[Bismuth treatment and blood bismuth levels].

The authors report the results of bismuth blood levels in 41 patients treated by oral route with bismuth salts used in gastro-enterology according to the Bensaude rule (10 to 20 g/day, 20 days/month). Median bismuth blood level during the period of treatment amounts to 13 microgram/l. It decreases to 7 microgram/l during the period of therapeutic withdrawal.

[Reflexions on the surgical treatment of diverticular sigmoiditis. Apropos of 62 cases].

The authors report 62 cases of operated diverticular sigmoiditis, note the indications for surgery and the method adopted. Apart from acute complications comparison of the clinical, laboratory and radiological data permit one to decide on a cold operation for prophylactic purposes. For acute generalised or localised peritonitis, the authors remove the lesions straight away when local and general conditions permit it.

[Colonic cancer and diverticulitis of the large intestine].

The authors report 17 cases of colonic carcinoma associated with diverticulitis. They differentiate between carcinomas arising above and below the diverticular area and emphasise the coexistence of both diseases on the same segment of colon. The diagnosis may be made in two different circumstances depending on whether the association presents as diverticulosis or as diverticulitis with complications.