Hybrid transanal endoscopic microsurgery: a novel approach to rectal neoplasm excision.

AIM: Rectal neoplasm excision is a challenging issue in gastrointestinal endoscopy and surgery. This technical note describes a hybrid method for the excision of challenging rectal neoplasms. METHOD: The procedure consists of the combined use of classic endoscopy and transanal endoscopic microsurgical instrumentation for full-thickness removal of a recurrent rectal polyp in a patient who had previously undergone endoscopic excision of a Tis rectal adenocarcinoma, located behind the valve of Houston and 9 cm from the anal verge. RESULTS: The lesion was removed completely in 50 min with no operative complication. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged after 5 days. Pathological examination of the specimen confirmed complete resection of the lesion with adequate disease-free margins. CONCLUSION: Hybrid transanal endoscopic microsurgery successfully combines the precision and flexibility of classic endoscopy with the radicality and safety of transanal endoscopic microsurgery for the treatment of demanding benign or early-stage malignant rectal tumours.

[Indications, techniques, complications and results of sleeve lobectomy]. / Indicazioni, tecniche, complicanze e risultati della sleeve lobectomy.

AIM: The authors analyse their personal series and compare it with reported data in order to assess the functional results sleeve lobectomy offers with respect to traditional techniques. METHODS: Sixty-six sleeve lobectomies were carried out from 1986 to 2000. In 49 cases the operation was carried out on the basis of criteria of choice and in 17 of functional necessity. Three vascular sleeves and 5 tangential vascular plastic operations were associated. The disparity of lumen was corrected with oblique sections on the intermediate bronchus according to Merendino. In the case of reimplantation of the intermediate on the left main bronchus high frequency jet ventilation was necessary. The anatomoses were covered with broad pedunculated pleural strips. In 3 cases extramucosal myectomy of the medio-thoracic esophagus was carried out associated in 1 case with mucous resection and subsequent direct suture. RESULTS: Morbility was 34.5% (21% atrial fibrillation, 7.5% parenchymal complications, 4.5% anastomotic complications and 1.5% mediastinitis). Mortality at 30 days was 6% (massive hemoptysis in 3 cases and respiratory failure in 1 case). The pTNM of the 57 survivors was IB in 35 cases, IIB in 6 and IIIA in 16. Follow-up showed 5-year survival of 62% for stage IB and 24% for stage IIIA. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of their experience, with a postoperative mortality and a rate of complications comparable to literature data, the authors consider that sleeve lobectomy, although it presents postoperative problems requiring more prolonged clinical control, is preferable to traditional operations because of the functional advantages it offers patients with lung cancer.

Percutaneous vacuum-assisted core breast biopsy with upright stereotactic equipment. Indications, limitations and results.

PURPOSE: To assess the usefulness of stereotactic vacuum-assisted core breast biopsy (VCBB) performed using a stereotactic add-on device and film-screen technology with the patient in an upright seated position. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed a series of 129 women with non-palpable mammographic abnormalities who required stereotactic VCBB from December 1999 to November 2000. Twenty-seven (20.9%) cases were excluded due to difficulties in keeping the correct position during the procedure, while the other 102 (79.1%) underwent successful VCBB. Patients with lesions consisting of either atypical ductal hyperplasia or lobular carcinoma in situ were considered for excisional biopsy. Patients with either ductal carcinoma in situ or infiltrating breast cancer were referred for definitive surgery. The results of stereotactic VCBB were correlated to the subsequent surgical histology. RESULTS: Stereotactic VCBB was interrupted because of bleeding in 1 case and vasovagal reaction in 5 cases. Two haematomas occurred after the procedure. Overall underestimation rate was 10.5%. No new lesions were discovered after a mean follow-up of 18.7 months. CONCLUSION: Stereotactic VCBB performed using a standard add-on device with the patient in an upright seated position and analog technology is feasible in about 80% of cases, has a low complication rate, is not significantly time-consuming, and can offer the same accuracy as dedicated prone equipment.

La cirugía de la IVC y de la enfermedad varicosa (cosas que debe saber el médico estético) / Surgery of Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose disorders (What an esthetic doctor should know)

La frecuencia de flebopatías latentes en casos aparentemente normales, la no infrecuente asociación de VMI reticulares y TMI con una IVC subclínica de los miembros inferiores, la gravedad de algunos síndromes de IVP y la elevada frecuencia de la asociación con la IVS requieren de soluciones que permiten garantizar lo más posible intervenciones resolutivas, la estabilidad en los resultados y la remisión del inestetismo que siempre acompaña tales cuadros clínicos...Los autores presentan un conciso pero bien documentados informe sobre las variables terpéuticas de las enfermedades varicosas, la insuficiencia venosa crónica, la insuficiencia venosa profunda y las distintas posibilidades quirúrgicas al alcance del especialista

La cirugía de la IVC y de la enfermedad varicosa (cosas que debe saber el médico estético) / Surgery of Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose disorders (What an esthetic doctor should know)

La frecuencia de flebopatías latentes en casos aparentemente normales, la no infrecuente asociación de VMI reticulares y TMI con una IVC subclínica de los miembros inferiores, la gravedad de algunos síndromes de IVP y la elevada frecuencia de la asociación con la IVS requieren de soluciones que permiten garantizar lo más posible intervenciones resolutivas, la estabilidad en los resultados y la remisión del inestetismo que siempre acompaña tales cuadros clínicos...Los autores presentan un conciso pero bien documentados informe sobre las variables terpéuticas de las enfermedades varicosas, la insuficiencia venosa crónica, la insuficiencia venosa profunda y las distintas posibilidades quirúrgicas al alcance del especialista

[Pleuro-pneumo-phreno-pericardiectomy with pericardial and diaphragmatic plasty]. / Le pleuro-pneumo-freno-pericardiectomie con plastica pericardica e diaframmatica.

Aim of the paper is to evaluate 43 extrapleural pneumonectomy performed from 1988 to May 2000. Criteria for extrapleural pneumonectomy were pleural biopsy by thoracoscopy, potentially completely resectable unilateral disease by computed tomography and predicted postresection forced expiratory volume >1,3 L/sec. The resections regarded 33 pleural mesothelioma, 9 pleural lung-carcinosis and 1 pleural melanoma effusion. The perioperative mortality rate was 2,2% (1 death) and morbidity 21,4%.

[Video-thoracoscopic sympathectomy in the treatment of Raynaud's disease and palmar hyperhidrosis]. / La simpaticectomia videotoracoscopica nel trattamento del morbo di Raynaud e dell'iperidrosi palmare.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Raynaud's syndrome is a clinical entity characterised by episodic vascular spasm, digital ischemia in response to cold or emotional stimuli and hyperhidrosis. Many patients suffering from Raynaud's syndrome are successfully treated using medical therapy alone. Those patients who do not respond to medical treatment undergo surgery but the indications continue to be a source of controversy. A modern approach to thoracic sympathectomy requires a video-assisted technique. The aim of this study is to attempt to use mini-invasive type surgery to treat Raynaud's disease and hyperhidrosis in order to evaluate the real efficacy of thoracic sympathectomy in a large number of patients. The results of this method were compared for the two different pathologies in question. METHODS: The methodology used by this study is based on instrumental and clinical tests performed before and after surgery on treated patients using a comparative criterion and with a minimum 5-year follow-up. The pre- and postoperative diagnostic tests were performed by the vascular surgery laboratory and using a C.W. Doppler and a reflected light photoplethysmograph. Capillaroscopy and laboratory evaluations relating to secondary Raynaud's disease were carried out by internist type structures. The patients enrolled in the study responded to the following criteria: primary Raynaud's disease, palmar hyperhidrosis and associated syndromes. The population came from a mixed sociodemographic background, albeit within a strictly regional zone (Sardinia). A total of 42 patients were studied. The surgical technique used consisted of the ablation of thoracic ganglia from the 2nd to the 4th. RESULTS: The results showed a resolution of symptoms in 95% of patients treated for hyperhidrosis, whereas a 50% recidivation rate was observed in patients with Raynaud's disease alone, although symptoms were less intense. The results for Raynaud's disease were more disappointing, but it is important to remember that surgery is the ultimate choice for cases with advanced lesions which do not respond to medical treatment. Under these circumstances, the possibility of halting the evolution of the pathology represents an auspicious achievement. CONCLUSIONS: The authors affirm that mini-invasive surgical treatment of hyperhidrosis was resolutive during a mean follow-up of 3 years. It therefore represents a valid method which causes minimum esthetic damage to the patient and the greatest functional benefit. The postoperative period is short (about 3 days) and free of major complications. There is virtually no post-surgical pain.

[Videolaparoscopic treatment of biliary lithiasis. Evolution of our experience]. / Trattamento videolaparoscopico della litiasi biliare. Evoluzione della nostra esperienza.

Videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the treatment of choice for simple cholelithiasis. Now many surgeons consider the laparscopic procedure usable also in the complicated biliary lithiasis like acute cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis. The authors report their recent experience of the laparoscopic treatment of biliary lithiasis, regarding 221 non-selected patients (69% symptomatic cholelithiasis, 20% chronic cholecystitis, 4.5% acute cholecystitis, 4.5% coledocolithiasis, 2% hydrops). The diagnostic-therapeutic protocol and the results are described and compared with the beginning of their experience, when they treated only symptomatic gallbladder stone disease, and with the reports of the literature. The authors concluded that the laparoscopic procedure is a good chance for the surgeon in the treatment of all cases of benign biliary disease. But, in particular for patients with choledocholithiasis, he has be able to know all the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities, to choose the best in every single case.

[Minimally invasive surgery and neoplasms of the inferior third of the rectum: personal technique]. / Chirurgia miniinvasiva e neoplasie del terzo inferiore del retto: tecnica personale.

In the last decade minimally invasive surgery has gained an increasing success and was firstly applied to the treatment of benign pathologies, and recently to the malignant ones. The Authors report two cases of inferior rectal neoplasm treated with Miles operation through a video-laparoscopic-perineal approach. The abdominal phase of the operation was performed only through 5 small laparoscopic incisions. The perineal phase and the stoma were performed using traditional technique. The method appears feasible and oncologically correct; however, further trials are needed to evaluate long-term results.

[Sutures without sutures in digestive surgery. Experimental study of the rat intestine]. / Suture senza suture in chirurgia digestiva. Studio sperimentale sull'intestino del ratto.

The aim of the experimental study was to evaluate the possibility of performing an end-to-end anastomosis by using fibrin adhesive as the only means of suture. To this end, 24 Wistar rats were used, of which 16 underwent ilear resection and 8 underwent colotomy, and they were divided respectively into two groups. On the rats of the first group the anastomosis was performed by using only fibrin adhesive; on the rats of the second group operated the anastomosis was performed by using fibrin adhesive in association with non adsorbable suture material, while on those operated of colectomy the anastomosis was performed by fibrin adhesive and adsorbable suture material. The anatomo-phatological studies on the anastomosis have shown a similar healing process in the cases treated only with fibrin adhesive and by using absorbable material and has demonstrated the trange material from the suture, which are a possible causes of complication.

Preliminary reports on morphological and ultrastructural changes in the corpora cavernosa of the rat after chronic arterial obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: Various authors have investigated the pathological findings of penile tissue after chronic arterial obstruction, but the significance of these changes in the corpora cavernosa remains unclear. In order to evaluate the possible damages in the erectile tissue after chronic arterial obstruction at different levels, we utilized an experimental model in rats to determine the changes in smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers of the erectile tissue by microscopic immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies. METHODS: Twelve adult male Wistar rats were employed in this study. Ten were used for the experiments and two as control. The rats were anaesthetized with ether and intraperitoneal 10% chloral hydrate. Microsurgical isolation of the involved vessels was performed with the aid of a Zeiss dissecting microscope. Partial stenosis was achieved with 11/0 nylon and amputation of the penis was performed at previously established time periods. The partial stenosis was carried out at the level of the aortic below the renal vessels (Group A), the common iliac artery on both sides (Group B) and the hypogastric artery on the left side (Group C). Arterial obstruction was maintained in each group for 50, 40 and 25 days, respectively. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with normal controls, the histological findings revealed discrete and diffuse interstitial hyalinosis with reducted elastic fibers, while dilated vascular lacunae were also present on TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) examination. The greatest ultrastructural damages were observed in the group with obstruction of the common iliac artery on both sides. The foregoing confirms that an eventual chronic obstruction of these arteries does not allow the formation of collateral vessels for the corpora cavernosa.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Our experience]. / La colecistectomia laparoscopica. Nostra esperienza.

This study analysed 90 cases of symptomatic cholelithiasis treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. 27% of the cases studied suffered from microlithiasis, 44% from multiple calculosis with calculi measuring 1 to 2 cm in diameter, 25% from single calculi measuring up to 4 cm in diameter, and 4% from a benign proliferative pathology of the cholecystic wall. Calculosis of the main biliary tract was also found in 3 patients and was treated by preoperative endoscopic papillosphincterotomy. In addition to routine tests and ultrasonography, endovenous cholangiography, or retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) in cases of suspected calculosis of the biliary tract, was always performed prior to surgery. Mean operating time was 60 min. Two procedures were converted into laparotomy due to laceration of the cystic artery. In one case laparotomy was performed on day two due to choleperitoneum following a lesion of the cystic duct. Pneumoperitoneum could not be performed in three cases. Mean hospital stay was 48 hours. No other intra- or postoperative complications were reported. These results support the opinion that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe method, with few limitations and represents the treatment of choice in the therapy of symptomatic cholelithiasis.

[Lipiodol chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatic carcinoma. Our experience]. / La chemioembolizzazione con Lipiodol nel trattamento del carcinoma epatico. Nostra esperienza.

Of the alternative methods of treatment to surgery in the treatment of liver cancer, chemoembolization with Lipiodol appears to have obtained encouraging results. After a preoperative study to confirm the diagnosis and staging of the tumour, lipiodolisation is performed: a mix of Adriamycin, Iopamidol and Lipiodol is injected using selective catheterism of the hepatic artery; gelfoam is then added. Lipiodol selectively localises in the hepatocarcinoma and has a distal embolising effect on the vessels of the tumour, thus necrotising it, acting as a carrier for chemotherapy. Since july 1990 a total of 15 hepatocarcinoma have been observed: 6 in healthy livers and 9 in cirrhotic livers; 3 patients recovered after radical surgery, 1 patient underwent associated surgery and chemoembolization, whereas in 11 the only therapy was chemoembolization, at six monthly intervals. Lipiodolisation enabled a better diagnosis to be made and was found to be a valuable therapeutic aid both when used alone in Inoperable patients and in association with non-radical surgery.

[Rationale for the use of bile salts after cholecystectomy: results of a controlled clinical study using tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA)]. / Razionale all'utilizzo dei sali biliari nel paziente colecistectomizzato: risultati di uno studio clinico controllato con l'impiego dell'acido tauroursodesossicolico (TUDCA).

Cholecystectomy causes alterations in bile composition. In particular it rises the proportion of highly detergent bile acids with the possible consequence of the manifestation of dyspepsia in a high percentage of patients: this is the well-known post-cholecystectomy syndrome. In this clinical trial we studied the activity and safety of tauroursodeoxycholic acid--TUDCA--(500 mg/die) in the prevention of dyspepsia in cholecystectomized patients, in comparison with no treated group. We enrolled 203 patients (101 TUDCA--group A--and 102 control-group B). The two groups were comparable for age (47.1 years in group A and 50.7 years in group B), sex (m/f: 28/73 and 37/65 in the two groups) and for other characteristics connected to surgical procedures. After operation all patients suffered from dyspepsia symptoms. In patients treated with TUDCA we registered a prompt regression in severity of symptoms when compared with no treated group: in fact we noted a significant difference only at the first control planned after one month from operation. No difference were registered at the other controls (two and three months after operation). Two patients in A and 3 in group B manifested adverse events. In conclusion, the treatment with TUDCA, a new hydrophilic bile acid, seems to contribute to the improvement of clinical course in cholecystectomized patients.

[Crossectomy combined with sclerosis in the ambulatory treatment of varicose veins]. / Crossectomia associata a sclerosi nel trattamento ambulatoriale delle varici.

This paper focuses on the advantages of an outpatient technique in the treatment of the 1st various syndrome based on crossectomy and complementary sclerotherapy to eliminate the proximal reflux. In addition to the speed, low costs and total absence of discomfort for the patient, this method results in a low percentage of easily correctable failures provided the patients to be treated are carefully chosen. Selection involves a preoperative screening phase based on anamnesis, semeiological tests, Doppler and evaluation of tibial venous pressure, as well as careful topographical mapping of proximal refluxes which allow a correct postoperative follow-up in the event of possible recidivation (14.3% based on the authors' experience). The surgical technique used entails an accurate crossectomy with full exposure of the SF crosse (??) and its affluent branches, and subsequent sclerotherapy with atoxysclerol in a variable quantity and % as required. Of a total of 91 cases treated with a 3-year follow-up, 5 cases of recidivation were observed during the first year and 8 during the third. In both cases postoperative pressure values in the tibial veins were considerably higher than in other patients and recidivation occurred through perforating sclerosed recanalised vessels.

[Mechanical anastomosis without purse-string suture in esophageal surgery]. / Anastomosi meccaniche senza borsa di tabacco in chirurgia esofagea.

A new surgical procedure for oesophago-enterostomy using staplers without purse-string suture is described. This technique is possible only using the CEEAP stapler, thanks to its new technical features.

[Monofilaments in digestive system surgery]. / Il monofilamento in chirurgia digestiva.

The most important physical and chemical properties of the new synthetic absorbable suture materials are shown. Particularly this paper make a comparison between multifilament and monofilament suture wire from the point of view of tensile strength, "in vivo" tensile strength retention, reabsorbability, foreseeability of the reabsorption time of the capillarity. On these theoretical basis the AA. think that actually the best suture wire for the gastrointestinal surgery must be a synthetic absorbable monofilament suture material. Clinical and experimental experience of the AA. utilizing in the surgery of the gastrointestinal tract a copolymer monofilament of the glycolic acid and of the trimethylene carbonate (polyglyconate-Maxon), resorbable by not-enzymatic hydrolysis in about 180 days are described. The clinical experience was acquired performing 43 manual gastroenteric anastomosis by polyglyconate suture material and making an endoscopic follow-up in 19 cases (12 oesophago-jejunal anastomoses and 7 colo-rectal anastomoses). The experimental study consist of 30 enteric anastomosis performed on rats. The results evaluation was made from three points of views: bacteriological, optical diffuse light microscopy and electronic transmission microscopy. The conclusions of the clinical and experimental studies are favourable for the use the polyglyconate suture wire in digestive surgery, and confirm also "in vivo" its theoretical properties.