[Acute abdomen: experience with 196 consecutive cases].

The authors studied 196 consecutive emergency admissions to their unit with a diagnosis of non-traumatic acute abdomen. The data were analysed in order to evaluate the demographic data, the diagnostic procedures performed and treatments administered, and the reliability of the admission diagnosis in comparison with the final diagnosis. During the study period acute abdomen emergencies amounted to 7% of the total admissions to the unit.

Rectal cancer surgery in the elderly: a multivariate analysis of outcome risk factors.

Background And Objectives: Geriatric population life expectancy is rapidly increasing and the impact of major surgical procedures is not well defined. The purpose of this study was to compare short term surgical results assessing mortality and morbidity and long-term survival and disease-free interval in elective rectal surgery patients older than 65 years of age. The main independent risk factors of mortality, morbidity, and overall and disease-free survival were also identified.