[Value and Role of Obesity and Metabolic Surgery in the Study of Human Medicine, Academic Teaching and Advanced Training]. / Bedeutung der Adipositas- und metabolischen Chirurgie im humanmedizinischen Studium, in der akademischen Lehre und Weiterbildung.

In teaching, obesity and metabolic surgery play only a limited role. However, due to the rapidly increasing number of surgical interventions, communication of knowledge in the study of human medicine as well as in gastroenterological and surgical residency (general and abdominal surgery) is required.Narrative review. · Currently, lectures on obesity and metabolic surgery do not belong to the current surgical curriculum of human medicine at all University Medical Schools, which needs to be absolutely established step by step - based on their topicality and importance in the clinical spectrum of clinical care.. · This rapidly developing special area of abdominal surgery is characterized by specific and diverse interdisciplinarity.. · Multimorbidity, changes in resorption mechanisms but also psychological changes have a substantial impact on the indication and patient outcome.. · The increase in endoscopic, surgical and also robotic interventions and surgical methods in this special field requires a broad knowledge of all surgical disciplines in intervention preparation, perioperative and follow-up management of obesity-associated basic diagnosis. This objective is important even in the study of human medicine and further advanced training.. The inclusion of such complex contents on obesity and metabolic surgery into surgical teaching and into residency of general and abdominal surgery is essential to be future-oriented and prepared for the development of the discipline.

[Vascularsurgical Long-term Outcome - Comparison of Orthotopic and Extraanatomic Reconstructions in Unilateral Occlusions of Iliac Artery over 10 Years]. / Gefäßchirurgische Langzeitergebnisse ­ Vergleich orthotoper und extraanatomischer Rekonstruktionen bei unilateralen Beckenachsenverschlüssen über 10 Jahre.

In PAOD, several vascular regions are usually affected, the pelvic axis in 35% of cases. Interventional-radiological/endovascular or hybrid interventions have been established for recanalization, so that bypass procedures are increasingly taking a back seat, but are not losing their importance.To study unilateral iliac artery occlusions (inclusion criterion) that were repaired either by implantation of an orthotopic or extraanatomic bypass (oBP/eaBP).Over a defined period of time, the rate of open vessel, complications (frequency, type, severity) to characterize morbidity and mortality as well as the extent of clinical improvement after BP implantation were analyzed in a clinical-systematic, single-center observational study (for vascular surgical quality assurance and contribution to vascular medical-clinical health care research). The study method was not explicitly based on the STROBE criteria, but essentially corresponds to them.Over 10 years, 122 PAOD patients (50% in stage IIb-stage III and IV equally distributed; mean age: 63 [range, 44-87] years; majority ASA III) were included with the same number of reconstructions: 71 patients received an eaBP ("crossover"), 51 patients an iliacofemoral (orthotopic - oBP) bypass (neither significant difference regarding frequency nor number of risk factors per patient).The oBP is not superior to eaBP with regard to the analysis parameters of openness, complication rate and mortality. Furthermore, extraanatomic revascularization does not have to be reserved for polymorbid patients only.

[The abdominal brain: neuroanatomic perspectives for the abdominal surgeon]. / Das Bauchgehirn: neuroanatomische Perspektiven für den Viszeralchirurgen.

The "abdominal brain" does not only consist of a separate enteric nervous system but also of bidirectional connections to the autonomous nerve system with parasympathicus und sympathicus as well as brain and spinal cord. Novel studies have shown that these connections can quickly transfer information on the ingested nutrients to the brain to conduct the feeling of hunger and more complex behaviour, such as "reward-related learning". However, even emotional experience, in particular, stress, has a strong impact onto the gastrointestinal system. The immune system, motility and barrier function of the gastrointestinal tract are modulated by the intestinal microbiota. Local bacteria may directly influence neuronal communication by released metabolic products and neuropeptides as well as may control inflammatory factors. Intensive research over the last 10 years was able to provide evidence that intestinal microbiota may affect emotional and cognitive aspects of our behaviour and, thus, it might be in the focus of numerous neuropsychiatric diseases, such as depressions and anxiety disorders.The presented review is to provide a short summary of the I): anatomic basics of the so-called gut-brain axis and II): modi of the bidirectional regulation. Through indirect connections to the limbic system, gut-brain axis can substantially influence stress and anxiety but also the pain processing. In addition, the role of microbiota is outlined and future paths are shown, e.g., how the (microbiota-)gut-brain axis may alter emotional experience, pain processing and intestinal function. Such associations are relevant for further development of visceral medicine, and, thus, also for the abdominal surgeon to derive future treatment concepts with interdisciplinary orientation.

Endoscopic necrosectomy of infected WON in acute necrotising pancreatitis - Development of an effective therapeutic algorithm based on a single-center consecutive patient cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Development of an effective therapeutic algorithm for interventional (minimally invasive) approach to infected walled-off necrosis (WON) in patients with necrotising pancreatitis reflecting real-word data. MATERIAL/METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic necrosectomy for necrotising pancreatitis through a defined study period were enclosed in this retrospective observational case study. The therapeutic approach was analysed for clinical success rate, complication spectrum and rate as well as mortality and compared with data from the literature. Finally, a therapeutic algorithm was derived. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2019, 126 patients with necrotising pancreatitis (median of APACHE II score, 10.5 points) were treated. In 92.9 % of cases (n=117), an infected WON with microbial pathogen detection was found. After a median of 18 days from symptom onset, first intervention was performed (53.2 % as percutaneous drainage with programmed rinsing, 29.4 % as EUS-guided internal drainage). From 2004 to 2010, double pigtail stents were used. Later, lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) such as AXIOSTM stent (Boston Scientific, Ratingen, Germany) was preferred. The combined percutaneous and internal drainage was performed in approximately 50 % of subjects.Endoscopic transluminal necrosectomy was performed in 123 patients (97.6 %) at a median of 33 days from symptom onset. Endoscopic percutaneous necrosectomy was conducted in 11.1 % of the individuals. A median number of two endoscopic necrosectomy sessions per patient was necessary for the therapy. The clinical success rate (discharge without surgical intervention) was 82.5 %. The complication rate (bleeding and perforation) and the need for surgery were both 9.5 %. The overall mortality was 8.7 %. CONCLUSION: Therapy of necrotising pancreatitis with infected WON consists of early calculated antibiotic therapy with adequate drainage. Combined external and internal drainages with programmed rinsing seem to improve prognosis, as well as minimise I) : the need for forced necrosectomies (mainly via a transluminal access site) and II) : complication rate as well as, thus, improve outcome.

Acute epiploic appendagitis - a rare differential diagnosis of acute abdomen.

BACKGROUND: Acute epiploic appendagitis is a rare differential diagnosis of unclear or acute abdomen. AIM: To describe - by means of a scientific case report - the extraordinary diagnosis of acute epiploic appendagitis along with contained diverticulitis and incarcerated herniation of the greater omentum into the hernial sac of a former trocar site (medical history, significant for laparoscopic ovarian cyst removal) in a 29-year-old female based on experiences obtained in the successful clinical case management, and on selective references from medical scientific literature. CASE SUMMARY: Medical history: A 29-year-old female was admitted with abdominal pain in the lower left quadrant. She reported a laparoscopic ovarian cyst removal 3 years prior. Physical examination of the abdomen revealed tenderness in the lower left quadrant without a palpable mass.Leading diagnoses were found using transabdominal ultrasound and confirmed by an abdominal CT scan; namely, incarcerated trocar hernia, diverticulitis of sigmoid colon, and acute epiploic appendagitis. Therapeutic approach was comprised of an explorative laparoscopy (because of the incarcerated hernia), adhesiolysis, removal of a tip of the greater omentum out of the hernial sac, closure of the hernial orifice, and removal of an unclear, inflamed, and bloody fatty tissue from the wall of the descending colon (histopathological investigation confirmed acute epiploic appendagitis). This was flanked by conservative treatment of diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon.Further clinical course was uneventful, with discharge on the 3rd postoperative day with favorable long-term outcome, characterized by no further complaints for 15 months. DISCUSSION: Acute epiploic appendagitis is an inflammatory, usually self-limiting condition of the epiploic appendages of the colon. It typically manifests with abdominal pain in the lower left quadrant. Imaging is an important diagnostic tool to determine whether the patient has, in fact, acute epiploic appendagitis, so recognizing the characteristic oval lesions with the surrounding inflammation and central fat attenuation on CT, as well as the hyperechoic oval lesions with a hypoechoic peripheral band on ultrasound images is crucial. Nevertheless, it is often overlooked in patients and confused with other differential diagnoses, such as appendicitis or diverticulitis. Although the condition appears infrequently, it is essential to be proficient in the diagnostic evaluation, as a misdiagnosis may lead to unnecessary treatment and even surgical intervention. IN CONCLUSION: , the patient was initially diagnosed with an incarcerated abdominal hernia, and therefore subsequently underwent surgery. The inflamed epiploic appendage was discovered in laparoscopic exploration, removed, and confirmed through the histopathology report. This is an approach to be performed with great caution so as not to 1. : misinterpret an inflamed diverticula or covered perforation of it as well as not 2. : overlooking a peritoneal tumor lesion.

Flow down gradients: the problem of pressure in this physiology core concept.

The core concepts of physiology, as first published in this journal in 2011, not only provide a noteworthy teaching approach but also encourage reflection on the fundamentals of physiology. Unfortunately, a fundamental flaw has crept into the core concept of flow down gradients. Fluids do not generally flow from high to low pressure, as claimed, but only because of a specific pressure difference, that is, the perfusion pressure. This is related to a problem that is widespread in physiology, from which even the core concepts are not free, namely, the description of mean arterial pressure (MAP) solely by means of Ohm's law of circulation, although this law actually describes perfusion pressure. Both pressures can be numerically approximately equal in the physiological case, but conceptually they remain different in principle. We solved this problem using the extended Bernoulli equation (a combination of Ohm's law and the simple Bernoulli equation). Thereafter, MAP depends on the following pressure components, all of which are essential for a basic understanding of circulation: perfusion, central venous, gravitational, and dynamic pressures. These pressures also have great pathophysiological and clinical importance, which we exemplify here. Toward the end of this article, we provide recommendations that should be considered in teaching, whether it is a beginner or advanced course. We address physiology teachers who are open to critical constructive improvements in their teaching, especially in hemodynamics. In particular, we encourage the authors of the flow down gradients core concept to improve and refine its "unpacking."NEW & NOTEWORTHY This article addresses physiology teachers and in particular the authors of the core concept of flow down gradients. Using mean arterial pressure (MAP) as an example, we demonstrate the conceptual problems of pressure that must be considered in teaching to prevent misconceptions. Even in beginner courses, the acting pressures should be clearly distinguished (e.g., MAP vs. perfusion pressure). In advanced courses, we recommend a mathematical description of pressure (Ohm's law and Bernoulli's equation).

[Working in the Operating Theatre - What does the Surgeon Need to Know About Occupational Medicine?] / Arbeitsplatz OP-Saal ­ Was muss der Chirurg über die Arbeitsmedizin wissen?

Surgery is associated with numerous health hazards for the staff.The aim of this article is to show the risks to the health and ability to work of surgical staff and the possibilities for improving occupational health and safety in terms of behavioural and situational prevention, as well as secondary and tertiary prevention, especially with regard to cooperation with the occupational physician.The brief narrative overview is based on the author's own occupational medicine, surgery and interdisciplinary experience from daily practice and selective references from the current medical-scientific literature, using the example of the operating theatre work area.The possible activity-related health hazards and the risks to the working ability of medical staff as well as the possibilities for occupational health and safety in the sense of behavioural and situational prevention are an important matter in the interdisciplinary status of surgery that should not be underestimated (since it is also partly determined by law). Above all, this discipline must responsibly dedicate itself to the points of contact with occupational medicine (in addition to acquiring its own knowledge from the surgical side).

[Outpatient and "Admission-Substituting" Interventions in Vascular Surgery - What is Feasible and Where are the Limits? Previous and New Legal Requirements and their Implementation in Practice]. / Ambulante und stationsersetzende Eingriffe in der Gefäßchirurgie ­ was ist machbar und wo liegen die Grenzen? Bisherige und neue gesetzliche Vorgaben sowie deren Umsetzung in der Praxis.

INTRODUCTION: In vascular surgery too, more services and procedures will have to be shifted from the previous inpatient to the outpatient sector in the future. Therefore, the previous and new legal requirements as well as their implementation in vascular surgery will be explained and evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Professional policy analysis from a perspective of medical vascular surgery. RESULTS: The AOP catalog from 01.01.2023 was extended by 208 additional OPS codes. The inpatient performance of services which, according to the AOP contract, must be regularly performed on an outpatient basis, are now to be justified on the basis of context factors.A special sector-equivalent remuneration, which is independent of whether the remunerated service is performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis, is a prerequisite for a cost-covering expansion of outpatient operations and inpatient-replacing services. The rehabilitation of primary varicosis under outpatient conditions is undoubtedly the standard. The majority of AV shunt installations are performed as inpatient procedures. No new OPS codes were added to the 2023 AOP catalog for varicose vein, shunt and endovascular surgery. DISCUSSION: The shift of inpatient services to the outpatient sector can be a feasible path, based on the experience of other European countries. However, the structures, economic conditions and incentives should first be created to successfully promote transfer to outpatients. Integrated care offers the possibility for the health insurance funds to conclude contracts with the service providers named in § 140a of the Social Code, paragraph 3, for special care. The use of telemedicine in the sense of tele-premedication or tele-monitoring can be a way to expand outpatient surgery, especially in rural regions. In order to enable therapy concepts from one expert in vascular medicine, the outpatient service billing of interventional procedures must also be demanded by vascular surgeons and specialists. CONCLUSION: The potential to transform inpatient services into the outpatient setting of service provision is realisable in vascular surgery in the core areas of varicose vein surgery, shunt surgery and peripheral interventional procedures under specific conditions.

Editor's Choice - Relevance of Infarct Size, Timing of Surgery, and Peri-operative Management for Non-ischaemic Cerebral Complications After Carotid Endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of post-operative non-ischaemic cerebral complications as a pivotal outcome parameter with respect to size of cerebral infarction, timing of surgery, and peri-operative management in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected single centre CEA registry data. Consecutive patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis were subjected to standard patch endarterectomy. Brain infarct size was measured from the axial slice of pre-operative computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging demonstrating the largest infarct dimension and was categorised as large (> 4 cm2), small (≤ 4 cm2), or absent. CEA was performed early (within 14 days) or delayed (15 - 180 days) after the ischaemic event. Peri-operative antiplatelet regimen (none, single, dual) and mean arterial blood pressure during surgery and at post-operative stroke unit monitoring were registered. Non-ischaemic post-operative cerebral complications were recorded comprising haemorrhagic stroke and encephalopathy, i.e., prolonged unconsciousness, delirium, epileptic seizure, or headache. RESULTS: 646 symptomatic patients were enrolled of whom 340 (52.6%) underwent early CEA; 367 patients (56.8%) demonstrated brain infarction corresponding to stenosis induced symptoms which was small in 266 (41.2%) and large in 101 (15.6%). Post-operative non-ischaemic cerebral complications occurred in 12 patients (1.9%; 10 encephalopathies, two haemorrhagic strokes) and were independently associated with large infarcts (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 6.839; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.699 - 27.534) and median intra-operative mean arterial blood pressure in the upper quartile, i.e., above 120 mmHg (adjusted OR 13.318; 95% CI 2.749 - 64.519). Timing of CEA after the ischaemic event, pre-operative antiplatelet regimen, and post-operative blood pressure were not associated with non-ischaemic cerebral complications. CONCLUSION: Infarct size and unintended high peri-operative blood pressure may increase the risk of non-ischaemic complications at CEA independently of whether performed early or delayed.

Influence of double rods and interbody cages on range of motion and rod stress after spinopelvic instrumentation: a finite element study.

PURPOSE: To compare instrumentation configurations consisting of bilateral single or double rods and additional interbody cages (IBCs) at different levels in terms of Range of Motion (ROM) and distribution of von Mises stress in rods. METHODS: A previously validated L1-pelvis finite element model was used and instrumented with configurations consisting of single or double bilateral rods and IBCs at multiple levels. Pure moments of 7.5 N.m were applied to L1 in main directions in addition to a follower load of 280 N. Global, segmental ROM and distribution of von Mises stress in rods were studied. RESULTS: All configurations reduced segmental and global ROM from 50 to 100% compared to the intact spine. Addition of IBCs slightly increased ROM at levels adjacent to the IBC placement. The simple rod configuration presented the highest von Mises stress (457 MPa) in principal rods at L5-S1 in flexion. Doubling rods and IBC placement reduced this value and shifted the location of maximum von Mises stress to other regions. Among studied configurations, double rods with IBCs at all levels (L2-S1) showed the lowest ROM. Maximal von Mises stresses in secondary rods were lower in comparison to main rods. CONCLUSIONS: Double rods and IBCs reduced global and segmental ROM as well as von Mises stress in rods. The results suggest a possible benefit in using both strategies to minimize pseudarthrosis and instrumentation failure. However, increased ROM in adjacent levels and the shift of maximal von Mises stress to adjacent areas might cause complications elsewhere.

Development of indicators to assess quality and patient pathways in interdisciplinary care for patients with 14 ambulatory-care-sensitive conditions in Germany.

BACKGROUND: In settings like the ambulatory care sector in Germany, where data on the outcomes of interdisciplinary health services provided by multiple office-based physicians are not always readily available, our study aims to develop a set of indicators of health care quality and utilization for 14 groups of ambulatory-care-sensitive conditions based on routine data. These may improve the provision of health care by informing discussions in quality circles and other meetings of networks of physicians who share the same patients. METHODS: Our set of indicators was developed as part of the larger Accountable Care in Deutschland (ACD) project using a pragmatic consensus approach. The six stages of the approach drew upon a review of the literature; the expertise of physicians, health services researchers, and representatives of physician associations and statutory health insurers; and the results of a pilot study with six informal network meetings of office-based physicians who share the same patients. RESULTS: The process resulted in a set of 248 general and disease specific indicators for 14 disease groups. The set provides information on the quality of care provided and on patient pathways, covering patient characteristics, physician visits, ambulatory care processes, pharmaceutical prescriptions and outcome indicators. The disease groups with the most indicators were ischemic heart diseases, diabetes and heart failure. CONCLUSION: Our set of indicators provides useful information on patients' health care use, health care processes and health outcomes for 14 commonly treated groups of ambulatory-care-sensitive conditions. This information can inform discussions in interdisciplinary quality circles in the ambulatory sector and foster patient-centered care.

[Implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign: experiences and perspectives from the point of view of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Westfalen-Lippe (KVWL)]. / Umsetzung der COVID-19-Impfkampagne: Erfahrungen und Perspektiven aus Sicht der Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung Westfalen-Lippe (KVWL).

The main task of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Westfalen-Lippe (KVWL) is to provide comprehensive outpatient medical and psychotherapeutic care in the region of Westfalen-Lippe (WL). It represents approximately 15,000 physicians and psychotherapists. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the range of tasks has expanded to include dealing with the pandemic and its containment.This article describes the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in WL, the northeastern part of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) with a population of 8.3 million, as well as the experience gained in setting up vaccination centers and conducting mass vaccinations. A key problem throughout the time of mass vaccination was the unsteady availability of vaccines. This negatively impacted the operation of the vaccination centers, particularly their utilization and performance. Another burden in the implementation of the vaccination targets was the frequent lack of transparency and comprehensible communication in the dedicated guidelines for the vaccination order (prioritization). Nevertheless, the policy targets were entirely implemented.

[Suture Aneurysms - Aetiopathogenesis, Symptomatology, Diagnostic Testing, Treatment, Outcome and Influencing Factors after Open Vascular Surgical and Image-guided Interventional Reconstruction]. / Nahtaneurysmen - Ätiopathogenese, Symptomatologie, Diagnostik, Therapie, Outcome und Einflussfaktoren nach offen gefäßchirurgischer und interventioneller Rekonstruktion.

AIM: To illustrate incidence, aetiopathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnostic testing, peri-interventional/-surgical management and outcome of SA based on selective references from the scientific medical literature and our own clinical experiences in diagnostic and therapeutic care. METHODS: Narrative overview RESULTS: CONCLUSION: SA as relevant quantity of care has become a substantial part of basic vascular surgical or image-guided radiology treatment. The vascular surgeon or radiologist (for image-guided interventions) needs to be adequately focused on the demanding diagnostic and therapeutic management, demanding her/his complete competence and expertise.

EUS-guided biliary interventions for benign diseases and unsuccessful ERCP - a prospective unicenter feasibility study on a large consecutive patient cohort.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIM: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the gold standard for the treatment of biliary obstruction of any etiology. However, cannulation failure of the common bile duct (CBD) by ERCP occurs in 5-10%. Alternatives after a failed ERCP are re-ERCP by an expert endoscopist, percutaneous transhepatic cholangio drainage (PTCD), (balloon) enteroscopy-assisted ERCP, or surgery. Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided drainage of the bile ducts (EUS-BD) is becoming the standard of care in tertiary referral centers for cases of failed ERCP in patients with malignant obstruction of the CBD. In expert hands, EUS-guided biliary drainage has excellent technical/clinical success rates and lower complication rates compared to PTCD. Despite the successful performance of EUS-BD in malignant cases, its use in benign cases is limited. The aim of this study (design, systematic prospective clinical observational study on quality assurance in daily clinical practice) was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EUS-BD in benign indications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with cholestasis and failed ERCP were recruited from a prospective EUS-BD registry (2004-2020). One hundred and three patients with EUS-BD and benign cholestasis were extracted from the registry (nTotal = 474). Indications of EUS-BDs included surgically altered anatomy (n = 65), atypical bile duct percutaneous transhepatic cholangio orifice at the duodenal junction from the longitudinal to the horizontal segment (n = 1), papilla of Vater not reached due to the gastric outlet/duodenal stenoses (n = 6), papilla that cannot be catheterized (n = 24), and proximal bile duct stenosis (n = 7). The primary endpoint was technical and clinical success. Secondary endpoints were procedure-related complications during the hospital stay. RESULTS: 103 patients with EUS-BD and benign cholestasis were extracted from the registry (nTotal=474). Different transluminal access routes were used to reach the bile ducts: transgastric (n = 72/103); -duodenal (n = 16/103); -jejunal (n = 14/103); combined -duodenal and -gastric (n = 1/103). The technical success rate was 96 % (n = 99) for cholangiography. Drainage was not required in 2 patients; balloon dilatation including stone extraction was sufficient in 17 cases (16.5 %; no additional or prophylactic insertion of a drain). Transluminal drainage was achieved in n = 68/103 (66 %; even higher in patients with drain indication only) by placement of a plastic stent (n = 29), conventional biliary metal stents (n = 24), HotAXIOS stents (n = 5; Boston Scientific, Ratingen, Germany), Hanaro stents (n = 6; Olympus, Hamburg, Germany), HotAXIOS stents and plastic stents (n = 1), HotAXIOS stents and metal stents (n = 1) and metal stents and plastic stents (n = 2). Techniques for stone extraction alone (nSuccessful=17) or stent insertion (nTotal = 85; nSuccessful=85 - rate, 100 %) and final EUS-BD access pathway included: Rendezvous technique (n = 14/85; 16.5 %), antegrade internal drainage (n = 20/85; 23.5 %), choledochointestinostomy (n = 7/85; 8.2 %), antegrade internal and hepaticointestinostomy (n = 22/85; 25.9 %), hepaticointestinostomy (n = 21/85; 24.7 %), choledochointestinostomy and hepaticointestinostomy (n = 1/85; 1.2 %).The complication rate was 25 % (n = 26) - the spectrum comprised stent dislocation (n = 11), perforation (n = 1), pain (n = 2), hemorrhage (n = 6), biliary ascites/leakage (n = 3) and bilioma/liver abscess (n = 3; major complication rate, n = 12/68 - 17.6 %). Re-interventions were required in 19 patients (24 interventions in total). DISCUSSION: EUS-BD can be considered an elegant and safe alternative to PTCD or reoperation for failed ERCP to achieve the necessary drainage of the biliary system even in underlying benign diseases. An interventional EUS-based internal procedure can resolve cholestasis, avoid PTCD or reoperation, and thus improve quality of life. Due to the often complex (pathological and/or postoperative) anatomy, EUS-BD should only be performed in centers with interventional endoscopy/EUS experience including adequate abdominal surgery and interventional radiology expertise in the background. This enables adequately adapted therapeutic management in the event of challenging complications. It seems appropriate to conduct further studies with larger numbers of cases to systematize the approach and peri-interventional management and to successively develop specific equipment.

Transition of care in a case of obesity with metabolic surgery.

The World Health Summit 2011 confirmed the epidemic-like occurrence of diabetes mellitus and obesity. In Germany, 62.7 % and 21.9 % of the population have a BMI of more than 25 kg/m² and more than 30 kg/m2, respectively. Currently, 10.5 obese people per 100 000 German inhabitants undergo bariatric surgery, while 86 and 114.8 per 100 000 in France and in Sweden, respectively, favor bariatric surgical interventions. AIM: By means of a scientific case report, the instructive case of a young patient with morbid obesity is illustrated based on 1) selective references from the medical literature and 2) insights from the daily clinical practice in the case-specific medical and perioperative management after successful surgery for malformation in his childhood and, thus, the limited therapeutic options of metabolic surgery. CASE REPORT (CASE-, DIAGNOSTIC-, AND TREATMENT-SPECIFIC ASPECTS): 35-year-old patient with morbid obesity. Medical history: Status after surgical intervention for gastroschisis as a newborn (surgery report not available). Clinical findings: Super obesity characterized by 234 kg and 174 cm (→ BMI: 77.3 kg/m²), hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. Approach & course: · Initial treatment with gastric balloon followed by a weight reduction of 46 kg within the first 6 months; however, despite weight reduction, development of an insulin-dependent diabetes with insulin resistance from a diet-based diabetes;. · Repeat gastric balloon therapy for "bridging" but with no further weight reduction despite additional administration of GLP-1 analogues.. · Surgical intervention: Removal of the balloon - termination because of excessive adhesions to the liver and spleen as well as filiforme hepatic lesions (histopathology: liver hamartoma). Open surgery: extensive adhesiolysis because of previous pediatric surgery for gastroschisis, including associated non-rotation of the intestine with complete right-sided position of the intestine (left side: colon; right flexure: at infralienal position) prompting single-anastomosis duodeno-ileostomy (SADI)-procedure, leaving the stomach in situ with simultaneous cholecystectomy and herniotomy in sublay technique.. Outcome (early postoperative and mid- to long-term): The patient tolerated the intervention well. Postoperative course was uneventful with regard to mobilization, beginning of oral nutrition, and wound healing; there was a subsequent weight reduction due to a "common channel" of 250 cm. CONCLUSION: While the increase of obesity prevalence in adults has currently stopped, incidence in children and teenagers is rapidly rising. The consequence might be that children and young adults who have undergone bariatric surgery in childhood and adolescence can develop complications from these former interventions as adults. Therefore, it is reasonable to recommend follow-up investigations within specialized centers according to well-established standards. On the other hand, the increasing prevalence of obesity in childhood leads to the possibility that adults who underwent pediatric surgery because of embryonal malformations may require an appointment with a bariatric surgeon at some point. For these patients (as a representative example of the transition of care phenomenon), the risk of metabolic surgical intervention is increased; such operations require the appropriate knowledge and expertise of the bariatric surgeon on embryonal malformations and their approach by pediatric surgery.

The Presence of Yin-Yang Effects in the Migration Pattern of Staurosporine-Treated Single versus Collective Breast Carcinoma Cells.

BACKGROUND: Staurosporine-dependent single and collective cell migration patterns of breast carcinoma cells MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and SK-BR-3 were analysed to characterise the presence of drug-dependent migration promoting and inhibiting yin-yang effects. METHODS: Migration patterns of various breast cancer cells after staurosporine treatment were investigated using Western blot, cell toxicity assays, single and collective cell migration assays, and video time-lapse. Statistical analyses were performed with Kruskal-Wallis and Fligner-Killeen tests. RESULTS: Application of staurosporine induced the migration of single MCF-7 cells but inhibited collective cell migration. With the exception of low-density SK-BR-3 cells, staurosporine induced the generation of immobile flattened giant cells. Video time-lapse analysis revealed that within the borderline of cell collectives, staurosporine reduced the velocity of individual MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3, but not of MCF-7 cells. In individual MCF-7 cells, mainly the directionality of migration became disturbed, which led to an increased migration rate parallel to the borderline, and hereby to an inhibition of the migration of the cell collective as a total. Moreover, the application of staurosporine led to a transient activation of ERK1/2 in all cell lines. CONCLUSION: Dependent on the context (single versus collective cells), a drug may induce opposite effects in the same cell line.

[What the (abdominal) surgeon needs to know on novel insights regarding cholic acids and their interaction with the intestinal microbioma]. / Was der (Viszeral-)Chirurg als neue Erkenntnisse über die Gallensäuren und deren Zusammenspiel mit dem Darmmikrobiom wissen sollte.

The abdominal surgeon may have the opportunity to steadily learn on the (patho-)biochemical and (-)physiological consequences of his disease-related surgical activity (change of anatomy of the GI tract and its surrounding organs, medication and so on) if he refers closely to several medical disciplines as specifically indicated. AIM & METHOD: By means of a short compact overview based on (i) topic-related references from the scientific medical literature and (ii) own surgery-specific perceptions, interrelation of cholic acids (CA) with metabolism, in particular, with planned or performed (abdomino-)surgical procedures should be illustrated. RESULTS (CORNER POINTS): 1. Surgery and biochemistry have a common and traditionally matured matter of consideration with regard to the consequences of an altered portal vein circulation and liver cirrhosis. 2. CA are (i) natural detergents, (ii) components of cholesterol-associated gall stones and (iii) essential signal molecules of intestine-liver metabolic interaction. CA and chenodesoxycholic acid [CDCA] dominate the CA pool with approximately 35 %. By conjugation of CA with taurine und glycine, its solubility is increased. The enterohepatic circulation minimizes the excretion of CA. 3. The generation of CA out of cholesterol within the liver (turnover/day: 0.2-0.6 g cholesterol) is controlled by cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1). A toxic CA accumulation is prevented by a CA-induced repression of CYP7A1 expression and sulfation of CA (resulting in an increase of urine solubility). 4. CA show regulatory activities in the energy, glucose, lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and connate immune system. By binding of the CA to the farnesoid X-nuclear receptor [FXR] and the membranous G-protein-coupled CA receptor-1 [GPBAR1, TGR5], mannifold effects within the fat and carbohydrate metabolism are induced. 5. CA trigger the expression of the iodothyronine-dejodinase (DIO2) within the brown fat tissue and skelet muscles by activation of the GPBAR1-MAPK signal pathways. Hence, thyroxine (T4) is transformed to trijodthyronine (T3) and, subsequently, fat oxidation and thermogenesis are increased. 6. CA change the intestinal microbioma by bacteriolytic activities and, on the other hand, the CA profile is modulated by the microbioma. Typical microbial effects of the CA pool are (i) separation of glycine and taurine residuals of conjugated CA by "bile salt hydrolases" and (ii) chemical modification of free, primary CA by re-amidation, oxidation-reduction, esterification and desulfation. 7. CA inhibit the endotoxin-based inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS; membranous component of gram-negative bacteria). Via binding of CA to macrophages-associated receptors (GPBAR1 and FXR), (i) the LPS-induced proinflammatory cytokine generation is reduced and the expression of antiinflammatory IL-10 is promoted. In addition, (ii) white-blood cell "trafficking" is regulated and (iii) inflammasoma is activated by macrophages and neutrophil granulocytes. 8. The body weight-independent changes after bariatric surgery (e. g., in case of "Roux-en-Y gastric bypass" [RYGB]) correlate with an increased CA serum level and an altered intestinal CA profile. The latter leads secundarily to a modification of the microbioma. RYGB has - among others - positive effects onto the carbohydrate metabolism. Thus, insulin sensitivity of the liver is improved and the secretion of the glucagon-like peptide 1 is enhanced. CONCLUSION: CA are a parade example for metabolic regulators, the interactions of which have an impact onto various (patho-)biochemical and (-)physiological processes, (abdomino-)surgically relevant diseases and (abdomino-)surgical measures. Their biochemical/physiological activities and insight into associated molecular processes should be part of the medical and scientific skills of a modern (abdominal) surgeon with a developed pathophysiological expertise.

[EUS-guided therapy of cholangiolithiasis in surgically altered anatomy of the upper GI tract - a unicenter case study]. / Endosonografisch gestützteTherapie der Cholangiolithiasis bei chirurgisch veränderter Anatomie ­ eine monozentrische Fallstudie.

AIM: To investigate feasibility and outcome the novel and favorable option of an endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)-guided antegrade or even retrograde gall stone extraction via a transhepatic route in patients (pats.) with no option for the usual gold standard, ERCP. MATERIAL/METHODS: All consecutive pats. with cholangiolithiasis and surgically altered anatomy of the upper GI tract with and without previous attempts of an ERCP were enrolled in this unicenter case study and were characterized with regard to the technical and clinical success of this approach. RESULTS: From 2004 to 03/2020, overall 449 pats. underwent EUS-guided cholangiodrainage (n = 37 pats. with cholangiolithiasis). In 8 of these 37 pats., gall stone extraction was achieved using EUS-ERCP rendezvous technique (not included in the study since there was no surgically altered anatomy of the upper GI tract). In 13 of the remaining 29 subjects (45 %), there was a failure of previous attempts to reach the papilla of Vater or biliodigestive anastomosis using balloon-enteroscopy-guided ERCP. EUS-guided access to the biliary system was achieved in all 29 pats. Stone extraction was performed in 26 individuals (90 %) by means of antegrade push-technique after balloon dilatation of the papilla of Vater and biliodigestive anastomosis, respectively, before. In 11/29 cases (42 %), double pigtail prostheses were subsequently placed to track papilla of Vater/biliodigestive anastomosis ("ring drainage"), which were removed with gastroscopy three months later after previous ultrasound- and lab parameter-based follow-up control. In two pats. (7 %), gall stones were extracted via a retrograde route using a transhepatic access site; in one patient (3 %), stones were removed by means of a combined ante-/retrograde technique. In two subjects (7 %), cholangioscopy with electrohydraulic lithotripsy was used.Technical as well as clinical success rate was 100 % (29 of 29 pats.). Re-interventions became necessary in 6/29 cases (21 %), complications occurred in 6 individuals (21 %). CONCLUSION: EUS-guided stone extraction in antegrade or retrograde technique for pats. with surgically altered anatomy of the upper GI tract can be considered a favorable and safe but challenging approach of interventional endoscopy/EUS. It can provide high technical and clinical success and low complication rates; it has the potential to substitute the time-consuming balloon-enteroscopy-guided ERCP as well as, in particular, PTCD and, thus, secundary and tertiary therapeutic alternatives.

The Tumor Suppressor TFF1 Occurs in Different Forms and Interacts with Multiple Partners in the Human Gastric Mucus Barrier: Indications for Diverse Protective Functions.

TFF1 is a protective peptide of the Trefoil Factor Family (TFF), which is co-secreted with the mucin MUC5AC, gastrokine 2 (GKN2), and IgG Fc binding protein (FCGBP) from gastric surface mucous cells. Tff1-deficient mice obligatorily develop antropyloric adenoma and about 30% progress to carcinomas, indicating that Tff1 is a tumor suppressor. As a hallmark, TFF1 contains seven cysteine residues with three disulfide bonds stabilizing the conserved TFF domain. Here, we systematically investigated the molecular forms of TFF1 in the human gastric mucosa. TFF1 mainly occurs in an unusual monomeric form, but also as a homodimer. Furthermore, minor amounts of TFF1 form heterodimers with GKN2, FCGBP, and an unknown partner protein, respectively. TFF1 also binds to the mucin MUC6 in vitro, as shown by overlay assays with synthetic 125I-labeled TFF1 homodimer. The dominant presence of a monomeric form with a free thiol group at Cys-58 is in agreement with previous studies in Xenopus laevis and mouse. Cys-58 is likely highly reactive due to flanking acid residues (PPEEEC58EF) and might act as a scavenger for extracellular reactive oxygen/nitrogen species protecting the gastric mucosa from damage by oxidative stress, e.g., H2O2 generated by dual oxidase (DUOX).

[Modern Finding-Specific and Patient-Adapted Management of Peripheral Pseudoaneurysms after Arterial Access]. / Das moderne befund- und patientenadaptierte Management von peripheren Pseudoaneurysmen nach arteriellem Zugang.

Aside from haematomas, pseudoaneurysms (PSA) are considered the most frequent complications after catheter-guided interventions. AIM AND METHOD: Narrative compact short overview to describe aetiopathogenesis and characteristics of pseudoaneurysms and the options for diagnostic measures, therapy and its complications. RESULTS: Aetiopathogenesis: via the closed access site, the puncture channel, there is continuous bleeding out of the vessel which forms a pseudoaneurysm-associated cavity within the perivascular tissue. This is not surrounded by a regular vascular wall as in true aneurysms but is only formed by the surrounding tissue structures. However, this border is not sufficient and the pseudoaneurysm may extend, with diffuse bleeding episodes into the tissue. Thus, surrounding structures such as nerves and veins can be compressed by the expanding pseudoaneurysm, which can lead to irreversible damage. Diagnostic measures: duplex ultra-sonography absolutely predominant. CT-A, MR-A and DSA for specific problems and clinical case characteristics (e.g., accompanying diseases etc.) - DSA is to be linked with the option of image-guided intervention during the same session. THERAPY: by manual compression and subsequent dressing with compression, ultrasound-guided compression, thrombin injection and surgical intervention, there are several therapeutic measures for appropriate selection according to the specific need. Ultrasound-guided compression should be immediately used since it is highly efficient and widely available. In addition to compression, thrombin can be injected into the pseudoaneurysm-preserving nerval structures and tissue from alterations. This provides much better occlusion rates but is more demanding. Surgical intervention is the most efficient approach to occlude a pseudoaneurysm but is demanding and can be associated with complications such as disturbances of wound healing in altered tissue and the longest hospital stay. Alternative approaches have not been established yet. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic and therapeutic management of pseudoaneurysms for different findings and patients can be considered a great challenge, and requires an experienced angiologist or vascular surgeon.