Biomedical subjects

S M Szczerba

Publications and source records attributed to S M Szczerba.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Challenging abdominal wall defects.

BACKGROUND: We propose a simple algorithm for management of patients with challenging abdominal fascial defects. METHODS: The medical records of 64 patients with complicated abdominal wall defects representing a consecutive series by a single surgeon over a 4-year period were reviewed. Group I patients presented with massive fascial defects and closed wounds. They were reconstructed with autogenous tissue using either the separation of parts (SOP) procedure or free tensor fascia lata (TFL) grafts. Group 2 patients had fascial defects with open wounds. Wound closure was first accomplished with either STSG or primary skin closure over viscera. These patients, now "converted" into patients with closed wounds, were reconstructed months later as in group 1. RESULTS: Average defect size was 320 cm2. Wound closure was achieved in one procedure in all patients with open wounds. Time to discharge after this procedure averaged 9 days. The only morbidity of wound closure was skin graft donor site pain. Average time from temporary staged closure with skin grafts to definitive closure with autogenous tissue was 5 months. Repair of closed fascial defects with autogenous tissue was performed in 51 patients. Average time to discharge after autogenous tissue repair was 6.6 days. Recurrence of hernia was noted in 2 (3.9%) patients with an average follow-up of 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of challenging abdominal wall defects can be accomplished simply and safely utilizing the above surgical algorithm. Open wounds are converted into closed wounds and fascial defects are repaired with autogenous tissue. This treatment plan has proved to be effective in a wide variety of situations.

Abdominal Injuries↗

PubMed1996

Superior mesenteric and portal vein thrombosis following laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy. Report of a case.

PURPOSE: This article describes a case of superior mesenteric and portal vein thrombosis following laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy. METHODS: A retrospective case review was performed. RESULTS: Data continue to grow regarding safety and technical feasibility of laparoscopic-assisted colectomy. As this minimally invasive alternative to open colonic resection becomes more popular, it is inevitable that information on benefits and complications associated with it will continue to expand. We report a case of superior mesenteric and portal vein thrombosis following laparoscopic-assisted colon resection. To our knowledge, this represents a complication of laparoscopic colon resection not previously reported in literature. CONCLUSION: Careful patient selection for this procedure is important. Additionally, the incision for extracorporeal resection and anastomosis in laparoscopic-assisted colectomy must be planned appropriately and carefully monitored intraoperatively to avoid potential complication of vascular trauma leading to mesenteric vein thrombosis.

Colectomy↗

PubMed1994

Release of acquired syndactylies in Kindler syndrome.

Kindler syndrome is a rare, blistering skin disease characterized by acral bullae, poikiloderma, and diffuse cutaneous atrophy. Kindler syndrome has been established as a separate entity from epidermolysis bullosa; however, controversy still remains as to whether Kindler syndrome can be differentiated from Weary's hereditary acrokeratotic poikiloderma. Fusion of the digits secondary to blistering and scarring, "pseudosyndactyly," has been reported in several patients with Kindler syndrome; however, surgical correction of the syndactylies in these patients has not been described. In this report, a patient with Kindler syndrome underwent surgical treatment of acquired syndactylies. Treatment included a tailored approach to preparation of the patient for surgery, surgical separation of fused tissues, selection of donor site for skin-graft harvest, postoperative dressings, splinting, and therapy. Results in our patient 2 years after correction demonstrate that syndactyly release in Kindler syndrome can be accomplished effectively, with improvement in both function and appearance.

Adolescent↗