Variables influencing manometric parameters of deglutitive and non-deglutitive upper esophageal sphincter: A study of 89 asymptomatic participants.

Background: High-resolution manometry overcomes limitations imposed by axial and radial asymmetry as well as swallow and respiration-induced movement of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), allowing for its reliable use in evaluation of dysphagic and reflux patients. The aim of this study was to determine normative values and their variability across position, sex, age, height, weight, BMI, and volume for clinically relevant deglutitive and non-deglutitive UES parameters.

Methods: We studied 89 asymptomatic volunteers age 19-90 years, (45 female) during 3-10 repetitions of dry, 5 and 10 ml water swallows at 30-s intervals using high-resolution manometry.

Associations Between miRNAs and Two Different Cancers: Breast and Colon.

Objective: Screening approaches using microRNAs (miRNAs) have been gaining increased attention owing to their potential applications in the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of cancer, because aberrant miRNA expression plays a role in the development and advancement of malignancies. The objectives of this study were to characterize mir21, miR31, mir143, mir145, and control RNU43, which are differentially expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of breast and colorectal cancer patients, compared to that in controls and to establish whether this is specific to breast and colon cancer for use as tumor markers.

Methods: Thirty newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer and 30 patients with colorectal cancer were enrolled together with 30 healthy controls.

Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome Related to Bodybuilding.

Background: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS), also known as celiac artery compression syndrome, is characterized by postprandial abdominal pain and weight loss thought to be secondary to compression of the celiac artery ganglia by the median arcuate ligament (MAL).

Methods: A young female powerlifter presented with a 3-month history of postprandial epigastric pain and involuntary weight loss following the start of a vigorous weightlifting program. The diagnosis of MALS was established after excluding other possibilities and by detailed evaluation including magnetic resonance imaging and celiac plexus block.

Inflammatory mediators in the diagnosis and treatment of acute pancreatitis: pentraxin-3, procalcitonin and myeloperoxidase.

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is the third most common gastrointestinal disease at hospital admission. The etiology and pathogenesis of this disease are not completely clear. Our study was intended to determine the systemic levels of pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), myeloperoxidase (MPO), procalcitonin (PCT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) as prognostic parameters in early stages of AP.

Decreased preoperative serum fibulin-3 levels in colon cancer patients.

Objective: Fibulin-3 is known to play a role in tumor cell malignancy, invasion and metastasis, as well as in the clinical progression of tumors. This study aimed to assess serum fibulin-3 levels in patients with colon cancer compared with healthy controls and its relationship to demographics and tumor pathology.

Patients And Methods: A total of 80 patients (mean age, 58.

Comparison of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT findings with vascular endothelial growth factors and receptors in colorectal cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT findings with the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and its receptor (VEGFR) levels in metastatic and nonmetastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Fluorine-18 FDG-PET/CT scans were performed for initial staging and restaging of patients with CRC. FDG-PET/CT findings of tumor (such as the presence of a primary tumor, the lymphatic or distance metastases, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the primary tumor), serum VEGF A-C-D-E levels, and serum VEGF receptor 1-2-3 levels were analyzed.

An alternative sutureless repair technique with amelogenin for duodenal perforation.

Background: Among the various sutureless techniques, fibrin glue has proved to be effective in the treatment of peptic ulcer perforation as an alternative to classical suture repair. Albeit rare, a potential disadvantage of fibrin glue use is viral transmission or anaphylaxis. The aim of this study is to introduce a new technique for the closure of duodenal perforation using a novel recombinant enamel protein called amelogenin.

A new technique: prolene mesh sphincteroplasty for the treatment of fecal incontinence.

Although successful short-term results have been achieved with the use of overlapping sphincteroplasty and primary end-to- end repairs to treat fecal incontinence due to sphincteric injury, long-term failure rates may reach as high as 50%. This disadvantage associated with tension repairs may be overcome by utilizing a tension-free technique. Here the authors describe a new tension-free technique involving the use of prolene mesh.

Seprafilm may ease colostomy reversal.

Hypothesis: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the use of a sodium hyaluronate and carboxy-methylcellulose-based antiadhesive membrane (Seprafilm, Adhesion Barrier; Genzyme Corp, Cambridge, Mass) is associated with fewer adhesions around the pelvis and rectal pouch.

Design, Interventions, And Main Outcome Measures: Forty Wistar albino female rats were divided into 4 equal groups. Each rat underwent segmental left-sided colonic resection and end colostomy.

Is it possible to resterilize disposable laparoscopy trocars in a hospital setting?

Nosocomial infections associated with interventional procedures have been attributed to improper decontamination of instruments. Disinfection of solid laparoscopic instruments, such as telescopes, by 2% glutaraldehyde and ethylene oxide was shown to be effective in preventing infection transmission. However, instrument design in more complex surgical instruments may hamper the quality of disinfection.

Bronchobiliary fistula due to alveolar hydatid disease: report of three cases.

Bronchobiliary fistula is a serious complication of echinococcosis of the liver. Surgical and endoscopic treatments have been used successfully in the management of bronchobiliary fistula due to hepatic hydatid cysts. However, very little information exists on the management of bronchobiliary fistula due to alveolar hydatid disease.

Human colonic smooth muscle electrical activity during and after recovery from postoperative ileus.

Colon smooth muscle electrical control (ECA) and response activities (ERA) were recorded for up to 4 wk postoperatively for 48 patients after major abdominal operations. Bipolar electrodes were implanted into right and left colon circular muscle and exteriorized through the flanks, and signals were tape recorded for 2-24 h daily beginning on the 1st postoperative day. A computer program was used for data reduction and analysis.

Management of intrabiliary rupture of hydatid cyst of the liver.

Thirty-six patients with intrabiliary rupture of hepatic echinococcal cysts were managed between 1974 and 1993. Clinical findings, skin tests, serologic tests, and imaging techniques were used to establish the diagnosis. Twenty-five (69.

An alternative technique for treatment of choledocholithiasis found at laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Objective: To introduce a new strategy for dealing with abnormal cholangiograms at laparoscopic cholecystectomy that makes postoperative cholangiograms possible and facilitates stone extraction by assuring access to the duct for a guide-wire-assisted endoscopic retrograde sphincterotomy.

Design: Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database.

Patients: Twenty-four patients with abnormal cholangiograms had a percutaneously placed double-lumen catheter threaded through the cystic duct and advanced into the duodenum.

Preliminary experience with a double-illumination technique for laparoscopic left colectomy.

This report describes our technique and initial experience with total intraabdominal laparoscopic left colectomy on 3 patients. Three consecutive patients, 2 females and 1 male, underwent laparoscopic left colectomy due to sigmoid volvulus and villous adenoma, respectively. The technique described herein helps to locate the intracolonic lesion, enables en bloc resection, shortens the operation time, and reduces the cost.

Early wound excision and skin grafting restores cellular immunity after severe burn trauma.

Suppression of cellular immunity following thermal injury may contribute to the high incidence of postburn sepsis. Early excision and skin grafting may remove deleterious local wound factors and prevent immunosuppression. The effect on cellular immunity of early burn wound excision and skin grafting was investigated in an animal model using female Wistar rats.

Single session ligation treatment of bleeding hemorrhoids.

Rubber band ligation (RBL) was prospectively used in 49 consecutive patients with bleeding internal hemorrhoids between 1987 and 1990. All patients underwent a two year follow-up period. Ten patients experienced complications consisting of pain, bleeding, mild discomfort and dissatisfaction.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for scheduled operative procedures.

As a result of numerous trials during the past two decades addressing antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical procedures, it has been established that appropriately administered antibiotic prophylaxis reduces the risk of postoperative infection by about 50% when compared with comparable untreated patients. Antibiotics cannot completely eliminate all risk of infection, however, and will never be a substitute for good surgical practices.