Not just an appendix: Sir Frederick Treves.
The history of the anatomy and surgery of the appendix is a beautiful chapter in medical education, and we appreciate the role of Sir Frederick Treves in its development.
Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J E Skandalakis.
The history of the anatomy and surgery of the appendix is a beautiful chapter in medical education, and we appreciate the role of Sir Frederick Treves in its development.
Peritoneal attachments of the liver to the diaphragm include the falciform ligament, the left triangular ligament, and the coronary ligament with the right triangular ligament. It is often surgically convenient when the gastroesophageal junction is explored to refer to a "right" and a "left" coronary ligament, but this is anatomically unjustified. To reassess the issue there are no "right" and "left" coronary ligaments; there are only the left triangular ligament and the complex of coronary and right triangular ligament. The latter is the lateral unification of the layers of the coronary ligament. The liver is posteriorly connected to the diaphragm, and therefore the coronary ligament has superior and inferior layers rather than anterior and posterior layers. Embryologically these ligaments reflect the remnants of the developmental pathways of the liver in the septum transversum, and in the mature organism they are peritoneal connections. Besides the liver is suspended in the bare area mostly by fibrous attachments and by the hepatic veins. Consequently the term "ligament" for these structures has to be revised. Therefore we suggest the terms "left triangular peritoneal attachment" of the liver and "coronary peritoneal attachment" instead of "left triangular ligament" and "coronary ligament."
The term inferior pulmonary ligament needs to be revised. There is no superior component to oppose the inferior. By all means the pulmonary ligament is not a ligament, and the term ligament should be reserved for regularly oriented thick connective tissue bundles between bones. The term triangular ligament describes its shape but not its topography. For most surgeons the broad ligament refers, rather, to the ligament of the uterus. Embryologically pulmonary ligament is a "meson" i.e., a remnant of the developmental pathway--the pleural fold in this case--and taking this into consideration the most convenient term seems to be mesopneumonium. Its upper part is related to the hilar area, and its lower free border is what we call pulmonary ligament. We suggest the term mesopneumonium to describe the whole "meson" from the mediastinum to the hilum, which corresponds better to topography, embryology, and function.
The concept of the "incidentaloma," a totally asymptomatic nonfunctional tumor that is clinically and biochemically silent and discovered "incidentally" in a totally asymptomatic patient, is a by-product of the evolving diagnostic techniques of the last three decades. Various authors have used the concept for "incidental" findings during diagnostic workup for symptoms unrelated to adrenal disease, or for "incidental" adrenal tumors unrelated to symptoms that could potentially be of adrenal origin. "Incidentaloma" has been used to encompass a wide and heterogeneous spectrum of pathologic entities including adrenocortical and medullary tumors, benign or malignant lesions, hormonally active or inactive lesions, metastases, infections, granulomas, infiltrations, cysts and pseudocysts, hemorrhages, and pseudoadrenal masses. The term "incidentaloma" does not indicate whether the mass is functional, or malignant, or adrenocortical in origin. "Incidentaloma" has also appeared in the literature in reference to other endocrine organs such as pituitary, thyroid, and parathyroids, as well as the liver or kidney. We question the scientific justification for this neologism and suggest that it should be abolished. Questionable lesions should be clearly and simply described as "incidentally found."
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Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas are derived from smooth muscle tissues. Smooth muscle cells also surround the blood vessels that supply the alimentary tract. These cells have at times been said to contribute to the formation of smooth muscle tumors in the alimentary canal. With such an abundance of smooth muscle, there is little reason at present to implicate the smooth muscle elements of blood vessel walls.
We have compiled all the reported cases of smooth muscle (stromal) tumors of the oral cavity and pharynx from 1884 through 1996. Our collective data included 139 leiomyomas (LM) and 68 leiomyosarcomas (LMS); but because we did not have sufficient information for 13 cases of LM, we report on only 126; and we report on only 66 of 68 cases of LMS. The peak age of incidence was 40 to 49 years for benign tumors and 50 to 59 years for malignant lesions, with the incidence in men slightly predominating over that in women. The most common sites of LM of the oral cavity and pharynx were the lips, tongue, and hard and soft palate. The most common sites of LMS included the maxilla and mandible. More than 40% of LMs presented as an intraoral mass, and more than half were known to be present for longer than 1 year. About 10% presented with pain, difficulty chewing or swallowing, swelling, toothache or loose teeth, or a combination of these symptoms. Patients with LMS were much more likely to have obvious symptoms of shorter duration, and one-third presented with pain or swelling (or both). Other relatively common symptoms of LMS included tenderness, interference with dentures, or an intraoral mass. In this review, there were almost twice as many LMs as LMSs, which was consistent with smooth muscle tumors found in other areas of the gastrointestinal tract.
This collective review includes all available case reports of smooth muscle (stromal) tumors of the esophagus in the world literature. Compiling this review, we endeavored to examine cumulative and recently collected data of both benign and malignant esophageal smooth muscle tumors found in the literature spanning the period from 1875 to 1996, which totaled 1679 leiomyomas (LMs) and 165 leiomyosarcomas (LMSs). The peak age of occurrence of benign smooth muscle tumors in the esophagus was found to be between the ages of 30 and 59, whereas the highest frequency of malignant tumors was seen later in life, during the decade from age 60 to 69. The most common location of both LMs and LMSs was the lower third of the esophagus. Their patterns of growth differed; LMs were more likely to grow intramurally, and LMSs were predominantly intraluminal. Most patients with LMs presented with dysphagia and pain or discomfort; patients with LMSs additionally commonly complained of weight loss. As with smooth muscle tumors of other areas of the gastrointestinal tract, the duration of symptoms averaged 1 month to 1 year, and malignant tumors grew to larger sizes than benign neoplasms. Approximately one-third of LMSs had metastasized at diagnosis, and there was a 5-year survival rate of approximately 20%.
This collective review includes all available case reports of smooth muscle (stromal) tumors of the stomach in the world literature from 1762 to 1996. It updates our previous review from 1767 to 1959. Overall, we identified 2189 patients with leiomyoma (LM) and 1594 with leiomyosarcoma (LMS). The peak age of incidence of LM was 50 to 59 years, while LMS was most frequently seen between ages 60 and 69. Women were more likely to develop LM, and men more commonly presented with malignant smooth muscle tumors of the stomach. Concerning the patterns of growth, LMs were more likely to grow intraluminally (endogastric), whereas LMSs were predominantly exogastric. The most common site of LMs was on the anterior or posterior wall of the body of the stomach; LMSs were most likely found along the greater curve. The presenting symptoms of both types of smooth muscle tumors were similar; in decreasing order of frequency they were bleeding, pain, palpable mass, and weight loss. Interestingly, there was no correlation between the size of the tumor and signs or symptoms of bleeding, pain, weight loss, or ulceration, although patients with LMSs were more likely to report weight loss than patients with benign tumors. For LMS, there seemed to be no correlation between tumor size or location and rate of metastasis, although the tumors that grew in a dumbbell shape (i.e., both intraluminally and extraluminally) had a higher frequency of metastasis than other growth patterns. Overall, the rate of metastasis at diagnosis was 35.4%, with the liver, spleen, and regional lymph nodes the most common sites.
This collective review includes all available case reports and series of smooth muscle (stromal) tumors of the small intestine in the world literature from 1881 to 1996. We identified 1074 patients with leiomyoma (LM) and 1689 with leiomyosarcoma (LMS). Our purpose was to update our previous review, which encompassed case reports and series from 1881 to 1959, which included 350 LMs and 257 LMSs. The peak incidence of smooth muscle tumors in the small intestine in both male and female patients was between the ages of 50 and 59. Most commonly, the presenting complaint was gastrointestinal bleeding. Computed tomography was found to detect LM and LMS most successfully and had the additional advantage of locating metastatic disease. The jejunum contained the highest numbers of smooth muscle tumors, followed by the ileum and then the duodenum, with malignant lesions in all locations typically attaining larger diameters than benign tumors. The overall rate of metastatic spread of LMS ranged from 24% to 50%, with the liver being most commonly involved. Unlike other sarcomas, both hematogenous and lymphatic spread were common. The 5-year survival of 705 patients with LMS from 22 series was 27. 8%. For both benign and malignant smooth muscle tumors of the small intestine, surgery remains the treatment of choice, with little efficacy reported for irradiation, chemotherapy, or both.
This collective review includes all available case reports of smooth muscle (stromal) tumors of the appendix and large intestine in the world literature. When compiling this review, we endeavored to examine cumulative as well as recently collected data on both benign and malignant smooth muscle tumors spanning the period 1875 to 1996. In total, there were reports of 331 leiomyomas (LMs) and 263 leiomyosarcomas (LMSs). The peak age of incidence of LM was 30 to 39 years, and the peak age of incidence of LMSs was 50 to 59 years. The female/male ratio was slightly higher for LM, and the male/female ratio was higher for LMS. The descending colon and sigmoid colon were the most common sites of both benign and malignant smooth muscle tumors. The growth of LMs most often occurred extraluminally, whereas LMSs tended to grow within the lumen of the colon. With both tumor types pain was the most frequent presenting complaint, followed less commonly by complaints of a palpable mass or gastrointestinal bleeding. LMSs tended to be larger at diagnosis than LMs, though the duration of symptoms for both types of tumor was most often reported to be between 1 month and 1 year. Finally, LMSs were found to metastasize mo
This collective review includes all available case reports of smooth muscle (stromal) tumors of the rectum and anal canal in the world literature. When compiling this review we endeavored to present cumulative and recently collected data of both benign and malignant smooth muscle tumors found in the literature spanning the period from 1881 to 1996, which totaled 432 leiomyomas (LMs) and 480 leiomyosarcomas (LMSs) of the anus and rectum. The peak age of frequency for LMs was 40 to 59 years and 50 to 69 years for LMSs; men were slightly more likely to develop both benign and malignant anorectal smooth muscle tumors than women. Intraluminal growth of both LMs and LMSs was more frequently seen than extraluminal or intramural patterns, and tumors were more likely to be found in the rectum than in the anus. Patients with LMs presented most commonly with gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, a palpable mass, or anorectal pain. As with smooth muscle tumors in other areas of the alimentary tract, symptoms likely persisted for less than 1 year prior to diagnosis. As was also the case for these neoplasms in other GI locations, LMSs tended to be larger than LMs. Approximately 20% of LMSs reported from 1881 to 1996 had metastasized at diagnoses. The local recurrence rate for resectable tumors was more than 80%, exceeding the propensity of LMSs in other areas of the GI tract to recur.
The preperitoneal space is presented from an embryologic, anatomic, and surgical standpoint in detail. Because this space is one of the most used areas for the repair of groin hernias, knowledge of its embryology and anatomy is essential.
Obturator hernia is a rare clinical entity. In most cases, it produces small bowel obstruction with high morbidity and mortality. The embryology, anatomy, clinical picture, diagnosis, and surgery are presented in detail.
The embryogenesis, congenital anomalies, and surgical anatomy and applications of the esophagus for benign and malignant processes are detailed in this article. Emphasis is placed on the role of embryology and the anatomy involved in surgical decisions.
The following points should be remembered by surgeons (Table 1). In writing about the head of the pancreas, the common bile duct, and the duodenum in 1979, the authors stated that Embryologically, anatomically and surgically these three entities form an inseparable unit. Their relations and blood supply make it impossible for the surgeon to remove completely the head of the pancreas without removing the duodenum and the distal part of the common bile duct. Here embryology and anatomy conspire to produce some of the most difficult surgery of the abdominal cavity. The only alternative procedure, the so-called 95% pancreatectomy, leaves a rim of pancreas along the medial border of the duodenum to preserve the duodenal blood supply. The authors had several conversations with Child, one of the pioneers of this procedure, whose constant message was to always be careful with the blood supply of the duodenum (personal communication, 1970). Beger et al popularized duodenum-preserving resection of the pancreatic head, emphasizing preservation of endocrine pancreatic function. They reported that ampullectomy (removal of the papilla and ampulla of Vater) carries a mortality rate of less than 0.4% and a morbidity rate of less than 10.0%. Surgeons should not ligate the superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries because such ligation may cause necrosis of the head of the pancreas and of much of the duodenum. The accessory pancreatic duct of Santorini passes under the gastrointestinal artery. For safety, surgeons should ligate the artery away from the anterior medial duodenal wall, where the papilla is located, thereby avoiding injury to or ligation of the duct. "Water under the bridge" applies not only to the relationship of the uterine artery and ureter but also to the gastroduodenal artery and the accessory pancreatic duct. In 10% of cases, the duct of Santorini is the only duct draining the pancreas, so ligation of the gastroduodenal artery with accidental inclusion of the duct is catastrophic. With the Kocher maneuver, surgeons reconstruct the primitive mesoduodenum and achieve mobilization of the duodenum, which is useful for some surgical procedures. Surgeons should not skeletonize more than 2 cm of the first part of the duodenum. If more than 2 cm of skeletonization is done, a duodenostomy using a Foley catheter may be necessary to avoid blow-up of the stump secondary to poor blood supply. Proximal duodenojejunostomy is advised for the safe management of patients with difficult duodenal stumps. Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy and duodenojejunostomy divert bile and food in the treatment of the complicated duodenal diverticulum. The suspensory ligament may be transected with impunity. It should be ligated before being sectioned so that bleeding from small vessels contained within can be avoided. Failure to sever the suspensory muscle completely, which is possible if the insertion is multiple, fails to relieve the symptoms of vascular compression of the duodenum (Fig. 18). Mobilization, resection, and end-to-end anastomosis of the duodenal flexure have been performed as a uniform surgical procedure, avoiding the conventional gastrojejunostomy. With a large, penetrating posterior duodenal or pyloric ulcer, surgeons should remember that The proximal duodenum shortens because of the inflammatory process (duodenal shortening) The anatomic topography of the distal common bile duct and the opening of the duct of Santorini and the ampulla of Vater is distorted Leaving the ulcer in situ is wise Careful palpation for or visualization of the location of the ampulla of Vater or common bile duct exploration with a catheter insertion into the common bile duct and the duodenum are useful procedures In most cases, the common bile duct is located to the right of the gastroduodenal artery at the posterior wall of the first part of the duodenum. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED)