In a retrospective study the frequency of infertility was estimated in women operated for perforated or non-perforated appendicitis before the age of 25. Of the 48 patients with simple perforation 19% were infertile, while this frequency was 31% in 16 patients with Douglas abscess. In the control group of 58 patients 12% could not have children. It is concluded that it is unlikely that appendicitis with perforation will cause infertility unless there is a Douglas abscess.

Abscess↗

PubMed1976

Aorto-oesophageal fistula complicating carcinoma of the oesophagus. Review of the literature and report of a case following irradiation and cytostatic therapy.

Aortic perforation complicating carcinoma of the oesophagus is extremely uncommon. In keeping with findings in the literature, the aortic wall in this case was damaged by secondary changes following irradiation and Bleomycin treatment. Extensive necrosis of normal tissues was a prominent feature and it is suggested that the action of radiation in combination with cytostatic therapy on normal tissues need further investigation.

Aged↗

PubMed1976

Death during pneumonectomy from endobronchial tumour embolus. A case report.

A case is reported in which the patient died during pneumonectomy from endobronchial embolus of a tumour resulting in obstruction of the main bronchus of the normal lung. It is believed that the complication might have been prevented by the use of a double-lumen endobronchial tube. If generally employed, this precaution would also lessen the risk of intra-operative spread of smaller tumour emboli that may cause implantation metastases.

Aged↗

PubMed1976

Perforation of the intrathoracic oesophagus. A report of nineteen cases.

A series of 19 patients with perforation of the intrathoracic oesophagus is presented. Recent perforations were treated by primary suture. All these patients survived, although the suture did not hold in all cases. Old perforations, together with recent ones that leaked after suturing, were treated by drainage and gastrostomy. Two of these patients died; they were the only patients in whom the first attempt at drainage was unsatisfactory and thus had to be revised. The treatment of oesophageal perforations seems to be in accordance with the long-established principles of treatment of other gastro-intestinal and genito-urinary fistulas: firstly to restrict primary suturing to non-inflammatory tissue, and secondly to apply the principles of secondary healing by means of decompression and drainage.

Adult↗

PubMed1975