[Fetus-in-fetu in male adult. Report of an exceptional case and review of the literature]. / Fetus-in-fetu en varón adulto. Descripción de un caso excepcional y revisión de la literatura.

The name fetus-in-fetu designates the presence of a tumoral mass containing a homunculus. Fewer than 70 cases have been reported in the literature since its first description about 1800. This entity usually presents in childhood and it is exceptional in adult life. There is an interesting debate regarding its origin and mainly its relationship with teratomas and the normal process of twin formation. We report here a case seen and treated at our institution with a review of the literature and some hypothesis on its development.

[Septic complications following splenectomy after abdominal trauma]. / Complicaciones sépticas postesplenectomía tras traumatismo abdominal.

We reviewed retrospectively the septic postsplenectomy complications after splenic rupture from abdominal trauma in 53 patients treated in the last five years (1984-1988). We recorded a higher incidence of complications (pneumonia, subphrenic abscess) in these patients than in those who underwent clean surgery during the same period, but we did not demonstrate the same difference in other infectious processes (infection of the surgical wound). Infections had a higher incidence in patients with splenic rupture with associated lesions (54.10%) than in those with only a splenic lesion (37.50%) (SD p less than 0.05). The predominant agents usually isolated were aerobic Gram-positive. We remark the importance of open drainage systems (Penrose type) in the genesis of subphrenic abscesses.

[Gastric volvulus. Presentation of a new case and review of the literature]. / Vólvulo gástrico. Aportación de un nuevo caso y revisión de la literatura.

A case is presented of acute gastric volvulus associated with paraesophageal hernia. Gastric volvulus is an infrequent clinical entity that generally appears in chronic form secondary to diaphragmatic pathology. Pathogenesis rests on two factors, relaxation of the supporting ligaments and neighboring associated pathology that acts to trigger gastric distension. Early diagnosis and treatment of acute forms and prophylactic surgery of chronic forms would lead to practically null mortality figures. The surgical technique, aside from devolvulation, includes hiatal repair in cases associated with paraesophageal hernia, gastropexy being sufficient for other forms.