Sentinel lymph node biopsy is indicated for patients with thick clinically lymph node-negative melanoma.

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is indicated for the staging of clinically lymph node-negative melanoma of intermediate thickness, but its use is controversial in patients with thick melanoma.

Methods: From 2002 to 2012, patients with melanoma measuring ≥4 mm in thickness were evaluated at a single institution. Associations between survival and clinicopathologic characteristics were explored.

Persistence of polypropylene mesh anisotropy after implantation: an experimental study.

Objective: To determine whether anisotropy persisted after incorporation into the host, using a standardised rabbit model for abdominal wall reconstruction.

Design: Investigator-initiated prospective-controlled experimental study.

Setting: Centre for Surgical Technologies, Medical Faculty KU-Leuven.

Shrinkage and biomechanical evaluation of lightweight synthetics in a rabbit model for primary fascial repair.

Introduction And Hypothesis: The experiment evaluated different lightweights (<32 g/m(2)) in terms of shrinkage and biomechanics.

Methods: PP-8 (polypropylene of 7.6 g/m(2)), PP-s (PP-8 with absorbable sheets), PP-32 (PP with absorbable fibers; 32.

Prevalence of major levator abnormalities in symptomatic patients with an underactive pelvic floor contraction.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Major levator ani abnormalities (LAA) may lead to abnormal pelvic floor muscle contraction (pfmC) and secondarily to stress urinary incontinence (SUI), prolapse, or fecal incontinence (FI).

Methods: A retrospective observational study included 352 symptomatic patients to determine prevalence of LAA in underactive pfmC and the relationship with symptoms. On 2D/3D transperineal ultrasound, PfmC was subjectively assessed as underactive (UpfmC) or normal (NpfmC) and quantified.

Porous acellular porcine dermal collagen implants to repair fascial defects in a rat model: biomechanical evaluation up to 180 days.

Aim: To investigate the biomechanical properties of porous collagen matrices in a rat abdominal wall defect model.

Study Design: 112 rats were implanted with non-cross-linked InteXèn LP, cross-linked Pelvicol, and two investigational acellular collagen matrices (ACMs) sterilized either with ethylene oxide (ACM ETO) or gamma-irradiation (ACM GI). After 14, 30, 90 and 180 days, 7 animals per group were sacrificed to document adhesions, herniation, infection, stress resistance and histology.