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Myelolipomas are uncommon benign tumors composed of mature adipose tissue mixed with hematopoietic elements; these tumors can occur in both the adrenal glands and extra-adrenal locations, the presacral region being the most frequent extra-adrenal site. We present a case of presacral myelolipoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) in a 55-year-old woman with concurrent invasive ductal breast cancer. TC and RM imaging were consistent with the diagnosis of presacral myelolipoma. The lesion was discovered incidentally during the staging procedure for breast malignancy. The purpose of our work is to describe the FNA and CNB finding in combination with the imaging features of this uncommon lesion.

Background Single-access laparoscopic splenectomy can offer patients some advantages. It has many difficulties, such as instrument clashing, lack of triangulation, odd angles and lack of space. The Da Vinci Single-Site® robotic surgery platform could decrease these difficulties. We present a case of single-access robotic splenectomy using this device. Methods A 37 year-old female with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was operated on with a single-site approach, using the Da Vinci Single-Site robotic surgery device. Results The procedure was successfully completed in 140 min. No intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred. The patient was discharged from hospital on day 3. Conclusions Single-access robotic splenectomy seems to be feasible and safe using the new robotic single-access platform, which seems to overcome certain limits of previous robotic or conventional single-access laparoscopy. We think that additional studies should also be performed to explore the real cost-effectiveness of the platform. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy appears to be an effective option for sexually active women with pelvic organ prolapse., Background and Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy for apical support in sexually active patients with pelvic organ prolapse. Methods: One-hundred thirty-five women with symptomatic prolapse of the central compartment (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantitative [POP-Q] stage 2) underwent laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy. The operating physicians used synthetic mesh to attach the anterior endopelvic fascia to the anterior longitudinal ligament of the sacral promontory with subtotal hysterectomy. Anterior and posterior colporrhaphy was performed when necessary. The patients returned for follow-up examinations 1 month after surgery and then over subsequent years. On follow-up a physician evaluated each patient for the recurrence of genital prolapse and for recurrent or de novo development of urinary or bowel symptoms. We define “surgical failure” as any grade of recurrent prolapse of stage II or more of the POP-Q test. Patients also gave feedback about their satisfaction with the procedure. Results: The mean follow-up period was 33 months. The success rate was 98.4% for the central compartment, 94.2% for the anterior compartment, and 99.2% for the posterior compartment. Postoperatively, the percentage of asymptomatic patients (51.6%) increased significantly (P < .01), and we observed a statistically significant reduction (P < .05) of urinary urge incontinence, recurrent cystitis, pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and discomfort. The present study showed 70.5% of patients stated they were very satisfied with the operation and 18.8% stated high satisfaction. Conclusion: Laparoscopic sacrocervicopexy is an effective option for sexually active women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Deep femoral artery pseudoaneurysms (DFAPs) are rare and generally occur after penetrating trauma or surgical procedures. A 36-year-old obese man presented with pain in correspondence of the anterior-lateral thigh after 6 months from gunshot wound. Duplex and computed tomography (CT) showed a bilobed right DFAP (maximal diameter 12.9 cm). The patient was managed urgently, under local anesthesia, by placement in the distal DFA of a Viabahn 8 × 100-mm stent graft (W L Gore & Associates, Inc). The postoperative course was uneventful, and the 24-month CT showed regular stent-graft patency and 20-mm DFAP shrinkage. The literature review reported 8 cases of DFAPs; of these 6 were managed by endovascular mean (3 stent-graft implantations and 3 coil embolization). The remaining 2 cases were managed surgically (one of these after failed coil embolization). In conclusion, the use of covered stent graft was effective to treat a DFAP localized in the medium DFA. This tool allowed maintaining the native DFA patency and the preservation of its main branches.

Background Although the feasibility of minimally invasive resection of small gastric GISTs is well established, less is known about safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for large tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed, using a prospectively maintained comprehensive database. Patients were divided into two groups according to tumor size: Case group with tumors > 5Â cm and control group with tumors

Purpose We assessed the applicability of a new multidirectional videoendoscope (digiCAMeleon, Karl Storz GmbH, Tuttlingen, Germany) in various neuroendoscopic procedures. Methods A 4-mm-diameter rigid videoendoscope (digiCAMeleon, Karl Storz GmbH, Tuttlingen, Germany) with 1 sensor and an internal LED light source was tested. The device offers a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and weighs ≈ 215 g. The prototype was tested on three cadaveric heads using three different approaches: a) endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal; b) frontal transcortical intraventricular; c) supraorbital. Results We identified several major benefits of the integrated system as applied to endoscopic endonasal, transcortical intraventricular, and endoscopic supraorbital keyhole approaches. These included improved maneuverability of the scope on account of reduced bulk and integration of the camera and fiberoptic light components, a variable angle of view from 0–70 degrees, and a novel feature that can be activated to maintain orientation of the surgical horizon. Our preliminary report highlights the potential for handling the videoendoscope in one hand, as one would a microsurgical instrument. The videoendoscope harbors all its electronic and lighting data into a unique and thin cable, thus resembling a modern "all-in-one" computer technology. Because of its reduced weight and ergonomic shape, controlling its movements is very easy and comfortable, even in the microsurgical environment. Furthermore, the videoendoscope offers the unique feature of orienting the horizon of vision, thanks to the possibility of offering angled views while working; this helps the surgeons to stay oriented with direct visualization and improved control of the instruments over a specific area of interest. Conclusions The videoendoscope prototype represents an HD-image quality versatile tool in a neurosurgical environment, thanks to its reduced weight and dimensions; in these preliminary simulations, we have identified optimized visibility and maneuverability as major benefits of this novel surgical adjunct.

This chapter presents an overview of HTA methods aiming to inform the research and development of new medical devices, here defined as early stage HTA methods. First, standard HTA methods are briefly introduced and their limits and weaknesses are discussed, with specific regards to medical devices assessment, particularly during research and development phases. Finally, three methods for early stage HTA are introduced: four stages Markov Models, which aims to estimate the cost-effectiveness of new technology when very limited evidence is available; the Headroom, which aims to predict the max reimbursable cost for a medical devices, at least in the best case; the Analytic Hierarchic Process (AHP), which aims to estimate how an innovative healthcare technology meets the main user needs in specific scenarios.

Compartment syndrome (CS) is a pathological increase of the interstitial pressure within the closed osseous fascial compartments. Trauma is the most common cause, followed by embolization, burns, and iatrogenic injuries; it usually involves the limbs. The major issue when dealing with CS is the possibility to do an early diagnosis in order to intervene precociously, through a fasciotomy, reducing the risk of tissue, vascular and nervous damage. Although it is an infrequent condition, it is potentially life threatening. In our case report, we present a 59-year-old patient, smoker, affected by hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic renal failure, and morbid obesity who came at our attention for a 6-cm abdominal aorta aneurysm, treated with an aorto-aortic graft. Within 24 hours from surgery, the patient presented acute ischemia of the right lower limb due to thrombosis of the common iliac artery and underwent the positioning of a kissing stent at the aortic bifurcation. In the immediate postoperative period, a relevant increase in serum creatinine, creatine phosphokinase, and myoglobin value was recorded, associated with clinical presentation of swelling in the right buttock with intense pain. The diagnosis of gluteal CS was confirmed by the measurement of the gluteal compartment pressure, which resulted of 110 mm Hg. The treatment of the CS consisted in gluteal dermofasciotomy, surgical debridement of the buttock, and positioning of negative pressure medication, associated with infusive therapy, avoiding hemodialysis. Because of the epidural anesthesia only later on it was possible to observe a persistent plegia of the right lower limb, which was solved within 1 month of neurological and physical therapy. With our experience, we can state that the CS is an extremely severe complication that can occur in vascular surgeries and it should therefore be kept in mind in the short-term postoperative period in order to guarantee a precocious diagnosis and immediate treatment.

Purpose: To report the use of a fenestrated cuff for endovascular treatment of a proximal type I endoleak after previous endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) that included 2 suprarenal cuffs and 2 Palmaz stents. Case Report: A 71-year-old man had been treated for an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm with a Powerlink stent-graft, 2 additional proximal cuffs with suprarenal fixation, and 2 Palmaz stents extending over the renal arteries. Follow-up demonstrated a type I endoleak and an increase in aneurysm size. A 2-stage endovascular approach featuring a fenestrated cuff was undertaken. Prior to the endoleak repair procedure, both renal arteries were catheterized and the Palmaz stent struts dilated. When the customized fenestrated cuff was available, it was successfully positioned with covered stents in the fenestrations, completely excluding the proximal type I endoleak. Conclusion: Fenestrated stent-grafting is a viable alternative to open repair after failed EVAR, even when previously implanted bare metal stents cross the renal orifices.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of the duodenum are rare neoplasms. The optimal surgical procedure is debated and several options ranging from limited resections to pancreaticoduodenectomy have been reported. The laparoscopic approach has been validated for gastric GISTs, but it does not yet represent a standard technique for tumors of the duodenum. We report the case of a localized duodenal GIST that was successfully treated by totally laparoscopic pancreas-preserving subtotal duodenectomy. This procedure may represent a feasible and effective treatment option for localized GISTs of the duodenum. Large series with long-term follow-up are needed.

Single Access Laparoscopic Colectomy (SALC) were reported in several studies. The first Single Access laparoscopic right colectomy was descibed by Remzi et Al. We report our experience in SALC describing our approach for Right Colectomy. In our experience we perform as well an extracorporeal side-to-side anastomosis, in contrast wit a conventional laparoscopic right colectomy in which we perform an intra-corporeal anastomosis. We think that an important limit of this approach is represented by the difficult to perform a safe intra-corporeal anastomosis. In conclusion we think that right SALC is a safe and feasible approach. However, many issues will be established, as well as technological, economical and educational aspects, before its introduction in the daily clinical practice.

The uptake of laparoscopic colorectal surgery is increasing annually. The first laparoscopic colon resection was reported in 1991. In the United Kingdom data show that 22 % of colon resections were performed laparoscopically by 2008–2009 [1, 2].

Abdominal hernia diseases are the most common cause of hospitalization in Western countries. Moreover, treatment of inguinal hernias is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the world [1]. Some reports have listed specific indications for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair over open repair, including recurrent hernias, bilateral hernias, sports-oriented patients, associated pathologies, and technique request by patients [2, 3]. We described a transabdominal preperitoneal repair because we believe that this approach gives all the advantages of laparoscopic surgery. Even if TAPP hernia repair is a possible therapeutic option in scrotal and incarcerated hernia, operation time, complication rate, and frequency of recurrences are higher than in normal hernia repair [3]. A number of studies have shown that laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias has advantages over conventional repair as reduced postoperative pain, diminished requirement for analgesics, and earlier return to work [4, 5].

The upper gastrointestinal surgery represented one of the first applications of laparoscopy. Since the early 1990s, benign esophageal disorders like gastroesophageal reflux, achalasia, or hiatal hernia became indications for the laparoscopic approach (LA) [1, 2].

It is unclear who is the first surgeon to perform the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) [1]. However, Mouret reported, in March of 1987, a “laparoscopy, gynecological adhesiolysis, and cholecystectomy” for a 50-year-old woman [2].

One-hundred patients were included to evaluate the role of cerebral computed tomography (CT) to improve patient selection in asymptomatic internal carotid stenosis. Symptomatic patients were assigned to group A, asymptomatic patients to group B. A cerebral CT pattern A was observed in groups A and B in 60% and 20%, respectively ( P < .0001). Between A and B groups, type 6 plaques were found, respectively, in 26.7% and 7.5% of patients ( P = .01); a type 5 in 51.7% and 45% ( P = .32) of patients; and a type 4 in 21.7% and 47.5% of patients, respectively ( P = .006). Within B group, the association of CT pattern A and histological plaque level 4, 5, and 6 was, respectively, 25% ( P = .15), 50% ( P = .53), and 25% ( P = .16). In group B, a 7-fold risk increase in CT pattern A was found in patients with level 6 plaque. In asymptomatic patients with high-risk plaque, a basal cerebral CT scan can be used as diagnostic tool to improve patient selection for intervention.

Introduction: We present a review of the literature, together with a meta-analysis of short-term outcomes of totally laparoscopic gastrectomy (TLG) compared with open gastrectomy (OG). Material & methods: We carried out a search in the Pubmed and Cochrane databases from September 2003 to May 2009. Controlled studies on early outcomes were included, both prospective and retrospective, randomized and non-randomized. Results: We found nine eligible studies, one of which was a randomized controlled trial (RCT), while eight were series of patients (three consecutive). The study group consisted of 1,492 patients, 828 of whom had been treated with TLG and 664 treated with OG. TLG for gastric cancer shows a 32.5% (p < 0.001) longer operative time than OG, whereas TLG demonstrated a 44% (p < 0.001) reduction in blood loss, a 34% (p < 0.001) reduction time to first flatus and a 33.7% reduced (p < 0.001) hospital stay. No notable differences were registered regarding morbidity and mortality rates, and no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding the extent of the lymphadenectomy. Conclusions: Despite a longer operative time for TLG, with a gastrointestinal recovery rate faster than the OG one for gastric cancer results, no notable differences were recorded between the two techniques for the morbidity and mortality rates and in the spread of the lymphadenectomy.

Aim To compare the incidence, and risk factors, in-hospital and at the 18-month prognosis of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) according to the definition utilized: as an increase in serum creatinine (Scr) ≥0.5 mg/dL (CIN 1) or as an increase in Scr ≥25% above baseline values (CIN 2). Methods and Results We prospectively evaluated CIN according to two different definitions in 150 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in simple lesions employing a low-medium dose of contrast media. Incidence of CIN was higher using the CIN 2 definition than CIN 1 (9.3% vs. 4%; p=0.0133). Patients with CIN 1 had a higher incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (66.7% vs. 13.9%; p=0.006), higher mean serum creatinine levels (1.35±0.42 vs. 0.98±0.35; p=0.001) and lower mean eGFR levels (58.3±19.6 vs. 84±25.9; p=0.002). Patients with CIN 2 had a higher incidence of anemia (57.1% vs. 30.9%; p=0.049) and a higher mean contrast media volume was used (142.6±62.2 mL vs. 110.6±57.2 mL; p=0.05). In the multivariate analysis the only significant variable associated with CIN (CIN 2) was a higher volume of contrast media (OR=1.01; p=0.04). There were no differences in the major in-hospital events, but patients with CIN (both definitions) had a longer in-hospital stay. A persistent rise in serum creatinine at discharge occurred in only one patient. There were no differences between patients with and without CIN in events at the follow-up, with the exception of an increased risk of new hospitalization in patients with CIN 2. Conclusion After PCI employing low-medium dose of contrast media the incidence of CIN varied according to the definition used. Neither of the two definitions offers additional information compared with the other. Chronic kidney disease and baseline parameters of renal function are the risk factors associated with CIN 1; anemia and higher volume of contrast media are associated with CIN 2.

The aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic treatment of distal infiltrative ureteral endometriosis with segmental ureteral resection, ureteroneocystostomy, and vesicopsoas hitch. We performed a retrospective analysis of perioperative data and looked at follow-up outcomes of patients with deep endometriosis with ureteral involvement treated by laparoscopic vesicopsoas hitch. Six patients were treated for left ureteral endometriosis in the study period. Four of those were diagnosed during previous laparoscopies. A ureteroneocystostomy (Lich-Gregoir reimplantation procedure) with vesicopsoas hitch was fashioned laparoscopically in all cases, and a double-J stent was applied intraoperatively. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications and no cases of extravasation of contrast at cystogram one week after surgery. The median follow-up time was 38 months (range 12-56). All patients had normal renal ultrasound or intravenous pyelogram results at one year follow-up. This study confirmed that laparoscopic ureteroneocystostomy and vesicopsoas hitch is a safe and effective option in the management of distal ureteral endometriosis. In view of the small size of this series, multicenter studies are needed to confirm these conclusions.

Objectives: To present an 8-year clinical experience in the endovascular treatment of short-necked and juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with fenestrated stent grafts. Methods: At our tertiary referral centre, all patients treated with fenestrated and branched stent grafts have been enrolled in an investigational device protocol database. Patients with short-necked or juxtarenal AAA managed with fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (F-EVAR) between November 2001 and April 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients treated at other hospitals under the supervision of the main author were excluded from the study. Patients treated for suprarenal or thoraco-abdominal aneurysms were also excluded. All stent grafts used were customised based on the Zenith system. Indications for repair, operative and postoperative mortality and morbidity were evaluated. Differences between groups were determined using analysis of variance with P

Introduction: Anastomotic pseudoaneurysm following renal transplantation is uncommon. Indications for repair, treatment options and outcomes remain controversial. Report: We present 6 renal transplant recipients with large anastomotic pseudoaneurysms. Five of the patients underwent open repair while one had a stent-grafting and delayed transplant nephrectomy for a ruptured pseudoaneurysm. A transplant nephrectomy was needed in all cases but one. Arterial reconstruction enabled limb salvage in all cases. One patient died of sepsis postoperatively. No patient presented late infection, failure of vascular reconstruction, nor pseudoaneurysm recurrence. Conclusions: Surgical excision of anastomotic pseudoaneurysms results in high rates of allograft loss. Less invasive techniques have a place in selected cases. © 2009 European Society for Vascular Surgery.

Esophagojejunostomy (EJS) represents the most difficult steps during totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG). Over the past few years, several techniques have been developed. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and surgical outcomes of the laparoscopic intracorporeal side-to-side EJS during TLTG used to treat malignant disease of the stomach. This study was conducted from June 2001 to December 2006 at three different institutions. Data were collected from patients’ medical notes, and a database was established that recorded gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) classification, tumor site, operative duration, time required for anastomosis, length of hospital stay, morbidity, mortality, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, grading, type of procedure performed, type of lymphadenectomy, conversion rate, reason for conversion, histology type, reoperation rate, reason for reoperation, time required for closure of leak, flatus time, time enteral feeding started, morbidity, and mortality. In this study, 56 totally laparoscopic gastrectomies (TLGs) (83.6%) and 11 totally laparoscopic degastrogastrectomies (TLDGs) (16.4%) with intracorporeal side-to-side EJS were performed. The average operating time was 249 min (range, 195–349 min). The average time required for both anastomoses was 44 min (17.7% of the average total time). The conversion rate was 10.4%, and the reoperation rate was 13.4%. The mean hospital stay was 12.4 days (range, 8–45 days). The major complications comprised four anastomotic leakage (6%), five postoperative bleeding (7.5%), and two duodenal stump leakage (3%). Most of the patients (91%) were enteral fed on day 6. The mean time for closure of leaks was 12 days (range, 4–18 days). The minor complications comprised two esophagojejunal anastomotic strictures (3%) subsequently treated by endoscopic dilatation. There was one death (1.5%), which occurred within 45 postoperative days. Laparoscopic intracorporeal side-to-side EJS is a safe and feasible technique. It represents a valid method for performing a reconstruction of the digestive tract in laparoscopic surgery after TLG, especially in presence of a narrow esophagus.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate single-center results with selective use of Gore Excluder limbs (W.L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ) in a Cook Zenith body (Cook Inc, Bloomington, IN) for elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. A prospectively held database for patients with AAA, who were treated endovascularly between March 1999 and July 2008, was queried for patients treated with a Cook Zenith body and one or two Gore Excluder limbs. Indication, technical success, late limb occlusion, and disconnection were evaluated. From 276 patients who were treated with a Zenith body, 29 underwent repair with hybrid graft components with, in total, 41 Gore Excluder limbs. The indication was always complex iliac anatomy. The primary technical success rate in this group was 89% (26 of 29 patients), with a primary assisted technical success rate of 100%. Mortality at 30 days was 0%. The mean follow-up was 19.4 months (range 2–64 months). Late mortality was 13.8% (4 of 29), with no aneurysm-related death. No graft limb occlusion or disconnection occurred during follow-up. No reintervention was needed in the hybrid endograft group. The use of a Cook Zenith body with Gore Excluder limb(s) in case of adverse iliac anatomy is feasible and showed no adverse effects at the midterm follow-up.

Background The management of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and concurrent malignancy is controversial. This study retrospectively assessed the outcome of endovascular repair (EVAR) and open repair (OR) for the treatment of AAA in patients undergoing curative treatment for concomitant malignancies. Methods All patients who underwent surgery for a nonruptured infrarenal AAA of ≥5.5 cm and concomitant malignancy between 1997 and 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Results Identified were 25 patients (22 men; mean age, 70.3 years) with nonruptured infrarenal AAA of ≥5.5 cm (mean size, 6.4 cm) and concomitant malignancy amenable for curative treatment. EVAR was used to treat 11 patients, and 14 underwent OR. The EVAR patients had a smaller mean aneurysm size (5.9 cm vs 6.8 cm; P = .006) than the OR patients. The mean cumulative length of stay for all patients who received treatment for both AAA and cancer was 12.8 days (range, 4 to 26) for EVAR and 18.2 days (range, 9 to 42 days) for OR. In the EVAR group, no patients died perioperatively; in the OR group, three patients died perioperatively (21.4%; P=NS). Postoperative complications occurred in one patient in the EVAR group and in seven in the OR group for a morbidity rate, respectively, of 9.1% and 50% ( P = .04). One late complication (9.1%) occurred in the EVAR group. The mean follow-up was 37.7 months (range, 16 to 60 months) in the EVAR group and 29.6 months (range, 11 to 55 months) in the OR group. At 1 and 2 years, survival rates were 100% and 90.9% in the EVAR group and 71.4% and 49% in the OR group (log-rank P = .103) Conclusions With low morbidity and mortality, EVAR is a safe technique for the treatment of AAA in patients with concomitant malignancy and could be considered as an alternative to OR.

Mental stress reduces performances, on the work place and in daily life, and is one of the first causes of cognitive dysfunctions, cardiovascular disorders and depression. This study systematically reviewed existing literature investigating, in healthy subjects, the associations between acute mental stress and short term Heart Rate Variability (HRV) measures in time, frequency and non-linear domain. The goal of this study was to provide reliable information about the trends and the pivot values of HRV measures during mental stress. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the evidence was conducted, performing an exhaustive research of electronic repositories and linear researching references of papers responding to the inclusion criteria. After removing duplicates and not pertinent papers, journal papers describing well-designed studies that analyzed rigorously HRV were included if analyzed the same population of healthy subjects at rest and during mental stress. 12 papers were shortlisted, enrolling overall 758 volunteers and investigating 22 different HRV measures, 9 of which reported by at least 2 studies and therefore meta-analyzed in this review. Four measures in time and non-linear domains, associated with a normal degree of HRV variations resulted significantly depressed during stress. The power of HRV fluctuations at high frequencies was significantly depressed during stress, while the ratio between low and high frequency resulted significantly increased, suggesting a sympathetic activation and a parasympathetic withdrawal during acute mental stress. Finally, among the 15 non-linear measures extracted, only 2 were reported by at least 2 studies, therefore pooled, and only one resulted significantly depressed, suggesting a reduced chaotic behaviour during mental stress. HRV resulted significantly depressed during mental stress, showing a reduced variability and less chaotic behaviour. The pooled frequency domain measures demonstrated a significant autonomic balance shift during acute mental stress towards the sympathetic activation and the parasympathetic withdrawal. Pivot values for the pooled mean differences of HRV measures are provided. Further studies investigating HRV non-linear measures during mental stress are still required. However, the method proposed to transform and then meta-analyze the HRV measures can be applied to other fields where HRV proved to be clinically significant. ©2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background. Single-access laparoscopic surgery is not used routinely for the treatment of colorectal disease. The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to compare the results of single-access laparoscopic rectal resection (SALR) versus multiaccess laparoscopic rectal resection with a mean follow-up of 24 months. Methods. This retrospective cohort study enrolled 42 patients. Between January 2010 and June 2012, 21 SALRs were performed. These patients were compared with a group of 21 other patients who had undergone multiport laparoscopic rectal resection. This control group had the same exclusion criteria and patient demographics. Short-term outcomes were reassessed with a mean follow-up of 2 years. Statistical analysis included the Student t test and Fisher’s exact test. Finally, we performed a differential cost analysis between the 2 procedures. Results. Exclusion criteria, patient demographics, and indication for surgery were similar in both groups. The conversion rate was 0% in both groups. There were no intraoperative complications or deaths. Bowel recovery was similar in both groups. No interventions, readmissions, or deaths were recorded at 30 days’ follow-up. At a mean follow-up of 24 months, all the patients with a preoperative diagnosis of cancer are still alive and disease free. Considering the selected 3 items, the mean cost per patient for single-access laparoscopic surgery and multiple-access laparoscopic surgery were estimated as 7213 and 7495 Euros, respectively. Conclusion. We think that SALR could be performed in selected patients by surgeons with high multiport laparoscopic skills. It is compulsory by law to evaluate outcomes and cost-effectiveness by using randomized controlled trials.

Objective: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) cytology is an effective tool to diagnose pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). Standard morphological criteria are usually reliable. When contaminating gastrointestinal (GI) epithelial cells are prevalent among neoplastic cells, these can be highlighted by carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) staining. CD10 is a cell-surface metallopeptidase normally expressed by the GI epithelial apical border, whose expression is decreased or lost in PDA. We included CD10 in a panel, together with CEA, to discriminate the GI contaminant cells from PDA cells on cell blocks. Methods: Eight cases of EUS-FNA of PDA, featuring both contaminating GI cells and neoplastic cells, whose corresponding cell blocks were available for immunostaining, were selected. CD10 and CEA were stained on cell blocks by standard methods. Results: CD10 strongly labelled only the GI cells, with a well-defined apical membrane signal; conversely, GI cells did not show CEA staining; benign duodenal cells were faintly labelled in only one case. Malignant cells were positive for CEA and negative for CD10, with the exception of one case with labelled neoplastic cells with weak diffuse cytoplasmic positivity. CD10 apical membrane staining was a feature only seen in benign GI cells. Conclusions: As a loss of CD10 is a consistent feature of PDA, this marker can be useful, together with CEA, to aid the cytopathologist to identify neoplastic cells in a background rich in GI contaminant cells. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Selecting the most appropriate surgical approach may requires multidimensional analysis, prioritizing factors spanning from the clinical dimension to the economic one. Multicriteria decision analysis may support this decisional process. This study applied the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to prioritize factors affecting the decision of whether to intervene with minimally invasive surgery or open surgery for hernia repairs. This paper present the preliminary results from the piloting of this study.

AIM: To investigate the impact of different surgical techniques on post-operative complications after colorectal resection for endometriosis. METHODS: A multicenter case-controlled study using the prospectively collected data of 90 women (22 with and 68 without post-operative complications) who underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection for endometriosis was designed to evaluate any risk factors of post-operative complications. The prospectively collected data included: gender, age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists risk class, endometriosis localization (from anal verge), operative time, conversion, intraoperative complications, and post-operative surgical complications such as anastomotic dehiscence, bleeding, infection, and bowel dysfunction. RESULTS: A similar number of complicated cases have been registered for the different surgical techniques evaluated (laparoscopy, single access, flexure mobilization, mesenteric artery ligation, and transvaginal specimen extraction). A multivariate regression analysis showed that, after adjusting for major clinical, demographic, and surgical characteristics, complicated cases were only associated with endometriosis localization from the anal verge (OR = 0.8, 95%CI: 0.74-0.98, P = 0.03). After analyzing the association of post-operative complications and each different surgical technique, we found that only bowel dysfunction after surgery was associated with mesenteric artery ligation (11 out of 44 dysfunctions in the mesenteric artery ligation group vs 2 out of 36 cases in the no mesenteric artery ligation group; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Although further randomized clinical trials are needed to give a definitive conclusion, laparoscopic colorectal resection for deep infiltrating endometriosis appears to be both feasible and safe. Surgical technique cannot be considered a risk factor of post-operative complications.

Anorectal atresia, which is classified as a low anorectal malformation, is characterised by the absence of the anal verge and by variable rectal atresia. In some cases, which have been classified as rectal agenesis, the atresia is associated with the absence of the internal sphincter. The therapeutic options are definitely surgical, aiming to relieve the bowel occlusion and to restore faecal continence by lowering the cul-de-sac to the perineum. We present the case of an adult patient with congenital rectal agenesis, double fistula (cul-de-sac-urethra and cul-de-sac-perineum) and caecostomy since birth. The patient was treated with a resection of sigmoid-rectum for the presence of a 20-cm faecaloma in the cul-de-sac, with a non-continent pull-through, and with implantation of an artificial bowel sphincter. Despite some difficulties in managing the device and a slight symptomatic mucosal prolapse, the results after 30 months have so far satisfied both the patient and the medical staff, especially in consideration of the limited number of alternative therapies.

Although nowadays considered as feasible and effective surgery in terms of short- and long-term results and oncological radicality, laparoscopic right colectomy is performed by a small number of surgeons, and in the vast majority of cases, this technique was performed with an extracorporeal anastomosis. Current literature failed to solve the controversies between intracorporeal and extracorporeal anastomosis after laparoscopic right colectomy. A multicenter case-controlled study has been designed, including 286 patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) compared with 226 matched patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with extracorporeal anastomosis (EA). There was no significant difference in terms of age, sex, BMI, and ASA score between the two groups. Surgical post history, tumor localization, and stage of disease according to AJCC/UICC TNM were similar too. Although similar oncologic radicality in term of number of lymph nodes harvested (25.7 ± 10.7 of IA group vs. 24.8 ± 8.7 of EA group; p = 0.3), as well as similar operative time (166 ± 43.7 min. in IA group vs. 157.5 ± 67.2 min in EA group) have been registered, time to flatus was statistically lower after intracorporeal anastomosis (40.8 ± 24.3 h in TLRC group vs. 55.2 ± 19.2 h in LARC group; p

The topic chosen by the Board of the Italian Society of Surgery for the 2013 annual Consensus Conference was gastric cancer. With this purpose, under the direction of 2 chairmen, 36 experts nominated by the Regional Societies of Surgery and by the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer (GIRCG) participated in an experts consensus exercise, preceded by a questionnaire and mainly held by telematic vote, in accordance with the rules of the Delphi method. The results of this Consensus Conference, presented to the 115th National Congress of the Italian Society of Surgery, and approved in plenary session, are reported in the present paper.

Minimally invasive techniques have been introduced to reduce morbidity related to standard laparoscopic procedures. One such approach is laparoendoscopic single-site surgery. The aim of the study was to present our initial clinical experience of using this technique for elective splenectomy. We carried out single access laparoscopic splenectomy (SALS) for an 8 cm cystic lesion of the spleen, involving the hilum, on a 38-year-old woman. The procedure was performed with a single-port device (4-channel) via a 2.5-cm umbilical incision. A flexible 5-mm optic and straight laparoscopic instruments were used. The operative time was 75 min. There was no blood loss. No complications were observed. The postoperative period was uneventful. Although substantial development of the instruments and skills is needed, this SALS technique appears to be feasible and safe. Nevertheless, further experience and observations are necessary.

Single-incision surgery is an evolution of conventional laparoscopy. It reduces not only the invasiveness of the access but also the surgical procedure itself.

© 2014 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc., Fenestrated stent grafting for endovascular repair (F-EVAR) aims to treat patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms that are unsuitable for standard EVAR because of a short or absent infrarenal neck. F-EVAR has been used initially in patients with higher surgical risk with pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms, but F-EVAR is now increasingly considered a treatment alternative to open surgery in anatomically suitable patients. F-EVAR has benefitted from ongoing technical refinements and accumulating clinical experience but remains a relatively complex procedure. Correct indication, accurate preoperative planning, and meticulous execution are the key to long-term success. Considering the growing interest in F-EVAR worldwide, including the United States, we discuss current indications and provide advice for planning and technical execution on the basis of the senior authors' 13 years of experience.

We present the case of a 47-year-old man admitted to our department with an episode of aphasia. Duplex scan showed an occluded right internal carotid artery and severe left internal carotid artery stenosis. Contrast-enhanced computer tomography demonstrated a common trunk for both common carotid arteries anterior to the trachea and aberrant right subclavian artery posterior to the esophagus. The patient was considered to be a high risk for carotid endarterectomy and, consequently, we performed stenting of the left carotid artery. To our knowledge, this is the first case reporting the combination of these two aortic arch anomalies and the concomitant endovascular treatment of atherosclerotic carotid stenosis.

Single-access laparoscopic splenectomy can offer patients some advantages. It has many difficulties, such as instrument clashing, lack of triangulation, odd angles and lack of space. The Da Vinci Single-Site® robotic surgery platform could decrease these difficulties. We present a case of single-access robotic splenectomy using this device.A 37 year-old female with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was operated on with a single-site approach, using the Da Vinci Single-Site robotic surgery device.The procedure was successfully completed in 140 min. No intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred. The patient was discharged from hospital on day 3.Single-access robotic splenectomy seems to be feasible and safe using the new robotic single-access platform, which seems to overcome certain limits of previous robotic or conventional single-access laparoscopy. We think that additional studies should also be performed to explore the real cost-effectiveness of the platform.

Aim: Laparoscopic surgery has become recognized as an established technique for colon diseases and many different surgical techniques have been described. The aim of our study is to show the results of a single institution where a standardized operative and perioperative procedure for laparoscopic left hemicolectomy (LLH) has been used. Methods: Between January 2005 and April 2011, 484 patients underwent LLH for colon diseases. Data collected included age, indication for surgery, ASA class, body mass index, operating time, intra and post-operative complications, conversion rate, length of hospital stay, tumor stage, number of lymph nodes harvested, mortality, and a 30-day readmission rate. Results: We found 299 cancer, 29 large dysplastic polyps and 156 complicated diverticular diseases. Average operation time was 120 minutes. The average hospital stay was 5.7 days. In the cancer group, the average number of lymph nodes harvested was 12.7. The intraoperative and early postoperative complications were 3.3% and 10.7 % respectively. The conversion rate was 3.7%. The 30-day readmission rate was 3%. The 30-day mortality rate was 0.4%. Conclusion: The standardization of the LLH technique might reduce the technical difficulties and complications. Its potential benefits include the standardization of surgical instrument sets, the definition of benchmarks for conversion before making any inappropriate investment in time and equipment, low rates of complications and readmission rate.

Schwannomas of the cervical vagal nerve are rare neoplasms, usually occurring between the third and the sixth decade of life. They don't demonstrate any sex predilection, and they often present as slow-growing, palpable neck masses, leftright sided, without early neurological symptoms, and they are often confused with enlarged lymphnodes or lipomas. Several differential diagnosis should be considered. Imaging techniques are largely used to define their etiology. If they are considered primary to evaluate their relationship with surrounding structures (i.e. omolateral neck vessels and nerves, oesophagus, trachea), they don't always result decisive for a correct differential diagnosis. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice: when technically possible, nerve sparing technique has to be preferred to en-bloc resection, because of the possibility of neurological outcomes such as dysphonia, dysphagia, hoarseness, vocal cord paralysis after surgical therapy. We report our case about a 34 years-old male, evaluating differential diagnosis course, choosing the correct therapy in relation with literature cases, and including new techniques for post-operative outcomes, such as injectable soft-tissue bulking agent performed in the last years to ameliorate dysphonia after nerve trunk injury.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard in the surgical treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis and other benign gallbladder diseases. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy isn't devoid by some complications such as intra and post-operative bleeding, biliary injury, bile leakage, surgical site infection, port-site hernia and visceral injury. After an extensive literature research, we find only one case study in which the patients required a splenectomy after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We present a case of uneventful laparoscopic cholecystectomy requiring an open splenectomy during the postoperative course.The Authors report a case of ruptured spleen during the second post-operative day after an uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy. At 36 hours after the operation, the patient referred a sudden upper abdominal pain. We performed a splenectomy, intra-abdominal lavage and two drainages have been placed. The patient was discarged in the 7th post-operative day in good clinical condition.As best of our Knowledge we report the second case of spleen rupture after a cholecystectomy, which is reported in the literature. We think that the splenic injury should not be due to direct trauma after or at the time of cholecystectomy, but it should be due to some adherences stretched by the pneumoperitoneum induction.

Mental stress alters neural cardiovascular regulation, which is reflected by Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Previous studies investigated HRV before an imminent stressing event. In this study we investigated HRV during a stressing event. Moreover we propose a classifier for automatic detection of stress.

We described a modified technique for implanting a bridging stent-graft into an iliac branched device. A 79-year-old male who had received aortobiiliac synthetic graft surgery for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm six months earlier was admitted to our unit for treatment of a left common iliac aneurysm involving the origin of the hypogastric artery. A standard technique was unsuccessful at implanting the bridging stent-graft, and therefore a wire-loop guidewire over the graft bifurcation was used to stabilize the contralateral sheaths and to complete the implantation. © Turkish Society of Radiology 2012.

Laparoscopic distal or subtotal pancreatectomy can be performed safely and effectively unless there is a clear reason why not to do so. With the aim of reducing postoperative trauma and improving the cosmesis, single-access laparoscopic surgery has been introduced into daily practice. We report the first case of distal single-access laparoscopic pancreasectomy for an adenocarcinoma. The procedure was carried out in 170 minutes without postoperative complications. Despite some technical difficulties, we think that a single-access laparoscopic approach could be adequate for a pancreatic resection. However, an adequate analysis of cost-effectiveness as well as regarding the reproducibility should be carried out.

Laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of right colon cancer has rapidly evolved over the past few years. This procedure is considered as feasible and effective in terms of short-term and long-term outcomes. Laparoscopic right colectomy (LRC) is performed by a small number of surgeons and, in most of cases, it was performed with an extracorporeal anastomosis.1 The recent ESMO guidelines with a Level of Evidence (LE) IV reported that for right-sided colonic cancers, the benefits of laparoscopic approach are less obvious since anastomosis must be hand sewn, which requires a laparotomy.2 The current state of the art for the treatment of the right colon cancers as reported by Fabozzi et al.3 in their papers, by right laparoscopic colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis despite the technical challenging. However, in the past few years, many studies comparing the intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) versus the extracorporeal anastomosis (EA) in LRC were conducted1 ,4–8 with …

Guidelines for laparoscopy and cancer of stomach have been outlined by several scientific societies: The main recommendation being that laparoscopy should be used only by surgeons already highly skilled in gastric surgery. The laparoscopic approach to gastric cancer surgery has become more and more frequent in most Italian centers. On behalf of the Guideline Committee of the Italian Society of Hospital Surgeons and the Italian Hi-Tech Surgical Club, a panel of experts analyzed the highest evidence of all scientific papers focusing on laparoscopic gastrectomies for cancer and published from 2003 to 2011, and drew these national guidelines. Laparoscopic gastrectomy may be considered as a safe procedure with better short-term and comparable long-term results. compared to open gastrectomy (Grade A). There is a general agreement that a laparoscopic approach to the treatment of gastric cancer should be chosen only by surgeons already highly skilled in gastric surgery and other advanced laparoscopic interventions. Furthermore, the first procedures should be carried out during a tutoring program. Diagnostic laparoscopy is strongly recommended as the first step of laparoscopic as well as laparotomic gastrectomies (Grade B). Additional randomized controlled trials (RCT) that compare and investigate the long-term oncological outcomes of laparoscopic assisted gastrectomy are required.

The new C3 Gore Excluder delivery system enables both up/downward and rotational repositioning of the device before complete deployment. This contributes to more precise proximal landing and permits facilitation of the contralateral gate cannulation. During separate deployment, the position of the ipsilateral limb can also be readjusted. We have used the modified C3 delivery system in more than 50 patients, and in most cases, we were able to utilize the repositioning options of the device to achieve optimal fixation and sealing. However, we present a case where our attempt to readjust the position of the ipsilateral limb led to upward migration of the main body with coverage of the left renal artery origin. The latter was secured with a bare stent implantation.

Brachial artery aneurysm (BAA) following long-standing arteriovenous fistula ligation after renal transplantation is uncommon. Herein, we describe the case of a 64-year-old man who developed a giant symptomatic BAA 21 years after ligation of the fistula. He was submitted to surgical excision of the aneurysm followed by interposition prosthetic graft.