Outcomes after operations for anal fistula: results of a prospective, multicenter, regional study.

Background: There are various surgical techniques used treat anal fistulas. The adoption and success rates of newer techniques have not been clearly established.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the healing rate after operations for anal fistulas in New England colorectal surgery practices.

Evolution of technique in performance of minimally invasive colectomies.

Background: Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery is commonly used in colorectal surgery and provides benefit in complex cases.

Objective: This study examined the minimally invasive surgical trends, patient characteristics, and operative variables unique to patients undergoing hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery.

Design: This was a retrospective medical chart review.

24 hours on-call and acute fatigue no longer worsen resident mood under the 80-hour work week regulations.

Purpose: Studies in on-call residents have shown that mood is worsened by fatigue as indicated by increased scores on measures of depression, anxiety, confusion, and anger using the Profile of Mood States (POMS). In prior sleep deprivation studies, mood has been shown to be more affected than either cognitive or motor performances. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the 80-hour work week regulations on resident mood in general and in a post-call period (PC).

Colovesical fistula: not a contraindication to elective laparoscopic colectomy.

Purpose: Traditionally, diverticular fistula was thought to be a contraindication for laparoscopic colectomy. The advent of hand-assisted laparoscopy has allowed repair of a diverticular fistula to be technically feasible laparoscopically. We present our experience with laparoscopic colectomy in patients with diverticular fistulas.

Palliative approaches to the patient with breast cancer.

Despite an increasing trend towards early diagnosis of breast cancer,patients still present with locally advanced disease. Also, in some patients chemotherapy will fail, and local and regional recurrence will occur. This article outlines options for palliative care for such patients.