocerebral aspergillosis is a rare but dangerous variety of central nervous system infections. Surgery is being widely recognized as the cornerstone of management. Due to the rarity of the disease, difficulty and delay in diagnosis and poor outcome, there is very little in the literature regarding the various surgical strategies that may be adopted in these patients. Early aggressive surgery followed by chemotherapy offers the best chances. Surgical planning would depend upon the type and location of the disease process as well as the condition of the patient. Perioperative care holds immense importance and knowledge of possible complications is essential. …

Recurrent Pineal Apoplexy In A Child, Kashif Majeed, S. Ather Enam

Department of Surgery

No abstract provided.

Survival After Bidirectional Cavopulmonary Anastomosis: Analysis Of Preoperative Risk Factors., Mark A. Scheurer, Elizabeth G Hill, Nagavardhan Vasuki, Scott Maurer, Eric M. Graham, Varsha Bandisode, Girish S. Shirali, Andrew M. Atz, Scott M. Bradley

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

OBJECTIVE: Prognostic factors for survival after bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis for functionally single ventricle are not well defined. We analyzed preoperative hemodynamic and echocardiographic data to determine risk factors for death or transplantation at least 1 year after bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis.

METHODS: Data for all patients who underwent bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis before 5 years of age at our institution from September 1995 through June 2005 were analyzed. Available preoperative echocardiograms and catheterizations were reviewed. Survivors were compared with those who died or underwent transplantation. Bivariable associations between demographic and clinical risk factors and survival status (alive without transplantation vs dead or …

Resected Serous Cystic Neoplasms Of The Pancreas: Locally Aggressive Behavior As A Predictor Of Malignant Disease? A Review Of 158 Patients With Recommendations For Treatment., Charles Galanis, Amir Zamani, John L. Cameron, Kurtis A. Campbell, Keith D. Lillemoe, David Caparrelli, David Chang, Ralph H. Hruban, Charles Yeo

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Background: Serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are regarded as a benign entity with rare malignant potential. Surgical resection is generally considered curative. Objective: To perform the largest single institution review of patients who underwent surgical resection for serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas in the hopes of guiding future management. Methods: Between June 1988 and January 2005, 158 patients with serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas underwent surgical resection. A retrospective analysis was performed. Univariate and multivariate models were used to determine factors influencing perioperative morbidity and mortality. Major complications were defined as pancreatic fistula or anastomotic leak, postoperative …

Gangliocytic Paraganglioma: Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Agnes Witkiewicz, Avi Galler, Charles Yeo

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Gangliocytic paraganglioma is a rare tumor, which occurs nearly exclusively in the second portion of the duodenum. Generally, this tumor has a benign clinical course, although rarely, it may recur or metastasize to regional lymph nodes. Only one case with distant metastasis has been reported. We present a case of duodenal gangliocytic paraganglioma treated first by local resection followed by pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Examination of the first specimen revealed focal nuclear pleomorphism and mitotic activity, in addition to the presence of three characteristic histologic components: epithelioid, ganglion, and spindle cell. In the subsequent pancreaticoduodenectomy specimen, there was no residual tumor identified …

Breast Specific Gamma Imaging: Role In Evaluation Of Breast Disease, Anne L. Rosenburg, Kristin L. Brill, R. A. Flynn, Lillian Stern, E. M. Ferguson

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Although mammography is the gold standard for screening for breast cancer, 10 to 15% of lesions are missed, and this is higher with dense breasts. Alternative diagnostic modalities are being developed. One of these, breast specific gamma imaging (BSGI), which is not effected by dense tissue, utilizes the increased metabolic activity of tumors to localize and distinguish benign from malignant processes in the breast. The test can be used for screening and diagnostic purposes.

Massive Retroperitoneal Hematoma Caused By Retroperitoneal Ectopic Pregnancy, Jay Goldberg, Michael Weinstein, Kris Kaulback, Aileen Gariepy, George Bega

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

A massive retroperitoneal hematoma caused by a retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy is managed successfully utilizing multidisciplinary cooperation and transfusion of blood products. The authors report an unusual case of a retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy presenting as a massive retroperitoneal hematoma in a hemodynamically unstable patient.

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Role Of Immediate Reconstruction For Elderly Breast Cancer Patients, Anne L. Rosenburg, Kristin L. Brill, R. A. Flynn, Steven E. Copit

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

With rising numbers of elderly women developing breast cancer, treatment options must evolve which take into consideration quality of life and functional status. Although fewer women at all ages are undergoing mastectomy, for those elderly women who undergo mastectomy, reconstruction options should be offered. Over the past 5 years, increasing numbers of elderly women are electing immediate reconstruction (IM).

Sentinel Node Staging For Breast Cancer: Intraoperative Molecular Pathology Overcomes Conventional Histologic Sampling Errors, Peter Blumencranz, Pat W. Whitworth, Kenneth Deck, Anne Rosenberg, Douglas Reintgen, Peter Beitsch, Anees Chagpar, Thomas Julian, Sukamal Saha, Eleftherios Mamounas, Armando Giuliano, Rache Simmons

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND:
When sentinel node dissection reveals breast cancer metastasis, completion axillary lymph node dissection is ideally performed during the same operation. Intraoperative histologic techniques have low and variable sensitivity. A new intraoperative molecular assay (GeneSearch BLN Assay; Veridex, LLC, Warren, NJ) was evaluated to determine its efficiency in identifying significant sentinel lymph node metastases (>.2 mm).

METHODS:
Positive or negative BLN Assay results generated from fresh 2-mm node slabs were compared with results from conventional histologic evaluation of adjacent fixed tissue slabs.

RESULTS:
In a prospective study of 416 patients at 11 clinical sites, the assay …

Initiation Of A Critical Pathway For Pancreaticoduodenectomy At An Academic Institution -- The First Step In Multi-Disciplinary Team Building, Eugene P. Kennedy, Ernest L. Rosato, Patricia K. Sauter, Laura M. Rosenberg, Cataldo Doria, Ignazio R. Marino, Karen A. Chojnacki, Adam C. Berger, Charles Yeo

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

Objective: This study was designed to identify quantifiable parameters to track performance improvements brought about by the implementation of a critical pathway for complex alimentary tract surgery.

Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a complex general surgical procedure performed in varying numbers at many academic institutions. Originally associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality, multiple studies have now shown that this operation can be performed quite safely at high volume institutions that develop a particular expertise. Critical pathways are one of the key tools used to achieve consistently excellent outcomes as these institutions. It remains to be determined if implementation …

History Of Epilepsy Surgery, Ather Enam

Section of Neurosurgery

No abstract provided.

Impact Of Suture Choice On Stricture Formation Following Repair Of Esophageal Atresia, Shawn D. St Peter, Patricia A. Valusek, Charles L. Snyder, G W. Holcomb Iii, Daniel J. Ostlie

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Background/ Purpose: The most common complication following repair of esophageal atresia is anastomotic stricture. Despite strong opinions of pediatric surgeons regarding the type of suture used for the anastomosis, these opinions remain unsubstantiated by any data present in the literature. Therefore, we investigated the rate and severity of stricture formation relative to the suture size and material.
Materials & Methods: A retrospective analysis of our most recent 20-year experience with repair of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) was performed. Stricture was defined as the need for dilation. Outcomes were analyzed based on absorbability, texture, and type of …

Postoperative Sore Throat After Elective Surgical Procedures, Aliya Ahmed, Shemaila Abbasi, Hasham Bin Ghafoor, Muhammad Ishaq

Department of Anaesthesia

Postoperative sore throat is a common complication of anaesthesia and can lead to dissatisfaction after surgery. Many factors can contribute to postoperative sore throat and the incidence varies with the method of airway management Methods: In this prospective observational study elective gynaecological and general surgical patients were interviewed 24 hours postoperatively to determine the presence of sore throat. Information collected included demographic data, surgical procedure, duration of surgery, airway device used and position of patient during surgery. This study was done over a period of 3 months. Results: 312 patients were interviewed. 81(26%) patients suffered with sore throat postoperatively. 28% …

Postoperative Wound Leak And Anterior Chamber Reaction In Patients Undergoing Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery With Sutured And Sutureless Corneal Incisions, Tanveer Anjum Chaudhry, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim, Sameer Khan, Khabir Ahmad

Department of Surgery

Purpose: To compare the rates of significant post operative wound leak and anterior chamber (AC) reaction in patients undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery with sutured and sutureless corneal incisions. Material and Methods: All eyes scheduled to have phacoemulsification surgery by two surgeons at two centers were selected. The first group of eyes underwent phacoemulsification surgery with 3.25 mm superior and superior-temporal clear corneal incisions. The incision was sutured using a single 10/0 nylon suture. The second group of eyes underwent an identical surgery, but the incision was not sutured. Patients were followed up at 24 hours, and 1 week and evaluated …

An Unusual Abdominal Mass: Case Report, H. Saidi, U. Mohammed, M. Machoki

General Surgery, East Africa

The causes of intra-abdominal masses associated with chronic abdominal pain range from the benign to malignant; common to bizarre and some raise major medical legal issues. We present a case of a 40-year old African lady who presented with chronic right-sided abdominal pain with an associated mass on the right mid-abdomen. She had had a Caesarian section one year prior to presentation. Antecedent history of surgery and typical imaging features enabled a preoperative diagnosis of abdominal mass secondary to retained surgical gauze.The case illustrates the fallibility of the men and women in the operating theatres and the vital role of …

Total Parotidectomy Under Local Anesthesia: A Novel Technique, Kamran Shahid, Bilal Karim Siddiqui, Muhammad Hammad Tahir, Salman Bin Ayub, Ghulam Murtaza Memon, Adnan Yousuf, Arif Hussain, Osmani, Abdul Karim Siddiqui

Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Parotidectomy is a common procedure usually done for a parotid mass necessitating a histological diagnosis. Operation is normally performed under General anesthesia with a nerve stimulator to facilitate facial nerve stimulation. We describe a new technique with reports of three cases, making total parotidectomy under local anesthesia possible. The ascending cervical branch of cervical plexus and the auriculotemporal nerve were anesthetized by bupivacaine 0.25% (2mg/kg) and lignocaine with adrenaline 7 mg/kg. Effective onset of anesthesia was within 15-25 minutes and the operations lasted between 2-3 hours without any complications. This offers advantage in high-risk patients where general anesthesia is contraindicated. …

Mediastinal Parathyroid Adenoma Causing Primary Hyperparathyroidism, Farhat Abbas, Syed Raziuddin Biyabani, Amanullah Memon, Jamsheer Jehangir Talati

Section of Urology

An ectopically placed parathyroid adenoma in the anterior mediastinum is a rare cause of persistent or recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and is recognized as an important cause of failed primary neck exploration. We encountered 3 such cases amongst 70 surgically treated patients with PHPT (4.3%) over a 20-year period. In 2 cases, the offending adenoma could be removed at first exploration whereas in the 3rd case, it was successfully removed with mediastinal exploration after 2 failed neck explorations. In established cases of PHPT with equivocal preoperative localization studies or negative neck explorations, an ectopically placed parathyroid adenoma should be considered …

Post-Operative Extended Volume External Beam Radiation Therapy Is Safe For High Risk Esophageal Cancer Patients, Edward Yu, Patricia Tai, Jawaid Younus, Richard Malthaner, Larry Stitt, Pauline Truong, George Rodrigues, Robert Ash, Rashid Dar, Anna Tomiak, Mark Vincent, Walter Kocha, Brian Dingle, Richard Inculet

Oncology Presentations

Post-operative radiation therapy (RT) (1) and post-operative chemoradiation (2) have been used for esophageal cancer patients deemed high risk for recurrence after esophagectomy.

Defining opitmal RT target volume after esophagectomy is difficult due to significant changes in patient anatomy and function.

Some radiationon cologists advocated the inclusion of the anastomotic site within the irradiation volume due to concerns for potential increased relapse risk, while others did not subscribe to this practice due to concerns for increased treatment related toxicity.

We have previously reported patient outcome benefit using extended volume RT In management with high risk esophageal cancer patients underwent esopagectomy(3). …