Development of an open prospective observational multicentre cohort study to determine the impact of standardization of laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair (IPOM) for incisional hernia on clinical outcome and quality of life (LIPOM-Trial).

Background: Incisional hernias are one of the most frequent complications in abdominal surgery. Laparoscopic repair has been widely used since its first description but has not been standardized. A panel of hernia experts with expertise on the subject "incisional hernia" was established to review existing literature and define a standard approach to laparoscopic IPOM-repair for incisional hernia.

Physical fitness after apical resection for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

The objective of the present study was to assess the physical fitness of patients after apical resection and partial apical pleurectomy for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). Between 1982 and 1999, 58 patients received surgical treatment for PSP in our department. Twelve patients needed bilateral surgical intervention.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines after different kinds of cardio-thoracic surgical procedures: is what we see what we know?

Objective: Due to the combination of local trauma, extracorporeal circulation (ECC), and pulmonary and myocardial reperfusion, cardiac surgery leads to substantial changes in the immune system and possibly to post-operative complications. Procedures without ECC, however, have failed to demonstrate clear advantages. We hypothesized that ECC is far less important in this context than the reperfusion/reventilation of the lung parenchyma and the surgical trauma.

Inguinal hernia repair in German military hospitals.

The inguinal hernia repair continues to be the most common operation in general surgery. Discussing the latest scientific findings, we have prepared this article to present a state-of-the-art approach to the inguinal hernia repair. This approach is used for discussing the general principles of hernia repair in German military hospitals.

Deleterious effect of zinc in a pig model of acute endotoxemia.

By antiapoptotic effects and the induction of the heat-shock response, zinc is supposed to be a promising means of therapy during sepsis. As zinc also stimulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, its administration during the proinflammatory stage of septic shock might have adverse effects. Therefore, this study analyzes the influence of zinc during the acute phase of endotoxemia.