No abstract

The authors maintain that laparoscopic diverticulectomy is a safe and feasible option that should be offered for patients with symptomatic gastric diverticulum.

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the ability of a specific growth factor combination, nerve growth factor (NGF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration. Eight groups of eight Sprague-Dawley rats underwent repair of a nerve gap defect: Group A (immediate repair), Group B (intact nerve bridge), Group C (nerve autograft), Group D (gap in situ), Group E (NGF + CNTF), Group F (NGF), Group G (CNTF), and Group H (saline). Twelve weeks after surgery, analysis included the measurement of the isometric force of muscle contraction for the tibialis anterior muscle and tissue harvesting for both quantitative and qualitative analysis. When evaluating muscle contraction force, there was no statistically significant difference among the experimental groups receiving a growth factor injection and the normal saline control group. The hypothesis of this study was that peripheral nerve regeneration could be enhanced by the combination of NGF and CNTF. The evidence does not support this hypothesis.

In isolation, dislocations of the hip and knee require emergent reduction to minimize the risks of serious complications, including vascular and neurologic injury, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and loss of motion and function. With simultaneous dislocation of the ipsilateral hip and knee, as in the situation of hip dislocation with concomitant femoral shaft fracture, reduction of the hip may prove difficult because of the inability to control the femoral segment. In this setting, general anesthesia is commonly required. We present the case of a patient who sustained an ipsilateral hip and knee dislocation who underwent closed reduction of the knee in the emergency department but required general anesthesia and the insertion of Schanz pins in the femur to reduce the hip dislocation.