[The palliation of dysphagia secondary to esophageal-cardial carcinoma with self-expandable metal prostheses. The authors' personal experience with 92 patients]. / La palliazione della disfagia secondaria a carcinoma esofago-cardiale con protesi metalliche autoespandibili. Esperienza personale su 92 pazienti.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic insertion of a stent is an important option in the palliative management of esophageal obstruction and esophagorespiratory fistula. Plastic stents have been available for over 20 years. A new class of self-expanding metal stents for palliation of esophageal and cardial cancer is now available. METHODS: Between September 1992 and October 1997, 92 patients underwent implantation of self-expanding metal stents for palliation of dysphagia due to inoperable esophageal or cardial cancer (65 patients) or for locally recurrent carcinoma after surgery (12 patients), laser-therapy (11 patients) or radiotherapy (4 patients). RESULTS: Successful stent implantation was achieved in 89/92 patients (96.7%). After stent implantation the dysphagia score improved from 3.0, on average, to 0.5, on average. Early complications were observed in 4.5% and peroperative mortality was 2.1%. Late complications were observed in 25.6%, with a mortality rate of 1.1%. The mean survival time was 6.9 months. CONCLUSIONS: Self-expanding metal stents are a new effective alternative for palliation of dysphagia due to esophageal and cardial cancers.

[Early complications and long-term results of the LeVeen peritoneo-venous shunt in the treatment of refractory ascites]. / Complicanze precoci e risultati a lungo termine dello shunt peritoneo-venoso di LeVeen nel trattamento dell'ascite refrattaria.

Results concerning 14 cirrhotic patients who underwent LeVeen peritoneo-venous shunt for refractory or complicated ascites are discussed. The most relevant early complications regard coagulation disorders (35.7%) with a 14.3% postoperative mortality. The functional result appears largely satisfactory, also in terms of long-term efficiency. Utility of a wide evacuation of ascitic fluid during the operation is underlined. Ascites drainage at operation doesn't compromise shunt function or renal resumption, furthermore it may prevent some life-threatening complications like DIC, esophageal varices rupture and congestive heart failure.

[Hepatic hemangioma: diagnosis and treatment]. / Emangioma epatico. Diagnosi e trattamento.

Cavernous hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of the liver. Most patients are asymptomatic and the tumor is discovered incidentally during diagnostics procedures, at laparotomy or at autopsy. Only 10% of hepatic hemangiomas reach dimensions that need surgical treatment. The role of surgical excision in their treatment has not been well defined. We report a careful examination of our casuistry and at the same time a study of the literature.

[Late posttraumatic diaphragmatic hernia. A clinical case report]. / Ernia diaframmatica post-traumatica tardiva. Descrizione di un caso clinico.

On the basis of the observation of one case of delayed presentation of traumatic diaphragmatic rupture of the left side with a late diaphragmatic hernia, the authors examine the evolution of the occurrence of this pathology during the last 20 years. The clinical signs and the modality of presentation of the lesions of delayed diagnosis appear absolutely non specific. Incorrect interpretation of the X-ray or only intermittent hernial symptoms are frequent reasons for incorrect diagnosis. Also the initially non recognition of the possible manifestation of the diaphragmatic hernia following blunt or penetrating injuries is usually because the practitioner has not sought it. The diaphragmatic domes must be systematically explored during the laparotomy or thoracotomy performed for thoraco-abdominal trauma. Surgical treatment of long-standing post-traumatic diaphragmatic hernia is the same as that applicable in the recent hernias.

[Heart complications in general surgery: results of a multicenter study]. / Analisi delle complicanze cardiache in chirurgia generale: risultati di uno studio multicentrico.

Cardiac events are the most dangerous postoperative complications since they may be easily followed by the death of the patient. The related risk factors were prospectively evaluated in a study of 1182 patients. Stepwise regression logistic model was employed for statistical analysis. Preoperative cardiac and respiratory failure, ventricular arrhytmias, compromission of the nutritional status, presence of neoplastic disease and prolonged anesthesia over two hours were the only significative factors related to postoperative cardiac complications. Advanced age was not a major risk factor. The results of the study require a prospective validation. They are however comparable to those observed in the literature Preoperative cardiac evaluation is of utmost importance for cardiac prognosis and various instrumental, sometimes invasive diagnostic procedures have been proposed. The Authors provide a usefull, simple and widely employable system of general and cardiac assessment for the determination of cardiac risk.