[Inguinal hernia repair with the Shouldice method. Our experience].

From 1982 to 1990, in our Surgical General Department, we have replaced the traditional technique of inguinal hernia with Shouldice's method. This choice was treatment of the following considerations: few relapses happen compared to traditional operations.

[Amniotic band syndrome (author's transl)].

The authors present a critical revision of the literature concerning the pathogenic hypotheses and the opinions, during the centuries, about the origin of the deformities caused by amniotic bands. Here they describe two cases of severe deformities caused by amniotic bands which can be classified in types I and V according to Onnipoff and Hall. In the first case the newborn died immediately after the birth: the other one lives in good health after multiple surgical operations.

[Spontaneous rupture of the subdiaphragmatic esophagus].

Personal experience with an extremely rare clinical picture, spontaneous rupture of the subdiaphragmatic oesophagus is reported. In the case in question, the laceration occurred in a free peritoneum, unlike what occurred in the first reported case, that of Strauch and Lynch in 1965, where the lesion was retroperitoneal. On the basis of this experience, certain pathogenetic and diagnostic factors are discussed, but most attention is paid to the surgical treatment of this exceptional lesion.

[Hemobilia caused by rupture of a false aneurysm of the left branch of the hepatic artery].

The pathogenetic and diagnostic features of false aneurysm of the left branch of the hepatic artery are discussed in the light of a personal case. It is felt that ligation of the vessel constitutes the treatment of choice, whereas hepatic resection should be undertaken in the case of very peripheral aneurysms.

[Intrahepatic bilio-jejunal anastomosis].

Personal experience in intrahepatic biliojejunal anastomosis is described, along with the operative tactics and techniques now employed. Stress is laid on the importance of peroperative cholangiography in the division of patients into two groups with respect to drainage of intrahepatic bile, depending on whether or not a wide pathway exists between the two halves of the liver. The strategy to be used for each group is explained.

[A rare case of acute bleeding from a stress colon. Etiology, pathogenesis and treatment (author's transl)].

The authors describe an exceptional case of acute hemorrhagic ulcer of the colon occurring after stress, emphasising the importance of mesenteric arteriography in the diagnosis and suggesting emergency resection in the treatment of such a case.