[Loop ileostomy--the first choice for relief of colon and rectum].

In numerous comparative investigations, loop-ileostomy has proved superior to transversostomy. The operative technique is described and experience from 27 loop-ileostomies carried out in a department for organ surgery are reviewed. The qualities of the method as compared with transversostomy are discussed on the basis of the literature and the authors' own results.

Phantom-related phenomena after rectal amputation: prevalence and clinical characteristics.

Phantom sensations are well known and almost inevitable sequels to limb amputation, whereas similar phenomena are only rarely described after rectum amputation (phantom rectum). Our study attempted to assess the frequency and character of phantom rectum. All surviving patients (n = 22), who had undergone abdominoperineal surgical resection of the rectum in the period 1980-1986 at our clinic, were interviewed by a standard questionnaire and underwent a physical examination.

Benign nevus cells in the lymph nodes. An immunohistochemical study.

Aggregates of nevus cells in the axillary lymph nodes may give rise to a suspicion of metastatic breast cancer. Usually the nevus cells are confined to the capsule or the trabeculae, but in the present case, clusters of nevus cells were also observed in the peripheral sinus. Immunohistochemical analysis for S-100 protein and epithelial membrane antigen established the true nature of the cells.

Reproducibility of the fluorescein dilaurate pancreatic function test.

The indirect pancreatic function test, the fluorescein dilaurate test, was performed twice on nine healthy volunteers. The test is based on the renal excretion of fluorescein liberated from an ingested fluorescein ester by pancreatic enzymes. As a control, fluorescein sodium was ingested under similar conditions.

Prophylaxis with whole gut irrigation and antimicrobials in colorectal surgery. A prospective, randomized double-blind clinical trial.

In a prospective, randomized double-blind trial, the efficacy of whole gut irrigation as preoperative bowel preparation for elective colorectal surgery was evaluated alone and in combination with two antimicrobial agents in 148 patients. The antimicrobial regimens were metronidazole alone or metronidazole and ampicillin administered systemically preoperatively and continued for 3 days. Whole gut irrigation was completed without any discomfort in 87 percent of the patients.