[Blunt trocar with modified tip for open laparoscopy].

A blunt trocar for open laparoscopy is presented. Its modified design leads to better visual control of the trocar tip during insertion. Thus the risk of misplacement of the trocar is reduced.

[Spiral trocar--a new trocar concept].

Introduction: We would like to introduce a new trocar technique for minimal invasive surgery. The new trocar is a spiral whose coil becomes ever increasingly stronger towards the centre. Because of this, there is a smooth transition between spiral, screw and rod.

Ordinary colorectal adenocarcinoma vs. primary colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma: study matched for age, gender, grade, and stage.

Purpose: This study contributes to the characterization of primary colorectal signet-ring cell cancer in contrast to ordinary colorectal carcinoma. Primary colorectal signet-ring cell cancer is a rare but distinctive primary neoplasm of the large bowel with still-controversial clinicopathologic features.

Methods: Clinicopathologic features and survival data are evaluated in comparison with those of the ordinary colorectal adenocarcinoma (non-signet colorectal carcinoma) in a retrospective study matched for age, gender, grade, and stage.

Blood selenium and glutathione peroxidase status in patients with colorectal cancer.

Purpose: It is still controversial whether a low selenium level and a reduced activity of the selenium-dependent enzyme, glutathione peroxidase, in blood are associated with an increased risk and poor prognosis of cancer in humans. This study evaluates whether colorectal cancer patients have lower serum selenium and glutathione peroxidase levels than a gender-matched and age-matched control group and whether there is a correlation to clinical data and prognosis.

Methods: In a retrospective study, serum selenium and glutathione peroxidase activity of 106 patients with colorectal cancer were determined.