Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of Rayleigh and Leaky-Sezawa Waves Propagating in ZnO/Fused Silica Substrates.

Piezoelectric c-axis oriented zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films, from 1.8 up to 6.6 µm thick, have been grown by the radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique onto fused silica substrates.

Fully Ultrasound-Assisted Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: Preliminary Report.

Background: Reducing fluoroscopy times and iodine contrast administration during endovascular repair (EVAR) of infrarenal aortic aneurysms remains a challenge. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preliminary results of a fully ultrasound-assisted EVAR without iodine contrast administration.

Methods: Twenty-seven consecutive patients underwent an elective intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-assisted EVAR with final contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) control of correct aneurysm exclusion.

Medial Thigh Contouring After Massive Weight Loss: The Liposuction-Assisted Medial Thigh Lift (LAMeT).

Introduction: Following massive weight loss (MWL), medial contouring of the thigh is frequently requested to improve the appearance and function. Thigh lifting can be associated with significant complications if the medial thigh excess is removed en bloc. In this article, we describe the Liposuction-Assisted Medial Thigh Lift (LAMeT) and evaluate the outcomes and complications in a retrospective cohort study.

Results of Standard Stapler Closure of Pancreatic Remnant After Distal Spleno-Pancreatectomy for Adenocarcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of stapled closure of the pancreatic remnant after cold-knife section of the pancreatic isthmus and distal pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma. A retrospective evaluation of 57 consecutive patients undergoing distal spleno-pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma was performed. The pancreatic isthmus was systematically straight-sectioned with a cold knife, and the remnant was stapled close without additional stitches or adjuncts.

Long-term results of polytetrafluoroethylene versus saphenous vein repair of degenerative carotid artery aneurysm.

Objective: To compare the results of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and great saphenous vein (GSV) bypass after resection of a degenerative aneurysm of the carotid artery.

Methods: From January 1994 to November 2017, 37 patients (27 men) with a mean age of 58 years (range, 39-82 years) with a degenerative aneurysm of the carotid artery (median diameter, 28 mm; range, 19-42 mm), underwent resection of the aneurysm followed by a bypass with either a GSV (n = 10) or a PTFE prosthesis (n = 27). Although 31 patients were asymptomatic, 6 patients were symptomatic: transient ischemic attack (n = 4), minor stroke (n = 1), and compression of the hypoglossal nerve (n = 1).

Is it possible to identify the inguinal nerves during hernioplasty? A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis of cadaveric and surgical studies.

Purpose: Patients who undergo inguinal hernioplasty may suffer from persistent postoperative pain due to inguinal nerve injuries. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to provide comprehensive data on the prevalence (identification rates), anatomical characteristics, and ethnic variations of the ilioinguinal (IIN), the iliohypogastric (IHN) and the genital branch of the genitofemoral (GNF) nerves.

Methods: The systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases.

Surgical treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the duodenum: a literature review.

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are the most frequent mesenchymal tumours in the digestive tract. The duodenal GIST (dGIST) is the rarest subtype, representing only 4-5% of all GIST, but up to 21% of the resected ones. The diagnostic and therapeutic management of dGIST may be difficult due to the rarity of this tumor, its anatomical location, and the clinical behavior that often mimic a variety of conditions; moreover, there is lack of consent for their treatment.

The role of emergency laparoscopic colectomy for complicated sigmoid diverticulits: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Nowadays sigmoidectomy is recommended as "gold standard" treatment for generalized purulent or faecal peritonitis from sigmoid perforated diverticulitis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic access versus open sigmoidectomy in acute setting.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs published in PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science.

Simultaneous resection of an adenocarcinoma of the cardia and a synchronous adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid: Report of a case.

Introduction: Adenocarcinoma of the cardia synchronous with other intraabdominal neoplasms is very rare. We report the case of a Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the cardia synchronous with an adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid both treated simultaneously by transjatal oesophago-gastrectomy and anterior resection of the sigmoid.

Case Report: A 62 year-old male was admitted for a progressing dysphagia and weight loss.

Results of subclavian to carotid artery bypass for occlusive disease of the common carotid artery: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Optimal treatment of significant atherosclerosis of the common carotid artery (CCA) is not well-defined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of prosthetic subclavian to carotid bypass for occlusive disease of the CCA.

Material And Methods: From January 1994 to December 2015, 45 patients, mean age 67 years, underwent an ipsilateral subclavian to carotid bypass for occlusive disease of the CCA.

Hybrid treatment of tandem, common carotid/innominate artery and ipsilateral carotid bifurcation stenoses by simultaneous, retrograde proximal stenting and eversion carotid endarterectomy: Preliminary results of a case series.

Background: Tandem stenoses of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and proximal, ipsilateral common carotid artery (CCA) or innominate artery can be treated with a hybrid approach, combining conventional carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and retrograde stenting of the proximal stenosis, through surgical exposure of the carotid bifurcation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of combining eversion CEA with retrograde CCA/innominate artery stenting.

Material And Methods: From January 2015 to July 2017, 7 patients, 6 men of a mean age of 72 years (range 59-83 years) underwent simultaneous, retrograde stenting of the proximal CCA/innominate artery and an eversion CEA of the ipsilateral ICA, through surgical exposure of the carotid bifurcation, for severe tandem stenoses.

True aneurysm of the proximal occipital artery: Case report.

Introduction: True aneurysms of the proximal occipital artery are rare, may cause neurological symptoms due to compression of the hypoglossal nerve and their resection may be technically demanding.

Presentation Of Case: The case of an aneurysm of the proximal occipital artery causing discomfort and tongue deviation by compression on the hypoglossal nerve is reported. Postoperative course after resection was followed by complete regression of symptoms.

Results of Infrageniculate Bypasses Using the Profunda Femoris Artery as Inflow Source.

Background: When the common femoral artery is not accessible for infrainguinal bypass grafting, the profunda femoris artery (PFA) can be a valuable alternative inflow source for distal arterial revascularization. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of infrageniculate bypass grafting via the PFA as inflow source for critical limb ischemia.

Methods: Between 1994 and 2016, 68 patients, 51 men of a mean age of 74 years, underwent an infrageniculate arterial bypass grafting for critical limb ischemia, using the PFA as inflow site.

Infrarenal aorta as the donor site for bypasses to the superior mesenteric artery for chronic mesenteric ischemia: A prospective clinical series of 24 patients.

Background: Treatment of symptomatic, chronic mesenteric ischemia is indicated to relieve symptoms and prevent acute ischemia and death. Current therapeutic options include endovascular and open surgery. The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the results of bypasses to the superior mesenteric artery arising from the infrarenal aorta or infrarenal aortic grafts.

Schwannoma of the descending loop of the hypoglossal nerve: Case report.

Introduction: Schwannomas of the descending loop of the hypoglossal nerve are very rare. They are slow-growing tumors that may masquerade a carotid body tumor.

Presentation Of Case: A 60-year-old female was referred for a latero-cervical mass appearing as a chemodectoma at CT-scan.

Fondaparinux for intra and perioperative anticoagulation in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia candidates for peripheral vascular surgery: Report of 4 cases.

Introduction: Intra and perioperative anticoagulation in patients with heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), candidates for peripheral vascular surgery remains a challenge, as the best alternative to heparin has not yet been established. We evaluated the off-label use of fondaparinux in four patients with HIT, undergoing peripheral vascular surgery procedures.

Presentation Of Cases: Four patients of whom 3 men of a mean age of 66 years, with proven heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) underwent two axillo-femoral bypasses, one femoro-popliteal bypass and one resection of a splenic artery aneurysm under fondaparinux.

Superiority of resection over enucleation for schwannomas of the cervical vagus nerve: A retrospective cohort study of 22 consecutive patients.

Introduction: Schwannoma of the cervical vagus nerve is rare. Treatment options include intracapsular enucleation and en bloc resection. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of enucleation and resection in terms of postoperative mortality and morbidity, freedom from vocal cord palsy, freedom from local recurrence, quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) and vocal handicap index (VHI).

Outcome of inferior vena cava and noncaval venous leiomyosarcomas.

Background: Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare tumor arising from the smooth muscle cells of arteries and veins. LMS may affect both the inferior vena cava (IVC) and non-IVC veins. Because of its rarity, the experience with the outcome of the disease originating from the IVC compared with that with non-IVC offspring is overall limited.

Internal carotid artery rupture caused by carotid shunt insertion.

Introduction: Shunting is a well-accepted method of maintaining cerebral perfusion during carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Nonetheless, shunt insertion may lead to complications including arterial dissection, embolization, and thrombosis. We present a complication of shunt insertion consisting of arterial wall rupture, not reported previously.

Long-term Evaluation of a Modified Double Staple Technique for Low Anterior Resection.

Background: When performing low anterior resection for rectal cancer with the double staple technique, -closing the rectum with a linear stapler in the abdomen can be challenging, especially when dealing with a narrow pelvis. For such instances we proposed to modify this technique by pulling the rectal stump through the anus, doing an extra-anal resection of the tumor and linear suture of the rectal stump, before performing a standard, stapled colorectal anastomosis. The purpose of this study was to assess the adequacy of this modification of the double staple technique.

The Lynch syndrome: a management dilemma.

The case of a familial Lynch syndrome is reported. The criteria for early diagnosis, management and surveillance are briefly reviewed. A germline mutation of genes responsible for mismatch repair is at the basis of the Lynch syndrome.

Adherence and genotypic drug resistance mutations in HIV-1-infected patients failing current antiretroviral therapy.

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the estimated adherence of HIV-1 infected patients with antiretroviral (ARV) therapy failure and drug-resistant mutations. We studied 40 patients with virological and immunological ARV-therapy failure. In order to assess the adherence of patients we used the SERAD questionnaire.