Palliation With Endoscopic Metal Stents May Be Preferable to Surgical Intervention for Patients With Obstructive Pancreatic Head Adenocarcinoma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopically placed metal stents in comparison with operative procedures, in patients with obstructive pancreatic head cancer. Endoscopic stenting techniques and materials for gastrointestinal malignancies are constantly improving. Despite this evolution, many still consider operative procedures to be the gold standard for palliation in patients with unresectable obstructive pancreatic head cancer.

A novel liver parenchyma transection technique using locking straight rigid ties. An experimental study in pigs.

Introduction: Technological advances have led to the development of many devices used in liver resections. However, no single transection tool is uniformly considered to be better than the others. This study aimed to develop an effective, fast, and cost-efficient technique for hepatic parenchymal transection.

Duration of the thoracic epidural catheter in a fast-track recovery protocol may decrease the length of stay after a major hepatectomy: a case control study.

Background: Fast-track recovery protocols are applied to major surgeries, including hepatectomies. The optimal duration of thoracic epidural catheter has not yet been defined.

Objective: To determine the ideal time to remove the epidural catheter after major hepatectomy.

Nimesulide may be more efficient than allopurinol in protecting pancreas from acute ischemia/reperfusion injury in an animal model.

Objective: To determine the influence of allopurinol and nimesulide in the protection of the pancreas from acute ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Materials And Methods: A total of 30 rabbits were divided into 3 groups, group A: acute I/R only; group B: allopurinol (30 mg/kg) was administered intravenously 10 minutes before ischemia; group C: nimesulide (50 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally 20 minutes before ischemia. Neopterin and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were examined.

Single-stitch telescopic bilioenterostomy in an animal model.

Background/aims: An end-to-side biliodigestive anastomosis is the most common procedure performed in hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery, and this procedure may become technically demanding. A telescopic ureterovesical anastomosis is frequently used in transplant surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of constructing a telescopic biliodigestive anastomosis.

HCC influence on patient survival after liver transplantation for HDV cirrhosis.

Background/aims: The effect of hepatocellular cancer (HCC) in patients transplanted for hepatitis B and D virus (HB/DV) cirrhosis is not well studied. Our aim was to study the long-term survival outcomes of patients who underwent liver transplantation for HB/DV cirrhosis with and without HCC.

Methodology: A total of 231 primary, adult, single- organ liver transplants were performed from 1990 to 2007.

Oxygenated perfluorocarbons protect the intestine from the ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbits.

Objective: To investigate whether intraluminal administration of oxygenated perfluorocarbons (PFCs) protects the enterocyte from acute ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Materials And Methods: Twenty rabbits were divided in 4 groups: sham-operated controls (group A), acute I/R (group B), acute I/R plus infusion of oxygenated PFCs 30 minutes before ischemia (group C), and acute I/R plus infusion of oxygenated PFCs 30 minutes before reperfusion (group D). Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and mucosal disaccharidase activity were examined.

Intussusception of the small bowel secondary to malignant metastases in two 80-year-old people: a case series.

Introduction: Small bowel intussusception is rare in adults and accounts for one percent of all bowel obstructions. Malignancy is the etiologic agent in approximately 50 percent of all cases.

Case Presentation: Our first patient was an 80-year-old Caucasian woman with signs and symptoms of intermittent bowel obstruction for the last 12 months.

The protective effect of oxygenated perfluorocarbons (PFCs) on intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury (I/R) in rabbits.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of intraluminal administration of oxygenated perfluorocarbons (PFCs) on small intestine's viability in an experimental model of acute ischemia-reperfusion (I/R).

Methods: Twenty rabbits were divided in four groups: sham-operated controls (group A), acute I/R (group B), acute I/R plus infusion of PFCs 30 min before ischemia (group C), and acute I/R plus infusion of PFCs 30 min before reperfusion (group D). Malondialdehyde (MDA) tissue levels and d-lactate blood samples were taken.

The evolution of the role of liver transplantation in treating alcoholic cirrhosis in Greece.

Background: Liver transplantation represents the main treatment for alcoholic cirrhosis. The goal of this article is to review the results of liver transplantation for alcoholic cirrhosis in Greece over the last 2 decades.

Methods: Among 247 patients who underwent liver transplantation between 1991 and 2007, 34 (13.

Use of everolimus in de novo renal recipients: initial experience in the Greek population.

Although everolimus has proven to be as clinically efficacious as mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), there are reports that proliferation signal inhibitors are associated with poor tolerability. This study reported the experience of a Greek transplant center using either everolimus or MMF in de novo renal transplant recipients. In this retrospective study, a cohort of 40 patients who received everolimus after renal transplant was matched for 10 descriptive parameters with a cohort of another 40 patients who received MMF.

Tc-99m sestamibi accuracy in detecting parathyroid tissue is increased when combined with preoperative laboratory values: a retrospective study in 453 Greek patients with chronic renal failure who underwent parathyroidectomy.

Purpose: Technetium(99m) sestamibi (MIBI) has poor sensitivity and specificity when applied to patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. We investigated whether the combination of MIBI with preoperative parameters increased its accuracy.

Patients And Methods: This prospective study of 453 consecutive patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism who underwent parathyroidectomy (bilateral neck exploration) included preoperative MIBI scintigraphy compared with intraoperative and histopathology findings.

Metachronous colorectal adenocarcinomas.

Background: The purpose of our study is to emphasise the diagnostic and therapeutic problems of metachronous colorectal cancer.

Materials And Methods: Between 1990 and February 2004, amongst 185 patients that were treated for colorectal cancer, in four of them a metachronous carcinoma was diagnosed.

Results: 1st patient: male 41 years, underwent colectomy of the descending colon for adenocarcinoma.

Postoperative follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer: a combined evaluation of CT scan, colonoscopy and tumour markers.

Background: The purpose of this study is to present the experience of our department regarding the importance of the systematic postoperative follow-up of patients with colorectal cancer, early diagnosis and treatment of the recurrence of the disease or a metachronous cancer.

Methods: In a study that took place between October 2001 and February 2004 amongst 67 patients that were operated upon for colorectal cancer, 41 were systematically being followed up through CT scan, colonoscopy and tumour markers.

Results: In the 14th and 18th months postoperatively for 2 of the patients the CT scan showed hepatic metastasis, while the colonoscopy was negative.

Endovascular treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms.

Objective: To present the results of the endovascular treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms.

Methods: From April 1999 to January 2002, 11 patients, aged 40-94 years, with 12 popliteal aneurysms were treated. Nine (75%) underwent an endoluminal repair, of whom three were done emergently due to an aneurysm rupture.