Indications for surgery and significance of unrecognized cancer in endemic multinodular goiter.

Background: The exclusion of cancer in endemic goiter is often difficult mainly because of the high number of nodules and the as-yet unclear natural history of diagnosed cancer in endemic goiter patients. In a large number of consecutive patients who were to undergo total thyroidectomy for endemic multinodular goiter, we assessed indications for surgery and thyroid cancer outcome.

Methods: All patients who were to undergo total thyroidectomy for diffuse multinodular goiter on histological examination between January 1990 and October 2008 were evaluated.

LigaSure versus clamp-and-tie thyroidectomy for benign nodular disease.

Background: LigaSure is an alternative bipolar diathermy system (BDS) combining vessel sealing with reduced thermal spread, which has been successfully used in many abdominal operations; however, there is a little experience in open thyroidectomy. This study compares the efficacy and the advantages of the LigaSure BDS when used for total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid disease with the conventional clamp-and-tie technique.

Methods: Between May 1998 and October 2002, 517 patients underwent total thyroidectomy for benign thyroid multinodular goiter.

Hyperglycemia attenuates erythromycin-induced acceleration of solid-phase gastric emptying in healthy subjects.

Background: Acute hyperglycemia has been associated with delayed gastric emptying of solid foods in healthy control subjects. Erythromycin has been found to be a gastrointestinal prokinetic agent in humans. We examined whether acute steady-state hyperglycemia reduces the erythromycin-induced acceleration of gastric emptying of a solid meal after a fasted state in healthy subjects.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas: report of a case after a 10-year follow-up and review of the literature.

A solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) is an extremely rare tumour of the pancreas that frequently occurs in young females and is mostly benign. SPN is a low-grade malignant tumour that may evolve years before symptoms start. However, the pathogenesis of this tumour remains unclear and there are no adequate reports of long-term results to evaluate the management and the long-term surgical control.

Hyperglycemia attenuates erythromycin-induced acceleration of liquid-phase gastric emptying of hypertonic liquids in healthy subjects.

Acute hyperglycemia has been associated with delayed gastric emptying in healthy controls. Erythromycin has recently been found to be a gastrointestinal prokinetic agent in both solids and hypertonic liquids. Our aim was to examine whether the acute steady-state hyperglycemia reduces the erythromycin-induced acceleration of gastric emptying of hypertonic liquids after a fasted state of the stomach in healthy subjects.

Subacute pancreatic necrosis.

Acute necrotising pancreatitis is the most serious form of acute pancreatitis and accounts for the majority of complications. Treatment of patients with pancreatic necrosis is still controversial. There is a well-established definition for acute pancreatitis and consequent pancreatic fluid collections.

Late complication following percutaneous cholecystostomy: retained abdominal wall gallstone.

A case of recurrent abdominal wall abscess following percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is presented. Transperitoneal PC was performed in an 82-year-old female with calculous cholecystitis. Symptoms resolved and the catheter was removed 29 days later.

Laparoscopic modified taylor procedure in the treatment of duodenal ulcer: technique and outcome after 5-year follow-up.

Background: Recently, gastric stapling with posterior truncal vagotomy has been performed by laparoscopic surgery, as an alternative to highly selective vagotomy (HSV) and the Taylor procedure for the treatment of chronic duodenal ulcer.

Aim: To investigate, after a mean 5-year follow-up, the effect of the stapling-modified laparoscopic Taylor procedure, on gastric secretion, emptying and reflux as well as clinical parameters and recurrence rates in patients treated for duodenal ulcer.

Methods: 16 patients, aged 38-66 years, were treated from January 1993 to January 1996 (median 60.

Erythromycin enhances solid-phase gastric emptying in induced-hyperglycemia in patients with truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty.

Erythromycin has been found to be a gastrointestinal prokinetic agent while acute hyperglycemia has been associated with delayed gastric emptying in healthy controls and diabetics. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hyperglycemia, per se, alters gastric motility, during erythromycin-induced acceleration of gastric emptying of solids in patients with truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty (TVP) and the role of vagus nerves. Eight TVP patients and six controls underwent scintigraphic measurement of gastric emptying of a solid meal, during placebo in normoglycemia (5-8.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the diagnosis of lung disease. The Cretan experience.

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has been recently utilised in the diagnosis and management of thoracic diseases. In this report we reviewed our VATS experience for biopsy of diffuse or localised lung diseases in 51 cases focusing on indications, operative procedures, complications or failures rates.

Patients And Methods: Over the last 5 years we performed 51 VATS procedures for diagnostic purposes in 32 men and 19 women.

Induced-hyperglycemia attenuates erythromycin-induced acceleration of hypertonic liquid-phase gastric emptying in type-I diabetic patients.

Background: Erythromycin has been found to be a gastrointestinal prokinetic agent of hypertonic liquids, while acute hyperglycemia has been associated with delayed gastric emptying in diabetic patients.

Aim: To investigate whether hyperglycemia, per se, reduces gastric motility during erythromycin-induced acceleration on gastric emptying of hypertonic liquids in diabetic patients.

Methods: In 12 type-I diabetic patients following a hypertonic radiolabeled liquid meal, gastric emptying was measured scintigraphically during normoglycemia (5-8.

Prospective study of preincisional intraparietal single-dose ceftriaxone in reducing postoperative wound infection in type I and II diabetic patients.

The risk of wound contamination in diabetic patients after abdominal operations is well known. Preincisional intraparietal injection of antibiotics is used for the prophylaxis of postoperative surgical infections. Whether topically injected antibiotics remain primarily in the surgical wound or are systematically absorbed is uncertain, however.

Prospective study of preincisional single-dose ceftriaxone in reducing postoperative wound infection in high risk of infection patients.

Background/aims: The risk of wound contamination in high risk of infection patients after abdominal operations is well recognised. Preincisional intraparietal injection of antibiotics is used for the prophylaxis of postoperative surgical infections. Whether topically injected antibiotics remain primarily in the surgical wound or are systematically absorbed is uncertain, however.

Hyperglycaemia attenuates erythromycin-induced acceleration of solid-phase gastric emptying in idiopathic and diabetic gastroparesis.

Background: Erythromycin has recently been found to be a gastrointestinal prokinetic agent in humans. Acute hyperglycaemia has been associated with delayed gastric emptying in both healthy controls and diabetic patients. Our aim was to investigate in gastroparetic patients (diabetics and idiopathics) whether hyperglycaemia, per se, reduces gastric motility during erythromycin-induced acceleration of gastric emptying of solids.

Separate sac of peritoneum: a case of an unusual cause of intestinal obstruction.

Internal hernia is a rare condition. These hernias are classified in different categories, depending on the location of its orifice. It should be considered in cases of acute intestinal obstruction, particularly in the absence of an external hernia or in the absence of history of previous abdominal surgery.