Benefits and risks of bariatric surgery in patients aged more than 60 years.

Background: The benefits and risks of bariatric surgery are debated in older patients. The objective of this study was to compare the weight changes and adverse outcomes in patients>60 years and in younger ones.

Methods: The French SOFFCO registry was screened for gastric bypass (RYGB), gastric banding (LAGB), or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) performed between 2007 and 2010.

Cryopreserved porcine hepatocytes: expression and induction of cytochrome P450, isoform CYP2E1.

Cryopreservation of porcine hepatocytes for their use in bioartificial liver devices may result in reduced cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme activity. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of several CYP inducers on the isoform CYP2E1 protein expression in cryopreserved porcine hepatocytes. Isolated porcine hepatocytes were cryopreserved for 1 month, thawed, and cultured for 3 days.

Peritoneal implantation of cryopreserved encapsulated porcine hepatocytes in rats without immunosuppression: viability and function.

The bioartificial liver (BAL) represents a promising approach to cell transplantation without immunosuppression as a method to support patients with hepatic insufficiency. The aim of this study was to assess viability and function of cryopreserved encapsulated porcine hepatocytes implanted intraperitoneally in rats without immunosuppression. Isolated porcine hepatocytes were cryopreserved at -196 degrees C for 1 month.

The use of fibrin sealant to prevent major complications following laparoscopic gastric bypass: results of a multicenter, randomized trial.

Background: Published interim results have shown that fibrin sealant (Tissucol/Tisseel Baxter AG, Vienna, Austria) may be effective in preventing anastomotic leaks and internal hernias following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP). We report the final results of a multicenter, randomized clinical trial evaluating the use of fibrin sealant in LRYGBP.

Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2005, 340 patients aged 21-65 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 40-59 kg/m(2) undergoing LRYGBP were randomized (1:1) to two treatment groups: fibrin sealant group (applied to gastrojejunal and jejunojejunal anastomoses and over mesenteric openings), and control group (no fibrin sealant; suture of the mesenteric openings).

Cost-effectiveness and budget impact of obesity surgery in patients with type-2 diabetes in three European countries.

Background: We aimed to establish a payer-perspective cost-effectiveness and budget impact (BI) model of adjustable gastric banding (AGB) and gastric bypass (GBP) vs conventional treatment (CT) in patients with BMI > or =35 kg/m(2) and type-2 diabetes T2DM, in Germany, UK and France.

Methods: Clinical evidence was obtained from literature and patient-reported EQ-5D scores given BMI and T2DM status from HODaR. Resource utilization data in AGB, GBP and CT were obtained from quoted publications so as to reflect practice in 2005.

Clinical evaluation of fibrin glue in the prevention of anastomotic leak and internal hernia after laparoscopic gastric bypass: preliminary results of a prospective, randomized multicenter trial.

Background: Gastro-jejunal anastomotic leak and internal hernia can be life-threatening complications of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP), ranging from 0.1-4.3% and from 0.

Laparoscopic subtotal colectomy with cecorectal anastomosis for slow-transit constipation.

Subtotal colectomy with cecorectal anastomosis represents an interesting alternative to total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. Several technical variants to the methods for performing the anastomosis between the cecum and the rectal stump after subtotal colectomy have been reported. The mechanical, antiperistaltic, end-to-end cecorectal anastomosis is safe and easy to perform.

Long-term results of transperitoneal laparoscopic fenestration in the treatment of simple renal cysts.

The aim of this paper was to assess long-term results of transperitoneal laparoscopic fenestration in the treatment of symptomatic simple renal cysts. Fifteen consecutive patients (7 men, 8 women), with a mean age of 51 years (range, 36-79 years), underwent transperitoneal fenestration of simple renal cysts (SRC) at our institution from 1994 to 2001. Data were collected by reviewing patients' clinical files, conducting telephone interviews regarding symptoms, and followup renal ultrasonography (US).

[Morbid obesity, public health problem: laparoscopic surgical treatment].

Morbid obesity, commonly defined as a condition in which the weight exceed twice the ideal body weight, is a major public health concern, widely unrecognized in France whereas causing 55,000 deaths per year to compare to 8,000 deaths per year by traffic accidents. Its pathogenesis is discussed even if much attention in recent years has centered on genetic causes since the identification of the ob-gene and its protein product leptin. Due to the long term failure of medical treatments, the advent of laparoscopy had disrupted therapeutic and carried on exponential development of laparoscopic operations mainly by gastric banding using an adjustable ring not without complications.

Caspase inhibition protects from liver injury following ischemia and reperfusion in rats.

Normothermic ischemia and reperfusion of the liver results in microcirculatory failure followed by necrosis and cell death. Recently, another type of cell death, apoptosis or programmed cell death, was found to be activated during the early phase of reperfusion after liver ischemia. Caspases are cysteine proteinases specifically involved in the initiation and execution phases of apoptosis.

[Surgical treatment of anterior rectoceles in women. The transanal approach].

Anterior rectocele is a herniation of the anterior rectal wall into the vagina, which may be either isolated or associated with other pelvic floor disorders. Rectocele could result in outlet obstruction with dyschezia, manual extraction of faeces and/or false incontinence. Rectocele is diagnosed clinically, and can be confirmed by defecography.

Laparoscopic repair of chronic intrathoracic gastric volvulus.

Background: Totally intrathoracic gastric volvulus is an uncommon presentation of hiatal hernia, in which the stomach undergoes organoaxial torsion predisposing the herniated stomach to strangulation and necrosis. This may occur as a surgical emergency, but some patients present with only chronic, non-specific symptoms and can be treated electively. The aim of this study is to describe a comprehensive approach to laparoscopic repair of chronic intrathoracic gastric volvulus and to critically assess the pre-operative work-up.

Laparoscopic management of benign cystic lesions of the liver.

We present our experience in the laparoscopic management of benign liver cysts. The aim of the study was to analyze the technical feasibility of such management and to evaluate safety and outcome on follow-up. Between September 1990 and October 1997, 31 patients underwent laparoscopic liver surgery for benign cystic lesions.

Possibilities of laparoscopic liver resection.

The aim of this study was to report the results of our experience in liver surgery by laparoscopy. From 1989 to 1996, 30 patients (20 women, 10 men; age, 23-88 years; mean age, 53.9 years) underwent laparoscopic liver surgery at our Institute for the following pathology: 10 for biliary cysts, 7 for polycystic diseases, 8 for benign tumors, 3 for hydatid cysts, 1 for chronic abscess, and 1 for metastasis.

Posterior vagotomy and anterior seromyotomy as elective surgery for duodenal ulcer disease.

Background/aims: The introduction of acid-reductor drugs in the treatment of duodenal ulcer has led to a drastic reduction in surgical indications. The role of Helicobacter pylori in recurrence and persistence of ulcer has added antibiotics to H2-receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors. As this triple drug therapy always involves long and short-term side effects and ulcer recurrence is frequent once medication is stopped, surgical treatment with its recognized long-term efficacy has a role to play in prevention of complications.

[The biocompatibility of suture materials used in colon surgery. An experimental study in the rat].

Background: The aim of this experimental study was to compare the tissue behavior of biofragmentable anastomotic ring (BAR) with other synthetic materials used in colonic surgery.

Methods: Thirty-three rats were divided into four groups: group 1, sham-operated control animals without material implanted; group 2, with fragments of polypropylene monofilament implanted extraperitoneally in abdominal wound, between musculature and peritoneum; group 3, with metal clips implanted extraperitoneally in abdominal wound, between musculature and peritoneum and group 4, with fragments of biofragmentable anastomotic ring implanted extraperitoneally in abdominal wound, between musculature and peritoneum. Animals were sacrificed 30 days after the operation.

Laparoscopic management of benign solid and cystic lesions of the liver.

Objective: The authors present their experience in the laparoscopic management of benign liver disease. The aim of the study is to analyze technical feasibility and evaluate immediate and long-term outcome.

Summary Background Data: Indications for the laparoscopic management of varied abdominal conditions have evolved.