[Emergency treatment of sigmoid volvulus. One-stage resection with mechanical staplers]. / Volvulus du sigmoïde en urgence. Résection en un temps par pinces mécaniques.

In sigmoid volvulus, most authors recommend an emergency detorsion with transrectal intubation and delayed resection. In 25% of cases, detorsion in unsuccessful, necessitating multi-stage laparotomy. However, this approach can be harmful in these patients who are often elderly or with multiple diseases. When detorsion is impossible, we now use a one-stage resection with staplers. Using a median laparotomy, detorsion is performed and viability of the colon is confirmed; a Faucher tube placed freely in the rectum, is pushed by the nurse into the dilated colon; the colon is then deflated by applying gentle suction. After removing the tube, we perform a side-to-side anastomosis at the lower ends of both limbs with mechanical staplers, after economic resection of the mesosigmoid. We have used this procedure in five patients with a median age of 82 years; the mean operating time was 92 minutes. There was no mortality, no fistulae, or stenosis with a median follow-up of 16 months. The patients stayed in hospital for 12 to 18 days. In volvulus cases which cannot be reduced immediately, this procedure obviates multi-stage operations, often the cause of mortality, morbidity or loss of autonomy in patients who are often elderly or with multiple disease.

[Superficial cancer of the stomach]. / Les cancers superficiels de l'estomac.

The authors report 17 cases of superficial carcinomas collected amongst a series of 100 gastric carcinomas. Three principal points are analysed: clinical picture, diagnostic and treatment. Clinical problems indicate the multiplicity of classifications used and their sometimes incomplete nature. This led the authors in 1970 to develop a classification with 4 parameters, derived from the T N M classification and from that of Gutmann. The diagnostic problems raises yet again for these superficial carcinomas the need for routine screening which is the only way to increase early diagnoses, and hence the effectiveness of treatment. The therapeutic problem is concerned with the discussion of the limitations of wide excision as a matter of principle.