BACKGROUNDSingle incision laparoscopic colectomy has been performed in recent years, and has been shown to be feasible and safe. This study was to assess the feasibility of single incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy and to compare the differences in different approaches.

METHODSThis retrospective study included eighteen patients with carcinoma of caecum and ascending colon, undergoing single incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. This study also compared single incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy using different approaches: (1) single incision multiport, (2) single access port and (3) glove port.

RESULTSThere was no statistical difference in surgical outcomes. Concerning the surgeon's satisfaction toward three methods, overcrowding and durability were similar but the single incision multiport was associated with the highest gas-leak and the "glove" port was associated with poor durability. However, the method of single incision multiport has the lowest average cost of the special trocar or port in each operation. The operative time and blood loss of the operations in this study were comparable to previous publications.

CONCLUSIONThere was no significant difference between different approaches of single incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for colonic cancer in right side colon.

Aged ; Cecal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Colectomy ; methods ; Colonic Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous recovery of severe alopecia areata is rare and the condition is difficult to treat. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate and compare the effects and safety of steroid pulse therapy between oral and intravenous administrations between 1999 and 2010 at the Department of Dermatology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital. METHODS: Data were retrospectively retrieved. A satisfactory response was defined as more than 75% hair regrowth in the balding area. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients with more than 50% hair loss were identified and treated, with an overall satisfactory response rate of 51.8%. The mean follow-up time was 37.6 months, with a relapse rate of 22.7%. Patients with alopecia areata (hereafter, AA) of recent onset within one year showed higher response rates (p<0.001) and lower relapse rates compared to patients with AA persisting for more than 1 year. Further, even in patients with alopecia totalis, alopecia universalis or ophiasis type, early treatment resulted in a satisfactory response rate of 47% among the treated patients. In general, oral therapy was as effective and well-tolerated as intravenous therapy. CONCLUSION: The response rate is determined by disease severity and time of intervention, not by the administration form of steroid pulse therapy. Oral steroid pulse therapy can be considered as the first-line treatment for patients with severe AA of recent onset within one year.
Administration, Intravenous ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Alopecia Areata* ; Alopecia* ; Dermatology ; Early Intervention (Education)* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hair ; Humans ; Pulse Therapy, Drug ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies*