[Usability testing of the canal expander - a new implant for canaloplasty].

Background: Canaloplasty is a bleb-independent glaucoma surgery in which Schlemm's canal is dilated with a microcatheter and viscoelastic material, and stretched by a tensioning suture. The suture stent has numerous drawbacks such as the technical challenging implantation, deficient knowledge of proper suture tension, late loosening of the suture, or suture extrusion into the anterior chamber. The Stegmann Canal Expander (SCE) was developed to replace the suture stent and to make canaloplasty easier and more reproducible.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection and clip defect closure in the colon with the new FTRD system: experimental study.

Background: The benefit of endoscopic full-thickness resection is the improved diagnostic work-up with an integral wall specimen which allows a precise determination of the tumor or its precursor and its infiltration depth into the wall.

Materials And Methods: A new endoscopic full-thickness resection device (FTRD), which is a combination of a modified over-the-scope-clip (OTSC) system with an electrocautery snare, has been tested in an experimental setting. In eleven pigs, divided into three groups, endoscopic full-thickness resection was performed in the colon at one or two sites, respectively.

Concerted down-regulation of immune-system related genes predicts metastasis in colorectal carcinoma.

Background: This study aimed at the identification of prognostic gene expression markers in early primary colorectal carcinomas without metastasis at the time point of surgery by analyzing genome-wide gene expression profiles using oligonucleotide microarrays.

Methods: Cryo-conserved tumor specimens from 45 patients with early colorectal cancers were examined, with the majority of them being UICC stage II or earlier and with a follow-up time of 41-115 months. Gene expression profiling was performed using Whole Human Genome 4x44K Oligonucleotide Microarrays.

Performance of the OTSC System in the endoscopic closure of iatrogenic gastrointestinal perforations: a systematic review.

Background: Reliable closure is a prerequisite for conventional and innovative endoscopic procedures, such as NOTES. The purpose of this study is the systematic evaluation of the procedural and clinical success rates in closure of iatrogenic gastrointestinal perforations and acute anastomotic leaks by means of the over-the-scope-clip system (OTSC(®)).

Design: PubMed and other sources were searched systematically for clinical and preclinical research on the evaluation of the OTSC System for closure of gastrointestinal perforations and leaks.

Performance of the OTSC System in the endoscopic closure of gastrointestinal fistulae--a meta-analysis.

Background: Conventional endoscopic treatment options for closure of gastrointestinal fistulae are impaired by several limitations and therefore yield high rates of recurrence. Aim of the study is the evaluation of the primary-technical and secondary-clinical success rates in closure of gastrointestinal fistulae by means of the OTSC System.

Design/methods: The database Medline was systematically searched for primary research on the evaluation of the OTSC System in closure of gastrointestinal fistulae.