Transanal evisceration caused by rectal laceration.

Transrectal evisceration caused by colorectal injury is an unusual entity. This pathology is more frequent in elderly patients and it is usually produced spontaneously. Rectal prolapse is the principal predisposing factor. An 81-year-old woman was taken to the hospital presenting exit of intestinal loops through the anus. After first reanimation measures, an urgent surgery was indicated. We observed the absence of almost every small intestine loop in the abdominal cavity; these had been moved to the pelvis. After doing the reduction, a 3 to 4 cm linear craniocaudal perforation in upper rectum was objectified, and Hartmann's procedure was performed. We investigated and knew that she frequently manipulate herself to extract her faeces. The fast preoperative management avoided a fatal conclusion or an extensive intestinal resection. Reasons that make us consider rectal self-injury as the etiologic factor are explained.

[Mucocele of the appendix: Presentation of 31 cases]. / Mucocele apendicular: presentación de 31 casos.

UNLABELLED: Mucocele of the appendix is a very uncommon disease estimated to be seen in 0.2-0.3% of all appendectomies (0.28% in our series). The term "mucocele" means dilation of the appendix due to mucus, caused either by a benign process or a malignant one (cystadenoma or adenocarcinoma). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a series of 31 cases (17 females) treated over 18 years and with a mean age of 62 years. The most frequent clinical symptom (14 cases, 45%) was pain in the right iliac fossa of less than 72 h onset which simulates acute appendicitis. RESULTS: The histology results showed that it was benign in 21 cases. The appendix was removed in all cases; five by laparoscopy, with caecal resection in 8 cases (1 was a cystadenocarcinoma) and right ileocolectomy in 15 patients (9 malignant). CONCLUSION: Follow up is recommended, not only to monitor the appendicular disease, but also due to the high incidence of synchronic or metachronic tumour processes in other areas.

Assisted laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy for the treatment of esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal resection for the treatment of esophageal cancer is usually associated with high morbido-mortality risks, that can be reduced using laparoscopy. Laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy (LTE) has the potential to improve these results but, to-date, only a few limited series of cases have been reported. This report summarizes our experience in 24 cases. OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes following LTE. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1998 and 2005, LTE was performed in 24 patients; 18 men and 6 women with an overall mean age of 63 years (range: 36-85). Indication for surgery was lower third esophageal cancer; 11 squamous cell carcinoma and 13 adenocarcinoma. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were used in 18 patients (75%). A laparoscopic transhiatal approach was used to perform an esophagectomy with curative intent. A cervical esophagogastric anastomosis was created. RESULTS: No reversion to conventional open surgery was required. Mean anesthesia time was 293.8 min (range: 255-360). Major complications occurred in 7 patients (29.2%). Two patients (8.3%) had leakage from the cervical anastomosis. Surgical mortality was 8.3%. The median stay in Intensive Care Unit was 5 days (range: 1-29). Median hospital stay was 11.5 days (range: 7-54). At a mean follow-up of 24.9 months, 8 patients (36.4%) had disease recurrence (36.4%), global survival rate was 62.5%, and diseasefree survival rate was 50%. CONCLUSIONS: Assisted laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy for lower third esophageal cancer is a potentially safe and effective method when performed by surgeons with expertise in the field. Benefits from this approach need to be confirmed by further randomized studies.