TEP and TAPP improved clinical outcomes compared with OHR, but the network meta-analysis showed that TEP and TAPP efficacy is equivalent. TAPP was associated with a slightly longer hospital stay compared with TEP.

The use of fibrin sealant determined a significant reduction in short-term numbness rate and postoperative pain. There was no relevant difference in total costs per patient between the two procedures.

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.

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After completing this course, the reader will be able to:1. Describe the current status of LDCT screening for lung cancer among high-risk individuals.2. Discuss the potential and drawbacks of LDCT for the early detection of lung cancer in asbestos-exposed individuals.3. Describe the limits and possibilities of LDCT for detecting pleural abnormalities and malignant pleural mesothelioma in asbestos workers and former workers.Access and take the CME test online and receive 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ at CME.TheOncologist.com CME CME ABSTRACTObjective. To evaluate the feasibility of using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for the early diagnosis of lung cancer and malignant pleural mesothelioma in an asbestos-exposed population. Conclusions. Our findings first suggest that LDCT may be at least as useful in asbestos workers as in heavy smokers for the early diagnosis of lung cancer; this benefit is evident even in a poor-risk population, with low rates of smoking prevalence and a previous history of radiological surveillance.The role of spiral tomography in screening for pleural mesothelioma remains uncertain. The Oncologist 2007; 12:1215-1224

Our evaluation shows that both trainees fully completed their learning curves for the TAPP after 65 procedures, providing us with a parameter which can be taken into consideration when establishing the minimum volume necessary to guarantee correct training in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair by a TAPP technique.

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Diverticular disease of the sigmoid colon involves more than 50% of population over 60 years, and much more in people older than 80 years. Most patients remain asymptomatic, but, about 10-20% develop complications requiring surgery. Colonic diverticulitis represents an acute bowel inflammation, in many cases, confined only to the sigmoid and descending colon. Recurrent attacks and complications of diverticulitis require surgical procedure, although most cases can be managed medically. The cause of acute diverticulitis remains obscure. It has been speculated that obstruction at the mouth of the diverticulum results in diverticulitis, similar to appendicitis, but this is no longer the accepted theory, and some feel that chronic inflammation precedes clinical diverticulitis.