Favorable long-term results of endovenous laser ablation of great and small saphenous vein incompetence with a 1470-nm laser and radial fiber.

Objective: Scarce information is available on the long-term results of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) for great saphenous vein (GSV) or small saphenous vein (SSV) insufficiency. We sought to provide data on the status of patients at least 9 years after EVLA.

Methods: In 2018, we undertook a cross-sectional survey of ambulatory patients who had undergone EVLA in our tertiary care center in 2008-2009.

Endovenous laser ablation of great and small saphenous vein incompetence with a 1470-nm laser and radial fiber.

Objective: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of great (GSV) and small saphenous vein (SSV) chronic insufficiency with 1470-nm diode laser and radial fiber yields good short-term results. The aim of this study was to assess its efficacy after at least 12 months of follow-up.

Methods: We performed a prospective interventional cohort study in an ambulatory care/day surgery setting.

Six-year follow-up of endovenous laser ablation for great saphenous vein incompetence.

Objective: Treatment of chronic venous insufficiency of the great saphenous veins by endovenous laser ablation yields good short- and medium-term results, as assessed clinically and technically by echo-color-Doppler. At present, scarce data are available on the long-term results of endovenous laser ablation. We wanted to assess the long-term efficacy of endovenous laser ablation.

Determination of metals by total reflection X-ray fluorescence and evaluation of toxicity of a river impacted by coal mining in the south of Brazil.

Metal (Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Cd, and Pb) concentrations in the region of Criciuma (Brazil), a region impacted by coal mining, were determined in water and sediments using total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectroscopy. Samples were collected from the Mãe Luzia River (south Brazil) at five different stations, from the source down to the river mouth (Ararangua estuary). Water and sediment toxicity were also evaluated using bioassays with Daphnia magna as the bioindicator.

Learning curves and mathematical models for interventional ultrasound basic skills.

Background: We aimed to construct learning curves and mathematical learning models for ultrasound basic skills: optimizing needle-ultrasound beam alignment and reaching a target inside a phantom.

Methods: Thirty subjects participated in the study. Each subject performed 25 trials.

Ultrasound-guided obturator nerve block: a preliminary report of a case series.

Background And Objectives: Obturator-nerve block improves analgesia for knee surgery. Traditional techniques rely on surface landmarks, which can be variable and result in excessive performance times and multiple needle passes. The objective of this study was to evaluate a novel ultrasound-guided technique for localizing the obturator nerve.

Anastomotic stenoses occurring after circular stapling in esophageal cancer surgery.

Background: Circular staplers have reduced the incidence of anastomotic leaks in esophagovisceral anastomosis. However, the prevalence of stenosis is greater with staplers than with manual suturing. The aim of this study was to analyze potential risk factors for the onset of anastomotic stenoses and to evaluate their treatment and final outcome.

[Echo-sclerotherapy in the management of varices of the lower extremities].

Sclerotherapy has been used with satisfactory results, for several years in the treatment of varicose veins. Nevertheless sometimes sclerosis can be incomplete because of the morphology of lower limbs or because the varicose disease is not clinically evident. In addition, sclerotherapy can give rise to severe complications due to intrarterial or extraluminal injections.

[Duplex study of primary venous insufficiency of the legs. First results and methodologic comparison].

Primary venous insufficiency is a pathologic condition characterized by reflux in the deep venous system not secondary to phlebothrombosis. The authors compare the diagnostic capabilities of duplex and Doppler US in the evaluation of this condition. At present, Doppler US has a more widespread use than the duplex method.

[The Duplex system in the follow-up of sclerosing therapy of the greater saphenous vein. First results and considerations].

The authors evaluated the long-term results of sclerosing therapy as an alternative to surgery by means of high-resolution US and Doppler dynamic fluximetry (duplex system). Seventy patients (53 females and 17 males) were examined, all of whom fulfilled the clinical criteria of recovery and efficacy of sclerosing therapy. Average follow up was 20 months (range: 6-26).

[Use of a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in locally advanced breast cancer].

Locally advanced breast cancer has a poor prognosis. Skin infiltration, ulceration and invasion of the chest wall, in the absence of distant metastases, worsen dramatically the quality of life. The Authors report 4 cases of one time wide resection and reconstruction using a pedicled myocutaneous flap of latissimus dorsi.