Prevalence of varicose veins in an Italian elderly population.

The prevalence of varicose veins (VV) in the elderly population of the Campania Region, in Southern Italy, was estimated. A random sample of the people aged more than 65 years was drawn by means of a stratified multistage sampling design warranting that observed percentages were direct estimates of population percentages. The investigation covered 1319 subjects, 560 (42.

[Closure of the residual pancreatic stump after pancreatoduodenectomy using a mechanical stapler].

An important technical problem during pancreatoduodenectomy is the treatment of the pancreatic stump. The Authors describe their recent experience in five cases of pancreatoduodenectomy, in which the pancreatic stump, including the Wirsung, was closed using a linear stapler. An outflow of clear pancreatic juice through the drainage tubes was registered postoperatively, in all patients.