OBJECTIVES Laparoscopic repair of incisional ventral hernias with ePTFE mesh continues to evolve, with variable reporting of surgical techniques and outcomes. This report of 34 cases discusses, with a literature review of laparoscopic incisional hernia repair, specific factors associated with three recurrences. METHOD Retrospective analysis and review of the literature. RESULTS Thirty-two p...

Background—The patency of arteriovenous (AV) expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) hemodialysis grafts is severely compromised by intimal hyperplasia (IH) at the venous anastomosis and in the venous outflow tract. We addressed the potential of primary placement of a sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) in a validated porcine model. Methods and Results—In 25 pigs, ePTFE AV grafts were created bilate...

Expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) fibers were surface modified using an ultraviolet-activated mercury/ammonia reaction to yield amine-functional groups for the coupling of laminin-derived cell adhesive peptides CYIGSR, CDPGYIGSR, CIKVAV, and CQAASIKVAV. Surface elemental composition, determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and radiolabeling data indicated that the amount of peptide int...

The efficacy of a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (U-63,557A, Upjohn) in promoting early patency and inhibiting anastomotic intimal hyperplasia in ePTFE grafts was compared to that of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in a canine model. Animals were started on ASA 5 gr po qd (Group I, n = 12) or U-63,557A 10 mg/kg po bid (Group II, n = 12) 1 day before placement of bilateral 5-mm-i.d., 13- to 16.5-cm...

The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of endograft material on the inflammatory response after elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Consecutive patients (n = 22, all men, 53 to 82 years old) were divided into 2 groups according to the graft material used: In group A (n = 12) the endovascular device was made of polyester and in group B (n = 10) the device was made...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the outcomes of percutaneous unilateral metallic stent placement in patients with a malignant obstruction of the biliary hila and a contralateral portal vein steno-occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty patients with a malignant hilar obstruction and unilobar portal vein steno-occlusion caused by tumor invasion or preoperative portal vein embolization were enrolled in...