Preoperative vitamin D levels do not relate with the risk of hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy. A cohort study.

Background: Hypocalcemia is the most common complication following total thyroidectomy. Few factors may relate with increased risk of postoperative hypocalcemia. Preoperative vitamin D values have been evaluated in few studies, but reports present conflicting data.

The ALPPS technique for bilateral colorectal metastases: three "variations on a theme".

The aim of this study was to assess feasibility of technical variations of the associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy technique (ALPPS) with regard to three different ways of liver splitting. The ALPPS technique was applied in the classic form consisting in ligation of the right portal vein, limited resections on the left lobe and splitting along the umbilical fissure; the right lobe was removed 1 week later. The first variation was "left ALPPS": ligation of the left portal vein, multiple resections on the right hemiliver and splitting along the main portal fissure.