Use of resterilized polypropylene mesh in inguinal hernia repair: a prospective, randomized study.

Background: Inguinal hernia repair consumes considerable health-care resources worldwide. Open mesh repairs are commonly used and the feasibility of using a resterilized mesh, which is a general practice in certain countries, has not been evaluated.

Study Design: In this randomized prospective study, original and resterilized meshes were used in two groups of patients with unilateral inguinal hernia.

Early prediction of normocalcemia after thyroid surgery.

Hypocalcemia is the principal factor that determines length of hospital stay after thyroid surgery. Seventy-nine patients who underwent thyroidectomy were prospectively evaluated in order to define risk factors for postoperative hypocalcemia. Serum samples were taken postoperatively at 8, 14, 24, and 48 hours to measure total calcium levels.

Retained abdominal gallstones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Although gallbladder perforation with spillage of bile and gallstones is quite common, the approach to retained gallstones in the abdomen still is controversial.

Methods: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was performed on 580 patients with gallstones. In 101 (17%) patients, gallbladder perforations occurred during surgery, and in 43 (7%) patients, stone(s) were spilled into the peritoneal cavity.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: is it a conscious preference among Turkish patients with symptomatic gallstones?--prospective study.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has the advantages of early return to full daily activity, early return to work, and better cosmetic result, as well as quickly resolving pain. Yet how this information about the procedure influences a patient's attitude toward laparocopy is not known. In this study we analyzed the factors that play role in the decision-making process of patients who choose laparoscopic surgery, and we also evaluated patients' knowledge of laparoscopy and their expectations.