Self-expanding metal stents in malignant colonic obstruction: experiences from Sweden

<p/> <p>Background</p> <p>Acute surgery in the management of malignant colonic obstruction is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The use of self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) is an alternative method of decompressing colonic obstruction. SEMS may allow time to optimize the patient and to perform preoperative staging, converting acute surgery into elective. SEMS is also proposed as palliative treatment in patients with contraindications to open surgery. Aim: To review our experience of SEMS focusing on clinical outcome and complications. The method used was a review of 75 consecutive trials at SEMS on 71 patients based on stent-protocols and patient charts.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>SEMS was used for palliation in 64 (85%) cases and as a bridge to surgery in 11 (15%) cases. The majority of obstructions, 53 (71%) cases, were located in the recto-sigmoid. Technical success was achieved in 65 (87%) cases and clinical decompression was achieved in 60 (80%) cases. Reasons for technical failure were inability to cannulate the stricture in 5 (7%) cases and suboptimal SEMS placement in 3 (4%) cases. Complications included 4 (5%) procedure-related bowel perforations of which 2 (3%) patients died in junction to post operative complications. Three cases of bleeding after SEMS occurred, none of which needed invasive treatment. Five of the SEMS occluded. Two cases of stent erosion were diagnosed at the time of surgery. Average survival after palliative SEMS treatment was 6 months.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results correspond well to previously published data and we conclude that SEMS is a relatively safe and effective method of treating malignant colonic obstruction although the risk of SEMS-related perforations has to be taken into account.</p

Intratissular expansion–mediated, serial fat grafting: A step-by-step working algorithm to achieve 3D biological harmony in autologous breast reconstruction

Background Breast reconstruction involves the use of autologous tissues or implants. Occasionally, microsurgical reconstruction is not an option because of insufficient donor tissues. Fat grafting has become increasingly popular in breast surgery. The challenge with this technique is how to reconstruct a stable and living “scaffold” that resembles a breast. Methods Breast reconstruction (n&nbsp;=&nbsp;7) was performed using intratissular expansion with serial deflation–lipofilling sessions. Mean age of the patients was 41 years (22–53). The expander generated a vascularized capsule at 8 weeks, which demarcated a recipient site between the skin and the capsule itself, and functioned as a vascular source for angiogenesis. Serial sessions of deflation and lipofilling were initiated at 8 weeks with removal of the expander at the completion of the treatment. An average of 644&nbsp;ml (range, 415&nbsp;ml–950&nbsp;ml) of lipoaspirate material was injected to reconstruct the breast mound. An average of 4 (range, 3 to 5) fat-grafting sessions with a 3-month interval was needed to achieve symmetry with the contralateral breast. The average follow-up was 14 months (range, 9–29 months). MRI examination was performed at 8 months to analyze tissue survival and the residual volume. Results MRI examination retained tissue survival and the mean reconstructed breast volume was 386&nbsp;ml (range, 231&nbsp;ml–557&nbsp;ml). An aesthetically pleasant breast mound was created, with a high satisfaction rate. Conclusion We could reconstruct an aesthetically pleasant and stable breast mound in a selected group of patients by using intratissular expansion and fat grafting

Improved Photovoltaic Response of Nanocrystalline CdS-Sensitized Solar Cells through Interface Control

Nanocrystalline CdS-sensitized solar cells (CdS-SSCs) based on mesoporous TiO(2) were fabricated by the spray pyrolysis deposition method. The energy conversion efficiency of these cells was drastically increased (156%) by modifying the junction structure through post-treatment that included soaking in a dilute TiCl(4) aqueous solution and subsequent thermal annealing. We propose that the post-treatment is responsible for an increased number of interconnections between TiO(2) and CdS, as well as surface passivation of the CdS sensitizer. The increase in the cell efficiency is attributed to the improved charge carrier transport, suppression of photoelectron recombination with holes both in the same sensitizer particle and in nearby ones, and suppression of photoelectron capture by the electrolyteclose3

Worldwide outdoor round robin study of organic photovoltaic devices and modules

Accurate characterization and reporting of organic photovoltaic (OPV) device performance remains one of the important challenges in the field. The large spread among the efficiencies of devices with the same structure reported by different groups is significantly caused by different procedures and equipment used during testing. The presented article addresses this issue by offering a new method of device testing using suitcase sample approach combined with outdoor testing that limits the diversity of the equipment, and a strict measurement protocol. A round robin outdoor characterization of roll-to-roll coated OPV cells and modules conducted among 46 laboratories worldwide is presented, where the samples and the testing equipment were integrated in a compact suitcase that served both as a sample transportation tool and as a holder and test equipment during testing. In addition, an internet based coordination was used via plasticphotovoltaics.org that allowed fast and efficient communication among participants and provided a controlled reporting format for the results that eased the analysis of the data. The reported deviations among the laboratories were limited to 5% when compared to the Si reference device integrated in the suitcase and were up to 8% when calculated using the local irradiance data. Therefore, this method offers a fast, cheap and efficient tool for sample sharing and testing that allows conducting outdoor measurements of OPV devices in a reproducible manner