Breast Surgery International--breast cancer in developing countries.

Breast Surgery International (BSI) was formed in 1999 as an integrated society within the International Surgical Society ISS/SIC. One goal is to promote breast surgery world wide and focus on the situation in the developing countries. An edited summary of a symposium on locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and the current situation in two African countries and in Malaysia is reported. Diagnosis, management and treatment options differ from recommendations that prevail due to lack of resources, lack of access to facilities and cultural and socioeconomic barriers. Younger age at onset, more men are affected and locally advanced breast cancer dominates the clinical panorama. A rational treatment plan for LABC should have chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy as armaments. A unique opportunity exists for international interchange within a professional organization such as BSI, for providing training opportunities, for clinical and experimental studies of the world' s most common female malignancy.

A new surgical procedure for the treatment of total colonic aganglionosis (TCA).

Under the specific environmental circumstances of a normal developing country, a surgical procedure can save patients born with Total Colonic Aganglionosis. This new one-stage procedure comprises preservation of the ileocaecal valve, partial colon resection and a long ileum patch of the remaining colon and rectum. Normal stool habits were established due to enhanced absorption function of the remaining colon. Normal growth etc. were also noted due to adequate transit time of nutrients in the small intestine. Long-term enterostomy is difficult to manage in any depressed economy and the little ones succumb easily to malabsorption syndrome. So far two patients have benefited from this procedure. One is now 8 years, while the other is 4 years old, 6 years, and over 2 years respectively after definitive surgery.

A new surgical procedure for treatment of total colonic aganglionosis (TCA)

Under the specific environmental circumstances of a normal developing country, a surgical procedure can save patients born with Total Colonic Aganglionosis. This new one-stage procedure comprises preservation of the ileocaecal valve, partial colon resection and a long ileum patch of the remaining colon and rectum. Normal stool habits were established due to enhanced absorption function of the remaining colon. Normal growth etc. were also noted due to adequate transit time of nutrients in the small intestine. Long-term enterostomy is difficult to manage in any depressed economy and the little ones succumb easily to malabsorption syndrome. So far two patients have benefited from this procedure. One is now 8 years, while the other is 4 years old, 6 years, and over 2 years respectively after definitive surgery

Treatment of total colonic aganglionosis by a modified Martin procedure--a preliminary report.

We report on a case of total colonic aganglionosis successfully treated by a modified Martin procedure under the specific environmental circumstances of a developing country. The single-approach procedure comprises a preservation of the ileocaecal valve and a long ileum patch for the remaining colon and rectum after left hemicolectomy with the advantage of restitution of normal stool habits due to enhanced absorption function of the remaining colon.

Varix of the external jugular vein.

A case of varix involving the left external jugular vein is presented. The pathogenesis of the unusual condition is discussed and the attention of practising physicians drawn to the new differential diagnosis of swelling in the neck.