Early oral feeding after colorectal resection: a randomized controlled study.

Background: Nasogastric (NG) intubation is widely used following elective abdominal operations although it is associated with morbidity and discomfort. The present study is a randomised controlled trial on the effect of early oral feeding without NG decompression following elective colorectal resection for cancer.

Methods: One hundred patients were randomized to group A (NG catheter and fasting until passage of flatus, followed by liquid diet advanced to soft-solid) or group B (no NG tube, clear liquids the day after surgery, followed by soft-solid food).

[The ideal length of hospital stay in the surgical treatment of colorectal cancer].

In order to verify the safety of an ideal length of hospital stay (5-6 days) after open colectomy, we reviewed complications after 371 consecutive, elective colorectal resections for cancer at our institution between April 1991 and December 1998. Specifically, age of the patient, length of hospital stay and when the complication was diagnosed were registered. The median postoperative hospital stay was 9 days (range, 4-34 days).

[Inguinal hernia prosthetic repair through the anterior approach].

Background: Aim of this study is to compare the Lichtenstein's, Rutkow's and PHS techniques of inguinal hernia repair in terms of therapeutical efficacy and grade of acceptability, expressed in function of the complications, compliance and performance status of the patients.

Methods: The preliminary results of an ongoing prospective non-randomized study on the most frequently used techniques of inguinal hernia repair (PHS, Rutkow's, and Lichtenstein's) are reported. Sixty patients with primary inguinal hernia were divided into three homogeneous groups for age, gender, Gilbert's type of hernia, type of anesthesia, ASA class.

High prevalence of nodular thyroid disease in patients with Cushing's disease.

Objectives: In the recent past, we have noted a frequent occurrence of thyroid nodules in our patients with Cushing's disease. We therefore elected to evaluate thyroid structure and function in these patients and also in patients with Cushing's syndrome of primary adrenal origin.

Patients And Methods: In 33 of the 37 patients (30 women and 3 men aged 19-66 years) with endogenous hypercortisolism referred to our Institution during the last five years, measurement of T4, T3, FT4, FT3, TSH serum levels and thyroid ultrasonography were performed, at first admission in 15 cases and subsequently in the course of follow-up in 18 cases.

[Indications for permanent electric electrostimulation in atrioventricular block].

Personal experience of pacemakers in patients suffering from (symptomatic and asymptomatic) 2nd degree AVB and 3rd degree AVB is reported.