Merkel Cell Carcinoma with Gastric Metastasis, a Rare Presentation: Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an infrequent, but highly aggressive neuroendocrine neoplasm of the skin with a propensity for recurrence and metastasis. We report a rare case of gastric metastatic localization of this cancer by focusing on the diagnostic, clinical, and surgical approach to the patient.

Case Report: Clinical presentation begins with a peripheral lymphadenopathy whose immunohistochemical characterization identifies the lymphatic dissemination of the disease.

Minimally invasive esophagectomy: thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization for esophageal cancer with the patient in prone position.

Background: Surgical resection is the mainstay treatment for resectable esophageal cancer. Minimally invasive esophagectomy is performed with increasing frequency and proves to be a safe and effective surgical alternative to the open technique. Minimally invasive esophagectomy using thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization with the patient in prone position seems to offer some advantages with regard to surgeon ergonomics and clinical outcome.

[Traumatic lesions of the pancreas: diagnosis and treatment].

The diagnosis and treatment of traumatic lesions of the pancreas are difficult. The deep anatomical location of the organ, the lack of truly accurate non-invasive diagnostic investigations and the frequent initial scarcity or absence of specific symptoms, often mean that a clinical assumption based on the dynamics of the trauma is fundamental for a rapid, correct diagnosis. The state of the main pancreatic duct is the most important element in establishing the prognosis and guiding the treatment, and should therefore be accurately defined before or during surgery.

Gastrointestinal sutureless anastomosis using fibrin glue: reinforcement of the sliding absorbable intraluminal nontoxic stent and development of a stent placement device.

Sutureless anastomosis of the gastrointestinal tract using fibrin glue and sliding absorbable intraluminal nontoxic stents (SAINTs) has two shortcomings, stent shaft breakage and the lack of a transanal insertion device (TID) for low anterior resection. Reinforcement of the sucrose base SAINT (R-SAINT) is described. Sutureless anastomosis is attempted using a stapleless mechanical stapler (SS) and used as preprototype to screen histologically and mechanically for TID anastomoses in the small intestine.

[Venereal perihepatitis: Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome].

A case of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (venereal perihepatitis) is reported. This syndrome is observed almost exclusively in women as a complication of genital gonococcal or chlamydial infections. A sudden, acute biliary-type pain generally characterizes the disease; only a few cases present symptoms related to associated genital infection.