BACKGROUND Bladder injury during laparoscopic incisional hernia repair has a reported incidence of 0.5%.1 Mesh placement during repair may be difficult when the fascial defect extends towards the pubis. The bladder may need to be separated from the peritoneum in order to place the mesh safely and achieve adequate mesh overlap.2 We propose a simple intra-operative technique to help identify blad...

A 22 year old man had a diagnosis of left ventricular aortic tunnel established during infancy. Surgical repair was deferred at that time because his severe aortic root deformity would also have required aortic valve replacement. His current lack of symptoms together with a normal exercise capacity could be used as an argument against routine early surgical repair of the tunnel, particularly wh...

Inguinal hernia repair in infants is a routine surgical procedure. However, numerous issues, including timing of the repair, the need to explore the contralateral groin, use of laparoscopy, and anesthetic approach, remain unsettled. Given the lack of compelling data, consideration should be given to large, prospective, randomized controlled trials to determine best practices for the management ...

BACKGROUND Bronchopleural fistula following lung resection is a therapeutic challenge for thoracic surgeons. CASE PRESENTATION We describe a case of late bronchopleural fistula after right extrapleural pneumonectomy for malignant mesothelioma. Bronchoscopic attempts to repair it were unsuccessful. CONCLUSION The use of a modified Y Dumon stent associated with glue apposition on the bronchia...

Inguinal hernia repair is a common operation often performed as a day case procedure. Day surgery is popular with patients and offers many benefits. This article outlines the most common forms of hernia repair and discusses the need for general or local anaesthesia. Basic principles of day surgery management, including patient selection criteria, pain relief, post-operative information, nurse-l...

This paper explores the statistical features inherent in clinical trials that make it so difficult to come up with the right answers. No matter how skilled and diligent the research team, their trial may still produce the wrong conclusions. Consumers, healthcare professionals as well as the general public should be aware of the liabilities that threaten clinical investigations. In spite of the ...

Mendel’s laws, phenotype and genotype, recessive and dominant. Do these terms sound familiar to you from your biology lessons? This article regarding formal genetics will introduce you to all important genetic fundamentals regarding biology that you need to know as a physician. By studying and revising the contents of this article, you will be in a better position to do well both in your precli...

Department of Defense contractors must be established for ASTIA services or have their need-to-know certified by the cognizant military agency of their project or contract.