Standard Versus Advanced Protective Measures in a COVID-Free Surgical Pathway.

Introduction The importance of coronavirus disease (COVID)-free surgical pathways during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been demonstrated. However, the extent of protective measures to be applied against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), particularly before vaccines became available, remained unclear. Methods This retrospective study included all SARS-CoV-2-negative patients admitted to the COVID-free pathway of a regional abdominal surgery hub center in Northern Italy over 12 months, before the vaccination campaign.

Laparoscopic extended liver resection: are postoperative outcomes different?

Background: Although laparoscopic major hepatectomy (LMH) is becoming increasingly common in specialized centers, data regarding laparoscopic extended major hepatectomies (LEMH) and their outcomes are limited. The aim of this study was to compare the perioperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes of LEMH to standard LMH.

Methods: All patients who underwent purely laparoscopic anatomical right or left hepatectomy and right or left trisectionectomy between February 1998 and January 2016 are enrolled.

Laparoscopic vs open restorative proctocolectomy with IPAA for ulcerative colitis: Impact of surgical technique on creating a well functioning pouch.

Background: Patients with ulcerative colitis are often young, and proctocolectomy with restorative ileo-pouch anal anastomosis is a crucial act that can improve or worsen the quality of the rest of their lives. The literature is scant on long-term functional outcomes after laparoscopy. The purpose of this study was to investigate results in terms of pouch function after standardized total laparoscopic technique compared with open intervention.

A comparison of laparoscopic resection of posterior segments with formal laparoscopic right hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases: a single-institution study.

Introduction: The benefit of by laparoscopic resection for lesions located in postero-superior segments is unclear. The present series aimed at comparing intraoperative and post-operative results in patients undergoing either laparoscopic RPS or laparoscopic RH for colorectal liver metastases located in the right postero-superior segments.

Methods: From 2000 to 2015, patients who underwent laparoscopic resection of segment 6 and/or 7 (RPS group) were compared with those with right hepatectomy (RH group) in terms of tumour characteristics, surgical treatment, and short-term outcomes.

Safety and Efficacy of a Novel Double-Stapling Technique for Distal Esophageal Resection and Esophago-Jejunal Anastomosis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of a new esophagojejunal anastomosis (EJA) technique allowing the insertion of the anvil of a common circular stapler without hand-sewn securing.

Methods: From August 2014 to May 2015, 20 consecutive patients with esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma underwent surgery. EJA was performed using a new technique; the free margins of the esophageal stump were suspended and the anvil of a circular stapler on a new dedicated and registered support bar (characterized by a push-rod making possible to hook-unhook the anvil of the circular stapler) was inserted into the lumen.

Novel double-stapling technique for distal oesophageal resection and oesophago-jejunal anastomosis.

Aim: The restoration of the digestive tract by performing an esophago-jejunal anastomosis (EJA) is a crucial step of the total gastric and distal esophagus surgical resection for esophago-gastric junction (EGJ) cancer. We have already ideated and tested on a cadaver model an innovative technique which could be useful to minimize the risk of complications related to the phase of securing the anvil of the circular stapler prior to perform the EJA. This surgical technique was derived from the well-known "double-stapling Knight and Griffen" one that was described for the rectal resection.

Tungiasis in Italy: An imported case of Tunga penetrans and review of the literature.

Tungiasis is an animal and human parasitic disease caused by fleas of the genus Tunga (Siphonaptera, Tungidae), endemic in equatorial and subtropical regions and rarely described in European countries, where clinicians and general pathologists could be not aware of this parasitic disease. To our knowledge, only 75 cases of human tungiasis (not all described in detail) were previously reported in Italy. We described a new case in a 34-year-old Italian flight attendant who developed a granuloma-like, ulcerated nodule in the subungual region of his left 5th toe, partially detaching the nail, about 20-30 days after his return from Brazil.

Transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: a single center experience and systematic review of the literature.

Purpose: The present study aimed to compare the operative and oncologic results of transanal total mesorectum excision (Ta-TME) ("down-to-up") vs. laparoscopic TME (L-TME, "up-to-down") for low rectal cancer. Additionally, a systematic review of the literature was performed to assess the quality of the current body of evidence on Ta-TME.

Voluminous oesophageal bronchogenic cyst treated with thoracoscopic approach.

Aim: Bronchogenic cysts are congenital lesions deriving from the primitive foregut, and are usually located in close relation to tracheobronchial tree or oesophagus. We report a case of an oesophageal bronchogenic cyst appearing at preoperative examinations as a benign fibromuscular tumour (leiomyoma).

Case Report: A 62 years old male patient in good general conditions, was admitted to our Institution because of moderate dysphagia and upper post-prandial abdominal pain.

Double-stapling technique for transhiatal distal esophageal resection: feasibility test in a cadaver model.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of a new surgical technique for the resection of the distal third of the esophagus and/or cardias for neoplasm.

Methods: This surgical technique consists of two steps: For this purpose we built a stainless steel support bar for the anvil that is thinner than the freespace of a standard linear suturing stapler (TATM). The support bar holds up a push rod that can be adapted to the hooking-unhooking of the anvil.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation versus surgical radiofrequency-assisted nodulectomy in treatment of small single nodes of hepatocellular carcinoma: our experience.

Aim: Surgical resection usually represents the treatment of choice for solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients, with well preserved liver function; local ablative strategies are the best treatment option for patients with small tumors who are not candidates for surgical resection or liver transplantation. Several studies showed that percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has similar efficacy to surgical nodulectomy in the treatment of early-stage HCC, and is associated with lower complication rates and costs than resection. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of these treatments, in terms of morbidity, overall survival, tumor recurrence and causes of death.

Ultrastructural analysis of different-made staplers' staples.

Aim: Recently, Chinese-made mechanical staplers with lower price respect to American-made ones have been introduced in clinical practice. In literature, small case series compare the clinical outcomes of different staplers concluding that the new stapler devices perform as well as the American ones. The aim of this study is to compare with an ultrastructural analysis the staples of different staplers in order to verify the existence of differences that might explain significant price disparity and condition clinical outcomes.

Idiopathic ileo-colonic varices in a young patient.

Colonic varices are an infrequent cause of rectal bleeding and haematochezia and they are often related to portal hypertension due to either haepatopathy or any other cause of obstruction of the portal circulation. A 20-year-old patient was studied after she suffered a serious episode of rectal bleeding, followed by syncope. In view of her clinical picture of serious rectal bleeding, which could not be kept under control by means of medical therapy or endoscopy, the patient underwent total video laparoscopic colectomy surgery with ileum-rectum anastomosis.

Eyelid eosinophilic granuloma in a Siberian husky.

Canine eosinophilic granuloma (CEG) is a rare skin disease of unknown origin. It has been reported in Siberian huskies, Cavalier King Charles spaniels and occasionally in other breeds. The lesions comprise nodules or plaques, mostly localised in the oral cavity.