Radiofrequency in the Management of Colorectal Liver Metastases: A 10-Year Experience at a Single Center.

Background: Liver resection is the curative treatment for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs), with five-year survival rates of 30-50%. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a local and useful alternative for patients with non-resectable CRLMs to obtain complete tumor clearance. The aim of this study was to analyze survival rates with this local treatment.

Current indications for the Hartmann procedure.

The Hartmann procedure is used in the case of left-sided colonic disease, especially in the setting of emergency where intraoperative conditions contraindicate completion of an anastomosis. This procedure has been initially described for the management of colorectal cancer and is based on a sigmoïdectomy without restoration of intestinal continuity, including a left-sided iliac terminal stoma and closure of the rectal stump. Both procedure and underlying risk factors explain high rates of mortality and morbidity, around 15 and 50% respectively, and a low overall rate of subsequent restoration of internal continuity, less than 50%.

Acute mesenteric ischemia of arterial origin: importance of early revascularization.

Goal: The goal of our study was to show that survival was better when early revascularization was performed rather than gastrointestinal resection in the management of acute mesenteric ischemia of arterial origin.

Methods: The reports of patients managed in our center between January 2005 and May 2012 for acute mesenteric ischemia of arterial origin were analyzed retrospectively. Data on clinical, laboratory and radiologic findings, the interval before treatment, the operative findings and the surgical procedures were collected.

Do patients with haematological malignancy who need cardiopulmonary bypass have a short-term higher mortality or a higher chance of disease progression?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether patients with haematological malignancy (HM) who need cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) have a higher short-term mortality or a higher chance of disease progression secondary to CPB. Altogether, 107 papers were found using the reported search terms, but ultimately only eight were relevant to our subject.