[Laparoscopic surgery for benign esophageal diseases].

Background: Minimally invasive surgery has the advantage of a lower rate of complications and can be used for benign esophageal diseases.

Aim: To report a single surgeon experience with laparoscopic surgery for benign esophageal diseases.

Material And Methods: Prospective analysis of 421 patients (160 males) with benign esophageal disease, who were subjected to laparoscopic surgery by a single surgeon.

[Primary esophageal motor disturbances among patients with esophageal symptoms].

Background: The esophagus can suffer several motor disturbances of striated or smooth muscle.

Aim: To determine the presence of primary motor disturbances of the esophagus among a group of patients with esophageal symptoms.

Material And Methods: Prospective study of 5,440 patients consulting for heartburn, chest pain or dysphagia, with primary esophageal motor disturbances, studied between 1994 and 2004.

[Perioperative risk among morbid obese patients subjected to gastric bypass].

Background: Bariatric surgery is a complex procedure not exempt of complications.

Aim: To assess mortality and complications of excisional gastric bypass among morbidly obese subjects.

Material And Methods: Prospective analysis of 684 morbid obese patients (age range 14-70 years, 525 females) subjected to an excisional gastric bypass.

[Evolution of resectability and mortality rates of total and subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer].

Background: The only curative treatment for gastric cancer is its surgical excision associated to a lymph node dissection.

Aim: To study the evolution of resectability and operative mortality of total and subtotal gastrectomy for gastric cancer, in a period of 35 years.

Material And Methods: Review of medical records of 3000 patients with gastric cancer, operated between 1969 and 2004.