What is systemic lupus erythematosus? The immune system normally fights off dangerous infections and bacteria to keep the body healthy. An autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks the body because it confuses it for something foreign. There are many autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The term lupus has been used to identify a number of immune diseases that have similar clinical presentations and laboratory features, but SLE is the most common type of lupus. People are often referring to SLE when they say lupus.

The urinary bladder is a hollow muscular organ that collects urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. A hollow muscular, and distensible (or elastic) organ, the bladder sits on the pelvic floor. Urine enters the bladder via the ureters and exits via the urethra.

Gynecological Examination

Lumbar puncture is a common emergency department procedure used to obtain information about the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnostic and, less commonly, therapeutic reasons. Please refer to the full article on Lumbar Puncture for more details on the lumbar puncture procedure. Lumbar puncture is typically performed via “blind” surface landmark guidance. The surface landmark technique is reported to be successful in a high percentage of attempted lumbar punctures; however, surface landmark identification of underlying structures has been shown to be accurate only 30% of the time. [1] Unsuccessful identification of proper landmarks often leads to increased difficulty in obtaining CSF, if the procedure is performed, and a higher rate of complications. Few alternatives are available in these cases. If available, fluoroscopic-guided lumbar puncture may be performed. If not, treatment is sometimes initiated empirically without obtaining CSF. Disadvantages of using fluoroscopy include limited availability or necessary transport of the patient outside of the emergency department, inability to directly visualize the spinal canal, and inherent radiation exposure

Internal hemorrhoids and loose rectal mucosa may block the exposure during the purse string suturing in stapled hemorrhooidopexy, and this may cause some complications. To retract the prolapsing rectal mucosa we modified the purse string anoscope of the PPH01 kit (Ethicon-Endosurgery, Cincinnati, O...H, USA) and produced a special anoscope. The open part of the purse string suture anoscope is covered by transparent acrylic (Orthoacryl�, Dentaurum, Pforzheim, Germany). The covering material had complete cylindrical outer and inner surfaces and was thin enough to let the anoscope easily rotate in the anal dilator and to let the 26 mm curved, round bodied needle of the 2/0 polypropilene suture move in the anoscope. A window, 3 cm long and 3-4 mm wide, was opened at the angled part of the anoscope 2 cm to the tip of the anoscope. This special anoscope was used for the purse string suture during stapled hemorrhoidopexy procedure in five patients. No postoperative complications, early or late, were encountered, and we propose that stapled hemorrhoidopexy procedure can be applied more easily by using this special anoscope.

Diabetic retinopathy (die-uh-BET-ik ret-ih-NOP-uh-thee) is a diabetes complication that affects eyes. It's caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). At first, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. Eventually, it can cause blindness. The condition can develop in anyone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar is, the more likely you are to develop this eye complication.

The Mini Gastric Bypass (MGB) is a short, simple, successful and inexpensive laparoscopic gastric bypass weight loss surgery. The operation usually takes only 30 min., hospitalization less than 24 hours. The Mini Gastric Bypass is low risk, has excellent long term weight loss, minimal pain and can b...e easily reversed or revised.

This video: Claudication is pain caused by too little blood flow, usually during exercise. Sometimes called intermittent claudication, this condition generally affects the blood vessels in the legs, but claudication can affect the arms, too. At first, you'll probably notice the pain only when you're exercising, but as claudication worsens, the pain may affect you even when you're at rest. Although it's sometimes considered a disease, claudication is technically a symptom of a disease. Most often, claudication is a symptom of peripheral artery disease, a potentially serious but treatable circulation problem in which the vessels that supply blood flow to your legs or arms are narrowed. Fortunately, with treatment, you may be able to maintain an active lifestyle without pain.

Various laparoscopic techniques have been described for the insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheters. However, most use 3 to 4 ports, thus multiplying the potential risk for abdominal wall complications (hemorrhage, hernia, leaking). With the technique presented herein a Tenckhoff catheter is plac...ed laparoscopically, using just 1 port, in 13 consecutive patients with end-stage renal failure. The catheter is fixed in the abdominal cavity with no additional ports for this purpose. The simplicity and the rapidity of the method justifies serious consideration for its use as the standard Tenckhoff catheter placement.

Surgical technique: A 3cm skin incision under spinal or general anesthesia, depending on the patients’ preference, starts half way the line between the superior anterior iliac spine towards the midline in a 30° angle to the pubic tubercle. Scarpa’s fascia is opened as well as the external obliq...ue aponeurosis. By using this skin line incision the internal ring will be immediately visualized. Although it is important to look for both direct and indirect hernias evaluating the groin, we do not taper the cord and directly evaluate the ring for indirect hernias. In case of an indirect hernia the sac is reduced or resected according to the preference of the surgeon and the preperitoneal space is entered bluntly through the dilated internal ring. In case of a direct hernia the approach slightly differs. One could prefer to open the transversalis fascia through the internal ring over a few centimeters or you can open the fascia more medially, at the site of the direct hernia. As primary point of concern the epigastric vessels should be identified and retracted softly upwards. Then a gauze can be introduced into the preperitoneal space and by doing so most of the space needed medially will be created. Then one can already palpate Cooper’s ligament and the pubic bone. Laterally to the internal ring more digital dissection is needed to create just the appropriate space for the mesh. By placing the mesh it is important not to introduce the mesh too medially. Laterally of the internal ring an adequate overlap of the mesh is necessary, especially in indirect hernias. No splitting of the mesh seems necessary. The patient will be asked to strain and push on the ring to control its place and to check adequate spreading of the mesh to cover the whole myopectineum of Fruchaud. One single stitch of vicryl 3/0 is placed taking both the fascia transversalis and the mesh.

Management of postpartum hemorrhage at vaginal delivery. The approach to treatment of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) differs somewhat depending on the cause and whether hemorrhage occurs after a vaginal birth or after a cesarean delivery.

A bowel obstruction happens when either your small or large intestine is partly or completely blocked. The blockage prevents food, fluids, and gas from moving through the intestines in the normal way. The blockage may cause severe pain that comes and goes. This topic covers a blockage caused by tumors, scar tissue, or twisting or narrowing of the intestines. It does not cover ileus, which most commonly happens after surgery on the belly (abdominal surgery). What causes a bowel obstruction? Tumors, scar tissue (adhesions), or twisting or narrowing of the intestines can cause a bowel obstruction. These are called mechanical obstructions . In the small intestine, scar tissue is most often the cause. Other causes include hernias and Crohn's disease, which can twist or narrow the intestine, and tumors, which can block the intestine. A blockage also can happen if one part of the intestine folds like a telescope into another part, which is called intussusception.

The 12-lead ECG is a vital tool for EMT’s and paramedics in both the prehospital and hospital setting. It is extremely important to know the exact placement of each electrode on the patient. Incorrect placement can lead to a false diagnosis of infarction or negative changes on the ECG.

an incision made on the back of the lower leg starting just above the heel bone. After the surgeon finds the two ends of the ruptured tendon, these ends are sewn together with sutures. The incision is then closed. Another repair method makes a small incision on the back of the lower leg at the site of the rupture.

Direct puncture capsulorhexis with a slightly barbed 30g needle on a TB syringe with BSS permits excellent control even with very high vitreous pressure without use of viscoelastic. Ideal for biaxial (microincision) cataract surgery.

A subdural hematoma is a collection of blood outside the brain. Subdural hematomas are usually caused by severe head injuries. The bleeding and increased pressure on the brain from a subdural hematoma can be life-threatening.

TRAM only in cases where a Diep or Gracilis is not applicable

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Urogenital neoplasms spreading to the inguinal lymph nodes are penile carcinoma (the most frequent), urethral and scrotum cancers, tumors of the testis with scrotal violation. Penile carcinoma is an uncommon malignant disease and accounts for as many 0.4-0.6% of male cancers. Most patients are elder...ly. It rarely occurs in men under age 60 and its incidence increases progressively until it reaches a peak in the eighth decade 1. The risk of a lymph node invasion is greater with high grade and high stage tumors 2. Some investigators have reported the inaccuracy of the sentinel node biopsy 3, 4, described by Cabanas 5. Patients with metastatic lymph node penis cancer have a very poor prognosis if penectomy only is performed. Ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy is basically carried out as a treatment modality and not only as a staging act. Patients with lymph node invasion have a 30-40% cure rate. Ilioinguinal lymphadenectomy should be also performed in patients with disseminated neoplasms for the local control of the disease. The 5 years survival rate of patients with clinically negative lymph nodes treated with a modified inguinal lymphadenectomy is 88% versus 38% in patients not initially treated with lymphadenectomy 6. This video-tape clearly shows a therapeutic algorithm, the anatomy of the inguinal lymph nodes, according to Rouviere 7 and Daseler 8, the radical ilioinguinal node dissection with transposition of the sartorius muscle and the modified inguinal lymphadenectomy proposed by Catalona 9. References: 1. Lynch D.F. and Schellhammer P: Tumors of the penis. In Campbell’s Urology Seventh Edition, edited by Walsh P.C., Retik A.B., Darracott Vaughan E. and Wein A.J. W.B. Saunders Company, Vol. 3, chapt. 79, p. 2458, 1998. 2. Pizzocaro G., Piva L., Bandieramonte G., Tana S. Up-to-date management of carcinoma of the penis. Eur. Urol. 32: 5-15, 1997 3. Perinetti E., Crane D.B. and Catalona W.J. Unreliability of sentinel lymph node biopsy for staging penile carcinoma. J. Urol. 124: 734, 1980 4. Fowler J.E. Jr. Sentinel lymph node biopsy for staging penile cancer. Urology 23: 352, 1984 5. Cabanas R.M. An approach for the treatment of penile carcinoma. Cancer 39: 456, 1977 6. Russo P. and Gaudin P. Management strategies for carcinoma of the penis. Contemporary Urology;5:48-66, 2000 7. Rouviere H. Anatomy of the human lymphatic system. Edwards Brothers, p. 218, 1938 8. Daseler E.H., Anson B.J., Reimann A.F. Radical excision of the inguinal and iliac lymph glands: a study based on 450 anatomical dissections and upon supportive clinical observations. Surg. Gynecol. Obstet. 87: 679, 1948 9. Catalona W.J. Modified inguinal lymphadenectomy for carcinoma of the penis with preservation of saphenous veins: technique and preliminary results. J. Urol. 140: 306-310, 1988

The hepatic portal system is the system of veins comprising the hepatic portal vein and its tributaries. It is responsible for directing blood from the region of the gastrointestinal tract between the esophagus and rectum and also includes venous drainage from the supplementary organs such as the spleen and pancreas.