Causative classification of river flood events.

A wide variety of processes controls the time of occurrence, duration, extent, and severity of river floods. Classifying flood events by their causative processes may assist in enhancing the accuracy of local and regional flood frequency estimates and support the detection and interpretation of any changes in flood occurrence and magnitudes. This paper provides a critical review of existing causative classifications of instrumental and preinstrumental series of flood events, discusses their validity and applications, and identifies opportunities for moving toward more comprehensive approaches.

Early experience with laparoscopic major liver resections: a case-comparison study.

Laparoscopic major liver resections are regarded as demanding operations whose convenience is still under evaluation. The aim of the present study was to report our early experience and to describe surgical technique of laparoscopic major liver resections. Study group consisted of 6 female patients with benign disease and a mean age of 40.

Solitary fibrous tumour of the liver with IGF-II-related hypoglycaemia. A case report.

Introduction: We report a rare case of solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) of the liver associated with non-islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia (NICTH), which caused a hypoglycaemic coma due to over-production of big-insulin-like growth factor-II.

Discussion: Although generally benign, SFTs are better characterised, lately due to Western blot, but less than 40 cases have been reported where the liver is the target organ. In only two benign cases has hypoglycaemia been a feature.

LigaSure vs clamp-and-tie technique to achieve hemostasis in total thyroidectomy for benign multinodular goiter: a prospective randomized study.

Hypothesis: Occurrence of adverse effects and advantages of the LigaSure diathermy system (or LigaSure vessel sealing system) in total thyroidectomy have not been tested in prospective randomized studies comparing its use with that of the time-saving clamp-and-tie technique to ligate and divide thyroid vessels. The effectiveness of LigaSure in achieving vessel division and hemostasis remains dependent on vessel diameter, and the risk of damage to adjacent structures cannot be completely excluded. We tested the hypothesis that use of LigaSure compared with the clamp-and-tie technique can significantly and conveniently reduce operative time without increasing postoperative complications in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for benign multinodular goiter.

Quality of life and predictors of long-term outcome in patients undergoing open Nissen fundoplication for chronic gastroesophageal reflux.

Background: Long-term outcome of antireflux operations as well as pre- and postoperative parameters able to predict their clinical results are still controversial. The aim of the present study was to evaluate long-term quality of life of patients undergoing open fundoplication for chronic GERD and to investigate pre- and early postoperative functional parameters possibly related to persistence or recurrence of symptoms.

Methods: A cohort of 25 patients who underwent open Nissen fundoplications was reviewed for an evaluation of long-term residual symptoms and quality of life at an average follow-up of more than 10 years.