A standardised and simplified technique for laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure.

The splenic flexure is an uncommon location of colorectal cancer, being involved in 2%-3% of cases. The low chance of being engaged in resecting cancer of the splenic flexure can make it difficult for surgeons to build their learning curve and to achieve a reliable experience. As the majority of colectomies are still performed by low-volume surgeons, there is growing agreement that providing local services with adequate surgical education and training could be an effective strategy to improve outcomes and global health. Arming surgeons with simplified and easy-to-learn surgical techniques could be an important step of this strategy. A novel simplified technique for laparoscopic resection of the splenic flexure is presented, which combines laparoscopic mobilisation of the right colon with extracorporeal vascular ligation and bowel anastomosis.

Reconstruction of the Thoracic Wall With Biologic Mesh After Resection for Chest Wall Tumors: A Presentation of a Case Series and Original Technique.

INTRODUCTION: Synthetic materials have traditionally been used for tissue reconstruction in thoracic surgery. New biomaterials have been tested in other areas of surgery with good results. Non-cross-linked swine dermal collagen prosthesis has been used to reconstruct musculofascial defects in the trunk with low infection and herniation rate. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospectively, we analyze our initial experience of chest wall reconstruction on large defects using a non-cross-linked swine dermal collagen matrix mesh with a thickness of 1.4 mm. A total of 11 consecutive patients were included. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were taken into consideration. RESULTS: Eleven sarcoma patients with a mean age of 58.25 ± 12.9 years underwent chest wall resections. Complete thoracic wall defects ranged from 6 · 9 to 16 · 25 cm in size. In all cases, we used a porcine collagen matrix mesh, and in all patients, it was covered by transposition of myocutaneous flap. The complications occurred in 5 (45%) patients, 1 (9%) pneumonia, 1 atrial fibrillation (9%), and 3 (27%) wound healing difficulty because of hematoma or infection. There was no respiratory impairment, and the pulmonary function (total lung capacity, vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second) was not statistically different before and after surgery. The 30-day mortality was 0%, 1-year mortality and 2-year mortality was 27.2%. The collagen material resulted in a durable and good to excellent chest wall stability in clinical follow-ups, and on computer tomography scans spanning over 2 years. CONCLUSION: Non-cross-linked acellular porcine dermal collagen matrix is a feasible and reliable biological patch material for reconstruction of the thoracic wall. Excellent wound healing, long-term stability, low complication, and good pulmonary function are achieved even in large defects.

The Onset of Intra-Abdominal Adhesions During Closed-Abdomen Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is delivered after cytoreductive surgery (CRS) in selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. The closed-abdomen technique, preferred by many centers, prevents heat loss and drug spillage, but does not warrant homogeneous distribution of the perfusion fluid (PF). The hypothesized formation of intra-abdominal adhesions during the closed-abdomen perfusion period has never been described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2014 to April 2016, 10 consecutive patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis, selected for CRS, underwent the Laparoscopy-Enhanced HIPEC technique to explore the abdominal cavity during the perfusion. The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence and the extent of intra-abdominal adhesions that are formed after CRS during the perfusion period of closed-abdomen HIPEC. RESULTS: During the perfusion, adhesions developed in 70% of the patients. Adhesions developed mainly in the period between the closure of the abdomen and the subsequent filling of the abdomen with the PF. After their first division, during the following perfusion period, adhesions between the bowel and the abdominal wall reformed in 3 patients (30%). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-abdominal adhesions are frequently formed during closed-abdomen HIPEC and can hamper the adequate circulation of the PF. The Laparoscopy-Enhanced technique enables the early detection and the division of any intra-abdominal adhesions.

The treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis in advanced gastric cancer: state of the art.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the world; 53-60% of patients show disease progression and die of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). PC of gastric origin has an extremely inauspicious prognosis with a median survival estimate at 1-3 months. Different studies presented contrasting data about survival rates; however, all agreed with the necessity of a complete cytoreduction to improve survival. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has an adjuvant role in preventing peritoneal recurrences. A multidisciplinary approach should be empowered: the association of neoadjuvant intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy (NIPS), cytoreductive surgery (CRS), HIPEC, and early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC) could increase the rate of completeness of cytoreduction (CC) and consequently survival rates, especially in patients with Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) ≤6. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may improve survival also in PC from GC and adjuvant chemotherapy could prevent recurrence. In the last decade an interesting new drug, called Catumaxomab, has been developed in Germany. Two studies showed that this drug seems to improve progression-free survival in patients with GC; however, final results for both studies have still to be published.

Management of hemodynamically unstable pelvic trauma: results of the first Italian consensus conference (cooperative guidelines of the Italian Society of Surgery, the Italian Association of Hospital Surgeons, the Multi-specialist Italian Society of Young Surgeons, the Italian Society of Emergency Surgery and Trauma, the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine, the Italian Society of Medical Radiology -Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology- and the World Society of Emergency Surgery).

Hemodynamically Unstable Pelvic Trauma is a major problem in blunt traumatic injury. No cosensus has been reached in literature on the optimal treatment of this condition. We present the results of the First Italian Consensus Conference on Pelvic Trauma which took place in Bergamo on April 13 2013. An extensive review of the literature has been undertaken by the Organizing Committee (OC) and forwarded to the Scientific Committee (SC) and the Panel (JP). Members of them were appointed by surgery, critical care, radiology, emergency medicine and orthopedics Italian and International societies: the Italian Society of Surgery, the Italian Association of Hospital Surgeons, the Multi-specialist Italian Society of Young Surgeons, the Italian Society of Emergency Surgery and Trauma, the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care, the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine, the Italian Society of Medical Radiology, Section of Vascular and Interventional Radiology and the World Society of Emergency Surgery. From November 2012 to January 2013 the SC undertook the critical revision and prepared the presentation to the audience and the Panel on the day of the Conference. Then 3 recommendations were presented according to the 3 submitted questions. The Panel voted the recommendations after discussion and amendments with the audience. Later on a email debate took place until December 2013 to reach a unanimous consent. We present results on the 3 following questions: which hemodynamically unstable patient needs an extraperitoneal pelvic packing? Which hemodynamically unstable patient needs an external fixation? Which hemodynamically unstable patient needs emergent angiography? No longer angiography is considered the first therapeutic maneuver in such a patient. Preperitoneal pelvic packing and external fixation, preceded by pelvic binder have a pivotal role in the management of these patients.Hemodynamically Unstable Pelvic Trauma is a frequent death cause among people who sustain blunt trauma. We present the results of the First Italian Consensus Conference.

Italian Biological Prosthesis Work-Group (IBPWG): proposal for a decisional model in using biological prosthesis.

INTRODUCTION: Indications for repair of abdominal hernia are well established and widely diffused. Controversies still exist about the indication in using the different prosthetic materials and principally about the biological ones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In February 2012, the Italian Biological Prosthesis Work-Group (IBPWG), counting a background of 264 biologic implants, met in Bergamo (Italy) for 1-day meeting with the aim to elaborate a decisional model on biological prosthesis use in abdominal surgery. RESULTS: A diagram to simplify the decisional process in using biologics has been elaborated. CONCLUSION: The present score represents a first attempt to combine scientific knowledge and clinical expertise in order to offer precise indications about the kind of biological mesh to use.