Yuri Novitsky’s description of the posterior component separation in 2012 has revolutionized the world of ventral hernia repairs. While large hernia defects above 10 to 12 centimeters seemed impossible to close primarily without tension, the technique of transversus abdominis release as described helped achieve posture as well as anterior abdominal wall closure without tension in addition to providing a highly vascularized medium for mesh integration in between these layers. Not only does the posterior component separation allow for medialization of the posterior rectus sheath to be closed in the midline, but it also gives a release to the anterior components of the abdominal wall to allow for recreation of the linea alba without tension.
Laparoscopic-Assisted Right Hemicolectomy Anthony D. Douglas II, MD; Derrius Anderson, MD; Jelani Williams, MD; Rowan Hussein; Ashley Russell; Konstantin Umanskiy, MD UChicago Medicine
The patient-centered environment of the operating room often precludes extensive intraoperative discussions or detailed explanations between a resident and the attending surgeon. This constraint in real-time feedback poses a challenge for surgical residents to refine their surgical skills. Implementation of a structured case review between attendings and senior residents at interval timepoints of their rotations could support addressing this gap. This case presents a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. This procedure removes a portion of the colon and is commonly indicated for colon cancer. In this video article, a senior general surgery resident participates in the procedure and then engages in a structured case review with their attending, analyzing the fundamental steps of the procedure as well as identifying opportunities for technical improvement and enhancement of intraoperative decision-making.
When an unknown substance has entered the eye, diagnostic measurement of ocular surface pH and therapeutic irrigation of the eye are essential steps to minimize the risk of long term consequences. These procedures are demonstrated here and represent critical interventions in emergency eye care. When properly executed, they serve as both diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Their simplicity and effectiveness make them essential skills in emergency and primary care settings, where rapid intervention can prevent permanent ocular damage. Time to irrigation is the most critical factor in determining outcomes, with each minute of delay potentially increasing the risk of permanent visual impairment as this can lead to permanent scarring.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and Dupuytren’s disease (DD) are two common hand conditions that can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life and hand function. In cases where both conditions coexist, as demonstrated in this video, a combined surgical approach is adopted in suitable candidates. Combining carpal tunnel release and fasciectomy in a single surgical setting is safe, cost-effective, and efficient, reducing recovery time and healthcare costs while achieving functional outcomes comparable to staged interventions. This video demonstration is particularly valuable for practicing hand surgeons and surgical trainees, offering detailed insights into technical challenges such as neurovascular bundle protection, management of retrovascular cord components, and the precise balance between complete disease excision and preservation of vital structures. The demonstrated solutions, including the use of vessel loops for nerve protection, staged fascia removal, and careful hemostasis management, provide practical guidance for similar cases.
This article describes a case of a 58-year-old male patient with a renal mass, which was incidentally discovered on an imaging of chest CT scan, without any signs and symptoms indicative for renal masses. The patient has no history of ureteroscopy before, and no prior history of urolithiasis. The multiphasic, contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scan shows 2.5-cm hyperattenuating enhancing mass in the upper pole of the right kidney. Transverse unenhanced CT image shows hyperattenuating mass with no evidence of fat. Transverse CT image shows enhancement of the mass from 60 HU to 116 HU. The chest CT scan showed no abnormalities. This video describes a complex urological procedure that initially aimed to perform diagnostic and potentially therapeutic intervention but was modified due to anatomical constraints. The procedure demonstrates the importance of surgical adaptability and the role of staged approaches in urological surgery.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune condition that causes hyperthyroidism. There are several options for management which include medications, radioactive iodine ablation, and surgery. Over time, total or near-total thyroidectomy has become the gold standard in surgical management of this disease. Although there is a slightly higher risk of complications following total thyroidectomy in patients with Graves’ disease as compared to their non-Graves’ counterparts undergoing thyroidectomy, the absolute risk remains low, especially for high-volume endocrine surgeons.
An 80-year-old patient underwent an open onlay repair of a recurrent incisional hernia. This approach was chosen due to the patient’s prior retromuscular repair, age, history of adhesions, and religious preference against blood products. Following safe abdominal entry and adhesiolysis, a subcutaneous pocket extending 5 centimeters in all directions from the hernia was created. Fascia was closed using mesh-suture and a 12 x 12-centimeter macroporous, medium-weight polypropylene mesh was secured to the anterior fascia with staples and fibrin glue. A subcutaneous drain was placed. This case highlights the utility of an onlay approach for selected circumstances.
Hydrocelectomy is a common and effective surgical procedure used to treat hydrocele, a condition in males defined as an accumulation of benign peritoneal fluid between the layers of the scrotum. The indications for hydrocelectomy include pain, poor cosmetic appearance, or negative impact on patient quality of life. Surgical treatment of hydroceles aims to treat symptoms as well as prevent complications of hydroceles left untreated, including chronic pain or testicular ischemia. A scrotal incision is the most common approach for surgical management of non-communicating hydroceles. The hydrocele sac is isolated, the fluid is drained, and the sac is excised and closed to prevent recurrence. This video presents a case of a patient with a left sided non-communicating hydrocele that was treated with hydrocelectomy. As part of the procedure, a surgical drain was left in place.
Thoracentesis Alexandra J. Lopez, MD; Yu Maw Htwe, MD Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Pleural effusions are a frequent problem encountered in pulmonary medicine. Some common causes of pleural effusion include chest infection, heart failure, liver failure, malignancy, and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few. Often drainage of this fluid is required for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, which is called thoracentesis. For this procedure, a Safe-T-Centesis kit is used to place a temporary catheter in the pleural space and manually drain the fluid, which can then be sent to the lab for further testing, including cell counts, glucose, pH, protein levels, cytology, and bacterial cultures. Based on these results, it can be determined if the effusion is exudative or transudative, which helps guide further management. In this case, the patient has a recurrent left-sided exudative effusion of unknown cause with underlying history of colon cancer, and malignant effusion is a concern, so it was decided to perform both diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound-guided thoracentesis.
Ganglion cysts (GCs) are common benign soft tissue tumors that when presenting near the nail bed of digits, are specifically termed digital mucous cysts (DMCs). The surgical excision of GCs near the nail bed requires precise technique and a thorough understanding of the anatomical relationships to prevent recurrence and minimize complications. This case report describes the surgical management of a GC located on the distal phalanx of the middle finger near the nail bed. The procedure demonstrates several key principles that are essential for successful outcomes, including the necessity of complete cyst excision to prevent recurrence, the importance of careful dissection near the germinal matrix to prevent permanent nail deformity, the value of a bloodless surgical field in maintaining precise visualization, and the significance of proper wound closure technique in ensuring optimal aesthetic and functional outcomes.
