Mesenteric cystic lymphangioma treated with laparoscopic excision: case report and review of the literature.

Mesenteric cystic lymphangioma is a rare lesion. We described a case of 20 years old patient with an asymptomatic cystic lymphangioma that was detected after ultrasound scan performed for a minor abdominal trauma. The patient was treated with laparoscopic exploration and an intestinal resection by mini-laparotomy.

Early experiences with a porcine hepatocyte-based bioartificial liver in acute hepatic failure patients.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only effective therapeutic modality in severe acute hepatic failure (AHF). The scarcity of organs for transplantation leads to an urgent necessity for temporary liver support treatments in AHF patients. A hepatocyte-based bioartificial liver (BAL) is under investigation with the main purpose to serve as bridging treatment until a liver becomes available for OLT, or to promote spontaneous liver regeneration.

[In vitro experimentation of a new model of radial flow bioreactor containing isolated hepatocytes].

Hepatocyte based artificial liver support systems are under investigation to support acute liver failure patients. The main purpose of such systems is to serve as a bridge to liver transplantation, or to promote spontaneous liver recovery. Limitation in mass-transfer capacity makes hollow-fiber bioreactors unsuited for long-term functioning of hybrid devices.