Prevalence of obesity in children aged 6-12 years in Greece: nutritional behaviour and physical activity.

Introduction: During the last two decades, obesity has proved to be one of the most important problems of public health, and it is considerably more frequent in developed countries, not only in adults, but in children, too. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children.

Material And Methods: Two thousand three hundred and seventy-four pupils in primary education were considered for the study (1206 boys and 1168 girls).

Primary clear cell chondrosarcoma of the spine: a case report of a rare entity and a review of the literature.

Chondrosarcoma is the third most common primary malignant bone tumor after osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. Clear cell chondrosarcoma is a rare subtype variant of chondrosarcoma, most commonly encountered in the proximal part of the femur or humerus. Vertebral involvement is exceedingly rare and shows a predilection for the thoracic spine.

Fracture at the stem-condylar junction of a modular femoral prosthesis in a varus-valgus constrained total knee arthroplasty.

Unlabelled: We present a rare case of fracture of the modular femoral component in a varus-valgus constrained total knee arthroplasty (TKA) prosthesis which occurred 2 years after implantation. Both femoral and tibial components underwent a second revision using a constrained hinged TKA. Laboratory analysis revealed insufficient metaphyseal bone stock in association with inadequate cement mantle incorporation which made implant fixation solely reliant on the intramedullary stem construct.

Total knee arthroplasty in severe valgus knee deformity: comparison of a standard medial parapatellar approach combined with tibial tubercle osteotomy.

Purpose: Primary TKA in valgus knees with a deformity of more than ten degrees may prove challenging, since bone and soft tissue abnormalities make accurate axis restoration, component orientation and joint stability attainment a difficult task. The purpose of this study was to determine which approach is optimal in these patients, by comparing the standard medial parapatellar approach to a lateral parapatellar combined with a tibial tubercle osteotomy (TTO).

Methods: Forty-four valgus knees--with an axis deviation ranging from 15 to 36 degrees (mean 24°)--were dealt with primary TKA and followed up for a minimum period of 7 years.

Total knee arthroplasty in severe valgus deformity: interest of combining a lateral approach with a tibial tubercle osteotomy.

Introduction: Among the patients requiring total knee arthroplasty (TKA), approximately 10-15% presents with a valgus deformity (VD). Severely deformed valgus knees represent a surgical challenge. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of TKA in grade II and III valgus knee deformities (Ranawat classification), focusing on axis correction, by using a lateral parapatellar capsulotomy combined with tibial tubercle osteotomy.

Blunt trauma to the extrahepatic biliary tract. A multicenter study.

Background/aims: Blunt trauma to the extrahepatic biliary tract is a rare and challenging injury The purpose of this paper is to review our experience of these injuries, with special reference to their clinical presentation.

Patients And Methods: In a retrospective multicenter study of the records of a trauma-admitting in three hospitals, seven patients with blunt extrahepatic biliary tract trauma were identified, one with combined gallbladder and common bile duct injuries and six with a ruptured gallbladder.

Results: Except for the patient with the common bile duct injury developing peritoneal signs during observation and being operated 24 hours post-admission, all other patients underwent early laparotomy for shock, peritonitis or positive diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) caused by associated injuries.

Open reconstruction of sizeable ventral hernias in the laparoscopic era.

The purpose of this study was to review our 15 years of experience in the repair of sizeable ventral hernias with a standardized open surgery technique, to evaluate the clinical outcome, and to assess the decreasing role of traditional surgical techniques in the laparoscopic era. A retrospective study has been conducted, including 200 patients operated for ventral hernia defects with a standardized underlay mesh implantation technique between 1990 and 2004. Their mean age was 62.

Greek medical students' career choices indicate strong tendency towards specialization and training abroad.

The aim of the study was to investigate the career choices, location preferences and criteria among medical students in Greece. We applied a questionnaire-based analysis using a sample of 591 students of four out of seven Greek Medical Schools. The sample included students of all academic years.

Impact of the European Union enlargement on health professionals and health care systems.

As the European family enlarges, the admission of new human resources in the health services will have an impact on the European market and health care system. Under the umbrella of the European Union (EU) equality, the educational quality barriers (e.g.

Laparoscopic preperitoneal mesh repair or tension-free mesh plug technique? A prospective study of 471 patients with 543 inguinal hernias.

Objective: To compare two modem mesh-based "tension free" hernioplasties, laparoscopic repair and mesh plug technique.

Design: Prospective, non-randomised study.

Setting: Two major medical centres, Greece.

Reliability of initial chest radiographs in the diagnosis of blunt diaphragmatic rupture.

Background And Aims: Preoperative diagnosis of blunt diaphragamatic rupture is difficult and missed injuries can lead to severe late complications. The aim of this study was to assess the value and reliability of initial chest radiographs in diagnosing blunt diaphragmatic rupture.

Material And Methods: A retrospective analysis of initial radiographs of 18 patients with blunt diaphragmatic rupture treated at two Greek Trauma Centers was performed.

Blunt injuries of the stomach.

Objective: To evaluate the results of surgical treatment of patients with blunt injuries of the stomach.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Two general hospitals, Greece.