Ben R. Lawton

Vena cava umbrella placement: Its place in the over-all management of thromboembolic disease

Abstract A series of patients who underwent placement of a vena cava umbrella is presented. Morbidity was minimal and there was no mortality related to umbrella filter placement per se. One patient had a nonfatal episode of recurrent embolization. The role of umbrella placement in the over-all management of thromboembolic disease is discussed and it is concluded that only 10 to 15 per cent of patients with documented pulmonary emboli will be candidates for umbrella placement.

The Iron Intern

Abstract By a simple adaptation, the malleable retractor has been found useful in providing optimal exposure in transthoracic operations involving the esophagus. Its most frequent application has been in hiatal hernia repairs, Heller procedures, and esophagogastrectomies.