[Complicated Spigelian hernia. A case report].

Prompted by the observation of a case of lateral ventral Spigelian hernia complicated by strangulation and manifested by symptoms of small intestine occlusion, the authors describe the anatomo-surgical characteristics of the abdominal site of this pathology. They analyse the various diagnostic and subsequently surgical options available to the surgeon when dealing with this pathology. This is achieved with reference to data reported in the current international literature on the subject.

[The use of the BAR-Valtrac-type pressure stapler in surgery of the large intestine].

A total of 148 patients underwent colon resection between June 1993 and November 1994 at the General Surgery Division of Busto Arsizio Hospital; anastomosis was performed using BAR Valtrac in 58 patients (39%), namely 28 males and 30 women with a mean age of 66.3 years. Surgery was elective in 90% of cases and in 84% of patients was secondary to neoplastic pathologies.

[Amyloid goiter].

Amyloid goitre, defined as diffuse hyperplasia of the thyroid due to infiltration of amyloid substance, has been rarely reported as in confirmed by the latest reviews of the literature. This paper reports the case of a 23-year-old patient with a long history of systemic amyloidosis probably secondary to a Mediterranean fever with diffuse lymphoadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly and chronic renal insufficiency, who was referred to our attention due to a struma which had increased in volume over the past few years. Aspirated needle biopsy showed the presence of amyloid and the patient underwent total thyroidectomy; the histological test confirmed amyloid struma.

[Diverticulitis of the right colon. Presentation of a clinical case].

The recent observation of one case of diverticulitis of the right colon led to an evaluation of clinical diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this comparatively rare condition, on the basis of reported data. Preoperative diagnosis is very difficult because it clinically resembles acute appendicitis in many ways, or because of the objective observation of a mass in the right iliac fossa. Instrumental examinations require preparation times that are often incompatible with the degree of surgical urgency.