[Primary inguinal hernia: Shouldice, Lichtenstein, Trabucco. Experience with 1,000 cases].

Inguinal hernia repair today offers several techniques, all of which are safe and capable of preventing recurrence. The authors review their experience with 1000 cases treated by the Lichtenstein, Trabucco and Shouldice techniques, analysing the technical features of each and the results achieved after a 2-year follow-up.

[Acute vascular abdomen: personal experience and review of the literature].

Acute vascular abdomen presents an incidence of 1% of all cases of acute abdomen, but the mortality rate is high, ranging from 50 to 80%. Acute mesenteric ischaemia and rupture of abdominal aorta aneurysms are the most frequent causes. Prevention of causal agents and early diagnosis are the only elements capable of improving patient survival.

[Diverticulosis of the colon: complications of surgical interest].

Diverticular disease is prevalently only of medical interest. Repeated episodes of diverticulitis, particularly in younger patients, and serious complications such as perforation, stenosis, fistula and haemorrhage demand surgical treatment. The timing and type of surgical operation are conditioned by the pathological picture and by the patient's general condition and age.