European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology
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The popularization of the Internet through the World Wide Web heralds a new era in public and professional communication. The European Journal of Surgical Oncology is now represented on the Web at a site provided, developed and maintained by the publisher. We may expect to see rapid developments in electronic publishing, although the direction and general utility of these changes are not yet clear. This article introduces the EJSO Web site to the readership and considers the ways in which the Internet Revolution may bring benefits to the readership, the publisher, the editorial process and the Journal staff.
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This study investigated the Psychosocial adjustment in 40 patients who received orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for several endstage liver diseases. Twenty patients were grafted because they suffered from liver Cancer as well as cirrhosis. Particular attention was paid to evaluating whether cancer could affect recipients' coping with transplant. ⋯ A psychodiagnostic evaluation was also performed using a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) and a Human Figure Test. Psychosocial adaptation in everyday life following liver transplantation seemed good in most of the patients, whatever the indication for transplantation might be. It can he seen that by replacing the diseased organ a high percentage of oncological patients overcame their fear of cancer.
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Side effects of isolated limb perfusion (ILP) include rhabdomyolysis, paresthesia, or nerve palsy. The increase in intracompartmental pressure during ILP is thought to be linked to neuro- and muscular toxicity, and fasciotomy is recommended for protection. In 24 patients, intracompartmental pressure was measured. ⋯ A dramatic increase in compartmental pressure during ILP can be observed by continuous monitoring. Because of our observation that during the wash-out phase elevated compartmental pressures return to normal, there is no general indication for a fasciotomy. However, for patients maintaining a peak compartmental pressure above a critical threshold of 35 to 40 mmHg fasciotomy may be indicated.
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Over the last 5 years, 26 cancer patients developed pericardial effusion and were managed surgically with the creation of a subxiphoidal pericardial 'window'. The operation, in the majority of the cases was performed under local anaesthesia with adequate sedation. ⋯ The operative approach was beneficial to the group of patients without massive involvement by tumour of the thoracic cavity with relief of symptoms. Significant palliation was achieved for the patients with extensive tumour involvement of the mediastinum and thorax, although survival in this group of patients was relatively short.
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We report the first case of leiomyosarcoma of the middle and upper part of the vena cava successfully treated by surgical resection, complete vena cava replacement and disobliteration of the hepatic veins under veno-venous bypass and liver hypothermic perfusion as described in "ex situ, in vivo liver surgery".