Solution of the Kirchhoff-Plateau Problem.

The Kirchhoff-Plateau problem concerns the equilibrium shapes of a system in which a flexible filament in the form of a closed loop is spanned by a liquid film, with the filament being modeled as a Kirchhoff rod and the action of the spanning surface being solely due to surface tension. We establish the existence of an equilibrium shape that minimizes the total energy of the system under the physical constraint of noninterpenetration of matter, but allowing for points on the surface of the bounding loop to come into contact. In our treatment, the bounding loop retains a finite cross-sectional thickness and a nonvanishing volume, while the liquid film is represented by a set with finite two-dimensional Hausdorff measure.

Successful coaxial double-vein graft for infrarenal aortic pseudoaneurysm due to Salmonella infection associated with hepatic resection for hepatocarcinoma.

This is a case of aortic pseudoaneurysm due to Salmonella aortitis successfully treated by coaxial double-vein graft replacement (femoral vein and internal jugular vein) associated with hepatic resection for hepatocarcinoma. The aim of the technique is to improve the solidness of the vascular anastomosis and the tensile strength of the autologous vein graft, thus preventing long-term degeneration. Simultaneous hepatic resection did not affect clinical outcome.