This book looks at the comprehensive management of all aspects of gallstone disease, from the epidemiology and pathogenesis to the complex management approaches required for some patients. The main emphasis is placed on effective diagnosis and treatment, making extensive use of practical case-based material while reviewing the guidelines in a multi-disciplinary manner. It is an essential read for all clinicians involved in managing patients with gallstone disease.

The exponential expansion of knowledge in the field of hepatobiliary diseases makes systematic revisions of current concepts almost mandatory nowadays. This eBook summarizes the progress in understanding the molecular mechanism of cholesterol and bile acid metabolism and the physical-chemistry of biliary lipids, with emphasis on biliary lipid metabolism that is regulated by nuclear receptors in the hepatobiliary system. By guiding the readers through the various aspects of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of all "players" involved in bile formation, this eBook is intended to be a compendium of recent progresses in understanding the molecular mechanisms of cholesterol and bile acid metabolism.

This authoritative reference equips you with the essential knowledge to provide comprehensive and effective care to children in an emergency setting. From age-specific diagnoses and chief complaints through developmental considerations and psychosocial issues, this text guides you through the full range of medical and surgical conditions commonly encountered when treating pediatric emergencies. The use of full color throughout, diagnostic algorithms, text boxes, charts, clinical pearls and pitfalls, and other visual features ensure the book will make crucial clinical information easy to find and apply. Tap into expert guidance on all aspects of pediatric emergency medicine, from the physical exam and usual and unusual presentations through to disposition criteria and transfer issues. Access step-by-step guidance on administering critical life support interventions and providing effective diagnostic and therapeutic ambulatory care. Quickly review specific treatment protocols for various emergency settings, including general emergency departments, community hospitals, tertiary care centers, EMS and transport, and triage. Find information fast with or without a known diagnosis, with content organized both by chief complaints and by specific diagnoses. Better understand how problems present differently in infants, children, and adolescents with age-specific diagnoses. Identify and manage the psychosocial issues surrounding pediatric patients, including major depression and suicidality, sexual and physical abuse, child neglect, and violence. Easily absorb key information with the aid of text boxes, algorithms, clinical pearls, and pitfalls. Retrieve information easily with a consistent templated format.

The first laparoscopic cholecystectomy, performed by Prof. Philippe Mouret in 1987 and described by himself in the first chapter of this book, was an event that revolutionized surgery in the past few decades. Although the majority of surgeons today are unfamiliar with the his- ry of early minimally invasive surgery developments, it is important to realize that the advent of laparoscopy led not only to new surgical te- niques, but also to a change in the doctrine of medical care, by streng- ening the concept of minimal invasiveness. This is particularly the case for biliary lithiasis, for which laparoscopy has provided major benefits in terms of both diagnosis and surgical tre- ment. However, our understanding of the etiology of this disease, as well as the availability of effective medical therapies, have remained subst- tially unchanged over time. The application of the innovative approach has not been, in routine practice, without problems: between 1990 and 2000, the rate of serious complications from laparoscopic cholecystectomy were four times higher than those observed with open surgery. Even initial attempts at lapa- scopic treatment of biliary common bile duct stones resulted in excessive complications and associated medico-legal problems. Nonetheless, today, most indications have been stated, techniques have been standardized, and a new aspect to the treatment of biliary lithiasis has appeared.

This book, written by expert surgeons, offers a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of all aspects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Coverage includes the indications for surgery, anesthesia, surgical technique, and the prevention and management of complications, with extensive reference to the latest clinical evidence and assessment of the benefits of the laparoscopic approach, for example in terms of outcomes and day surgery. New technologies, including SILS, NOTES, robotic surgery, and miniaturized instruments, are reviewed. The learning curve and training are also extensively discussed, and an individual chapter is devoted to the views of international experts in the field. Readers will find the book to be an ideal guide to this gold standard technique, which continues to evolve some 20 years after the National Institutes of Health Consensus Conference first published recommendations regarding indications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

As aging trends in the United States and Europe in particular are strongly suggestive of increasingly older society, it would be prudent for health care providers to better prepare for such changes. By including physiology, disease, nutrition, pharmacology, pathology, radiology and other relevant associated topics, Geriatric Gastroenterology fills the void in the literature for a volume devoted specifically to gastrointestinal illness in the elderly. This unique volume includes provision of training for current and future generations of physicians to deal with the health problems of older adults. It will also serve as a comprehensive guide to practicing physicians for ease of reference. Relevant to the geriatric age group, the volume covers epidemiology, physiology of aging, gastrointestinal physiology, pharmacology, radiology, pathology, motility disorders, luminal disorders, hepato-biliary disease, systemic manifestations, neoplastic disorders, gastrointestinal bleeding, cancer and medication related interactions and adverse events, all extremely common in older adults; these are often hard to evaluate and judge, especially considering the complex aging physiology. All have become important components of modern medicine. Special emphasis is be given to nutrition and related disorders. Capsule endoscopy and its utility in the geriatric population is also covered. Presented in simple, easy to read style, the volume includes numerous tables, figures and key points enabling ease of understanding. Chapters on imaging and pathology are profusely illustrated. All chapters are written by specialists and include up to date scientific information. Geriatric Gastroenterology is of great utility to residents in internal medicine, fellows in gastroenterology and geriatric medicine as well as gastroenterologists, geriatricians and practicing physicians including primary care physicians caring for older adults.