End-to-end versus end-to-side stapled anastomoses after anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Background And Aims: Sphincter-saving procedures for resection of mid and, in some cases, of distal rectal tumors have become prevalent as their safety have been established. Increased anastomotic leak rate, associated with the type of anastomosis and the distance from the anal verge, has been reported. To compare surgical outcomes of end-to-end and end-to-side anastomosis after anterior resection for T1-T2 rectal cancer.

Duplex ultrasound evaluation of testicular perfusion after tension-free inguinal hernia repair: results of a prospective study.

Background/aims: Open tension-free techniques of hernia repair using synthetic meshes are a well-accepted practice with an excellent patient comfort and a low recurrence rate. Otherwise, the influence of the resulting fibrosis on testicular perfusion is still unclear. In this study, the effect of prosthetic materials on testicular perfusion was evaluated using Duplex ultrasonography.

Cystic lymphangioma of the mesentery and hyposplenism in celiac disease.

Celiac disease is characterized by intestinal inflammation and mucosal atrophy that improves on a gluten-free diet. Delayed diagnosis can result in diet-refractory disease known as refractory sprue, which is linked to other disorders (intestinal lymphoma, ulcerative jejunoileitis, mesenteric lymph-node cavitation, collagenous sprue, malignancy) and carries a poor prognosis. Here we report the case of a young woman diagnosed with Marsh stage 3C celiac disease with intestinal occlusion due to intra-abdominal cystic lymphangioma mimicking mesenteric lymph-node cavitation, and hyposplenism.

Laparoscopic rectal resection with intraoperative radiotherapy in locally advanced cancer: preliminary results.

Carcinoma of the rectum is a common malignancy, especially in developed countries. The main stay of the therapy for rectal cancer is radical surgery. Total mesorectal excision has emerged as the surgical technique that can substantially reduce local recurrences.

Laparoscopic fenestration of symptomatic non-parasitic cysts of the liver.

Background/aims: The use of laparoscopic technique for management of symptomatic liver cysts is documented to be a feasible and safe procedure with proved symptomatic relief. In the present study, we reviewed the results of this approach in the management of symptomatic liver cysts.

Methodology: Retrospective review of all patients with symptomatic liver cysts that were treated by laparoscopic fenestration in our department over a 3-year period from 1999 to 2001.

Relief by botulinum toxin of voiding dysfunction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: results of a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Objectives: To evaluate the therapeutic role of botulinum toxin injection in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Methods: Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia were enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled study. After a baseline evaluation, each participant received 4 mL of solution injected into the prostate gland.

Acute cholestatic hepatitis associated with celecoxib.

Objective: To report a case of acute cholestatic hepatitis associated with the selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor celecoxib.

Case Summary: A 41-year-old white man was hospitalized for jaundice after 2 doses of celecoxib 200 mg for pain associated with right-knee trauma. Laboratory workup showed hyperbilirubinemia, mildly elevated serum transaminase concentrations, and cholestasis.

[Treatment of pancreatic necrosis and secondary pancreatic infections].

Acute pancreatitis is a disease capable of the widest clinical expression, ranging from mild discomfort to multiorgan failure and death. Moreover, the process may remain localized in the pancreas, or spread to regional tissues, or even involve remote organs. Despite several efforts, the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis and its complications remains obscure.

Tension-free inguinal hernia repair in "one-day surgery". Experience of 1091 cases.

Background/aims: In recent years new techniques to repair inguinal hernia have evolved in order to reduce recurrence rate and the overall costs of treatment of this pathology. This paper analyses our experience in verifying the theoretical advantages of the "tension-free" technique, after six years of this surgical practice.

Methodology: We describe the experience of 1091 "tension-free" hernia repairs with open placement of a mesh in 1034 patients, under local anesthesia with a "one-day surgery" regimen; these patients were observed during the period 1994 to 1999 at the Surgical Unit of Catholic University of Rome.