Palliative resection for advanced gastric and junctional adenocarcinoma: which patients will benefit from surgery?

Background: Whereas palliative chemotherapy offers a median survival of approximately 10 months in advanced gastric and junctional adenocarcinoma (AGJA), the survival impact of primary tumor resection is controversial. Our purpose was to identify which AGJA patients benefit from palliative resection.

Methods: In 3,202 AGJA patients scheduled for surgery in 21 French centers between 1997 and 2010, prognostic factors were identified in palliative group and the impact of each combination of these factors on survival was studied.

Frey procedure in patients with chronic pancreatitis: short and long-term outcome from a prospective study.

Background: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the short- and long-term results of the Frey procedure in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis.

Methods: From September 2000 to November 2009, 44 consecutive patients underwent the Frey procedure. Patients were included in the study before surgery and followed prospectively with assessment of pain relief, weight gain and exocrine/endocrine insufficiency.

Should pancreaticoduodenectomy be performed in the elderly?

Background/aims: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is indicated in benign or malignant pancreatic head diseases. It is a difficult operation with high morbidity especially in elderly patients. The aim of our study was to determine whether pancreaticoduodenectomy is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in patients ≥ 70 years old.

Intraperitoneal mesh repair of small ventral abdominal wall hernias with a Ventralex hernia patch.

Background: Various surgical procedures have been described in the treatment of small ventral abdominal wall hernias. Mesh repair is becoming popular because of a low recurrence rate.

Aim: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate an open intraperitoneal technique using the Bard Ventralex hernia patch in the treatment of small midline ventral hernias.

Prognostic factors of survival in repeat liver resection for recurrent colorectal metastases: review of sixty-two cases treated at a single institution.

Purpose: Liver metastases develop in 50 percent of patients with colorectal carcinoma. Recurrent liver disease is usual. Repeat liver resection remains the only curative treatment.

Management of a stenotic pancreatico-digestive tract anastomosis following pancreatoduodenectomy.

Early postoperative complications of pancreatico-digestive anastomosis following pancreatoduodenectomy are pancreatic fistula and pancreatitis affecting the pancreatic tail. Stenosis of the anastomosis is a later complication. Symptomatic and painful presentations are difficult to treat, and the optimal treatment is not currently defined.

[Outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in military population coming back from French Guiana].

Background: An outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis occurred among 71 soldiers who had participated in various missions during a 4-month's period in French Guiana. The aims of this study were (i) to describe outbreak and (ii) to determine risk factors of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Methods: All patients were hospitalised.