The case of a 45-year-old male patient (body weight 52 kg, height 1.61 m) with a locally invasive gastric carcinoma infiltrating into the retroperitoneal space is reported. Because of severe cancer pain a tunnelled thoracic epidural catheter (EC) was placed at thoracic spinal level 7/8 and a local anesthetic (LA) mixture of ...

We previously evaluated the three to ten-year results of 160 consecutive unicompartmental knee arthroplasties that had been performed by two surgeons in 147 patients with use of the cemented metal-backed Miller-Galante prosthesis. The average age of the patients at the time of the index procedure was sixty-six years. The purpose ...

Between March 2007 and July 2010, 1000 consecutive fully porous coated hip resurfacing arthroplasties (HRA) were performed by a single surgeon in 871 patients. The average length of follow-up was 3±1years. Three cases (0.3%) in three patients showed adverse wear related failures. Another 17 (1.7%) failures were identified at the ...

Purpose:To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) alone and TIPS in association with embolotherapy (TIPS+E) in the variceal coronary vein to prevent recurrent variceal bleeding and stent dysfunction after TIPS creation.Materials and Methods:Institutional review board approval was obtained; all participants provided informed consent. A total ...

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate 4-year outcomes of percutaneous repair versus surgery for mitral regurgitation. BACKGROUND: Transcatheter therapies are being developed to treat valvular heart disease. In the EVEREST II Trial, treatment of mitral valve regurgitation (MR) with a novel percutaneous device was compared with surgery and showed superior safety, ...

OBJECTIVES: Destruction of the intervalvular fibrous body, though uncommon, occurs due to paravalvular abscess formation following active infective endocarditis. This warrants a highly complex operation involving radical surgical debridement of the intervalvular fibrous body, followed by double valve (aortic and mitral) replacement with patch reconstruction of the anterior mitral annulus, ...

BACKGROUND: The arterial switch operation (ASO) is the method of choice for the Taussig-Bing heart. The aim of the study was to analyse the long-term outcome of correction of the Taussig-Bing heart. METHODS: Between 1986 and 2011, 44 infants, including 18 newborns, underwent an ASO. The staged and the primary ...

BACKGROUND: EMR for the treatment of duodenal adenomas is challenging due to a thin wall and rich vascularity. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a novel technique of "underwater" EMR without prior submucosal injection for the removal of large (≥2 cm) laterally spreading nonampullary duodenal adenomas. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Tertiary academic ...

Objective To compare the clinical effectiveness of blind intubation through the Cookgas intubating laryngeal airway(CILA) or Fastrach intubating laryngeal mask airway(FT-LMA) for anticipated difficult tracheal intubation. Methods Eighty-six patients with anticipated difficult tracheal intubation who were undergoing elective plastic surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into CILA group(n=43) and ...

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula is the leading cause of death and morbidity after pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, the best reconstruction method to reduce occurrence of fistula is debated. We did a multicentre, randomised superiority trial to compare the outcomes of different reconstructive techniques in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic or periampullary tumours. ...

Plastic stent (PS) occlusion occurs as a result of bacterial adherence to the stent's inner wall. To retain the bacteriological barrier, placing a PS above the sphincter of Oddi ('inside stent') has been investigated. We designed a new PS (inside stent with thread [IT] stent) with attachable nylon thread for ...

Objective: To determine eosinophil and mast cell populations in gastric and duodenal mucosal biopsies of adults with nonulcer dyspepsia (NUD) as compared to non-dyspeptic adults. Study Design: A case control study. Place and Duration of Study: Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran, from January 2010 to June 2011. ...

We performed closure of apical muscular ventricular septal defects (VSDs) using the sandwich technique and assessed its role in the treatment of the defects. Twenty-one patients (nine males and 12 females) underwent VSD closure at a mean age of 15.4 months (range, 1 month to 6 years) and a mean ...

Esophageal stenting represents a new strategy in the treatment of resistant or recurrent stenosis that obviates the need for multiple dilations. Our custom dynamic stent (DS) improves esophageal motility unlike the widespread self-expandable plastic or metallic esophageal stents. The DS allows food and secretions to pass in the space between ...

Since 2008 we have performed 10 hybrid procedures for perventricular muscular ventricular septal defects (mVSD) closure. The mean age was 8.5 months (range 2.7 to 17.8), the mean diameter of mVSD was 6.3 mm (range 4 to 10 mm). The postoperative course was uncomplicated and complete closure of the mVSD was accomplished ...

We present a retrospective evaluation of 1369 hip arthroplasties performed using the Bicon-Plus cups and SL-Plus stems, differing only in the bearing combination. Four bearing combination groups were used: metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) group with 587 hips, ceramic-on-polyethylene (CoP) group with 161 hips, metal-on-metal (MoM) group with 322 hips and ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) ...

OBJECTIVE: Although mitral valve repair is the preferred treatment for degenerative mitral valve disease, valve replacement still remains prevalent, particularly in the setting of anterior leaflet prolapse. We sought to determine the feasibility and mid-term durability of a lesion-based surgical strategy applied systematically in a consecutive and nonexclusionary (all comers) ...

Purpose: To assess the effect of citicoline on visual field rates of progression in patients with progressing glaucoma. Patients and Methods: Forty-one patients with a diagnosis of progressing glaucoma received citicoline in oral solution for 2 years. Included were patients with a disease progression of at least -1 dB/year (at ...

OBJECT: The aim of our study is to evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic transaqueductal or interventricular stent placement into the fourth ventricle for isolated fourth ventricle (IFV) and pre-isolated fourth ventricle (PIFV), in which occlusion of the fourth ventricle outlets and dilation of the fourth ventricle are seen while the ...

BACKGROUND: Mitral valve repair is an established surgical procedure for treating severe organic mitral regurgitation. The mechanisms of mitral regurgitation due to infective endocarditis include rheumatic disease and congenital diseases such as a lack of leaflet tissue, and thus additional material is required to create a functional coaptation surface. We ...

BACKGROUND: The management of late tricuspid regurgitation after left-sided valve operations in rheumatic patients remains controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and echocardiographic outcomes of tricuspid valve procedures after left-sided valve operations in rheumatic patients. METHODS: This study enrolled 106 rheumatic patients with a history of ...

A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 30 consecutive THA performed in 25 patients with hypoplastic proximal femurs, who had received a 9-mm uncemented modular S-ROM stem. The mean patient age was 42 years (17-69 years), mean height was 152.5cm (130-170.5 cm), mean weight was 63 kg (39-90 kg), and mean ...

To compare the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic papillary balloon intermittent dilatation (EPBID) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) in the treatment of common bile duct stones. From March 2011 to May 2012, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed in 560 patients, 262 with common bile duct stones. A total of 206 patients ...

Encrusted cystitis is characterized by chronic inflammation of the bladder with encrustation of the mucosa, induced by urea-splitting bacterial infection. However, encrusted cystitis in itself is not well known. We report a case of encrusted cystitis causing postrenal failure. An 81-year-old man with pneumonia complained of pollakisuria, micturition pain, and ...

AIM: To track the short-term neck narrowing changes in Birmingham metal-on-metal hip resurfacing (MOMHR) patients. METHODS: Since 2001, the Center for Hip and Knee Replacement started a registry to prospectively collect data on hip and knee replacement patients. From June 2006 to October 2008, 139 MOMHR were performed at our ...

BACKGROUND: With the aging of the population, the number of elderly patients with gastric cancer is anticipated to increase. This study evaluated the feasibility of gastrectomy for patients over 85 years old. METHODS: A total of 176 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer were assigned into two groups: 75-84 ...

The GlideScope(®) videolaryngoscope is widely used in the management of the difficult airway. However, passing the tracheal tube through the vocal cords can be awkward, and the use of a stylet to guide insertion is recommended. This randomised controlled trial evaluated a forceps-guided tube exchanger as an alternative to the ...

OBJECTIVE: To describe a simple technique that can be used to manage an unexpected mildly to moderately (<10 mm) encrusted ureteric stent with consummate ease when time, equipment, or experience are unavailable. METHODS: We present a series of 5 patients with impacted ureteric stents that were difficult to remove owing to ...

Background and purpose: Malignant ureteral obstruction (MUO) is a common condition and an intractable situation for patients with advanced cancer. There is currently no ideal ureteral stent to release the obstruction. Our purpose was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of a novel, double-layered, coated, self-expandable metallic mesh stent ...

BACKGROUND: Self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are used to relieve malignant biliary obstruction. OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes between covered self-expandable metal stents (CSEMSs) and uncovered self-expandable metal stents (USEMSs) in malignant biliary obstruction. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary cancer center. PATIENTS: Patients with malignant biliary obstruction. INTERVENTIONS: Placement of CSEMS ...

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (PPF) is the most frequent and serious complication after laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP). Our goal was to compare the performance, in terms of PPF prevention, and safety of a radiofrequency (RF)-assisted transection device versus a stapler device in a porcine LDP model. METHODS: Thirty-two animals were ...

BACKGROUND: Recent reports suggest that placement of a venous sinus stent improves symptoms in selected patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). We report our evaluation of the long-term patency of venous stents placed for IIH. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our clinical database for 30 patients (mean age 33±10 years) with ...

Object Delayed intracranial hypertension may occur after cranial vault remodeling for synostosis and may result in visual loss and developmental delay. Delayed intracranial hypertension is relatively common in children with syndromic, multisuture synostosis, but the incidence is poorly defined in children with single-suture nonsyndromic synostosis. This study evaluates the frequency ...

In June 2011 a 74 years old-non smoker woman came to our attention complaining for months dyspnea and dry cough resistant to nonspecific antibiotic therapy (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and levofloxacin, prescribed by her physician, for 10 days). She had no history of respiratory diseases; she had instead history of cerebri stroke ...

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the outcome and predisposing factors related to perioperative bleeding in patients treated with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for ruptured and non-ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. METHODS: A total of 525 consecutive patients (73% elective) with AAA underwent ...

BACKGROUND: Patients with peritonitis undergoing emergency laparotomy are at increased risk for postoperative open abdomen and incisional hernia. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of prophylactic intraperitoneal mesh implantation compared with conventional abdominal wall closure in patients with peritonitis undergoing emergency laparotomy. METHOD: A matched case-control study was performed. ...

BACKGROUND: Stentless aortic valve replacement (SAVR) became a common surgical procedure to treat aortic valve disease, as it offers larger orifice area and improved hemodynamics. The aim of our single-centre retrospective study was to assess long term results of first generation stentless aortic valves in young patients, where mechanical prostheses ...

Background: Whether bone mineral density (BMD) is improved at 5 years after parathyroidectomy (PTx) for secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) remains unknown. Objective: To investigate BMD after PTx by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Methods: BMD was measured at the distal 1/3 of the radius (nonshunt side) and at the lumbar supine ...

Objectives We investigated early, midterm, and long-term results following valve replacement with the "No-React" bioprosthesis in patients with active infective endocarditis (AIE).Patients and Methods Between February 2000 and February 2011, a total of 402 patients (median 61 years, 17 to 91 years) received "No-React" bioprostheses due to single valve AIE ...

Fungal infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare, serious, and potentially lethal disease, yet its clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes remain poorly understood. A detailed comparative analysis of fungal prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and native valve endocarditis (NVE) has not been performed. This study was designed to explore the general characteristics, ...

We present the extended follow-up (≥ 20 years) of a series of fully hydroxyapatite-coated femoral components used in 72 primary total hip replacements (THRs). Earlier results of this cohort have been previously published. All procedures were performed between 1986 and 1991. The series involved 45 women and 15 men with ...

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to investigate the technical and clinical efficacy of percutaneous bilateral stent-in-stent deployment using open cell-design stents and to compare the clinical outcomes of bilateral stent placement using T and Y configurations. MATERIALS AND METHODS. From January 2006 to December 2010, 106 patients with ...

We reviewed the long-term outcomes of aortic root replacement at Asan Medical Center and investigated the predictors affecting mortality. A retrospective analysis was performed on 225 consecutive adult patients undergoing aortic root replacement with mechanical conduits (n=169), porcine aortic root prosthesis (n=23), or aortic homografts (n=33) from January 1992 to ...

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic biliary drainage is the palliative treatment of choice for malignant biliary hilar obstruction. There are conflicting opinions as to whether stents should be plastic or metal and whether stents should be unilateral or bilateral. AIM: To systematically review the literature on optimal endoscopic management of malignant hilar biliary ...

To compare the incidence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in cirrhotic outpatients and inpatients undergoing therapeutic paracentesis From January 1 to May 31, 2004, 1041 patients from 70 different hospitals underwent 2123 therapeutic abdominal paracentesis (AP) performed as a outpatient procedure in 355 and as inpatient procedure in 686 cases respectively. ...

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate intra-peritoneal (ip) microdialysis after endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) in patients developing intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH), requiring abdominal decompression. DESIGN: Prospective study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 16 patients with rAAA treated with an emergency EVAR were followed up ...

This prospective study was conducted to demonstrate that the matte-finish Basis CL cemented endoprosthetic stem delivers good qualitative results after 10 years. Between January and December 1999, 205 consecutive hips (201 patients; 74.5 ± 6.8 years at surgery) underwent primary total hip arthroplasty with the Basis CL and the same ...

OBJECTIVESIn aortic valve bypass (AVB) a valve-containing conduit is connecting the apex of the left ventricle to the descending aorta. Candidates are patients with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis rejected for conventional aortic valve replacement (AVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). During the last one and a half year, 10 ...

The conventional technique for percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) ends by placing a nephrostomy tube within the access tract. However, feasibility and safety of tubeless PNL have been widely demonstrated. In this modification, a ureteral stent is usually left in place instead of the nephrostomy tube. The aim of this study is ...

PURPOSE: To identify risk factors that can predict prevalence of anastomotic strictures (AS) following esophageal atresia (EA) repair. METHODS: Of 46 consecutive patients with EA managed at our institution between 2004 and 2012, 35 underwent esophageal anastomosis and were included in this retrospective longitudinal study. Routine endoscopy was performed 1 month ...