Common bile duct stones: analysis of the videolaparoscopic surgical treatment.

Context: About 9% of the Brazilian population has gallstones and the incidence increases significantly with aging. The choledocholithiasis is found around 15% of these patients, and a third to half of these cases presented as asymptomatic. Once the lithiasis in the common bile duct is characterized through intraoperative cholangiography, the laparoscopic surgical exploration can be done through the transcystic way or directly through choledochotomy.

The main hepatic anatomic variations for the purpose of split-liver transplantation.

Background/aims: Variant hepatic anatomy must be recognized and appropriately managed during split-liver transplantation to ensure complete vascular and biliary supply to both grafts. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the importance of an assessment of the hepatic anatomical structures for the purpose of split-liver transplantation.

Methodology: Human cadaveric livers (n = 60) were obtained from routine autopsies.

Lugol staining and histological evaluation of esophageal mucosa in achalasia.

Background/aims: Esophageal cancer in achalasia is often diagnosed in the advanced stage, which makes for a poor prognosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the macroscopic and histological features of the esophageal mucosa in order to improve the early detection of cancer.

Methodology: We studied the macroscopic features of esophageal mucosa using Lugol's solution and compared them with histological analysis of the entire mucosa in 20 esophagectomy specimens resected for achalasia.