A para duodenal hernia is caused by a rare anatomic variant. There is a hole through the fatty curtain that holds the blood supply to the intestine. Bowel can pass through this hole and get stuck, occasionally with catastrophic outcomes. In this illustration, the hole is being sewn closed.

2016

This worm-like organ hangs inconspicuously from the colon until, a little swelling and blockage results in pain, nausea, vomiting and infection. Timely removal can limit complication. Once a deadly disease, antibiotics have revolutionized care and limited morbidity for this common disease.

2016

The adrenals are tiny, fatty organs draped over the kidneys deep in the abdomen. Do not take these little guys for granted. Adrenal dysfunction can wreak havoc on the body and even kill. In this case, we removed the right adrenal gland and a mass found by chance on a CT scan.

2016

This is a depiction of a Renal Laceration, injury to the kidney, that required surgery. The kidney sits deep in the abdomen in an area known as the retroperitoneum. To get to the kidney, we had to sweep the colon and small intestine out of the way.

2016

Through a small hole deep to the colon, the small bowel passes from duodenum to jejunum. This area is tethered to our core. Injuries at the Ligament of Treitz are difficult to access and hard to repair. Here we see the small bowel fanning out and the colon lifted to reveal this treacherous injury.

2017

Respiratory failure is treated long-term with tracheostomy, a small tube placed in the neck. This illustration depicts different stages of the operation and anatomic landmarks identified in surgery.

This is a large, swollen gallbladder with fat creeping onto its surface. Though an attempt was made to drain this gallbladder percutaneously, surgery was the final remedy.

2016

During the total thyroidectomy, both lobes of the thyroid and, in this case, an extra "pyramidal" lobe, were removed through a small collar incision. Pyramidal lobes occur in 10-15% of all normal thyroids. The pyramid marks the pathway that the thyroid takes in development, from the base of the tongue to its resting place in the neck.

2016

Don't mess with the pancreas! This is a volatile organ, proned to inflammation and bleeding. IPMNs are masses that can cause pain by blocking the pancreatic ducts with thick mucous. Some of them harbor cancer cells. This pancreas has a mass at its tail, exposed when the stomach is lifted.

The first dialysis machine was built in 1943 to prolong life for people with kidney failure. The creation of arteriovenous fistulas allows for permanent access for hemodialysis. This image depicts a connection between artery and vein in the mid arm.

High velocity impact to the pelvis results in broken bones and injury to soft tissues and organs. The outer covering of the rectum was torn from its attachment in the pelvis.

Appendicitis can really put a cramp in your day! This worm-like organ hangs inconspicuously off the colon until... A little swelling and blockage results in pain, nausea, vomiting and infection. Time to remove this angry organ before it causes more trouble.

Hernias are common complications of abdominal surgery. They may be small out pouchings or grow and stretch to contain bowel or bladder. This large hernia contained small intestine and was repaired with a piece of synthetic mesh.

The ureter is rarely injured by gunshot or knife. But, in this case, the left ureter was nearly cut in two. Lucky for this patient, the underlying iliac artery was in one piece, avoiding a bloody demise.

When people arrive in extremis to the Trauma Bay, some may be saved by an extreme operation, a left anterior thoracotomy. Through the chest, blood is shunted to the chest and the heart is directly massaged.

When people arrive in extremis to the Trauma Bay, some may be saved by an extreme operation, a left anterior thoracotomy. Through the chest, blood is diverted to the most essential organs and the heart is directly massaged back to life and function.