Complications and risk factors related to the extent of surgery in thyroidectomy. Results from 2,043 procedures.

Objective: To evaluate the rate of complications and the risk factors in relation to the extent of surgery in patients undergoing thyroidectomy in a tertiary university center.

Design: Data were collected retrospectively from 2,043 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid surgery for various thyroid diseases at the University Hospital of Patras, Greece, between January 1996 and December 2007. Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP) and hypoparathyroidism were set as the primary end points, while hematoma and wound infection were set as the secondary endpoints.

Pilot implementation of a technologically advanced system for the optimization of pre-hospital, trauma patient care.

Background: Cooperation between medical informatics, wireless communication and pre-hospital emergency services is essential for the optimal pre-hospital patient treatment. The use of technological innovations improves medical care in the pre-hospital setting with regard to the organization of an integrated center, which coordinates all parties involved for the patient's best interest.

Methods: A dispatch center was developed in the city of Patras, in southwestern Greece, equipped with a Geographic Information System (GIS), which immediately points out the location of emergency vehicles (EVs) on a digital map depicting the city plan.

The potential role of Bcl-2 expression, apoptosis and cell proliferation (Ki-67 expression) in cases of gastric carcinoma and correlation with classic prognostic factors and patient outcome.

Background: This study investigated the presence of apoptosis and proliferation in gastric cancer and assesses their possible correlation with classic prognostic markers and patients' survival.

Patients And Methods: The study comprised 110 patients with gastric carcinoma who underwent gastrectomy for therapeutic reasons, and did not receive any pre- or postoperative treatment. Patients were followed up for 3.

Prospective evaluation of laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass in patients with clinically severe obesity.

Aim: To evaluate and present our experience with laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in a selected patient population.

Methods: A cohort of 130 patients with a body mass index (BMI) between 35 and 50 kg/m(2) were evaluated in relation to postoperative morbidity, weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities for a period of 4 years following laparoscopic RYGB.

Results: Early morbidity was 10.

A prospective evaluation of a variant of biliopancreatic diversion with Roux-en-Y reconstruction in mega-obese patients (BMI > or = 70 kg/m(2)).

Background: Super-obese patients with BMI > or = 70 kg/m(2) present a special subgroup among the obese population due to the higher incidence of severe comorbidities and increased technical difficulties in perioperative management. The optimal surgical approach still remains controversial.

Methods: From January 2002 to October 2007, 68 super-obese patients with BMI > or = 70 kg/m(2) (75.

Weight loss, appetite suppression, and changes in fasting and postprandial ghrelin and peptide-YY levels after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy: a prospective, double blind study.

Background: Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective treatment in morbidly obese patients, leading to durable weight loss.

Objective: In this prospective double blind study, we aim to evaluate and compare the effects of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) on body weight, appetite, fasting, and postprandial ghrelin and peptide-YY (PYY) levels.

Methods: After randomization, 16 patients were assigned to LRYGBP and 16 patients to LSG.

Effect of antioxidant treatments on the gut-liver axis oxidative status and function in bile duct-ligated rats.

Background: Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated the pivotal role of oxidative stress in the promotion of hepatic and intestinal injury in obstructive jaundice. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of well known antioxidant treatments on the gut-liver axis oxidative status and function in bile duct-ligated rats.

Methods: A total of 60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of 10 animals each: controls, sham operated, bile duct ligated (BDL), and BDL treated with either N-acetylcysteine (NAC), allopurinol, or alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TC).

TGFbeta1, TGFbeta2, and TGFbeta3 protein expression in gastric carcinomas: correlation with prognostics factors and patient survival.

Background: This study evaluates the expression of transforming growth factors TGFbeta1, TGFbeta2 and TGFbeta3 in cases of gastric carcinoma and their possible correlation with classic prognostic markers and patient survival.

Materials And Methods: The study included 110 gastrectomy specimens obtained from equal number of patients with gastric cancer. According to the TNM classification, 7 tumors were identified as being stage I, 33 stage II, 52 stage III, and 18 stage IV, whereas 92 tumors were low-grade and 18 high-grade malignancies.

Intragastric balloon for high-risk super-obese patients: a prospective analysis of efficacy.

Background: Super-obese patients with many co-morbidities present a challenge in bariatric surgery because of the high perioperative morbidity and mortality. The BioEnterics intragastric balloon (BIB) is an endoscopic device used preoperatively to induce weight loss to reduce the risk of surgery for morbid obesity.

Methods: From November 2003 to April 2006, the BIB was endoscopically placed in 26 high-risk super-obese patients with a mean body mass index of 65.

Mini-laparotomy cholecystectomy versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy: which way to go?

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to report the results of a prospective clinical trial investigating traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus "mini-lap" cholecystectomy in a tertiary care University Hospital.

Materials And Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, single-center observational study. Forty-four patients were allocated in each group; patients in group L underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, whereas patients in group M had open "mini-laparotomy" cholecystectomy with a small incision through the rectus abdominis muscle.

Twenty-four hour prophylaxis with increased dosage of octreotide reduces the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Background: Acute pancreatitis is a common complication of ERCP, occurring in up to 10% of cases. Chemoprevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis remains a debated issue.

Objective: This study evaluated whether increased dosage of octreotide, a potent inhibitor of pancreatic secretion, could reduce the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Assessing sexual function in obese women preparing for bariatric surgery.

Background: Obesity has become a modern epidemic, increasingly affecting the general population worldwide. Obese people are vulnerable to a variety of co-morbidities, including cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, osteoarthritis, diabetes, cancer and psychiatric conditions, that not only diminish life expectancy but also impair quality of life. Research has shown that obesity is further linked to sexual dysfunction, although relevant studies are limited and further investigation is needed.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a report from a single center.

Aim: To review and evaluate our experience in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on data collected during a 13-year period (1992-2005) from 1220 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Results: Mortality rate was 0%.

Changes in aetiology and clinical outcome of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding during the last 15 years.

Objectives: The diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding have been improved during the last decades. The aim of this study was to compare the aetiology and clinical outcome of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) between two distinct periods during the last 15 years.

Methods: The causes of AUGIB and clinical outcome of 668 patients hospitalised with the problem in 1986-1987 were compared to 636 patients with AUGIB in 2000-2001.

BCL-2 and BAX expression and cell proliferation, after partial hepatectomy with and without ischemia, on cholestatic liver in rats: an experimental study.

Background: Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PHx) is regulated by several factors that activate or inhibit hepatocyte proliferation. Apoptosis seems to play an important role in cellular proliferation and liver regeneration. This study investigates the expression apoptosis-associated genes bcl-2 and bax, and the presence of apoptosis and cell proliferation after PHx, in normal and jaundiced rats with or without superimposed ischemia.