Laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy in a solitary true pancreatic cyst.

Background: Solitary true pancreatic cysts (STPCs), or epithelial cysts, are benign lesions that are extremely rare in adult patients. Advances in radiographic techniques have improved the ability to identify pancreatic cystic lesions. We report a case of a large and symptomatic STPC in a 47-year-old female patient who was treated successfully with spleen-preserving laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy.

Neuroendocrine tumors of extrahepatic biliary tract.

Neuroendocrine tumors of the extrahepatic bile ducts (EBNETs) are very rare. The aim of the present review is to elucidate the characteristics of EBNETs, their treatment and prognosis. An exhaustive systematic review of the literature was performed from 1959 up-to-date.

Small bowel perforation due to CMV enteritis infection in an HIV-positive patient.

Background: Cytomegalovirus infection of the gastrointestinal tract is common and is more often seen in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Although small bowel infection is less common than infection of other parts of the gastrointestinal system, it may lead to perforation, an acute complication, with dreadful results.

Case Presentation: This article reports a case of Cytomegalovirus ileitis with multiple small bowel perforations in a young man with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Necrotizing cellulitis of the abdominal wall, caused by Pediococcus sp., due to rupture of a retroperitoneal stromal cell tumor.

Introduction: Soft tissue necrotizing infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study is to present a patient with necrotizing infection of abdominal wall resulting from the rupture of a retroperitoneal stromal tumor.

Presentation Of Case: We present a 60-year-old Caucasian male patient with necrotizing infection of abdominal wall secondary to the rupture of a retroperitoneal stromal tumor.

Rupture of right hepatic duct into hydatid cyst.

Echinococcal disease can develop anywhere in the human body. The liver represents its most frequent location. Hepatic hydatid cysts may rupture into the biliary tract, thorax, peritoneum, viscera, digestive tract or skin.

The effects of chronically increased intra-abdominal pressure on the rabbit diaphragm.

Background: Diaphragmatic muscular remodeling is caused by various conditions and was mainly studied in pulmonary pathologies and chronic alterations of intra-thoracic pressure. We investigate the effect of the chronically increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) on the diaphragm by morphological and biochemical analysis.

Methods: Thirty rabbits were divided into control and study groups.

Intraoperative stimulation neuromonitoring versus intraoperative continuous electromyographic neuromonitoring in total thyroidectomy: identifying laryngeal complications.

Background: Laryngeal complications occur in thyroidectomies as a result of several factors, but especially because of nerve damage. We compared intraoperative stimulation neuromonitoring (IONM) with intraoperative continuous electromyographic neuromonitoring (IEM) to evaluate their ability to identify postoperative laryngeal complications.

Methods: This prospective clinical trial included 174 patients (348 nerves) who had both IONM and IEM.

Abdominal compliance, linearity between abdominal pressure and ascitic fluid volume.

Background: Drainage of ascitic fluid is a common practice in order to relief the respiratory discomfort of patients.

Aim: To determine the relation between the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and extracted volume of the ascitic fluid, in order to calculate abdominal compliance (Cabd).

Settings And Design: A study was designed at AHEPA University Hospital and analysed with prospectively collected data.

Cervical thymic cysts in adults.

Background: Three types of cervical thymic anomalies have been described: ectopia, thymic cyst, and thymoma. Thymic cysts are very rare causes of benign neck masses in adults and are usually not diagnosed before surgery. Their prevalence is less than 1% of all cervical masses, and they are usually noted in childhood.

Diaphragmatic adaptation following intra-abdominal weight changing.

Background: The diaphragm, the major respiratory muscle, contains three types of muscular fibers in dynamic balance between them. The fiber ratios vary in time in function of conditions, such as aging, hypoproteinemia, exercise, and chronic respiratory load. The diaphragmatic adaptation following abdominal conditions remains an unexplored field.

The effect of chronically increased intra-abdominal pressure on rectus abdominis muscle histology an experimental study on rabbits.

Background: The aim of this study was to specify the histologic response of the rectus abdominis muscle of the rabbit, to the chronically increased intra-abdominal pressure.

Materials And Methods: Forty-five New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups. In all groups, a rubber bag was implanted into the peritoneal cavity.

Umbilical endosalpingiosis: a case report.

Introduction: Endosalpingiosis describes the ectopic growth of Fallopian tube epithelium. Pathology confirms the presence of a tube-like epithelium containing three types of cells: ciliated, columnar cells; non-ciliated, columnar secretory mucous cells; and intercalary cells.We report the case of a woman with umbilical endosalpingiosis and examine the nature and characteristics of cutaneous endosalpingiosis by reviewing and combining the other four cases existing in the international literature.

Management of an extrasphincteric fistula in an HIV-positive patient by using fibrin glue: a case report with tips and tricks.

Background: Individuals with impaired immunity are at higher risk of perianal diseases. Concerning complex anal fistulas impaired healing and complication rates are also higher. Definitive treatment of a fistula aims controlling the purulent discharge and prevents its recurrence.

Minimally invasive video-assisted total thyroidectomy: an easy to learn technique for skillful surgeons.

Background: Minimally invasive video-assisted total thyroidectomy (MIVATT) is a treating option for small thyroids that demands skills required for both traditional thyroidectomy and endoscopic surgery. This prospective study aims to define the learning curve for MIVATT for residents, with experience in traditional thyroid and laparoscopic surgery.

Methods: In all, 36 MIVATTs for benign disease were evenly divided among 4 residents.

Superficial selective cervical plexus block following total thyroidectomy: a randomized trial.

Background: Pain after thyroid surgery is of moderate intensity and short duration. Bilaterally superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) may reduce analgesic requirements. However, its effectiveness in decreasing pain after thyroidectomy is debated.

UltraCision harmonic scalpel versus clamp-and-tie total thyroidectomy: a clinical trial.

Background: Hemostasis is important in thyroid surgery to avoid complications. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the harmonic scalpel in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy.

Methods: In this study, 90 patients were randomized into group A (classic technique of tying and knots) and group B (harmonic scalpel).

Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma in an adult patient: a case report and literature review of the last decade.

Ganglioneuromas arise from the neural crest and are highly differentiated and benign. The case of a 43-year-old female who presented with a 6.5 cm primary extra-adrenal retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma (RGN) is presented, and the relevant English literature from the last decade is reviewed.

Endoscopic fibrin sealing of gastrocutaneous fistulas after sleeve gastrectomy and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.

Background And Aim: Gastrocutaneous fistulas (GCF) are uncommon complications accounting for 0.5-3.9% of gastric operations.

Serum ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin levels before and after weight loss: comparison of three methods of treatment--a prospective study.

Background: Ghrelin is a peptide hormone with orexigenic properties, primarily produced by the stomach. Leptin and adiponectin are the two adiposity products that participate in body weight control. Leptin always decreases and adiponectin increases after weight loss.

Prader-Willi syndrome-associated obesity treated by biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Case report and literature review.

Background: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a congenital chromosomal disorder characterized by compulsive hyperphagia and the early development of obesity. Obesity is identified as the main cause of morbidity and mortality in PWS individuals. Thus, body weight reduction is of major importance for a prolonged survival.

The effect of biliopancreatic diversion with pylorus-preserving sleeve gastrectomy and duodenal switch on fasting serum ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin levels: is there a hormonal contribution to the weight-reducing effect of this procedure?

Background: Ghrelin is a peptide hormone with orexigenic properties, primarily produced by the stomach. Different changes in fasting ghrelin levels have been reported following bariatric surgery. In this study, we investigate the hypothesis that because ghrelin is mainly produced by the fundus of the stomach, biliopancreatic diversion with sleeve gastrectomy with total resection of the gastric fundus and duodenal switch (BPD-DS) will cause substantial decrease in circulating ghrelin levels.

Galen on obesity: etiology, effects, and treatment.

Only a few studies have been conducted to determine the historical background of obesity, and even fewer have focused on specific writers who have made great contributions on the subject. Galen was among the first to establish scientific methods to describe and treat morbid obesity, and a presentation of his ideas is important because of the influence he has exerted even up to modern times. The methodology of the current research was based on detailed study of Galen's treatises, which concern the nature of obesity, the etiology, the consequences, and the treatment, often in comparison to the writings of other writers from the Hippocratic period up to recent years.

Pre- and postoperative esophageal and gastric pH levels in morbidly obese patients undergoing vertical gastroplasty.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether the anatomicofunctional changes induced by vertical gastroplasty lead to pH alterations in the esophagus and body and antrum of the stomach.

Materials And Methods: 23 non-smoking volunteers (3 men, 20 women) mean age 35.29 +/- SD 6.

Endoscopic management of gastrocutaneous fistula after bariatric surgery by using a fibrin sealant.

Background: Gastrocutaneous fistula is an uncommon and difficult to treat complication that occurs in 0.5% to 3.9% of patients who undergo gastric surgery.