Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa—oral rehabilitation using stereolithography and immediate endosseous implants

Dental management of patients with epi-dermolysis bullosa (EB) is challenging because of the severe soft tissue lesions associated with this disease. A case history is presented where two immediate endosseous implants were placed in the mandible of a patient with recessive dystrophic EB using computer-aided technology to plan the surgery and prosthetic rehabilitation. After a 24-month follow-up, the prosthesis was stable with healthy asymptomatic soft tissue around the implants. The stereolithographic model provides a precise and noninvasive copy of the mandibular and maxillary arches of patients with EB for rehabilitation of the dentition with immediate endosseous implants and a prosthesis.     

The suprahepatic approach. An easy laparoscopic access to the hiatus in obese patients

The conventional laparoscopic access to the gastroesophageal junction involves the retraction the left hepatic lobe upward. This approach could be particularly difficult in obese patients because of a huge fatty liver. The technique described here aims to overcome this difficulty be using a suprahepatic route by displacing the left lobe downward after dividing the left triangular ligament. This approach allows a good exposure of the gastroesophageal junction to perform a fundoplication or a gastric banding.     

Leptin and leptin receptor polymorphisms are associated with increased risk and poor prognosis of breast carcinoma

Background  

Leptin (LEP) has been consistently associated with angiogenesis and tumor growth. Leptin exerts its physiological action through its specific receptor (LEPR). We have investigated whether genetic variations in LEP and LEPR have implications for susceptibility to and prognosis in breast carcinoma.     

Atypical lipomatous tumors of the face: a controversial issue

We reviewed the topic of atypical lipomatous tumors including definition, diagnosis and management, with special emphasis on head and neck location and to report on the management of a rare case located in the temporalis muscle. Atypical lipomatous tumors/well-differentiated liposarcomas (ALT/WDLS) are rarely reported in the head and neck. Their behavior dictates a complete resection. Resection with a safety margin is sometimes needed according to the histological characteristics. Tumors located to the masticator space can be accessed through a mucosal approach achieving relative safety to the facial nerve. ALT constitute a group of tumors of a borderline behavior. Their management can be affected by some histological criteria and by their location in the head and neck region where vital structures can be affected.     

A simple laparoscopic method to provide access to the gastroesophageal junction in obese patients

By now, the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery in obese patients is well established; a conversion rate of 1.4–4.3% has been reported [1, 2]. The main reason for conversion in these cases is the difficulty encountered in exposing the gastroesophageal junction due to a huge fatty liver that covers the entire upper abdomen (``the invisible stomach' [1]). We report here a simple method that allows easy access to the upper stomach in such cases. This technique involves the exposure of the gastroesophageal junction using a laparoscopic suprahepatic route. Received: 30 April 1999/Accepted: 5 October 1999/Online publication: 24 March 2000