[Liquid biopsy as indication of tumour progression in lung cancer: a potential intervention in tertiary prevention].

In the era of personalised therapies, liquid biopsy is considered an important diagnostic tool in the clinical management of cancer patients. Tissue specimen represents the gold standard for molecular evaluation of specific gene targets alterations that lead cancer patients to benefit of a "tailed therapy" based on molecular features of the tumour. This innovative source of nucleic acids was introduced in clinical setting only for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients to test epidermal grow factor receptor (EGFR) mutations when tissue is not available for a number of reasons (difficult access to the lesion, the presence of other disabling pathologies, especially in elderly patients, rejection by the patient, etcetera) or to monitor acquired resistance mutation after a first line of treatment.

[Organ donation and transplantation: the "friendly access initiative" in the Federico II Hospital (Naples), between nudging and narrative medicine].

In Italy, to show the willingness to donate one's organs, there is the principle of the explicit consensus (or disagreement) (Law n. 91 of the 01.04.

[Network references for rare diseases: state of the art for the paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria].

Background: recently, healthcare network models have been proposed to improve general awareness of rare diseases for patients and specific knowledge about diagnosis, treatment, and management for healthcare services. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare haematological disease that still has no framing in an official network.

Objectives: to describe the use of network models in diagnosis, treatment, and management of PNH patients both in Italy and abroad and its impact on patients and healthcare service.

Training Models in Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery: Rabbit Model Versus Porcine Model: A Comparative Study.

Aim: The porcine model is the most widely used animal model for laparoscopic training. However, in pediatric surgery, an experimental setting with smaller animals could improve the training conditions. We compared the efficiency of a rabbit model versus the porcine model for training in pediatric minimally invasive surgery (MIS).

Season of birth and Parkinson's disease: possible relationship?

The amount of sun exposure in early life and consequent vitamin D3 level may influence the risk of developing Parkinson's disease (PD). Yet few studies have previously investigated birth trends in PD related to a possible seasonality and sun exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible relationship between PD risk and sun exposure looking at seasonal birth variation of PD subjects in the homogenous geographic area of Naples, Italy.

Technical standardization of laparoscopic lymphatic sparing varicocelectomy in children using isosulfan blue.

Purpose: The lymphatic preservation to prevent hydrocele formation after laparoscopic varicocelectomy is essential. Lymphatic sparing procedures using scrotal injection give a rate of mapping failures of 20%-30%. The aim of the present study is to standardize the technique of injection to perform a lymphatic sparing procedure in case of laparoscopic varicocelectomy.

Long-term results of laparoscopic treatment of esophageal achalasia in children: a multicentric survey.

Background: This report describes three Italian centers' experience in the treatment of children with esophageal achalasia.

Patients And Methods: Between June 2000 and June 2012, 31 children (13 girls and 18 boys, with a median age of 8.4 years) affected by esophageal achalasia were treated in three different institutions with an esophagomyotomy according to Heller's procedure via laparoscopy associated with a Dor antireflux procedure.

Work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders in paediatric laparoscopic surgery. A multicenter survey.

Background: Surgeons are at risk for developing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMS). The present study aims to examine the physical factors and their association with WMS among pediatric laparoscopic surgeons.

Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 21 questions was created and mailed to 25 pediatric laparoscopic surgeons (LG).

Blue patent lymphography prevents hydrocele after laparoscopic varicocelectomy: 10 years of experience.

Purpose: Laparoscopic varicocelectomy according to the Palomo technique is the most common procedure adopted in children with testicular varicocele. This procedure involves the ligation of the internal spermatic cord and is associated with a 3%-5% incidence of recurrence and up to 30% incidence of hydroceles. We sought to determine the impact of lymphatic preservation on hydrocele formation and the success of varicocelectomy.