[Staging of gastric carcinoma].

The controversies over the patterns of gastric cancer staging in western countries (UICC-AJCC), Japan (JRSGC) and more recently Hawaii (1984) are analysed with reference to the problems of definition and assignment of values to the single elements: T,N,M, location and stage grouping that were not homogeneously established in the patterns mentioned. Problems about T mainly regard T1 and T4. T1 incorporates tumours (T1m and T1sm) with quite different prognosis and therefore represents, in spite of several changes made, a dyshomogeneous group.

[Use of anal dilators in the conservative therapy of anal rhagades].

The AA. refer their results in the treatment of anal fissure, using surgical and conservative methods. In their experience, internal lateral sphincterotomy, according to the literature, is the best treatment.

[Rubber-band ligation of hemorrhoids].

In the last few years there has been a considerable reduction in surgical treatment of piles; on the other hand a series of therapeutic outpatient treatments has developed aiming at a conservative management of piles. This new approach is mainly due to high costs in surgical treatment. In accordance also with the experience of the most important proctologic centres, nowadays only 26% of our patients suffering from piles undergo operation, since we regard rubber band ligation as a more rational and economical method for the treatment of hemorrhoids.

[Esophageal prostheses by the endoscopic route (technics and results)].

The Authors reviewed their experience with palliative intubation for esophageal cancer. They have treated with endoscopic endoprostheses 197 patients with malignant strictures of the esophagus and/or cardias. Results and complications ore reported.

[Endobrachyesophagus as a sequel of esophagitis due to caustics].

Caustic ingestions show, nevertheless medical progress, many clinical and therapeutical problems; particularly risk factors of stenotic and neoplastic evolutions as well as of functional outcome are little known. A case of Barrett's esophagus after acid sulphuric ingestion is the starting point of some personal considerations, after revision of literature.