3D segmentation of plant root systems using spatial pyramid pooling and locally adaptive field-of-view inference.

Background: The non-invasive 3D-imaging and successive 3D-segmentation of plant root systems has gained interest within fundamental plant research and selectively breeding resilient crops. Currently the state of the art consists of computed tomography (CT) scans and reconstruction followed by an adequate 3D-segmentation process.

Challenge: Generating an exact 3D-segmentation of the roots becomes challenging due to inhomogeneous soil composition, as well as high scale variance in the root structures themselves.

Pilonidal sinus destruction with a radial laser probe: technique and first Belgian experience.

Background: The treatment of pilonidal sinus disease still remains challenging. Despite many non-surgical and surgical methods, no consensus emerged for the best treatment. We describe a new innovative technique consisting in the destruction of the pilonidal cyst with a radial laser probe (FILAC, Biolitec, Germany).

Long-term outcomes of 1326 laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair with the routine suturing concept: a single institution experience.

Purpose: This retrospective chart analysis reports and assesses the long-term (beyond 10 years) safety and efficiency of a single institution's experience in 1326 laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repairs (LIVHR), defending the principle of the suturing defect (augmentation repair concept) prior to laparoscopic reinforcement with a composite mesh (IPOM Plus). This study aims to prove the feasibility and validity of IPOM Plus repair, among other concepts, as a well-justified treatment of incisional or ventral hernias, rendering a good long-term outcome result.

Methods: A single institution's systematic retrospective review of 1326 LIVHR was conducted between the years 2000 and 2014.

Injection of a sclerosing agent as first line treatment in anal fissure.

Background: In our institution, the first line treatment in acute anal fissures (AAF) or chronic anal fissures (CAF) is the injection of a sclerosing agent consisting of phenol, menthol and peanut oil (Phenomen®, Sterop laboratory, Belgium) under the fissure after a local anaesthesia. This retrospective study presents the technique of injection, evaluates its efficacy and demonstrates the minimal occurrence of complications, continence problems and recurrences.

Methods: 129 patients with an anal fissure were treated between January 2010 and June 2011.

Laparoscopic selective diverticulectomy of the colon as first treatment in acute complicated diverticulitis.

We present the case of a 53 year-old male diagnosed with an acute complicated diverticulitis, with localized peritonitis, who underwent a laparoscopic excision of the affected sigmoid diverticula associated with peritoneal lavage and drainage. This approach was performed as first treatment of a Hinchey's IIb diverticulitis to avoid a laparotomy and/or colic resection with a temporary colostomy.