Topsoil and urban dust pollution and toxicity in Taranto (southern Italy) industrial area and in a residential district.

Adverse environmental conditions in the Taranto area (southern Italy) were investigated in studies of air, marine sediment, and human health. The present study aimed at providing unprecedented information on soil pollution and toxicity in a set of sites around recognized pollution sources in the Taranto area, since previous studies were focused on marine or air pollution, or on human health effects. The investigated area included a steel foundry and a power plant, as well as some sites located in an adjacent neighborhood.

Precoagulation-assisted parenchyma-sparing laparoscopic liver surgery: rationale and surgical technique.

Background: For the treatment of both primary and metastatic liver tumors, laparoscopic parenchyma-sparing surgery is advocated to reduce postoperative liver failure and facilitate reoperation in the case of recurrence. However, atypical and wedge resections are associated with a higher amount of intraoperative bleeding than are anatomical resections, and such bleeding is known to affect short- and long-term outcomes. Beyond the established role of radiofrequency and microwave ablation in the setting of inoperable liver tumors, the application of thermoablative energy along the plane of the liver surface to be transected results in a zone of coagulative necrosis, possibly minimizing bleeding of the cut liver surface during parenchymal transection.

Laparoscopic management of non-midline incisional hernia: A multicentric study.

Background: The laparoscopic repair of non-midline ventral hernia (LNM) has been debated. The aim of this study is to analyze our experience performing the laparoscopic approach to non-midline ventral hernias (NMVHs) in Northwest Italy for 6 years.

Methods: A total of 78 patients who underwent LNM between March 2008 and March 2014 in the selected institutions were analyzed.

Adult pulmonary blastoma: Report of an unusual malignant lung tumor.

Pulmonary blastoma is an uncommon lung malignancy, usually presenting itself as a large chest mass causing pain, hemoptysis, cough and dyspnea; however, it is asymptomatic in up to 40% of patients. We present the case and suggestive images of a 37-year-old non-smoking lady with a monophasic pulmonary blastoma located in the lower lobe of the left lung who underwent a left posterolateral thoracotomy with lower lobectomy, hilar and mediastinal node dissection, followed by chemo and radiation therapy. After 36 mo, there is no disease progression and the patient is in good health, clinically stable and without significant chest pain.

Managing acute colorectal obstruction by "bridge stenting" to laparoscopic surgery: Our experience.

Aim: To verify the clinical results of the endoscopic stenting procedure for colorectal obstructions followed by laparoscopic colorectal resection with "one stage anastomosis".

Methods: From March 2003 to March 2009 in our surgical department, 48 patients underwent endoscopic stenting for colorectal occlusive lesion: 30 males (62.5%) and 18 females (37.

Use of bovine pericardium graft for abdominal wall reconstruction in contaminated fields.

Aim: To employ, in such conditions, a biological graft such as bovine pericardium that offers resistance to infection.

Methods: In our surgical department, from January 2006 to June 2010, 48 patients underwent abdominal wall reconstruction using acellular bovine pericardium; of these 34 patients had a contaminated wound due to diffuse peritonitis (complicated diverticulitis, bowel perforation, intestinal infarction, strangled hernia, etc.) and 14 patients had hernia relapse on infected synthetic mesh.

Laparoscopic treatment of traumatic rupture of hydatid hepatic cyst--is it feasible?: A case report.

Purpose: Hydatid disease is endemic in several countries. Although the disease can be asymptomatic for long time, it is usually progressive and insidious and can be even challenging in emergency both for its diagnosis and its treatment.

Methods: We report the case of an 8-year-old Albanian boy who was admitted in emergency to our surgical department with the diagnosis of suspected hemoperitoneum caused by a mild liver trauma.

Use of India ink during preoperative computed tomography localization of small peripheral undiagnosed pulmonary nodules for thoracoscopic resection.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest permit us to identify a large number of small peripheral, undefined pulmonary lesions that require a diagnosis. Broncoscopy results are generally negative in these cases, and needle aspiration results are often inconclusive owing to poor cytology and false-negative cases. Thoracoscopy is an ideal tool but allows us only to localize lesions that retract the visceral pleura.

Hemostatic step-by-step procedure to control presacral bleeding during laparoscopic total mesorectal excision.

Background: A new procedure of hemostasis during laparoscopic total mesorectal excision is described.

Methods: In our surgical department, from January 2004 to December 2007, 128 patients underwent laparoscopic total mesorectal excision. Among them, 47 patients underwent laparoscopic anterior resection after preoperative radiotherapy, 68 patients underwent laparoscopic anterior resection without preoperative radiotherapy, and 13 patients underwent laparoscopic abdominal perineal amputation.

[Benefits and difficulties in implementing family psychoeducational interventions for schizophrenia in mental health services: results from a multicentre Italian study].

Aims: This study aims to explore: a) the feasibility of psycho-educational interventions for families of users with schizophrenia in clinical practice by trained staff; b) the benefits and problems encountered by professionals in the use of these interventions.

Methods: 46 professionals from 23 Italian Mental Health Services (MHS) attended at a three-module training course in psycho-educational interventions and four supervisions in the subsequent year. Following the course, participants provided the intervention to families of users with schizophrenia.