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A great variety of thrombotic and nonthrombotic events may complicate all types of vascular access (VA) procedures. Thrombotic events are the most frequent complication, caused by stenoses in various locations, representing a common problem for arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) and arteriovenous grafts (AVGs). Monitoring AVF with physical examination by trained physicians represents an accurate method for diagnosis of malfunction. AVF stenoses >50% in diameter should be treated either by surgical or endovascular means when accompanied with access malfunction. Aneurysms and infections represent the most frequent nonthrombotic VA complications. Access-related aneurysms do not represent per se an indication for intervention; however, anastomotic aneurysms and those with skin erosion should be repaired urgently to avoid rupture. Infections of AVFs are extremely rare, while AVG could be complicated either with postoperative infections attributable to the initial procedure with an early onset and more frequently with late infections caused by punctures, with an annual rate of 5%. Treatment options for AVG infections comprise total or subtotal graft excision or partial excision of the involved segment only, the latter representing a VA salvage procedure but with a significantly higher risk of recurrence.

The kinetics of the regeneration process following partial excision or mincing in the rat gastrocnemius muscle was compared using histological and physiological methods. Immediately following injury there was a marked decrease in the distance of shortening (DS) values during isotonic contraction, followed by a progressive increase until 2 weeks after injury. By 85 days the DS values attained those of control muscle during contraction against low loads (up to 50 g), and 80 and 62% of control values at 150 and 250 g, respectively. However, there was no difference in the DS values at 28 and 85 days after injury between muscles that were partially excised or when the removed part of the muscle was minced and placed in the injured site. It is concluded that the enrichment of an injured area of the gastrocnemius muscle with minced autografted muscle does not result in long-term improvement of the functional capacity of the regenerated muscle due to the addition of satellite cells and/or other factors in the minced tissue.

A rare case of bilateral arachnoid cysts of the middle cranial fossa in a child successfully treated by partial excision of their walls is reported. Patients with bilateral arachnoid cysts are usually severely disabled, presumably due to primary dysgenesis of the operculum; however, in our case no primary dysgenesis was noted and the operative result was excellent.

Complete urethral duplication is a rare anomaly in boys. About 60 cases have been reported in the literature, of which approximately one-third were managed with a surgical procedure of total excision of the accessory urethra. Another third were managed by partial excision, and the rest were managed conservatively. Here 2 cases are presented, and the surgical treatment is discussed.

A 14-year-old girl had right proptosis, facial asymmetry, and gradually increasing poor vision. X-ray findings showed sclerosis in the sphenoidal bone and the base of the skull. Partial excision of dy