[An abdominal wall bulging: consider a neurological cause].

A patient with a swelling of the abdominal wall is a regular occurrence in general practice and hospital. The diagnosis can often be made with a thorough history and physical examination. An abdominal wall hernia is characterized by an increase in swelling on standing physical examination and Valsalva maneuver, which is often reducible, and a hernia defect is palpable.

Minimally invasive versus open oesophagectomy for patients with oesophageal cancer: a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Surgical resection is regarded as the only curative option for resectable oesophageal cancer, but pulmonary complications occurring in more than half of patients after open oesophagectomy are a great concern. We assessed whether minimally invasive oesophagectomy reduces morbidity compared with open oesophagectomy.

Methods: We did a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial at five study centres in three countries between June 1, 2009, and March 31, 2011.

Laparoscopic versus open transhiatal esophagectomy for distal and junction cancer.

Background: the only curative treatment for esophageal cancer is surgical resection. This treatment is associated with a high morbidity rate and long in-hospital recovery period. Both transthoracic and transhiatal esophagectomies are performed worldwide.

[Non-metastasized oesophageal cancer].

Recently the incidence of oesophageal carcinoma has increased predominantly due to a rise in the incidence of adenocarcinoma. A relationship with the increasing prevalence of Barrett's oesophagus plays an important role. Diagnosis and staging should include oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy, transoesophageal endo-echography and computer tomography.

An unusual case of polydactyly.

Polydactyly is defined as a congenital anomaly of the hand or foot with the presence of supernumerary digits. The frequency of polydactyly varies widely among populations. It can occur as an isolated condition or as a feature of a congenital condition.