Laparoscopic versus open adhesiolysis for adhesive small bowel obstruction (LASSO): an international, multicentre, randomised, open-label trial.

Background: Although laparoscopic adhesiolysis for adhesive small bowel obstruction is being done more frequently, it is not widely accepted due to the lack of supporting evidence of its superiority over an open approach and concerns regarding its benefits. We aimed to investigate whether laparoscopic adhesiolysis was a superior treatment for adhesive small bowel obstruction compared with an open approach in terms of length of postoperative hospital stay and morbidity.

Methods: In this international, multicentre, parallel, open-label trial, we randomly assigned patients (1:1) aged 18-95 years who had adhesive small bowel obstruction that had not resolved with conservative management to have either open or laparoscopic adhesiolysis.

Laparoscopic versus open adhesiolysis for small bowel obstruction - a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Laparoscopic adhesiolysis is emerging as an alternative for open surgery in adhesive small bowel obstruction. Retrospective studies suggest that laparoscopic approach shortens hospital stay and reduces complications in these patients. However, no prospective, randomized, controlled trials comparing laparoscopy to open surgery have been published.

Preoperative assessment and treatment of appendiceal mucocele complicated by acute torsion: a case report.

Background: Mucus-producing tumours of the appendix or mucoceles can, if left untreated, lead to dissemination of its contents into the peritoneal cavity causing substantial morbidity to the patient. Symptoms for complicated mucoceles can mimic those of acute appendicitis and the final diagnosis is most likely made intraoperatively. We here present a case that is, to our knowledge, one of only ten described in the literature and the first to characterize torsion of an appendiceal mucocele with abdominal magnetic resonance imaging.

The early outcome of laparoscopic sigmoid and rectal resection for endometriosis.

Aim: Deeply infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is the most severe form of endometriosis and may affect the rectum and sigmoid colon. The most effective treatment is segmental resection. We report our results of rectal and sigmoid resection for this.

Vascular endothelial growth factor-B induces myocardium-specific angiogenesis and arteriogenesis via vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1- and neuropilin receptor-1-dependent mechanisms.

Background: New revascularization therapies are urgently needed for patients with severe coronary heart disease who lack conventional treatment options.

Methods And Results: We describe a new proangiogenic approach for these no-option patients using adenoviral (Ad) intramyocardial vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-B186 gene transfer, which induces myocardium-specific angiogenesis and arteriogenesis in pigs and rabbits. After acute infarction, AdVEGF-B186 increased blood vessel area, perfusion, ejection fraction, and collateral artery formation and induced changes toward an ischemia-resistant myocardial phenotype.