Development of liver transplantation program provided more than 1000 transplantations and excellent long-term results. Liver failure caused by hepatitis C and B infections remains the most common cause of liver transplantation and structure of other indications is consistent with European data.
On the basis of 20 years' experience, the authors present the immediate and long-term results of operative treatment of Zenker's diverticulum. Comparison of two methods of surgery - diverticulopexia (in 21 patients) and excision (in 16), both associated with upper esophageal sphincter myotomy - shows good immediate and longterm results (from 1 to 19 years), with disappearance of symptoms (dysphagia) in all patients. There was no perioperative mortality. Postoperative complications were most commonly of pulmonary origin and were observed in a third of patients in both groups. In two patients from the group treated with excision, a leak from the suture line occurred, which healed spontaneously. These two patients had transient dysphagia in the postoperative period. On the basis of this analysis, the authors conclude that diverticulopexia is a safer surgical procedure than excision, giving less complications and a very good long-term functional result.
We present the technique and results of endoscopic neodymium-yttrium aluminum garnet laser treatment of benign tracheal stenoses. This therapy was used in 15 patients with tracheal stenoses. Benign tracheal granulomas were caused by prolonged tracheal intubation in eight patients, permanent maintenance of tracheostomy tube in five patients, and nonspecific inflammatory process of the trachea in two patients. The clinical picture was dominated by dyspnea and stridor. The achievement of normal tracheal patency required several laser therapy sessions, repeated at 5- to 7-day intervals. In 30% of patients additional laser vaporization was required as well. The immediate and short-term results were encouraging; in all cases the normal tracheal lumen was restored, resulting in alleviation of patients' symptoms.
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