Results of the Eighth Scientific Workshop of ECCO: Pathophysiology and Risk Factors of Postoperative Crohn's Disease Recurrence after an Ileocolonic Resection.

Postoperative recurrence [POR] after an ileocolonic resection with ileocolonic anastomosis is frequently encountered in patients with Crohn's disease. The 8th Scientific Workshop of ECCO reviewed the available evidence on the pathophysiology and risk factors for POR. In this paper, we discuss published data on the role of the microbiome, the mesentery, the immune system and the genetic background.

Perineal hernia repair after abdominoperineal rectal excision with prosthetic mesh-a single surgeon experience.

Aim: Extralevator abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer is associated with an increased incidence of perineal hernia. The purpose of this study was to determine clinical outcome following perineal hernia repair with prosthetic mesh by a perineal open approach.

Methods: We present a case series of 10 patients who underwent 12 repairs of their hernia using a prosthetic mesh placed by a perineal open technique.

Late Complications After Endoscopic Sphincterotomy.

The introduction of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) has changed the treatment of choledocholithiasis. An increasing number of young patients are requiring ES, and this raises concern regarding any potential long-term complications arising from irreversibly altering the anatomy of the sphincter of Oddi. In particular, concern has been raised regarding the risk of late cholangiocarcioma.

Results of pancreatic surgery in the elderly: is age a barrier?

Background: By 2033, the number of people aged 85 years and over in the UK is projected to double, accounting for 5% of the total population. It is important to understand the surgical outcome after a pancreatic resection in the elderly to assist decision making.

Methods: Over a 9-year period (from January 2000 to August 2009), 428 consecutive patients who underwent a pancreatic resection were reviewed.

EGFR and KRAS mutational analysis and their correlation to survival in pancreatic and periampullary cancer.

Objectives: Pancreatic and periampullary cancers have a high incidence of activating KRAS mutations. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of KRAS and EGFR mutations in pancreatic and periampullary cancers and their relationship with survival.

Methods: One hundred patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy or pancreatic biopsy for cancer were recruited.

Pancreatic carcinoma masquerading as groove pancreatitis: case report and review of literature.

Context: Groove pancreatitis is a distinct form of chronic pancreatitis affecting the space surrounded by the pancreatic head, duodenum and common bile duct. It is an uncommon pancreatic disease with challenging imaging diagnosis that can lead to surgical dilemmas. The purpose of this study is to report a case and review the current clinical, radiological and pathological characteristics of groove pancreatic carcinoma and groove pancreatitis.

Epidermal growth factor receptor in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer related death. The difficulty in detecting pancreatic cancer at an early stage, aggressiveness and the lack of effective therapy all contribute to the high mortality. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a transmembrane glycoprotein, which is expressed in normal human tissues.

Poly(A) cDNA real-time PCR for indicator gene measurement in cancer.

Microarray gene expression profiling has identified gene signatures or "Indicator" genes predictive of outcome in many cancer types including lymphoma, and more recently pancreatic cancer. This has identified novel and powerful diagnostic and prognostic and generically applicable markers, promising more specific diagnosis and treatment, together with improved understanding of pathobiology. There is now an urgent need to translate these signatures to clinical use.

Poly(adenylic acid) complementary DNA real-time polymerase chain reaction in pancreatic ductal juice in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Objectives: There is a need to develop methods of early diagnosis for pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic juice is easily collected by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and may facilitate diagnosis using molecular markers. The aim of this work was to explore the feasibility of measurement of gene expression in RNA isolated from ductal juice.