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The new PTFE-covered nitinol stent-graft used appears to be excellent in preventing the need for repeated interventions. A primary patency rate of 83.8% and a secondary patency rate of 98.1% were achieved.

Abstract. The purpose of this paper is to give, on one hand, a mathematical exposition of the main topological and geometrical properties of geometric transitions, on the other hand, a quick outline of their principal applications, both in mathematics and in physics.

Based on the current available evidence from randomised clinical trials, we are unable to determine the role of percutaneous cholecystostomy in the clinical management of high-risk surgical patients with acute cholecystitis. There is a need for adequately powered randomised clinical trials of low risk of bias on this issue.

Covered metallic stents are effective and may produce improved survival in patients with malignant biliary obstruction (27. 8% at 23 months). Stent patency, however, is similar to that of uncovered stents. Modifications in the design of the covering membrane may reduce stent obstruction resulting from disruption of the plastic covering.

MSC: 14M25 06D50Keywords: Q-factorial complete toric varieties Gale duality Weighted projective spaces Hermite normal form Smith normal formThe present paper is devoted to discussing Gale duality from the Z-linear algebraic point of view. This allows us to isolate the class of Q-factorial complete toric varieties whose class group is torsion free, here called poly weighted spaces (PWS). It provides an interesting generalization of weighted projective spaces (WPS).

ERAS program applied to colorectal laparoscopic surgery is well known to reduce hospitalization improving short terms outcomes and minimizing the Surgical Stress Response. However its effectiveness in elderly population is yet to be demonstrated. The primary aim of this study is to compare the level of immune and nutritional serum indexes across surgery in patients aged over 70 years old undergoing elective colorectal laparoscopic surgery within an ERAS protocol or according to a Standard program. 83 patients undergoing colorectal laparoscopic surgery were enrolled and randomized in two groups (ERAS Group 40, Standard Group 43) within a larger randomized trial on a general population. Surgical stress parameters were collected preoperatively, 1, 3 and 5 days after surgery. Nutritional parameters were collected preoperatively, 1 and 5 days after surgery. Short Term Outcomes were also prospectively assessed. IL-6 levels were lower in the EG on 1, 3, and 5 days post-operatively (p 0.05). IL-6 levels in the Enhanced group returned to pre operative level 3 days after surgery. C-reactive protein level was lower in the Enhanced group on day 1, 3, and 5 (p 0.05). There was no difference in Cortisol and Prolactin levels between groups. Prealbumin serum level was higher on day 5 (p 0.05) compared to standard group. Postoperative outcomes in terms of normal bowel function and length of hospital stay were significantly improved in the ERAS group. Colorectal laparoscopic surgery within an ERAS prototcol in elderly patients affects Surgical Stress Response, decreasing IL-6 and CRP levels postoperatively and improving Prealbumin post operative synthesis.