A large outbreak of giardiasis in a municipality of the Bologna province, north-eastern Italy, November 2018 to April 2019.

Giardiasis, the disease caused by the flagellate Giardia duodenalis (syn. G.lamblia, G. intestinalis), is the most commonly reported among the five food- and waterborne parasitic diseases under mandatory surveillance in 24 EU countries. From November 2018 to April 2019, an outbreak of giardiasis occurred in a municipality of the Bologna province, in north-eastern Italy. Microscopy and immunochromatography identified cysts and antigens, respectively, of the parasite in stool samples of 228 individuals. Molecular typing of 136 stool samples revealed a vast predominance (95%) of G. duodenalis assemblage B. Investigations into potential sources indicated tap water as the most likely vehicle of infection, although cysts were not detected in water samples. Control measures mostly aimed at preventing secondary transmission by informing citizens about the outbreak, and by treatment of patients with anti-parasitic drugs. This is the first documented human outbreak of giardiasis in Italy; its investigation has highlighted the difficulties in the timely detection and management of this parasite, which is often overlooked as a cause of human gastroenteritis. The long and variable incubation time, absence of specific symptoms and a general lack of awareness about this pathogen contributed to delay in diagnosis.

Prospective randomized study comparing single-incision laparoscopic versus multi-trocar laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair at 2 years.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia repair via multi-trocar laparoscopy (MTL) has gained an increasing popularity worldwide. Single-incision laparoscopy (SIL) has been introduced to reduce the port-related complications and to improve the cosmetic results. The authors report a prospective randomized study comparing SIL versus MTL totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: Between January 2013 and May 2015, 113 versus 97 patients were prospectively randomized between SILTEP and MTLTEP. Perioperative, short-term, and mid-term outcomes have been assessed. The primary endpoint was the mid-term outcomes (late postoperative complications, late inguinal hernia recurrence, surgical and cosmetic satisfactions). Secondary endpoints were perioperative outcomes (operative time, mesh fixation, operative complications, postoperative pain, and hospital stay) and short-term outcomes (early postoperative complications, early inguinal hernia recurrence, and days to return to normal activities). RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 27 ± 8 months, a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of mean operative time for both unilateral and bilateral inguinal hernia repair (p = 0.016; p = 0.039) and cosmetic satisfaction (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Perioperative, short-term, and mid-term outcomes were comparable between the two groups. At 2-year follow-up, a significant shorter operative time after MTLTEP and a greater cosmetic satisfaction after SILTEP have been found.

Early laparoscopic adhesiolysis for small bowel obstruction: retrospective study of main advantages.

BACKGROUND: The problem of managing adhesional small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is still unsolved. A conservative medical attitude is privileged even if it is associated to a high rate of recurrences, while surgery is applied to cases showing no improvement after 48-72 h. Adhesiolysis via laparotomy has been the standard surgical management, but it causes other adhesions in a vicious circle. The aim of the study is to evaluate the advantages of early laparoscopic adhesiolysis as an alternative approach. METHODS: From January 2010 to April 2017, 107 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of ASBO. Patients underwent medical treatment, early surgery, emergency surgery or delayed surgery after failure of medical treatment. A retrospective review and explorative statistical analysis were performed using graphical diagnostic plots, Mann-Whitney (MW) test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test, exact binomial test, and χ 2 test. RESULTS: Medical treatment led to resolution in the 77.3% of cases, but patients exhibit much more recurrences than those in the surgical group (χ 2 p < .001). They also show a longer fasting time (MW p = .027; KS p = .102), a doubled number of radiological exams (MW p < .001; KS p < .001), and more major complications than those in the early surgery group. Early surgery group is associated to shorter fasting time (MW p < .001; KS p < .001), much shorter hospital stay (MW p < .001; KS p = .002) and a smaller number of radiological exams (MW p = .005; KS p = .002) compared with delayed surgery group. The laparoscopic group shows significantly earlier regain of intestinal transit (MW p < .001; KS p = .002), shorter fasting time (MW p = .002; KS p = .008), reduced number of radiological exams (MW p = .003; KS p = .014), reduced hospital stay (MW p < .001; KS p = .005), and no more complications than the open surgery group. CONCLUSIONS: Early laparoscopic surgery can be proposed as an effective alternative treatment for ASBO.

A New Reusable Platform for TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery: First Experience.

INTRODUCTION: TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) has generated interest and attracted research in the last decade. This approach is used to treat primary benign and malignant diseases, but it can also be adopted to resolve colorectal complications, such as leak and fistula, bleeding and stenosis. A new reusable transanal platform formed by a new port and monocurved instruments has been invented and here presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The first experience included 13 patients submitted to TAMIS for rectal adenocarcinoma (8), immediate colorectal leak (1), early rectovaginal fistula (1), late colorectal fistula (1), immediate colorectal bleeding (1), and benign stenosis (1). Mean age was 62.3 years (38-74), and mean BMI was 25.2 kg/m2 (20.5-32.1). RESULTS: Mean operative time for transanal total mesorectal excision (TME) was 149.2 minutes (96-193) and for the other procedures 80.6 minutes (15-163). Mean operative bleeding was 51.1 cc (0-450). Mean hospital stay was 5.0 days (2-8). The 3 patients with coloanal anastomosis presented diarrhea postoperatively. No other early postoperative complications were registered. Pathologic report in the oncologic diseases showed that a mean number of 14.7 nodes (16-20) were removed. After a mean follow-up of 8 months (1-14), there were no late complications in any of the 13 patients treated. CONCLUSION: TAMIS is a feasible alternative approach to treat rectal cancer and a completely new technique to manage colorectal complications. Moreover, this new transanal platform offers surgeons a satisfactory working ergonomy, with no increase in cost of the procedures, because entirely reusable materials are adopted.

A case of metachronous splenic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma after 14 years.

We present a case of a patient who developed a metachronous splenic metastasis from renal clear cell carcinoma, for which he has undergone a left nephrectomy 14 years earlier. During his routine follow up a CT scan showed a splenic mass which was considered an isolated metastasis possibly originating from the renal cancer. A splenectomy was performed and histopatological examination of the spleen confirmed the presence of clear cell carcinoma with infiltration of the capsule. Splenic metastases are uncommon and from the reported literature we understand that splenic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma is extremely rare. The optimal treatment seems to be splenectomy with a good long term outcome. With this report the authors would like to discuss the possibility that it could be a case of local recurrence rather than a real metastasis. A revision of previous reports in the literature is performed too.