A Surgical Instrument Cover for the Prevention of Thermal Injuries During Laparoscopic Operations.

Introduction: Accidental thermal injuries are infrequent, nonetheless, dangerous complications in laparoscopic surgery. Burns are produced because of direct contact, lack of instrument insulation and capacitive coupling. Biological fluids on the surface of laparoscopic instruments behave as electric conductors on the sheath and may be responsible for accidental thermal injuries.

HypoparaNet: A Database of Chronic Hypoparathyroidism Based on Expert Medical-Surgical Centers in Italy.

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare disease characterized by low serum calcium levels and absent or deficient parathyroid hormone level. Regarding the epidemiology of chronic hypoparathyroidism, there are limited data in Italy and worldwide. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to build a unique database of patients with chronic hypoparathyroidism, derived from the databases of 16 referral centers for endocrinological diseases, affiliated with the Italian Society of Endocrinology, and four centers for endocrine surgery with expertise in hypoparathyroidism, to conduct an epidemiological analysis of chronic hypoparathyroidism in Italy.

Corrigendum: Correction of the First Author's Affiliation. Outcome of Colorectal Surgery in Elderly Populations.

[This corrects the article on p. 139 in vol. 32, PMID: 27626024.

Integrated Approaches for the Management of Staple Line Leaks following Sleeve Gastrectomy.

. Aim of the study was trying to draw a final flow chart for the management of gastric leaks after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, based on the review of our cases over 10 years' experience. .

Radiofrequency-Based Identification Medical Device: An Evaluable Solution for Surgical Sponge Retrieval?

Background: A retained surgical item in patients (gossypiboma) is a persisting problem, despite consistent improvements and existing guidelines in counting instruments and sponges. Previous experiences with radiofrequency identification technology (RFID) tracking sponges show that it could represent an innovation, in order to reduce the criticism and increase the effectiveness during surgical procedures. We present an automated system that allows reduction of errors and improves safety in the operating room.

Erratum: Author Name Correction: Outcome of Colorectal Surgery in Elderly Populations.

[This corrects the article on p. 139 in vol. 32, PMID: 27626024.

Multi-port versus single-port cholecystectomy: results of a multi-centre, randomised controlled trial (MUSIC trial).

Background: Single-port laparoscopic surgery as an alternative to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy for benign disease has not yet been accepted as a standard procedure. The aim of the multi-port versus single-port cholecystectomy trial was to compare morbidity rates after single-access (SPC) and standard laparoscopy (MPC).

Methods: This non-inferiority phase 3 trial was conducted at 20 hospital surgical departments in six countries.

A magnetic levitation robotic camera for minimally invasive surgery: Useful for NOTES?

Background: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is rising in popularity generating a revolution in operative medicine during the past few decades. Although laparoscopic techniques have not significantly changed in the last 10 years, several advances have been made in visualization devices and instrumentation.

Methods: Our team, composed of surgeons and biomedical engineers, developed a magnetic levitation camera (MLC) with a magnetic internal mechanism dedicated to MIS.

Outcome of Colorectal Surgery in Elderly Populations.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of age on short-term outcomes after colorectal surgery in terms of the 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality rates.

Methods: The subjects for the study were patients who had undergone colorectal surgery. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to age; groups A and B patients were ≥80 and <80 years old of age, respectively.

Objective Surgical Skill Assessment: An Initial Experience by Means of a Sensory Glove Paving the Way to Open Surgery Simulation?

Introduction: Simulation and training in surgery are very promising tools for enhancing a surgeon's skill base. Accurate tracking of hand movements can be a strategy for objectively gauging a surgeon's dexterity, although "open" work is much more difficult to evaluate than are laparoscopic tasks. To the authors' knowledge, a system taking into account the movements of each finger joint has never been applied to open surgery simulation.

Gender Influence on Long-Term Weight Loss and Comorbidities After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: a Prospective Study With a 5-Year Follow-up.

Background: Gender might be important in predicting outcomes after bariatric surgery. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of gender on long-term weight loss and comorbidity improvement after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB).

Methods: A cohort of 304 consecutive patients underwent surgery in 2006-2009: 162 (98 women, 64 men) underwent LSG and 142 (112 women, 30 men) underwent LRYGB.

Natural humoral immune response to ribosomal P0 protein in colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Tumor associated antigens are useful in colorectal cancer (CRC) management. The ribosomal P proteins (P0, P1, P2) play an important role in protein synthesis and tumor formation. The immunogenicity of the ribosomal P0 protein in head and neck, in breast and prostate cancer patients and the overexpression of the carboxyl-terminal P0 epitope (C-22 P0) in some tumors were reported.

Peritoneal expression of Matrilysin helps identify early post-operative recurrence of colorectal cancer.

Recurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) following a potentially curative resection is a challenging clinical problem. Matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) is over-expressed by CRC cells and supposed to play a major role in CRC cell diffusion and metastasis. MMP-7 RNA expression was assessed by real-time PCR using specific primers in peritoneal washing fluid obtained during surgical procedure.

Laparoscopic ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease associated with midgut malrotation.

Midgut malrotation is an anomaly of fetal intestinal rotation. Its incidence in adults is rare. A case of midgut malrotation in a 51-year-old man with complicated Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum is presented.

Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT): a minimally invasive procedure for complex anal fistula: two-year results of a prospective multicentric study.

Introduction: The surgical management of anal fistulas is still a matter of discussion and no clear recommendations exist. The present study analyses the results of the ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) technique in treating complex anal fistulas, in particular healing, fecal continence, and recurrence.

Methods: Between October 2010 and February 2012, a total of 26 consecutive patients underwent LIFT.

Medical and surgical treatment of haemorrhoids and anal fissure in Crohn's disease: a critical appraisal.

Background: The principle to avoid surgery for haemorrhoids and/or anal fissure in Crohn's disease (CD) patients is still currently valid despite advances in medical and surgical treatments. In this study we report our prospectively recorded data on medical and surgical treatment of haemorrhoids and anal fissures in CD patients over a period of 8 years.

Methods: Clinical data of patients affected by perianal disease were routinely and prospectively inserted in a database between October 2003 and October 2011 at the Department of Surgery, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome.

Role of 0.4% glyceryl trinitrate ointment after haemorrhoidectomy: results of a prospective randomised study.

Introduction: Conventional haemorrhoidectomy (CH) is well known to cause significant post-operative pain and delayed return to daily activities. Both surgical wounds and sphincterial apparatus spasms are likely responsible for the pain. In this study, we evaluated the role of glyceryl trinitrate ointment (GTN) in reducing post-operative pain, ameliorating wound healing and recovery after CH.

Solitary metachronous gastric metastasis from pulmonary adenocarcinoma: Report of a case.

Introduction: Gastric metastases from lung adenocarcinoma are rare and usually associated with disseminated disease. The great majority is asymptomatic and in few cases discovered during autopsy studies. Reports of single metachronous metastases during the lifetime are anecdotal.

Radiofrequency versus ultrasonic energy in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a metaanalysis of operative time and blood loss.

Background: Various energy sources are available for tissue dissection and vessel sealing in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The electrothermal bipolar vessel sealing system (EBVS) and ultrasonic energy (UE) devices are widely used to provide hemostatic dissection in laparoscopic procedures. Nevertheless, available evidenced-based data comparing their operative results still are scarce.

Staple-line reinforcement during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy using three different techniques: a randomized trial.

Background: The main drawback of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the severity of postoperative complications. Staple line reinforcement (SLR) is strongly advocated. The purpose of this study was to compare prospectively and randomly three different techniques of SLR during LSG.

2-Methoxy-5-amino-N-hydroxybenzamide, a derivative of mesalamine, inhibits colon cancer cell growth through cyclo-oxygenase-2-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

COX-2 (cyclo-oxygenase-2) and PGE₂ (prostaglandin E₂) play a key role in sustaining CRC (colorectal cancer) cell growth and survival. Indeed, the use of agents targeting the COX-2/PGE₂ axis has been associated with a reduction in the development of CRC in both humans and murine models of colon carcinogenesis. In the present study, we investigated whether 2-methoxy-5-amino-N-hydroxybenzamide (herein termed 2-14), a derivative of mesalamine that inhibits CRC cell growth both in vitro and in vivo, negatively regulates COX-2/PGE₂ expression in CRC cells and assessed whether the 2-14-mediated anti-neoplastic effect is strictly dependent on the inhibition of this pathway.

Staple-line reinforcement with a thrombin matrix during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity: a case series.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) represents a valid option for morbidly obese patients, either as a primary or as a staged procedure. Staple-line reinforcement (SLR) is strongly advocated to decrease the chance of bleeding. The aim of this article is to report our experience with a new technique of SLR using a thrombin-gelatin matrix in a series of morbidly obese patients subjected to LSG.

Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy for internal rectal prolapse using biological mesh: postoperative and short-term functional results.

Background: Laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy is a novel procedure to correct internal and external rectal prolapse. Several authors have shown that this approach is safe and improves obstructive defaecation symptoms and faecal incontinence, without inducing new-onset constipation, possible after posterior rectopexy. Over the last decade, as for other procedures, biological meshes are used to correct pelvic floor disorders.

Comparative study of laparoscopic vs open gastrectomy in gastric cancer management.

Aim: To compare long-term results of gastric cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic and open gastrectomy in a single unit.

Methods: From February 2000 to September 2004, all patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach were assessed to entry in this longitudinal prospective non-randomized trial. Primary endpoint was cancer-related survival and secondary endpoints were overall survival, evaluation of surgical complications and mortality.