Fluorescence spectroscopy for diagnostic differentiation in uteri's cervix biopsies with cervical/vaginal atypical cytology.

This work aims the diagnostic differentiation of chronic inflammation (CC), low-grade Intraepithelial squamous lesions (LGSIL) and high-grade intraepithelial squamous lesions (HGSIL) in biopsies of cervix of uterus from patients with atypias (ASC-US and ASC-H) and lesions (LGSIL and HGSIL), traced in the cervical/vaginal cytology by using Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy (LIFS), with 488 nm excitation wavelength. Ninety seven biopsies from 32 patients with atypical cervical/vaginal cytology were collected. The biopsies were guided by colposcopy and taken at the squamous-columnar junction.

[Expert opinion on the basic surgical technique for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair].

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is currently the subject of intense debate, even though it provides a series of advantages over open surgery and is feasible and safe. Various studies have shown this technique to be as effective as open repair with a lower recurrence rate. Despite the excellent results of laparoscopic repair of ventral hernias, there are numerous controversies associated with this procedure.

Inguinodynia after two inguinal herniorrhaphy methods.

The aim of this study was to compare the rate and characteristics of postoperative neuralgia after 2 methods of inguinal hernia repairs. Between July 1997 and December 2000, 400 inguinal hernia repairs were performed and followed up in a prospective trial about postoperative nerve irritations: 200 patients with laparoscopic transabdominal hernioplasty (TAPP group), and 200 patients with tension-free hernia repair using Lichtenstein's technique (LICH group). We applied a clinic protocol of data about pain location, neuralgia characteristics, and period of time until the patient was completely pain free.

Prospective evaluation of emergency versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for early cholecystitis.

Treatment of acute cholecystitis is still under debate. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) in comparison with conservative treatment followed by delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) in the management of acute cholecystitis. This prospective comparative study involved two groups of patients presenting with acute cholecystitis within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms.

[Effectiveness of a group therapy intervention to quit smoking. Randomized clinical trial].

Background: Group therapy is a widely used technique for the treatment of tobacco, alcohol and other toxic addictions. Nevertheless, its effectiveness for smoking cessation remains to be established. Our objective was to evaluate the relative effectiveness of a group intervention versus an individual intervention for smoking cessation.