This randomized trial failed to prove that mesh fixation without sutures causes less inguinodynia than suture fixation in Lichtenstein hernioplasty. Mesh fixation without sutures is feasible without compromising postoperative outcome.

BackgroundStructural changes occur in the pancreas as a part of the natural aging process. With aging, also the incidence of maldigestive symptoms and malnutrition increases, raising the possibility that these might be caused at least in part by inadequate pancreatic enzyme secretion due to degenerative processes and damage of the gland. Fecal elastase-1 is a good marker of pancreatic exocrine secretion. The aim of this study was to investigate the fecal elastase-1 levels among over 60 years old Finnish and Polish healthy individuals without any special diet, known gastrointestinal disease, surgery or diabetes mellitus.MethodsA total of 159 patients participated in this cross-sectional study. 106 older individuals (aged 60-92 years) were recruited from outpatient clinics and elderly homes. They were divided to three age groups: 60-69 years old (n = 31); 70-79 years old (n = 38) and over 80 years old (n = 37). 53 young subjects (20-28 years old) were investigated as controls. Inclusion criteria were age over 60 years, normal status and competence. Exclusion criteria were any special diet, diabetes mellitus, any known gastrointestinal disease or prior gastrointestinal surgery. Fecal elastase-1 concentration was measured from stool samples with an ELISA that uses two monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes of human elastase-1.ResultsFecal elastase-1 concentrations correlated negatively with age (Pearson r = -0,3531, P < 0.001) and were significantly lower among subjects over 70 years old compared to controls (controls vs. 70-79 years old and controls vs. over 80 years old, both P < 0.001). Among the over 60 years old subjects, the fecal elastase-1 concentrations were below the cut off level of 200 μg/g in 23 of 106 (21.7%) individuals [mean 112 (86-138) μg/g] indicating pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Of those, 9 subjects had fecal elastase-1 level below 100 μg/g as a marker of severe pancreatic insufficiency.ConclusionIn our study one fifth of healthy older individuals without any gastrointestinal disorder, surgery or diabetes mellitus suffer from pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and might benefit from enzyme supplementation therapy.

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The incidence of acute appendicitis is declining in Finland. We detected a clear seasonality in the incidence of AA and NSAP.

The MC procedure seems to be a faster technique than the LC approach for noncomplicated gallstone disease, with no difference in recovery times. The MC procedure also seems to be suitable for the obese patient.

Galacto-oligosaccharides are able to modify gut microflora in severe TNBS-induced colitis, but unable to attenuate the inflammation.

Obesity is a risk factor for operative treatment. This study examined the impact of obesity and associated comorbidities on complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Altogether, 1581 consecutive patients with symptomatic gallstones underwent LC between the years 1995 and 2008. Preoperative data and operative outcome of the 437 obese patients [302 with body mass index (BMI) 30 to 35 kg/m² and 135 with BMI ≥ 35.1 kg/m²] and 1144 nonobese controls (BMI ≤ 29.9 kg/m²) undergoing LC were compared. The impact of obesity, diabetes, cholecystitis, coronary heart disease, pulmonary disease, hypertension, and renal insufficiency on the postoperative outcome was analyzed by using multiple logistic regression analysis. The percentage of obese patients undergoing LC did not change during the study period. Over half of obese patients (63%) had 1 or multiple comorbidities, but only 15% of the patients had an acute surgery because of cholecystitis. Conversion to open surgery was required in 11.7% of the obese patients compared with 6.1% in the nonobese controls (P=0.0003). Acute cholecystitis increased the conversions in class II and III obese patients (50%) compared with elective surgery (8.7%, P<0.001). Mortality rate was 0 in obese patients and the rate of complications, except surgical site infections, comparable with nonobese patients. In multivariate analysis, obesity or any of the comorbidities did not associate with an elevated risk for postoperative complications. In symptomatic gallstone disease, obesity and related comorbidities increased the conversion rate, but not the operative risks of LC.

Claudin 7 and 18 expression is related to gland size of neoplastic cells and is especially found in tumours with intermediate and large ducts and well differentiated tumours. Membrane bound claudin 18, when present, is a useful marker for diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Claudins 7 and 18 were not associated with patient survival or spread of tumours.