Single port/incision laparoscopic surgery compared with standard three-port laparoscopic surgery for appendicectomy : a randomised controlled trial

PMID: 23111090 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] PMCID: PMC3543288 Free PMC ArticlePeer reviewedPublisher PD

Laparoscopic management of nonpalpable testes: a multicenter study of the Italian Society of VideoSurgery in Infancy.

Abstract PURPOSE: Diagnostic laparoscopy has changed the surgical approach to nonpalpable testes (NPT). The aim of this study was to determine the value of laparoscopy in managing patients with NPT and to suggest guidelines for the interpretation of laparoscopic findings. The authors report the results of a multicenter study of the Italian Society of Video Surgery in Infancy on laparoscopic management of NPT. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2001, the authors collected records of 364 patients with NPT who underwent laparoscopy, for a total of 388 testicular units. RESULTS: Intraabdominal testes were found in 124 (34%) cases, for a total of 137 testes; 83 testicular units were classified as low and 54 as high. A total of 155 (43%) patients had cord structures entering the internal inguinal ring, 79 (22%) had intraabdominal blind-ending cord structures, and 6 (1%) had testicular agenesia. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy is a valuable tool in diagnosing and treating more than 50% of cases of NPT. The laparoscopic evaluation of abdominal testes can provide indications for the most suitable surgical technique; moreover, in 23% of patients, it makes abdominal exploration unnecessary. The value of laparoscopy is even greater if the anatomical aspect of the internal ring and spermatic cord structures is carefully evaluated

"Towards Smart Creative Tourism"

Creative tourism has recently emerged as an evolved, interactive and integrated form of cultural tourism. Active participation of tourists in creative and learning experiences characterises the shift from traditional cultural tourism to creative tourism. Tourists are no longer mere consumers and spectators of tangible and intangible cultural attractions, but active co-producers and co-creators of their experiences. Tourist destinations have increasingly developed creative tourism strategies to enhance competitiveness and for urban regeneration. The growth of creative tourism can be associated with the diffusion and use of advanced Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). While such dynamics have been largely addressed in literature, there is still little understanding of the impact of smart technology (e.g. internet of things) on cultural and creative tourism industries. Academic works, in particular, tend to focus on isolated smart technology applications for creative attractions and cultural heritage. In the light of recent smart tourism developments, this paper explores the current trends in creative tourism to find elements of convergence with smart tourism. In doing so, the paper focuses on the role of technology, the business context and the social dimension as key components of the emerging smart creative tourism phenomenon. The need for an all-encompassing approach to smart creative tourism development is finally suggested by proposing some potential lines of further research