[Laparoscopic appendectomy]. / L'appendicectomia per via laparoscopica.

The authors report their experience of 6 cases of appendicectomy using a laparoscopic route of which 5 were performed under local anesthesia and 1 under general anesthesia. The results indicate that this new technique is easy to perform and as rapid and safe as the traditional operation. The possibility of using local anesthesia, the lack of complications when operating on obese patients, the lower incidence of wound infections and rapid postoperative mobilisation all argue in favour of this alternative approach to conventional open surgery.

[Synchronous tumors of the colon]. / I tumori sincroni del colon.

Although rare, synchronous tumors of the colon represent an important clinical manifestation of cancer of the colon. The paper reports a study carried out in 437 patients with the aim of evaluating the incidence of synchronous tumours and identifying the most useful diagnostic tools for diagnosis. On the basis of the results obtained the authors conclude that the incidence of synchronous tumours of the colon ranges between 1-3% and that in comparison to other methods pancolonoscopy enables a complete diagnosis for a prophylactic approach to multiple tumours.

[Simultaneous bilateral primary lymphomatous tumors of the testis]. / Tumore primitivo sincrono bilaterale linfomatoso del testicolo.

Among the malignant tumours of the gonads, primary lymphoma of the testis represents a rare pathology. It is even more rare to observe this pathology in a bilateral localisation. After a careful evaluation of the cases described in the literature, the authors report a case or primary synchronous and bilateral lymphoma of the testis in a 68-year-old patient; they examine the clinical data and diagnostic methods and analyse the surgical treatment. In conclusion the authors affirm that primary synchronous bilateral lymphoma of the testis represents a rare form of tumour which is burdened by a high mortality rate.

[Current etiopathogenic guides in pulmonary embolism]. / Attuali orientamenti etiopatogenetici dell'embolia polmonare.

Pulmonary embolism is still a dangerous postoperative complication in spite of antithrombotic prophylaxis. The paper examines the etiopathogenetic stages of the disease and stresses the relevance of Wircov's triad today, even in the light of recent acquisitions which highlight the role of endothelium as a modulator of the fibrinolytic process.

[Nonparasitic hepatic cysts]. / Cisti epatiche non parassitarie.

Serous cyst of the liver are a rare pathology which are often diagnosed during surgery. The paper reports 12 cases which were diagnosed during laparoscopy and discusses the etiopathogenesis of the disease, the latest diagnostic tools and the possible use of surgery. In conclusion, the Authors affirm that surgical laparoscopy represents an alternative form of treatment in some cases, such as polycystic liver.

[Mucocele of the appendix. Presentation of a case and review of the literature]. / Sul mucocele dell'appendice. Presentazione di un caso e revisione della letteratura.

The Authors report a case of benign mucocele which was brought to their attention for emergency treatment. Following a review of the literature, they examine the clinical, anatomopathological, pathogenetic and therapeutic problems related to this rare disease. In conclusion, it is important to assess the benign nature or otherwise of the pathology before proceeding to the most suitable and radical form surgery.