Robotic D3 Partial Duodenal Resection with Primary Side-to-Side Anastomosis.

Duodenal stenosis is a condition that can be related to several diseases, being either intrinsic, such as neoplasm and inflammatory stenosis, or extrinsic, such as pancreatic pseudocyst, superior mesenteric artery syndrome, and foreign bodies. Current treatments range from endoscopic approaches, such as endoscopic resection and stent placement, to surgical approaches, including duodenal resection, pancreaticoduodenectomy, and gastrointestinal bypass. Minimally invasive robot-assisted surgery is gaining importance due to its potential to decrease surgical stress, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative pain, while its instruments and 3D-vision facilitate fine dissection and intra-abdominal suturing, all leading to a reduced time to functional recovery and shorter hospital stay.

Well leg compartment syndrome due to the lithotomy position in orthopedic surgery: a report of two cases and a review of the literature.

The well leg compartment syndrome (WLCS) is a complication that can occur because of the lithotomy surgical position. Although it is a very rare entity, it can lead to a permanent disability if not properly treated. Very few cases have been described in the literature as a result of orthopedic surgery.

HERACLIS-TAF: a multi-centre prospective cohort study on 2-year safety and efficacy of tenofovir alafenamide in patients with chronic hepatitis B with renal and/or bone disorders or risks.

Background: Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) has exhibited a favourable safety profile on estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) and bone mineral density (BMD), but has not been extensively studied in patients with renal impairment and/or BMD disorders.

Aims: To assess predictors of eGFR changes and other safety and efficacy outcomes during 24-month TAF therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B with renal and/or BMD disorders/risks.

Methods: Adult patients who started TAF at 13 clinics throughout Greece were prospectively included.

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: a prospective Greek multicenter study of its epidemiology, microbiology, and outcomes.

Background: Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is an ominous complication of decompensated cirrhosis. This study aimed to assess several epidemiological, clinical, microbiological and outcome characteristics in Greek patients with SBP, as no solid representative nationwide data of this type was available.

Methods: During a 3-year period, 77 consecutive patients with SBP (61 male; median age: 67 years; model for end-stage liver disease [MELD] score: 20), diagnosed and followed in 5 tertiary liver units, were prospectively recruited and studied.

Combining Device-Aided Therapies in Parkinson's Disease: A Case Series and a Literature Review.

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS), levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) and subcutaneous apomorphine infusion are device-aided therapies (DATs) for advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). We present a case series from the Cretan PD Registry who required 2 DATs for optimal management along with a systematic review of similar studies.

Cases: From 2009 to 2020, we retrospectively studied all PD patients who were simultaneously treated with 2 DATs.

Pruritic annular and vesicular eruption on trunk and extremities.

We report a case of linear IgA bullous dermatosis, a rare autoimmune blistering disorder that usually presents with the abrupt onset of tense bullae. We also emphasize the importance of direct immunofluorescence for the definitive diagnosis.

A case of solitary rectal diverticulum presenting with a large retrorectal abscess.

Colonic diverticular disease is a common condition, affecting 50% of the population aged above 80. In contrast, rectal diverticular disease is a rare condition with very few cases reported, while symptomatic rectal diverticular disease is even rarer. We present a case of a symptomatic large rectal diverticulum presenting with a retrorectal abscess.

Global variation in the long-term outcomes of ypT0 rectal cancers.

Background: Colorectal cancer mortality presents world-wide variation. In rectal cancers presenting a complete/nearly-complete tumor response (ypT0/ypTis) following neoadjuvant treatment, the features correlated to nodal metastases and relapses still need to be defined.

Methods: An international cohort study enrolling ypT0/ypTis rectal cancers surgically treated from 2012 to 2017 was conducted.

Aggressive recurrence of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma after successful clearance of hepatitis C virus with direct acting antivirals.

The association of Non-Hodgkin lymphomas and Hepatitis C virus is well documented and antiviral treatments facilitate a virological and hematological response in the majority of HCV related Non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The recent years, direct acting antivirals have made cure possible almost for every HCV patient. Some concerns were raised as regards the frequency and the pattern of recurrence in HCV patients with HCC, treated with these agents.

Common left carotid bifurcation at C7-Th1 level: a rare anatomical variant.

The left common carotid artery usually bifurcates to the internal and external carotids at or near the superior border of thyroid cartilage. In head and neck surgery, the common carotid arteries are important landmarks, defining the plane of dissection during radical neck surgeries. According to the literature, many variations exist regarding the carotid bifurcation.

Newly recognized extratumoral features of colorectal cancer challenge the current tumor-node-metastasis staging system.

One of the most common malignant tumors in humans, colorectal cancer has been extensively studied during the past few decades. Staging colorectal cancer allows clinicians to obtain precise prognostic information and apply specific treatment procedures. Apart from remote metastases, the depth of tumor infiltration and lymph node involvement have traditionally been recognized as the most important factors predicting outcome.

Injury to Azygos Venous System: A Co-Existing Injury in High-Impact Lethal Trauma.

Background: About 50 cases of azygos venous system injuries following civilian trauma have been published in current literature. The purpose of our study was to investigate the incidence of these injuries, the causative mechanism and type of trauma, the co-existing injuries, and the mortality rate in our institution.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all trauma patients who were admitted to the surgical department of the General Hospital of Rethymno during an 11-year period.

Acute TIPS occlusion due to iatrogenic arteriovenous shunt in a cirrhotic patient with total portal vein thrombosis.

A 69-year-old man with portal hypertension was admitted with decompensated alcoholic cirrhosis and diuretic resistant ascites. Ultrasound revealed partial portal thrombosis. Due to diuretic intolerance, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was decided during which a hepatic arterial branch was inadvertently catheterized.

Long-term omalizumab treatment in severe allergic asthma: the South-Eastern Mediterranean "real-life" experience.

Background: Omalizumab is a recombinant humanized anti-IgE monoclonal antibody indicated as an add-on treatment for severe allergic asthma, inadequately controlled despite high dose of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting b2-agonists.

Objectives: Medical registries were used to evaluate the 4 months, 1 and 4 years effectiveness of omalizumab treatment, in a non-interventional, observational "real-life" study.

Methods: Sixty patients with severe persistent allergic asthma from 5 South-Eastern Mediterranean centres from Crete and Cyprus were evaluated.

An unusual infection on an unusual gastroenteritis.

A 35-year-old lady was admitted to our Department due to fever and symptoms from the respiratory and gastrointestinal system. She was recently diagnosed with eosinophilic gastroenteritis and had been on steroids until two months prior to admission. pneumonia was diagnosed and targeted therapy was initiated.

Endovascular treatment of a ruptured profunda femoral artery branch after fogarty thrombectomy of a femoro-femoral crossover arterial graft: a case report and review of the literature.

We present a very rare case of a life-threatening rupture of a profunda femoral artery distal branch after a Fogarty thrombectomy of a thrombosed crossover synthetic graft between the ipsilateral common femoral artery and a contralateral iliac-popliteal graft; the bleeding profunda femoral artery branch was successfully embolized with metallic coils through the axillary artery approach.

Prosthetic replacement for proximal humeral fractures.

The ideal management of complex proximal humeral fractures continues to be debatable. Evolution of proximal humeral fracture management, during the past decade, led to the implementation of many innovations in surgical treatment. Even though the pendulum of treatment seems to swing towards new trends such as locked plating, hemiarthroplasty remains a valid and reliable option that serves the patient's needs well.

Chronic alcohol consumption as a predisposing factor for multiple tendon ruptures in unusual sites in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Simultaneous bilateral patellar tendon ruptures are a rare complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Systemic inflammatory diseases (RA, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), chronic renal failure, primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism, diabetes mellitus, obesity, sports activity, older age (>50) and drugs (prolonged use of high doses of steroids, local steroid injections and quinolones) are considered as potent predisposing factors for tendon rupture. We report a case of an alcoholic patient with RA and bilateral spontaneous tendon ruptures of the knees.

Unusual causes of intrahepatic cholestatic liver disease.

We report five cases with unusual causes of intrahepatic cholestasis, including consumption of Teucrium polium (family Lamiaceae) in the form of tea, Stauffer's syndrome, treatment with tamoxifen citrate for breast cancer, infection with Coxiella Burnetii (acute Q fever), and infection with Brucella melitensis (acute brucellosis).

A case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis with severe peripheral eosinophilia.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare heterogeneous disorder of undetermined etiology that is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tissues and various clinical manifestations. We report an uncommon case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis involving a patient with a short history of mild upper abdominal pain, severe peripheral eosinophilia (absolute eosinophil count of > 5,000 cells per microL), and ascites. The patient was treated successfully with a course of methylprednisolone.

Adhesion molecules, endogenous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor levels and replating capacity of progenitors in autoimmune neutropenia of childhood.

Aim: To investigate the role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and adhesion molecules and the response of bone marrow to peripheral cytopenia in autoimmune neutropenia of childhood (AIN).

Methods: Thirty-five children with AIN, 25 with acute leukaemia in remission, 10 of whom developed chemotherapy-associated neutropenia, and 28 non-neutropenic age-matched children were studied. The methods included haemopoietic progenitor cells' colony growth, replating of colony-forming unit-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) of the 7th day and ELISA for the detection of serum levels of cytokines and adhesion molecules.

Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in acute viral hepatitis.

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and their inhibitors are effector molecules involved in extracellular matrix remodelling. The serum profile for these proteolytic enzymes and their inhibitors during acute self-limiting viral hepatitis has not been studied. We therefore determined serum concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-2, MMP-9 and their inhibitors (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase) TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and alpha2 macroglobulin (AMG) in the serum of patients during the icteric stage of self-limiting acute viral hepatitis.