Intestinal Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer Surgery.

The intestinal microbiota consists of numerous microbial species that collectively interact with the host, playing a crucial role in health and disease. Colorectal cancer is well-known to be related to dysbiotic alterations in intestinal microbiota. It is evident that the microbiota is significantly affected by colorectal surgery in combination with the various perioperative interventions, mainly mechanical bowel preparation and antibiotic prophylaxis.

Best practice in cardiac anesthesia during the COVID-19 pandemic: Practical recommendations.

The COVID-19 outbreak has influenced the entire health care system, including cardiac surgery. In this review, the authors reveal practical aspects that are important during the COVID-19 pandemic with regards to the safe delivery of cardiac anesthesia. Timing for operations of the cardio-vascular system may be well programmed in most cases.

Healthcare at the time of COVID-19: A review of the current situation with emphasis on anesthesia providers.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly around the world with devastating consequences on patients, healthcare workers, health systems, as well as economies. While, healthcare systems are globally operating at maximum capacity, healthcare workers and especially anesthesia providers are facing extreme pressures, something that is also leading to declining availability and increasing stress. In this regard, it is extremely concerning the fact that some regions worldwide have reported up to 20% of their cases to be healthcare workers.

Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy alone for the locally advanced rectal cancer: a systematic review.

Neo-adjuvant chemoradiation (NA-CRT) is the standard of management for the locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), achieving very low rates of local recurrence (LR). However, NA-CRT fails to control distant recurrence and improve survival, whilst it is associated with increased postoperative morbidity and increased acute and late toxicity. In recent years, neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NACTx) appears in the literature as an alternative to NA-CRT in patients with LARC.

The Role of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms in Colorectal Cancer Risk.

Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence risk and mortality. Vitamin D mediates its action through the binding of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), and polymorphisms of the VDR might explain these inverse associations. The aim of the study was the investigation of the relevance of rs731236; I (I), rs7975232; sub.

Consensus statement of the Hellenic and Cypriot Gastric Cancer Study Group on the diagnosis, staging and management of gastric cancer.

Gastric Cancer epidemics have changed over recent decades, declining in incidence, shifting from distal to proximal location, transforming from intestinal to diffuse histology. Novel chemotherapeutic agents combined with modern surgical operations hardly changed overall disease related survival. This may be attributed to a substantial inherent geographical variation of disease genetics, but also to a failure to standardize and implement treatment protocols in clinical practice.

Consensus statement of the Hellenic and Cypriot Oesophageal Cancer Study Group on the diagnosis, staging and management of oesophageal cancer.

In spite of recent advances in the diagnosis and management of oesophageal cancer, the overall survival of the disease worldwide remains disappointingly low. In Greece and Cyprus, this may be partly due to a failure of health care providers to implement standardised treatment protocols in clinical practice. Development of clinical practice guidelines was undertaken as a joint project between the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology (HeSMO) and Gastro-Intestinal Cancer Study Group (GIC-SG) in an effort to provide guidance for Greek and Cypriot clinicians in all aspects of the management of oesophageal cancer.

Unfinished Business: A Systematic Review of Stump Appendicitis.

Background: Stump appendicitis is defined as interval inflammation of any residual appendicular tissue, after an appendicectomy. We present a systematic review of case series and case reports on stump appendicitis, emphasising on risk factors, diagnosis and surgical management.

Methods: The English literature (1945-2018) was reviewed, using PubMed, Embase and GoogleScholar, combining the terms "appendix", "appendicitis", "stump", "residual", "recurrent" and "retained".

Giant internal iliac artery aneurysm successfully treated with endovascular stent-graft placement.

An 88-year-old male patient of high surgical risk was presented with left sciatic pain symptoms and a palpable pulsatile left lower abdominal mass. He was operated 8 years ago for a large infrarenal aortic aneurysm. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) revealed a giant 161 mm left internal iliac aneurysm with multilocular appearance and left sacral bone erosion causing the symptoms.

Current Practice in Obstetric Anesthesia and Analgesia in Public Hospitals of Greece: A 2016 National Survey.

Aims: This descriptive survey was to evaluate the use of regional anesthesia in obstetrics in Greek public hospitals.

Methods: The survey was conducted between March and August 2016. A structured questionnaire was sent to 50 anesthesia departments in Greek public hospitals with obstetric units.

Is complete mesocolic excision oncologically superior to conventional surgery for colon cancer? A retrospective comparative study.

Background: During the last decade, many efforts have been made in order to improve the oncologic outcomes following colonic resection. Complete mesocolic excision (CME) has proved to provide high rates of disease-free and overall survival rates in patients undergoing resection for colonic malignancies. The aim of our study was to further investigate the role of CME in colonic surgery through comparison with a series of conventional resections.

Does Conversion to Open of Laparoscopically Attempted Rectal Cancer Cases Affect Short- and Long-Term Outcomes? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Laparoscopy for rectal cancer is a challenge as it presents many technical difficulties and requires high level of expertise. That is the reason for the high conversion rate. Reports on outcomes of converted cases after laparoscopic rectal resection for cancer are conflicting.

Surgery along the embryological planes for colon cancer: a systematic review of complete mesocolic excision.

Background: Complete mesocolic excision (CME) for colonic cancer offers a surgical specimen of higher quality, with higher number of lymph nodes compared to conventional colectomy. However, evidence on oncological outcomes is limited. The aim of the present study is to review recent literature and provide more information regarding the effect of CME colectomy on short- and long-term outcomes.

Regional anesthesia practice in Greece: A census report.

Background And Aims: Regional anesthesia (RA) techniques (central neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks [CNBs and PNBs]) are well-established anesthesia/analgesia modalities. However, information on their nationwide use is sparse. The aim of the survey was to assess the utility of RA techniques in Greece, during 2011.

Evaluation of an intact, an ACL-deficient, and a reconstructed human knee joint finite element model.

The human knee joint has a three-dimensional geometry with multiple body articulations that produce complex mechanical responses under loads that occur in everyday life and sports activities. Understanding the complex mechanical interactions of these load-bearing structures is of use when the treatment of relevant diseases is evaluated and assisting devices are designed. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee is one of four main ligaments that connects the femur to the tibia and is often torn during sudden twisting motions, resulting in knee instability.

Reliability of a semi-automated 3D-CT measuring method for tunnel diameters after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A comparison between soft-tissue single-bundle allograft vs. autograft.

Background: Post-operative widening of tibial and/or femoral bone tunnels is a common observation after ACL reconstruction, especially with soft-tissue grafts. There are no studies comparing tunnel widening in hamstring autografts versus tibialis anterior allografts. The goal of this study was to observe the difference in tunnel widening after the use of allograft vs.

Complete mesocolic excision in colon cancer surgery: a comparison between open and laparoscopic approach.

Background: Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vessel ligation (CVL) as performed in Erlangen offers the best long-term outcome for colon cancer. The aim of this study was to assess specimens after laparoscopic vs open CME-CVL macroscopically and morphometrically in patients with left and right colon cancers.

Method: All specimens were freshly photographed.

Effects of lateral retinacular release on the lateral stability of the patella.

The objective of this cadaveric study was to evaluate quantitatively the effects of lateral retinacular release on the lateral stability of the patella. A materials testing machine was used to displace the patella of seven cadaveric specimens 10 mm laterally while measuring the required force, with 175 N quadriceps tension. The patella was connected via a ball-bearing patellar mounting 10 mm deep to the anterior surface to allow rotations.