Morphological Changes in the Carotid Artery Intima after Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity.

Background: Carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT) can be considered as an early marker of atherosclerosis, thus representing a reliable cardiovascular risk predictor. Bariatric surgery decreases the burden of cardiovascular disease in obese patients through complex mechanisms, of which weight loss is merely the most evident epiphenomenon. The aim of this study is to evaluate C-IMT variations in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and possible correlations with biometric parameters and cardiovascular risk factors.

Post-bariatric abdominoplasty: our experience.

The fast increase in obesity has been followed by the growth in the demand for plastic surgery in formerly obese patients. The weight loss is accompanied by new dysfunctions and disorders of the outline of the body that affects the quality of life of the patient. Abdominoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure that aims to remove the excess of skin and the redundant fat.

Anorectal function problems after left hemicolectomy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the subjective anorectal function in patients with left hemicolectomy and to clarify the clinical factors influencing postoperative anorectal function problems.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and twenty one patients who underwent left hemicolectomy from April 2002 to December 2003 were enrolled in this study and sent questionnaires concerning anorectal function. Left hemicolectomy in patients with cancer was performed by high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery; in patients with diverticulitis or polyposis, the inferior mesenteric artery was cut just below the branch of the left colonic artery.

Prospective comparison of laparoscopic left hemicolectomy for colon cancer with laparoscopic left hemicolectomy for benign colorectal disease.

Background: Short-term outcome and anorectal function results after laparoscopic hemicolectomy for colon cancer were compared with results after laparoscopic hemicolectomy for benign diseases.

Methods: A total of 108 patients who underwent laparoscopic left colectomy (60 for colon cancer, 48 for diverticulitis or polyposis) were enrolled in the study. Left hemicolectomy in patients affected by cancer was performed by high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery.