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Spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome is a rare clinical entity, which typically occurs in the context of rapidly proliferating hematologic malignancies. Tumor lysis syndrome in solid organ malignancies is even rarer, and typically provoked by cytotoxic treatment regimens. We describe a case of spontaneous tumor lysis of a solitary metastatic brain lesion from a nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. This case is unique in that spontaneous tumor lysis from a brain metastasis of a solid organ malignancy has never been reported, and spontaneous tumor lysis in a nonseminomatous germ cell tumor is exceedingly rare.

Objective: To estimate the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in health care personnel., Methods: The Mayo Clinic Serology Screening Program was created to provide a voluntary, two-stage testing program for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies to health care personnel. The first stage used a dried blood spot screening test initiated on June 15, 2020. Those participants identified as reactive were advised to have confirmatory testing via a venipuncture. Venipuncture results through August 8, 2020, were considered. Consent and authorization for testing was required to participate in the screening program. This report, which was conducted under an institutional review board-approved protocol, only includes employees who have further authorized their records for use in research., Results: A total of 81,113 health care personnel were eligible for the program, and of these 29,606 participated in the screening program. A total of 4284 (14.5%) of the dried blood spot test results were "reactive" and warranted confirmatory testing. Confirmatory testing was completed on 4094 (95.6%) of the screen reactive with an overall seroprevalence rate of 0.60% (95% CI, 0.52% to 0.69%). Significant variation in seroprevalence was observed by region of the country and age group., Conclusion: The seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies through August 8, 2020, was found to be lower than previously reported in other health care organizations. There was an observation that seroprevalence may be associated with community disease burden., (Copyright © 2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Access to surgical care is an essential element of health-systems strengthening. This study aims to compare two diverse healthcare settings in South Asia and the United States (US)., Methods: Patients at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Pakistan were matched to patients captured in the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample (US-NIS) from 2009 to 2011. Risk-adjusted differences in mortality, major morbidity, and LOS were compared using logistic and generalized-linear (family gamma, link log) models after coarsened-exact matching., Results: A total of 2,244,486 patients (n = 4867 AKUH; n = 2,239,619 US-NIS) were included. Of those in the US-NIS, 990,963 (42.5%) were treated at urban-teaching hospitals, 332,568 (14.3%) in rural locations. Risk-adjusted odds of reported mortality were higher for Pakistani patients (OR[95%CI]: 3.80[2.68-5.37]), while odds of reported complications were lower (OR[95%CI]: 0.56[0.48-0.65]). No differences were observed in LOS. The difference in outcomes was less pronounced when comparing Pakistani patients to American rural patients., Conclusion: These results demonstrate significant reported morbidity, mortality differences between healthcare systems. Comparative assessments such as this will inform global health policy development and support., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Robotic retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) has become one of the most commonly performed robotic procedures in the United States. Ventral hernia (VH) has been increasingly recognized as an important complication after laparoscopic procedures, in general. However, data related to VH after robotic procedures is relatively scarce, especially after RRP. With increasing popularity of RRP, the purpose of this study was to look at the incidence of VH and outcomes of ventral hernia repair (VHR) after RRP., Methods: All patients who underwent RRP at a single institution between January 2012 and June 2014 were studied retrospectively using electronic medical records., Results: A total of 570 patients underwent RRP, of which 33 (5.8%) developed VH during the study period. Fourteen (42%) patients were obese and five (15%) had diabetes. One patient (3%) had a surgical site infection after RRP and two (6%) patients were on immunomodulators/steroids. Median duration to develop VH after RRP was 12 (1-25) months. Out of the 33 patients with VH, ten (33%) underwent VHR; five laparoscopic and five open. Median size of hernia defect and mesh used was 25 (1-144) cm 2 and 181 (15-285) cm 2 , respectively. Median length of hospital stay and follow up was 0 (0-4) days and 12 (1-14) months, respectively. One patient who had initial VHR done at an outside institution had a recurrence. Thirty-two (97%) patients were alive at their last follow up. One patient died secondary to progression of prostate cancer. There was no significant 30 day morbidity (surgical site infection, fascial dehiscence, pneumonia, acute kidney injury, myocardial infarction). Of patients who decided non-operative management of VH (n = 23, 67%), none developed a complication requiring emergent surgical intervention., Conclusion: The incidence of VH after RRP is likely underreported in prior studies. Repair, either laparoscopic or open, is safe and effective in experienced hands. Patients who decide on watchful waiting can be followed with minimal risk of incarceration/strangulation. Further studies are needed to analyze the extraction techniques after RRP and correlate with incidence of VH., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Introduction: Surgery for the difficult gallbladder (DGB) is associated with increased risk compared to more routine laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC). Laparoscopic "damage control" methods including cholecystostomy, fundus-down approach and subtotal cholecystectomy (SC) have been proposed to avoid conversion to open. We hypothesized that a Total LC (TLC) for DBG can be completed safely with an acceptably low conversion rate., Material and Methods: All patients that underwent LC from January 2005-June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Cases met criteria for DGB if they were necrotic/gangrenous, involved Mirizzi syndrome, had extensive adhesions, were converted to open, lasted more than 120 min, had prior tube cholecystostomy or known GB perforation., Results: A total of 2212 patients underwent LC during the study time period, of which 351 (15.8%) met criteria for DGB. Of these cases, 213 (60.7%) were admitted from the emergency department and 67 (19.1%) underwent urgent/emergent cholecystectomy (within 24 h). Additionally 18 (5.1%) had pre-operative tube cholecystostomies. Seventy patients (19.9%) were converted to open. Indications for conversion included severe inflammation/adhesion (n = 31, 46.3%), difficult anatomy (n = 14, 20.9%) and bleeding (n = 6, 9.0%). Predictors for conversion included urgent/emergent intervention (OR, 0.80; 95% CI 0.351-0.881, p = 0.032), previous abdominal surgery (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.181-4.035, p = 0.013) and necrotic/gangrenous cholecystitis (OR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.356-4.044, p = 0.033). Comparing the TLC and the conversion groups, mean operative time and length of hospital stay were significantly different; 147 ± 47 min vs 185 ± 71 min; p < 0.005 and 3 ± 2 days vs 5 ± 3 days; p = 0.011, respectively. There was no significant difference in postoperative hemorrhage, subhepatic collection, cystic duct leak, wound infection, reoperation and 30 day mortality. There was no bile duct injury in either group., Conclusion: Total laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed in difficult gallbladder situations with a lower conversion rate than previously reported. Possible predictors of conversion include urgency, necrotic gallbladder and history of prior abdominal surgeries. For patients converted to open, similar morbidity and mortality can be expected., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: A significant proportion of hospital admissions in the US are secondary to emergency general surgery (EGS). The aim of this study is to quantify outcomes for EGS patients with cancer., Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2007 to 2011) was queried for patients with a diagnosis of an EGS condition as determined by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Of these, patients with a diagnosis of malignant cancers (ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes; 140-208.9, 238.4, 289.8) were identified. Patients with and without cancer were matched across baseline characteristics using propensity-scores. Outcome measures included all-cause mortality, complications, failure-to-rescue, length of stay, and cost. Multivariable logistic regression analyses further adjusted for hospital characteristics and volume., Results: Analysis of 3,625,906 EGS patients revealed an 8.9% prevalence of concurrent malignancies. The most common EGS conditions in cancer patients included gastro-intestinal bleeding (24.8%), intestinal obstruction (13.5%), and peritonitis (10.7%). EGS patients with cancer universally had higher odds of complications (odds ratio [OR] 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20 [1.19 to 1.21]), mortality (OR [95% CI]: 2.00 [1.96 to 2.04]), failure-to-rescue (OR [95% CI]: 1.52 [1.48 to 1.56]), and prolonged hospital stay (OR [95% CI]: 1.69 [1.67 to 1.70])., Conclusions: EGS patients with concurrent cancer have worse outcomes compared with patients without cancer after risk-adjustment., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives Increasing number of mechanical circulatory assist devices (MCADs) are being placed in heart failure patients. Morbidity from device placement is high and the outcome of patients who require noncardiac surgery after, is unclear. As laparoscopic interventions are associated with decreased morbidity, we examined the impact of such procedures in these patients. Methods A retrospective review was conducted on 302 patients who underwent MCAD placement from 2005 to 2012. All laparoscopic abdominal surgeries were included and impact on postoperative morbidity and mortality studied. Results Ten out of 16 procedures were laparoscopic with 1 conversion to open. Seven patients had a HeartMate II, 2 had Total Artificial Hearts, and 1 had CentriMag. Four patients had devices for ischemic cardiomyopathy and 6 cases were emergent. Surgeries included 6 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 2 exploratory laparoscopies, 1 laparoscopic colostomy takedown, and 1 laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with mesh. Median age of the patients was 63 years (range, 29-79 years). Median operative time was 123 minutes (range, 30-380 minutes). Five of 10 patients were on preoperative anticoagulation with average intraoperative blood loss of 150 mL (range, 20-700 mL). There were 3 postoperative complications; acute respiratory failure, acute kidney injury and multisystem organ failure resulting in death not related to the surgical procedure. Conclusion The need for noncardiac surgery in post-MCAD patients is increasing due to limited donors and due to more durable and longer support from newer generation assist devices. While surgery should be approached with caution in this high-risk group, laparoscopic surgery appears to be a safe and successful treatment option., (© The Author(s) 2016.)

Background: Aging of the population necessitates consideration of the increasing number of older adults requiring emergency care. The objective of this study was to compare outcomes and presentation of octogenarian and/or nonagenarian emergency general surgery (EGS) patients with younger adults., Methods: Based on a standardized definition of EGS, patients in the 2007 to 2011 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project-Nationwide Inpatient Sample were queried for primary EGS diagnoses. Included patients were categorized into older (≥80 years) vs younger (<80 years) adults based on a marked increase in mortality around aged 80 years. Using propensity scores, risk-adjusted differences in major morbidity, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and cost were compared., Results: Of 3,707,465 included patients, 17.2% (n = 637,588) were ≥80 years. Relative to younger adults, older patients most frequently presented for gastrointestinal-bleeding (odds ratio [95% confidence intervals]: 2.81 [2.79 to 2.82]) and gastrostomy care (2.46 [2.39 to 2.53]). Despite higher odds of mortality (1.67 [1.63 to 1.69]), older adults exhibited lower risk-adjusted odds of morbidity (.87 [.86 to .88]), shorter LOS (4.50 vs 5.14 days), and lower total hospital costs ($10,700 vs $12,500)., Conclusions: Octogenarian and/or nonagenarian patients present differently than younger adults. Reductions in complications, LOS, and cost among surviving older adults allude to a "survivorship tendency" to never give up, despite collectively higher mortality risk., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Coronary artery dissection is an infrequent cause of acute coronary syndrome in the general population. There is, however, a greater incidence of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) in young women, especially in the peripartum period. However, the majority of cases have favorable outcomes with medical management or percutaneous coronary intervention; coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and transplantation are utilized in severe cases. This case is a one of a 30-year-old postpartum female with multivessel SCAD requiring CABG with subsequent biventricular failure and inability to wean from bypass. We believe this is the first reported case in which venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) was used in the management of biventricular heart failure in a postpartum patient with SCAD.

Background: Prior studies of acute abdominal pain provide conflicting data regarding the presence of racial/ethnic disparities in the emergency department (ED)., Objective: To evaluate race/ethnicity-based differences in ED analgesic pain management among a national sample of adult patients with acute abdominal pain based on a uniform definition., Research Design/subjects/measures: The 2006-2010 CDC-NHAMCS data were retrospectively queried for patients 18 years and above presenting with a primary diagnosis of nontraumatic acute abdominal pain as defined by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma. Independent predictors of analgesic/narcotic-specific analgesic receipt were determined. Risk-adjusted multivariable analyses were then performed to determine associations between race/ethnicity and analgesic receipt. Stratified analyses considered risk-adjusted differences by the level of patient-reported pain on presentation. Secondary outcomes included: prolonged ED-LOS (>6 h), ED wait time, number of diagnostic tests, and subsequent inpatient admission., Results: A total of 6710 ED visits were included: 61.2% (n=4106) non-Hispanic white, 20.1% (n=1352) non-Hispanic black, 14.0% (n=939) Hispanic, and 4.7% (n=313) other racial/ethnic group patients. Relative to non-Hispanic white patients, non-Hispanic black patients and patients of other races/ethnicities had 22%-30% lower risk-adjusted odds of analgesic receipt [OR (95% CI)=0.78 (0.67-0.90); 0.70 (0.56-0.88)]. They had 17%-30% lower risk-adjusted odds of narcotic analgesic receipt (P<0.05). Associations persisted for patients with moderate-severe pain but were insignificant for mild pain presentations. When stratified by the proportion of minority patients treated and the proportion of patients reporting severe pain, discrepancies in analgesic receipt were concentrated in hospitals treating the largest percentages of both., Conclusions: Analysis of 5 years of CDC-NHAMCS data corroborates the presence of racial/ethnic disparities in ED management of pain on a national scale. On the basis of a uniform definition, the results establish the need for concerted quality-improvement efforts to ensure that all patients, regardless of race/ethnicity, receive optimal access to pain relief.

Peptic ulcer disease has been a major problem since the turn of this century with high morbidity and mortality. Perforation is less common, with an estimated incidence of 7-10 per 100 000. We present a young woman with rheumatoid arthritis presenting with anaemia. On work up, she was found to have a chronic abdominal abscess secondary to subclinical perforation of a duodenal ulcer. After undergoing percutaneous drainage, she became haemodynamically unstable and was taken for surgical washout and jejunostomy tube placement. A week later she had a decrease in the size of the abscess and was discharged home with drain and tube feeds. At her follow-up a few weeks later, she was tolerating goal tube feeds., (2015 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

Background: Abdominal complications following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures may have mortality rates as high as 25%. Advanced procedures such as ventricular assist devices, artificial hearts and cardiac transplantation are being increasingly employed, changing the complexity of interventions. This study was undertaken to examine the changing trends in complications and the impact of cardiac surgery on emergency general surgery (EGS) coverage., Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all CPB procedures admitted to our ICU between Jan. 2007 and Mar. 2010. The procedures included coronary bypass (CABG), valve, combination (including adult congenital) and advanced heart failure (AHF) procedures. The records were reviewed to obtain demographics, need for EGS consult/procedure and outcomes., Results: Mean age of the patients was 66 ± 8.5 years, 71% were male. There were 945 CPB procedures performed on 914 patients during this study period. Over 39 months, 23 EGS consults were obtained, resulting in 10 operations and one hospital death (10% operative mortality). CABG and valve procedures had minimal impact on EGS workload while complex cardiac and AHF procedures accounted for significantly more EGS consultations (p < 0.005) and operations (p < 0.005). The majority of consultations were for small bowel obstruction/ileus (n = 4, 17%), cholecystitis (n = 3, 13%) and to rule out ischemia (n = 2, 9%), Conclusions: In the era of modern critical care and cardiac surgery, advanced technology has increased the volume of complex CPB procedures increasing the EGS workload. Emergency general surgeons working in institutions that perform advanced procedures should be aware of the potential for general surgical complications perioperatively and the resultant nuances that are associated with operative management in this patient population., (Copyright © 2015 Surgical Associates Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Previous reports document the safety of open inguinal herniorrhaphy in patients on chronic warfarin therapy; however, the practice remains controversial. This study is a 10-year update of our experience., Methods: A retrospective review of 1,839 consecutive patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair was conducted from 2000 to 2010. All patients on chronic warfarin therapy were included. Three groups: continuation (CW), discontinuation (DW) and case-matched control (C) not on warfarin therapy were compared for operative details and postoperative complications., Results: One hundred and fifty-eight patients were on chronic warfarin therapy. Of these, 40 patients (25%) continued on warfarin during the perioperative period (CW). Average preoperative international normalized ratio (INR) was 2.15 ± 0.76 for CW and 1.38 ± 0.42 for DW, p < 0.001. Mean operative times were equivalent between all three groups (88 min CW vs. 85 min DW vs. 79 min C, p = 0.518). Although CW patients experienced higher incidences of both hematoma and urinary retention overall, no statistically significant differences in complication rates were seen between the three groups (hematoma = 10 vs. 8% DW vs. 5% C, p = 0.703; urinary retention = 15 vs. 10% DW vs. 8% C, p = 0.541). Comparing patients by INR, there were no statistically different postoperative complication rates, particularly for hematoma (8% INR <2 vs. 9.5% INR = 2-3 vs. 20% INR >3, p = 0.65)., Conclusion: Maintenance of warfarin therapy during the perioperative period for open inguinal herniorrhaphy results in equivalent operative times and postoperative complications as discontinuation.

Introduction: Emphysematous gastritis is a rare condition in which gas accumulates in the stomach lining usually due to an infectious source., Case Presentation: We present a 16 year old female with viral myocarditis and cardiogenic shock transferred to our hospital on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) who developed emphysematous gastritis. After listing the patient for heart transplant, patient underwent Bi-VAD placement requiring veno-venous ECMO support. Subsequently, she developed worsening abdominal distention. CT of abdomen/pelvis showed the stomach to be diffusely edematous, thick-walled, containing intramural gas collections, consistent with emphysematous gastritis. Patient underwent nonoperative management and two weeks later had complete resolution of the gastritis. Unfortunately, her overall condition deteriorated in the subsequent days and support was withdrawn., Discussion: Management of emphysematous gastritis usually revolves around supportive care, broad spectrum antibiotics and bowel rest. Our patients' gastritis resolved with non-operative management, albeit, she succumbed to multiorgan failure due to other causes., Conclusion: We believe, this is a unique case of a veno-arterial ECMO causing emphysematous gastritis., (Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Primary small bowel bezoars constitute 0.44% of small bowel obstructions (SBO). We report a case of a man with a history of gastroplasty who presented with lower abdominal pain. Initial examination revealed leucocytosis and serum lipase. CT of the abdomen/pelvis was consistent with pancreatitis, cholelithiasis and a stable, 3.8 cm, ampullary diverticulum, without obstruction of the pancreatic/common bile duct. Considering this was the patient's first episode of pancreatitis with evidence of cholelithiasis, it seemed prudent that he would benefit from cholecystectomy but not diverticulectomy. Post-cholecystectomy he represented to the hospital with biliary emesis. CT of the abdomen/pelvis revealed postsurgical changes. Owing to non-resolution of the symptoms, 48 h later a small bowel follow-through was obtained that suggested partial SBO. Ultimately, the patient was taken for exploratory laparoscopy and small bowel resection, after a large intramural mass was encountered in the small bowel. Final pathology revealed a 3 cm biliary bezoar causing obstruction and stercoral ulceration., (2014 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.)

Jejunal diverticulosis is a rare condition that is usually found incidentally. It is most often asymptomatic but presenting symptoms are nonspecific and include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, malabsorption, bleeding, obstruction, and/or perforation. A retrospective review of medical records between 1999 and 2012 at a tertiary referral center was conducted to identify patients requiring emergency management of complicated jejunal diverticulosis. Complications were defined as those that presented with inflammation, bleeding, obstruction, or perforation. Eighteen patients presented to the emergency department with acute complications of jejunal diverticulosis. Ages ranged from 47 to 86 years (mean, 72 years). Seven patients presented with evidence of free bowel perforation. Six had either diverticulitis or a contained perforation. The remaining five were found to have gastrointestinal bleeding. Fourteen of the patients underwent surgical management. Four patients were successfully managed nonoperatively. As a result of the variety of presentations, complications of jejunal diverticulosis present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the acute care surgeon. Although nonoperative management can be successful, most patients should undergo surgical intervention. Traditional management dictates laparotomy and segmental jejunal resection. Diverticulectomy is not recommended as a result of the risk of staple line breakdown. The entire involved portion of jejunum should be resected when bowel length permits.

Purpose: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is associated with reduced post-operative pain and earlier return to work in men. However, the role of laparoscopic hernia repair in women is not well reported. The aim of this study was to review the outcomes of the laparoscopic versus open repair of inguinal hernias in women and to discuss patients' considerations when choosing the approach., Methods: A retrospective chart review of all consecutive patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair from January 2005 to December 2009 at a single institution was conducted. Presentation characteristics and outcome measures including recurrence rates, post-operative pain and complications were compared in women undergoing laparoscopic versus open hernia repair., Results: A total of 1,133 patients had an inguinal herniorrhaphy. Of these, 101 patients were female (9 %), with a total of 111 hernias. A laparoscopic approach was chosen in 44 % of patients. The majority of women (56 %) presented with groin pain as the primary symptom. Neither the mode of presentation nor the presenting symptoms significantly influenced the surgical approach. There were no statistically significant differences in hernia recurrence, post-operative neuralgia, seroma/hematoma formation or urinary retention between the two approaches (p < 0.05). A greater proportion of patients with bilateral hernias had a laparoscopic approach rather than an open technique (12 vs. 2 %, p = 0.042)., Conclusions: Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is as safe and efficacious as open repair in women, and should be considered when the diagnosis is in question, for management of bilateral hernias or when concomitant abdominal pathology is being addressed.

Background: An increasing number of elderly patients diagnosed with achalasia are being referred for minimally invasive myotomy. Little data are available about the operative outcomes in this population. The objective of this study was to review our experience with this procedure in an elderly population., Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 51 consecutive patients, 65 years of age or older, diagnosed with achalasia who underwent a minimally invasive myotomy at our institution. Prior therapies, perioperative outcomes, and postoperative interventions were also analyzed., Results: Of the 51 patients, 28 (55%) had undergone prior endoscopic therapy, and 2 patients (7%) had a prior myotomy. Mean duration of symptoms was 10.9 years (range, 0.5 to 50). No perioperative mortality occurred, and the median hospital stay was 3 days. Two patients (3.8%) had complications, including a gastric mucosal injury and one atelectasia. Eleven patients (21%) required additional therapy postoperatively. Symptom improvement was described in all patients., Conclusion: Laparoscopic Heller myotomy can safely be performed in elderly patients, providing significant symptom relief. No evidence suggests that surgery should not be considered a first-line treatment. Advanced age does not appear to adversely affect outcomes of laparoscopic Heller myotomy.

Background: Mesh hernioplasty is the preferred surgical procedure for large abdominal wall hernias. Infection remains one of the most challenging complications of this operation. Salvaging infected prosthetic material after ventral hernia repair is rarely successful. Most cases require mesh excision and complex abdominal wall reconstruction, with variable success rates. In this article, we report 3 cases of mesh salvage after laparoscopic ventral herniorrhapy with a novel use of percutaneous drainage and antibiotic irrigation., Results: Three patients developed infected seromas after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. The fascial defect of the first patient was repaired with a commercially available 20 x 18 cm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) mesh. A complex fluid collection developed the following month in the anterior abdominal wall overlying the patient's mesh. The cultures grew Staphylococcus aureus. The second patient had a 30 x 20 cm PTFE mesh placed, which developed a fluid collection with Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli. The third case underwent repair, using a another commercially available 22 x 28 cm PTFE mesh. A fluid collection measuring 20 x 10 cm in the anterior abdominal wall developed, growing Staphylococcus lugdunensis. In all 3 cases, a percutaneous drain was placed within the fluid collection and long-term intravenous (i.v.) access was obtained. I.v. antibiotics were initiated. In addition, gentamicin (80 mg) with 20 mL of saline was infused through the drain 3 times a day. All patients have remained free of clinical signs of infection following the completion of therapy., Conclusions: Infected mesh after laparoscopic ventral herniorrhapy without systemic sepsis may be amenable to nonoperative treatment. A conservative approach that includes percutaneous drainage followed by antibiotic irrigation is a potential alternative to prosthetic removal in carefully selected patients. Further evaluation of this technique is warranted to define the most appropriate management strategies for these patients.

Background: Clopidogrel (Plavix) usage is increasing, primarily for the management of patients with cerebrovascular symptoms and for those receiving drug-eluting coronary artery stents. A significant percentage of these patients will require carotid endarterectomy (CEA) while they are receiving clopidogrel. Recent data have demonstrated an increased incidence of coronary stent thrombosis when clopidogrel is discontinued. The objective of this study was to determine if CEA could be performed safely while patients are continued on clopidogrel therapy., Methods: A retrospective cohort design was employed to review consecutive patients who underwent CEA over a 24-month period ending March 2007. Patients were divided into two groups based on the perioperative use of clopidogrel. Preoperative demographics and postoperative results were compared between the two groups and statistically analyzed., Results: Of the 100 patients who underwent CEA, 19 were taking clopidogrel within 5 days of surgery. This comprised the study group. The control group consisted of the 81 patients who did not receive clopidogrel. Heparin anticoagulation was routinely utilized prior to clamping in both groups. Demographics were similar between the groups. There were no statistical differences in morbidity or mortality between the control group and the clopidogrel group. Combined stroke/death rates were equivalent between the two groups (1.2% control vs. 0% clopidogrel). One hematoma developed in the control group, which did not require operative intervention., Conclusion: In this series, our results suggest that patients concurrently on clopidogrel can safely undergo CEA without increased risk of hematoma or neurological complications. In view of recent data demonstrating adverse outcomes in patients discontinuing clopidogrel, this study is useful in optimally managing this group of patients.