[Dynamic ultrasonography in the assessment of candidates to laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

Laparoscopic surgery has opened a new era in the management of surgical diseases. But, on the other hand, has created problems relating to the technological and to the technico-surgical aspects. In the preoperative evaluation of laparoscopic cholecystectomy candidates it is very important to know about the pathological state of the gallbladder, which may become the cause of very difficult or impossible laparoscopic operation, and the convert in an open procedure will be forced.

[Pneumoperitoneum without perforation].

Usually, pneumoperitoneum is due to perforation of a hollow abdominal organ. In the absence of peritoneal symptoms, pneumoperitoneum may be due to other causes. Two patients with pneumoperitoneum without perforation were treated in our department.

Relief of pain from pancreatic carcinoma.

Several methods for relieving pain from pancreatic cancer are described and the particular place of pancreaticojejunostomy is discussed.

An experimental evaluation of the types of material used for bile duct drainage tubes.

A comparison has been carried out of the properties of latex, silicone, red rubber and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) T tubes draining the common bile duct in dogs. The tubes remained in the animals for 15-98 days. Bile cultures, liver function tests, cholangiograms and the histology of the common bile ducts were studied, and the changes in the physical properties of tubes implanted in the experimental animals, and of those after 1 month's incubation in human bile, were assessed.