Surgical management of patients with ulcerative colitis during pregnancy: maternal and fetal outcomes.

Background And Aims: Ulcerative colitis can develop during the reproductive years, and there are limited data about perinatal care for patients with ulcerative colitis. In this study, we analyzed perinatal follow-up, complications, and maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant patients undergoing surgery for ulcerative colitis.

Methods: Between January 1998 and July 2013, female patients who underwent surgery during pregnancy for abdominal complications of ulcerative colitis and followed up during their pregnancy in our institution were included in our study.

Colorectal squamous cell carcinoma: a rare tumor with poor prognosis.

Purpose: Primary squamous cell carcinomas of the colon and rectum are extremely rare, with an incidence of less than 1% of colorectal malignancies. Our aim in this study was to evaluate patient characteristics, treatment strategy, and postoperative follow-up of patients with colorectal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: We reviewed our prospectively maintained colorectal cancer database for all patients who were diagnosed with colorectal squamous cell carcinoma between January 1990 and April 2009.

Outcomes associated with resident involvement in laparoscopic colorectal surgery suggest a need for earlier and more intensive resident training.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine if resident involvement in a large cohort of laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCS) cases negatively impacts outcomes and ultimately increases costs.

Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients who underwent LCS between 2005 and 2010. Patients were classified into two groups: postgraduate year (PGY; resident involvement) or Attending Only.

Preoperative functional health status may predict outcomes after elective colorectal surgery for malignancy.

Background: Several studies suggest that preoperative functional health status (FHS) affects postoperative outcomes after ventral hernia repair, hepatic resections, and infrainguinal by-pass surgery. However, little is known about the proficiency of FHS in terms of preoperative outcome prediction of patients who undergo elective resection for colorectal cancer.

Methods: All patients who underwent elective colorectal resections for malignancy between 2005 and 2009 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

Does laparoscopy reduce splenic injuries during colorectal resections? An assessment from the ACS-NSQIP database.

Background: Nearly half of all incidental splenectomies caused by iatrogenic splenic injury occur during colorectal surgery. This study evaluates factors associated with incidental splenic procedures during colorectal surgery and their impact on short-term outcomes using a nationwide database.

Methods: Patients who underwent colorectal resections between 2005 and 2012 were identified from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database according to Current Procedural Terminology codes.

Impact of previous midline laparotomy on the outcomes of laparoscopic intestinal resections: a case-matched study.

The effectiveness of laparoscopic intestinal resection in patients with previous midline laparotomy (PML) is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery and identify possible factors associated with postoperative outcomes in patients with PML. Patients with PML (at least an infraumbilical incision or longer) undergoing elective laparoscopic intestinal resection between 1997 and 2011 were case matched with patients without PML undergoing laparoscopic surgery based on age, gender, body mass index, ASA score, surgical procedure, and diagnosis.

Single-port laparoscopic colorectal resections in obese patients are as safe and effective as conventional laparoscopy.

Background: Obese patients pose additional operative technical difficulties, and it is unclear if the outcomes of single-port colorectal surgery are equivalent to those of conventional laparoscopy in such patients. The aim of this study was to compare perioperative variables and short-term outcomes of single-port versus conventional laparoscopy in obese patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

Patients And Methods: Obese patients (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) undergoing single-port laparoscopic colorectal resections between March 2009 and September 2012 were case matched 1:1 with obese counterparts undergoing conventional (multi-port) laparoscopic surgery based on diagnosis and operation type.

Comparison of hospital costs for single-port and conventional laparoscopic colorectal resection: a case-matched study.

Background: Whether single-port laparoscopic (SPL) colorectal resection is cost-effective in comparison to conventional laparoscopy remains unclear. The aim of this study is to compare hospital costs for single-port versus conventional laparoscopic colorectal resections.

Methods: Patients with available cost data who underwent (SPL) colorectal resection between December 2007 and December 2010 were matched with conventional (multiport) laparoscopic (CL) counterparts for age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, body mass index, operation type and year of surgery.

Functional outcomes and complications after restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis in the pediatric population.

Background: Data regarding the long-term outcomes of restorative proctocolectomy and ileal pouch anal anastomosis including pouch function and quality of life in the pediatric population are limited in pediatric patients.

Study Design: Indications for surgery, complications, long-term function, and quality of life were evaluated in pediatric patients undergoing ileal pouch anal anastomosis. Assessment of quality of life was performed using the Cleveland Global Quality of Life score.

Risk of recurrence and long-term outcomes after colonic diverticular bleeding.

Purpose: Diverticular disease is one of the most common causes of acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding. We aimed to evaluate the natural history, follow-up, and risk factors associated with re-bleeding (recurrence) in patients with colonic diverticular bleeding.

Methods: We reviewed patients with proven colonic diverticular hemorrhage from September 1993 to June 2012 at our institution.

The complementary benefit of anterior segment optical coherence tomography in penetrating keratoplasty.

Purpose: To evaluate the utility of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) assessment in the pre- and postsurgical management of full-thickness corneal grafts.

Methods: Seventy eyes of 58 patients who had penetrating keratoplasty were included in the study. High resolution AS-OCT scans of the cornea and the anterior segment were performed before and after transplantation in 17 eyes with the Visante™ optical coherence tomography.

Intraoperative use of AS-OCT during intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation.

Background And Objective: To evaluate femtosecond laser-created tunnels intraoperatively by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) during intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation.

Patients And Methods: The study prospectively examined 13 eyes of 11 patients who underwent intrastromal corneal ring segment surgery with the aid of femtosecond laser. All eyes had keratoconus as the primary diagnosis.

Malfunction and failure of robotic systems during general surgical procedures.

Background: There has been recent interest in using robots for general surgical procedures. This shift in technique raises the issue of patient safety with automated instrumentation. Although the safety of robotics has been established for urologic procedures, there are scant data on its use in general surgical procedures.

Assessment of intrastromal corneal ring segment position with anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

Background And Objective: To examine the exact position of implanted Keraring (Mediphacos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil) segments by high-resolution anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Patients And Methods: This study included 17 eyes of 13 patients with keratoconus who underwent uneventful intracorneal ring segment implantation with the aid of femtosecond laser. Eyes were evaluated by AS-OCT at the third postoperative month.

Short-term effects of a single intravitreal bevacizumab injection on retinal vessel calibre.

Purpose:   The aim was to investigate the short-term effects of a single intravitreal bevacizumab injection on the retinal vessel calibre in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and in patients with diabetic macular oedema.

Methods:   Twelve patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration and eight patients with diabetic macular oedema were included in the study. All patients received an intravitreal injection of 1.

Comparison of non-contact methods for the measurement of central corneal thickness.

Background And Objective: This study examined the repeatability of and agreements between central corneal thickness measurements obtained by four different non-contact pachymetry devices.

Patients And Methods: Seventy-eight eyes of 39 subjects were included. Central corneal thickness of each eye was measured by Visante optical coherence tomography (OCT) (Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc.

Corneal biomechanical properties of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome.

Purpose: To assess the corneal biomechanical properties of patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX syndrome).

Methods: Fifty-two eyes of 52 patients (27 unilateral and 25 bilateral) and 42 eyes of 42 age-matched control subjects were enrolled in the study. Metrics of corneal biomechanical properties, including corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF), were measured with the ocular response analyzer (ORA).

Influence of intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation on corneal biomechanical parameters in keratoconic eyes.

Purpose: To assess the influence of intrastromal corneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation on corneal biomechanics in patients with keratoconus.

Methods: Patients with keratoconus who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted ICRS (Keraring) implantation were evaluated with the ocular response analyzer (ORA). Metrics of corneal biomechanical parameters, including corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were measured both before and after surgery.

Fundus autofluorescence in acute and chronic central serous chorioretinopathy.

Background: A prospective evaluation of the pattern of fundus autofluorescence in cases of acute versus chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR).

Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, single-centre investigation was performed using three diagnostic techniques, namely, fundus autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography and fundus fluorescein angiography to evaluate a sample of patients (n = 42 eyes) with both acute (n = 25 eyes) and chronic (n = 17 eyes) CSR.

Results: Hypoautofluoresecence was found in 80 per cent (20 eyes) and 88.

Glutathione S-transferase M1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms and the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose: To determine the possible effects of glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genetic polymorphisms on the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Patients And Methods: This case-control study included a total of 120 patients with AMD (65 with dry-type AMD and 55 with wet-type AMD) and 198 disease-free controls. GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms were analyzed by using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and GSTP1 polymorphism was detected by real-time PCR assay.

Anterior segment optical coherence tomography findings of acute hydrops in a patient with keratoconus.

The authors describe the anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) findings of a 25-year-old patient with acute hydrops associated with keratoconus. The patient presented with decreased visual acuity, pain, and redness in the left eye. The symptoms, clinical presentation, and topographical findings of the right eye confirmed this condition to be acute corneal hydrops.

AS-OCT as a tool for flap thickness measurement after femtosecond-assisted LASIK.

Background And Objective: to investigate the efficacy of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) for calculating flap thickness in femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis.

Patients And Methods: fifty-one eyes of 26 patients with myopia and myopic astigmatism were included in this prospective study. High-resolution corneal images were evaluated at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively.