Robotic single port cholecystectomy: current data and future perspectives.

Introduction: Minimally invasive techniques are used more and more frequently. Since conventional laparoscopic approach has been the gold standard, surgeons in their effort to further reduce the invasiveness of conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy have adopted Single Incision approach. The widespread adoption of robotics has led to the inevitable hybridization of robotic technology with laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS).

Microwave versus saline-linked radiofrequency (Aquamantys) assisted liver resection in a porcine liver resection model. A safety and feasibility pilot study.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the feasibility, efficacy and safety of microwave ablation and saline-linked radiofrequency (Aquamantys) in liver resection.

Methods: Sixteen domestic pigs (8 per group) underwent thermoablations. Group A consisted of 8 pigs in which microwave left lateral liver resection was performed.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for Morbid Obesity with Intra-operative Endoscopy: Lessons We Learned After 100 Consecutive Patients.

Background: Sleeve gastrectomy has become the second most common bariatric operation due to its low rates of morbidity and mortality, satisfactory treatment of patients' obesity, and resolution of associated co-morbidities. According to standard technique, calibration of the stomach is performed with varying sizes of bougies while use of intra-operative endoscopy has only sparsely been reported.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2013, 100 patients have undergone laparoscopic or robotic sleeve gastrectomy with intra-operative endoscopic guidance.

Virtual reality simulators and training in laparoscopic surgery.

Virtual reality simulators provide basic skills training without supervision in a controlled environment, free of pressure of operating on patients. Skills obtained through virtual reality simulation training can be transferred on the operating room. However, relative evidence is limited with data available only for basic surgical skills and for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity: 5-year results.

Background: Data concerning the long-term efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in the treatment of morbid obesity remain scarce. In this retrospective, the authors present 5-year follow-up of 30 patients having undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Methods: Since 2004, 30 patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and completed 5 years of follow-up.

NF-κB signaling at the crossroads of inflammation and atherogenesis: searching for new therapeutic links.

Introduction: NF-κB is a protein complex acting as a primary transcription factor and fast messenger to harmful cellular stimuli, including inflammation. Carotid atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process leading to atheroma formation and ultimately complicating the patient's condition. This review aims to critically summarize the role of NF-κB in atheroma formation and evolution, also highlighting its potential therapeutic utility.

Efficacy and safety of laparoscopic mini gastric bypass. A systematic review.

Background: Laparoscopic mini-gastric bypass (LMGB) is a relatively new bariatric procedure; published studies are accumulating in various settings. The objective of this study was to summarize the available evidence about the efficacy and safety of LMGB.

Methods: A systematic search in the literature was performed , and PubMed and reference lists were scrutinized (end-of-search date: July 15, 2013).

Review of long-term weight loss results after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has gained enormous popularity both as a first-stage procedure in high-risk super-obese patients and as a stand-alone procedure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term weight loss results after SG published in the literature and compare them with the well-documented short-term and mid-term weight loss results. A detailed search in PubMed using the keywords "sleeve gastrectomy" and "long-term results" found 16 studies fulfilling the criteria of this study.

An overview of laparoscopic techniques in abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Background: Since 1993, various laparoscopic techniques have been developed to make laparoscopic treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) a possible therapeutic alternative. We aim to review all published clinical studies on laparoscopic surgery of AAAs and juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (JAAAs).

Methods: A thorough search of English-language literature published between January 1966 and December 2012 was performed.

Autologous transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells enhances skin graft survival and wound healing in diabetic rats.

Background: Diabetes can lead to impaired wound healing and skin grafts used surgically for diabetic wounds are often complicated with necrosis, although different therapies have been proposed. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) participate in tissue repair processes and may have a role during impaired wound healing. In this study, autologous transplantation of ASCs was used to determine if it increases angiogenesis and skin graft survival and enhances wound healing in diabetic rats.

Effect of laparoscopic surgery on oxidative stress response: systematic review.

This systematic review aimed to investigate: (a) the impact of laparoscopic surgery on oxidative stress (OS) and (b) the effect of laparoscopic surgery on OS in comparison with open surgery. Eligible trials were clinical trials or retrospective studies with at least 1 arm for laparoscopic surgery with measurements of at least 1 marker of OS or of antioxidant defenses. Twenty-nine trials fulfilled inclusion criteria.

Minimally invasive surgery and oxidative stress response: what have we learned from animal studies?

Oxidative stress (OS) is an integral part of the surgical stress response. Minimally invasive surgery causes less trauma, and thus attenuated stress response is anticipated. However, the pneumoperitoneum or pneumoretroperitoneum is implicated in free radical production.

Superior mesenteric artery dissection after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy.

The use of shockwave lithotripsy is currently the mainstay of treatment in renal calculosis. Several complications including vessel injuries have been implied to extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. We report an isolated dissection of the superior mesenteric artery in a 60-year-old male presenting with abdominal pain which occurred three days after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy.

Laparoscopic gastric plication for the treatment of morbid obesity: a review.

Introduction. Laparoscopic greater curvature plication is an operation that is gaining ground in the treatment of morbid obesity, as it appears to replicate the results of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy with fewer complications. Aim.

Pharmacological modulation of oxidative stress response in minimally invasive surgery: systematic review.

This systematic review aims to synthesize the data on the effectiveness of pharmacological modulation of stress response in minimally invasive surgery. Eligible trials were clinical trials randomized or not or experimental trials that investigated the effect of pharmacological agents on modulation of surgical stress response to minimally invasive surgery. No clinical trials were identified.

Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia: focus on current treatment options.

High-grade dysplasia (HGD) in Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the critical step before invasive esophageal adenocarcinoma. Although its natural history remains unclear, an aggressive therapeutic approach is usually indicated. Esophagectomy represents the only treatment able to reliably eradicate the neoplastic epithelium.

In silico/in vitro study of hybrid D-modified steroidal alkylator anticancer activity using uridine phosphorylase as target protein.

Background: In order to reduce toxicity and to enhance anticancer activity of nitrogen mustards, three hybrid steroidal esters were synthesized and tested in vitro against human pancreatic cancer cells expressing uridine phosphorylase (UPase). The inhibition potency against a target protein implicated in the chemotherapy of solid tumors, such as UPase, is of fundamental importance in the design and synthesis of new anticancer drugs.

Materials And Methods: MTT colorimetric assay and molecular docking were employed for the in vitro and in silico drug evaluation, respectively.

Staple line reinforcement in laparoscopic bariatric surgery: does it actually make a difference? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Staple line leaks represent a major concern in all laparoscopic operations but are particularly important in bariatric surgery, where leak complications carry significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, several means of staple line reinforcement have been described, but none is totally accepted. In this study, we attempt to illuminate any clear benefit of staple line reinforcement through a systematic review and meta-analysis of reported articles.

Morbid obesity and sleeve gastrectomy: how does it work?

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is known to be a safe and effective procedure for treating morbid obesity and is performed with increasing frequency both in Europe and the USA. Despite its broad use, many questions about the remaining gastric tube diameter, its long-term efficacy, its effects on gastric emptying, and the hormones involved still remain to be answered. In order to use such a relatively new surgical procedure wisely, it is essential for every surgeon and physician to understand how sleeve gastrectomy acts in obesity and what its potential benefits on the patients' metabolism are.

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy: where do we stand now?

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) has become the procedure of choice for the surgical removal of the vast majority of small sized adrenal tumors ( View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Minilaparotomy abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in the era of minimally invasive vascular surgery: preliminary results.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the early post-operative clinical impact of minimal incision aortic surgery (MIAS) for infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in comparison with the standard open repair.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted. Patients of groups A (19 patients) and B (18 patients) were treated with the MIAS technique and the standard open method, respectively.

CYP2E1 and risk of chemically mediated cancers.

Importance Of The Field: Among various human CYPs, CYP2E1 is of particular interest because of its involvement in the metabolic activation of many low molecular mass procarcinogens. CYP2E1 induction, which may be a consequence of genetic polymorphism or/and gene induction by xenobiotics, is the first step leading to the development of certain chemically-mediated cancers. The aim of this review is to outline the current knowledge on chemically-induced cancers through activation by CYP2E1, with emphasis on the association between polymorphisms of the CYP2E1 gene and incidence of different neoplasias.

Malignant carcinoid tumor of the cystic duct: a rare cause of bile duct obstruction.

Background: Carcinoid tumors of the extrahepatic biliary tree are extremely rare malignancies, accounting for 0.2%-2% of all gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors, while carcinoids of the cystic duct are an uncommon entity and an extremely unusual cause of bile duct obstruction.

Methods: After an extensive literature review, we retrospectively analysed 61 cases of carcinoid tumor of the biliary tree as well as one additional case of a 60-year-old female with symptoms and laboratory/imaging examination findings compatible with those of a malignant biliary tract obstruction.

Breast self-examination and adherence to mammographic follow-up: an intriguing diptych after benign breast biopsy.

This study evaluates the effect of palpability upon breast self-examination (BSE) and adherence to annual mammogram after benign breast biopsy (BBB). Seven hundred and fifty-two women with palpable (WP, n = 359) or nonpalpable (WNP, n = 393) lesions were evaluated 2 years before and after BBB. BSE was considered adequate when it was performed at least once per month, and inadequate when it was performed with a frequency of less than once per month.