The stylomastoid artery as an anatomical landmark to the facial nerve during parotid surgery: a clinico-anatomic study

BACKGROUND: The identification of the facial nerve can be difficult in a bloody operative field or by an incision that limits exposure; hence anatomical landmarks and adequate operative exposure can aid such identification and preservation. In this clinico-anatomic study, we examined the stylomastoid artery (SMA) and its relation to the facial nerve trunk; the origin of the artery was identified on cadavers and its nature was confirmed histologically. METHODS: The clinical component of the study included prospective reviewing of 100 consecutive routine parotidectomies; while, the anatomical component of the study involved dissecting 50 cadaveric hemifaces. RESULTS: We could consistently identify a supplying vessel, stylomastoid artery, which tends to vary less in position than the facial nerve. Following this vessel, a few millimetres inferiorly and medially, we have gone on to identify the facial nerve trunk, which it supplies, with relative ease. The origin of the stylomastoid artery, in our study, was either from the occipital artery or the posterior auricular artery. CONCLUSION: This anatomical aid, the stylomastoid artery, when supplemented by the other more commonly known anatomical landmarks and intra-operative facial nerve monitoring further reduces the risk of iatrogenic facial nerve damage and operative time

Survival Outcomes in Renal Transplantation in Trinidad and Tobago ― SORTTT Study

Objective: To assess patient and graft survival outcomes of renal transplant recipients from the National Organ Transplant Unit, Trinidad and Tobago. Design and Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis of renal transplants performed within five and half years (January 2006–June 2011) at the National Organ Transplant Unit was conducted. The age, gender, ethnicity, cause of renal failure, donor type, outcome and complications were examined. The one, two and three-year patient and graft survival rates were analysed and factors affecting them were discussed. Results: A total of 73 renal transplantations were done. Seventy (95.9%) were from live donors and 3 (4.1%) from deceased donors. Thirty-eight patients (52.1%) were males and 35 (47.9%) were females. The one-year, two-year and three-year patient survival rates were 91.46% (SE 0.04), 89.51 % (SE 0.04) and 86.31% (SE 0.05), respectively. The one-year graft survival rate was 94.34% (SE 0.03). The two-year and three-year graft survival rates were the same at 92.69% (SE 0.03). The most significant complications seen in the recipients were those related to infections and cardiovascular disease: 47.9% of patients had a urinary tract infection, with the majority occurring at twelve months and 32.5% developed dyslipidaemia for the first time at six months. Seven patients developed erythrocytosis. Conclusion: The patient and graft survival rates in this new transplant programme are acceptable. Complications which can occur in transplant recipients are common and have a significant impact on post-transplantation quality of life and survival. Thus, continuing assessment of co-morbid factors pre and post-transplantation as well as the analysis of donor and recipient factors will lead to an increase in both patient and graft survival. Keywords: Kidney transplant, survival outcomes, Trinidad and Tobago 'Resultados de la Supervivencia de Transplante renal en Trinidad y Tobago ― Estudio RSTRTT" RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados de supervivencia de pacientes y transplantes en relación con recipientes de transplante renal en la Unidad Nacional de Trasplante de Órganos de Trinidad y Tobago. Diseño y métodos: Se realizó un análisis descriptivo retrospectivo de trasplantes renales de cinco años y medio (enero de 2006 – junio de 2011) en la Unidad Nacional de Trasplantes de Órganos. Se examinó la edad, el género, la etnicidad, la causa de la insuficiencia renal, el tipo de donante, la evolución clínica del paciente, y las complicaciones. Se analizaron las tasas de supervivencia de pacientes y transplantes, de uno, dos y tres años, y se discutieron los factores que las afectan. Resultados: Se realizaron un total de 73 trasplantes renales. Setenta (95.9%) fueron de donantes vivos, y tres (4.1%) de donantes muertos. Treinta y ocho pacientes (52.1%) eran varones y 35 (47.9%) eran hembras. Las tasas de supervivencias de uno, dos y tres años relativas a los pacientes, fueron 91.46% (SE 0.04), 89.51% (SE 0.04) y 86.31% (SE 0.05), respectivamente. La tasa de supervivencia de transplante de un año fue 94.34% (SE 0.03). Las tasas de supervivencia de transplante de dos y tres años fueron iguales, alcanzando un 92.69% (SE 0.03). Las complicaciones más significativas observadas en los recipientes fueron las relacionados con infecciones y la enfermedad cardiovascular: 47.9% de los pacientes tenían infección de las vías urinarias, teniendo lugar la mayoría de ellas a los doce meses, en tanto que el 32.5% desarrolló dislipidemia por primera vez a los seis meses. Siete pacientes desarrollaron eritrocitosis. Conclusión: Las tasas de supervivencia de pacientes y transplantes en este nuevo programa de trasplante son aceptables. Las complicaciones que pueden ocurrir en los recipientes son comunes y tienen un impacto significativo en la calidad de vida postransplante. Por lo tanto, continua evaluación de los factores co-mórbidos pre- y postransplante, así como el análisis de donantes y recipientes conducirá a un aumento de la supervivencia, tanto de los pacientes como de los transplantes. Palabras claves: transplante de riñón, resultados de la supervivencia, Trinidad y Tobag

Inferior lumbar triangle hernia: case report

A patient with a spontaneously acquired hernia along the inferior lumbar triangle commonly referred to as lumbar triangle of Petit is presented. This was confirmed on CT scan and successfully treated surgically. A review of the literature relevant to this condition is presented. It is likely that with advances in imaging techniques and a wider clinical usage of these investigative modalities there will be further recognition of this uncommon condition. (East African Medical Journal: 2003 80(5): 277-280

Thoracic origin of a sympathetic supply to the upper limb: the ‘nerve of Kuntz’ revisited

An understanding of the origin of the sympathetic innervation of the upper limb is important in surgical sympathectomy procedures. An inconstant intrathoracic ramus which joined the 2nd intercostal nerve to the ventral ramus of the 1st thoracic nerve, proximal to the point where the latter gave a large branch to the brachial plexus, has become known as the ‘nerve of Kuntz’ (Kuntz, 1927). Subsequently a variety of sympathetic interneuronal connections down to the 5th intercostal space were reported and also described as the nerve of Kuntz. The aim of this study was to determine: (1) the incidence, location and course of the nerve of Kuntz; (2) the relationship of the nerve of Kuntz to the 2nd thoracic ganglion; (3) the variations of the nerve of Kuntz in the absence of a stellate ganglion; (4) to compare the original intrathoracic ramus with sympathetic variations at other intercostal levels; and (5) to devise an appropriate anatomical classification of the nerves of Kuntz. Bilateral microdissection of the sympathetic chain and somatic nerves of the upper 5 intercostal spaces was undertaken in 32 fetuses (gestational age, 18 wk to full term) and 18 adult cadavers. The total sample size comprised 99 sides. Sympathetic contributions to the first thoracic nerve were found in 60 of 99 sides (left 32, right 28). Of these, 46 were confined to the 1st intercostal space only. The nerve of Kuntz (the original intrathoracic ramus) of the 1st intercostal space had a demonstrable sympathetic connection in 34 cases, and an absence of macroscopic sympathetic connections in 12. In the remaining intercostal spaces, intrathoracic rami uniting intercostal nerves were not observed. Additional sympathetic contributions (exclusive of rami communicantes) were noted between ganglia, interganglionic segments and intercostal nerves as additional rami communicantes. The eponym nerve of Kuntz should be restricted to descriptions of the intrathoracic ramus of the 1st intercostal space. Any of these variant sympathetic pathways may be responsible for the recurrence of symptoms after sympathectomy surgery

Thoracoscopy: A New Era for Surgical Anatomy

In this new era of minimal access surgery, advances in optics and illumination haveestablished thoracoscopic sympathectomy as a pre-eminent procedure, including a safe andefficient technique for upper limb sympathectomy. The success of thoracoscopy will doubtlessensure that a greater number of these procedures will be carried out and will put someof the daunting technical challenges posed by traditional open surgical procedures to rest. Thethoracoscopic era affords the surgical anatomist a new challenge: to move the teaching ofliving anatomy to a higher level