[Complications in the laparoscopic treatment of primary and secondary hernias of the abdominal wall].

Introduction: Hernia is a common problem in general surgery practice. Incisional hernia can develop in 15-25% patients after abdominal surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the complications of hernia surgery.

[Parathyroid cyst. Case report].

Parathyroid cysts (PCS) are rare, and less than 300 cases have been reported in literature till now. They occur in most cases as a swelling at the lower third of the neck or are identified by means of diagnostic tests performed for other neck diseases. They are rarely symptomatic.

[Benign phylloides tumor of the breast. Considerations on a clinical case].

Phyllodes tumors are unusual biphasic fibroepithelial neoplasms of the breast, accounting for < 1% of all breast tumors and raising issues of diagnosis and therapeutic choice. They can grow quickly and when the maximum diameter is greater than 10 cm. We talk about giant phyllodes tumors.

[Pelvic splenomegaly. Ptosic, migrant or accessory spleen?].

A wandering or ectopic spleen is a rare condition in which the spleen is not located in the left upper quadrant but is found lower in the abdomen or in the pelvic region caused by improper fixation of the ligamentous attachments. Laxity of the peritoneal attachments of the spleen results in splenic hyper mobility, known as wandering spleen. Congenital and acquired causes have been advocated to explain its onset.

[Repair of umbilical hernia in postmenopausal women].

The Authors report their personal experience on the employment of the dual-mesh in PTFE for the treatment of the umbilical hernias in postmenopausal women. The prosthetic repair versus the classic Mayo's technique finds justification for the biostructural deficits of the muscolofascial structures of the women in menopause, due to the reduction of the ovarian function and made worse from previous pregnancies. An evaluation of the trofism of the structures of the abdominal wall and the dimensions of the hernias is however indispensable in the choice of the prosthetic surgery.

[Day surgery for breast cancer in the elderly].

Early diagnosis of breast cancer and improvement of new technologies for identification and analysis of sentinel node allow more conservative surgical approaches, which guarantee both excellent local control and a good quality of life, also in elderly patients. We have studied a series of 28 women aged 70 years or older and affected by breast cancer. They underwent breast-preserving surgery either alone or in association with axillary lymphadenectomy and all of them had early discharge from hospital.