ObjectThe treatment of morbidly obese individuals with spine trauma presents unique challenges to spine surgeons and trauma staff. This study aims to increase awareness of current limitations in the surgical management of spine trauma in morbidly obese individuals, and to illustrate practical solutions.MethodsSix morbidly obese patients were treated surgically for spine trauma over a 2-year period at a single trauma center in Australia. All patients were involved in high-speed motor vehicle accidents and had multisystem injuries. All weighed in excess of 265 pounds (120 kg) with a body mass index ≥ 40 (range 47.8–67.1). Cases were selected according to the considerable challenges they presented in all aspects of their management.ResultsBest medical and surgical care may be compromised and outcome adversely affected in morbidly obese patients with spine trauma. The time taken to perform all aspects of care is usually extended, often by many hours. Customized orthotics may be required. Imaging quality is often compromised and patients may not fit into scanners. Surgical challenges include patient positioning, surgical access, confirmation of the anatomical level, and obtaining adequate instrument length. Postoperative nursing care, wound healing, and venous thromboembolism prophylaxis are also significant issues.ConclusionsManagement pathways and hospital guidelines should be developed to optimize the treatment of morbidly obese patients, but innovative solutions may be required for individual cases.
Background and Importance:Oncocytomas are rare benign tumours often arising from the lacrimal or salivary glands, usually small in size.Clinical Presentation:We report a giant unilateral orbital oncocytoma in a 19-year-old male from Papua New Guinea, presenting with progressive proptosis-threatening vision. Due to retro-ocular extension of the lesion, surgical excision was performed via a fronto-orbitozygomatic craniotomy and orbitotomy. A sub-total excision of the lesion was achieved, with overall improvement in proptosis and cosmesis.Conclusion:This appears to be the first documented case of a giant intra-orbital oncocytoma being resected neurosurgically via craniotomy.
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