Prospective evaluation of transvaginal assisted cholecystectomy.

Background: Transvaginal video-assisted cholecystectomy (TVC) has so far not been prospectively evaluated using an internationally recognized health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment. We report the results of a prospectively studied cohort of patients with clinical and quality of life data.

Methods: Prospectively controlled study of 128 patients undergoing TVC and 147 patients with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC).

Transvaginal video-assisted cholecystectomy in clinical practice.

Background: Transvaginal video-assisted cholecystectomy with rigid instruments is a new procedure that combines natural orifice surgery (NOS) with classic laparoscopy. This hybrid technique requires conventional laparoscopy via an umbilical incision. To date it is unclear if this procedure is safe and feasible in routine practice.

Differentiation between pancreaticobiliary and upper gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas: is analysis of cytokeratin 17 expression helpful?

Metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary site, eg, to lymph nodes, liver, or lung, may originate from many organs. Microscopic differentiation of adenocarcinomas from the pancreaticobiliary and upper gastrointestinal tracts may be difficult because of shared histologic and immunohistologic features. A high prevalence of cytokeratin (CK)17 expression in pancreaticobiliary adenocarcinoma was reported, and preliminary data indicate infrequent or missing expression in gastric adenocarcinoma.