Endoscopic ultrasound for structured surveillance after curative treatment of esophageal cancer.

Background: Structured surveillance after treatment of esophageal cancer is not established. Due to a paucity of data, no agreement exists on how surveillance should be performed. The main argument against intensive follow-up in esophageal cancer is that it may not lead to true survival advantage.

The transverse coloplasty pouch is technically easy and safe and improves functional outcomes after low rectal cancer resection-a single center experience with 397 patients.

Background: Following resection for low rectal cancer, numerous patients suffer from frequent bowel movements, fecal urgency, and incontinence. Although there is good evidence that colonic J-pouch reconstruction, side-to-end anastomosis, or a transverse coloplasty pouch (TCP) improves functional outcome, many surgeons still prefer straight coloanal anastomosis because it is technically easier and lacks the risk of pouch-associated complications. The present single-center study aimed to evaluate the practicability of TCPs in routine clinical practice as well as pouch-related complications.

Preoperative versus pathological staging of rectal cancer-challenging the indication of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) followed by surgery is recommended for patients with diagnosed rectal cancer UICC stage II/III. The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative staging with focus on tumor infiltration depth and lymph node status challenging the indication of neoadjuvant CRT.

Method: All consecutive rectal cancer patients who underwent surgical resection without neoadjuvant CRT at the Klinikum Stuttgart, Germany, between January 2015 and December 2018, were included into the study.

Predictors for Treatment Failure of Self-Expandable Metal Stents for Anastomotic Leak after Gastro-Esophageal Resection.

Background And Aims: Self-expandable metal stents are used for the treatment of anastomotic leaks after gastro- esophageal surgery. Predictors for treatment failure and complications are unknown. In this observational retrospective study, we summarize our experience with self-expandable metal stents for the treatment of anastomotic leaks, in order to determine the predictors of treatment failure.

Pylorus drainage procedures in thoracoabdominal esophagectomy - a single-center experience and review of the literature.

Background: Pylorotomy and pyloroplasty in thoracoabdominal esophagectomy are routinely performed in many high-volume centers to prevent delayed gastric emptying (DGE) due to truncal vagotomy. Currently, controversy remains regarding the need for these practices. The present study aimed to determine the value and role of pyloric drainage procedures in esophagectomy with gastric replacement.

Role of transarterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma before liver transplantation with special consideration of tumor necrosis.

Several authors suggest that local ablative therapies, specifically transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), may control tumor progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who are on the waiting list for liver transplantation (orthotopic liver transplantation, OLT). There is still no evidence if TACE followed by OLT is able to prevent recurrence of tumor, to prolong survival rate of the patients on the waiting list, or to improve the survival after OLT. We report 27 patients with HCC who underwent OLT.

Clinical application of soft polyglycolic acid felt for hemostasis and repair of a lacerated liver: report of two cases.

The mainstay of treatment for blunt or sharp liver trauma is conservative in 50%-80% of cases. When surgery is indicated, it is demanding and associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Felt has been used extensively in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery to seal stitches and exposed surfaces.

Phosphorylation of hepatocyte growth factor receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor of human hepatocytes can be maintained in a (3D) collagen sandwich culture system.

In vitro culture models that employ human liver cells could be potent tools for predictive studies on drug toxicity and metabolism in the pharmaceutical industry. However, an adequate receptor responsiveness is necessary to allow intracellular signalling and metabolic activity. We tested the ability of three-dimensionally arranged human hepatocytes to respond to the growth factors hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) or epidermal growth factor (EGF).