Outcome evaluation of 10,317 laparoscopic cholecystectomies: a 17-year experience at a single center.

Background/aims: This study is an analysis of the large series of laparoscopic cholecystectomies and compare our results with those reported in the literature concerning complications.

Methodology: From December 1993 to September 2010, 10,317 patients with gallstone disease underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Previously operated patients were also included in the study.

Augmentation of regulatory T cells (CD4+CD25+Foxp3+) correlates with tumor stage in patients with colorectal cancer.

Unlabelled: Recent evidence suggests that decline of regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in the prevalence of autoimmune diseases inhibiting the maintenance of peripheral self tolerance, while its augmentation leads to insufficient antitumor response, accompanied with poor prognosis in various malignancies. Increased number of Tregs (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) were noticed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and/or regional lymph nodes lymphocytes (LNLs) of patients with gastrointestinal tumors. The aim of our study was to investigate the correlation between the percentage of Tregs in peripheral blood of patients with colorectal carcinoma, using flow cytometric technique and tumor stages, classified as Dukes' A, B, C or D and by stage of differentiation.

Effect of pyloric dilatation on gastric emptying after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background/aims: Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) is the standard treatment for periampullary and pancreatic head tumors. Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is the most common (ranging from 15-45%) but not life threatening complication and impairs patient recovery and prolongs the hospital stay after PPPD. The precise pathomechanism of DGE is still unclear.

Leiomyoma of the left renal vein. A report of a case.

Only a few cases of leiomyoma of the vena cava or iliac vein and, according to our knowledge, only one case of renal vein leiomyoma have been reported. We report a patient with leiomyoma of the left renal vein. Tumour resection was performed by resecting a part of the vein along with the tumour and by ligation of the vein.

Double transection of complete duodenal circumference after blunt abdominal trauma without other intra-abdominal injuries.

We report a case of a 20-year-old male with isolated complete duodenal transection at two duodenal segments after blunt abdominal trauma. On admission, the patient underwent physical examination, laboratory analysis, abdominal ultrasound and plain abdominal x-ray. Physical examination revealed diffuse and rebound tenderness and extreme rigidity of the abdomen, guarding and decreased bowel sounds.

[Outcome of 268 patients with pancreatic carcinoma treated surgically].

From January 1st 1987 to December 31st 2001, 268 patients (pts) with the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma had undergone surgery at Surgical Clinic of University Hospital Rijeka. Pts were of both sexes: 154 males (57%) and 114 females (43%). The mean age of pts at the time of operation was 66 +/- 11.

[Portasystemic shunt--our twenty years experience].

Objective: It was the aim of this study to demonstrate our experiences over twenty years with portasystemic shunt surgery in patients with chronic liver disease and variceal bleeding.

Patients And Methods: From January 1 st, 1980 to December 31 st, 2000 we performed 90 portasystemic shunt operations (PSO). The patients were divided in two groups.

[Transhiatal esophagectomy for carcinoma of the esophagus--our ten years experience].

During the past 10 years, at University Surgical Clinic Rijeka, 107 patients underwent operation for carcinoma of the esophagus and cardia. Transhiatal esophagectomy was performed in 29 patients; in 28 of them an esophagogastrostomy was performed, and in one patient a pharingogastrostomy. Of the 29 patients, there were 24 men (82.

Diagnosis and treatment of liver hydatid disease.

Background/aims: Human echinococcosis is endemic in some areas of the world, including Mediterranean countries. The liver is the most frequent seat of echinococcosis, involved in about 70% of cases. Because there is still no effective medical therapy, surgery remains the treatment of choice.

Duodenal obstruction from chronic pancreatitis.

The fibrosclerosing process of the pancreas in the chronic pancreatitis may constrict not only the pancreatic duct but also the bile duct, splenoportal venous system and duodenum. In our retrospective study we analysed 24 patients with duodenal obstruction associated with chronic pancreatitis. Duodenal obstruction was suspected whenever repeated vomiting occurred or large volumes of nasogastric aspirate were obtained.