Publications
Development of a porcine acellular bladder matrix for tissue-engineered bladder reconstruction. KU Leuven
PURPOSE: Enterocystoplasty is adopted for patients requiring bladder augmentation, but significant long-term complications highlight need for alternatives. We established a protocol for creating a natural-derived bladder extracellular matrix (BEM) for developing tissue-engineered bladder, and investigated its structural and functional characteristics. METHODS: Porcine bladders were de-cellularised with a dynamic detergent-enzymatic treatment ...
Establishment of operational tolerance to sustain antitumor immunotherapy. KU Leuven
BACKGROUND: Commonly used immunosuppressive drugs are efficacious in the prevention of transplanted solid organ rejection but, are complicated by an increased rate of malignancies. Treatment of the latter with cancer immunotherapy is frequently associated with increased graft loss from rejection. METHODS: B16 melanoma was inoculated subcutaneously (s.c.) in the ear of host B6 mice carrying a heterotopic allogenic murine heart. Intratumoral ...
Subxiphoid Versus Unilateral Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Thymectomy for Thymomas: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis. KU Leuven
BACKGROUND: The appropriate approach for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for early stage thymoma remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore the safety and feasibility of subxiphoid and subcostal arch thoracoscopic thymectomy in comparison with unilateral thoracoscopic thymectomy for treatment of early stage thymoma. METHODS: The outcomes of 237 patients without myasthenia gravis who had undergone thoracoscopic thymectomy for ...
Clinical, Functional, and Mental Health Outcomes in Kidney Transplant Recipients 3 Months After a Diagnosis of COVID-19 KU Leuven
BACKGROUND: Kidney transplant patients are at high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related mortality. However, limited data are available on longer-term clinical, functional, and mental health outcomes in patients who survive COVID-19. METHODS: We analyzed data from adult kidney transplant patients in the European Renal Association COVID-19 Database who presented with COVID-19 between February 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021. RESULTS: ...
Management of sinus graft infection-a systematic review. KU Leuven
Sinus graft infections are rare but serious complications, as they are associated with significant morbidity and sinus graft loss. The aim of this study was to systematically review the management of sinus graft infection in order to define which protocols should be implemented. The terms searched in each database were "sinus graft infection management", "maxillary sinus lift infection", "maxillary sinus graft infection", "maxillary sinus ...
Three-dimensional evaluation of long-term skeletal relapse following Le Fort I maxillary advancement surgery: a 2-year follow-up study. KU Leuven
The aim of this study was to assess relapse following Le Fort I (LFI) maxillary advancement with superior or inferior repositioning at 2 years of follow-up. A total of 50 patients (26 female, 24 male; age range 15-56 years) with skeletal class II or III, who underwent bimaxillary surgery with LFI maxillary advancement in combination with either superior or inferior repositioning and also mandibular advancement/setback, were recruited. ...
Potential options to expand the intestinal donor pool: a comprehensive review KU Leuven
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Intestinal donation is currently restricted to 'perfect' donors, as the intestine is extremely vulnerable to ischemia. With generally deteriorating donor quality and increasing indications for intestinal transplantation (ITx), the potential to safely increase the donor pool should be evaluated. RECENT FINDINGS: Increasing awareness on intestinal donation (often forgotten) and cautiously broadening the strict donor criteria ...