Simulation of the ductile machining mode of silicon.

Diamond wire sawing has been developed to reduce the cutting loss when cutting silicon wafers from ingots. The surface of silicon solar cells must be flawless in order to achieve the highest possible efficiency. However, the surface is damaged during sawing.

Anti-infectious prophylaxis after splenectomy: current practice in an eastern region of Switzerland.

Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI) is a long-term risk in asplenic patients, which may be minimised by appropriate preventive measures. In this survey anti-infectious strategies after splenectomy were evaluated in an eastern part of Switzerland. We found 91 individuals in the canton of Thurgau, who underwent splenectomy between 1998 and 2003.

Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis complicated by pneumothorax.

A 61-year-old man presented with left-sided pneumothorax. On the chest computed tomograghy (CT), severe bilateral emphysema and left-sided pleural thickening were seen. His pneumothorax was drained with a chest tube.

[Pancreatic pseudocysts--possibilities in surgical therapy].

Based on the classification of pseudocysts according to D'Egidio and Schein the different surgical techniques for the treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts, i.e. drainage procedures and resections are discussed.

Laparoscopic wedge resection for benign gastric tumors.

Background: Both laparoscopic wedge resection and formal laparoscopic resection are used in the treatment of benign and malignant gastric diseases.

Methods: We performed totally laparoscopic wedge resection using stapling devices and three or four trocars.

Patients: Four patients were treated with this technique.