Management of peritoneal hydatid cysts: A fourty-year experience.

Background: Hydatid disease is a global problem. We report our experience with such cases where the dominant cysts were located outside the liver and lungs. In particular, these cysts were found in the peritoneum which is an uncommon location.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pancreas: Case report and review of the literature.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a mesenchymal tumor typically located in the pleura, but can also be found as an asymptomatic mass in other areas, including the liver, peritoneum, kidney and salivary glands. However, SFT rarely locates in the pancreas. We present such a case of pancreatic SFT, along with a review of all reported cases.

Intraperitoneal application of phospholipids for the prevention of postoperative adhesions: a possible role of myofibroblasts.

Background: Peritoneal adhesions, organized as fibrous bands after abdominal surgery, are related with considerable morbidity and repeated hospitalization. Phospholipids, natural constituents of the peritoneal fluid, seem to display excellent antiadhesive properties. The aim of this study was to investigate whether intraperitoneal application of phospholipids is capable of reducing postoperative adhesions and the possible underlying mechanisms.

Randomized phase III clinical trial comparing the combination of capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) with the combination of 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin (modified FOLFOX6) as adjuvant therapy in patients with operated high-risk stage II or stage III colorectal cancer.

Background: The aim of the trial was to compare two active adjuvant chemotherapy regimens in patients with early stage colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Patients were assigned to oxaliplatin, leucovorin and 5-FU for 12 cycles (group A, FOLFOX6) or oxaliplatin and capecitabine for eight cycles (group B, CAPOX). Primary endpoint was disease-free survival (DFS).

A Four-Probiotics Regimen Reduces Postoperative Complications After Colorectal Surgery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: Heterogeneous results of published studies led to conduct a randomized clinical trial to assess the efficacy of a new formulation of four probiotics as prophylaxis for complications after colorectal surgery.

Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized study was conducted enrolling patients undergoing colorectal surgery for cancer. Capsules of placebo or of a formulation containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, L.

Prognostic markers in early-stage colorectal cancer: significance of TYMS mRNA expression.

Background: Several studies have recently indicated the prognostic or predictive role of several biomarkers in colorectal cancer. We sought to investigate the prognostic value of prostaglandin synthase 2 (PTGS2), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), thymidylate synthetase (TYMS), thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP), dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) and topoisomerase I (TOPO1) in colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-FU-based regimens, such as De Gramont and FOLFOX in the adjuvant setting.

Materials And Methods: In total, 96 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded and 30 fresh-frozen tumor tissue samples were evaluated using immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and microarray gene expression profiling, respectively.

The impact of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for colorectal cancer on the autonomous nervous system.

Background: The oxaliplatin (ΟΧΑ)-based regimens FOLFOX and XELOX can cause peripheral neuropathy. It is unknown if ΟΧΑ, alone or in combination regimens, affects the Autonomous Nervous System (ANS). Accordingly, we evaluated the impact of ΟΧΑ-based chemotherapy on the ANS.

A study of gene expression markers for predictive significance for bevacizumab benefit in patients with metastatic colon cancer: a translational research study of the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group (HeCOG).

Background: Bevacizumab, an antibody neutralizing Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), is licensed for the management of patients with advanced colon cancer. However, tumor biomarkers identifying the molecular tumor subsets most amenable to angiogenesis modulation are lacking.

Methods: We profiled expession of 24526 genes by means of whole genome 24 K DASL (c-DNA-mediated, Annealing, Selection and Ligation) arrays, (Illumina, CA) in 16 bevacizumab-treated patients with advanced colon cancer (Test set).

Endoscopically assisted laparoscopic local resection of gastric tumor.

Background: Minimally invasive procedures have been applied in treatment of gastric submucosal tumors. Currently, combined laparoscopic - endoscopic rendezvous resection (CLERR) emerges as a new technique which further reduces operative invasiveness.

Case Presentation: A-57-year-old female patient presented with epigastric pain.

Pheochromocytoma crisis presenting with cardiogenic shock.

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-secreting tumor of the adrenal glands whose typical presentation includes the triad of headache, palpitations, and diaphoresis. Pheochromocytoma crisis is an urgent medical condition whose diagnosis and management constitute a challenge for physicians. We present the case of a 55-year-old man who developed cardiogenic shock in the setting of a pheochromocytoma crisis.

Breast cancer metastatic to the rectum: a case report.

Introduction: Patients with breast cancer may present with systemic recurrence in any organ, primarily the bones, lungs, lymph nodes, liver, pleura, and adrenal glands. We report a case of rectal tumor, metastatic from breast cancer, which represents an unusual location of metastasis.

Case Presentation: A 74-year-old woman, operated for lobular breast cancer 5 years ago, but not compliant with the annual follow-up, presented with severe constipation and pseudodiarrhea.

Laparoscopic low anterior resection for early rectal cancer.

Introduction: Early rectal cancer (ERC) is adenocarcinoma that has invaded into, but not extended beyond, the submucosa. Endoscopic or minimal access surgical procedures, such as laparoscopic resection, have emerged as a useful tool in the surgical treatment of such diseases. The aim of this study is to present and analyze the feasibility, the short- and long-term results of laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS) in patients with ERC.

Toll-like receptors in the inflammatory response during open and laparoscopic colectomy for colorectal cancer.

Background: Surgical interventions activate a cascade of reactions that result in an aseptic inflammatory reaction. This inflammatory response initiates the organism's innate immunity. Laparoscopic surgery reduces the trauma, and patients benefit from diminished surgical trauma and maintained immune function.

Inflammation of solitary caecal diverticula:a rare aetiology of acute abdominal pain [corrected].

Caecal diverticula are rare, representing the 3.6% of colonic diverticula. They may have congenital origin and remain asymptomatic, presenting as an accidental finding.

Changes in treatment of rectal cancer: increased use of low anterior resection.

Purpose: The most common surgical procedures for patients with rectal cancer are low anterior resection (LAR) or abdominoperineal excision (APE). The aim of the present study is to evaluate and report the changes in the incidence of LAR and APE in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer over the last 15 years in a single surgical department.

Methods: The patient sample consisted of 251 consecutive patients (mean age 65.

Surgical management of colorectal injuries: colostomy or primary repair?

Purpose: Several factors have been considered important for the decision between diversion and primary repair in the surgical management of colorectal injuries. The aim of this study is to clarify whether patients with colorectal injuries need diversion or not.

Methods: From 2008 to 2010, ten patients with colorectal injuries were surgically treated by primary repair or by a staged repair.

Gossypiboma presenting as mesosigmoid abscess [corrected].

Introduction: The term "gossypiboma" is used to describe any mass of non-absorbable surgical material. It is estimated that this complication appears every 1.000-10.

The stapled hemorrhoidopexy syndrome: a new clinical entity?

Purpose: Haemorrhoidal disease is a rather common disease of unknown cause. A new technique for treating prolapsing haemorrhoids known as the stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) or the "Longo procedure" is widely used. Serious adverse events were reported in 2000 and some discussion over the syndrome but nothing since.

Cecal volvulus after twin gestation: laparoscopic approach.

Introduction: Intestinal obstruction in pregnancy is not common. Colonic volvulus occurs in 24% of such cases. Due to the rare incidence and lack of imaging during pregnancy, correct diagnosis is often delayed.

A retrospective analysis of 2000 cases with colorectal carcinoma.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of death in the western world and a leading cause of cancer-related death. It is one of the most common human malignancies with >300,000 cases both in the United States and in the European Union each year. The present study was conducted to assess differences in various variables of CRC, such as location of the tumor, differentiation, Dukes classification, 5-year survival and possible changes in these patterns during the examined period.

Surgical management of rectal prolapse.

Purpose: Rectal prolapse is uncommon; however, the true incidence is unknown because of underreporting, especially in the elderly population. Full-thickness rectal prolapse, mucosal prolapse and internal prolapse are three different clinical entities, which are often combined and constitute rectal prolapse. The aim of the study is to present our experience in the surgical management of rectal prolapse.

Α-defensin expression of inflammatory response in open and laparoscopic colectomy for colorectal cancer.

Background: Surgical procedures are related to the activation of the inflammatory reaction. This is called surgical stress. It is believed that diminished surgical trauma reduces surgical stress.

Cecal obstruction due to primary intestinal tuberculosis: a case series.

Introduction: Primary intestinal tuberculosis is a rare variant of tuberculosis. The preferred treatment is usually pharmaceutical, but surgery may be required for complicated cases.

Case Presentation: We report two cases of primary intestinal tuberculosis where the initial diagnosis was wrong, with colonic cancer suggested in the first case and a Crohn's disease complication in the second.

Myofibroblasts and colonic anastomosis healing in Wistar rats.

Background: The myofibroblasts play a central role in wound healing throughout the body. The process of wound healing in the colon was evaluated with emphasis on the role of myofibroblasts.

Methods: One hundred male Wistar rats weighing 274 ± 9.

A randomized phase III trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with irinotecan, leucovorin and fluorouracil versus leucovorin and fluorouracil for stage II and III colon cancer: a Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group study.

Background: Colon cancer is a public health problem worldwide. Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection for stage III colon cancer has been shown to improve both progression-free and overall survival, and is currently recommended as standard therapy. However, its value for patients with stage II disease remains controversial.