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.