Endoscopic management of obesity: Impact of endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty on weight loss and co-morbidities at six months and one year.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is one of the new minimally invasive endoscopic treatments aimed at inducing weight loss. Its effectiveness in terms of weight loss is proven. Gastric volume reduction and delayed gastric emptying are the mechanisms that drive weight loss. However, potential benefits for co-morbidities in relation to weight loss after ESG are still being investigated. This study aims to evaluate the effect of ESG procedures on major obesity-associated co-morbidities, and on some biological parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a series of consecutive cases from a prospective observational study carried out in a specialized center that follows a standardized care pathway for the multimodal management of obesity. Patients who have undergone ESG with endoscopic and laboratory follow-up at six and twelve months after this intervention were included in the study. Prospectively recorded data on weight loss, co-morbidities and laboratory parameters at six and twelve months after surgery was analyzed retrospectively. Changes in body mass index (BMI), absolute weight loss (AWL), percent of excess weight loss (%EWL) and percent total weight loss (%TWL) were assessed at six and twelve months. Reduction in various obesity-related co-morbidities (arterial hypertension [AHT], type 2 diabetes mellitus [T2DM], gastroesophageal reflux disease [GERD], obstructive sleep apnea syndrome [OSAS] and dyslipidemia was also evaluated at six and twelve months. Changes in blood glucose, liver function tests and lipid blood tests were also analyzed at six and twelve months. RESULTS: From October 2016 to July 2021, 99 of the 227 patients who underwent ESG in our unit (43.6%) subsequently underwent a complete endoscopic and laboratory follow-up at six and twelve months. The initial BMI was 42.7±7.8kg/m2 and age was 45±12.7 years. Seventy-four patients (74.8%) were female. Total weight loss (%TWL) and excess weight loss (%EWL) were 16.6±7.4% and 43.3±21.2%, respectively, at six months, 16.6±9.6% and 42.9±25.6%, respectively, at one year. At six and twelve month follow-up, a statistically significant reduction was observed for the rates of T2DM (30.8 and 32.7%), hypertension (18.4 and 22.1%), GERD (28 and 25.7%), OSAS (15.8 and 25.5%) and dyslipidemia (69.2 and 77.2%) (P<0.001). A statistically significant difference was found in the reduction in blood glucose between the pre-operative period and six months post-operatively (P<0.01) and between the pre-operative period and twelve months post-operatively (P<0.01). The reduction in triglycerides and total cholesterol between the pre-operative values and at six months was statistically significant (P<0.01) as was the reduction at twelve months (P<0.01) (P=0.017). For liver function tests, the reduction in AST was statistically significant at six and twelve months after ESG (P=0.048) (P=0.048) as was ALT (P<0.01) (P<0.01) respectively. From October 2016 to July 2021, of the 227 patients who underwent ESG, 99 (43.6%) had follow-up gastro-duodenoscopy at 6 and 12 months. %TWL and %EWL were respectively 16.6±7.4% and 43.3%±21.2 at 6 months, 16.6±9.6% and 42.9±25.6% at one year. Statistically significant reduction rates at 6 and 12 months were observed in T2DM (30.8 and 32.7%), AHT (18.4 and 22.1%), GERD (28 and 25.7%), OSAS (15.8 and 25.5%) and dyslipidemia (69.2 and 77.2%) (P<0.001). Moreover, glycemic levels were statistically significantly reduced between the pre-operative period and 6 months post-operative (1.11±0.22mg/L vs. 1.01±0.17mg/L, P<0.01), and between the pre-operative period and 12 months post-operative (1.11±0.22mg/L vs. 1.06±0.32mg/L, P<0.01). A statistically significant reduction was also observed in triglycerides and total cholesterol levels at 6 months (1.52±0.74mmol/L vs. 1.14±0.52mmol/L, P<0.01) (1.94±0.4mmol/L vs. 1.85±0.36mmol/L, P<0.01) and at 12 months (1.52±0.74mmol/L vs. 1.18±0.67mmol/L, P<0.01) (1.94±0.4mmol/L vs. 1.82±0.39mmol/L, P=0.017) and in AST (27.2±11.7 IU/L vs. 23.7 IU/L; P=0.048) (27.2±11.7 IU/L vs. 24.7±14.65 IU/L, P=0.048) and ALAT levels (34±21.32 IU/L vs. 22.3±10.4 IU/L, P<0.01 and 34±21.32 IU/L vs. 27.07±25 IU/L, P<0.01) at 6 and 12 months after ESG, respectively. CONCLUSION: ESG is a well-tolerated and safe surgical procedure that is effective in terms of weight loss and reduction of obesity-related co-morbidities at six months and one year. This procedure could thus be adopted on a broader clinical scale and be more widely promoted as an effective treatment for morbid obesity.

Blood transfusion, hospital stay and learning curve in robotic assisted total hip arthroplasty.

Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) has been defined the surgical procedure of the century considering its outcome and cost-benefit ratio (1). Both standard and robotic assisted procedures are increasing, thus, comparison between standard and robotic surgery become useful to understand the cost-benefit of the latter. The prerequisites of the robotic assisted arthroplasty are precision, accuracy, limitation of errors and safety but, on the other hand, its cost is the main drawback. The primary endpoint of our research was to evaluate differences in terms of blood transfusion rates between standard manual and robotic arm assisted THA. All the robotic procedures have been managed using semi active Robotic Arm interactive orthopaedic System (RIO® MAKO Stryker surgical corporation) in a group of patients who underwent primary uncemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) for osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis. Secondary endpoints were the evaluation of length of hospital stay (LOS), age category, gender and the impact of the learning curve on surgical time in the robotic surgery sample. Our retrospective cohort study was conducted between July 2014 and December 2018. Data have been collected from the Tuscany regional hospital discharge register, extracting the relative Hospital Discharge Forms (SDO). During the period of the study, 1537 patients underwent uncemented total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis or avascular necrosis. The sample was divided in two subgroups: 1142 patients (74.3%) operated on with standard manual technique and 395 patients (25.7%) operated on with Mako- Stryker Robotic System. In the descriptive analysis, the average values of age and days of hospitalization with 95% CI were calculated. Mean significance was assessed by the T student test. The association between surgical modality and gender was assessed with the chi-square test. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the risk of transfusion (outcome variable), between conventional and robotic surgical techniques. The significance threshold was set up at p <0.05. During the period of the study we observed a decrease in standard surgery and an increase in robotic surgery; an increasing number of women per year underwent total uncemented total hip arthroplasty. We found a statistical significance in favor of robotic procedures in terms of transfusion percentage (OR 6.10, 95% CI 2.96-12.59, p<0,001), highlighting the greatest risk in women (OR 1.90, 95%CI 1.30-2.78, p=0.001 ), length of hospital stay (Mr=4.24, SD=2.04, 95% CI 4.04-4.44) (Ms=8.04, SD=2.84, 95%CI 7.88-8.21), (p<0.01). Operative time in the robotic sample decreased substantially with the rise of surgical experience (106.75±13.4 mins in 2014; 82.79±15.95 mins in 2018) (p<0.01). Since the Robotic procedure is a technologically demanding process, an adequate surgical learning curve is mandatory. Our paper, comparing conventional vs robotic assisted THA, showed in favor of the robotic one, a statistically significant reduction of number of transfusions (p<0.001) and length of hospital stay (p<0.01).

Intraluminal bypass devices as an alternative to protective ostomy for prevention of colorectal anastomotic leakage: a systematic review of the literature.

AIM: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is the most important complication of colorectal surgery, leading to high morbidity and mortality. Protective ostomy, the current standard of care for protecting a colorectal anastomosis, has important drawbacks that require the creation of an alternative strategy. Over the past 30 years, several intraluminal bypass devices, designed to shield the anastomosis from the faecal stream, have been developed. The aim of this literature review was to create an updated overview of the devices available and their effectiveness in preventing AL, and to investigate whether they could serve as an alternative to protective ostomy in the future. METHOD: A systematic review of the literature on intraluminal bypass devices used for preventing colorectal AL was performed. The MEDLINE and Cochrane Library databases were searched, and articles were marked as relevant if an intraluminal bypass device was studied in an animal or human population. RESULTS: The database search yielded 24 relevant articles related to 10 intraluminal bypass devices protecting a colorectal anastomosis. These articles included experimental animal studies, preclinical (pilot) studies, as well as retrospective and prospective clinical studies. Each device was assessed with regard to surgical technique, effectiveness and device-related complications. CONCLUSION: Intraluminal bypass devices show promise in preventing AL and its clinical consequences. However, there is insufficient high-level evidence to draw firm conclusions. There is a need for randomized controlled trials that directly compare these devices with the protective ostomy.

Endogenous and artificial miRNAs explore a rich variety of conformations: a potential relationship between secondary structure and biological functionality.

Mature microRNAs are short non-coding RNA sequences which upon incorporation into the RISC ribonucleoprotein complex, play a crucial role in regulation of gene expression. However, miRNAs can exist within the cell also as free molecules fulfilling their biological activity. Therefore, it is emerging that in addition to sequence even the structure adopted by mature miRNAs might play an important role to reach the target. Indeed, we analysed by several spectroscopic techniques the secondary structures of two artificial miRNAs selected by computational tool (miR-Synth) as best candidates to silence c-MET and EGFR genes and of two endogenous miRNAs (miR-15a and miR-15b) having the same seed region, but different biological activity. Our results demonstrate that both endogenous and artificial miRNAs can arrange in several 3D-structures which affect their activity and selectivity toward the targets.

Pelvic floor rehabilitation for defecation disorders.

Pelvic floor rehabilitation is frequently recommended for defecation disorders, in both constipation and fecal incontinence. However, the lack of patient selection, together with the variety of rehabilitation methods and protocols, often jeopardize the results of this approach, causing difficulty in evaluating outcomes and addressing proper management, and above all, in obtaining scientific evidence for the efficacy of these methods for specific indications. The authors represent different gastroenterological and surgical scientific societies in Italy, and their aim was to identify the indications and agree on treatment protocols for pelvic floor rehabilitation of patients with defecation disorders. This was achieved by means of a modified Delphi method, utilizing a working team (10 members) which developed the statements and a consensus group (15 members, different from the previous ones) which voted twice also suggesting modifications of the statements.

Stabilization vs. destabilization of G-quadruplex superstructures: the role of the porphyrin derivative having spermine arms.

The interaction of the porphyrin derivative H2TCPPSpm4, having spermine pendants in the four meso positions, with the G-quadruplex (GQ) structure formed by the DNA aptamer TGGGAG has been investigated by means of UV, electronic circular dichroism and PAGE studies. The results reported here demonstrate that the porphyrin derivative is capable of stabilizing or destabilizing the higher-ordered structures of parallel GQs, depending on the method used to reach their relative stoichiometry (titration vs. single addition). Noteworthily, when two equivalents of H2TCPPSpm4 were mixed directly with one equivalent of the (TGGGAG)4 GQ to reach a 2 : 1 H2TCPPSpm4 : GQ ratio T1/2 higher than 80 °C was also observed confirming the presence of higher-ordered GQ structures.

Randomized trial of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus sleeve gastrectomy in achieving excess weight loss.

BACKGROUND: Robust data on quality of life (QoL) after different techniques of bariatric surgery are sparse. This RCT compared excess weight loss (EWL) and QoL after sleeve gastrectomy versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). METHODS: Obese patients were assigned randomly to RYGB or sleeve gastrectomy. The primary outcome measure was EWL. Secondary outcomes included QoL, co-morbidity, adverse events, vitamin and glycolipid status. QoL was assessed before and annually after surgery, using the Moorehead-Ardelt Quality of Life Questionnaire II (M-A-QoLQII) and Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). RESULTS: One hundred patients were enrolled, 45 in the RYGB group and 55 in the sleeve gastrectomy group. Mean postoperative EWL at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years was 80·4, 79·8, 83·0 and 74·8 per cent respectively after RYGB, and 83·0, 77·8, 66·3 and 65·1 per cent after sleeve gastrectomy (P = 0·017). Mean M-A-QoLQII score before surgery and at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years after operation was 0·5, 1·6, 1·7, 2·1 and 1·4 respectively after RYGB, and 0·3, 1·7, 1·5, 1·5 and 1·2 after sleeve gastrectomy. Mean GIQLI score before and at 1, 2, 3, 5 years after RYGB was 96·4, 113·8, 113·3, 113·4, 111·7, compared with 90·7, 113·9, 114·5, 113·1 and 113·0 for sleeve gastrectomy. The improvement was significant compared with preoperative values (P < 0·001 for M-A-QoLQII and GIQLI), with no difference between groups (P = 0·418 and P = 0·323 respectively). RYGB resulted in higher readmission rates (P = 0·002) and length of hospital stay (P = 0·006) than sleeve gastrectomy. CONCLUSION: RYGB and sleeve gastrectomy resulted in equivalent, long-standing QoL improvement. RYGB resulted in more stable weight loss but was associated with higher readmission rates. Registration number: NCT02475590.

Vortexes tune the chirality of graphene oxide and its non-covalent hosts.

Graphene oxide (GO) is one of the most appealing bidimensional materials able to interact non-covalently with achiral molecules and to act as chiral inducers. Vortexes can tune chirality and, consequently transfer a specific handedness to non-covalent host molecules, either when dispersed in water or when deposited on a solid surface.

Herpes simplex virus 2 hepatitis in a lung transplant recipient: a diagnostic challenge.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) hepatitis is a rare and serious complication in immunocompromised patients. We report the case of an HSV hepatitis occurring 4 years after lung transplantation in a cystic fibrosis patient. The presentation was nonspecific, mimicking acute cholecystitis; orogenital signs were absent. The diagnosis was made based on viral cultures performed during cholecystectomy and confirmed by blood quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Although the diagnosis and treatment were delayed, the patient fully recovered with acyclovir, reduced immunosuppression, and intravenous immunoglobulins. The diagnostic difficulties, prognostic factors, and treatments of this infection are discussed.

Prospective multicenter observational trial on the safety and efficacy of LEVORAG® Emulgel in the treatment of acute and chronic anal fissure.

BACKGROUND: Anal fissure (AF) is a common cause of anal pain with a tendency not to heal spontaneously because of ischemia of the anoderm caused by sphincter spasm. Lateral internal sphincterotomy, while very effective, can cause fecal incontinence and chemical sphincterotomy by application of cream may have discouraging side effects and/or low efficacy. The aim of this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a new medical treatment based on Emulgel cream, with emollient, soothing and protective agents, on AF healing. METHODS: Consecutive patients with AF treated in nine coloproctology units during 6 months entered the study on topical treatment with Levorag(®) Emulgel (THD S.p.A Correggio (RE), Italy). Before treatment, they had a proctologic examination and pain was measured using a visual analog scale. THD Levorag(®) Emulgel was applied every 12 h for 40 days. Monitoring was scheduled at 10, 20 and 40 days. At time 0 and at the end of treatment, patients underwent anorectal manometry, if possible. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-four AF patients were recruited (171 acute fissures). Complete healing was achieved in 47.9 % of the cases, an improvement in 31.0 % (global efficacy 78.9 %). In patients with acute fissure, the rate of efficacy was 89.4 % (complete healing: 64.3 %, improvement: 25.1 %), in those with chronic fissure the rate of efficacy was 62.8 % (complete healing: 23 %, improvement: 39.8 %), p < 0.001. Pain and resting anal pressure decreased significantly after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with THD Levorag(®) Emulgel proved to be effective for the reepithelization of AF and the reduction of pain in the short term in about 80 % of patients.

Laparoscopic treatment of incisional and primary ventral hernia in morbidly obese patients with a BMI over 35.

INTRODUCTION: Incisional and ventral hernias are common surgical indications. Their management is associated with significant complications and recurrences in open surgery (15-25%). Since laparoscopy has become a standard in bariatric surgery, there has been a natural trend to treat obese patients with parietal wall defects laparoscopically. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and the results of the laparoscopic management of parietal wall defects in patients with a BMI >35. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of 79 patients were included. Data were acquired prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. The surgical procedure was standardized: 3 ports, mesh type (Parietex™ Composite mesh, Covidien, France), fixation with non-absorbable transfascial sutures, and tackers. Complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of 79 patients (29 men, 50 women), 43 had umbilical and 36 had ventral hernias. Mean age was 52.4 years, and mean BMI was 40.83 kg/m(2). Mean postoperative hospital stay was 2 days. Postoperative pain evaluated by visual analog scale was 2.86. No intraoperative complications or deaths occurred. Seven postoperative complications occurred (8.86%): two parietal wall hematomas treated by radiological embolization, two significant cases of postoperative pain, one postoperative obstruction, one spontaneously resolved respiratory failure, and one early (day 1) parietal wall defect with immediate reoperation. Postoperative seroma rate was 26.58% (21 patients, all of whom were treated conservatively). Postoperative follow-up was 18.10 months (1-84 months), and recurrence rate was 3.8% (3 patients). DISCUSSION: This study confirms the feasibility and safety of the laparoscopic approach for ventral hernias in morbidly obese patients. Recurrence rates (3.8%) appeared lower than the ones observed in the literature (15-25%). Postoperative hemorrhage and port-site hernia are specific complications of this approach. Postoperative hospital stay is low (2 days) as compared to open surgery. Laparoscopic management of parietal wall defects should be considered a standard option in morbidly obese patients.

Local excision with adjuvant imatinib therapy for anorectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are uncommon, and the role of local excision versus a more extensive resection after the advent of effective targeted chemotherapy with imatinib is not known. Our aim is to present two cases of large anorectal GIST treated with local excision through a new anterolateral trans-sphincteric approach followed by adjuvant therapy with imatinib. Two patients (both males, 68 and 63 years old) presented at our institution with anorectal GIST in the period October-November 2010. Their medical records, pathology results, and imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed. Both patients presented with an anterior perianal mass. Imaging studies were characteristic of GIST originating in the lower rectum, circumscribed by a pseudocapsule, and protruding into the ischiorectal fossa. Both patients underwent local excision via an anterolateral trans-sphincteric approach. Both tumors were removed intact, with microscopically negative margins. The maximum tumor diameter was 8 and 9 cm, and the diagnosis of GIST was confirmed by positive CD117 and CD34 staining in both cases. Both tumors had a high (>5/50HPF) mitotic index. The patients had an uneventful postoperative course and were discharged on days 5 and 6. Both patients were started on imatinib 400 mg bid postoperatively. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography computed tomography were carried out at 12 months and did not reveal any signs of recurrence. The patients are currently disease-free at 24 and 23 months of follow-up. In selected cases, complete excision of rectal GIST with negative margins is feasible via a trans-sphincteric approach. With the use of adjuvant therapy, which is currently advocated in all high-risk cases, it is possible that local excision with its reduced morbidity may become a viable alternative, especially in patients who would otherwise require abdominoperineal excision such as the two presented here. Prospective studies with longer follow-up are needed to confirm adequate oncologic results.

Emerging technologies in coloproctology: results of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery Logbook of Adverse Events.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to present the results of the Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery [or Società Italiana di Chirurgia Colorettale (SICCR)] Logbook of adverse events (AE) occurring in relation to emerging technologies in coloproctology (ETCs), over a 3-year period. METHODS: A total of 245 AE were reported (patients age: mean = 49.6 years, range = 20-75 years; gender: 155 = F, 90 = M). The "observations" originated from the same institution of the AEs in 44 cases (18.0%), while 201 patients (82.0%) had been operated on somewhere else. RESULTS: The three most reported ETCs were: Procedure for prolapsed haemorrhoids (PPH) (n = 120-48.9%), stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR (n = 96-39.2%), and transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) (n = 11-4.5%). PPH, STARR, and THD together accounted for n = 227 (92.6%) observations. For the three main reported ETCs, the various AEs are listed. Chronic pain after PPH was 46/120 (38.3%), and after STARR of 21/96 (21.9%). The overall re-operation rate was n = 135 (55.1%) versus n = 110 (44.9%) no reoperation. In particular, for the three main reported ETCs, n = 68/120 (56.7%) following an AE after PPH, n = 47/94 (50.0%) following an AE after STARR, and n = 6/11 (54.5) following an AE post-THD. The various types of treatment to solve AE after each of the three most observed ETCs are reported in the text. CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not allow us to draw statistical conclusions; however, this was not the aim of our survey. ETCs are important, yet they are not without major risks. Manufacturers should help colorectal surgeons to convey the right message to patients.

Seton or glue for trans-sphincteric anal fistulae: a prospective randomized crossover clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Fibrin glue treatment of anal fistulae has been proposed to minimize the risk of faecal incontinence but its acceptance by coloproctologists is still poor because the published data is controversial. Therefore, we carried out a prospective randomized crossover trial comparing treatment with a commercial fibrin glue to classical seton treatment, with healing rate, hospital stay, healing time, faecal incontinence and postoperative pain as study outcomes. METHOD: Sixty-four homogeneous patients with trans-sphincteric anal fistulae referred to seven colorectal units were randomized to undergo fibrin glue (39 patients) or seton (25 patients) treatment. Patients failing to heal after treatment with fibrin glue were re-randomized to undergo a second injection with glue or seton treatment. RESULTS: Sixty-two of the 64 patients completed the minimum 1-year follow-up period. Twenty-one of 24 patients healed in the seton group compared with 15/38 in the fibrin glue group (P = 0.0007). The 23 failures after glue treatment were re-randomized to have a second glue injection (eight patients) or a seton treatment (15 patients). Four of the eight (50%) patients treated with a second injection of glue, and nine out of the 15 (60%) patients in the seton group, healed. Patients treated with fibrin glue reported less postoperative pain and had a shorter hospital stay than patients treated with a seton; furthermore, faecal continence and anal manometry significantly worsened after seton treatment. CONCLUSION: Seton treatment has a significantly higher probability of success compared with fibrin glue treatment but poses a higher risk of faecal incontinence. Fibrin glue could be considered as a first line of treatment for patients at risk of faecal incontinence or other comorbidities.

Optimal treatment duration of glyceryl trinitrate for chronic anal fissure: results of a prospective randomized multicenter trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic anal fissure (CAF) is a painful condition that is unlikely to resolve with conventional conservative management. Previous studies have reported that topical treatment of CAF with glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) reduces pain and promotes healing, but optimal treatment duration is unknown. METHODS: To assess the effect of different treatment durations on CAF, we designed a prospective randomized trial comparing 40 versus 80 days with twice daily topical 0.4% GTN treatment (Rectogesic, Prostrakan Group). Chronicity was defined by the presence of both morphological (fibrosis, skin tag, exposed sphincter, hypertrophied anal papilla) and time criteria (symptoms present for more than 2 months or pain of less duration but similar episodes in the past). A gravity score (1 = no visible sphincter; 2 = visible sphincter; 3 = visible sphincter and fibrosis) was used at baseline. Fissure healing, the primary endpoint of the study, maximum pain at defecation measured with VAS and maximum anal resting pressure were assessed at baseline and at 14, 28, 40 and 80 days. Data was gathered at the end of the assigned treatment. RESULTS: Of 188 patients with chronic fissure, 96 were randomized to the 40-day group and 92 to the 80-day group. Patients were well matched for sex, age, VAS and fissure score. There were 34 (19%) patients who did not complete treatment, 18 (10%) because of side effects. Of 154 patients who completed treatment, 90 (58%) had their fissures healed and 105 (68%) were pain free. There was no difference in healing or symptoms between the 40- and the 80-day group. There was no predictor of fissure healing. A low fissure gravity score correlated with increased resolution of pain (P < 0.05) and improvement of VAS score (P < 0.05) on both univariate and multivariate analysis. A lower baseline resting pressure was associated with better pain resolution on univariate analysis (P < 0.01). VAS at defecation and fissure healing significantly improved until 40 days (P < 0.001), while the difference between 40 and 80 days was not significant. CONCLUSION: We found no benefits in treating CAF with topical GTN for 80 days compared to 40 days. Fissure healing and VAS improvement continue until 6 weeks of treatment but are unlikely thereafter.

Performance of a fungal based SBR under pH extreme and shock phenolic exposure.

An investigation was performed to explore the capabilities of a filamentous fungal biomass to grow non-aseptically in a glucose-fed Sequencing Batch Reactor system in very extreme environment (pH 3.5) conditions. Trichoderma viride Pers: Fr. Isolate 8/90 was used as inoculum. Microscopic investigations were carried out to confirm fungal dominance in the open culture. In batch tests, the fungal biomass showed a significant ability to grow and remove the applied organic load (2000 mg(Glucose) L(-1) d(-1)), with high biomass yields. Furthermore, the biomass showed an ability to resist gallic acid toxicity at high concentraions (1 g L(-1)) without any pre- exposure acclimation of the biomass. The biomass (about 2.5 g(VSS) L(-1)) demonstrated significant aerobic removal of gallic acid in a timeframe of 20 h from initial exposure. The robust characteristics of this SBR system demonstrate potential for future development of fungal based treatment for recalcitrant feedstocks or operation under extreme environmental conditions.

Ligasure Precise vs. conventional diathermy for Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy: a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial.

PURPOSE: Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy using radiofrequency dissection (Ligasure) has been proposed instead of conventional diathermy in view of its potential benefits in terms of postoperative anal pain and better hemostatic control, but the medical literature is still controversial. This multicenter, randomized, controlled trial was designed to compare the outcomes between Ligasure and conventional diathermy hemorrhoidectomy in the Milligan-Morgan procedures in a sufficient number of patients. METHODS: Patients with Grades III and IV hemorrhoids were randomized to two groups: Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy and conventional diathermy. Postoperative anal pain was measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the analgesia required. Postoperative complications, wound healing, and return to working activities also were evaluated as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 273 patients, well matched for age, gender, working activity and grade of hemorrhoids, were randomized to two groups: Ligasure 146, and diathermy 127. The severity of postoperative anal pain was significantly less in the Ligasure group when measured at least 12 hours after defecation (P < 0.01), whereas it was similar at the time of defecation. The Ligasure group had significantly lower requirements for painkiller pills. There were no significant differences in early and late complications. Return to work and normal activities was significantly faster in the Ligasure group. CONCLUSION: Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy is an effective procedure for Grades III and IV hemorrhoids and facilitates a faster return to work and normal activities by reducing postoperative pain.

Surgical treatment of pararenal aortic aneurysms in the elderly.

AIM: Until fenestrated endografts will become the standard treatment of pararenal aortic aneurysms, open surgical repair will currently be employed for the repair of this condition. Suprarenal aortic control and larger surgical dissection represent additional technical requirements for the treatment of pararenal aneurysms compared to those of open infrarenal aortic aneurysms, which may be followed by an increased operative mortality and morbidity rate. As this may be especially true when dealing with pararenal aneurysms in an elderly patients' population, we decided to retrospectively review our results of open pararenal aortic aneurysm repair in elderly patients, in order to compare them with those reported in the literature. METHODS: Twenty-one patients over 75 years of age were operated on for pararenal aortic aneurysms in a ten-year period. Exposure of the aorta was obtained by means of a retroperitoneal access, through a left flank incision on the eleventh rib. When dealing with interrenal aortic aneurysm the left renal artery was revascularized with a retrograde bypass arising from the aortic graft, proximally bevelled on the ostium of the right renal artery. RESULTS: Two patients died of acute intestinal ischemia, yielding a postoperative mortality of 9.5%. Nonfatal complications included 2 pleural effusions, a transitory rise in postoperative serum creatinine levels in 3 cases, and one retroperitoneal hematoma. Mean renal ischemia time was 23 min, whereas mean visceral ischemia time was 19 min. Mean inhospital stay was 11 days. CONCLUSION: Pararenal aortic aneurysms in the elderly can be surgically repaired with results that are similar to those obtained in younger patients.