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Dive into the research topics where Maira du Plessis is active.

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Featured researches published by Maira du Plessis.


Clinical Anatomy | 2014

A review of the anatomy and clinical significance of adrenal veins

Alper Cesmebasi; Maira du Plessis; Mark Iannatuono; Sameer Shah; R. Shane Tubbs; Marios Loukas

The adrenal veins may present with a multitude of anatomical variants, which surgeons must be aware of when performing adrenalectomies. The adrenal veins originate during the formation of the prerenal inferior vena cava (IVC) and are remnants of the caudal portion of the subcardinal veins, cranial to the subcardinal sinus in the embryo. The many communications between the posterior cardinal, supracardinal, and subcardinal veins of the primordial venous system provide an explanation for the variable anatomy. Most commonly, one central vein drains each adrenal gland. The long left adrenal vein joins the inferior phrenic vein and drains into the left renal vein, while the short right adrenal vein drains immediately into the IVC. Multiple variations exist bilaterally and may pose the risk of surgical complications. Due to the potential for collaterals and accessory adrenal vessels, great caution must be taken during an adrenalectomy. Adrenal venous sampling, the gold standard in diagnosing primary hyperaldosteronism, also requires the clinician to have a thorough knowledge of the adrenal vein anatomy to avoid iatrogenic injury. The adrenal vein acts as an important conduit in portosystemic shunts, thus the nature of the anatomy and hypercoagulable states pose the risk of thrombosis. Clin. Anat. 27:1253–1263, 2014.


Clinical Anatomy | 2014

Anatomical Significance in Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease

Candace Wooten; Munawar Hayat; Maira du Plessis; Alper Cesmebasi; Michael Koesterer; Kevin P. Daly; Petru Matusz; R. Shane Tubbs; Marios Loukas

Aortoiliac occlusive disease is a subset of peripheral arterial disease involving an atheromatous occlusion of the infrarenal aorta, common iliac arteries, or both. The disease, as it is known today, was described by the French surgeon René Leriche as a thrombotic occlusion of the end of the aorta. Leriche successfully linked the anatomic location of the occlusion with a unique triad of symptoms, including claudication, impotence, and decreased peripheral pulses. The anatomical location of the atheromatous lesions also has a direct influence on classification of the disease, as well as choice of treatment modality. Considering its impact on diagnosis and treatment, we aimed to provide a detailed understanding of the anatomical structures involved in aortoiliac occlusive disease. Familiarity with these structures will aid the physician in interpretation of radiologic images and surgical planning. Clin. Anat. 27:1264–1274, 2014.


Clinical Anatomy | 2017

Ultrasound‐guided central venous catheterization: A review of the relevant anatomy, technique, complications, and anatomical variations

Taryn Hoffman; Maira du Plessis; Matthew Prekupec; Jerzy Gielecki; Anna Zurada; R. Shane Tubbs; Marios Loukas

Central venous catheterization is a commonly used and important intervention. Despite its regular use it is still associated with a high incidence of complications especially infection and catheter tip embolization. Addition of ultrasound guidance to the technique has shown great improvement to the time and number of attempts for successful catheterization. The preference of vein depends greatly on the situation; subclavian vein is the preferred method overall but internal jugular vein is preferred in patients undergoing cardiac or thoracic surgery. This is especially true for pediatric patients in whom femoral vein catheterization is still preferred despite it carrying a higher risk than other locales. Addition of ultrasound guidance greatly reduces the incidence of arterial puncture and subsequent hematoma formation regardless of location. This is because it allows for visualization of anatomical variation prior to intervention and continual visualization of the needle during the placement. It is noteworthy however, that addition of ultrasound does not prevent complications such as catheter tip embolization as this may occur even with perfect placement. The value of ultrasound usage is undisputable since all studies assessing the difference between it and landmark based methods showed preferable outcome. Reduction of time and number of attempts is sufficient argument to make ultrasound guidance standard practice. Clin. Anat. 30:237–250, 2017.


Clinical Anatomy | 2015

The surgical anatomy of the lymphatic system of the pancreas

Alper Cesmebasi; Jason Malefant; Swetal Patel; Maira du Plessis; Sarah Renna; R. Shane Tubbs; Marios Loukas

The lymphatic system of the pancreas is a complex, intricate network of lymphatic vessels and nodes responsible for the drainage of the head, neck, body, and tail of the pancreas. Its anatomical divisions and embryological development have been well described in the literature with emphasis on its clinical relevance in regards to pancreatic pathologies. A thorough knowledge and understanding of the lymphatic system surrounding the pancreas is critical for physicians in providing diagnostic and treatment strategies for patients with pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis. Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor prognosis and is a notable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although a surgeon may try to predict the routes for metastasis for pancreatic cancer, the complexity of this system presents difficulty due to variable drainage patterns. Pancreatitis also presents as another severe disease which has been shown to have an association with the lymphatics. The aim of this article is to review the literature on the lymphatics of the pancreas, pancreatic pathologies, and the available imaging methodologies used to study the pancreatic lymphatics. Clin. Anat. 28:527–537, 2015.


Clinical Anatomy | 2016

The subdiaphragmatic part of the phrenic nerve – morphometry and connections to autonomic ganglia

Marios Loukas; Maira du Plessis; Robert G. Louis; R. Shane Tubbs; Christopher T. Wartmann; Nihal Apaydin

Few anatomical textbooks offer much information concerning the anatomy and distribution of the phrenic nerve inferior to the diaphragm. The aim of this study was to identify the subdiaphragmatic distribution of the phrenic nerve, the presence of phrenic ganglia, and possible connections to the celiac plexus. One hundred and thirty formalin‐fixed adult cadavers were studied. The right phrenic nerve was found inferior to the diaphragm in 98% with 49.1% displaying a right phrenic ganglion. In 22.8% there was an additional smaller ganglion (right accessory phrenic ganglion). The remaining 50.9% had no grossly identifiable right phrenic ganglion. Most (65.5% of specimens) exhibited plexiform communications with the celiac ganglion, aorticorenal ganglion, and suprarenal gland. The left phrenic nerve inferior to the diaphragm was observed in 60% of specimens with 19% containing a left phrenic ganglion. No accessory left phrenic ganglia were observed. The left phrenic ganglion exhibited plexiform communications to several ganglia in 71.4% of specimens. Histologically, the right phrenic and left phrenic ganglia contained large soma concentrated in their peripheries. Both phrenic nerves and ganglia were closely related to the diaphragmatic crura. Surgically, sutures to approximate the crura for repair of hiatal hernias must be placed above the ganglia in order to avoid iatrogenic injuries to the autonomic supply to the diaphragm and abdomen. These findings could also provide a better understanding of the anatomy and distribution of the fibers of that autonomic supply. Clin. Anat. 29:120–128, 2016.


Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | 2017

The blood supply to the sacrotuberous ligament

Jonathan Lai; Maira du Plessis; Candace Wooten; Jerzy Gielecki; R. Shane Tubbs; Rod J. Oskouian; Marios Loukas

Knowledge of the vascular supply associated with the sacrotuberous ligament is incomplete, and at most attributed to a single coccygeal branch. Our aim was to investigate the sacrotuberous ligament vasculature with a focus on its origin and distribution. We dissected 21 hemipelvises (10 male and 11 female). The gluteus maximus was reflected medially, and a special emphasis was placed on the dissection of the vascular and neuronal structures. All specimens exhibited several (1–4) coccygeal arteries branching from the inferior gluteal artery penetrating the sacrotuberous ligament along its length. Seven specimens demonstrated the superior gluteal artery supplying sacral branches to the proximal superior border of the sacrotuberous ligament. Our study highlights several branches from a variety of origins as the supply to sacrotuberous ligament unlike previous reports stating only one vessel. Our results implicate surgical procedures in and around the area of the gluteal region such as decompressive procedures of the pudendal nerve, as it travels between the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments.


Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | 2013

The lateral thoracic artery revisited

Marios Loukas; Maira du Plessis; Deyzi Gueorguieva Owens; Christopher R. Kinsella; C. Robert Litchfield; Alpen Nacar; Olivia Lu; R. Shane Tubbs


Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | 2015

The clinical anatomy of the musculotendinous part of the diaphragm

Maira du Plessis; Daryl Ramai; Sameer Shah; Jessica Holland; R. Shane Tubbs; Marios Loukas


Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy | 2016

The internal anatomy of the inferior vena cava with specific emphasis on the entrance of the renal, gonadal and lumbar veins

Kathleen Bubb; Maira du Plessis; Robert Hage; R. Shane Tubbs; Marios Loukas


The FASEB Journal | 2014

Unraveling the anatomy of the cardiac skeleton of the heart (913.6)

Maira du Plessis; Christa Blaak; R. Shane Tubbs; Marios Loukas

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R. Shane Tubbs

University of Alabama at Birmingham

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R. Shane Tubbs

University of Alabama at Birmingham

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Sameer Shah

St. George's University

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Jerzy Gielecki

University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

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Alpen Nacar

St. George's University

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