Initial surgical experience in laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for middle and lower third rectal cancer: short-term results.

Introduction: Total mesorectal excision (TME) of the rectum has been advocated as the gold standard surgical treatment of middle and lower third rectal cancer. Laparoscopy has gained acceptance among surgeons in the treatment of colon malignancies, while scepticism exists about laparoscopic TME in terms of safety and its oncological adequacy.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of laparoscopic TME on surgical and oncological outcome in a group of consecutive unselected patients.

[Definition of processes and indicators for the management of vascular accesses for hemodialysis].

Introduction: The prevalence of renal replacement therapy has increased, affecting 885 patients per million inhabitants. More than 50% of these patients require hemodialysis with permanent vascular access. In our center a multidisciplinary group was organized to manage processes related to vascular access for hemodialysis.