Computer-assisted liver tumor surgery using a novel semiautomatic and a hybrid semiautomatic segmentation algorithm.

We developed a medical image segmentation and preoperative planning application which implements a semiautomatic and a hybrid semiautomatic liver segmentation algorithm. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of computer-assisted liver tumor surgery using these algorithms which are based on thresholding by pixel intensity value from initial seed points. A random sample of 12 patients undergoing elective high-risk hepatectomies at our institution was prospectively selected to undergo computer-assisted surgery using our algorithms (June 2013-July 2014).

"True" duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy, with secure eversion of the enteric mucosa, in Whipple operation.

Background: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) due to anastomotic leak is often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to present an improved anastomotic technique for Whipple operation, which we call "true" duct-to-mucosa anastomosis (DMA)-pancreaticojejunostomy.

Methods: A novel enteric mucosal eversion at the point of the jejunostomy is constructed prior to the anastomosis with the pancreatic duct in order to enhance sealing.

Expression of claudins-1, -4, -5, -7 and occludin in hepatocellular carcinoma and their relation with classic clinicopathological features and patients' survival.

Background: Occludin and claudins are integral constituents of tight junction proteins and are de-regulated in various malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study investigated whether expression of claudins 1, 4, 5, 7 and occludin may be used as prognostic markers for overall and disease-free survival in patients with HCC after hepatectomy.

Patients And Methods: The study included 67 hepatectomy specimens obtained from an equal number of patients with HCC who underwent partial hepatectomy at the Patras University Hospital for therapeutic reasons.

MicroRNA profiling in murine liver after partial hepatectomy.

Liver is uniquely capable to repair itself after injury. Multiple molecular and biochemical processes initiated after partial hepatectomy, lead to proliferation of all cells within the liver. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of highly abundant non-coding RNA molecules that cause post-transcriptional gene repression and are involved in several biological processes including cell cycle regulation and differentiation.