Late Shoulder-Arm Morbidity Using Ultrasound Scalpel in Axillary Dissection for Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess whether the use of the harmonic scalpel (HS) in axillary dissection would reduce long-term shoulder-arm morbidity compared to traditional instruments (TIs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis on 180 patients who underwent standard axillary dissection for breast cancer between 2007 and 2015 was carried out. All patients were evaluated for postoperative pain, impairment of shoulder-arm mobility, seroma formation in axilla, frozen shoulder, and lymphedema. RESULTS: HS procedure on average was 50% shorter compared to the TI technique. HS reduced by 4.5 times the risk of axillary seroma. TIs were associated with 4 times higher risk of developing a painful frozen shoulder. CONCLUSIONS: Use of the HS was associated with reduced costs and a positive long-term effect on shoulder-arm morbidity. Axillary seromas are not the only reason of later postoperative shoulder-arm morbidity: other mechanisms are hypothesized in the onset of this very disabling disorder.

Suture thread check test for detection of surgical site contamination: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication of surgical procedures. AIM: Our study aimed at investigating a new method based on assessment of suture thread colonization to identify patients developing an SSI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 119 patients undergoing elective surgery. For each patient, a synthetic absorbable thread in Lactomer 9-1 (Polisorb Gauge 2) inserted in the surgical site at the end of surgery was sent to the microbiology laboratory after 48 h to assess colonization of its inner tract. RESULTS: Forty (33.6% of cases) patients had a colonized thread. Antibiotic prophylaxis was administered to 66 of 79 patients who did not display a colonized thread and to 20 of the 40 patients with a colonized thread (83.5% versus 50%, respectively, P = 0.0002). An SSI was observed only in patients with a colonized thread (10% versus 0, P = 0.02). The microorganisms identified in colonized threads were the same identified in SSIs. CONCLUSIONS: Since an SSI was found only in patients with colonized threads, the method described here may be valuable for identifying patients developing an SSI. Moreover, the method can also be useful for targeting efficient antibiotic therapy to the culprit microorganisms.

Treatment of Acute Necrotising Pancreatitis and Its Complications: The Surgeon's Perspective.

Acute necrotising pancreatitis (ANP) is associated with high complication and mortality rates. It is still difficult for the surgeon to choose and schedule the most appropriate treatment. Compared to the past, the current minimally invasive "step-up" approach enables better outcomes in terms of morbidity/mortality, notwithstanding long periods of hospitalisation, and above all ensures better levels of residual pancreatic function. We hereby report the case of a patient hospitalised in our division for approximately 4 months with a diagnosis of ANP complicated by infection and late bleeding, handled with a sequential approach.

Intestinal malrotation in one adult patient affected by SARS-CoV-2 infection: occlusion misdiagnosed as COVID gastroenteritis. Case report and literature review.

Malrotation of the gut is a rare occurrence, commonly diagnosed during childhood, but occasionally diagnosed in adults. In children, intestinal obstruction is the most common manifestation, whereas in adult patients, the diagnosis is more challenging since the symptoms are less specific with several episodes of abdominal pain and vomit. In a particular epidemic period, like the one we are going through, these generic symptoms may mislead to a wrong diagnosis. We present the case of a young man in which occlusion due to intestinal malrotation has been misinterpreted as gastroenteric symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, and we also overview the correct Ladd's technique, commonly performed by pediatrical surgeon, but unusual operation for adult general surgeons.

Appendiceal mucocele: three cases with different clinical presentation and review of literature.

Mucinous lesions of appendix are a rare clinical entity and may be neoplastic or non-neoplastic. The diagnosis is usual incidental during computed tomography scan or colonoscopy performed for general abdominal symptoms or occasional finding during operation for acute appendicitis. For this reason, initial treatment should be tailored to the situation, aiming at complete resection of the appendix with disease-free margins: this can be achieved by simple appendectomy or more extensive resection. The pathological examination of the specimen is the key to offer the patient a correct and complete treatment, and, if a neoplastic pathology is found, the case should be discussed in multidisciplinary group. We describe three cases with different clinical presentation leading to different surgical treatment: one elective case, in which the diagnosis was suspected preoperatively; and two urgent cases, one mimicking an intussusception and another one presenting as an acute appendicitis.

A giant inguinoscrotal hernia associated with other abdominal wall defects A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Giant inguinoscrotal hernias are unusual in developed countries and rarely associated with other wall hernias, such as controlateral inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia. The presence of more parietal defects can facilitate reinstatement of giant hernia content without respiratory and circulatory compromise, but the risk of occlusion and bowel strangulation results increased. CASE REPORT: Here, we report an unusual case of an asymptomatic giant inguinal hernia associated with controlateral inguinal and umbilical hernia in a 60 years old Caucasian male treated with sequential surgical approach. In particular, the Lichtenstein's technique under spinal anesthesia was performed and it could be considered the gold standard for this disease. CONCLUSION: Giant inguinal hernia and abdomen wall defects should not be repaired at the same time. It is more useful to be less aggressive, monitoring the progressive and natural adaptation of the viscera into the abdomen. Anyway, thereby literature results very poor and additional reports are required. KEY WORDS: Giant inguinoscrotal hernia, Hernia, Hernia treatment, Wall defects.