LSG improves symptoms and controls reflux in most morbidly obese patients with preoperative GERD. In obese patients without preoperative evidence of GERD, the occurrence of "de novo" reflux is uncommon. Therefore, LSG should be considered an effective option for the surgical treatment of obese patients with GERD.

Enterovesical fistula (EVF) is an abnormal communication between the intestine and the bladder. It represents a rare complication of inflammatory or neoplastic disease, and traumatic or iatrogenic injuries. The most common aetiologies are diverticular disease and colorectal carcinoma. Over 75% of affected patients describe pathognomonic features of pneumaturia, faecaluria and recurrent urinary tract infections. The diagnosis of EVF can be challenging, and frequently patients are monitored for months before the condition is recognised and treated effectively. Diagnostic tools include laboratory tests, imaging studies and endoscopic procedures. Although conservative management can be attempted in selected patients, in most cases, the treatment is mainly based on surgical interventions. Recently, the laparoscopic approach to EVF has been shown to be safe and effective. Although it is a rare condition in a general surgery setting, EVF is a challenging condition leading to high morbidity and mortality rates.

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BackgroundIndications and results of local excision of rectal lesions are currently under debate. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM), allowing a precise, full-thickness excision, could improve oncological results in early rectal tumors. Methods A prospective database was analyzed with the intent to identify risk factors for recurrence after TEM. Results Among 355 patients subjected to TEM, 107 had an adenocarcinoma: 48 pT1, 43 pT2, and 16 pT3. Comparing pre-and postoperative data, histological discrepancy was 20% and staging discrepancy was 34%. Mortality was nil, morbidity was 9%. Mean follow-up was 54.2 months (range = 12-164), follow-up rate was 100%. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 85.9, 78.4, and 49.4% for pT1, pT2, and pT3, respectively (p = 0.006). Recurrence rate was 0% (0/26) in pT1sm1 cancers and 22.7% (5/22) in sm2-3 (p < 0.05). A submucosal infiltration represented a significant risk factor for recurrences: 0% sm1, 16.7% sm2, and 30% sm3. Recurrence in pT2 was 0% in patients who had neoadjuvant therapy and 26% in the others. At univariate analysis, diameter, sm stage, pT stage, tumor grading, margin infiltration, and lymphovascular invasion demonstrated statistical significance. Multivariate analysis indicated sm stage, pT stage, and tumor grading as independent predictors of recurrence. Conclusions TEM represents an effective curative treatment for pT1 sm1 rectal malignancies. pT1 sm2-3 patients should be considered high-risk cases if treated only by TEM. A consistent improvement in the preoperative assessment of the risk factors identified by the present study will be a crucial development for optimal treatment of early rectal cancers. Keywords Transanal endoscopic microsurgery Malignant rectal neoplasm Recurrence Risk factors The goal of oncological surgery is to achieve the best cancer control with preservation of function and quality of life. In the field of malignant rectal neoplasms, radical resection, consisting of anterior resection with total mesorectal excision (TME) when feasible and abdominoperineal resection (APR) when mandatory, represents the best curative treatment. Nevertheless, these procedures are burdened with a consistent morbidity rate, including genitourinary and sexual dysfunction (30-40%) [1][2][3][4], anastomotic leakage (5-17%) [5], and long-term functional bowel disturbance [6]. Up to 40% of patients experience perineal wound complications and long-term discomfort following APR, while stoma and stoma appliance-related complications occur in up to 66%. There is also significant psychological morbidity associated with change in body image and depression in 30% [7].A transanal approach to rectal malignant neoplasms, if suitable, would lower risks and improve functional results. Unfortunately, the conventional transanal excision is characterized by a high incidence of remnant disease or early recurrence [8,9]. For more than 25 years, transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) had revolutionized the technique and outcome of transanal surgery, becoming the ...

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