Tribute to a triad: history of splenic anatomy, physiology, and surgery-part 2.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
History, 20th Century↗
Biomedical subjects
L J Skandalakis
Publications and source records attributed to L J Skandalakis.
Tribute to a triad: history of splenic anatomy, physiology, and surgery--part 1.
The spleen is an enigmatic organ with a peculiar anatomy and physiology. Though our understanding of this organ has improved vastly over the years, the spleen continues to produce problems for the surgeon, the hematologist, and the patient. The history of the spleen is full of fables and myths, but it is also full of realities. In the Talmud, the Midrash, and the writings of Hippocrates, Plato, Aristotle, Galen, and several other giants of the past, one can find a lot of Delphian and Byzantine ambiguities. At that time, splenectomy was the art of surgery for many splenic diseases. From antiquity to the Renaissance, efforts were made to study the structure, functions, and anatomy of the spleen. Vesalius questioned Galen; and Malpighi, the founder of microscopic anatomy, gave a sound account of the histology and the physiologic destiny of the spleen. Surgical inquiry gradually became a focal point, yet it was still not clear what purpose the spleen served. It has been within the past 50 years that the most significant advances in the knowledge of the spleen and splenic surgery have been made. The work of Campos Christo in 1962 about the segmental anatomy of the spleen helped surgeons perform a partial splenectomy, thereby avoiding complications of postsplenectomy infection. With the recent successes of laparoscopic splenectomy in selected cases, the future of splenic surgery will undoubtedly bring many more changes.
History, 16th Century↗
Benign anatomical mistakes: myths or enigmas?
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Colon↗
Testicular atrophy and neuropathy in herniorrhaphy.
This study is based upon our collective experience with more than 3000 open herniorrhaphies, dissection of 99 cadavers from the external approach, and 39 cadavers from open dissections, including 14 laparoscopic dissections. These observations may be of use in avoiding pitfalls in hernioplasty, either from the classic external surgical approaches or those from within, whether transperitoneal or preperitoneal.
Atrophy↗
The surgical anatomy and technique of the thoracoabdominal incision.
The thoracoabdominal incision provides excellent exposure of the thoracic, abdominal, and retroperitoneal compartments and can be safely performed in the vast majority of cases. To be more specific, the advantage of the left thoracoabdominal incision is excellent exposure of the lower esophagus, the gastroesophageal junction, the gastric cardia and stomach in toto, the left hemidiaphragm, the distal pancreas and spleen, the left kidney and adrenal gland, and the aorta. The advantage of the right thoracoabdominal incision is excellent exposure of the upper esophagus, the liver, the hepatic triad and inferior vena cava, the proximal pancreas, the right hemidiaphragm, the right kidney, and the adrenal gland. Several possible disadvantages should also be taken into consideration when contemplating this procedure. Morbidity and mortality may be increased with the opening of the two cavities. The surgeon must possess good detailed anatomic technique for opening and closure. This procedure is not advisable for children; it should be used only for good technical indications. Some of the more commonly encountered anatomic complications to be avoided include (1) splenic injury, occurring most often during division and resection of the diaphragm; (2) phrenic nerve injury, with subsequent diaphragmatic dysfunction; (3) ureteric injury during retroperitoneal dissection; (4) left first lumbar vein injury (located in the posterior aspect of the left renal vein) during left kidney mobilization; and (5) pain in the early postoperative period, which can occur secondary to transection of the cartilaginous costal arch. This may be minimized by secure fixation using No. 1 Prolene. Patients occasionally complain of a clicking sensation owing to nonunion of the costal cartilage.
Abdomen↗
Surgical embryology and anatomy of the pancreas.
Knowledge of the surgical embryology and surgical anatomy of the pancreas is vital to the general surgeon. This article discusses the entities related to pancreatic surgery. It also highlights some common embryologic anomalies of the pancreas.
Humans↗
The surgical anatomy of the spleen.
The surgical embryology and anatomy of the spleen are reported with emphasis given to ligaments, blood supply, and segmentation. The anatomic entities involved with splenic surgery are presented. Surgical applications are emphasized. Knowledge of splenic anatomy and technique, with efforts to save the organ if possible, is paramount for good results.
Collateral Circulation↗
The vagus nerve and its vagaries.
Without any further comments we advise the surgeon performing open or laparoscopic vagotomy to know the anatomy and the vagaries of the vagus nerve. In view of the demonstration that the nerves of the greater curvature, identified as a concern in achieving a "complete" PGV, are projected from up to 20% of the nerve cell bodies of the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve in the brain stem, we believe it is appropriate to adopt the technique of EHSV as a means of avoiding the high recurrence rates reported with conventional highly selective vagotomy or proximal gastric vagotomy. When pyloric stenosis or outlet obstruction is present, anterior hemipylorectomy provides a solution. If surgeons adopt a laparoscopic approach to EHSV, they must be cognizant of all sites of preganglionic innervation, and (ideally) attempt to verify the "completeness" of vagotomy by Congo red testing. We look forward, also, to the work of Andrus and Schneider, who are evaluating alternative methods of achieving complete vagotomy.
Humans↗
Embryologic and anatomic basis of inguinal herniorrhaphy.
The embryology and surgical anatomy of the inguinal area is presented with emphasis on embryologic and anatomic entities related to surgery. We have presented the factors, such as patent processus vaginalis and defective posterior wall of the inguinal canal, that may be responsible for the genesis of congenital inguinofemoral herniation. These, together with impaired collagen synthesis and trauma, are responsible for the formation of the acquired inguinofemoral hernia. Still, we do not have all the answers for an ideal repair. Despite the latest successes in repair, we, to paraphrase Ritsos, are awaiting the triumphant return of Theseus.
Abdominal Muscles↗
The carpal tunnel syndrome: Part II.
The carpal tunnel syndrome is a compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel with very specific signs and symptoms. Anatomical dissection of 156 wrists is presented and then the authors compare their findings with the findings of other investigators. The purpose of this article is not to present results but rather to discuss the anatomic entities involved with the syndrome and to present the open treatment modality.
Carpal Bones↗
The carpal tunnel syndrome: Part III.
The carpal tunnel syndrome is a compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel with very specific signs and symptoms. Anatomical dissection of 156 wrists is presented and then the authors compare their findings with the findings of other investigators. The purpose of this article is not to present results but rather to discuss the anatomic entities involved with the syndrome and to present the open treatment modality.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗
The carpal tunnel syndrome: Part I.
The carpal tunnel syndrome is a compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel with very specific signs and symptoms. Anatomical dissection of 156 wrists is presented and then the authors compare their findings with the findings of other investigators. The purpose of this article is not to present results but rather to discuss the anatomic entities involved with the syndrome and to present the open treatment modality.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗
Cancer of bile duct with situs inversus.
We present a case of adenocarcinoma of the distal common bile duct in a 68-year-old woman with total situs inversus. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography prior to surgery demonstrated segmental obstruction of the distal common bile duct. Obstructive jaundice was observed and the results of liver function studies were abnormal. All biopsy specimens obtained in the operating room were negative. The case met all the criteria of Child and Frey, but at the end of the procedure the tumor was found to involve the superior mesenteric vein, a factor not appreciated during the operative evaluation of the patient. The situs inversus did not produce any technical problems. The patient did not have any surgical complications, but she died 18 months later of the cancer.
Adenocarcinoma↗
Smooth muscle tumors of the appendix and colon: a collective review of the world literature.
In this collective review, we compiled all reported cases of smooth muscle tumors of the colon/appendix in the world literature from 1959 to 1989. Our goal was to make more accurate conclusions about these tumors based on our increased data pool.
Adolescent↗
Smooth muscle tumors of the rectum and anus: a collective review of the world literature.
In this collective review, we have compiled all the reported cases of smooth muscle tumors of the rectum/anus in the world literature from 1959 to 1989. Our goal was to increase the data pool of smooth muscle tumors by adding these new data to that previously collected from 1881 to 1959. We increased the pool for leiomyomas from 89 to 148 and that for leiomyosarcomas from 54 to 215. By doing this, we hoped to make more accurate conclusions about smooth muscle tumors based on this increased data pool. Some interesting findings included three cases in small children that were found in our recent review: a 2-year-old with a leiomyoma and two small infants, aged 12 days and 36 days, with leiomyosarcomas. Again, the findings were probably consistent with an increased data pool. We were also able to find several more cases involving the anal region. We found the highest incidence of leiomyomas to have increased by a decade from the 40-49 year age group to the 50-59 year age group, while among leiomyosarcomas, there was about equal incidence among the 50-59 and 60-69 age groups. We doubt that these represent actual changes in the demographics, but rather that these latter findings are more accurate based on the greater quantity of cases available to us. As a further example, we found no appreciable sex difference; however, we did find more cases reported in females. From our increased data pool, we were able to find 16 more cases that were described as dumbbell-shaped, compared to one that was reported before 1959. Palpable mass, hemorrhage, and pain/discomfort continued as the most common symptoms reported at presentation. With regard to size, the majority of leiomyomas were found to be less than 5 cm in diameter, closely followed by those 5-9 cm. The majority of leiomyosarcomas were 5-9 centimeters at discovery. Most cases of leiomyoma were treated by excision, while most cases of leiomyosarcoma were treated by abdominoperineal resection, a finding consistent with old data. We hope that this paper thoroughly reviews pertinent information about leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas of the rectum/anus and, in doing so, serves to refresh a few memories, stimulate others, and teach a few.
Adolescent↗
Metastasis of malignant smooth muscle tumors of the gastrointestinal tract: pattern and process.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Adolescent↗
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the pancreas.
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) is a well-recognized soft-tissue sarcoma; however, its presentation as a primary neoplasm of the pancreas is unusual. We report a rare case of primary MFH of the pancreas treated with wide local excision and postoperative chemotherapy. Three cases of MFH of the pancreas have previously been reported in the world literature. The natural history of MFH of the pancreas cannot be summarized due to the rarity of the tumor. It appears, however, that the behavior of this tumor parallels the behavior of retroperitoneal MFH in terms of aggressiveness and poor prognosis.
Combined Modality Therapy↗
The duodenum. Part 1: History, embryogenesis, and histologic and physiologic features.
Long before the Christian era, the duodenum was named and its function in controlling gastric emptying was conjectured. It received almost no further attention until the Eighteenth century when its relation to the bile and pancreatic ducts became know. The embryogenesis of the duodenum and the histological features of the organ are described as well as the gross movements that explain the mature relations of the duodenum to the surrounding structures. The "sphincters" of the duodenum are mentioned and evaluated.
Anatomy↗