Clinical problems in patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity undergoing total thyroidectomy.

Clinical practice sometimes brings to face with situations quite peculiar, potentially dangerous for the patient's life. In the great majority of cases, pathologies associated with each other (cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological), while in other cases we can treat rare diseases or syndromes. It's considered exceptional the simultaneous presence of "rare" pathologies in a single patient. This exceptionality has been a push to treat a patient as a "unique" asking for help to deeper studies of pharmacogenetics. Our case reports the management of a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), undergoing a total thyroidectomy. We found several problems, and we tried to find effective solutions for the management of the patient during the whole peri-operative process, from a clinical, pharmacological and also from a surgical point of view.

Original technique for preoperative preparation of patients and intraoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas.

Surgical approach of single parathyroid adenoma treatment is turning to a less invasive surgery, allowing us to obtain better aesthetic results, reduction of duration of surgical operation, reduction of post-operative morbidity and hospital stay. Tc99m-sestaMIBI scintigraphy is mainly performed for preoperative localization of parathyroid adenomas. Our technique is instead based on the possibility to inhibit the interference of Tc99m-sestaMIBI uptake of the thyroid gland by means of the administration of Lugol's solution. Indeed, to confirm the identification and removal of the hyperfunctional parathyroid, it is accepted as adequate an ex vivo radioactivity count of the adenoma 20% or 40% greater than the value of the post-excisional background radioactivity, in association or not with intraoperative measurement of PTH. This method allows us to perform surgery with no timetable restriction, and to clearly distinguish the radioactivity of parathyroid adenoma from that of the surrounding tissues and thyroid gland.

Cricothyrotomy performed with the Melker™ set or the QuickTrach™ kit: procedure times, learning curves and operators' preference.

BACKGROUND: Cricothyroidotomy is a surgical airway technique in which an airway device is inserted into the trachea through an incision made at the cricothyroid membrane. It is used for the management of the "difficult airways" and may be a lifesaving procedure in "can't intubate, can't oxygenate" situations. However, many healthcare professionals working in emergency settings have little of no experience with this procedure. Achievement of theoretical and practical knowledge of different cricothyrotomy techniques is therefore a fundamental prerequisite for those healthcare professionals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 40 volunteers representative of different categories of healthcare professionals were enrolled for the theoretical and practical 1-day training course on cricothyrotomy. Two commercially available device for cricothyrotomy were used during the course, the Melker™ set, which involves the Seldinger technique, and the QuickTrach™ kit, which does not rely on the use of a guide-wire. Each participant performed a series of 5 attempts on a manikin with each kit. Procedure time was recorded, and satisfaction with the course, preference for each cricothyrotomy kit and self-rating of cricothyrotomy skills were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean procedure time significantly decreased from the first to the last attempt (48.7±21.9 and 27.8±13.7 seconds, respectively; p<0.0001). The Melker™ set was the most preferred, being rated as "excellent" by 62% of participants. This preference was even more pronounced among anaesthesiologists, that are more familiar with the Seldinger technique. Participants' satisfaction was high: the course was rated as "excellent" by 66.7% of attendees, the theoretical and practical knowledge achieved was rated as "very useful" by 94% of all attendees and by 100% of the anaesthesiologists. CONCLUSIONS: A systematic approach to teach healthcare professionals in the application of various devices for the management of the socalled "difficult airways" may maximize intubation success and minimize complication. The present study provides evidence for the efficacy of training courses in Emergency Departments aimed at improving theoretical and practical cricothyrotomy skills in emergency situations.

Treatment of renal angiomyolipoma: surgery versus angioembolization.

Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is a benign mesenchymal tumour. AML often leads to haemorrhagic complications such as retroperitoneal haematoma. Treatment varies from case to case, ranging from minimally invasive approaches such as selective embolization of the renal artery to invasive wedge resection, partial nephrectomy or, in more severe cases, radical nephrectomy. Here we report a case of retroperitoneal haematoma secondary to AML, treated with conservative approach by super-selective embolization of the lower-pole segmental renal artery.

[Advantages and limits of tumescent anesthesia in outpatient surgery]. / Vantaggi e limiti dell'anestesia per tumescenza in chirurgia ambulatoriale.

The Authors report the results of the tumescent anesthesia in 187 patients submitted to various outpatient surgical procedures comparing with those in patients submitted to local anesthesia by direct infiltration.

[Acquired rectourethral fistula: case report]. / Fistola retto-uretrale acquisita: a proposito di un caso.

Rectourethral fistulas are an uncommon complication of urinary or rectal surgery, trauma, inflammatory disease, radiation therapy for prostate cancer; they represent an unique challenge for the surgeon. Although closure can occure spontaneously, most cases of acquired rectourethral fistula need surgical repair. Despite a century of surgical experience, no single approach has been universally accepted. We report a case of a rectourethral fistula occurred in a 73 year-old man after a radical retropubic prostatectomy and external beam irradiation for prostate cancer, successfully treated with perineal approach.

[Treatment of hemorrhoids with circular mechanic stapler]. / Trattamento della patologia emorroidaria con suturatrice meccanica circolare.

In a pilot study undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Surgery of "San Carlo di Nancy" Hospital in Rome, over the period form January 1998 to February 2000, 128 patients with haemorrhoidal disease underwent surgery using a circular stapler to "lift" the mucous-haemorrhoidal prolapse, according to the pathogenetic theory discussed here below. We compared the results of our series with those of a retrospective series of 80 patients that undergoing traditional surgery (Khubchandani 45, Milligan-Morgan 30, Whitehead 5), evaluating length of operation, postoperative pain and complications. Our preliminary data show that the technique requires only a short learning period, reduces the length of the operation, reduces the medium- and long-term pain and allows mables the patient to resume full working activity earlier.

[Pseudosarcoma of the urinary bladder. Report of a case]. / Pseudosarcoma della vescica urinaria. Studio di un caso.

A case of myofibroblastic pseudosarcomatous tumor of the bladder occurred in a patient previously submitted to TURB is reported. Aim of this investigation is to demonstrate, on the basis of the literature, the importance of histopathology in the diagnosis of bladder pseudosarcoma, since endoscopical and radiological methods can erroneously show a neoplasm. A 65-year-old male patient with hematuria, submitted to ultrasonography and cystoscopy, revealed a bladder superficial papillary formation. A TURB was performed and the histological study showed a superficial bladder cancer (T1-G1-2). After a second hematuria episode with stranguria a new bladder formation was diagnosed and resected; the histological study revealed a bladder pseudosarcoma. The absolute benignity of the lesion and the slight difference in the symptomatology between urothelial carcinoma and pseudosarcoma are underlined. Furthermore, the importance of histopathology to obtain an accurate diagnosis is stressed. The difficulty of a preoperative diagnosis without histopathological examination is pointed out.

[Gastrointestinal carcinoids and carcinoid syndrome: classification, diagnosis and therapy]. / I carcinoidi gastrointestinali e la sindrome da carcinoide: inquadramento, diagnosi e terapia.

Historically, carcinoids have long been known as a morphologically distinct class of rare intestinal tumors which behave less aggressively than the more common intestinal adenocarcinomas. In recent decades refined methods in pathology improved our knowledge on the diffuse neuroendocrine system, leading to some confusion in classification and nomenclature of carcinoids. The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of endocrine tumors has cleared the definition of carcinoids. The Authors report on 7 cases of midgut carcinoid tumors and 1 case of carcinoid syndrome focusing on the newer approaches to the diagnosis, localization, and role of surgery and peptide therapy.

[Blind-ending branch of bifid ureter: apropos of a case]. / L'uretere bifido a branca cieca: a proposito di un caso.

The Authors report on a case of blind-ending ureter. A young woman (29 years old) underwent surgery because of recurrent urinary tract infections and left loin pain. The operation consisted in a radical resection of the blind branch together with Coen's operation for the coexistence of vesicoureteral reflux. Authors' goal was to review the international Literature on this rare pathology pointing out their opinion on the existing terminology which is still far from being clear and definite.

[Artificial nutrition in acute pancreatitis]. / La nutrizione artificiale nella pancreatite acuta.

Nutritional support for acute pancreatitis is a matter of debate, clear guidelines based on objective data do not exist. We report our experience in patients with severe disease. Parenteral nutrition appears to be a safe initial therapy, but the enteral route has many practical and theoretical advantages and should be started as soon as possible.

[The intraoperative visualization of the bile ducts by the use of fluorescent substances. A feasibility study]. / Visualizzazione intraoperatoria delle vie biliari mediante impiego di sostanze fluorescenti. Studio di fattibilità.

Iatrogenic bile duct injury during cholecystectomy is the most serious complication of this surgical procedure. Initial reports suggest that this complication is particularly problematic during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Proper identification of biliary anatomy in the subhepatic region is the only way to avoid this severe complication. The potential benefit from a simple, reliable method for intraoperative delineation of biliary anatomy is self-evident. In this experimental work the Authors-study the possibility and the feasibility of intraoperative biliary tree imaging with two fluorescent molecules (rolitetracyclin and fluorescin).

The value of endoluminal ultrasonography and computed tomography in the staging of rectal cancer: a preliminary study.

A prospective study was carried out in 14 patients with rectal cancer. Tumors were staged preoperatively by endoluminal ultrasonography (EU) and computed tomography (CT). Patients were followed postoperatively for 2 years by the same modalities. Extramural spread was 100% (9/9), accurately assessed by EU and 77.8% (7/9) with CT. Lymph node sensitivity was 87.5% for EU and 37.5 for CT (P less than 0.05). Overall accuracy of lymph node metastases was 85.7% for EU and 57.1% for CT (P less than 0.1). In conclusion, the study shows EU to be statistically more accurate for nodal metastases than CT; therefore, its routine use can be recommended in the preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma in those patients for whom a sphincter-saving procedure is considered.

Endoluminal ultrasound for early detection of local recurrence of rectal cancer.

The diagnostic potential of endoluminal (endorectal and endovaginal) ultrasound to detect asymptomatic resectable local recurrence after rectal cancer surgery has been assessed in 120 patients: 17 recurrences (14 per cent) were detected. The method showed 97 per cent accuracy, 94 per cent sensitivity and 98 per cent specificity; the positive predictive value was 85 per cent and the negative predictive value was 99 per cent. A longer follow-up is, however, necessary to confirm these results. Of the 17 patients with local recurrence, six were asymptomatic and underwent reoperative surgery. Of the other 11 patients with symptomatic recurrence, only two underwent reoperative surgery.