Free-flap reconstruction in the doubly irradiated patient population.

Background: The standard of care for previously irradiated, unresectable, recurrent head and neck cancer has been chemotherapy alone. High-dose reirradiation with concomitant chemotherapy represents a more aggressive approach to these tumors and has afforded encouraging results with an increased fraction of long-term survivors. After reirradiation, these patients commonly present with extensive tissue loss, nonhealing wounds, contractures, and fistulas, and free-flap reconstruction is often necessary to correct the perils of oncologic treatment.

Laparoscopy or conventional open surgery for patients with ileocolonic Crohn's disease? A prospective study.

Background: Crohn's patients have been considered challenging laparoscopic candidates. The aim of this study was to analyze the short-term and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic and open surgery in consecutive patients with ileocolonic Crohn's disease.

Methods: Patients were enrolled prospectively but not randomized between August 2002 and October 2006.