PUBLISHED: Laser Stapedotomy for Otosclerosis

Laser Stapedotomy for Otosclerosis
C. Scott Brown, MD; Calhoun D. Cunningham III, MD
Duke University Medical Center

Otosclerosis can lead to progressive conductive hearing loss, significantly affecting quality of life. For patients who choose surgery, the tympanic membrane is elevated, and the middle ear space is explored. If the surgeon confirms that the stapes is fixed in the oval window, either a stapedotomy or stapedectomy can be performed.

In the stapedotomy, the surgeon removes the stapes superstructure, creates a fenestration in the footplate, and places a prosthesis from the incus through the fenestration into the vestibule. In this instance, the patient was able to regain nearly all of the hearing that had been lost as a result of stapes fixation.

PUBLISHED: Triceps Repair for Acute Triceps Tendon Rupture

Triceps Repair for Acute Triceps Tendon Rupture
Gregory Schneider, BS¹; Asif M. Ilyas, MD, MBA, FACS¹’²
¹Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
²Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University

The patient in this case suffered an acute triceps tendon rupture and opted for surgical repair to restore function. His physical exam findings of tenderness at the olecranon and weakness against resistance during elbow extension, combined with plain film imaging revealing a positive fleck sign representing an avulsion the triceps tendon off of the olecranon, gave the diagnosis of acute triceps tendon rupture.

The patient underwent surgical repair under general anesthesia in lateral decubitus position with a sterile tourniquet applied for hemostasis. The treatment goal was re-approximating the distal triceps tendon to the olecranon in order to restore elbow extension strength and upper extremity function. The surgical technique demonstrated in this video is the suture bridge technique.

PUBLISHED: Primary Low Transverse C-Section

Primary Low Transverse C-Section
Taylor P. Stewart, MD; Juliana B. Taney, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital

Cesarean sections, often referred to as c-sections, are the most common operation performed for pregnant people across the US. They are viewed as a safe mode of fetal delivery. While there are many indications for planned, non-elective primary cesarean deliveries, there are growing numbers of planned, elective primary c-sections in the US. Vaginal delivery should still be considered in all cases in which an elective c-section is requested. The decision regarding mode of delivery often involves an interdisciplinary discussion between obstetrical, anesthesia, and specialty teams as well as joint decision making between a patient and their provider, taking into consideration their concerns and long-term goals.

In this case, an elective primary c-section was performed on a 31-year-old gravida 1 para 0 patient with a term, singleton gestation in the setting of prior lumbar sacral fusion and pelvic fixation surgeries.

PUBLISHED: Vaginal Hysterectomy, Uterosacral Ligament Suspension, Anterior Repair, and Perineorrhaphy

Vaginal Hysterectomy, Uterosacral Ligament Suspension, Anterior Repair, and Perineorrhaphy
Emily C. Von Bargen, DO; Patricia L. Hudson, MD; Lori R. Berkowitz, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital

This is the case of a 74-year-old female who presented with bothersome stage III pelvic organ prolapse. She desired definitive surgical management for her prolapse and opted for total vaginal hysterectomy, uterosacral ligament suspension, and anterior/posterior vaginal repairs. She had urodynamic testing before the surgery that showed no stress urinary incontinence, no detrusor overactivity, and normal bladder capacity. The surgery was uncomplicated. She was discharged home the same day as surgery, and her postoperative recovery was unremarkable.

PUBLISHED: Laparoscopic Total Abdominal Colectomy with Ileorectal Anastomosis for Crohn’s Colitis and Multifocal Dysplasia

Laparoscopic Total Abdominal Colectomy with Ileorectal Anastomosis for Crohn’s Colitis and Multifocal Dysplasia
Winta T. Mehtsun, MD, MPH; Richard Hodin, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that can chronically affect the entire gastrointestinal tract, with a propensity for the distal ileum. It causes transmural inflammation of the intestines, where it can cause abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition.

There is no cure for Crohn’s disease; the goal of treatment is to palliate symptoms, accomplished with both medical and surgical options. Surgery is generally reserved for patients who are unresponsive to aggressive medical therapy or those who develop complications.

Here, we present the case of a 59-year-old male with chronic gastrointestinal problems thought to be Crohn’s colitis. Colonoscopy with biopsy of multiple areas showed dysplasia, prompting surgical resection. In this case, the entire colon was affected with rectal sparing; therefore, a total abdominal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis was performed.

PUBLISHED: Endolymphatic Sac Decompression

Endolymphatic Sac Decompression
C. Scott Brown, MD; Calhoun D. Cunningham III, MD
Duke University Medical Center

Endolymphatic sac (ELS) decompression can be performed for patients with Meniere’s disease who have failed conservative treatment such as dietary changes and medical therapy. The full pathophysiological mechanisms that result in Meniere’s disease are not entirely understood. The variation in techniques for performing ELS decompression support this; there is no concrete data to justify one approach over another. Regardless, in the correct patient, ELS decompression can significantly alleviate the patient’s symptoms. To do so, a mastoidectomy is performed to expose the bony labyrinth as well as the bone overlying the sigmoid sinus. Decompression of the sac can be accomplished by removing overlying bone, incising the dura, or stenting the dura open.

PUBLISHED: Transmastoid Repair of Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence

Transmastoid Repair of Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence
C. Scott Brown, MD; David M. Kaylie, MD, MS
Duke University Medical Center

Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is associated with conductive hearing loss, autophony, and pressure/sound induced vertigo. Patients who are symptomatic may elect to undergo surgical intervention.

Here, Dr. Kaylie demonstrates the transmastoid approach to repairing SSCD. This approach affords the opportunity for an outpatient procedure to expose and plug the canal around the defect.

PUBLISHED: Ulnar Nerve Transposition (Cadaver)

Ulnar Nerve Transposition (Cadaver)
Irene Kalbian; Asif M. Ilyas, MD, MBA, FACS
Rothman Institute

Ulnar nerve transposition is a surgical procedure performed to treat ulnar nerve compression of the elbow, also known as cubital tunnel syndrome. This procedure is utilized after both non-operative management and in situ decompression fails, or if these procedures are deemed inappropriate based on patient pathology or ulnar nerve instability.

Transposition of the ulnar nerve involves not only decompression of the nerve but also its anterior repositioning to reduce compression and irritation while maintaining nerve integrity. This video demonstrates, on a cadaver arm, the operative technique for performing an ulnar nerve transposition using either a subcutaneous or a submuscular technique.

PUBLISHED: Repair of a Chronic Degenerative Sagittal Band Rupture of the Right Ring Finger

Repair of a Chronic Degenerative Sagittal Band Rupture of the Right Ring Finger
Jasmine Wang, BS¹; Asif M. Ilyas, MD, MBA, FACS¹’²
¹Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
²Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University

Sagittal band rupture leads to subluxation of the EDC tendon at the MCP joint. The common presentation involves pain and swelling at the MCP joint, visualization of extensor tendon subluxation during flexion, and inability to actively extend the MCP joint from a flexed position.

The treatment for chronic rupture, as in this case, involves surgical repair followed by six weeks in a relative motion splint, in which the injured MCP joint is placed in greater extension relative to adjacent joints. The video here demonstrates direct repair of a chronic degenerative sagittal band rupture of the right ring finger.

PUBLISHED: Cataract Extraction with Phacoemulsification and Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens

Cataract Extraction with Phacoemulsification and Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens
Daniel J. Hu, MD
Tufts University School of Medicine

Cataract is a leading cause of treatable blindness in the world. The diagnosis is made through assessment of visual acuity, visual disability, and slit lamp biomicroscopy. In the US, the standard for cataract extraction has become phacoemulsification.

This article demonstrates and reviews the technique of cataract extraction using phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation using the divide-and-conquer technique.

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