BACKGROUND Minimally disruptive approaches to the anterior lumbar spine continue to evolve in a quest to reduce approach-related morbidity. A lateral retroperitoneal, trans-psoas approach to the anterior disc space allows for complete discectomy, distraction, and interbody fusion without the need for an approach surgeon. PURPOSE To demonstrate the feasibility of a minimally disruptive lateral...

Abstract Aim Abdominal wall hernias result from a mechanical conflict between forces acting on the (mainly intra-abdominal pressure (IAP)) and its ability to deform. An abdominal binder instrumented with sensors has been developed non-invasively quantify deformation during straining. Methods A prospective study was conducted eight healthy subjects. External deformations were evaluated by patent...

The effect of body position on gastric emptying was investigated in 48 neonates. The rate of gastric emptying is the same for healthy term, preterm, and small-for-dates infants. Infants with respiratory distress syndrome have delayed gastric emptying and a high incidence of abdominal distension and pooling of feeds in the stomach in the supine position. The stomach empties more rapidly in the p...

Pethia longicauda, a new cyprinid fish, is described from Hiranyakeshi River, Krishna drainage, Maharashtra, India. It can be distinguished from congeners based on a combination of characters including: a long caudal peduncle, incomplete lateral line, absence of barbels, upper lip thick and fleshy, distinct lateral fold on snout, 22-24 scales in lateral series, 5-6 lateral-line pored scales, ni...

We used the cobalt-backfilling method to map the somata of neurones with axons that project in the two paired lateral nerves of the abdominal neuromeres of the locust Schistocerca gregaria with the objective of expanding and bringing together the incomplete and scattered information on these efferent neurones. We compared somata sizes and positions, and the pathways of primary neurites, with in...

Unmixed colonies of larval antlions and wormlions in similar pits were found in the Xiaolongmen National Forest Park in the Taihang Shan, China. A male of Vermiophis taihangensis Yang & Chen, 1993 was reared from a larva and a morphological description of the third instar larval wormlion is presented. The larva of Vermiophis taihangensis differs from the related species V. ganquanensis Yang, 19...

BACKGROUND Free flaps have a distinct role in a select group of patients with large abdominal wall defects. They offer a completely autologous reconstructive solution in a single stage for difficult abdominal wounds for which pedicled flaps would be inadequate. METHODS From 1996 to 2005, five patients with complex abdominal wall defects underwent reconstruction using free flaps. All patients ...

Stereotyped responses were evoked in a number of motoneurones in the appendages of semi-intact crayfish when the command neurones for escape behaviour were activated. The medial giant neurones mediated short latency responses in pereiopod common inhibitor, promotor and extensor motoneurones, several abdominal first root neurones and one uropod exopodite promotor motoneurone. The lateral giant n...

The majority of the anterior vaginal wall prolapse results from paravaginal defects 70% (lateral detachments from the ATFP) mostly unilateral, on the right side, and at the level of the ischial spines; rather than midline defect. This new understanding of site specific vaginal defects has lead to changes in surgical techniques, to include, abdominal, laparoscopic, and vaginal repairs. Abdominal...

Standard abdominoplasty techniques involve a low horizontal or W skin excision, muscle plication, and umbilical transposition. Newer techniques include suction-assisted lipectomy, the use of high lateral tension with fascial suspension, and external oblique muscle advancement. The author has modified these traditional procedures and added new techniques to improve the aesthetic and functional r...