Evaluation of Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), as a possible cause of Eustachian tube dysfunction in adults.

Backdown: In this study, the authors, each for their own skills, on the basis of clinical, psychological, endoscopic investigations, evaluated the probable relationship between the laryngopharyngeal reflux present in gastroesophageal reflux disease, and the dysfunction of the Eustachian tube. At the end of the study, after a phase of medical therapy for GERD, they found that laryngopharyngeal acid reflux was in fact the basis of audiological symptoms and chronic dysfunction of the Eustachian tube.

Methods: We evaluated with a digestive endoscopy 60 patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, who had associated pathologies of ENT relevance, probably caused by extraesophageal reflux.

Voice rehabilitation and quality of life in laryngectomized patients.

Background: Total laryngectomy represents the surgical procedure necessary for the treatment of some advanced neoplasms of the hypopharyngeal-laryngeal district and involves strong functional, physical and emotional repercussions. This research investigated the way in which the rehabilitation methods, used to improve the communicative needs of laryngectomized patients, influence their perceived quality of life.

Method: The questionnaires "V-RQoL" and "SECEL" were administered to 45 patients divided into four groups on the basis of the type of vicarious voice: group TE (27 patients), group E (7 patients), group EL (2 patients), group NV (9 patients).

Harry Potter's Occlusion: Report of a Case of Pumpkin Seed Bezoar Rectal Impact.

Bezoar is a term from Arabic "bāzahr" or ultimately from Middle Persian "p'tzhl" (pādzahr, "bezoar antidote" or less commonaly ægagropile or egagropile (2-4). It was believed to have the power of a universal antidote that works against any poison, and a glass containing a bezoar could neutralize any poison poured into it. In science, it is a mass of hair or undigested vegetable matter found in a human or animal intestines, similar to a hairball.

Post-operative oncological and psychological evaluation of patients with colostomy for colorectal cancer.

Background: The therapeutic arsenal for colorectal cancer is largely made up of surgery. In digestive tumors, ostomy devices induce loss of function and control. This medical device generates changes that affect all aspects of patients' lives.

Role of narrow band imaging (NBI), in the treatment of non-polypoid colorectal lesions, with endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). A single-center experience.

Background: In this study, the authors evaluated the role of narrow band imaging endoscopy in the early detection of infiltration of the colon wall by flat and depressed lesions, highlighted during colonoscopy, to confirm the possibility of removal with Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR).

Methods: 67 patients (37 males and 30 females) with non-polypoid colorectal lesions were included in this study. The location of the lesions, the size and possible infiltration of the colon wall were performed with a colonoscopy with NBI.

Oncological and psychological evaluation of laryngectomized patients, pre and post implantation of voice prostheses. A single center experience.

Background: In our study we evaluated from an oncological and psychological point of view, a group of patients who had previously undergone total laryngectomy and candidates for the placement of a vocal prosthesis, which allows to recover the voice using the air that passes from the trachea to the esophagus, thus vibrating a segment of the cervical esophagus. For the placement of the prosthesis and the oncological follow-up, we used the support of videoendoscopy, to exclude any recurrence or secondary tumors. At the same time, we subjected patients to a psychological evaluation before and after the implantation of the prostheses, to understand the behavioral changes in the two phases, and the possible achievement of the result of total autonomy, social reintegration, and recovery of oral communication, in the post-surgical phase.

Management of pheochromocytoma during pregnancy from diagnosis to laparoscopic adrenalectomy. A case report and review of literature.

Introduction: Pheochromocytoma is an endocrine tumour of chromaffin cells. It can be diagnosed either sporadically or in the context of hereditary syndromes (e.g.

Mycosis fungoides (CTCL) associated with colorectal adenocarcinoma. A rare case of combined response to neoadjuvant therapy.

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a well-known and common form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), composed of malignant proliferation of CD4+CD45Ro+helper memory T cells. In the patient with MF, the incidence of secondary malignancies is higher than general population but very few cases with both MF and colorectal adenocarcinoma have been reported. Herein we describe a case of MF occurring in a 64-year-old man and followed, five months later, by a diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Treatment and outcomes of patients with chronic radiation proctitis. A single-center experience and review of the literature.

Chronic radiation proctitis is a frequent complication after radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies. It is reported that 1 to 5% of patients develop chronic radiation proctitis even with recent advances in external radiotherapy. Hematochezia, mucus discharge, urgency and tenesmus are common symptoms and they can vary in severity but bleeding is often the most debilitating to the patient.

Nasal and systemic eosinophilia associated with solid intestinal tumors, a case report and review of the literature.

The authors report the study of a clinical case, which presented eosinophilia both in the secretion of the nasal mucosa and in the blood count. After a careful examination of all the pathologies related to hypereosinophilia, through a clinical study, they have documented the presence of an adenocarcinoma located in the ileocecal junction of the colon. From what has been documented it is clear that only a clinical observation of precision, carried out above all through nasal cytology and colonoscopy, is able to diagnose an important pathology, such as oncology.

Successful transanal removal of unusual foreign body self-inserted in the rectum A case report and review of literature.

Foreign bodies in the rectum are a true proctological emergency. The incidence of these cases is increasing in recent years mostly due to auto-erotic acts and behavior disordes and is mainly observed in young patients. Most patients with rectal foreign bodies present to the emergency room usually exhausted after efforts of removingothe object at home.

Obstructing left sided colorectal cancer. A retrospective single Center study.

Background: In recent years, with population aging, there has been an increased number of colorectal cancer cases with severe occlusion symptoms. About 75% of obstructions due to malignant colorectal cancer (10-30%) occur distal to splenic flexure.

Methods: The authors evaluated the best surgical therapeutic strategy to be used in cases of left-sided colorectal carcinoma in patients over 65 years old, especially considering the emergency condition, age of patients and efficacy in terms of postoperative morbidity, mortality and 5 years survival rate.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), in elderly patients with dementia and anorexia. Medical and ethical issues regarding placement.

Background And Aims: Ethical and medico-legal issues reviews of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) placement in elderly patients is an important topic of international medical literature. PEG is often inappropriately placed in patients with not spontaneous oral feeding intake, cause of unrealistic expectations. We performed a critical review of the literature for placement of PEG in geriatric patients.

Prophylactic GSV surgery in elderly candidates for hip or knee arthroplasty.

Unlabelled: Aging is one of the major risk factors for varicose veins. The same is for Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis. Most of the patients undergoing to Hip (THA) or Knee (TKA) arthroplasty are over sixteen.

Uncommon primary hydatid cyst occupying the adrenal gland space, treated with laparoscopic surgical approach in an old patient.

Unlabelled: Hydatid disease (HD) is caused by Echinococcus Granulosus (EG), which is a larva endemic in many undeveloped areas. The most common target is the liver (59%-75%). The retroperitoneal space is considered as a rare localization.

Morbid Obesity: treatment with Bioenterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB), psychological and nursing care: our experience.

Obesity is considered a chronic disease, difficult to treat, and is the first cause of death in the world that is predictable. The surgical approach is limited to patients with severe obesity but there is an intermediate group who are not candidates for immediate surgery. The BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) is recommended for weight reduction as a bridge to bariatric surgery.

Relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and Ph nose and salivary: proposal of a simple method outpatient in patients adults.

Introduction: The frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing, in part through easy inspection of the upper digestive tract, but especially for a real spread of the disease as a consequence of modernity, lifestyle, incorrect dietary rules, and stress arising from social norms. It is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder in Europe and the United States.

Materials And Methods: The aim of our study is to highlight a relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and salivary pH as evidenced by indicator strips, especially in the outpatient field.

Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors of the digestive system.

The authors evaluated the role of endoscopic techniques in the diagnosis and in the potential treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) localized in the gastro-entero-pancreatic system, on the basis of their experience and of the international literature. NET are rare tumors that arise from neuroendocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. It is a possibility that both the digestive endoscopy and EUS play an important role in the diagnosis, staging and surveillance of this disease.

Confocal microscopy and imaging profilometry: A new tool aimed to evaluate aesthetic procedures.

According to the American Academy of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, more than 11 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures were performed by board-certified plastic surgeons, dermatologists and otolaryngologists in the United States, totaling more than 12 billion dollars. We performed a retrospective observational multi-centric study on patients treated with a non-animal origin cross-linked hyaluronic acid with different molecular weights for nasolabial folds, evaluating through a new imaging system, profilometric techniques with the confocal microscopy, the durability, the efficacy and the safety of this product. From 25 patients, 150 silicone casts were obtained: 75 casts of the right nasolabial fold and 75 casts of the left nasolabial fold.

Fondaparinux vs warfarin for the treatment of unsuspected pulmonary embolism in cancer patients.

Introduction: In cancer patients, the chest computer tomography (CT) can be used to identify asymptomatic pulmonary embolism (APE). In most cases, these patients are treated with anticoagulant drugs for at least 3 months. The American College of Physicians recommend treatment of these patients as patients with symptomatic pulmonary embolism.

BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) versus Spatz Adjustable Balloon System (ABS): Our experience in the elderly.

The BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) and the Spatz Adjustable Balloon System (ABS) are in fact recommended for weight reduction as a bridge to bariatric surgery. We retrospected studied patients with body mass index (BMI) and age ranges of 37-46 and 70-80 years, respectively, who had undergone BIB from January 2010 to July 2012 and prospected studied patients who had undergone Spatz balloon from July 2012 to August 2014. The aim of this study is to compare BIB and Spatz in terms of weight loss, complications, and maintenance of weight after removal.

Laparoscopic single site (LESS) and classic video-laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly: A single centre experience.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold-standard surgical method used to treat gallbladder diseases. Recently Laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS) has gained greater interest and diffusion for the surgical treatment of several pathologies. In elderly patients, just few randomized controlled trials are present in the literature that confirm the clinical advantages of LESS compared with the classic laparoscopic procedures.

Tailored treatment of intestinal angiodysplasia in elderly.

Background: Angiodysplasia of the gastrointestinal tract is an uncommon, but not rare, cause of bleeding and severe anemia in elderly. Different treatments exist for this kind of pathology.

Methods: The aim of this work was to study 40 patients treated for intestinal angiodysplasia with two different kind of endoscopic treatments: argon plasma coagulation (APC) and bipolar electrocoagulation (BEC).

Internal Delorme vs. STARR procedure for correction of obstructed defecation from rectocele and rectal intussusception.

Purpose: "Outlet obstruction" is a complex functional disorder compelling patients to exhausting uneffective attempts to void. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness and a safety of the endorectal proctopexy (internal Delorme) vs STARR procedure in two groups of patients.

Methods: A total of 66 patients with rectocele and associated mucosal prolapse or anorectal intussusception between January 2006 and June 2010 were randomly assigned to Group # 1 Endorectal proctopexy with levatorplasty (ERPP) and Group # 2 STARR.

Adrenocortical carcinoma: what the surgeon needs to know. Case report and literature review.

Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare and aggressive cancer and its prognosis is frequently unsatisfactory. Due to its rarity there's a lack of prospective randomized studies. Without experience in the approach of this kind of tumor, managing becomes challenging and, moreover, we have only few recommendations, based on weak evidence.