TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES AND PROCEDURAL COMPLICATIONS IN CLOSING MALIGNANT ESOPHAGEAL-RESPIRATORY FISTULAS.

The aim of the study was to outline technical difficulties and procedural complications of using partially covered esophageal self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) in malignant esophageal respiratory fistulas (ERFs) as a palliative treatment option. In this study, 150 patients with malignant dysphagia underwent treatment with SEMSs. A total of 36 ERFs were detected through endoscopic or clinical assessment.

[Surgical treatment of lung hydatid cysts].

Unlabelled: Lungs represent the econd most common localization of hydatidosis, after liver. The current treatment for pulmonary hydatid cyst (PHC) is complete excision with maximum preservation of lung tissue. The authors emphasize the particularities of diagnosis and surgical treatment of PHC.

[Thoracoscopic pleurodesis in malignant pleural effusions].

We performed retrospectively study on 136 thoracoscopies done in our clinic in the period January 2000 and December 2004. We reviewed 136 thoracoscopies, 71 patients were male and 65 were female (mean age 58.4 years).

[Up-to-date indications for surgery in pleural and pulmonary tuberculosis].

Tuberculosis is an "old disease" but still remains a threat in modern days life. Despite human and material efforts, despite the improvements in drug therapy, the treatment of tuberculosis continue to consume a great amount of health care worldwide. A certain percentage among the patients with pleuro-pulmonary tuberculosis represents failures of DOTS therapy.