The use of intraoperative ultrasound for diagnosis and stadiation in pancreatic head neoformations.

UNLABELLED: The intraoperative staging of the pancreatic cancer is important to make a proper treatment. For this reason the intraoperative echography is playing an important role in the right treatment choice. The intraoperative echography, that can be performed with an open or laparoscopic probe, is used to confirm the preoperative diagnosis and assess the pancreatic cancer resecability. The intraoperative echography (IOUS) or laparoscopic intraoperative echography (LIOUS) are useful to identify the patients with a non resecable cancer and perform a faster neoadjuvant treatment. The LIOUS can also avoid an useless laparotomy. The aim of this study is to assess, both in our experience and in the cited literature, the concordance rate between the pancreatic cancer preoperative staging, performed with TC and MRI (when it is available), and intraoperative staging, performed with intraoperative laparotomic or laparoscopic echography. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have analyzed the treatment management of 34 patients, who were candidate to major surgery for suspected pancreatic head cancer and who underwent to intraoperative LIOUS or IOUS staging from 2001 to 2012. RESULTS: LIOUS and IOUS have allowed to detect cases in which preoperative diagnosis, proved by CT and MRI, was not agreeing with intraoperative diagnosis (22 patients on 34, 64% discordance rate), avoiding the execution of a demolitive and uneseful surgery in order to guarantee the surveillance and life's quality of patients. CONCLUSION: We suggest to perform in every patients undergone to pancreatic surgery an intraoperative ultrasound exam, to detect unresecable and unpredicted lesions.

Biliary duct injuries in the laparoscopic era: our experience.

AIM: The main aim of our study is to evaluate the incidence, the type, the causes and the therapy of biliary duct injuries which occurred after the video laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in our Department during the period from 1990 to 2012. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1186 VLC has been made in our Department from March 1990 to June 2012. Before the cholecystectomy all patient were evaluated with trans abdominal echography. Beyond the incidence of BDI was evaluated damaging mechanism, etiology, therapy and time of diagnosis. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2012 a total of 9 BDIs occurred, with an incidence of 0,75%. Out of 9 patients 4 had major lesions and 5 had minor lesions; the most common BDI was Strasberg A (45%), the most common etiology was the presence of anatomical variations. In four cases the diagnosis has been intraoperative, in five cases has been postoperative. CONCLUSIONS: Our clinical experience shows that the main cause of BDI are the surgeon experience and the bile ducts anatomical variation.

[Surgical site infections in Italy]. / Le infezioni del sito chirurgico in Italia.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are recognized as a common surgical complication, occurring in about 2-5% of all surgical procedures. SSIs represent the third most frequent nosocomial infection, accounting for 14.6% of all infections observed in hospitalised patients and 38% of those observed among surgical patients. Strategies for the prevention of SSIs also include surveillance which has proved very effective. The most recent surveillance study carried out at a national level in Italy is Kir-Nos, a multicentric study sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline and performed between April and June 2002 in 32 different General Surgery Units for a total of 2972 surgical patients enrolled. Results emerging from the study clearly indicate that many patients receive inappropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis, especially in terms of drug choice, route and timing of administration. Given the high economic burden that infections provoke, beyond the increased morbidity and mortality, it appears mandatory to improve our tools in order to reduce their incidence, as a reduction of only 0.1% can result in a considerable saving of economic resources to be allocated to other activities, such as screening and prevention programs.

The role of upper endoscopy in identifying oesophageal involvement in patients with oral pemphigus vulgaris.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The involvement of oesophagus in pemphigus vulgaris is still debated. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of oesophageal involvement and the gastro-duodenal mucosa appearance before and after high-dose corticosteroid therapy in a group of patients with oral pemphigus vulgaris. METHODS: We prospectively studied 28 consecutive patients with oral pemphigus by oesophageal symptom standardised questionnaire, upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy, exfoliative cytology and histological biopsy. After clinical remission, all patients underwent new endoscopy. RESULTS: The prevalence of oesophageal symptoms was 57.1%. Endoscopic examination revealed oesophageal involvement with different degrees of severity in 67.8% of patients. After corticosteroid therapy, endoscopy showed normal oesophageal-gastro-duodenal mucosa. No examination-related exacerbations of the oesophageal lesions were seen. CONCLUSIONS: The upper gastro-intestinal endoscopic examination, in oral pemphigus vulgaris patients with oesophageal symptoms, is safe in skilled hands technique and a useful diagnostic tool prior to starting therapy.

Peroperative control of surgical infections.

The overall incidence of post-surgical infection actually amount to 3-10%, in different multicentric trial, although the data may underrepresent the true incidence of such infections owing to increase of day-surgery. Antibiotic prophylaxis rapresents the first choice in the management of surgical patients, which standardization and selection can determine a real protection for all the operating time. Standardization of intraoperative procedure, considering utility of a multistep precautionary measure and the weight of these measures on post-operative stay of patients, may be an arm for control really post-operative infectious complications, according with control of sterilization's procedures and diffusion of dedicated device.

Three years experience with the new intragastric balloon, and a preoperative test for success with restrictive surgery.

BACKGROUND: The BioEnterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB) is a smooth, spherical, saline-filled, silicone elastomer with a black radiopaque filling valve, intended to induce weight loss by limiting food consumption. This can be considered a "restrictive" procedure, and by using this balloon, we can assess the patient's eligibility for a restrictive surgical procedure (the BIB-Test). METHODS: From May 1997 to May 2000, 87 BIB were inserted in 77 moderately to severely obese patients (4 BIB in 1 patient, 2 BIB in 7 patients). 64 patients completed the treatment. Out of these, 18 (16 female, 2 male) underwent laparoscopic gastric banding after BIB removal. RESULTS: After the treatment (3-6 months), weight loss results were as follows: WL 14.3 kg, %EWL 23.5 and loss in BMI 5.3. 12 patients after the preliminary BIB, have been followed > or = 6 months after gastric banding, and have significant further weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: BIB appears to have good results. A supervised nutritional and behavioral regimen is mandatory. The balloon may be indicated to: 1) induce weight loss in patients whose obesity is not severe enough to warrant surgery; 2) reduce the surgical risk in those who are massively obese; 3) select patients for gastric restrictive surgery if they lose weight with the balloon. The data showed that patients who had good results with the BIB (positive BIB-Test) are still losing weight after subsequent gastric banding.

Cholecystoenteric fistula (CF) is not a contraindication for laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystoenteric fistula (CF) is a rare complication of cholelithiasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and risk of complications when the laparoscopic approach is applied in patients with CF. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to all surgeons with experience of >100 cholecystectomies working in Naples, Italy, and the neighboring area. RESULTS: Between February 1990 and May 1999, 34 patients presented with cholecystoenteric fistula (0.2% of >15,000 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in the same period). These patients were allocated into two groups: the LT group (those who underwent laparotomic conversion after the diagnosis of CF), which consisted of 20 patients, four men and 16 women, with a mean age of 66.5 +/- 9.3 years (range, 46-85) and the LS group (laparoscopically treated patients), which consisted of 14 patients, three men and 11 women, with a mean age of 65.6 +/- 8.8 years (range, 51-74). They types of CF observed were as follows: in the former group of patients, cholecystoduodenal fistulas (n = 11, 55%), cholecystocolic fistulas (n = 5, 25%), cholecystojejunal fistulas (n = 3, 15%), and cholecystogastric fistulas (n = 1, 5%); in the latter group, cholecystoduodenal fistulas (n = 8, 5.1%), and cholecystocolic fistulas (n = 4, 28.6) and cholecystojejunal fistulas (n = 2, 14.3%). Stapler closure of CF was done in four LT patients and three LS patients with cholecystoduodenal fistula; it was also done in three LT patients and three LS patients with cholecystocolic fistula. Hand-sutured fistulectomy was performed in six LT patients and three LS patients with cholecystoduodenal fistula, in two LT patients with cholecystocolic fistula, and in all patients with cholecystojejunal or cholecystogastric fistula. There were no deaths or intraoperative complications in either group. One patient in the LT group developed a bronchopneumonia postoperatively. Postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in LT patients-17 +/- 4 vs 3+/-1 days (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Cholecystoenteric fistula is an occasional intraoperative finding during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The results of this study, which are based on the collective experiences of 19 surgeons, illustrate the growing success of the laparoscopic approach to this condition, including a decreasing rate of conversion to open surgery over the last 3 years.

Laparotomic vs laparoscopic lap-band: 4-year results with early and intermediate complications.

BACKGROUND: Adjustable banding is safe, low invasive, and effective for losing weight. METHODS: 69 patients underwent this procedure by laparotomy or laparoscopy. RESULTS: Patients operated by laparotomy lost more weight than those operated by laparoscopy, but in 4 patients we were forced to re-operate in order to remove the band (3 pouch dilatations and 1 stomach slippage), and in 9 patients a ventral hernia appeared (5 patients repaired). In the laparoscopic cases there were 4 intra-operative gastric perforations, but all were repaired and the band placed at the same time (3 conversions to open), causing an increased post-operative hospital stay. There was a lower limb deep venous thromboembolism, which was followed by fatal pulmonary embolism (although the patient had been given heparin and had been treated with elastocompression and mobilization 2 hours after surgery). The band eroded in one patient. Weight losses in these morbidly obese patients were satisfactory at 2 years and maintained beyond 3 years. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic adjustable banding is an efficient, generally safe procedure.

Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver misinterpreted as malignant lesion: considerations on two cases.

In our experience, we document 2 cases of a rare and non-tumoral lesion of the liver misinterpreted as necrotic tumor: necrotic solitary nodule. In the first clinical case, ultrasound (US) showed a polylobated lesion (35 x 35 x 38 mm) at segment 8. Color-doppler identified a compression of celiac axis (Dunbar syndrome). Arteriography revealed a subtotal stenosis of celiac tripod soon after the emergence of the left gastric artery. FNAB-CT showed a highly cellulated tissue with a necrotic core surrounded by a fibersclerotic tissue. The patient underwent surgery: cholecystectomy and correction of Dunbar syndrome. US follow-up showed a progressive reduction in diameter of the lesion (24 x 25 x 25 mm at 24 months), suggesting in this case the role of ischemic injury in the pathogenesis of the lesion. In the second clinical case, a hypoechoic lesion (32 x 32 x 30 mm) of segment 6 as occasional US finding during the staging for prostate cancer was shown. FNAC-CT showed a positive result for necrotic cells. Surgical treatment consisted in a wide excision of the lesion. Histologically the lesion was solitary necrotic nodule. The diagnosis of this rare lesion is accidental. In accordance with the literature (50% of cases), we founded an associated tumor. Radiology doesn't differentiate solitary necrotic nodule and other solid lesions. Diagnosis is histological (in our second case, FNAC-CT misinterpreted the tumor as a malignant lesion, while histology showed the real nature of it).

Two years of practice in adjustable silicone gastric banding (LAP-BAND): evaluation of variations of body mass index, percentage ideal body weight and percentage excess body weight.

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of morbid obesity, surgery had been the only method of obtaining a good and enduring weight loss. Although the procedure of choice is still a matter of debate, among gastric restriction procedures LAP-BAND has become our first choice. METHODS: We report the results from 62 morbidly obese patients operated in the period October 1994-December 1996. Their characteristics were: mean age 35.6 years, mean body weight 130.6 kg, mean height 162.3 cm, mean body mass index (BMI) 49.9 kg/m2, mean percentage ideal body weight (%IBW) 215.7 and mean excess weight (EW) 69.57 kg. RESULTS: Twenty-four months after surgery we found a mean BMI of 39.3, a mean %IBW of 168.6 and a mean % EW loss of 88.5. We removed the band in two patients: one after 9 months because of stoma stenosis and pouch enlargement in a woman who had been lost at follow-up, and the other for gastric slippage occurring after 18 months due to incorrect fixation of the band. CONCLUSION: Our results led us to consider LAP-BAND as the surgical approach for severe obesity among those patients selected for gastric restriction; indeed, it was very safe as well as effective and was rarely followed by complications.

[Treatment of recto-urethral fistulas in Crohn's disease]. / Trattamento delle fistole retto-uretrali nel morbo di Crohn.

We report the thirteenth case of a rectourethral fistula in Crohn's disease. The patient, a 37 year-old-white male, had a 20 year history of intestinal Crohn's disease and had undergone numerous bowel resections. His symptoms were fecaluria, urorrhea and passing of urine from an orifice just outside the base of the scrotum. He had urinary infection and severe ileocolitis. He underwent a diagnostic evaluation that revealed a fistula comprising the membranous urethra, the rectum, the perineum and the scrotum. We performed medical therapy with metronidazole (20 mg/kg/day/12 months). We present in this article a review of the literature on the management of rectourethral fistulas in Crohn's disease. Surgeons have successfully used several approaches in the repair of this disorder, but no single procedure had proved to be best or even universally applicable. We emphasize, as the literature suggests, that management must be individualized. Medical therapy with metronidazole has an important role in a patient with rectourethral fistula and concomitant proctitis, ileocolitis, urinary sepsis and multiple previous surgeries.

[Video-laparoscopic Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication]. / Nissen-Rossetti video-laparoscopica.

The authors describe the application of Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication for the treatment of hiatus hernia using a laparoscopic approach. They report excellent results both immediately after surgery and in the medium term.

[Mucocele of the appendix. Some diagnostic features]. / Su un caso di mucocele appendicolare. Alcuni aspetti diagnostici.

The description of a case of mucocele of the appendix shows the difficulties of arriving at a preoperative diagnosis. Following an analysis of the diagnostic features it's possible to affirm that only surgery can confirm the diagnosis with the histological result. Careful surgical dissection is very important when a malignant tumor is suspected.