Prosthetic carotid bypass graft for in-stent restenosis performed for post-endarterectomy recurrent stenosis: technical details

Aim. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is the treatment of choice for recurrent stenosis after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). However a significative incidence of in-stent restenosis could be occurred. Despite classical CEA leads to good results, in selective cases bypass graft may be the best treatment of in-stent restenosis. Case reports. We describe two cases of carotid bypass graft performed to treat a recurrent in-stent stenosis after CAS for post-CEA restenosis. No death and cardiac complication occurred and no cranial nerves impairment was detected. Conclusion. Prosthetic bypass graft is safe and effective in treatment of in-stent recurrent restenosis after CEA restenosis.

On the need of standards for reporting on esophageal perforation

Esophageal perforation is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. Its etiology is as heterogenous as modalities currently employed for its treatment. There is no clear evidence which is the treatment of choice for esophageal perforation. This is partly due to the suboptimal quality of available studies and failure to accurately report on the characteristics, treatment and outcome of these patients. Indeed, baseline, operative and outcome data are important for a better evaluation of published data and possibly for including them in meta-analyses of aggregate or individual patient data. We propose a checklist for reporting data on esophageal perforation in order to standardize reporting of data of studies on this severe condition.