Acute appendicitis may no longer be a predominant disease of the young population.

Background: Some authors consider acute appendicitis as the main cause of acute surgical abdomen. Incident in all ages, contemporary literature suggests that is more frequent in children and young adults, male predominantly. This study aims to test the hypothesis that the disease in question is no longer prevalent in young adults (excluding children) in the surveyed region.

Predictors of chest drainage complications in trauma patients.

Objective: to identify predictors of chest drainage complications in trauma patients attended at a University Hospital.

Methods: we conducted a retrospective study of 68 patients submitted to thoracic drainage after trauma, in a one-year period. We analyzed gender, age, trauma mechanism, trauma indices, thoracic and associated lesions, environment in which the procedure was performed, drainage time, experience of the performer, complications and evolution.

Acute intestinal obstruction due to gallstone ileus.

Objective: To perform a systematic review of the history, available image exams and clinical approach to the diagnosis and treatment of gallstone ileus.

Method: Retrospective study in a university hospital including all cases of SBO treated over a period of 23 years. According to the surgical treatment the patients were divided into two groups: (1) enterolithotomy with cholecystectomy performed later (two-stage surgery); and (2) enterolithotomy, cholecystectomy and fistula closure (one-stage surgery).