Epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in the Slovak Republic.

Background/aims: The prevalence of H. pylori differs significantly both between and within countries. In general infection correlates inversely to socioeconomic conditions.

Prospective follow-up of patients with bile duct strictures secondary to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, treated endoscopically with multiple stents.

Background/aims: The frequency of iatrogenic postoperative benign strictures has substantially increased in recent years and this is thought to be because of the widespread use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Our study was performed prospectively with the goal to investigate the short-term and long-term outcome for endoscopic treatment with insertion of multiple stents in patients with postoperative benign common bile duct stricture after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methodology: Overall 43 consecutive patients with history of laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled and followed prospectively between December 1998 and December 2003.