Achieving ultra-low and -uniform residual magnetic fields in a very large magnetically shielded room for fundamental physics experiments

High-precision searches for an electric dipole moment of the neutron (nEDM) require stable and uniform magnetic field environments. We present the recent achievements of degaussing and equilibrating the magnetically shielded room (MSR) for the n2EDM experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute. We present the final degaussing configuration that will be used for n2EDM after numerous studies. The optimized procedure results in a residual magnetic field that has been reduced by a factor of two. The ultra-low field is achieved with the full magnetic-field-coil system, and a large vacuum vessel installed, both in the MSR. In the inner volume of ∼ 1.4 m 3 , the field is now more uniform and below 300 pT. In addition, the procedure is faster and dissipates less heat into the magnetic environment, which in turn, reduces its thermal relaxation time from 12 h down to 1.5 h .

A rabbit's revenge: shotgun pellet appendicitis

INTRODUCTION

Appendicitis and its complications remain a common problem affecting patients of all age groups. Appendicitis due to foreign bodies is rare and carries an estimated frequency of 0.0005%.

OBJECTIVE

To present the case of a 44-year-old man with appendicitis induced by an appendicolith containing eight steel shotgun pellets. The man was a recreational hunter and for the past 20 years he consumed wild game on a regular basis.

CONCLUSIONS

Ingested blunt or round objects such as gunshot pellets appear less likely to cause perforation, and usually pass through the digestive tract without problems. However, it should be noted that in rare situations appendicitis may result.

Rare cause of gastric outlet obstruction: incarcerated pylorus within an inguinal hernia

We present the case of a 79-year-old man admitted to the emergency room. Having anorexia and vomiting as main complaints, combined with abdominal distension and discomfort, diagnostic examination revealed a giant left inguinal hernia containing the antrum and pylorus of a dilated stomach, creating an outlet obstruction. This was complicated with free peritoneal air, gastric emphysema and air in the portal system due to ischaemia.

Laparoscopic adjustable esophagogastric banding: a preliminary experience

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is an efficient surgical method in the treatment of morbid obesity. In order to reduce the number of complications, we have modified the technique to what we term 'laparoscopic adjustable esophagogastric banding'.

METHODS

Between December 1994 and July 1997, 126 laparoscopic adjustable banding procedures were carried out. Of these, 40 underwent a gastric banding operation (group 1), and 86 underwent an esophagogastric banding procedure (group 2).

RESULTS

The percentage loss of excess body weight curve was less rapid in group 2 compared to group 1 due to a different strategy in band filling. Follow-up to date shows that no problems with the pouch or the stoma have arisen in the esophagogastric banding group.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic adjustable esophagogastric banding is a simpler and safer procedure than laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. It also works as a very efficient anti-reflux procedure, at least in the short term. It appears to be equally efficient as a weight-reducing operation as gastric banding. Further follow-up of the patients involved is necessary in order to evaluate the results in the longer term.