Isolated subcutaneous emphysema of the abdominal wall following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Isolated subcutaneous emphysema without retroperitoneal perforation is a rare complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We present the case of an 87-year-old female who developed extensive subcutaneous emphysema following ERCP for choledocholithiasis. Abdominal computed tomography showed air perfectly dissecting the abdominal wall muscle layers and no evidence of an air leak in the pleural, mediastinal, or peritoneal spaces.

Score of "eat-ability" as a predictor of malnutrition in patients with gastrointestinal tract cancer: a pilot study.

Introduction: decreased food intake, loss of appetite, and dysphagia are relevant symptoms in patients with gastrointestinal tract (GIT) cancer. However, these symptoms have been isolated or indirectly assessed when comprising quality of life questionnaires or risk assessment tools.

Objective: to determine whether a combined assessment of dysphagia, appetite and food intake may be used as a parameter of eat-ability (food capacity) in patients with GIT cancer.

ADDUCTOR POLLICIS MUSCLE THICKNESS AND PREDICTION OF POSTOPERATIVE MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH STOMACH CANCER.

Background: Malnutrition is very prevalent in patients with gastric cancer and increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. Adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT) appears as an important objective, quick, inexpensive and noninvasive measure to assess the muscle compartment.

Aim: To compare APMT and other nutritional assessment methods and to correlate these methods with postoperative mortality.

Fluorescent test accurately predicts leak of ischemic colon anastomosis in rats.

Purpose:: To investigate if fluorescein fluorescent test can predict dehiscence in a model of ischemic colonic anastomosis in rats.

Methods:: This experimental controlled trial randomly assigned 55 rats to four groups. Anastomoses were performed in non-ischemic colon segments (control group) and in ischemic colon segments measuring 1, 2 or 3 cm long (groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively).

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors-induced angioedema of the small bowel mimicking postoperative complication.

Angioedema of the small bowel (ASB) is an extremely rare side effect of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI). We present a case of ACEI-induced ASB mimicking postoperative complication. The diagnosis of ACEI-induced ASB should be considered in patients using these drugs and presenting sudden gastrointestinal symptoms and thickening of small bowel not attributable to other diseases.

30 Years of Robotic Surgery.

The idea of reproducing himself with the use of a mechanical robot structure has been in man's imagination in the last 3000 years. However, the use of robots in medicine has only 30 years of history. The application of robots in surgery originates from the need of modern man to achieve two goals: the telepresence and the performance of repetitive and accurate tasks.

A comparison of radical vaginal hysterectomy combined with extraperitoneal or laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in the treatment of cervical cancer.

Background: The use of radical vaginal hysterectomy in the treatment of cervical cancer is associated with lower morbidity and a similar cure rate when compared with the abdominal approach. The present study reports a case series of radical vaginal hysterectomy followed by extraperitoneal (Mitra) or video-laparoscopic (VLP) lymphadenectomy, with comparison of the 2 techniques.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with cervical carcinoma (stages IA1 to IIA) were submitted to radical vaginal hysterectomy and extraperitoneal or laparoscopic lymphadenectomy.

Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats as an experimental model of brain ischemia.

Purpose: To assess a rat model of cerebral ischemia induced by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and its effect on the area of cerebral infarction.

Methods: Brain ischemia was induced in 52 male Wistar rats by introduction of a 3-0 nylon suture into the middle cerebral artery for either 90 (n=28) or 120 (n=24) minutes. Ischemic injury volume was determined by TTC staining, digital photography and analysis with the Image J software.

Analysis of the videolaparoscopy potentiality in the surgical treatment of the bowel obstruction.

Context: Laparotomy is the gold standard treatment of patients with intestinal obstruction without response to clinical management. Nowadays, literature has been demonstrating the feasibility of videolaparoscopy in the treatment of intestinal obstruction.

Objectives: To report the clinical-epidemiological profile of patients with intestinal obstruction submitted to surgery and verify the presence of contraindications for laparoscopy.

[Pudendal neuropathy: correlation with demographic data, severity index and pressoric parameters in patients with fecal incontinence].

Background: Fecal incontinence stands for inability in maintaining the control of defecation to a socially acceptable and adequate time and place, resulting in unwanted release of gas, liquid or solid stool. The diagnosis needs multiple exams. Anorectal manometry is mandatory for this study.