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Background: Thyroid cancer incidence is rising globally. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common subtype, usually with a favorable prognosis, while follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas carry higher risks. This study examines the relationship between biological markers—BRAF V600E mutation, thyroglobulin (Tg), and calcitonin—and thyroid cancer prognosis. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 395 thyroid cancer patients treated from 2010 to 2018 at the Emergency Clinical Hospital “Pius Brînzeu” in Timișoara. Patients were grouped by BRAF V600E mutation status (n = 178 with, n = 217 without). Preoperative Tg and calcitonin levels were measured, and survival rates were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression. Results: Patients with the BRAF V600E mutation were older, presented with advanced stages, and had higher Tg and calcitonin levels, correlating with tumor progression (e.g., Tg: 30.5 ng/mL in stage I vs. 62.0 ng/mL in stage IV). Lower biomarker levels (Conclusions: The BRAF V600E mutation is associated with more aggressive thyroid cancer and poorer outcomes. Tg and calcitonin are reliable prognostic markers, aiding in risk stratification and personalized treatment strategies to improve outcomes in thyroid cancer care.

Acute pancreatitis is a complex inflammatory disorder with significant morbidity and mortality. This review aims to integrate the current knowledge of pancreatic morphology and immunology with the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis, providing a comprehensive understanding of this critical condition. We conducted an extensive literature review, synthesizing data from recent studies and authoritative sources on pancreatic anatomy, histology, immunology, and the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis. We also incorporated epidemiological data, clinical features, diagnostic criteria, and prognostic factors. The pancreas exhibits a complex morphology with intricate interactions between its exocrine and endocrine components. Its unique immunological landscape plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and orchestrating responses to pathological conditions. In acute pancreatitis, the disruption of intracellular calcium signaling leads to premature enzyme activation, triggering a cascade of events including mitochondrial dysfunction, ATP depletion, and the release of proinflammatory mediators. This process can escalate from localized inflammation to systemic complications. The interplay between pancreatic morphology, immune responses, and pathophysiological mechanisms contributes to the varied clinical presentations and outcomes observed in acute pancreatitis. Understanding the intricate relationships between pancreatic morphology, immunology, and the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis is crucial for developing more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This integrated approach provides new insights into the complex nature of acute pancreatitis and may guide future research directions in pancreatic disorders.

Acute limb ischemia is a limb-threatening condition that is associated with a high degree of mortality and morbidity, with the latter related to acute kidney injury and rhabdomyolysis that can rapidly lead to multiple organ failure. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of catheter-directed arterial thrombolysis in acute lower limb ischemia in the Department of Vascular Surgery, Timișoara, Romania. A total of 158 patients (114 males—72.15% and 44 females—27.85%) with symptoms of acute lower limb ischemia were admitted and treated with catheter-directed arterial thrombolysis following our protocol. The amputation-free survival rate at 1 month after the thrombolysis was 82.3%, and at 6 months it was 77.85%. The performance of additional procedures to obtain distal perfusion was predictive of an improved outcome at 30 days. The estimated survival rate at 6 months was 84.81% (SE 0.02). The mean survival time was 158.74 days. We recommend the usage of a thrombolytic regimen in patients with a life expectancy of more than 6 months, even in Rutherford stage IIb patients, if there is no major impairment in the sensorial and mobility function of the ischemic leg.

Chronic threatening limb ischemia of the inferior limbs (CLTI) is the final stage of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and is one of the most feared atherosclerotic manifestations because if left untreated, in time, it can lead to amputation. Although there are currently numerous treatment techniques, both open and endovascular, it is a pathology that has no underlying treatment. Therefore, current studies are very much focused on new therapeutic possibilities that can be applied in the early stages of the atherosclerotic process. In numerous studies in the literature, miRNAs have been identified as important markers of atherosclerosis. The present study aims to identify the expression of three miRNAs—miR-199a, miR-20a, and miR-30c—in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia in the pre- and post-revascularization periods. The aim of the study is to identify whether these three markers play a role in critical ischemia and whether they have the potential for future use in new treatments of this pathology.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that primarily affect adults, with pediatric cases constituting only 0.5–2.7% of the total. Pediatric GISTs present unique clinical, genetic, and pathological features that distinguish them from adult cases. This literature review aims to elucidate these differences, emphasizing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We discuss the resistance of pediatric GISTs to conventional chemotherapy and highlight the importance of surgical intervention, especially in emergency situations involving intra-abdominal bleeding. The review also explores the molecular characteristics of pediatric GISTs, including rare mutations such as quadruple-negative wild-type GIST with an FGF3 gene gain mutation. To illustrate these points, we conclude with a case from our clinic involving a 15-year-old female with multiple CD117-positive gastric GISTs and a quadruple-negative wild-type genetic profile who required urgent surgical intervention following a failed tumor embolization. This case underscores the critical need for early diagnosis and individualized therapeutic strategies combining oncologic and surgical care to improve outcomes in pediatric GIST patients.

Ten Wistar males rats were used to induce experimental periodontitis by placing a 5-0 cotton thread ligature at the base of the first superior molar on the left side. Before this phase, the molar went through the process of scaling, rooting and planning. Soft movements of the molar were realized for creating an accumulation of plaque by flattening and by resulting the displacement of the gingival tissue, thus provoking an inflammatory response. After 7 days the ligatures were removed in all ten rats. After 14 days, results obtained showed gross aspects of periodontitis and microscopical lesions as well, installed in the periodontium. Microscopically, an inflammatory response with bone necrosis and alveolar bone loss was observed. The aim of this study is to test an experimental protocol of periodontitis confirming the presence of this pathology by gross aspects and also histopathological aspects. In conclusion, the tested procedure is able to provide all the key biological elements present in periodontal disease, whereas representing the adequate features for biomaterial testing domain.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the soft and hard tissue supporting the tooth, favoring the adhesion of bacteria that can generate dental laxity and bone resorption. This study aimed to test an experimental protocol for inducing periodontitis which allows a close clinical assessment and to evaluate the effectiveness of a photodynamic therapy (PDT) protocol to reverse the associated clinical signs. Fifteen Wistar male rats were used for this study, divided into three equal groups. Tooth scaling, rooting and planning of the first superior left molar were performed in all rats, causing the displacement of the gingiva in order to create an accumulation of plaque. A 5-0 cotton ligature was placed, provoking an inflammatory response removed after ten days. One group received one session of PDT; another group received 3 PDT; the last one represented the control group, with no treatment. Clinical evaluation was represented by assessing the body weight, mobility index and bleeding. A rat grimace scale was used to determine the pain. The results showed clinical aspects of periodontitis and healing tissue proved microscopically. The tested procedure can provide all the key biological factors present in periodontal disease and an option for reversing the clinical aspects.

This study seeks to understand the effects of new hydrogels based on Oregano® essential oil, Frankincense® essential oil, and the Thieves® blend, which includes clove, lemon, cinnamon bark, eucalyptus radiata, rosemary extract, and Frankincense® essential oil through in vitro cytotoxicity and antimicrobial analysis. Mesenchymal stem cells (D1MSCs) generated from the dental papilla of human wisdom teeth germs were used to test the hydrogels’ cytotoxicity (D1MSCs). The chemical makeup of the tested essential oils (EO) was determined using GC-MS analysis, and their presence in the novel hydrogels was determined using UV-VIS analysis. The primary constituents of the essential oils identified as being present were eugenol, pinene, limonene, carvacrol, and cymene. The primary constituents from essential oils identified by the absorption spectra included eugenol, pinene, limonene, carvacrol, and cymene. The presence of essential oils in the hydrogel composition was also clearly discernible. All of the studied compounds had a reduced cytotoxic effect on cell cultures, proving the lack of in vitro toxicity of the gels. This study demonstrates that hydrogels enriched with pure natural extracts of essential oils have a tangible in vitro antimicrobial potential, especially for Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus.

Background and Objectives: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, health systems worldwide adapted to support COVID-19 patients while continuing to provide assistance to patients with other potentially fatal illnesses. While patients with cancer may be at an elevated risk of severe COVID-19-related complications, their oncologic therapies generally cannot be postponed indefinitely without a negative effect on outcomes. Taking this into account, a thorough examination of the therapy management of various cancers is necessary, such as cervical cancer. Therefore, we aimed to develop a retrospective cohort study to measure the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the delivery of cancer care services for women diagnosed with cervical cancer staged IB2-IVA, necessitating chemo- and radiotherapy in Romania, as well as determine the difference in cervical cancer staging between the pandemic and pre-pandemic period. Materials and Methods: Using a multicentric hospital database, we designed a retrospective study to compare the last 24 months of the pre-pandemic period to the first 24 months of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to evaluate the variation in the proportion of women diagnosed with cervical cancer and the percentage of inoperable cases requiring chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as to detail their clinical presentation and other findings. Results: We observed that the likelihood of cervical cancer patients requiring radiation therapy at a later stage than before the pandemic increased by about 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients at an advanced FIGO stage of cervical cancer had a 3.39 higher likelihood of disease progression after radiotherapy (CI [2.06–4.21], p-value < 0.001), followed by tumor size at diagnosis with a hazard ratio (HR) of 3.12 (CI [2.24–4.00], p-value < 0.001). The factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic, postponed treatment and missed appointments, were also identified as significant risk factors for cervical cancer progression (HR = 2.51 and HR = 2.24, respectively). Conclusions We predict that there will be a considerable rise in cervical cancer cases over the next several years based on existing data and that expanding screening and treatment capacity will attenuate this with a minimal increase in morbidity and fatality.

Background and Objectives: Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is one of the major complications of thyroidectomy, with the lateral thyroid ligament (Berry’s ligament) being the most frequent site of nerve injury. Neuromonitoring during thyroidectomy revealed three possible anatomical regions of the recurrent laryngeal nerve P1, P2, and P3. P1 represents the recurrent laryngeal nerve’s caudal extralaryngeal part and is primarily associated with Berry’s ligament. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the anatomical region with the highest risk of injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (detected via neuromonitoring) during thyroidectomy and to demonstrate the significance of Berry’s ligament as an anatomical structure for the perioperative recognition and protection of the nerve. Materials and Methods: This study conducts a systematic review of the literature and adheres to all PRISMA system criteria as well as recommendations for systematic anatomical reviews. Three search engines (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane) were used, and 18 out of 464 studies from 2003–2018 were finally included in this meta-analysis. All statistical data analyses were performed via SPSS 25 and Microsoft Office XL software. Results: 9191 nerves at risk were identified. In 75% of cases, the recurrent laryngeal nerve is located superficially to the ligament. In 71% of reported cases, the injury occurred in the P1 area, while the P3 zone (below the location where the nerve crosses the inferior thyroid artery) had the lowest risk of injury. Data from P1, P2, and P3 do not present significant heterogeneity. Conclusions: Berry’s ligament constitutes a reliable anatomical structure for recognizing and preserving recurrent laryngeal nerves. P1 is the anatomical area with the greatest risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve damage during thyroidectomy, compared to P2 and P3.

The Pap test plays a significant role worldwide in the early diagnosis of and high curability rates for cervical cancer. However, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic necessitated the use of multiple drastic measures to stop the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, limiting women’s access to essential invasive and non-invasive investigations for cervical cancer diagnosis. Therefore, we aimed to determine the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on cancer diagnosis and management in western Romania. A retrospective study design allowed us to compare the last 24 months of the pre-pandemic period with the first 24 months of the COVID-19 pandemic to determine the change in volume of cervical screening tests, the number of newly diagnosed cases and their severity, and the access to cancer care. A drastic 75.5% decrease in the volume of tests was observed in April 2020 during the first lockdown, after which the volume of cases decreased by up to 36.1% in December 2021. The total volume loss of tests during the first 24 months of the pandemic was 49.9%. The percentage of late-stage cervical cancers (III–IV) rose by 17%, while the number of newly diagnosed cancers in our outpatient clinic was significantly lower than the baseline, with a 45% drop. The access to cancer care was negatively influenced, with 9.2% more patients waiting longer to receive test results over four weeks, while taking longer to seek cancer care after diagnosis (6.4 months vs. 4.1 months pre-pandemic) and missing significantly more appointments. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significantly negative impact on cervical cancer diagnosis and management during the first 24 months compared with the same period before the pandemic. Although the numbers are now recovering, there is still a big gap, meaning that many cervical cancer cases were potentially missed. We recommend further interventions to reduce the gap between the pre-pandemic and pandemic period.

Although inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures, finding a retroperitoneal structure, such as the ureter, is a rather rare occurrence. Ureteroinguinal hernias may arise in the presence or absence of obstructive uropathy, the latter raising difficulties in diagnosis for the general surgeon performing a regular inguinal hernia surgery. This study aims to collect the relevant literature describing the diagnosis and management of ureteroinguinal hernias and update it with a case encountered in our clinic. The following study was reported following the SCARE guidelines. The relevant literature describes less than 150 cases of ureteroinguinal hernias overall, considering the 1.7% prevalence of inguinal hernias in the general population. With only 20% of these hernias being described as extraperitoneal, such an encounter becomes an extremely rare finding. Our clinical experience brings a case of a 75-year-old male with frequent urinary tract infections and a large irreducible inguinoscrotal hernia of about 20/12 cm located at the right scrotum. The patient underwent an open inguinal hernia repair technique under general anesthesia, incidentally finding an extraperitoneal ureteral herniation. Segmental ureterectomy was performed with uneventful recovery. Intraoperatively, finding an incidental ureteroinguinal hernia raises concerns about probable urinary tract complications during regular hernia repair surgery and whether the diagnosis is likely to happen prior to surgical intervention. Although imaging is rarely indicated in inguinal hernias, the case reports show that a pelvic CT scan with urography in symptomatic patients with urinary symptoms will provide accurate confirmation of the diagnosis. The relevant literature is limited due to the rarity of respective cases, thus making standardized management of such cases unlikely.

Background: Telocytes (TCs) are a peculiar morphological type of stromal cells. They project long and moniliform telopodes, visible on various bidimensional sections. Originally regarded as “interstitial Cajal-like cells”, gastrointestinal TCs were CD34+. Further double-labelling studies found that colon TCs are negative for the expressions of the PDGFR-α and α-SMA. However, the TCs in colon were not distinguished specifically from endothelial cells (ECs), vascular or lymphatic. A combinational approach is important for accurate TC identification. Hence, we designed an immunohistochemical study of human colon to check whether ECs and CD34+ TCs express different markers. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed on archived paraffin-embedded samples of human colon (nine cases) for the following markers: CD31, CD34, CD117/c-kit and D2-40 (podoplanin). Results: A distinctive population of CD34+ TCs was found coating the myenteric ganglia. However, also perivascular cells and vascular ECs were CD34+. c-kit expression was equally found in interstitial Cajal cells (ICCs) and perivascular cells. The CD34 TCs did not express c-kit. As they were equally CD31- and D2-40- they were assessed as different from ECs. Conclusions: Testing specific markers of ECs, vascular and lymphatic, in the same tissues in which CD34+ TCs are found, is much more relevant than to identify TCs by transmission electron microscopy alone.

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing public health emergency. Patients with chronic diseases are at greater risk for complications and poor outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate the liver function abnormalities and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and chronic hepatitis C. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study was conducted on a cohort of 126 patients with a history of hepatitis C, confirmed with COVID-19 between 01 April 2020 and 30 December 2020. Several clinical outcomes were compared between patients with active and non-active HCV infection, and the risks of liver impairment and all-cause mortality in active HCV patients were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: Among 1057 patients under follow-up for chronic HCV infection, 126 (11.9%) were confirmed with COVID-19; of these, 95 (75.4%) were under treatment or achieved SVR, while in the other 31 (24.6%), we found active HCV replication. There was a significantly higher proportion of severe COVID-19 cases in the active HCV group as compared to the non-active HCV group (32.2 vs. 7.3%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age, sex, alanine aminotransferase, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and HCV viral load were significant independent risk factors for liver impairment and all-cause mortality. The length of stay in hospital and intensive care unit for COVID-19 was significantly higher in patients with active HCV infection (p-value < 0.001), and a higher proportion of these patients required mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: Active HCV infection is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Background and Objectives: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) accounts for 1–2% of all thyroid malignancies, and it originates from parafollicular “C” cells. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor marker, mainly for gastrointestinal malignancies. There are references in literature where elevated CEA levels may be the first finding in MTC. The aim of this study is to determine the importance of measuring preoperative and postoperative CEA values in patients with MTC and to define the clinical significance of the correlation between CEA and the origin of C cells. Materials and Methods: The existing and relevant literature was reviewed by searching for articles and specific keywords in the scientific databases of PubMedCentraland Google Scholar (till December 2020). Results: CEA has found its place, especially at the preoperative level, in the diagnostic approach of MTC. Preoperative CEA values >30 ng/mL indicate extra-thyroid disease, while CEA values >100 ng/mL are associated with lymph node involvement and distant metastases. The increase in CEA values preoperatively is associated with larger size of primary tumor, presence of lymph nodes, distant metastases and a poorer prognosis. The clinical significance of CEA values for the surgeon is the optimal planning of surgical treatment. In the recent literature, C cells seem to originate from the endoderm of the primitive anterior gut at the ultimobranchial bodies’ level. Conclusions: Although CEA is not a specific biomarker of the disease in MTC, itsmeasurement is useful in assessing the progression of the disease. The embryonic origin of C cells could explain the increased CEA values in MTC.

Background: Meckel’s diverticulum is a common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal tract encountered in about 1–3% of the general population. Although most patients remain asymptomatic, a minority will experience serious complications such as acute abdomen, haemorrhage or obstructive ileus. Of all patients presenting with symptoms of obstruction due to Meckel’s diverticulum 7–18% is due to volvulus. Case Report: A 39-year-old male with multiple previous episodes of obstructive ileus presented with an acute abdomen. An exploratory laparotomy was performed in order to reveal the cause of the obstruction. An internal hernia with ileal volvulus and a Meckel’s diverticulum was found, which was later confirmed by histopathological examination. Conclusion: Meckel’s diverticulum is a rare cause of acute abdomen and obstructive ileus which should be considered when the symptoms date back to childhood. The difficulty of preoperative diagnosis dictates the need for exploratory laparoscopy or laparotomy as diagnostic tools.

OBJECTIVES Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) are the 'lifeline' for patients with terminal end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on chronic hemodialysis. AVF maturation failure is a poorly understood process, and is partially caused by endothelial dysfunction due to oxidative stress. Monoamine Oxidases (MAOs) A and B were recently identified as novel sources of vascular oxidative stress. AIM To assess the contribution of MAOs to endothelial dysfunction in patients with ESDR with indication of hemodialysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fragments taken from brachial artery collaterals were harvested from ESRD patients during the surgical procedure that was applied in order to create the AVF in the cubital fossa. The effect of the irreversible MAO-A inhibitor clorgyline (10 µmol/L) and irreversible MAO-B inhibitor selegyline (10 µmol/L) on endothelialdependent relaxation (EDR) in response to cumulative doses of acetylcholine was studied in isolated phenylephrine-preconstricted rings in the presence of diclofenac (10µmol/L). H2O2 production was analyzed using ferrous oxidation xylenol orange assay. MAO expression was assessed by quantitative PCR. RESULTS We showed that both MAO isoforms are expressed in the brachial artery collaterals. Incubation with MAO inhibitors significantly improved EDR and attenuated H2O2 generation in the vascular segments. CONCLUSIONS MAO-related oxidative stress might contribute to the primary dysfunction/lack of maturation of the AVF and MAO inhibitors could improve vascular access maturation and longevity in dialysis patients

Background/Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the outcomes of minimally invasive techniques in gynecological cancer surgery, specifically laparoscopic hysterectomies (LHs), robotic-assisted hysterectomies (RHs), and laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomies (LAVHs). Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases including PubMed and MedLine from January 2010 to August 2024. The search included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Studies were selected based on inclusion criteria such as a focus on LHs, RHs, or LAVHs, and reporting on key outcomes like recovery rates, overall survival (OS) rates, disease-free survival (DFS), postoperative complications, and surgery time. Exclusion criteria were applied to omit non-randomized studies, non-English publications, and those lacking relevant data. Results: The analysis included 35 studies on gynecological cancers and surgical procedures, conducted across multiple countries. Among them, 8 were RCTs from countries like the Netherlands and Italy, while 20 were retrospective cohort studies from China and the USA. The studies varied in design, cancer type, and participant age, highlighting diverse surgical approaches and the adaptation of minimally invasive techniques in gynecological cancer treatment. LH and RH demonstrated similar oncological safety with comparable OS and DFS rates. RH was associated with reduced blood loss, but longer operative times compared to LH. LAVH showed favorable perioperative outcomes, including shorter hospital stays and faster recovery, but was less frequently studied in advanced-stage cancers. Complication rates were generally lower in minimally invasive surgeries compared to open procedures. The findings support the efficacy of LH and RH as viable alternatives to open surgery, with specific advantages depending on patient and disease characteristics. Conclusions: Minimally invasive techniques in gynecological cancer surgery offer significant advantages in terms of recovery and complication rates. Despite these benefits, further research is needed to confirm their oncological safety and overall effectiveness compared to traditional open surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review critically evaluates the impact of systemic treatments on outcomes and quality of life (QoL) in patients with RAS-positive stage IV colorectal cancer, with studies published up to December 2023 across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. From an initial pool of 1345 articles, 11 relevant studies were selected for inclusion, encompassing a diverse range of systemic treatments, including panitumumab combined with FOLFOX4 and FOLFIRI, irinotecan paired with panitumumab, regorafenib followed by cetuximab ± irinotecan and vice versa, and panitumumab as a maintenance therapy post-induction. Patient demographics predominantly included middle-aged to elderly individuals, with a slight male predominance. Racial composition, where reported, showed a majority of Caucasian participants, highlighting the need for broader demographic inclusivity in future research. Key findings revealed that the addition of panitumumab to chemotherapy (FOLFOX4 or FOLFIRI) did not significantly compromise QoL while notably improving disease-free survival, with baseline EQ-5D HSI mean scores ranging from 0.76 to 0.78 and VAS mean scores from 70.1 to 74.1. Improvements in FACT-C scores and EQ-5D Index scores particularly favored panitumumab plus best supportive care in KRAS wild-type mCRC, with early dropout rates of 38–42% for panitumumab + BSC. Notably, cetuximab + FOLFIRI was associated with a median survival of 25.7 months versus 16.4 months for FOLFIRI alone, emphasizing the potential benefits of integrating targeted therapies with chemotherapy. In conclusion, the review underscores the significant impact of systemic treatments, particularly targeted therapies and their combinations with chemotherapy, on survival outcomes and QoL in patients with RAS-positive stage IV colorectal cancer, and the need for personalized treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simultaneous resection of colorectal cancer (CRC) and of synchronous liver metastases is a debate topic related to the postoperative morbidity as compared to the staged resection. The purpose of this study is to analyse the results found in a series of eight patients with CRC and synchronous liver metastases who benefitted from combined colorectal and liver laparoscopic surgery. A prospective assessment was performed in terms of patients' characteristics, tumours' characteristics, operative variables and postoperative results. The primary tumour was localized at the level of the colon in six patients, and at the level of the rectum in two patients, while the synchronous liver metastases were predominantly solitary. A laparoscopic approach was applied to all 8 patients, who underwent colorectal resection (R0), as well as metastasectomies and hepatic wedge resections. There was no need to convert to classic surgery. The sample was extracted by pararectal incision or by transverse suprapubic incision. The median operative time was approximately 313 minutes (range 151-394 minutes), with an average blood loss of 600 ml (range 200-850 ml).The postoperative length of stay varied between 6 and 14 days. On the basis of this initial experience of a single centre, the laparoscopic simultaneous resection of colorectal cancer and the hepatic resection can be performed on the selected patients suffering from CRC and SLM, with satisfactory short-term results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]