Frequency Comb Generation via Cascaded Second-Order Nonlinearities in Microresonators.

Optical frequency combs are revolutionizing modern time and frequency metrology. In the past years, their range of applications has increased substantially, driven by their miniaturization through microresonator-based solutions. The combs in such devices are typically generated using the third-order χ^{(3)} nonlinearity of the resonator material. An alternative approach is making use of second-order χ^{(2)} nonlinearities. While the idea of generating combs this way has been around for almost two decades, so far only few demonstrations are known, based either on bulky bow-tie cavities or on relatively low-Q waveguide resonators. Here, we present the first such comb that is based on a millimeter-sized microresonator made of lithium niobate, that allows for cascaded second-order nonlinearities. This proof-of-concept device comes already with pump powers as low as 2 mW, generating repetition-rate-locked combs around 1064 and 532 nm. From the nonlinear dynamics point of view, the observed combs correspond to Turing roll patterns.

Parastomal hernias -- clinical study of therapeutic strategies.

UNLABELLED: Parastomal hernias are parietal defects adjacent to the stomasite, after ileostomy and colostomy. Their incidence is variable and they are generally underestimated. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2010 at the First Surgical Clinic Iasi, we treated 861 incisional hernias, of which there were 31 parastomal hernias in 26 patients (3%), 5 of which were recurrent parastomal hernias. Parastomal hernias have been explored clinically, through imaging and intraoperatively.Because our experience and literature review have demonstrated that a mesh repair is a safe procedure in the treatment of parastomal hernia, in 2010 we initiated a prospective randomized trial on the use of prophylactic polypropylene mesh at the time of stoma formation to reduce the risk of parastomal hernia. We enrolled in the study 20 patients with mesh implanted at the primary operation and 22 patients without mesh. The inclusion criteria were: patients with low rectal cancer, stage II-III, irradiated, obese, with a history of hernias, patients who do physical work. RESULTS: Most parastomal hernias were asymptomatic; only six cases with parastomal hernias required emergency surgical treatment. We performed local tissue repair in 16 cases (4 cases with recurrent parastomal hernia, stoma relocation in one case), sublay mesh repair in 15 cases (one case with recurrent parastomal hernia; stoma relocation in 5 cases). Postoperative morbidity registered included 4 wound infections (one case after mesh repair which required surgical reintervention) and stoma necrosis in one case with strangulation parastomal hernia with severe postoperative evolution and death. After local tissue repair recurrences were seen in 6 cases, after mesh repair we registered recurrence only in one case and no relapse after the relocation of the stoma. The patients with prophylactic mesh at the time of stoma formation to reduce the risk of parastomal hernia were followed for a median of 20 months(range 12 to 28 months) by clinical examination and ultrasound exam every 3 months. We registered 6 recurrences(27,2%), all in the no mesh cohort. We have not seen any morbidity in patients from the mesh group. CONCLUSIONS: Parastomal hernia is a relatively rare disease compared to the number of incisional hernias. With increasing life expectancy stands we noted increased incidence of parastomal hernia as well. Prophylactic use of mesh during the primary operation is a safe procedure and reduces the risk of parastomal hernia.

Esophagectomy in esophageal cancer - is there an optimal approach?

INTRODUCTION: Esophageal cancer is a public health problem,with increasing incidence and postoperative morbidity over the past recent years. Although a number of new surgical techniques, including minimally invasive surgery, have been developed, mortality and morbidity have remained elevated.The element that seems to influence the early postoperative morbidity and mortality is the method of approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: retrospective observational study which is carried out in the period 2003-2012 including esophageal neoplasm patients operated in the First Surgical Clinic -Hospital "Sf. Spiridon", Iasi. 140 patients were included, of which only 33 have received surgery with curative aim. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: we consider 2 techniques in our study:transhiatal (TH) technique (without opening the chest)followed by esophagoplasty with cervical anastomosis and transthoracic esophagectomy (TT) with intrathoracic or cervical anastomosis. RESULTS: We performed 57.58 % (n = 19) of interventions by TT versus 42.42% (n = 14) by TH. The overall rate of postoperative morbidity rate was 78.8% (n = 26). Overall early postoperative mortality rate was 15.5% (n = 5) caused by pleuropulmonary sepsis (2 cases), lung emboli (1 case) and sepsis caused by anastomotic leak (2 cases). CONCLUSION: TT and TH esophagectomy have precise indications in esophageal surgery for malignancies, the mortality and morbidity rate being strongly influenced by the surgical approach.

Atypical hepatic resection technique for hepatocellular carcinoma using radiofrequency Habib™ 4X Device.

INTRODUCTION: The number of liver resections significantly increased worldwide in the last 20 years. In many hepatic tumours, liver resection remains the best therapeutic option. A difficult intraoperative goal is to obtain a safe haemostasis on the transection plane. Technological innovation in recent decades allowed the development of different tools that allow better control of bleeding, faster and easier haemostasis. METHODS: We prospectively reviewed the patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent an atypical liver resection using a radio frequency (RF) ablation. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: We used a Habib™ 4X bipolar, handheld, disposable RF ablation device. The technique is similar to parenchymal approach, but after the operative ultrasound exam to confirm the tumour and resection plane and liver mobilisation, we perform a plane of coagulative necrosis around the tumour using Habib™ 4X. The parenchyme is then sectioned using the scalpel. RESULTS: 19 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were included in this study. The mean operative blood loss volume was 170±90.7 ml. The mean operation time was 118±58 min. The postoperative morbidity rate was 32% (n=6) and the reintervention rate was 5.3% (n=1). We encountered no postoperative deaths. The overall mean postoperative stay was 11.6±5.1 days. CONCLUSION: Bipolar radiofrequency device Habib™ 4X allows a shorter operative time with minimal blood loss and low rate of morbidity and mortality.

Two-colour dissipative solitons and breathers in microresonator second-harmonic generation.

Frequency conversion of dissipative solitons associated with the generation of broadband optical frequency combs having a tooth spacing of hundreds of giga-hertz is a topical challenge holding the key to practical applications in precision spectroscopy and data processing. The work in this direction is underpinned by fundamental problems in nonlinear and quantum optics. Here, we present the dissipative two-colour bright-bright and dark-dark solitons in a quasi-phase-matched microresonator pumped for the second-harmonic generation in the near-infrared spectral range. We also found the breather states associated with the pulse front motion and collisions. The soliton regime is found to be typical in slightly phase-mismatched resonators, while the phase-matched ones reveal broader but incoherent spectra and higher-order harmonic generation. Soliton and breather effects reported here exist for the negative tilt of the resonance line, which is possible only via the dominant contribution of second-order nonlinearity.

Synthetic Calcium Silicate Biocomposite Based on Sea Urchin Skeleton for 5-Fluorouracil Cancer Delivery.

Synthetic calcium silicates and phosphates are promising compounds for targeted drug delivery for the effective treatment of cancerous tumors, and for minimizing toxic effects on the patient's entire body. This work presents an original synthesis of a composite based on crystalline wollastonite CaSiO3 and combeite Na4Ca4(Si6O18), using a sea urchin Mesocentrotus nudus skeleton by microwave heating under hydrothermal conditions. The phase and elemental composition and structure of the obtained composite were studied by XRF, REM, BET, and EDS methods, depending on the microwave heating time of 30 or 60 min, respectively, and the influence of thermo-oxidative post-treatment of samples. The role of the sea urchin skeleton in the synthesis was shown. First, it provides a raw material base (source of Ca2+) for the formation of the calcium silicate composite. Second, it is a matrix for the formation of its porous inorganic framework. The sorption capacity of the composite, with respect to 5-fluorouracil, was estimated, the value of which was 12.3 mg/L. The resulting composite is a promising carrier for the targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs. The mechanism of drug release from an inorganic natural matrix was also evaluated by fitting its release profile to various mathematical models.

Laparoscopic approach to ovarian dermoid cysts.

INTRODUCTION: Ovarian dermoid cysts (mature cystic teratomas) are a benign type of germ cell tumours and the most common ovarian neoplasms in women of fertile age. The aim of this study was to analyze the safety of the laparoscopic approach in ovarian dermoid cysts. METHODS: We performed a prospective study between 2006 and ' 2010 including 38 mature cystic teratomas treated either laparoscopically or by open access. All preoperative and postoperative data were included in an MS Access database and statistically analysed with SPSS v. 17 for Windows. RESULTS: The study group was divided into 2 subgroups according to the approach: laparoscopic (25 cases - 2 conversions) and classic (13 cases). The mean age of the patients was 40.34 years (range 19-74): 36.92 years for laparoscopic group and significantly higher 46.21 years for open approach group. Twelve cases were admitted as emergencies either because of complications (torsion or rupture of the teratoma) (11 cases) or associated with acute appendicitis (one case). The latter did not influence the decision for open or laparoscopic approach. Only 29 out of 38 cases had preoperative measurement of CA 125. CA 19-9 was performed in 27 cases and elevated levels were found in 21 cases (78%). Cysts over 10 cm presented higher values of CA 19-9. The mean cysts diameter was 11.29 cm (range 2-27 cm): 13.93 cm mean cyst diameter for open approach vs 9.75 cm for laparoscopic approach. The specimen removal required aspiration of the content for cysts bigger the 10 cm in laparoscopic approach. Mean hospital stay was 4.05 days (range 2-6 days) for the laparoscopic group, significantly lower when compared with the open approach group: 6.96 days (range 5-16 days). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic management of ovarian dermoid tumours is a safe and efficient procedure. It does not increase complications rate in comparison with the open approach, offering a shorter hospital stay, a quick recovery and very important, it allows a conservative treatment, especially in premenopausal women who want to be pregnant.

[Right colon cancer--clinicopathological findings]. / Cancerul colonului drept--particularitati anatomo-clinice.

BACKGROUND: The right colon cancer (RCC) has some particularities from point of view of epidemiology, clinical aspects, therapy and prognosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the patients operated in the First Surgical Unit Iasi during 2004 until 2009, for right colon cancer. The patients' data from the medical files were digitally encoded and included into a MS Access database, and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: 219 cases were included into the analysis, which represents 24.17% from all the patients with colorectal cancer. The median age was 66 years old. A palpable mass into the right abdominal quadrant was founded in 41.5% and anemia in 65.3%. Abdominal ultrasound exam has been performed in all the patients, with 71.3% sensitivity for primary tumor positive diagnosis. Resectability was 89.5% but without multivisceral resections. The intraoperative complication rate was 6.8%; postoperative morbidity was 19.4% with an incidence of anastomotic leak of 1.38%. The postoperative mortality rate was 2.77%. The mean overall survival was 40.13 +/- 1.93 months (median: 49.26). The prognosis factors for the survival rate were: histologic type of the tumor, stage and tumor grading, vascular and perineural invasion. The presence of metastasis in more than 3 lymphnodes as well as resection of fewer than 11 lymphnodes were found as negative prognosis factors for the survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: RCC has an increasing incidence and it is associated especially with elderly patients. The RCC resectability is about 90% with acceptable rates of morbidity and mortality. Perineural and vascular invasion as well as rate of positive lymphnodes and count of resected lymphnodes are prognosis factor for overall survival rate.

[Small bowel tumours from barium meal to capsule endoscopy and from open to laparoscopic approach]. / Tumorile intestinului subtire de la tranzitul baritat la enteroscopie, de la abordul clasic la cel laparoscopic.

INTRODUCTION: Tumors of the small bowel are rare and present with nonspecific symptoms. That causes a significant delay in diagnosis and consequently a worse outcome for the patient. METHODS: In a retro-prospective study we evaluated a series of 63 patients with small bowel tumors operated in the First Surgical Clinic Iasi, during 1992-2010: 18 duodenal tumors, 26 jejunum tumors and 19 ileum tumors. There were 18 (28.6%) cases with benign tumors and 45 (71.4%) cases with malignant tumors (41 primary tumors and 4 secondary tumors). We discuss problems related to diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of these tumors in the presence of new explorations (capsule endoscopy, enteroscopy) and minimally invasive approach. RESULTS: Duodenal tumors were malignant in 14 cases (11 adenocarcinomas, 3 malignant GIST tumors) and benign in 4 cases (adenoma, lipoma, GIST tumor, schwannoma) which led to stenosis in 5 cases, upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 3 cases. Positive diagnostic was confirmed with barium meal and endoscopy. The jejunal and ileal tumors were mostly malignant 31 cases (13 carcinomas, 10 lymphomas, 2 malignant GIST and one sarcoma) with only 14 cases of benign tumors (5 GIST). Their tendency was to present as emergencies: 17 obstructions and 5 peritonitis. Modem imagistic proved useful as diagnostic tool: capsule endoscopy, CT-scan and enteroscopy. The benign tumors benefited from local resection (5 cases) and segmental enterectomy (12 cases), while malignant tumors were managed using Whiple's procedures (10 cases), duodenal-jejunal resections (1 case), segmental enterectomy (29 cases), ileocolectomy (2 cases) and three bypasses. Laparoscopic approach was performed in 8 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of small bowel tumors remains low. For diagnosis, CT-scan, enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy are very useful; unfortunately the last method is not practicable in emergency. Surgery is the best choice plus chemotherapy for some malignant tumors. Laparoscopic approach is feasible in selected cases.

Small bowel malignant melanoma--report of three cases and review of literature.

Malignant melanomas have a predilection to metastasize to the small bowel. Three patients with malignant melanoma involving the small bowel are reported. Two patients were operated on for small bowel obstruction and the third for gastrointestinal bleeding with anemia. Two patients remained well 6 month and 2 years, respectively, after surgery. One patient died of metastatic cerebral melanoma 6 months postoperatively. One should suspect small bowel metastasis in every patient with malignant melanoma in his past medical history, who presents with recent changes in bowel habits, intestinal obstruction or gastrointestinal bleeding. Preoperative assessment can only raise the suspicion, even with advanced imaging methods: capsule endoscopy, enteroscopy, CT or PET-CT. The only therapeutic procedure is surgical resection, offering both short term survival as well as an improvement in the quality of life. Although prognosis is dismal there are factors associated with prolonged survival: complete surgical resection with no residual primary or metastatic tumor, so-called primary small bowel tumors in patients aged more then 60 years, LDH < 200 U/L, lack of tumor spread in mesenteric lymph nodes.

Small Bowell Malignant Melanoma-Report of Three Cases and Review of Literature.

Malignant melanomas have a predilection to metastasize to the small bowel. Three patients with malignant melanoma involving the small bowel are reported. Two patients were operated on for small bowel obstruction and the third for gastrointestinal bleeding with anemia. Two patients remained well 6 month and 2 years, respectively, after surgery. One patient died of metastatic cerebral melanoma 6 months postoperatively. One should suspect small bowel metastasis in every patient with malignant melanoma in his past medical history, who presents with recent changes in bowel habits, intestinal obstruction or gastrointestinal bleeding. Preoperative assessment can only raise the suspicion, even with advanced imaging methods: capsule endoscopy, enteroscopy, CT or PET-CT. The only therapeutic procedure is surgical resection, offering both short term survival as well as an improvement in the quality of life. Although prognosis is dismal there are factors associated with prolonged survival: complete surgical resection with no residual primary or metastatic tumor, so-called primary small bowel tumors in patients aged more then 60 years, LDH < 200 U/L, lack of tumor spread in mesenteric lymph nodes.

[Surgical treatment of hyperparathyroidism]. / Tratamentul chirurgical al hiperparatiroidismului.

BACKGROUND: Hyperparathyroidism (HPT), the result of excessive secretion of the parathormone, is one of the most common endocrine disorders. In most forms of HPT, surgical parathyroidectomy is the best choice. AIM: This paper aims to examine patients with hyperparathyroidism operated in First Surgical Unit Iasi, in terms of indications, surgical technique and postoperative results. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We performed a retrospective study, in First Surgical Unit Iasi, during 2000-2008. Clinical, laboratory, intraoperative and histopathological data were included in a MS Access Office XP database. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS ver. 15.0 for Windows (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Chicago, Ilinois). RESULTS: There were examined 34 patients with HPT: 32 cases were primary HPT (94.12%), and two cases with secondary HPT (patients with renal failure). The men/women ratio was 6/28 and mean age was 50.09 +/- 2.23 years old. Clinical presentation was variable: the dominant symptoms were osteoarticular (67.6%) followed by neuropsychological (64.7%), digestive (17.6%) and renal (11.8%). Associated diseases were recorded at 47.06% of patients: arterial hypertension--32.4%, coronary heart disease--23.5%, heart rhythm disorders--17.6%, diabetes--11.8%, biliary lithiasis--5.9%, renal lithiasis--8.8% and thyroid hypertrophy--55.9%. In 8 cases, primary hyperparathyroidism was associated with other diseases of the endocrine glands: 4 cases with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) type 1; a patient with von Recklinghausen disease; a patient with associated hypothyroidism and diabetes; two cases that with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Positive diagnosis was supported by determining serum calcium, phosphorus and serum concentration of the parathormone (PTH). All patients were evaluated by ultrasound exam; the sensitivity of the investigation was 88.23%. 99Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy was performed in 32.35% of patients with a sensitivity of 72.72%. Parathyroidectomy was performed by Kocher's incision in 88.23% and minimally-invasive open approach in 11.76%. The following types of interventions have been performed: tumor resections (73.53%), subtotal parathyroidectomies (17.6%), total parathyroidectomies (8.82%). In patients with associated thyroid disease total thyroidectomies (26.5%) and subtotal thyroidectomies were done (11.8%). The postoperative morbidity rate was 2.9% (transient hypocalcemia). Histopathological examination revealed the presence of parathyroidian adenoma in 67.6% of patients (N=23), parathyroidian hyperplasia in 26.5% (N=9) and parathyroidian carcinoma in the others 5.9% (N=2). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of HPT involves positive determination of calcium and PTH. The most useful imaging techniques, are 99Tc-sestamibi scintigraphy and ultrasonography, which locates in most cases, the parathyroid pathological glands. Surgical treatment is the only curative treatment of HPT, with medical treatment only role in preoperative preparation. The precise site of the parathyroidian lesion facilitates minimally-invasive approach. The postoperative follow-up is mandatory because of the increased potential for recurrence and for diagnosis of other endocrine tumors (in patients with MEN).

[Surgical treatment of gynecomastia]. / Tratamentul chirurgical al ginecomastiei.

BACKGROUND: Gynecomastia describes a benign increase of the mammary gland in men. When medical treatment fails, the surgical procedure is the treatment of choice. There are two main surgical procedures: subdermal mastectomy and liposuction. AIM: To evaluate the results after surgical treatment (mastectomy) performed in a general surgery unit. METHOD: We performed a retrospective study; all the patients operated for gynecomastia were reviewed. The clinical, imaging, biological, intraoperative and histological data were included into a MS Access database and statistical analyzed. RESULTS: From 1990-2007, 114 patients were admitted in the First Surgical Clinic Iasi for gynecomastia. Only 12.6% from the patients were with bilateral gynecomastia. The mean age was 40.54 +/- 1.83 years old (range 12-84). Mean body mass was 26.72 +/- 0.46 kg/m2 (range 18.5-41), and about 20% from the patients had a BMI of over 30 kg/m2. We also noted that 46.5% were smokers. Simon classification was used for preoperative staging: 2.6% from the cases (N = 3) were included in stage I, 16.7% (N = 19) in stage IIa, 50% (N = 57) in stage IIb and 30.7% in stage III. The patients included in stages IIa and I are younger then the patients included in stage III (p = 0.024). Mastodynia was noted in 46 cases (40.4%). Ultrasound exam was performed in all the cases, and the larger diameter of the nodule measured was 3.75 +/- 0.18 cm (range 0.5-9.7). Only three cases were preoperatively treated with tamoxifen. Most of the cases were operated using general anesthesia (53.5%). Mastectomy was performed by peri-areolar (70.2%), elliptical (28.9%) or radial (0.9%) incisions. The subdermal mastectomy using peri-areolar approach was performed especially for the cases included in stages I, IIa and IIb--p < 10(-3). The epi-pectoral vacuum drainage has been used in 79.8%. The postoperative morbidity rate was 15.8%--4 cases of hematoma, 13 cases of seroma and 1 case complicated with skin necrosis. No specific risk factors for postoperative complications were found by univariate and multivariate statistical analysis. The pathological exam revealed pseudo-gynecomastia in 6 cases; the other cases presented dilated ducts. We also noted intraductal papillary hyperplasia in 87 cases and chronic inflammation in 35 cases. The histological exam also revealed intraductal papilloma--9 cases, fibro-adenoma--1 case, papillary ductal carcinoma--1 case and mucinous carcinoma--1 case. From all these data, the etiological diagnosis in presented series was: pseudo-gynecomastia--5.3% (N = 6), idiopathic--64.9% (N = 73), endocrine--7.9% (N = 9), drug induce--5.3% (N = 6), metabolic--7.9% (N = 9), tumoral--8.8% (N = 10). The postoperative hospital stay was 4.04 +/- 0.26 days (range 1-12). A literature review has also been performed. CONCLUSIONS: The management of gynecomastia has to be performed by a multidisciplinary team. Gynecomastia it is possible to be associated with a breast cancer, even in younger people. The surgical treatment, especially the type of incision, will be chosen from point of view of Simon stages. Liposuction can be associated in selected cases.

[Pancreaticoduodenectomy with or without pylorus preservation: a retrospective analysis of 137 patients]. / Duodenopancreatectomia cefalica cu sau fara prezervarea pilorului: analiza retrospectiva a 137 pacienti.

OBJECTIVE: We performed a retrospective study to assess the postoperative results, long-term survival and quality of life after pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) versus standard Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomy (WPD). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in a nonselected series of 137 patients who were operated in the Surgical Clinics of "St. Spiridon" University Hospital Iasi, Romania, from January 1st, 1995 till December 31, 2005. Demographics, preoperative and intraoperative data, as well as postoperative morbidity, mortality and follow-up were analyzed. Quality of life, after to at least six months after discharge, was also studied. RESULTS: There were no significant differences noted in demographics data. Jaundice was more frequent in the PPPD group as for WPD patients (p=0.047). For the most patients the digestive reconstruction after resection were performed as in Child technique: the first anastomosis was pancreaticojejunostomy (end-to-end or end-to-side), the second anastomosis was hepaticojejunostomy (end-to-side) and the last anastomosis was gastrojejunostomy end-to-side (duodenojejunostomy in PPPD group). For 31 cases a pancreatico-gastrostomy were performed. We also noted 14 cases with pancreatico-gastrostomy and duodenojejunostomy end-to-end, and a Roux jejunal loop for 3 patients with previous gastrectomy and gastrojejunostomy (Reichel-Polya). The operating time was shorter in the PPPD group as in WPD (p < 10-3), but the mean blood loss was the same. Postoperative morbidity rate was 46.8% in PPPD group vs 39.2% in WPD (p > 0.05), but the reintervention rate was significant higher in PPPD group (30.6% vs 15%; p = 0.027). We also noted no significant differences of Delayed Gastric Emptying, postoperative mortality rate (14.5% in PPPD group vs 10.1% in WPD group) and mean survival time (42.42 months (24.94 - 59.89; 95% CI) in PPPD group vs 46.78 months (28.07 - 61.50; 95% CI) in WPD group; log rank test p = 0.643). Pathological exam diagnosed a malignancy in 109 cases (54 cases with pancreatic cancer); we noted chronic pancreatitis in 22 cases. Quality of life was also the same in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: PPPD and WPD were associated with comparable results, but, there is a tendency of increase rate of postoperative morbidity and mortality for PPPD patients. We also noted that postoperative quality of life is the same for both procedures.

[Giant retroperitoneal lipoma]. / Lipoame gigante retroperitoneale.

70 retroperitoneal tumors (10 with an adipous origin out of which 8 were lipomas) have been operated upon in our clinic since 1985. Four cases of giant lipomas are presented in this paper. They weighed 4.5-7.5 kg. and had a diameter over 15 centimeters. Their close proximity with the kidney, duodenum, colon, inferior vena cava etc made there extirpate difficult. The post-operative condition of the patients was good. Although the histopathological tests proved that all these giant lipomas were benign after two to four years, their relapse required a new surgical intervention. The histopathology of the relapsed lipomas revealed a malign degeneration in 3 out of the four cases. The origin of this malign degeneration was in the fibrous part of the tumors.

[Stapled esophago-jejunal anastomosis after total gastrectomy in gastric neoplasm]. / Sutura mecanica în anastomoza eso-jejunala dupa gastrectomia totala în cancerul gastric.

A number of 1031 patients with gastric cancer have been admitted in the First Surgical Clinic of Iasi between 1986-2001. The operability index was 86%, 52% being resectable and 36% having potential curative resection. In this group, 222 patients benefited from total gastrectomies. We consider the introduction of stapled eso-jejunal anastomosis (38 patients) as the most important moment in this development, as the manual performance anastomosis is considered difficult due to the problems imposed by suturing in a deep space. Postoperative course of patients who benefited from stapled anastomosis was simple although many patients had a poor biological status. We encountered only one small fistula, which was dealt with conservative. Patients in this group had immediate postoperative results significantly better than the comparative group with manually performed anastomosis. Introduction of stapler techniques increased the proportions of patients who benefited from palative total gastrectomies for advanced gastric cancer. We consider that a method to solve the frequent complications, insured an increased intraoperative comfort, reduced the number of postoperative complications, increased survival and improved patients quality of life.

[The Shouldice procedure in the surgical treatment of inguinal hernias]. / Procedeul Shouldice în tratamentul chirurgical al herniilor inghinale.

The Shouldice repair gained a major importance in the treatment of inghinal hernias provided by the excellent results that had been obtained in the Shouldice Hospital on more than 200,000 cases. This study analyze prospectively 101 cases of inguinal hernias that had been treated using the Shouldice procedure with in a 3 year period, comparative with a control cohort of 102 cases of inguinal hernias treated using classic procedures (Bassini, Kimbarowski). The data analyze was performed using Kruskal-Wallis H test and t Student test. The immediately postoperative results have been favorable in 95% cases and the long term postoperative results have been very good in 99% cases (a unique recurrence in a multiple recidivated patient). The result of this study proves that Shouldice repair has advantages comparative with classic treatment: short postoperative hospitalization, low incidence of complication and recurrence.

Early retropancreatic lamina dissection during pancreaticoduodenectomy: how, when and why?

UNLABELLED: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the procedure of choice for tumors of the pancreatic head and periampullary region. During pancreaticoduodenectomy, early neck division may be inadequate in case of hepatic artery anatomic variants, suspected involvement of the superior mesenteric vessels or intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We describe our early approach to the superior mesenteric vessels during pancreaticoduodenectomy, by retroportal lamina dissection before pancreatic transection. RESULTS: We used this approach in 41 patients. There were 28 patients with abnormal hepatic artery, which was spared in 26 cases. Hepatic artery reconstruction was required in 2 cases. Nine patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms underwent 6 pancreaticoduodenectomies extented to the body and 3 total pancreaticoduodenectomies. Four patients with adenocarcinoma involving the portomesenteric vein required pancreaticoduodenectomy with venous resection and reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Early retropancreatic lamina dissection is useful way to tailor a pancreaticoduodenectomy which is recommended in selective indications.

Retrosternal goiters.

UNLABELLED: The term of retrosternal or substernal goiter means that more than 50% of thyroid gland descends in the thorax. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There is a retrospective study on retrosternal and substernal goiter and its patological features among 2482 patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 2000 and 2010 in the First Surgery Clinic of Iasi. Retrosternal goiter was identified 54 patients (2.17%). All patients were refered to surgery from the Clinic of Endocrinology. RESULTS: Mean age at diagnosis was 55.3 +/- 3.58 years, and most cases were found in women (83.3%). The clinical pictures of retrosternal goiter was dominated by compressive disorders. Thyroid function abormalities were identified by hormonal assays performed on Endocrinology Clinic lasi in 15 cases (27.7%). The diagnosis of retrosternal goiter was suggested by clinical examination and confirmed by imagery: thorax X ray, ultrasonography, CT scan. The cervical approach was being safely performed. Only in 8 cases (14,8%), sternotomy was necessary. There was no mortality and morbidity was 5.5% (3 cases). The length of stay in the hospital was 4.3 days. We compared our recent data with a previous report on retrosternal and thoracic goiter treated in First Surgery Clinic of lasi during 1950 to 1979 and published in the journal "Chirurgia" in 1981. CONCLUSIONS: Retrosternal goiter is a particular form of thyroid surgical pathology presentation with declining incidence. Diagnosis and treatment of retrosternal goiter involve a multidisciplinary team. The endocrinologist has an important role in diagnosis and postoperative follow-up. Surgery is the treatment of choice for substernal goiters, but there are still some controversies on surgical approach, and complication rate. The cervical approach can be safely performed in almost all cases but when required, sternotomy should be performed without hesitation.