Use of the KSVM-based system for the definition, validation and identification of the incisional hernia recurrence risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is one of the most common complications after abdominal surgery with an incidence rate of 11 to 20% post laparotomy. Many different factors can be considered as risk factors of incisional hernia recurrence. The aim of this study is to confirm and to validate the incisional hernia recurrence risk factors and to identify and to validate new ones. METHODS: In the period from July 2007 to July 2017, 154 patients were selected and subjected to incisional hernia repair. The surgical operations were conducted under general anaesthesia. Patients received antibiotic prophylaxis when indicated, according to the hospital prophylaxis scheme. Inclusion criteria of the study were single operator case studies and open laparotomy for incisional hernia repair. The statistical analysis proposed to identify and to verify the risk factors for recurrence of incisional hernia is the Support Vector Machine (SVM). The analysis was conducted verifying 34 risk factors. RESULTS: The data analysis confirmed the known correlations showed in the international literature with a greater incidence of comorbidities such as diabetes 37%, dyslipidaemia and hypercholesterolemia with a cumulative incidence of 16%; tobacco smoke - by combining categories smokers and ex-smokers - reach 46%, COPD 16% and hypertension 51%. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the data therefore confirmed the correlations showed in the international literature. A KSVM-based system to classify incisional hernia recurrence has been presented. The type of prosthesis and the site of its implant also play a significant role in the development of the recurrence. Sensitivity (86,25%), Specificity (87,14%), Negative Predictive Value (84,72%), Precision (88,46%), Accuracy (86,67%), and Error (13,33%) scores obtained using the proposed technique highlight the validity for the relapse's classification methodology.

Preliminary results about a novel technique of mesh positioning in the abdominal wall hernia repair.

INTRODUCTION: The surgical techniques described to approach the incisional hernia repair are various and there is not consensus about which of them to use. The Intra-Peritoneal Onlay Technique (IPOM) with classic mesh positioning is burdened by high post-operative complication rate. The study shows the preliminary results of a novel technique of open IPOM mesh positioning with "percutaneous" approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2010 to December 2016 patients with abdominal wall incisional hernia that underwent surgical operation via open mesh technique for abdominal wall hernia repair at the "Policlinico Paolo Giaccone" at Palermo University Hospital were identified and the data collected were retrospectively reviewed; patients' medical and surgical records were collected from charts and the surgical registries. One hundred thirty-five patients with open IPOM percutaneous mesh positioning were selected. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The observational study proposed showed that the technique described for the abdominal wall incisional hernia repair seems to be hopeful in order to set a post-operative course not burdened by elevated rate of post-operative complications, estimated to be near 37% vs 13% reported by our series.

The abdominal wall incisional hernia repair in cirrhotic patients.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of abdominal wall hernia in cirrhotic patients with ascites is between 20 and 40%. Controversies regarding the treatment modality and surgical timing of abdominal wall incisional hernia repair in cirrhotic patients remain. The study proposed wants to analyze the abdominal incisional hernia repair in cirrhotic patients with ascites performed in a single center to determine post-operative morbidity, mortality and complication rate. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cirrhotic patients with abdominal incisional hernia that underwent surgical operation for abdominal wall hernia repair at the "Policlinico Paolo Giaccone" at Palermo University Hospital between January 2015 and December 2016 were identified and the data collected were retrospectively reviewed; patients' medical and surgical records were collected from charts and the surgical and ICU registries. The degree of hepatic dysfunction was classified using Child-Pugh classification. Post-operative mortality was considered up to 30-days after surgery. A follow-up period of 6 months at least was performed to evaluate hernia recurrence and complications. RESULTS: Mortality rate is of 18.5% (p 0.002). Recurrence rate (p 0.004) and seroma formation rate (p 0.001) are most frequent in urgency group. The elevated ASA score and the prediction of a complicated post-operative course is higher in urgency group (p 0.004) as higher is the in-hospital stay (p 0.001) and the ICU stay (p 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Elective surgery for abdominal wall hernia repair in cirrhotic patients seems to be successful and associated with lower mortality/morbidity rate and recurrence rate than urgency.

The management of the slow transit constipation in the laparoscopic era.

The slow transit constipation (STC) is a functional bowel pathology with slow total gut transit time with normal calibre colon in addition to a variety of other systemic symptoms. Patients with an abnormal colonic motility refractory to conservative treatment are regarded as appropriate candidates for surgery. Laparoscopic total colectomy with ileum-rectum anastomosis represents the commonest surgical operation in the treatment of STC, in well selected patients, after failure of conservative treatment. From 2012 to 2016, 8 patients suffering constipation according to Roma III criteria and diagnosed as STC were submitted to a total colectomy in our O.U. We evaluated the long-term post-operative quality of life and the bowel function, specifically the persistence of constipation and the number of daily bowel movements. Based on our results, we consider that the use of minimally invasive total colectomy with an ileum-rectal anastomosis is the procedure of choice in patients with colonic inertia, and should be performed by experts in laparoscopic colorectal surgery offering a satisfying post-operative quality of life with low morbidity and mortality rates.

Acetylcholine polarizes dendritic cells toward a Th2-promoting profile.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of research shows a reciprocal regulation between the neural and immune systems. Acetylcholine (ACh) is the most important parasympathetic neurotransmitter, and increasing evidence indicates that it is able to modulate the immune response. Interestingly, in recent years, it has become clear that immune cells express a non-neuronal cholinergic system, which is stimulated in the course of inflammatory processes. We have previously shown that dendritic cells (DC) express muscarinic receptors, as well as the enzymes responsible for the synthesis and degradation of ACh. Here, we analyzed whether ACh could also modulate the functional profile of DC. METHODS: Dendritic cells were obtained from monocytes cultured for 5 days with GM-CSF+IL-4 or isolated from peripheral blood (CD1c+ DC). The phenotype of DC was evaluated by flow cytometry, the production of cytokines was analyzed by ELISA or intracellular staining and flow cytometry, and the expression of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors was evaluated by flow cytometry or qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Treatment of DC with ACh stimulated the expression of the Th2-promoter OX40L, the production of the Th2-chemokines MDC (macrophage-derived chemokine/CCL22) and TARC (thymus and activation-regulated chemokine/CCL17), and the synthesis of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 by T cells, in the course of the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Moreover, we found that the stimulation of OX40L, HLA-DR, and CD83 expressions in DC induced by the Th2-promoting cytokine TSLP, as well as the production of IL-13, IL-4, and IL-5 by T cells in the course of the MLR, was further enhanced when DC were treated with TSLP plus ACh, instead of TSLP or ACh alone. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest that ACh polarizes DC toward a Th2-promoting profile.

Laparoscopic ileocecal resection in acute and chronic presentations of Crohn's disease. A single center experience.

INTRODUCTION: The terminal ileum is the most involved tract in Crohn's disease. The obstruction in this location is the most frequent complication. Acute or chronic presentations can occur. Surgery finds a role in the management of chronic strictures and in acute clinical presentations with complications not improving with conservative therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigate the outcome of patients with obstruction of the ileo-cecal bowel tract laparoscopically managed. It was analyzed the average operative time (OT), the conversion rate and the occurrence of re-operation due to surgical complications. RESULTS: 21 patients underwent an ileocecal resection for complicated Crohn's disease between January 2013 and December 2014. The admissions were performed in emergency in 42% of patients. The preintervention hospital stay was 5.8 (Sd 6.23). The mean operative time was 154 min (Sd 41). 28% of the procedures were converted to open surgery. The average hospital stay was 10 days (Sd 5) in uncomplicated patients. The morbidity rate was 28%. In 19% of cases a re-intervention was needed due to anastomotic leakage (3pts) and one hemoperitoneum for bleeding from the suture line. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopy seems an affordable technique in the management of obstructive pattern of Crohn's disease. It should be the preferable approach in young patients that probably will be submitted to subsequent surgery for the same disease; in fact, the reduced adhesions formation provided by the less bowel manipulation make easy the subsequent access. Older patients had usually more post-operative morbidity and mortality mostly due to pre-existing conditions; if possible in these patients the treatment should be medical.

Non-Occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia (NOMI) in Parkinson's disease: case report.

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is a severe pathological condition characterized by signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction, intestinal necrosis resulting from acute and/or chronic inadequate blood perfusion, in the absence of an organic vascular obstruction detectable by imaging techniques. A 64 years old man case with a history of Parkinson's disease in high-functioning levodopa treatment is presented. Clinical and radiological signs of intestinal obstruction were observed. He underwent surgical operation with total colectomy and terminal ileostomy for generalized secondary peritonitis due to perforation of sigmoid colon. Ischemic pancolitis was first suspected. In third post-operative day a contrastenhanced CT scan was performed in the evidence of fever and sub-occlusive symptoms. It was found absence of reliable evidence of vascular changes; superior mesenteric artery and vein patency is maintained A NOMI was then diagnosed. NOMI represents about 0.04% of mesenteric artery diseases. It is correlated with a poor prognosis with a mortality estimated of 70-90%. Parkinson's disease, considering neurodegenerative alterations that characterize it, can be considered as a predisposing factor. The combined treatment with high doses of levodopa and vasodilators, such as PGE (Prostaglandin E), can contribute to an improvement in prognosis.

The non-surgical management for hemorrhoidal disease. A systematic review.

The non-surgical treatments for hemorrhoids are cost and time-saving techniques usually performed in patients suffering early hemorrhoidal disease. The most used are rubber band ligation (RBL), injection sclerotherapy (IS), and infrared coagulation (IRC). We performed a systematic review in order to evaluate: do these procedures really help to avoid further more aggressive treatments? What are the common harms? What are the rare harms? How many recurrences there are? A total of 21 RCTs were included in this review: 12 on RBL, 4 on IRC and 5 on IS. In RBL bleeding stops in up to 90% and III degree hemorrhoids improves in 78%-83.8%. IV degree prolapse should have a more invasive treatment. The commonest complications are bleeding and pain (8-80%). IRC related improvement is 78%, 51% and 22% for I, II and III degree. Post-operative pain occurs in 15-100% and post-operative bleeding ranges from 15% to 44%. Recurrence rate is 13% at a three months follow-up. IS brings to the resolution of prolapse in 90%-100% of II degree and allows good results for III degree even if reported only by case series. The post-procedural pain is 36%-49%. Bleeding is a very rare harm. Even if not definitive, these treatments could be an alternative for mild symptomatic patients after a clear explanation of recurrence rates and possible complications.

Deep SSI after mesh-mediated groin hernia repair: management and outcome in an Emergency Surgery Department.

AIM: Mesh-mediated groin hernia repair is considered the goldstandard procedure. It has low recurrence rate. Rarely a deep Surgical Site Infection (SSI) is seen when a synthetic prosthesis is used. CASE REPORT: We describe a rare case of bilateral deep SSI after mesh-mediated groin hernia repair. Diagnosis was performed through the physical examination and radiological exams. Microbiological samples identified a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus responsible of the infection. Target therapy was performed and re-operation performed in order to remove the infected prosthesis and to apply a biological one to create the fibrous scaffold. During follow-up time, right side recurrence was observed. Tru-cut biopsy of fascia was obtained in order to identify the responsible of the recurrence. CONCLUSION: Combination of antibiotic therapy and surgical reoperation seems to be the correct way to approach the deep SSI after mesh-mediated groin hernia repair. The use of biological mesh after synthetic removal seems to improve the final outcome.

Multiparametric evaluation of risk factors associated to seroma formation in abdominal wall surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Incisional hernia is one of the main topics in the general surgery since there is not a unanimous consensus concerning to the best surgical methodology to adopt. It seems that prosthetic surgery is the best technique, even if responsible for the development of periprosthetic seroma. The aim of this study is to assess whether the preoperative abnormalities of the bio-humoral parameters may be considered as risk factors for seroma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 2016 to July 2017 at the "Policlinico Paolo Giaccone", Palermo, Department of Emergency Surgery, 56 patients included in this study, underwent laparotomic mesh repair. The inclusion criteria were: age > 18 years, incisional hernia W2R0 according to the Chevrel classification and a monoperator technique. The main variables were: sex, age, BMI, smoke, ASA score, and co-morbidities. Among the main serum-blood variables: natraemia, kalaemia, chloraemia, calcaemia, PCR, level of glucose, creatinine, albumin and proteins in the blood. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Univariate analysis highlighted hypo- and hyper-natraemia, hyper-kalaemia, hypo-chloraemia, high levels of PCR, hyper-glycemia, low level of serum-blood albumin and proteins, as statistically significant variables. Multivariate analysis revealed a p<0.05 for PCR, hypo-albuminemia and total serum-blood-protein level. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations of pre-operative bio-humoral parameters could be associated to a greater risk of seroma development. A better understanding of such alterations may lead to more efficient risk stratification methods. This could be essential to better address the medical resources, reducing the post-operative complications and the outpatient controls as well as the risk associated to seroma.

Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI) and elderly population: prognostic evaluation in acute secondary peritonitis.

INTRODUCTION: Acute Secondary Peritonitis due to abdominal visceral perforation is characterized by high mortality and morbidity risk. Risk stratification allows prognosis prediction to adopt the best surgical treatment and clinical care support therapy. In Western countries elderly people represent a significant percentage of population Aim. Evaluation of Mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI) and consideration upon old people. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study on 104 patients admitted and operated for "Acute Secondary Peritonitis due to visceral perforation". MPI was scored. In our study we want to demonstrate efficacy of MPI and the possibility to consider older age an independent prognostic factor. RESULTS: Mortality was 25.96%. Greatest sensitivity and specificity for the MPI score as a predictor of mortality was at the score of 20. MPI score of <16 had 0.15 times lower risk of mortality compared to patients with MPI score 17 - 21 and 0.61 lower than patients with MPI >22. Patients with MPI score 17-21 had 0.46 times lower risk of mortality compared to patients with MPI score >21. In the group of patients with MPI score of >20 the mortality rate was 48.5% for patients older than 80 years old and 12.1% for younger patients (p < 0.005); in the group with MPI score of < 20 mortality rate was respectively 8.4% and 1.4% (p < 0.005). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Data confirm the accuracy of the test. MPI score and age over 80 years old resulted independent predictors of mortality at multivariate analysis.

Complication of endoscopic tattooing: a case report of covered perforation.

AIM: Laparoscopy is considered a good approach in treatment of colorectal neoplastic diseases; the endoscopic tattooing is then recommended (Evidence Level III and grade of recommendation A) to mark a lesion or a polypectomy site for intraoperative identification. We describe the case of perforation after tattoing treated conservatively. CASE REPORT: 63 years old woman, underwent colonoscopy for lipoma tattooing with India ink SPOT® solution kit and saline test. Immediately after the procedure the patient has been referred the appearance of colic epi-mesogastric pain and fever; Computed Tomography (CT) without MDC identified an irregular thickening of transverse colon with some microbubbles compatible with focal peritonitis. Initial paralytic ileus was present too. The blood count and metabolic panel examinations reveal a neutrophil leucocytosis (WBC: 11.000/mmc, 80% neutrophils). RESULTS: On the base of WSES sepsis severity score and recent literature patient was treated conservatively with total parenteral nutrition, and intravenous antibiotic therapy. After the resolution of fever and reactivation of peristalsis. The discharge occurred after six days with no early complications. CONCLUSION: India ink tattooing with SPOT® solution kit and saline test represent the first choice. It is a feasible technique although perforation is a possible complication. It may need an immediately surgical operation but in most cases a conservative management is a good and safe tool even if surgery may be attempted too.

Open versus laparoscopic approach in the treatment of abdominal emergencies in elderly population.

AIM: To evaluate the role of laparoscopy in the treatment of surgical emergency in old population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over-70 years-old patients submitted to emergency abdominal surgery from January 2013 to December 2014 were collected and grouped according to admission diagnoses. These accounted small bowel obstruction, colonic acute disease, appendicitis, ventral hernia, gastro-duodenal perforation, biliary disease. In each group it was analyzed the operation time (OT), the morbidity rate and the mortality rate comparing open and laparoscopic management using T-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: 159 over 70-years-old patients underwent emergency surgery in the General and Emergency surgery Operative Unit (O.U.) of the Policlinic of Palermo. 75 patients were managed by a laparoscopic approach and 84 underwent traditional open emergency surgery. T-Test for OT and Chi-square test for morbidity rate and mortality rate showed no differences in small bowel emergencies (p=0,4; 0,250,9; p>0,95) and in gastro-duodenal perforation (p=0,9; p>0.9; p>0.95). In cholecystitis, laparoscopy group showed lower OT (T-Test: p= 0,0002) while Chi-square test for morbidity rate (0,1

Rectal bleeding and prolapse not always benign diseases rather anal cancer. The importance of a correct decision making since primary care.

Rectal bleeding is very common in general population with a prevalence of 10-20 %. Primary care physicians have to stratify patients basing on urgency and on the colo-rectal cancer risk and to conduct a decision making for the correct management. We report a case of a 61-years-old woman, complaining rectal bleeding and an anal mass attended to their family doctor who does a visit but without a digital rectal examination and diagnosed a hemorrhoidal prolapse suggesting medical therapy. For the persistence of symptoms she comes to our service from emergency attention. Inspection and digital rectal examination revealed an anal mass. CT scan was performed showing a large anal mass involving half anal circumference. Histologic samples showed an epithelial proliferation compatible with a squamous carcinoma. Oncological consult was requested and a chemo-radiotherapy treatment was proposed. This case report highlights the difficulty when physicians assess patients with anorectal complaints in differentiating anal cancer from benign disease, presumably because symptoms are similar. Primary care physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion of cancer in high-risk population. Sensitization of these colleagues is required since digital rectal examination is of inestimable value to verify the presence of a rectal or an anal mass.

Comparison of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy under local anaesthesia and minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism: a cost analysis.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) origins from a solitary adenoma in 70- 95% of cases. Moreover, the advances in methods for localizing an abnormal parathyroid gland made minimally invasive techniques more prominent. This study presents a micro-cost analysis of two parathyroidectomy techniques. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 72 consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive parathyroidectomy, video-assisted (MIVAP, group A, 52 patients) or "open" under local anaesthesia (OMIP, group B, 20 patients) for PHPT were reviewed. Operating room, consumable, anaesthesia, maintenance costs, equipment depreciation and surgeons/anaesthesiologists fees were evaluated. The patient's satisfaction and the rate of conversion to conventional parathyroidectomy were investigated. T-Student's, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests and Odds Ratio were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: 1 patient of the group A and 2 of the group B were excluded from the cost analysis because of the conversion to the conventional technique. Concerning the remnant patients, the overall average costs were: for Operative Room, 1186,69 € for the MIVAP group (51 patients) and 836,11 € for the OMIP group (p<0,001); for the Team, 122,93 € (group A) and 90,02 € (group B) (p<0,001); the other operative costs were 1388,32 € (group A) and 928,23 € (group B) (p<0,001). The patient's satisfaction was very strongly in favour of the group B (Odds Ratio 20,5 with a 95% confidence interval). CONCLUSIONS: MIVAP is more expensive compared to the "open" parathyroidectomy under local anaesthesia due to the costs of general anaesthesia and the longer operative time. Moreover, the patients generally prefer the local anaesthesia. Nevertheless, the rate of conversion to the conventional parathyroidectomy was relevant in the group of the local anaesthesia compared to the MIVAP, since the latter allows a four-gland exploration.

Uncommon localizations of hydatid cyst. Review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatid disease is an endemic anthropozoonosis with usual localization in liver and lungs. Rarely it localizes in uncommon sites as spleen, skeleton, kidney, brain, cardiac muscle, peritoneum, sub cutis. Complications of uncommon localizations are the same that for usual ones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of the literature on rare and atypical localization of hydatid cysts in soft tissues. Key-words used on Pub-Med [(echinococ OR hydatid) AND (soft tissue OR subcutaneous OR cutaneous)] without time limit. There were found 282 articles; 242 were excluded because of muscular or bone localizations. 40 were coherent. RESULTS: Different variables are taken into account: age, sex, geographic area, anatomic localization of the cyst, dimension, symptoms, signs, mobility, blood exams and specific serological tests, imaging techniques for diagnosis, existing of septa in the structure, treatment, anaesthesia, spillage, neo-adjuvant and adjuvant treatment, follow-up period, recurrent lesions. CONCLUSION: It would be useful create an homogeneous and standardized collection of data of these rare and potentially life-threatening conditions in order to create guide-line of diagnostic and therapeutic process and create (or adopt) unique classification of the lesions.

Laparoscopic treatment for esophageal achalasia: experience at a single center.

BACKGROUND: Achalasia is a not frequent esophageal disorder characterized by the absence of esophageal peristalsis and incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Its cause is unknown. The aim of treatment is to improve the symptoms. We report the results of the treatment of this condition achieved in one center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with esophageal achalasia. In the period 2010-2012 we observed 64 patients, of whom 19 were referred for medical treatment. Three of the remaining patients underwent botulinum toxin injection, 17 underwent multiple endoscopic dilation procedures and 25 underwent laparoscopic surgery. RESULTS: There were no complications in the group undergoing endoscopic therapy, but symptom remission was only temporary. Patients undergoing surgery showed a significant improvement in symptoms and no recurrence throughout the follow-up period, that is still ongoing (3 years). There were no major complications in any case and no morbidity or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of esophageal achalasia with laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication gives the best and longest-lasting results in suitably selected patients. The extension of the myotomy and reduction in LES pressure are the most important parameters to achieve a good result.

Laparoscopic, three-port and SILS cholecystectomy: a retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the results of classic laparoscopic, three-port and SILS cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of data collected between January 2010 and December 2012 pertaining to 159 selected patients with symptomatic gallstones. 57 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 51 three-port cholecystectomy and 48 SILS cholecystectomy. We then compared the groups with respect to mean operating time, intraoperative complications, postoperative pain, duration of hospitalization and final aesthetic result. RESULTS: The mean operating time was significantly higher in the SILS cholecystectomy group (93 minutes) than in the other two groups. There were no intraoperative complications. There were no significant differences in the duration of hospitalization among the three groups. Patients in the SILS cholecystectomy group reported significantly less pain 3, 6 and 12 hours after surgery. The aesthetic results at 1 and 6 months' follow-up were also decidedly better. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this study, SILS cholecystectomy is a feasible, safe procedure. In any case, it should be used in selected patients only and carried out by a dedicated team with strong experience in laparoscopy. The main advantages of this technique are a reduction in post-operative pain and improved aesthetic result, at the price, however, of its greater technical difficulty and longer operating times. Future studies are in any case necessary to evaluate any other benefits of this method.

Abdominal wall incisional hernia repair improves respiratory function: results after 3 years of follow-up.

PURPOSE: Hernias severely impact patient quality of life (QoL), and 80% of patients require a surgical operation. Moreover, hernias are responsible for respiratory function alterations. This study aims to investigate the postoperative alterations in respiratory function after open ventral hernia repair in patients with incisional hernia. METHODS: Patients operated on at the Policlinico "Paolo Giaccone" at Palermo University Hospital between January 2015 and December 2016 were identified in a prospective database. Fifty-one patients were enrolled in the study. The respiratory outcome measures used were forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF) and PEF percentage (%PEF). The timepoints at which the parameters listed were assessed were t0, 1 week before the surgical operation; t1, 12 months later; and t2, 3 years later. RESULTS: The difference between mean preoperative and postoperative PEF was significant [t0 4.32 (4.03-7.92), t1 6.7 (4.27-8.24) with p = 0.012 and t2 6.5 (4.25-8.21) with p = 0.026]. The %PEF increased from 75% preoperatively to 87% at t1 (p = 0.009) and to 85% at t2 (p = 0.03). No differences were found in the comparison of pre- and postoperative FVC, FEV1 or FEV1/FVC ratio. CONCLUSION: The improvement in respiratory measures suggests the importance of abdominal wall restoration to recover functional activity of respiratory function.

Open mini-invasive cholecystectomy in high risk elderly. A review of 121 consecutive procedures.

INTRODUCTION: the report describes the features of a low cost, open mini-invasive procedure for cholecystectomy in a sample of 121 consecutive high risk elderly (ASA score 3 to 5). PATIENTS AND METHODS: the surgery is performed through a 3 - 4 cm right subcostal skin incision. An optimal exposition of the operating field was achieved thanks to an innovative three valve retractor. RESULTS: a mean hospital stay of 3,02 days, low complication rate and 2,4% mortality are the results of the described procedure. CONCLUSIONS: in high risk elderly the results are extremely encouraging, particularly in comparison with both laparoscopic and traditional open cholecystectomy. The open minisurgical cholecystectomy could be considered a cost-effective alternative to laparoscopy, with excellent results in this subset of patients. The described mini-surgical procedure can also integrate the laparoscopic in case of conversion.