Serological biomarker testing helps avoiding unnecessary endoscopies in obese patients before bariatric surgery.

Background: To assess the value of serological biomarker testing as a substitute for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) in pre-operative assessment of patients referred for bariatric surgery.

Methods: Sixty-five obese patients with a mean age of 43 years (range: 21-65) and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 44 (range: 36-59) were studied. The patients were tested with a four-biomarker panel: pepsinogen I and II, gastrin-17 (basal and stimulated), and (HP) antibodies (GastroPanel®, Biohit Oyj, Finland).

Three-year results of a randomized study comparing self-gripping mesh with sutured mesh in open inguinal hernia repair.

Background: The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate whether usage of self-gripping mesh in open inguinal hernia repair, compared with standard Lichtenstein repair with sutured mesh, could result in a decreased rate of chronic pain. The secondary aim was to evaluate the rate of foreign body feeling, hernia recurrence, and risk factors for chronic pain development.

Methods: The patients were randomized into two study groups: the OLP group received Optilene LP mesh and the PPG group received self-gripping Parietex ProGrip mesh.

Single-center, single-blinded, randomized study of self-gripping versus sutured mesh in open inguinal hernia repair.

Background: The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate whether usage of self-gripping mesh in open inguinal hernia repair, compared with standard Lichtenstein repair with sutured mesh, could result in a decreased rate of chronic pain at 6-mo follow-up. The secondary outcome was to evaluate foreign body feeling and the quality of life after inguinal hernia repair.

Methods: The patients were randomized into two study groups as follows: the OLP group received Optilene LP mesh and the PPG group received self-gripping Parietex ProGrip mesh.

Plasma levels of gastric biomarkers in patients after bariatric surgery: biomarkers after bariatric surgery.

Background/aims: To investigate the profile of stomach specific biomarkers in blood plasma after bariatric surgery.

Methodology: The study included 20 laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) and 20 laparoscopic gastric sleeve (LGS) patients operated on average 22 months earlier. The biomarkers were fasting plasma level of pepsinogen I (PGI), pepsinogen II (PGII), PGI/PGII ratio, fasting and stimulated levels of amidated gastrin-17 (G17), and Helicobacter pylori antibodies (IgG).