Evaluation and comparison of 1,2-indanedione and 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one solutions for the enhancement of latent fingerprints on porous surfaces.

1,2-indanedione (1,2-IND) and 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one (DFO) are used in the forensic field to enhance latent fingerprints deposited on porous surfaces due to the formation of fluorescent products by reacting with the amino acids present in the papillary exudate. The study was carried out in collaboration with the Fingerprints and Photography Section of the Carabinieri Scientific Investigation Department (RIS) of Rome, in which laboratories, until now, DFO has been the most used because of its excellent enhancing properties, even if it is more expensive and relatively toxic in comparison with the 1,2-IND. The aim of this work was then to evaluate and to compare the effectiveness of three solutions of 1,2-IND in different formulations and a DFO solution employed as single enhancing treatments, in order to assess whether it was possible to replace a reagent with the other obtaining equally satisfying results.

Surgery or endoscopy for treatment of postcholecystectomy bile duct strictures?

Background: Surgery is considered the treatment of choice for postoperative biliary strictures. Recently, endoscopic stent placement has been proposed as an alternative to surgical management in selected patients.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 157 patients with postoperative biliary strictures were included.

Leaks from laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background/aims: Significant postoperative bile leaks occur in approximately 1% of patients. The goal of endoscopic therapy is to eliminate the transpapillary pressure gradient, thereby permitting preferential transpapillary bile flow rather than extravasation at the site of leak.

Methodology: Sixty-four patients were retrospectively evaluated.