[Concepts in surgical therapy of kidney cancer].

Three new aspects of the operative treatment of renal cell carcinoma can be made out: 1. for the removal of tumor thrombus extending to the right atrium, the surgical technique of choice involves whole-body hypothermia and extra-corporeal circulation. Only in this way can these tumors be removed completely under good vision.

Bacterial overgrowth in ileal reservoirs (Koch pouch): extended functional studies.

An absorptive, hormonal, bacteriological and morphological study was performed in 9 proctocolectomized patients with continent ileal reservoirs established for 2-57 months. Vitamin B 12 malassimilation (as assessed by the Schilling test and serum vitamin B 12 concentration), bile salt deconjugation (modified 14C-glycocholate breath test), increased stool fat excretion and high intestinal sodium loss with secondary hyperreninism/hyperaldosteronism were encountered in a large percentage of patients; proximal small intestinal absorption (serum parameters, xylose test) appeared intact. In reservoir stool samples total and differential bacterial cell counts yielded values close to a normal rectum flora.

[Incomplete lead fracture as a cause of bradyarrhythmia in patients with artificial pacemakers (author's transl)].

The fracture of a permanent cardiac pacing lead may be complete or incomplete. In the first case, the function of the pacemaker system will completely cease. An incomplete fracture, however, is defined as a capillary interruption of the wire and will lead to a loose connexion between both parts of the electrode.

[Mediastinal angiography. A helpful method to evaluate to operability of mediastinal and lung tumors (author's transl)].

Preoperative mediastinal angiography, as a simple method, shows alterations of pulmonary and venous mediastinal circulation. It enables the surgeon to evaluate the operability of malignant thoracic neoplasms without performance of other diagnostic procedure with a higher rate of complications, e.g.

[Resection for pulmonary metastases: results and prognosis (author's transl)].

From 1955 to 1975 in 25 patients lung surgery has been carried out because of intrapulmonary metastases of extrapulmonary malignant growth. 6 patients survived longer than 5 years. There was no relationship between survival time and length of the time interval between initial surgery (primary) and second operation (i.

[Mammary carcinoma].

Comments are made on controversial questions on the early recognition of mammary carcinoma with reference to the most important publications in the world literature and to our own experience. The decision between mastectomy and irradiation presupposes a histologically, cytologically, clinically or mammographically confirmed diagnosis. The extent of an operation must take cosmetic principles into consideration.