LSG weakens the contraction amplitude of the lower esophagus, which may contribute to postoperative reflux deterioration. It also increases the total and the abdominal length of the LES, especially when the angle of His is mostly approximated. However, if this approximation leads to esophageal tissue excision, reflux is again aggravated. Thus, stapling too close to the angle of His should be done cautiously.

This paper reviews the negative impact of diabetes mellitus or hypothyroidism on wound healing, both in experimental and clinical settings. Since both are metabolic disorders of great clinical importance, special attention is given, not only to their pathophysiology, but also to their biochemical and histological effects on tissue integrity and regeneration. Also, special focus is awarded on wound healing of the gastrointestinal tract, i.e. in intestinal anastomosis, and how these disorders can lead to wound dehiscence. Since diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism can coexist in clinical settings, more research must be directed on their influence on wound healing, considering them as one clinical entity.

This study is one of the few assessing GERD post-LSG by using 24-h MIIpH. The majority of patients suffer from GERD 12 months postoperatively, implying that close postoperative monitor for GERD with the use of pH testing and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in order to early diagnose GERD and identify possible mucosal injury and also a prophylactic proton pump inhibitor use may be of great importance.

PurposeConservative management is successful in unperforated (Hinchey Ia) acute diverticulitis (AD) and also generally in local perforation or small abscesses (Hinchey Ib). A higher degree of radiological severity (Hinchey >Ib), ie, a larger abscess (>3–4 cm) or peritonitis, commonly requires percutaneous drainage or surgery. Retrospective studies show that high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) distinguish Hinchey Ia from all cases of minor and major perforations (Hinchey >Ia). The current study aims to evaluate the usefulness of CRP in distinguishing AD with a higher degree of severity (Hinchey >Ib) from cases that can be treated noninvasively (Hinchey Ia/Ib).MethodsData from consecutive patients with AD were collected prospectively. All underwent computed tomography (CT). Index parameters obtained at the initial evaluation at the emergency unit were analyzed to assess the association with the outcome. The exclusion criteria comprised concomitant conditions that affected CRP baseline levels.ResultsNinety-nine patients were analyzed. Eighty-eight had mild radiological grading (Hinchey Ia/Ib), and 11 had severe radiological grading (Hinchey >Ib) (median index CRP 80 mg/L vs 236 mg/L [P<0.001]). White blood cells, neutrophils/lymphocytes, serum creatinine, serum glucose, generalized peritonitis, generalized abdominal tenderness, urinary symptoms, and index CRP were related to severe disease. Index CRP was the only independent predictor for Hinchey >Ib (P=0.038). The optimal cutoff value calculated by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was found to be 173 mg/L (sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 90.9%, P<0.001). All patients who underwent radiological drainage or surgery had an index CRP >173 mg/L and Hinchey >Ib.ConclusionCRP levels >173 mg/L obtained at the initial evaluation at the emergency unit predict major acute complications in AD. These patients commonly require urgent percutaneous drainage or surgical management.

Measurements of blood flow on either sides of abdominal incisions and of uninjured control skin in 63 patients with three kinds of suturing techniques (clips in 21 patients, mattress in 21 patients, and subcuticular suture in 21 patients) on the 1st and 5th postoperative day were made, using an infrared laser Doppler flowmeter. There was a significantly higher flow on the 1st versus the 5th postoperative day. There is statistically higher blood flow in wounds sutured with subcuticular sutures in comparison with the two other groups. The method may allow the relationship of blood flow to wound healing to be evaluated. 266 G. C. Zografos was supported by the Alexandros Onassis Foundation.

Three years of close follow-up of patients who had undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy demonstrated satisfactory weight loss results. Promising results were also obtained regarding various comorbidities of obese patients. Longer follow-up studies for more patients are needed to delineate the exact role of sleeve gastrectomy on postoperative outcomes.

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Our results indicate that it is possible, when using the BLES device, to completely excise small (≤ 10 mm) breast carcinomas that appear radiologically as solid lesions. This subset of patients should be investigated regarding the therapeutic potential of this method.