[Pleuro-pneumo-phreno-pericardiectomy with pericardial and diaphragmatic plasty].

Aim of the paper is to evaluate 43 extrapleural pneumonectomy performed from 1988 to May 2000. Criteria for extrapleural pneumonectomy were pleural biopsy by thoracoscopy, potentially completely resectable unilateral disease by computed tomography and predicted postresection forced expiratory volume >1,3 L/sec. The resections regarded 33 pleural mesothelioma, 9 pleural lung-carcinosis and 1 pleural melanoma effusion.

[Video-thoracoscopic sympathectomy in the treatment of Raynaud's disease and palmar hyperhidrosis].

Background And Aim: Raynaud's syndrome is a clinical entity characterised by episodic vascular spasm, digital ischemia in response to cold or emotional stimuli and hyperhidrosis. Many patients suffering from Raynaud's syndrome are successfully treated using medical therapy alone. Those patients who do not respond to medical treatment undergo surgery but the indications continue to be a source of controversy.

[Crossectomy combined with sclerosis in the ambulatory treatment of varicose veins].

This paper focuses on the advantages of an outpatient technique in the treatment of the 1st various syndrome based on crossectomy and complementary sclerotherapy to eliminate the proximal reflux. In addition to the speed, low costs and total absence of discomfort for the patient, this method results in a low percentage of easily correctable failures provided the patients to be treated are carefully chosen. Selection involves a preoperative screening phase based on anamnesis, semeiological tests, Doppler and evaluation of tibial venous pressure, as well as careful topographical mapping of proximal refluxes which allow a correct postoperative follow-up in the event of possible recidivation (14.

[Intraoperative pancreatic echography].

The US intraoperative diagnostic procedure is useful either for the higher sensitivity rate or for the surgical decision making. The Authors' intraoperative diagnostic experience in pancreatic diseases is reported: 23 exocrine and endocrine neoplasms, 3 chronic pancreatitis and 8 acute pancreatitis cases are discussed.

[Thyroid metastasis of carcinoma of the breast. Considerations on 2 cases].

Two cases of thyroid metastasis from breast cancer are reported, both occurring in patients previously given radical mastectomies. It is emphasised that postoperative follow-up should also monitor rarely affected sites of metastasis from breast cancer.