[Congenital diaphragmatic hernias]. / Ernie diaframmatiche congenite.

Based on their personal experience the authors affirm that if treated early congenital diaphragmatic hernia may be resolved provided no congenital anomalies are present. Pulmonary hypoplasia is secondary to the presence of viscera in the thorax, but excellent results can be obtained if early surgery is performed and provided negative-pressure thoracic drainage and correct anesthesia are ensured. Mortality is due to associated visceral malformations.

[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.

[The diabetic foot]. / Il piede diabetico.

The rise in the mean age and the increase in diabetes have frawn the surgeon's attention to gangrene of the lower limb which requires a multidisciplinary approach (doctor, surgeon, prosthesis specialist). Contrary to the concept of high thigh amputation, the possibility of carrying out a lumbar sympathectomy has encouraged the idea of a more distal amputation with conservation of physiological joints and an early recovery of function thus enabling patients who would otherwise have been condemned to permanent invalidity to return to social life.

[Acute thyroiditis]. / La tiroidite acuta.

Acute suppurating thyroiditis is now an uncommon pathology which is rarely found, although it was frequent before the introduction of antibiotics. Having observed a case, the Authors were prompted to study the subject in greater depth, in particular to assess whether the disease is easier to diagnose using modern techniques diagnosis, and whether there are changes in the therapy. In conclusion, the paper affirms that in spite of the fact that the diagnostic evolution has thrown further light on the clinical aspects of the disease, biopsy still remains the most reliable instrument of diagnosis, whereas surgery is the most effective form of therapy.

[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.

[Felder's intervention in the posphlebitic syndrome of the lower limbs]. / L'intervento di Felder nella sindrome post-flebitica degli arti inferiori.

Postphlebitic syndrome of the lower limbs is a consequence of chronic varices or the outcome of TVP leading to edema, eczema, stasis ulcers, etc. In these cases surgical treatment takes the form of ligating the perforating varices using a subfascial route according to Linton's technique, together with stripping the great and small saphenous vein. There are cases, however, in which the extent of cutaneous involvement does not allow a "safety incision" to be made. Felder's operation, using posterior surgical aggression in that area of the skin which generally remains healthy, therefore allows an easier ligation of the perforating varices and quicker cutaneous healing.

[Ganglioneuroma of the neck]. / Il ganglioneuroma del collo.

Ganglioneuroma represents a benign neoplasia based on the sympathetic system, which should be assessed in the differential diagnosis of cervical tumefactions. The paper discusses the epidemiology and clinical aspects of this pathology and stresses the importance of taking these factors into account whenever a neoformation of the neck is diagnosed in children.

[A case of echinococcal cyst in the round ligament of the liver. Preliminary note]. / Su un caso di cisti da echinococco del legamento rotondo del fegato. Nota preliminare.

Hydatidosis is an endemic condition in many countries. The parasite may infect any tissues but the most commonly affected are the liver (70%), lungs (10%), muscles (4.7%), spleen (2.1%) and brain (1.4%) with bone, thyroid, breast and pancreas infections rarely encountered. An observed case of hydatid cyst of the round ligament of the liver is described. The aetiology, physiopathology and diagnosis of the case are briefly reviewed with emphasis on the fact that laparoscopy was better able to clarify the diagnosis than scintigraphy or echography.

[Papilloma of the gallbladder]. / Papilloma della colecisti.

Gall-bladder papilloma, although rare to be found, should be considered as a precancerous lesion, the sole treatment of which is the surgical one. The authors, starting from three cases of such pathology, they had the opportunity to observe, deal with histogenesis, symptomatology and treatment of such disease, and indicate the possibility for a careful diagnosis through the modern diagnostical means.

[Closed injuries of the liver]. / Traumi chiusi del fegato.

The authors shortly illustrate the etiopathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, complications and treatment of liver blunt trauma. They describe their experience of 33 hepatic lesions out of 210 abdominal blunt trauma with a 12,1% mortality, and emphasize the usefulness of the laparoscopic investigation in the precocious diagnosis of such disease.

[Our experience with closed injuries of the pancreas]. / La nostra esperienza sui traumi chiusi del pancreas.

The authors illustrate the types of anatomo-pathologic lesions, symptomatology, diagnostical means and treatment of pancreatic blunt trauma. They describe their experience about 4 cases (1,94%) of pancreatic trauma out of 210 abdominal blunt trauma. They, moreover, emphasize the usefulness of laparoscopy as an investigating mean offering a sure diagnostical reliability.

[Spontaneous hemoperitoneum]. / Emoperitoneo spontaneo.

The authors report their experience of 11 cases of hemoperitoneum due to hemorrhagic endoabdominal neoformation, diagnosed through laparoscopy, and the diagnosis of which was confirmed by the biopsy under the sight. They describe the casuistry observed: 4 hepatic neoplasms (11,9%); 4 ovary neoplasmus (12,1%); 1 neuroblastoma (10%); 2 ovary endometriosic cysts (16,6%). They, at last, emphasize the usefulness of laparoscopy as an investigating mean offering a sure diagnostical reliability.