Diverticulitis, surgery, evidence-based medicine, and the Steve Jobs' dots: a narrative review.

Purpose: Emergency treatment of acute diverticulitis remains a hazy field. Despite a number of clinical studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), guidelines and surgical societies recommendations, the most critical hot topics have yet to be addressed.

Methods: Literature research from 1963 until today was performed.

Successful bridging treatment and healing of enteric fistulae by vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy and targeted drainage in patients with open abdomen.

Purpose: The object of this study was to investigate the bridging treatment of enteric fistulae by vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy in patients with open abdomen.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who have been treated between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2008 at the intensive care unit of the Department of General Surgery, Medical University Vienna. Control of the fistula was established by VAC therapy to bridge the patients to the time of the fistula resection.

Mesh fixation in laparoscopic incisional hernia repair: glue fixation provides attachment strength similar to absorbable tacks but differs substantially in different meshes.

Background: Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair has gained popularity among minimally invasive surgeons. However, mesh fixation remains a matter of discussion. This study was designed to compare noninvasive fibrin-glue attachment with tack fixation of meshes developed primarily for intra-abdominal use.

Adjuvant bisphosphonates in endocrine-responsive breast cancer: what is their place in therapy?

Recent advances in the treatment of early breast cancer have improved clinical outcomes and prolonged survival, especially in women with endocrine-responsive disease. However, cancer therapies including cytotoxic chemotherapy, ovarian suppression, and aromatase inhibitors can drastically reduce circulating estrogen, increasing bone loss and fracture risk. Because most women with early breast cancer will live for many years, it is important to protect bone health during cancer therapy.

Is Endocrine Therapy Really Pleasant? Considerations about the Long-Term Use of Antihormonal Therapy and Its Benefit/Side Effect Ratio.

Endocrine therapy has become a key part in the adjuvant treatment of hormone responsive breast cancer. The positive effect on relapse risk reduction is well defined, but therapy is not free from bothersome side effects for which estrogen deprivation accounts to a great extent. Since endocrine therapy is usually prescribed for 5 years or longer to optimally display its protective effect, and because physical strain is missing, good tolerability and safety properties are important, particularly in low-risk patients.