Herbert R. Hawthorne

Retroperitoneal rupture of the duodenum in non-penetrating abdominal trauma

NY traumatic condition that still commands a mortality of 20 to 50 per cent when proper treatment is known to reduce this to practically zero demands further attention. The frequent mismanagement of a condition whose proper treatment is fairly simple is cause for further concern . Retroperitoneal rupture of the duodenum due to a non-penetrating wound of the abdomen is such an injury . Although much has been written about it since the collection of twenty-four cases by Schumacher in 7910, the mortality and morbidity have not been satisfactorily reduced . A recent experience has stimulated us to review the literature pertinent to retroperitoneal rupture of the duodenum .

Reflections on the surgical management of achalasia of the esophagus

Abstract 1. 1. Our experience has indicated that one can expect a good to excellent result from the treatment of achalasia by esophagocardiomyotomy in 85 per cent of the patients. 2. 2. The safety of the procedure, measured in terms of low morbidity and mortality, has caused us to consider this operation as initial therapy and to liberalize the indications for operation recently. 3. 3. Careful attention to technical details, the inclusion of pyloromyotomy or pyloroplasty, and the correction of hiatal hernia whether coexistent or surgically produced may well eliminate poor results from the Heller operation.

White bile in the common bile duct

Abstract Two patients are reported who had chronic calculous obstruction to the common bile duct. They recovered from a severe form of hepatic insufficiency manifest by “acholia.” The necessity for suspecting the presence of this type of liver failure is emphasized.

Simple intestinal obstruction; prolongation of life for 45 days with parenteral alimentation.

Conclusions The length of survival of dogs having a low simple intestinal obstruction depends upon the ability to maintain fluid, electrolyte, and nutritional requirements. By parenteral alimentation with the methods used adequate nutritional requirements were not obtained, but in 1 animal in which these requirements were approached more closely the length of survival was 45 days.

Studies on 5-aminoacridine in experimental appendiceal peritonitis

I N ’ a previous communication’ studies on the in vitro effectiveness of g-aminoacridine against the organisms usuaIly found in peritonitis indicated that this agent was equally or more effective than penicillin, streptomycin, sulfadiazine or a combination of these drugs. In the hope that 5-aminoacridine might prove a useful adjunct in the treatment of peritonitis studies were undertaken to investigate the pharmacology and toxicology of the drug on parenteral administration. As a further step, the drug was also administered to animals with fulminating peritonitis. This article is concerned with these subsequent studies.

Hemoptysis as an indication for surgical treatment of bronchiectasis in the aged.

Pulmonary hemorrhage in an elderly patient who previously has had tuberculosis more likely indicates bronchiectasis than a relapse of tuberculosis.Diagnostic procedures should include an x-ray of the chest, examination of sputum, hematologic studies, and bronchoscopy.If the source of bleeding can be determined, resection is advisable after a single major recurrence.