[Idiopathic megacolon (author's transl)].

The diagnosis of congenital megacolon can only rarely be established in adult cases with dilatation of the rectum and sigma, since the narrow aganglionic segment and increased levels of plasma acetylcholinesterase activity are usually lacking in adult cases,--these findings being typical for congenital megacolon. Idiopathic megacolon thus is the correct diagnosis in most of these adult cases. Surgical removal of the dilated parts of the intestine and end-to-end anastomosis yield satisfactory results, thus a colostomy is not necessary.

[Electrostimulation test for intraoperative vagotomy control. Results of a prospective randomized study].

In a prospective random trial the intraoperative electro-stimulation test of Burge and Vane was conducted with 100 patients, in whom selective proximal vagotomy was performed for a duodenal ulcer. In 6 out of 50 patients histologically proved nerve fibres were found by the applying of the test. The postoperative acid values did not differ significantly between those patients who underwent the electrostimulation test and those who did not.

[Results of selective proximal vagotomy for gastroduodenal ulcer (author's transl)].

Between 1971 and 1976 selective proximal vagotomy (SPV) was performed in 526 patients with uncomplicated duodenal ulcer and in 37 with gastric ulcer. The operative mortality was 0.18%.

[Comparison of the value of various methods for diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux].

At the University Surgical Clinic Köln-Lindenthal 5 different methods were employed for assessment of gastro-esophageal reflux between 1975 - 1976 in 283 patients with and without reflux disturbances. Clinically, a gastro-esophageal reflux was found in 72% of the cases. The measurement of intra-esophageal pH with reflux-provocation was the most sensitive, and at the same time the most specific (83, 3%).

[Results of operative treatment of bronchial carcinoma (author's transl)].

Between 1960 and 1974 a total of 14 937 patients were treated in 16 German surgical departments for bronchial carcinoma. 70% proved to be inoperable. In 30% the tumour was resected, the five-year survival rate of those patients operated on before 1969 being 23%.

[Surgery of gastric and duodenal ulcer].

The variety of surgical techniques to deal with gastric and duodenal ulcers has been increased by non-resecting methods (truncular, selective, selective proximal vagotomy with or without pyloroplasty). Selective proximal vagotomy has proved its worth in uncomplicated chronic duodenal ulcer. Additional drainage is needed when there is pyloric stenosis.

[Results of the treatment of diaphragmatic lesions (author's transl)].

During the period of 1959 to 1975 34 patients were operated at the Chirurgische Universitatsklinik Koln-Lindenthal because of lesions of the diaphragm. From the survivors 20 patients were examined again 2 to 15 years after operation. 15 patients (75%) stated subjective complaints.

[Surgical management of gastric carcinoma (author's transl)].

The treatment of choice of gastric carcinoma is still radical surgery which has to be tried in all cases which are not proven to be untreatable by this method. During surgery the tumor as well as regional lymph nodes and neighboring structures have to be removed; in special cases subtotal gastrectomy carrying a lower risk at surgery does allow complete removal of the tumor. Replacing the stomach by interposition of a long loop of the small intestine has proven to yield good results.