Labelling Matrix Metalloproteinases.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-containing proteases that participate in many physiological and pathological processes in vivo. Recently, the MMP network has been established according to a deeper understanding of its functions. Some MMPs have been also regarded as biomarkers of various diseases, including inflammation, nerve diseases, and cancers.

[Value of identification of cystic duct, common bile duct, and common hepatic duct in prevention of bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

Objective: To explore effective method to avoid iatrogenic bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods: 10 492 patients underwent LC from May 1996 to May 2006, 8566 of them were treated by the method to identify the cystic duct, common hepatic duct, and common bile duct during LC (tri-duct method group), and the left 1926 cases whose cystic duct failed to be exposed easily were treated with the method to identify at least two of the 4 structures (cystic lymph node, Hartmann's pouch, cystic artery, and emptiness of cystic triangle) so as to help identify the cystic duct (tri-duct plus tri-structure group). The operating time, amount of blood loss, open conversion rate, and morbidity were compared between these 2 groups.