The "Scarless Ab-Lift": A Novel Method for the Treatment of Skin Laxity with Rectus Muscle Diastasis.

Background: Pregnancy and vaginal delivery result in irreversible damage to the abdominal wall and skin. In the article, we present a new method for treating major skin laxity, rectus muscle diastasis, and umbilical hernia.

Methods: A 38-year-old woman with rectus muscle diastasis, umbilical hernia, and major skin laxity was treated with the scarless ab-lift procedure.

Does leptin cause proximal gastric cancer in the obese? The role of serum leptin in the etiology of proximal gastric cancer.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the correlation between obesity, serum levels of leptin and proximal gastric cancer.

Methods: Sixty-four gastric cancer patients operated on with curative intent were included in the study. We determined the correlation between the preoperative serum levels of leptin and the tumor's location.

The Contribution of the Hunger Hormone Leptin in the Aetiology of Postoperative Anorexia after Laparoscopic and Open Gastrectomy in Gastric Cancer Patients.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery produces lesser postoperative inflammation with a smaller cytokine and leptin response, and might thus reduce postoperative anorexia compared with open surgery. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of serum leptin in postoperative anorexia after laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery.

Methods: Fifty-four consecutive patients with adenocarcinoma of the stomach were operated on either with open or laparoscopic surgery.

East meets West: the initial results of laparoscopic gastric cancer resections with Eastern principles in a single Western centre - a propensity score-matched study.

Background: We compared the initial experience of totally laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery with Eastern principles with the results of propensity score-matched counterparts operated with open surgery.

Methods: From 1163 patients stored in our database, 62 PSM patients were selected for this study. The quality control was assured with video documentation and standardisation of the procedures.

Surgical resection of synchronous liver metastases in gastric cancer patients. A propensity score-matched study.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the value of synchronous liver resection in patients with oligo-metastatic gastric cancer and the prognostic factors in these patients.

Patients And Methods: We compared the results of 21 gastric patients with liver metastases and synchronous liver resection (LMR) to 21 propensity score-matched patients with gastric cancer and liver metastases in whom liver resection was not performed (LM0) and to a propensity score-matched control group of 21 patients without liver metastases and stage III and IV resectable gastric cancer (CG).

Results: The overall 5-year survival of LMR, LM0 and CG were 14.

Impact of perioperative treatment on survival of resectable gastric cancer patients after D2 lymphadenectomy: a single European centre propensity score matching analysis.

Background To determine the effects of perioperative treatment of gastric cancer patients, we conducted an analysis with propensity score matched patient groups to determine the role of perioperative chemotherapy in patients after D2 lymphadenectomy. Patients and methods From our database of 1563 patients, 482 patients were selected with propensity score matching and divided into two balanced groups: 241 patients in the surgery only group and 241 patients in the perioperative group. The long-term results of treatment were compared between the two groups.

Outcomes of the Surgical Treatment for Adenocarcinoma of the Cardia - Single Institution Experience.

Background: Adenocarcinomas at the cardia are biologically aggressive tumors with poor long-term survival following curative resection. For resectable adenocarcinoma of the cardia, mostly esophagus extended total gastrectomy or esophagus extended proximal gastric resection is performed; however, the surgical approach, transhiatal or transthoracic, is still under discussion. Postoperative morbidity, mortality and long-term survival were analyzed to evaluate the potential differences in clinically relevant outcomes.

Impact Factors for Perioperative Morbidity and Mortality and Repercussion of Perioperative Morbidity and Long-term Survival in Pancreatic Head Resection.

Background: The focus of the present study was to reveal any impact factors for perioperative morbidity and mortality as well as repercussion of perioperative morbidity on long-term survival in pancreatic head resection.

Patients And Methods: In a retrospective study, clinic-pathological factors of 240 patients after pancreatic head (PD) or total resection were analyzed for correlations with morbidity, 30- and 90-day mortality, and long-term survival. According to Clavien-Dindo classification, all complications with grade II and more were defined as overall complications (OAC).

Simultaneous Pure Laparoscopic Resection of Primary Colorectal Cancer and Synchronous Liver Metastases: A Single Institution Experience with Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the outcome of pure laparoscopic and open simultaneous resection of both the primary colorectal cancer and synchronous colorectal liver metastases (SCLM).

Patients And Methods: From 2000 to 2016 all patients treated by simultaneous resection were assessed for entry in this single center, clinically nonrandomized trial. A propensity score matching was used to compare the laparoscopic group (LAP) to open surgery group (OPEN).

Can flow cytometry reinvent the sentinel lymph node concept in gastric cancer patients?

Background: The focused sentinel lymph node (SLN) concept we proposed previously relied on real time-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to detect tumor cells, which is too elaborate for intraoperative use. Therefore, we evaluated flow cytometry for intraoperative detection of tumor cells in SLNs.

Methods: Sixty-five consecutive gastric cancer patients were included.

Does Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy for the Open Abdomen Benefit the Patient? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: Negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is the most modern and sophisticated method of temporary abdominal closure. The aim of the study was to determine the significant predictors for mortality in patients with NPWT.

Setting: University Clinical Centre Maribor, Slovenia MATERIALS AND METHODS:: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients treated with NPWT between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2014.

CA19-9 serum levels predict micrometastases in patients with gastric cancer.

Background: We explored the prognostic value of the up-regulated carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9) in node-negative patients with gastric cancer as a surrogate marker for micrometastases.

Patients And Methods: Micrometastases were determined using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for a subgroup of 30 node-negative patients. This group was used to determine the cut-off for preoperative CA19-9 serum levels as a surrogate marker for micrometastases.

Could the immune response in the sentinel lymph nodes of gastric cancer patients be the key to tailored surgery?

Background: Precise detection of downstream, nonsentinel lymph node metastases is the key to implementation of the sentinel lymph node concept in gastric cancer. To overcome the problem of complex lymphatic drainage, micrometastases, and skip metastases, we investigated the feasibility of tumor cell detection in sentinel lymph nodes, using flow cytometry as well as studied immune suppression in the sentinel lymph node as a potential marker of downstream lymph node metastases.

Methods: In 21 patients with gastric cancer, the sentinel lymph nodes extracted during operation subjected to frozen sections and flow cytometry.

Prediction of liver metastases after gastric cancer resection with the use of learning vector quantization neural networks.

Objective: The aim of our study was to determine whether learning vector quantization neural networks could be used to predict liver metastases after a gastric cancer surgery.

Background: The prediction of tumor recurrence is invaluable for tailoring specific treatment and follow-up strategies for gastric cancer patients. At present, it is still impossible to make reliable predictions of tumor progression.

The validity of clinical risk score for patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal metastases.

Background/aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of the clinical risk score (CRS) for a selection of patients for surgery.

Methodology: In the period of January 1996 to June 2007, 169 patients underwent their first surgical and/or local ablative therapy for CRLM. This study assesses five preoperative prognostic criteria which define the CRS (nodal status of the primary tumor, the disease-free interval, the number of hepatic metastases, the preoperative CEA level, and the size of the largest metastasis).

Irregularity test for very short electrocardiogram (ECG) signals as a method for predicting a successful defibrillation in patients with ventricular fibrillation.

A significant proportion of patients with ventricular fibrillation (VF) can only be defibrillated after a period of chest compressions and ventilation before the defibrillation attempt. In these patients, unsuccessful defibrillations increase the duration of heart arrest and reduce the possibility of a successful resuscitation, which could be avoided if a reliable prediction for the success of defibrillation could be made. A new method is presented for estimating the irregularity in very short electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings that enables the prediction of a successful defibrillation in patients with VF.