[Hyperthyroidism in the elderly]. / L'ipertiroidismo nell'anziano.

UNLABELLED: Hyperthyroidism in elderly patients is not to be under-evaluated, since it is characterized in such age range by particular clinical and prognostic features. Based upon literature survey and their clinical experience, the authors discuss in the present paper clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic problems of hyperthyroidism in geriatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In the period between 1978-2003 out of 1804 patients surgically treated for thyroid disease (non neoplastic in 1470 pts.), 180 subjects presented hyperthyroidism (17%). 36 were in geriatric age-range (mean age 76 yr.; 29 females and 7 males). 26 presented a Multinodular Toxic Goiter (72.2%), whereas 9 patients complained of Plummer Adenoma (25%); only 1 patient showed Basedow disease (2.7%). RESULTS: As far as ASA classification, there were 7 ASA I, 27 ASA II and 2 ASA III. Compression of digestive tract and/or respiratory airway represented a surgical indication in 15 patients (41.6%). 12 (33.4%) were operated due to predominant cardiac symptoms (tachycardia, atrial fibrillation). The remaining 9 patients (25%) were treated for the concomitance of atypical symptoms of hyperthyroidism. We performed 15 total thyroidectomy, 7 "near totally", 8 sub-total, 6 hemithyroidectomy in case of Plummer adenoma. Postoperative mortality was nihil; p.o. morbidity was 5.5% for medical conditions (pneumonia) and surgery-related (1 laryngeal recurrent paralysis and 1 hypoparathyroidism) in 5.5%. Post-operative follow-up, conducted at 6 and 12 months from the operation, showed regression of hyperthyroidism and regression or improvement of all clinical symptoms complained by the patient. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment seems to be the only immediate and definitive cure for hyperthyroidism. Geriatric age does not seem to be a surgical contraindication.

[Systemic Salmonella Arizona infection: description of a rare surgical case]. / Infezione sistemica da Salmonella Arizona: discussione di un raro caso chirurgico.

Salmonella arizona enteritis has been described in patients resident in the southern states of the USA and in Mexico, whereas in Europe it is rarer. The virulence of this bacillus is, however, still little known and we have few descriptions of severe systemic infections, which are all present in patients with immune system impairment. Only two cases have been reported in Italy where the infection has occurred as severe sepsis with the pathogenic agent being isolated in the blood. Here we report what is, on the basis of our knowledge, the third case in Italy of a systemic Salmonella arizona infection.

[Early diagnosis importance for a correct surgical treatment of PAES (popliteal artery entrapment syndrome)]. / Importanza di una diagnosi precoce per un corretto trattamento chirurgico della PAES (sindrome da intrappolamento dell'arteria poplitea).

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is an uncommon pathological entity, caused by segmental popliteal artery compression by the surrounding myofascial structures. Clinical symptoms may appear acutely, with temporary ischaemic attacks, or chronically, with concerned calf claudicatio intermittens and for 30% are bilateral. Diagnosis, besides being based on clinical objectivity (acute and deep pain to the struck limb, mainly during active plantar hyperextension) and history-taking (subject-age and lack of atherosclerosis), is based on ultrasonographic (eco-color Doppler of the aortic-iliac-femural-popliteal trunks, tensiometric Doppler), angio-RM, angio-CT scan and dynamic angiographic exams. Treatment, essentially, is surgical by simple freeing of the popliteal artery from surrounding myofascial structures or by autologous vein (saphenous v.) interposition grafting and patching, or bypass without vessel resection. About clinical case reported by the authors, 44-years female with left calf acute pain symptoms, cold skin by the thermo-touch, hypo-paraesthesia with fifth toe cyanosis and walking inability, surgical treatment, because of precox diagnosis, consisted of simple cut of myofibrous shoot starting from medial head of the left gastrocnemious muscle and compressing popliteal artery, with clinical chart complete resolution.

[Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair "IPOM" vs "open tension free". Preliminary results of a prospective randomized study]. / Ernioplastica inguinale laparoscopica "IPOM" vs "open tensionfree." Studio prospettico randomizzato: risultati preliminari.

AIM: The authors report the preliminary results of a prospective comparison of IPOM (group A) and "open tension free" (group B) hernioplasty in 50 patients having a mono or bilateral primitive hernia. METHODS: In group A (26 patients) hernia repair was performed using "Gore-Tex DualMesh Plus biomaterial with holes Corduroy" and in group B (24 patients) using the patch and plug technique with Marlex prosthesis. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications occurred and, in group A, no conversion was necessary. Four minor complications were obser-ved in group A (10.8%): 3 seromas and 1 transient paresthesia; 5 in group B (16%): 4 hematomas and 1 wound infection (p=n.s.). In group A only 2 patients (7.6%) needed analgesics after the first 24 hours and 12 patients (50%) in group B (p<0.001). Mean resumption of normal activity was 8 days in group A and 17 days in group B (p<0.001). At a 12-month-follow-up, no recurrence was reported in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this prospective randomized study show that IPOM may be not only a feasible and effective procedure in the treatment of recurrent and bilateral hernia or when hernia repair is performed during other laparoscopic procedures, but also in particular cases of primitive hernia such as in very active young males or heavy duty workers. However it is necessary to definitely ascertain the true incidence of recurrence in non limited series and in longer follow-up and the preliminary results of this study encourage the authors to complete the randomized study.

[Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the treatment of acute cholecystitis]. / Colecistectomia laparoscopica precoce nel trattamento della colecistite acuta.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the importance of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. METHODS: From 1998 to 2000, 66 patients were submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. All patients were submitted to US scans preoperatively and operated on by surgeon skilled in emergency laparoscopic operative technique. RESULTS: Only one patient (1.5%) had conversion to open cholecystectomy. There was no mortality and no bile duct or major vascular injuries. The overall operative morbidity rate was 3%. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.1 days. CONCLUSIONS: Author's experience and results support the validity of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the treatment of acute cholecystitis, since it reduces the postoperative length of hospital stay and hospital costs. Early treatment is always helpful for inflamed and oedematous tissue which favours dissection.

[Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. Case report]. / Sindrome da intrappolamento dell'arteria poplitea. Caso clinico.

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is an uncommon pathological entity, due to segmental popliteal artery compression by the surrounding myofascial structures. Clinical symptoms may appear acutely, with temporary ischemic attacks, or chronically, with claudicatio intermittens of the involved calf and for 30% bilateral. Treatment, generally, is surgical by simple freeing of the popliteal artery from the surrounding myofascial structures or by autologous vein (saphenous v.) interposition grafting and patching, or bypass without vessel resection. The case of a 44-year female with left calf acute pain symptoms, cold skin at the thermotouch, hypo-paresthesia with fifth toe cyanosis and walking inability is reported. The surgical treatment, because of early diagnosis, consisted of simple cut of myofibrous bundle starting from the medial head of the left gastrocnemious muscle and compressing the popliteal artery, with clinical complete resolution.