Tumor size as a prognostic factor in patients with stage IIa colon cancer.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify stage II colon cancer patients with a high risk of recurrence.

Methods: All patients who underwent surgery for stage II colon cancer (CC) were retrospectively enrolled and sub-grouped according to TNM staging (IIa-b-c) and stage IIa in high (IIaHR) and low risk (IIaLR) according to pathologic features. The primary outcomes measured were the 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

Anti-TNF-alpha therapies do not increase early postoperative complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. An Italian single-center experience.

Purpose: The impact of preoperative use of TNF-alpha inhibitors on postoperative complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) undergoing abdominal surgery is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 30-day postoperative outcomes for IBD patients treated with these drugs prior to surgery.

Methods: We analyzed retrospectively the incidence of short-term postoperative complications.

Outcomes of clinical T4M0 extra-peritoneal rectal cancer treated with preoperative radiochemotherapy and surgery: a prospective evaluation of a single institutional experience.

Background: Our objective was evaluate the outcome of primary clinical T4M0 extraperitoneal rectal cancer treated by neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy. Prognosis of clinical T4 rectal cancer is poor. Preoperative chemoradiation therapy may be beneficial.

Congenital tumors of the retrorectal space in the adult: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Aims And Background: To describe and discuss, on the basis of the authors' experience and a review of the literature, the main aspects regarding the etiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of congenital tumors of the retrorectal space.

Methods: We present 2 cases of congenital retrorectal tumors, a sacrococcygeal teratoma and a dermoid cyst, which represent, from the pathogenetic point of view, the most frequent presentation of the rare tumors of the retrorectal space.

Results: The reported cases are typical.

Laparoscopic approach to recurrent incisional hernia repair: a 3-year experience.

Background: Incisional hernias are one of the most frequent complications of open abdominal surgery. The incidence of relapses after a conventional repair procedure is higher in recurrent than in primary cases (30%-50% vs. 11%-20%).

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy and Milligan Morgan hemorrhoidectomy in the cure of fourth-degree hemorrhoids: long-term evaluation and clinical results.

Purpose: The long-term results after stapled hemorrhoidopexy compared with Milligan-Morgan procedure are discussed.

Methods: The clinical data of 100 patients treated by Milligan-Morgan procedure or stapled hemorrhoidopexy for fourth-degree hemorrhoids have been reviewed. All patients were visited and submitted to a questionnaire to evaluate resumption of symptoms, functional results, and recurrence rate.

Long-term results after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy for locally advanced resectable extraperitoneal rectal cancer.

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate long-term outcome in locally advanced resectable extraperitoneal rectal cancer treated by preoperative radiochemotherapy.

Methods: Eighty-three consecutive patients who developed locally advanced resectable extraperitoneal rectal cancer underwent preoperative concomitant radiochemotherapy followed by surgery, including total mesorectal excision.

Results: Median follow-up was 108 (range, 10-169) months.

Impact of emergency surgery in the outcome of rectal and left colon carcinoma.

The negative results in terms of morbidity, mortality and survival among emergency treated patients affected by colorectal cancer are well known. The specific contribution of emergency surgery to adverse outcome is not clear because of the presence in all series of other possible determinants of a poor prognosis. We used a case-control study design to compare a group of 50 patients operated on for cancer of the rectum and left colon presented as emergencies in our department during the last 14 years, and an equal number of patients who underwent elective procedures during the same period.