Assessment of 0.5 T static field exposure effect on yeast and HEK cells using electrorotation.

This study aims to examine the influence of a 0.5 T static magnetic field (SMF) on yeast and human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cell using electrorotation (ROT). Following 48 h exposition to the SMF, no difference was noted between ROT spectra of unexposed and exposed yeast cells, which extend previous reports on the absence of SMF effects on yeast. We also compared the ROT spectrum and the extracted electrical characteristics of HEK cells exposed during 72 h to a 0.5 T uniform static magnetic field with those of unexposed cells. SMF potential effects on HEK proliferation kinetics and cell morphology were also assessed by using the trypan blue exclusion method and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. At last, no significant differences were observed between control and exposed HEK cells concerning electrical properties, growth, and morphology.

Incidence and management of Mirizzi syndrome during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Benign extrinsic obstruction of the hepatic duct, known as "Mirizzi syndrome" (MS), is an uncommon complication of longstanding cholelithiasis. Since laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) replaced the open approach, Mirizzi syndrome has regained the interest of biliary surgeons. METHODS: The Swiss Association for Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery (SALTS) prospectively collected the data on 13,023 patients undergoing LC between 1995 and 1999. This database was investigated with special regard to patients with Mirizzi syndrome. RESULTS: There were 39 patients (14 men and 25 women; mean age, 61 years) with MS (incidence, 0.3%). Thirty-four patients had type 1 MS and five had type 2. A gallbladder carcinoma was found in four patients (incidence, 11%). In the type 1 group, 23 patients underwent cholecystectomy only, 10 patients had a bile duct exploration and T-tube insertion, and one patient had a Roux-en-Y reconstruction. In three patients with type 2, a hepaticojejunostomy was performed; two others underwent simple closure and drainage (via T-tube) of the biliary fistula. The conversion rate was 74% (24 of 34 patients) in the type 1 group and 100% (five of five patients) for type 2. The overall complication rate was 18%. There were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Although MS is rarely encountered during LC, it must be recognized intraoperatively. Conversion to an open approach is often needed, and prior to any surgical intervention, gallbladder cancer must be excluded.

[Gallstones--surgical aspects]. / Gallensteinleiden--chirurgische Aspekte.

Between 10% to 15% of the adult population develop gallstones. Therefore, cholecystectomy is among the most common operations in general surgery. The diagnosis of cholelithiasis depends on the patient's history, clinical findings, laboratory tests and ultrasound examination. Once diagnosis of symptomatic gallbladder disease has been confirmed, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice. Its advantages in comparison with open surgery are decreased morbidity, costs and hospital stay. Open cholecystectomy is still the treatment of choice for complicated gallstone disease (i.e. cancer, Mirizzi's syndrome, severe inflammation) and in high-risk patients. In case of acute cholecystitis, early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure and is associated with the same benefits as for symptomatic disease.