[Ultrasonic videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy: evolution of a revolutionary technique].

Aim: The present retrospective study, which lasted about six months from the beginning of March to the end of August 2008, involved 60 patients suffering from symptomatic calculosis of the gall bladder.

Methods: The patients were operated on with laparoscopy: 30 with traditional instruments, 30 using ultrasound multifunctional scissors.

Results: The numerous advantages for the patient and surgeon are immediately evident; in addition, from the economic viewpoint the procedure is advantageous compared to the traditional method because single-use material is employed exclusively.

[Silicoasbestosis: report of three cases].

Silicoasbestosis is a rare pneumoconiosis due to the combined sclerosing effect of crystalline silica and asbestos fibres. We present here three cases (males, age: 66-75 years), recently reported to the judicial and workers' compensation authorities. The exposures occurred in the building and siderurgic industries, several years before retirement.

[Rhabdomyolysis in a worker exposed to paraffinic mineral oils. Unusual association with bronchiolitis obliterans and organizing pneumonia (BOOP)].

We describe a 29-year-old worker; exposed to metal dust, sawdust and paraffinic mineral oils in a factory producing accessories for leather articles and clothing, who came to observation with fever (39 degrees C), chest pain and marked increase of muscular enzymes. Chest computed tomography showed two areas of lung consolidation, that subsequently appeared enlarged with central escavation. Lung biopsy lead to the diagnosis of BOOP.

[Analysis of a case series of workers with mobbing syndrome].

Mobbing represents nowadays a major challenge for Occupational Medicine. We examined, during the last seven years, 253 patients who asked medical assistance for psychopathological problems by them ascribed to mobbing in the working environment. All patients underwent occupational health visit, psychological counselling (including personality tests administration), and psychiatric evaluation.

[Occupational risks among public safety and security forces].

The present paper tries to identify the occupational risk factors (physical, chemical, biological, psychological), variable depending on jobs and tasks, to which the heterogeneous public safety/security workers are exposed. The fight against criminality and public order maintenance imply (sometimes fatal) traumatic risks, and expose to psychophysical and sensorial tiring, unfavourable macro- and microclimatic conditions, the risk of baropathy (air navigation, underwater activities), noise (generated by firearms and several other sources), vibrations and shakings (automatic weapons, transport vehicles), the risk of electric injury, ionizing (X and gamma rays) and non-inonizing (ultraviolet rays, microwaves and radiofrequencies, electromagnetic fields) radiations. Chemical hazards include carbon monoxide and other combustion products (fires, urban traffic), substances released in chemical accidents, tear gases, lead (firing grounds, metal works, environmental pollution), solvents, lubrificants and cutting oils (mechanic repair and maintenance), laboratory materials and reagents, irritant and/or sensitizing agents contained in gloves.