BACKGROUND: Tracheal intubation may be difficult in many patients with sleep apnea syndrome because of anatomical abnormalities in their upper airway. METHODS: For 30 patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, we evaluated two classifications; Samsoon-Young and Cormack-Lehane, and five airway examinations; interincisors' distance on mouth opening (DI), angle on cervico-occipital extension (ACO), thyromental distance (TD), and existence of edentulous with atrophic mandible and prominent maxillary incisor. RESULTS: 20 patients (67%) belonged to class III or IV according to the Samsoon-Young classification and 22 patients (73%) to grade III or IV according to the Cormack-Lehane classification. The incidence rate for DI less than 40 mm, ACO less than 160o, TD less than 60 mm, atrophic mandible and prominent maxillary incisor were 30%, 37%, 50%, 13% and 27% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, we concluded that most patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome are difficult for anesthesiologists to intubate. Therefore, we suggest that anesthesiologists must prepare variable methods for ventilation if there is any suspicion of difficult intubation in those patients.
Classification ; Humans ; Incidence ; Incisor ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal* ; Mandible ; Mouth ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* ; Ventilation

PURPOSE: There are a number of conditions that can lead to a hypercoagulable state, however, protein C and S deficiencies are frequently described as causes of the hypercoagulable states. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and prognosis of vascular diseases associated with protein C and/or S deficiencies and to determine an adequate treatment modality for such cases. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 7 cases with vascular disease caused by protein C and/or S deficiencies confirmed with serologic tests. RESULTS: Four patients showed venous thrombosis, 1 peripheral arterial insufficiency, 1 cerebral venous thrombosis and peripheral arterial insufficiency, and 1 portal vein thrombosis. Surgical intervention was required in 5 patients. Full anticoagulation with heparin sodium followed by warfarin sodium was done in all patients. CONCLUSION: Protein C and S deficiencies may influence clinical management. Patients presenting with atypical vascular involvement without evidence of other risk factors should be evaluated for a hypercoagulable state. Once the diagnosis is made, patients should be treated with full anticoagulation.
Diagnosis ; Heparin ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Protein C* ; Risk Factors ; Serologic Tests ; Vascular Diseases* ; Venous Thrombosis ; Warfarin

BACKGROUND: The neuromuscular blocking effects of a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocker (NDNM) during a nitroglycerin (NTG) infusion were significantly potentiated and prolonged. NTG reduced the requirement of a NDNM in surgical patients. We investigated the influence of a NTG single bolus injection on a mivacurium nuromuscular blockade. METHODS: We studied 36 adult surgical patients, ASA physical status I or II, between 15 and 53 years old. Neuromuscular monitoring was measured by TOF-GUARD (Biometer Co., Denmark). Anesthesia was induced by thiopental sodium 3-5 mg/kg and fentanyl 3 microgram/kg, and maintained with 3 L/min N2O, 2 L/min O2 and 1 vol.% isoflurane. Patients were randomly assigned to 3 groups: 1) Control group (mivacurium 0.16 mg/kg), 2) N100 group (mivacurium 0.16 mg/kg, NTG 100 microgram), 3) N200 group (mivacurium 0.16 mg/kg, NTG 200 microgram). We measured the train-of-four (TOF) response from the beginning of recovery to the complete regaining of muscle twitch. RESULTS: NTG produced a prolongation of the neuromuscular blocking effect by mivacurium. T1 (contro group: 12.1 +/- 0.5, N100 group: 15.8 +/- 0.4 and N200 group: 11.6 +/- 0.4 min), T25 (16.4 +/- 0.4, 20.5 +/- 0.5 and 14.9 +/- 1.0 min), T75 (22.5 +/- 0.9, 29.4 +/- 0.7 and 20.1 +/- 1.0 min), T95 (27.3 +/- 0.6, 39.6 +/- 0.7 and 24.6 +/- 1.5 min) and the recovery index (6.1 +/- 0.6, 9.0 +/- 0.4 and 5.3 +/- 0.7 min) were significantly prolonged in the N100 and N200 groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a NTG bolus injection prolonged the neuromuscular blocking effect of mivacurium, dose relatively.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Isoflurane ; Middle Aged ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Neuromuscular Monitoring ; Nitroglycerin* ; Thiopental

A 14-yr-old male presented with a hemoperitoneum caused by a spontaneous rupture of a primary splenic cyst. The laparotomy showed a ruptured spleen at the lower pole from one of the multiple cyst-like lesions, measuring approximately 2 cm in diameter. After the splenectomy, a microscopic examination confirmed the diagnosis of a primary splenic cyst lined with a mature, well-differentiated squamous epithelium. A hemoperitoneum caused by a spontaneous rupture of a primary splenic cyst is a rare but potentially lethal complication, because most patients with a splenic rupture present with some degree of hypovolemia.
Diagnosis ; Epithelium ; Hemoperitoneum* ; Humans ; Hypovolemia ; Laparotomy ; Male ; Rupture ; Rupture, Spontaneous* ; Spleen ; Splenectomy ; Splenic Rupture

Paraduodenal hernia is a rare congenital anomaly caused by abnormal rotation of the midgut in embryonic stage, with part of the small intestine becoming trapped posterior to the mesocolon. Right and left paraduodenal hernias are distinct and separate entities, varying not only in anatomical structure but also in embryological origin. Paraduodenal hernia is a rare cause of acute intestinal obstruction. Careful clinical evaluation is needed for prompt surgical treatment. Because it is difficult to diagnose before exploration, and since paraduodenal hernia may cause potentially lethal complications such as obstruction, gangrene or bowel perforation, the possibility of internal hernia should be considered in any patient with acute intestinal obstruction who has no previous abdominal operation or external hernia. If paraduodenal hernia is suspected to be the cause of acute intestinal obstruction, the recommended tool for diagnosis is abdominal computed tomography. We experienced three cases of paraduodenal hernia, one case was right paraduodenal hernia while the others were left paraduodenal hernia.
Diagnosis ; Gangrene ; Hernia* ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intestine, Small ; Mesocolon

Torsion of the gallbladder is a rare entity that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. The condition occurs most often in the elderly. Although its etiology is unknown, a constant finding is the presence of the gallbladder on a mobile mesentery (floating gallbladder). Torsion, or volvulus, of the gallbladder occurs when it twists axially, with the subsequent occlusion of bile and/or blood flow. Herein, a case of torsion of the gallbladder is presented where preoperative computed tomographic scan and laparoscopy were successfully used to diagnose and treat this condition without the usual requirement of open exploration. Given the possibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the increasing incidence with which torsion of the gallbladder is being witnessed today, the importance of a preoperative computed tomographic scan is emphasized when there is a high index of clinical suspicion.
Torsion/radiography/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Humans ; Gallbladder Diseases/pathology/*radiography/*surgery ; Female ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Aged, 80 and over

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the value of repeated CT scans for the non-operative management of patients with clinically stable blunt splenic trauma. METHODS: 49 consecutive patients with blunt splenic trauma were prospectively studied. Of these, 29 (59.2%) were initially managed non-operatively according to their clinical status and initial CT findings. A repeat CT scan was obtained within 7 days of admission. RESULTS: Of the 29 non-operatively managed patients, 5 (17.2%) required delayed surgical intervention: 3 presented with a change in thier clinical status, whereas the other 2 did not. In all 5 patients, a repeat CT scan revealed a deteriorating appearance of the splenic injury: active bleeding or an increased hematoma in 3, with splenic artery pseudoaneurysms in the other 2. CONCLUSION: This initial experience suggests that a repeat CT scan can provide valuable clinical information in selected cases on the diagnosis and management of a splenic injury to document the healing or progression of the injury.
Aneurysm, False ; Diagnosis ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Spleen ; Splenic Artery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Teratomas are tumors composed of derivatives of all three germinal cell layers. They have been described in a variety of organs in both children and adults, most commonly in the gonads. Extragonadal intraperitoneal teratomas are very rare. We here report a case of a large mature teratoma of the gastrohepatic ligament in a 20-year-old woman. To the best of our knowledge, a teratoma of the gastrohepatic ligament has never before been described, although there are a few reports of teratomas arising from the greater and lesser omentum.
Adult ; Child ; Female ; Gonads ; Humans ; Ligaments* ; Omentum ; Teratoma* ; Young Adult

A case of a mucin-producing intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (MPCC) is reported. A 58-year old female presented with epigastric discomfort of several years duration. The physical examination and laboratory findings were normal. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) showed a focal dilatation of the right posterior intrahepatic bile duct. There was no abnormal mass in the liver parenchyma. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) showed a filling defect in the right posterior hepatic duct. There was no anatomical abnormality and abnormal staining on the heaptic angiography. At the operation, the right posterior hepatic duct was filled with mucin. The patient had a right posterior segmentectomy. Histologically, a 2.5 X 0.6 X 0.6 cm sized mucin-producing intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma was found in segment 6 of the liver. The postoperative recovery was good, and the patient has had a good social life for the last 3 years, with no evidence of tumor recurrence. In patients with a focal dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct on CT or US with no underlying cause, an intrahepatic malignancy has to be suspected.
Angiography ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic* ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Dilatation* ; Female ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Liver ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Middle Aged ; Mucins ; Physical Examination ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography

An isolated injury of the gallbladder rarely occurs after blunt abdominal trauma and is usually associated with damage to other intra-abdominal organs, which clearly necessitating surgical intervention. Blunt abdominal trauma is often overlooked because there may be no visible signs on the abdominal wall. It is important to closely follow up patients and look for early signs of organ damage as an isolated injury of the gallbladder often follows a vague and insidious clinical course. A combination of special investigations, including a contrast enhanced computed tomographic scan, may be required to confirm the diagnosis of this relatively rare, but serious injury, and if a lesion is suspected, a laparoscopy can be successfully used to confirm the diagnosis and treat this condition without the usual requirement of open exploration. Unfortunately, in our case, a laparoscopy could not be performed due to the patient having undergone previous surgery for early gastric cancer. Herein, the case of a 56-year-old male presenting with an isolated gallbladder injury immediately after violent blunt abdominal trauma, diagnosed on the basis of a computed tomographic scan, which was treated successfully, is reported.
Abdominal Injuries ; Abdominal Wall ; Diagnosis ; Gallbladder* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms