Colosigmoid adenocarcinoma anastomotic recurrence seeding into a transsphincteric fistula-in-ano: a clinical report and literature review.

We describe the case of a left colon adenocarcinoma anastomotic recurrence that metastasized to a benign transsphincteric fistula-in-ano, presumably through the implantation of viable malignant cells shed from the secondary tumor, and discuss the implications of these findings in colorectal cancer surgery.

Wound infections in aesthetic abdominoplasties: the role of smoking.

Background: In this prospective study, the authors followed patients who underwent aesthetic abdominoplasty to determine the influence of smoking on the occurrence of postoperative wound infections.

Methods: Patients who underwent aesthetic abdominoplasty were considered eligible for the study. The authors excluded postbariatric patients, those with ongoing clinical infections, those receiving a recent antibiotic course, and those with systemic diseases such as arteriosclerosis and diabetes mellitus.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric bandings: a prospective randomized study of 400 operations performed with 2 different devices.

Objective: To evaluate potential differences between 2 devices used to perform laparoscopic adjustable gastric bandings (the Swedish adjustable gastric band and the Lap-Band).

Design: The following groups were considered eligible: (1) patients with a body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of greater than 40; (2) patients with a body mass index between 35 and 40, with associated comorbidities; and (3) patients with a body mass index of greater than 60 who could not undergo derivative procedures.

Results: We recruited 400 patients.

Versajet hydrosurgery versus classic escharectomy for burn débridment: a prospective randomized trial.

Our purpose was to conduct a prospective randomized trial to compare the Versajet system (Smith & Nephew, London, UK) vs hand-held dermatome escharectomy for burn débridment. All patients admitted over the course of 1 year at our burn center were recruited and randomly assigned to Versajet or hand-held dermatome escharectomy. We evaluated the 1) time for complete débridment and 2) the efficacy of Versajet in reaching the correct dermal plane.

Apoptotic death in deep partial thickness burns vs. normal skin of burned patients.

Background: Deep partial thickness burns have an ambiguous behavior evolving either into spontaneous healing or full thickness burns. The aim of this study was to investigate these lesions for the presence of apoptosis thereby giving a possible cellular explanation to their peculiar clinical progression.

Methods: We used colocalization of DNA fragments (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling) and Fas ligand CD95 antibodies to calculate the apoptotic rate of deep partial thickness burns and normal skin in 21 patients after acute thermal injuries (significant difference considered: P < 0.

Comparison of power water--assisted and traditional liposuction: a prospective randomized trial of postoperative pain.

Background: Postoperative pain has always been underestimated by the majority of plastic surgeons. A prospective randomized trial compared power water-assisted liposuction with the traditional tumescent technique.

Methods: All patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 30 and excessive localized pathologic fat were recruited.

The Zuckerkandl tubercle.

Identification and preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is a major concern during thyroidectomies. The Zuckerkandl tubercle is an anatomic landmark that can be used for this purpose. It is generally found in 63% to 80% of patients undergoing thyroidectomy and is located between the superior and inferior lobes and points toward the tracheoesophageal groove.

The use of Hyalomatrix PA in the treatment of deep partial-thickness burns.

Since 2001, Hyalomatrix PA (Fidia Advanced Biopolymers, Abano Terme, Italy) has been used in our center on pediatric burned patients as a temporary dermal substitute to cover deep partial-thickness burns after dermabrasion. This "bridge" treatment was adopted to remove necrotic debris (dermabrasion) and to stimulate regeneration in a humid and protected environment (Hyalomatrix PA). We present results obtained with this approach.

Apoptotic cells are present in ischemic zones of deep partial-thickness burns.

Deep partial-thickness burns exhibit ambiguous behavior, either spontaneously healing or evolving into full-thickness burns. The aim of this study was to investigate these lesions for the presence of apoptotic cells and to compare their rate with that of superficial and full-thickness burns. We used colocalization of DNA fragments (ie, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase Biotin-dUTP nick end labeling) and Fas ligand CD95 antibodies to calculate the apoptotic rate of superficial, deep partial-thickness and full-thickness burns in 45 patients after the thermal injury.