RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is an entrapment mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). Although structural abnormalities in nerve tissues can be confirmed using ultrasonography, this is not routinely performed. CASE SUMMARY: Herein, we present the case of a 52-year-old woman who developed MP after laparoscopic gynecological surgery. The patient was referred to our clinic from an obstetrics and gynecology clinic with symptoms of numbness and a tingling sensation in the left anterolateral thigh, which developed after surgery performed 5 mo earlier. Tests were performed to assess the disease status and determine the underlying causes. Ultrasonographic examination revealed an anatomical variation, where the left LFCN was entrapped within the inguinal ligament. This case suggests that performing ultrasonographic examination before and after surgery in the lithotomy position could help prevent MP. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the value of ultrasonography in detecting anatomical variation and diagnosing persistent MP. Ultrasonography should be considered an adjunct to electromyography for optimal MP management. Further, this case would help other clinicians determine patient prognosis and decide on targeted treatment strategies.
RESUMEN
Large vein allografts are suitable for middle hepatic vein (MHV) reconstruction, but their supply is often limited. Although polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts are unlimitedly available, their long-term patency is relatively poor. We intended to enhance the clinical usability of PTFE grafts for MHV reconstruction during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Two sequential studies were performed. First, PTFE grafts were implanted as inferior vena cava replacements into dogs. Second, in a 1-year prospective clinical trial of 262 adults undergoing LDLT with a modified right lobe, MHV reconstruction with PTFE grafts was compared with other types of reconstruction, and the outcomes were evaluated. In the animal study, PTFE grafts induced strong inflammatory reactions and luminal thrombus formation, but the endothelial lining was well developed. In the clinical study, the reconstruction techniques were revised to make a composite PTFE graft with an artery patch on the basis of the results of the animal study. MHVs were reconstructed with cryopreserved iliac veins (n = 122), iliac arteries (n = 43), aortas (n = 13), and PTFE (n = 84), and these reconstructions yielded 6-month patency rates of 75.3%, 35.2%, 92.3%, and 76.6%, respectively. The overall 6-month patency rates for the iliac vein and PTFE grafts were similar (P = 0.92), but the 6-month patency rates with vein segment 5 were 51.0% and 34.7%, respectively (P = 0.001). The overall graft and patient survival rates did not differ among these 4 groups. In conclusion, ringed PTFE grafts combined with small vessel patches showed high patency rates comparable to those of iliac vein grafts; thus, they can be used for MHV reconstruction when other sizable vessel allografts are not available.
Asunto(s)
Venas Hepáticas/cirugía , Trasplante de Hígado/métodos , Politetrafluoroetileno/uso terapéutico , Adulto , Anastomosis Quirúrgica , Animales , Materiales Biocompatibles/química , Constricción Patológica , Criopreservación , Perros , Enfermedad Hepática en Estado Terminal/cirugía , Enfermedad Hepática en Estado Terminal/terapia , Femenino , Supervivencia de Injerto , Venas Hepáticas/trasplante , Humanos , Hígado/irrigación sanguínea , Hígado/cirugía , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Prospectivos , Procedimientos de Cirugía Plástica/métodos , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X/métodos , TrasplantesRESUMEN
Secure reconstruction of the right hepatic vein (RHV) is essential for the successful implantation of a right liver graft during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). To develop reliable surgical techniques for RHV reconstruction, we performed 3 concurrent studies: a simulation study using a fluid dynamics experimental model and a computational simulation model; an observational study analyzing the hemodynamic changes during radiological interventions for RHV stenosis; and a prospective clinical study establishing hemodynamics-compliant surgical techniques. The simplified fluid dynamics experimental model revealed that actually measured outflow volumes were very similar to theoretical values derived from a fluid dynamics formula. The computational simulation model showed that outflow decreases were nearly linearly correlated with the degree of stenosis when it exceeded 50%. The clinical observational study revealed that mild (≤50%), moderate (50%-75%), and severe RHV stenoses (≥75%) had mean pressure gradients of 2.5 ± 1.0, 6.6 ± 2.3, and 9.6 ± 2.8 mm Hg, respectively. The prospective clinical study was performed for patients who underwent RHV reconstruction with RHV angle blunting and inferior vena cava enlargement (n = 274); a historical control group of patients who underwent reconstruction by other methods (n = 225) was also used. RHV stenting within 2 weeks and 1 year was necessary for 1 patient (0.4%) and 5 patients (1.8%) in the study group, respectively, and for 9 patients (4.0%) and 21 patients (9.1%) in the control group, respectively (P < 0.01). The mean cephalocaudal length of patulous RHV anastomoses was greater in the study group versus the control group (P < 0.001). In conclusion, our modified RHV reconstruction technique significantly reduces the risk of RHV stenosis. We thus suggest the routine or selective use of this technique as a part of graft standardization for LDLT using a right liver graft.