Initial results of robot-assisted Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy with intrathoracic hand-sewn anastomosis in the prone position.

Background: There is scanty experience concerning robot-assisted Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy, so every new experience is helpful.

Methods: We describe the techniques and short-term results of Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy using a laparoscopic approach and robot-assisted thoracoscopy, and an observational study of prospective surveillance of the first 14 patients treated for oesophageal cancer. A gastric tube was created laparoscopically.

Prognostic value of flow cytometry in surgically treated primary gastric lymphoma.

Aim: To investigate whether flow cytometry could help to define the optimal therapeutic strategy of primary gastric lymphomas.

Material And Method: Retrospective study of 46 patients having primary gastric lymphoma--according to Dawson criteria--in Ann Arbor stage IE and IIE, who were surgically treated. From selected paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of the tumor, DNA content was studied by flow cytometry (FC).

A novel mutation in the E-cadherin gene in the first family with hereditary diffuse gastric cancer reported in Spain.

Aims: Mutations of the E-cadherin gene (CDH1) result in dominantly inherited hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC). We report a study in the first family diagnosed with HDGC in Spain, examining the presence of mutations in the CDH1 gene.

Methods: The presence of mutations was studied by direct sequencing of all CDH1 exons.

Do current indications for surgery of primary gastric lymphoma exist?

Objective: To analyze the results of our series in order to assess whether surgical excision is still a valid therapeutic option in case the patient needs surgery. Secondarily, to analyze Helicobacter pylori infection rate.

Patients And Method: A retrospective study of 69 consecutive patients having stage IE-IIE primary gastric lymphoma; of these, 65 were treated by gastrectomy between 1974 and 1999.

Perforated peptic ulcer treated by simple closure and Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Simple closure followed by Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication has become the most used procedure in perforated ulcer treatment. However, its efficacy and safety are still to be determined. To assess recurrence and re-perforation rates, and as a secondary objective, to analyze Hp infection rates in perforated ulcer patients and controls, we conducted a prospective study.