Erector Spinae Plane Block versus Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Robotic Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Blinded, Active-Controlled, Randomized Trial.

Background: Regional anesthetic nerve blocks are widely used in the treatment of pain after outpatient surgery to reduce opioid consumption. Erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a recently described technique with promising results in different scenarios.

Objectives: To compare ESP block efficacy with the commonly used transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in patients undergoing robot-assisted inguinal hernia repair.

Three-point mesh fixation in robot-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal (R-TAPP) repair of 208 inguinal hernias: preliminary results of a single-center consecutive series.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of our mesh fixation technique in robot-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (R-TAPP). The primary outcome was the recurrence rate. Secondary outcomes were postoperative pain, chronic pain, and return to normal activities.

Robot-assisted Treatment of Epigastric Hernias With a Suprapubic Approach.

Background: Robot-assisted ventral hernia repair has shown itself to be feasible and safe in abdominal wall surgery. Presently, the ports are placed laterally to meet the distance from the fascial defect. The aim of our study is to report our experience of epigastric hernia treatment with trocar insertion in the suprapubic region.

Surgical site infections after lung resection: a prospective study of risk factors in 1,091 consecutive patients.

Background: To assess incidence and risk factors of surgical site infections (SSI) (wound infection, pneumonia, empyema) in a monocentric series of patients undergoing lung resection over a decade.

Methods: All patients undergoing lung resection at our institution in 2006-2015 [wedge resection, n=579; lobectomy, n=472 (12% after chemo/radiotherapy); pneumonectomy, n=40 (47% after chemo/radiotherapy)], were prospectively enrolled. Perioperative SSI risk factors were recorded: age, gender, blood haemoglobin, lymphocyte count, serum albumin, forced expiratory volume in 1 second percentage (FEV1%) of predicted, antibiotic prophylaxis, length of stay, diabetes, malignancy, steroid therapy, induction chemo/radiotherapy, resection in 2006-2010/2011-2015, urgent/elective procedure, videothoracoscopic/open approach, resection type, operative time.

Chest pain control with kinesiology taping after lobectomy for lung cancer: initial results of a randomized placebo-controlled study.

Objectives: Kinesiology taping (KT) is a rehabilitative technique performed by the cutaneous application of a special elastic tape. We tested the safety and efficacy of KT in reducing postoperative chest pain after lung lobectomy.

Methods: One-hundred and seventeen consecutive patients, both genders, age 18-85, undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer between January 2013 and July 2015 were initially considered.

Laparoscopic treatment of deep infiltrating endometriosis: results of the combined laparoscopic gynecologic and colorectal surgery.

Background: The short-term results of a retrospective consecutive series of multidisciplinary laparoscopic approach to deep infiltrating endometriosis with intestinal involvement requiring segmental bowel resection procedures are presented.

Methods: Patients with radiologically or intraoperative-confirmed endometriosis, who underwent a combined laparoscopic segmental bowel resection by a team of gynecologists and colorectal surgeons, were retrospectively reviewed. The postoperative data were collected in a specific database and analyzed for short-term (30 days) postoperative outcomes with the comparison between two specimen's extraction methods.

Clinical applications of indocyanine green (ICG) enhanced fluorescence in laparoscopic surgery.

Background: Recently major developments in video imaging have been achieved: among these, the use of high definition and 3D imaging systems, and more recently indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging are emerging as major contributions to intraoperative decision making during surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to present our experience with different laparoscopic procedures using ICG fluorescence imaging.

Patients And Methods: 108 ICG-enhanced fluorescence-guided laparoscopic procedures were performed: 52 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 38 colorectal resections, 8 living-donor nephrectomies, 1 laparoscopic kidney autotransplantation, 3 inguino-iliac/obturator lymph node dissections for melanoma, and 6 miscellanea procedures.

Use of 3 mm percutaneous instruments with 5 mm end effectors during different laparoscopic procedures.

Background And Purpose: With a recent focus on minimizing the visibility of scars, new techniques have been developed. Minilaparoscopy reemerged as an attractive option for surgery as it limits tissue trauma, reduces post-operative pain and improves cosmesis. This study was designed to describe our experience with percutaneous trocarless 3 mm instruments used in combination with standard 5 mm and 10 mm laparoscopic instruments in different general surgery procedures.

Laparoscopic caecal wedge resection with intraoperative endoscopic assistance.

Background And Purpose: Cancer is a potential evolution of adenomatous polyps, that is why nowadays screening programs for colorectal cancer are widely diffused. Colonoscopy is the gold standard procedure for identifying and resecting polyps; however, for some polyps resection during colonoscopy is not possible. The aim of the present study is to identify a fast and safe procedure for endoscopically resecting unresectable polyps.

Web-based information on intraoperative neuromonitoring in thyroid surgery.

Background: This is a preliminary analysis of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM)-related websites available to the general public with respect to thyroid surgery.

Methods: Four key terms and/or phrases (neuromonitoring AND thyroid AND neck surgery, intraoperative neuromonitoring, intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring, IONM) were entered separately into the search engines Google.com, Yahoo.

Efficacy, safety and effectiveness of image-guided percutaneous microwave ablation in cystic renal lesions Bosniak III or IV after 24 months follow up.

Purpose Of The Study: The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy, safety and effectiveness of percutaneous image-guided microwave ablation (MWA) in Bosniak category III or IV cystic renal lesions after 24 months follow-up duration.

Methods: Between May 2008 and December 2012, computed tomography (CT)- or ultrasound (US)-guided MWA was performed in 6 patients with 7 cystic renal lesions (range 13.8-27 mm, mean 17.

Vagus nerve stimulation for standardized monitoring: technical notes for conventional and endoscopic thyroidectomy.

Standardization of the intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) technique is an essential aspect of modern monitored thyroid surgery. The standardized technique involves vagal nerve stimulation. VN stimulation is useful for technical problem solving, detecting non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (non-RLN), recognizing any recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) lesions, and precisely predicting RLN postoperative function.