Presacral epidermoid cyst. A case report.

Introduction: Most of the primitive cystic neoplasms arising in the retrorectal presacral space are congenital. Presacral epidermoid cysts are classified as a type of developmental cysts, resulting from an error during the embryogenesis. They have a slowly-progressive growth that only lately can cause clinically remarkable symptoms.

[Typology of defunctioning colostomy and state of art in the treatment of bowel emergencies].

Background: A trend toward avoidance of a defunctioning colostomy at emergency large-bowel surgery has been placed in recent years. The surgical management of patients with acute colonic disease has been evolving from multiple to single operations with a reduced use of colostomy.

Methods And Results: One hundred four consecutive non-selected patients underwent surgery for left-sided large bowel emergencies between 1980-2003.

[Surgical treatment of carotid chemodectoma: our experience].

Carotid chemodectoma is a tumor that affects the bifurcation of the carotids. It is not a frequent event, but it has great importance for surgical and diagnostic problems involved. In this article three cases of chemodectoma observed and surgically treated are reported.

Is the identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve mandatory in thyroid operation? Results of a prospective randomized study.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of injury to the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) with 2 different surgical approaches.

Methods: From 1998 to 2000, 289 consecutive patients undergoing thyroidectomy were randomly divided into 2 groups. In group A (137 patients [215 upper pole ligations]), the superior thyroid artery was ligated after identification of the EBSLN.

Ultrasound screening of healthy infants for urinary tract abnormalities.

The purpose of the study was to determine the incidence of silent but significant urinary tract abnormalities that might be detected by screening renal ultrasound studies of apparently healthy infants. Of 437 babies studied, six were found to have uropathology severe enough to warrant surgery for an incidence of 1.37% or one of every 73 babies studied.