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We investigated the influence of body composition on electrocardiographic (ECG) detection of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in 894 high-school students. The percent body fat and LV mass were estimated by bioelectrical impedance and echocardiography, respectively. There was no significant difference in LV mass among subjects classified according to the percent body fat. The cutoff ECG amplitudes (RV5 and SV1+RV5) for detection of LV hypertrophy (LV mass ≥90th percentile in both boys and girls) with 90% specificity were highest in the low-fat group and lowest in the high-fat group. When the effects of the percent body fat on ECG amplitudes were taken into account, the sensitivity of the ECG for detection of LV hypertrophy improved from 32.7 to 38.2% in boys; however, no improvement was observed in girls (from 33.3 to 30.6%). Evaluation of the percent body fat may improve the efficacy of ECG detection of LV hypertrophy in adolescent boys, but the usefulness of this method may be limited in girls.

The use of laparoscopic surgery has become widespread in recent years. One of its complications is port site hernia (PHS). It can be difficult to close the fascia at the time of laparoscopy, especially in obese patients, and there is a risk of herniation through a fascial defect with incomplete closure. It is important to ascertain closure of the defect when repairing PHS to prevent recurrence. We report a 47-year-old woman who developed a PHS at the superior aspect of the umbilicus. We repaired the defect using the VersaOneTM Fascial Closure System with laparoscopic guidance. This system allows the port site to be reliably closed while observing the suture from the abdominal cavity. The incision is the same size as a port site. If the abdominal wall is thick and the PHS has a diameter of ~10 mm, this method is considered to be indicated, regardless of the site.

Sudden deaths in children at school may be associated with physical activities and meteorological conditions.

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