Pathologic nonresponders after neoadjuvant chemoradiation for esophageal cancer demonstrate no survival benefit compared with patients treated with primary esophagectomy.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiation (NCRT) has become the preferred treatment for patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. Survival often is correlated to degree of pathologic response; however, outcomes in patients who are found to be pathologic nonresponders (pNR) remain uninvestigated. This study was designed to evaluate survival in pNR to NCRT compared with patients treated with primary esophagectomy (PE).

Management of ampullary lesions.

Adenomatous lesions of the ampulla of Vater are relatively rare neoplasms that raise many questions regarding standard management. Adenocarcinoma often will be found in ampullary lesions and should be treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Benign-appearing adenomas may be treated by PD, transduodenal ampullectomy (AMP), or endoscopic ampullectomy (EA).

Gallbladder pathology in morbid obesity.

Background: Obese patients are at increased risk for biliary disease. The prevalence and type of gallbladder pathology in morbidly obese patients was evaluated, and compared with a non-obese control group.

Methods: A consecutive series of obese patients (n=478) who had undergone bariatric surgery with concurrent routine cholecystectomy and a consecutive group of organ donors (n=481) were compared.

Routine ilioinguinal nerve excision in inguinal hernia repairs.

Background: Chronic inguinal neuralgia is one of the most significant complications following inguinal hernia repair. Routine ilioinguinal nerve excision has been proposed as a means to avoid this complication. The purpose of this report is to evaluate the long-term outcomes of neuralgia and paresthesia following routine ilioinguinal nerve excision compared to nerve preservation.