Preliminary results of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding procedure by a new generation of silicone band: MIDBAND.

Background: The surgical treatment of morbid obesity by laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has become a "gold standard" in Europe. Currently, five types of silicone bands are used in the majority of countries performing bariatric surgery.

Methods: The MIDBAND was introduced to the European market in 2000.

Laparoscopic resorbable mesh fixation. Assessment of an innovative disposable instrument delivering resorbable fixation devices: I-Clip(TM). Final results of a prospective multicentre clinical trial.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the performance and tolerance of an innovative disposable instrument delivering resorbable clips (I-Clip, Sofradim, France) intended for mesh fixation in inguinal, incisional and umbilical hernias of the abdominal wall. The fixation device was designed to be resorbable in 1 year, with reduced trauma to the underlying tissues or the mesh, and with initial mechanical properties equivalent to those of conventional metal staples.

Methods: The study involved 105 patients with inguinal, umbilical or incisional hernias enrolled from 11 centres.

Short communication: patterns of chronic and acute diseases after natural disasters - a study from the International Committee of the Red Cross field hospital in Banda Aceh after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Objective: To assess the pattern of diseases in a natural disaster, which are not necessarily a direct consequence of the event but can impact on the way health assistance is to be provided.

Methods: Cross-sectional, record-based study in the International Committee of the Red Cross field hospital in Aceh, Indonesia, established immediately after the tsunami in 2004. Patients who presented to hospital from January 15 to 31, and whose diagnoses were available, were included in the study.

A multicentric comparison of transabdominal versus totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic hernia repair using PARIETEX meshes.

The authors report a series of 1972 inguinal hernias treated between 1993 and 1997 by the insertion of a PARIETEX mesh via either a transabdominal-preperitoneal (TAPP) (1,290 procedures) or a totally extraperitoneal TEP approach (682 procedures). Pain scores were equivalent in both groups, while the hospital stay and time to return to normal activity was lower in the TEP group than in the TAPP group (p<0.001).