Use of the circular compression stapler and circular mechanical stapler in the end-to-side transanal colorectal anastomosis after left colon and rectal resections A single center experience.

AIM: The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of the circular compression stapler and the circular mechanical stapler in transanal colorectal anastomosis after left colectomy or anterior rectal resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 10 patients with disease of the, sigmoid colon or rectum (carcinoma or diverticular disease) who underwent left colectomy or anterior rectal resection with end-to-side transanal colorectal anastomosis. A follow-up was planned for all patients at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery and the anastomosis was evaluated by colonoscopy at 1 year. RESULTS: In all patients an end-to-side transanal colorectal anastomosis was performed using a circular compression stapler (CCS group) or circular mechanical staplers with titanium staples (CMS group). The mean distance of the anastomosis from the anal margin was 6.4 ± 1.5 cm in the CCS group and 18.2 ± 11.2 cm in the CMS group. All patients in the CCS group expelled the ring after a mean time of 8.2 postoperative days. At 12 months colonoscopy revealed that all CCS patients had a satisfactory anastomosis with mean size of the colic lumen at the level of anastomotic line of 26.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience the circular compression stapler a valuable alternative to the circular mechanical stapler for the creation of transanal colorectal anastomosis, in line with the relevant literature. KEY WORDS: Anastomotic leakage, Anastomotic stenosis, Circular compression stapler, Circular mechanical stapler, Transanal colorectal anastomosis.

A case of symptomatic mass in the right iliac fossa: a Bermuda Triangle which often lies the right diagnosis.

Disease of the iliac fossa can often be accompanied by non-specific symptoms and some of these are exclusively caused by the compression of bulky masses of other neighboring structures. In young women a differential diagnosis is a non trivial task as several possible causes have to be taken into account. Thus, intraligamentary tumors, which are extremely rare finding, are frequently confused with uterus, ovary or intestinal tumors. Even if myomas are the most benign tumors of the female genital tract, broad ligament leiomyomas are an unusual finding in women of reproductive age. These tumors are often asymptomatic until they reach a volume likely to cause symptoms related to the mass pressure. An accurate patient's anamnesis and examination serve as a guide to further examinations. Ultrasound is the first line imaging as it can show ovarian or other pelvic mass and doesn't involve exposure to radiations in young patients, who can be pregnant. We describe the clinical presentation and imaging features of a broad ligament leiomyoma, which presented as an inguinal mass in a patient with a right iliac fossa pain. We also report our diagnostic process performing the differential diagnosis with other potential pathologies of RIF. In these cases, a preoperative disease classification discriminating the benign or malignant tumor nature is closely linked to the proper patient management.

A large well-differentiated spindle cell liposarcoma (atypical spindle cell lipomatous tumor): clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis. Diagnostic and therapeutic features.

Liposarcoma is one of the more common types of soft tissue sarcomas, presenting with a wide spectrum of clinical behaviour. It is subdivided into five distinct histologic subtypes: well-differentiated, mixoid, pleomorphic, dedifferentiated and mixed-type. Well-differentiated liposarcoma accounts for about 40% to 45% of all liposarcomas therefore representing the larger subgroup of adipocytic malignancies. Well-differentiated spindle cell liposarcoma is an extremely rare subtype of well-differentiated liposarcoma/atypical lipomatous tumor which is different from the other subtypes clinicopathologically, genetically and prognostically. The most common frequent locations of lipomatous tumours are: limbs, groin, scrotum, abdominal wall and retroperitoneal area. MRI examination is a highly reliable method in the diagnosis of these neoplasms. Surgical management includes wide resection of the tumour with or without additional postoperative radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. We describe a case of 68-year old patient with large well-differentiated spindle cell liposarcoma of the left thigh. We are discussing the clinical findings, diagnosis and therapeutic approach. In these cases, a preoperative disease classification discriminating the tumour nature is closely linked to the correct surgical management of patients.

Chronic radiation-induced proctitis: the 4 % formalin application as non-surgical treatment.

PURPOSE: Radiation proctitis is a known complication following radiation therapy for pelvic malignancy. The majority of cases are treated nonsurgically. Rectal instillation of formalin solution has been described as a successful treatment for chronic radiation-induced hemorrhagic proctitis resistant to medical treatment. We present our results in patients undergoing treatment with application of 4 % formalin for radiation-induced injury to the rectum. METHODS: All patients were treated under anesthesia by direct application of 4 % formalin solution to the affected rectal areas. Patient gender, initial malignancy, grade of proctitis, need for blood transfusion, previous therapy, number of applications and response to treatment with formalin, complications, and length of follow-up were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients with a mean age of 68.9 (range, 48-77) years were followed for 31.3 (range, 18-51) months. The mean interval from the conclusion of radiotherapy and the onset of symptoms was 6.9 months. The mean duration of hemorrhagic proctitis before formalin application was 7.9 months. Ten patients had only one formalin application and five patients required a second application because of the persistent bleeding. Thirteen patients (87 %) had complete cessation of bleeding. No complications related to the formalin treatment were observed. CONCLUSIONS: According to a revision of the literature and our experience, despite the small number of patients in our trial, we can state that the application of 4 % formalin solution is an effective, safe, and well-tolerated treatment for chronic radiation-induced hemorrhagic proctitis with minimal discomfort and no severe complications.

Combined Burch urethropexy and anterior rectopexy in pelvic organ prolapse: skip the mesh.

PURPOSE: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common accompaniment of advancing age. Current repair techniques incorporate transvaginal and transabdominal approaches with or without prosthetic mesh insertion. In this paper, we present the short- and medium-term results of a unit policy directed at patients with POP of combined abdominal rectopexy and Burch retropubic urethropexy without the use of prosthetic mesh assessing its safety profile in selected cases. METHODS: Between January 2009 and January 2011, 16 women with tri-compartmental prolapse who had all undergone prior hysterectomy underwent combined surgical pelvic floor repair. Preoperative symptom assessment by validated questionnaires and clinical examination were pre- and postoperatively recorded. Cures were defined as either optimal or satisfactory outcomes based on combined clinical, radiological examinations and reported patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The mean age of the 16 patients was 57.2 years, and their mean BMI was 28.6 (±5 SD). Pelvic examination revealed a POP-Q stage III prolapse in 12 patients and stage IV in 4 patients. The mean operating time was 57.5 min (range 40-85), with a mean length of hospital stay of 4.5 days. Cystocele and enterocele resolution was noted in every case on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CONCLUSIONS: Our results in a small patient cohort employing a simple 'all-in-one' repair approach combining a retropubic colposuspension with an anterior rectopexy appear to be satisfactory. Further larger randomized studies are required, incorporating a laparoscopic arm in order to determine the longer-term effectiveness of this approach.

Stapled and conventional Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy: different solutions for different targets.

PURPOSE: Haemorrhoidal disease is one of the most common anorectal disorders. The aim of this study is to compare the results, over the last 10 years, of stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH) with those of standard Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy (M&M). Furthermore, we discuss the proper indications for each technique in terms of the lowest rate of complications and long-term results. METHODS: Three hundred forty-three patients with different degrees of symptomatic haemorrhoids underwent SH or M&M from January 2005 to December 2007. Patients were divided into two groups, age and sex matched. The administration of painkillers drugs, antibiotics and laxatives, complication symptoms and hospital stay in all the patients were recorded after surgical treatment. RESULTS: The mean operative time was shorter in the stapled group compared to that in the open group (31 min versus 40 min). Postoperative pain, hospital stay and return to full activity were shorter in the stapled group. There was a significant difference in the wound healing time between the two groups. We noticed a higher rate of recurrence in patients treated with stapled haemorrhoidectomy for fourth-degree haemorrhoids. CONCLUSIONS: According to our experience, the Longo technique is indicated for the treatment of haemorrhoids of second- and third degree. In the latter grades of prolapse, the Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy can also be applied with good outcomes. We believe that, in case of irreducible prolapse, the M&M is to be preferred. However, operative management varies according to surgeon's interest and is tailored to meet the individual patient's need.

A large Brunner's gland adenoma: an unusual cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Case report and literature review.

Brunner's gland adenoma is a rare benign tumour of the duodenum. His most common location is the posterior wall of the duodenum near the junction of its first and second portion. It is usually small and asymptomatic often discovered incidentally with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, but sometimes may become large causing symptoms (haemorrhage or intestinal obstruction). We report a rare case of a very large Brunner's gland adenoma in a 38-year-old female presenting with severe anaemia but without obstructive symptoms and detected by ultrasonography. The tumour was managed by surgical removal and during a six month follow-up the patient remained symptom-free without any recurrence. The literature on Brunner's gland adenoma is reviewed.

Chronic hidradenitis suppurativa in the inguinal, perineal and scrotal regions. A case report and review of the literature.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic, recurrent, debilitating disease that presents with inflamed lesions in the apocrine glands of the body. The most common locations are the axillary, inguinal and anogenital areas. Hidradenitis suppurativa is caused primarily by follicular occlusion with secondary involvement of the apocrine glands. The authors report a case of 47-old-man with an 18-year history of multiple sclerosis complicated by spastic paraparesis, who presented with hidradenitis suppurativa in the inguinal, perineal, and scrotal areas which was treated by wide surgical excision. A review of the most recent literature is included

Control results on a sample of patients subjected to total thyroidectomy for papillary carcinoma: proposal for a personal diagnostic-therapeutic follow-up.

Well-differentiated thyroid neoplasms may be included among the most frequently occurring thyroid carcinomas. Papillary ca. is without doubt the best behaved type. The aim of the present work is to perform a retrospective case history study to assess patients with con papillary ca. who have been treated surgically over the last 17 years and have been subjected to periodic checks. A sample of patients was therefore extrapolated who had all undergone total thyroidectomy for papillary ca. of the thyroid. The incidence of local recurrence of the disease was verified, together with the results at distance. Furthermore, the assessments performed were evaluated and compared. From the sample of patients observed we inferred that papillary carcinoma of the thyroid can have a good prognosis over time provided periodic random checks are carried out.