A single center experience in minimally invasive treatment of postcholecystectomy bile leak, complicated with biloma formation.

Background: Bilomas are localized collections of bile occurring usually post-operatively from an injured cystic or bile duct. Our study aims to evaluate the efficacy of minimal access endoscopic and percutaneous modalities in treating symptomatic bile leak and biloma formation.

Patients And Methods: Sixteen patients with biloma after open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy underwent assessment of the site and extent of the bile leak via endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC).

Endoscopic management strategies in relation to the severity of acute cholangitis.

Background And Study Aims: Acute cholangitis (AC) and especially suppurative cholangitis due to biliary lithiasis is an emergency situation that requires urgent biliary decompression. The aim of the study is to present our policy for the treatment of AC due to choledocholithiasis, endoscopically.

Methods: In a 4-year period, 71 patients presenting AC, due to lithiasis, underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES).

Endoscopic management of retained bile stones with an indwelling T-tube.

Background: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) is widely used for the treatment of residual bile duct stones in patients who had common bile duct (CBD) exploration and T-tube insertion.

Methods: In a 4-year period 45 patients were referred for endoscopic removal of residual bile duct stones. All patients had been operated 7-15 days earlier for choledocholithiasis and had a T-tube in the common bile duct (CBD).

Laparoscopic repair of groin pain in athletes.

Background: There has been increasing interest regarding the cause and treatment of groin pain in athletes. The most common finding is a deficiency of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal, often repaired with bilateral inguinal myorrhaphy.

Hypothesis: Laparoscopic repair will offer a shorter convalescent period and better results as compared with open myorrhaphy.

Effects of the use of fibrin glue around the colonic anastomosis of the rat.

Background: This study was aimed at examining whether the addition of fibrin glue to a sutured colonic anastomosis improves its healing or not.

Methods: We studied the effect of adding fibrin glue on a sutured colonic anastomosis. Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomized into two groups of 18 rats each.

A comparison of the simultaneous application of sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation, with sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation applied separately, for the treatment of haemorrhoids: a prospective randomized trial.

Objective: To compare simultaneous application of sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation, with sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation applied separately for the treatment of 2nd degree haemorrhoids.

Patients And Methods: Between 1993 and 1996, 255 patients that suffered from 2nd degree haemorrhoids were divided into 3 groups of 85 patients, each to receive either simultaneous sclerotherapy for smaller and rubber band ligation for larger piles (SCL/RBL) in one session, or sclerotherapy (SCL), or rubber band ligation (RBL), respectively. After a period of 4 years all patients were examined and their symptoms were recorded.

Stapled haemorrhoidectomy compared with Milligan-Morgan excision for the treatment of prolapsing haemorrhoids: a prospective study.

Objective: To compare stapled haemorrhoidectomy with Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy.

Design: Prospective open study.

Setting: Teaching hospital, Greece.

Long-term evaluation of sclerotherapy for haemorrhoids. A prospective study.

Background: Sclerotherapy is one of the older methods of conservative treatment of haemorrhoids. It has been widely used and the early results are considered satisfactory although the long-term results are not as good as expected.

Aims: The evaluation of long-term results of sclerotherapy in patients with symptomatic 1st and 2nd degree haemorrhoids.

The endoscopic management of persistent bile leakage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Bile leakage after laparoscopic biliary surgery is a surgical challenge in which endoscopy can play an important role.

Methods: A total of 26 patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in our department. Patients with evidence of major ductal injury were treated surgically.

Post-ERCP pancreatitis and hyperamylasemia: patient-related and operative risk factors.

Background And Study Aims: Previous studies on the development of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (post-ERCP) hyperamylasemia and pancreatitis have focused on different risk factors, either procedure- or patient-related, and also prognostic factors, such as amylase levels together with the occurrence of pancreatic-type pain, which might be implicated. The aim of this study is to identify possible predictive risk factors and also prognostic factors in order to better organize the treatment strategy.

Patients And Methods: During a 5-year period, 556 ERCP procedures were performed by the same operator.

The role of juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula in biliary stone disease.

Background: Duodenal diverticula are acquired lesions found more often in older patients; when located near the major duodenal papilla they are called juxtapapillary. The prevalence of juxtapapillary duodenal diverticula (JDD) in the general population is around 20%; they are often associated with biliary lithiasis. This study assessed the association between JDD and biliary stone disease, particularly choledocholithiasis.