Bilateral Fascia Lata Flap: An Alternative for Massive Abdominal Wall Defect Repair.

The abdominal wall represents a unique structure of dermo-myotendinous conformation that is considered a surgical challenge. The musculocutaneous pedicled flap, using tensor fasciae latae muscle (TFL), is a technique of abdominal wall repair, and it is becoming a more frequent reconstructive procedure. It is a well-suited procedure because it provides both a semirigid fascia layer and adequate skin coverage.

Search of the p.M918T Mutation in the RET Oncogene in Mexican Adult Patients with Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma.

Inherited mutations in the RET proto-oncogene, which encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase, predispose individuals to the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN 2) cancer syndromes. The major component tumor of these syndromes is medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). To date, somatic mutations in RET have been identified in tumors from individuals with MEN 2 finding.

Hospitalization costs of open vs. laparoscopic appendectomy: 5-year experience.

Background: There is an ongoing debate over certain aspects of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) over open appendectomy (OA) in regard to hospitalization costs and associated complications.

Methods: A database was used to obtain the charts for either LA or OA performed during a 5-year period. Variables analyzed were age, gender, hospitalization cost, length of stay and complications.