Myoxinol ointment for the treatment of acute fissure.

Myoxinol is a complex of oligopeptides obtained from the seeds of Hibiscus esculentus used in cosmetic as natural alternative to botulin toxin. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of local myoxinol for the treatment of acute anal fissure. All the consecutive patients with acute fissure treated from January to June 2014 underwent 30 days of topical treatment (twice/day) with a mioxinol based ointment. Pain, symptomatic relief, fissure healing and re-epithelization, 1-year recurrence rate, subjective satisfaction and need for further treatments were evaluated. During the study period 157 patients were eligible for data analysis (91 males: 58%; mean age 38 years: range 17-83). Median anal pain score was 7.1 pre-treatment and 1.7 and 0.9 after 30 days and 12 months from treatment, respectively (p: 0.0001). After the treatment period complete healing was achieved in 103 patients (65.5%), relevant improvement in 31 (20%) and no improvement in 21 patients (13.5%). Overall efficacy rate was 85.5%. A significant difference was reported considering patients with pre-treatment VAS between 1-5 and 6-10 (p: 0.004). Twenty-nine patients (18.5%) required further treatments. Hydrolyzed Hibiscus esculentus extract was proven to be an effective and well-tolerated topical treatment for acute fissure, with a high healing rate, a significant reduction of pain and a low 1-year recurrence rate.

Fast track in colo-rectal surgery. Preliminary experience in a rural hospital.

BACKGROUND: "Fast Track surgery" is a therapeutic program of large application, despite some doubts about its applicability and real validity. Literature review shows that this approach to colo-rectal surgery, particularly video-assisted, can allow a rapid recovery, better performance and a faster postoperative functional autonomy of the work, which can be discharged without cause additional welfare costs; in addition it can be reproducible in different health reality. PURPOSE: To analyze the possibility to apply the Fast Truck protocol in patients undergoing colorectal surgery in a rural hospital and non specialistic Unit of Surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We have conducted a prospective, randomized study on 80 patients subjected to colorectal surgery in the last year. RESULTS: The protocol was observed in 95% of cases, compliance with the Fast Track was high and general morbidity was limited (7.8%). CONCLUSION: This "aggressive" approach, which has fundamentally altered the usual surgical behavior, seems to allow a mean length of stay significantly lower than in controls (p < 0.05) with positive implications for patients and containment of health care costs, even after discharge (no need for home care in 92% of cases, no early re-admittance to the hospital). Homogeneous protocols are desirable, as well as an increased enrollment, to consolidate these rehabilitation programs in order to provide a reference for all hospitals.

[Spontaneous regression of lung metastases from renal cell carcinoma: the importance of immunogenetic factors and a review of the literature]. / Regressione spontanea delle metastasi polmonari da carcinoma renale. Ipotesi immunogenetiche e revisione della letteratura.

Spontaneous regression of renal cell cancer (RCC) metastases most frequently occurs after nephrectomy, since reducing target size makes possible a more effective immune response. RCC is immunotherapy-sensitive, as are RCC metastases, especially metastases to the lungs (organs are rich in immune cells and continually exposed to antigens), which have an antigenic effect. Immunotherapy could be perfected if a renal antigen that could be incorporated into a vaccine were identified. This would have played an important role in treatment and follow-up. Vaccine therapy for RCC is no longer far out of reach. The characteristics of RCC make it a fertile field for the study of prometastatic and endogenous antiangiogenic factors.

[Liver haemangioma: current surgical indications. Our experience]. / Gli angiomi epatici: attuali indicazioni al trattamento chirurgico. Revisione casistica.

Hemangiomas are the more frequent benign liver tumours. Therapeutic approach at these neoplasms is changed in the last years because has resulted that massive haemoperitoneum from a spontaneous rupture of the hemangiomas is a rare occurrence. From a personal review of 124 liver resection performed for traumatic and organic, benign and malignant, pathologies, the Authors present two cases of symptomatic liver haemangioma surgically treated Excluding emergency induced by tumour hemorrhage, actually indications to surgical treatment are controversial. In all patients the right approach is choice by the integrated evaluation of general conditions of the patient, liver functionality and from anatomical location of the neoplasm.

[Appendicectomy: laparoscopic versus open treatment. A case survey]. / Appendicectomia: laparoscopica versus laparotomica. Analisi della casistica.

AIM: Laparoscopy is actually the gold standard approach in many surgical procedures: this consideration is still controversial as to appendectomy. METHODS: From 2000 to 2004 we have performed 257 appendectomies: 51 (20%) in laparoscopic approach. Preoperative diagnosis has been formulated on blood parameters, abdominal or, sometimes, transvaginal ultrasonography. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-seven surgical operations, 62 laparoscopic, have been performed for suspicious appendicitis. In the laparoscopic procedures, 11 revealed various diseases without appendicitis. In the remaining 51 cases, appendectomy has been performed totally intra-abdominal and none case turned to laparotomic conversion. Operative times were between 27 and 105 min in the laparoscopic appendectomies (LA) and between 18 and 46 min in the laparotomic appendectomies (OA). In 7.3% of OA and in 3.9% of LA wall infections occurred, as well as abdominal abscesses in 1% of OA and in 4% of LA. Postoperative discharge was after 3.3 days and bowel canalization appeared at 10-18 hours from the surgery, in OA and in LA. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, the conclusion is drawn that, although discordant opinions in the literature, the advantages of the laparoscopic approach compared to laparotomic approach is still to be demonstrated, both in advantages for the patient and in costs. Laparoscopy is the better surgical technique when the preoperative diagnosis is not clear, particularly in young women or in elderly, in whom a colic neoplasm may be suspected.

[Complications due to mechanical sutures in laparoscopic surgery: bowel obstruction caused by staple. Case report and literature review]. / Complicanze da suture meccaniche in chirurgia laparoscopica: occlusione intestinale da clip. Segnalazione di un caso clinico e revisione della letteratura.

Bowel obstruction after laparoscopic surgical operation is reported only in few cases. The incarceration of bowel loop occurs into the port site more frequently. The case of a young woman, subjected to laparoscopic appendectomy is reported: bowel obstruction occurs on the third postoperative day caused by a staple of the mechanical suture on the caecum, hooked to bowel mesentery. This complication can occur for staples partially formed, spilled in the peritoneum or put to the extremity of mechanical sutures: they can hook to fixed structures and strangle a bowel loop. It may occur in 1.8% of surgical laparoscopic procedures. It can be solved by the simple laparoscopic lysis, above all if an early diagnosis and surgical operation are performed. It is recommendable to remove all the free spilled staples in the peritoneum and close or remove those partially formed to the extremities of the suture.

[Intestinal occlusion caused by malignant neoplasia of the colon: surgical strategy]. / Occlusione intestinale da neoplasia maligna del colon: strategia chirurgica.

Malignant tumors of the large bowel become often clinically evident as an obstruction in 8-29% cases, specially the neoplasms at the splenic flexure (50%) or descending colon (25%). Different factors (urgency, age, colonic distension and lack of adequate bowel preparation) influence therapeutic choice, specially about the bowel resection and one stage anastomosis. Twenty-six patient with neoplastic stenosis of the large bowel (8 of ascending colon and proximal transverse, 5 of splenic flexure or descending colon, 12 of the sigma, 1 of the rectum) have been surgically treated. 4 patient have been subjected to right emicolectomy and ileo-transverse anastomosis; 2 to Hartman's operation; 1 to anterior resection of the rectum; 3 to left hemicolectomy and 2 to resection of the sigma with colic on table irrigation and one-stage anastomosis; 13 to colostomy; 1 to palliative ileo-colic bypass. Two patients (7.5%) died in post-operative period. In patients subjected to one-stage procedures for left colic stenosis, the Authors haven't observed major complications, but one patient developed an anastomic leakage (4%), conservative treated. In stenosis localized to ascending colon or hepatic flexure standard surgical operation is right emicolectomy. In patients affected by cancer of descending colon, the Hartmann's operation is considered the more rational procedure, even if 50% of the patients aren't reoperated on for reconstruction. The one-stage anastomosis is indicated only in selected cases, specially subjected to TPN before surgery or balancing of the metabolic parameters and to antibiotic prophylaxis. The subtotal or total colectomy is indicated when signs of colic perforation are found or when the colon is massively dilatated or there are signs of colonic necrosis or in case of other lesions of the large bowel preoperatively known.

Laparoscopic procedures in patients who have previously undergone laparotomic operations.

BACKGROUND: Patients who have undergone laparotomy can undergo laparoscopic procedures and thus benefit from the advantages that the technique offers without significantly increasing the risk of the operation. METHODS: We present the results of 240 patients, chosen at random who underwent laparoscopic procedures and who had already had 1 or more laparotomic abdominal operations. We carried out 180 cholecystectomies, 12 of which for acute inflammation of the gall bladder, 10 for acute biliary pancreatitis, 3 with exploration of the common bile duct, 45 Nissen fundoplication procedures, of which 16 with removal of the gall bladder, 4 subtotal gastrectomies, 2 GEAs, 2 left colectomies, 4 adhesiolyses. RESULTS: The duration of the procedure varied from 40 to 300 minutes, and hospitalization time after the operation from 1 to 15 days, depending on the previous operation and on the laparoscopic procedure used. A traditional operation (conversion) became necessary in 1.35% of patients. Complica-tions arose in 4% of cases: 4 hematomas, 1 infected wound, 2 bile leaks and 2 bowel fistulas at low flow. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery in pa-tients who have previously undergone abdominal operations is difficult. The extent of conversions and complications can be contained within acceptable limits by choosing carefully the insertion point of the first trocar and dissecting the bowel with great precision.

[Management of the neoplastic stenosis of the left colon with self-expandable endoprosthesis]. / Il trattamento delle stenosi neoplastiche del colon sinistro mediante endoprotesi autoespandibili.

Malignant tumors of the large bowel develop colonic obstruction in 10-30% cases. Recently many authors have employed self-expandable stents to resolve the colonic obstruction. During 2002, seven patients affected by neoplastic malignant stenosis of the left colon underwent endoscopic placement of self-expandable enteral stent. The technique succeeded in relieving the obstruction in 6 patients, while in a woman affected by malignant tumor of the splenic flexure, colonic stenting was unsuccessful. The Authors didn't observe any procedure related complications; sign and symptoms of intestinal obstruction resolved within 24-72 hours from placement. Four patients needed hydro-electrolitemic correction, intestinal cleaning and R0 resection with one stage anastomosis within 5 and 9 days. Bowel decompression of the neoplastic stenosis relieved by self expandable metallic stents is useful to avoid emergency surgery and provide time for a complete preoperative staging, a metabolic correction and a mechanical bowel preparation. Complications of stent placement are common in many reports and include minor rectal bleeding (2%) and perforations (4%). Stenting is contraindicated in cases of enlarged colon with diameter superior to 8 cm or in flogistic lesions.

[Sarcoma of the breast. Two clinical cases and review of the literature]. / I sarcomi della mammella. Due casi clinici e revisione della letteratura.

BACKGROUND: Sarcomas of the breast are rare neoplasm. Wide discordances exist about prognostic factors, therapy and life expectancy. METHODS: Two women affected by sarcoma of the breast; prognostic aspects and therapy are analyzed. RESULTS: After radical mastectomy one patient, with neoplasm of 4.5 cm in diameter, is still alive one year after the surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of the sarcomas of the breast is very difficult with the common radiological imaging, specially in the early phases when the sarcomas often can simulate absolutely benign lesions. Prognostic factors are histological type and degree, mytosis number for field and, probably, dimensions of the neoplasm. Sarcomas less than 3 cm in diameter can be admitted to conservative surgical procedure, but radical mastectomy is unavoidable when dimensions exceed this limit.

[Intraoperative cholangiography in videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy: indications, advantages, and limitations]. / Colangiografia intraoperatoria in corso di colecistectomia videolaparoscopica: indicazioni, vantaggi, limiti.

Consensus doesn't exist about the intraoperative cholangiography specially if is need in every one laparoscopic cholecystectomy either exclusively in case of anatomical doubts or suspect of injures or stones of the common duct. We have considered 450 patient subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy during 1992-2000. Patients suspicious to be affected by common duct lithiasis (28 cases) are subjected to ERCP with cleaning of the biliary tree. In 18 patients (4%) it has been necessary the laparotomic conversion; 176 patients (39%) have been subjected to intraoperative cholangiography, selected on anatomical regional disposition or anamnesis and biochemical and instrumental results (history of jaundice or gallstones pancreatitis, abnormal serum level of the biliary stasis biochemistry, common bile duct major of 8 mm, michrolitiasis of the gallbladder). In 7 cases (4%) we have discovered common bile duct stones. We don't attempt intraoperative cholangiography in every one laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but only in cases where we suspect presence of common bile duct stones either iatrogenic injuries or when we retain it necessary to clarify the regional anatomy. Unlikely just in patients where would be more useful, causes major risk of intra- and post-operative complications, it is very difficult, often impossible, to attempt the intraoperative cholangiography. Routinary employing of the intraoperative cholangiography could be useful just for a little number of patients, while selective employing reduce 60% the X-ray. Collaboration with the radiologist is able to reduce the mistaken on the interpretation of the radiograms.

[A modified technique of gallbladder dissection from the liver during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Personal technique]. / La dissociazione della colecisti dal letto epatico durante colecistectomia laparoscopica. Tecnica personale.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder injures during cholecystectomy happens more frequently when surgical operation is conduced under laparoscopic (16%) rather than laparotomic (8%) access. A modification of the technique of dissection of the gallbladder from the liver is presented, suggesting a progression from the medium to the lateral side. This technique should facilitate the division of the organs and, above all, limit the gallbladder iatrogenic injures. METHODS: During 1995-2000 we have employed our technique in 637 patients, 89 (14%) affected by acute cholecystytis, subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. RESULTS: Gallbladder injures occurred in 38 cases (6%), with stones liberation 12 (1,9%): 11 had been submitted to surgery in emergency. All patients have been subjected to follow-up from 12 to 30 months. No intraperitoneal abscess was observed, while suppuration of the umbilical port occurred in 12 patients (1,9%): 6 were affected by systemic illnesses. CONCLUSIONS: Our technique can limit the incidence of iatrogenic gallbladder injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomies, reducing surgical times, antibiotics administration, incidence of perioperative complications. Besides, this technique may facilitate the gallbladder dissection from the liver in case of infundibular stones.

[Septic complications of gallbladder lacerations during laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / Complicanze settiche da lacerazione della colecisti in corso di colecistectomia laparoscopica.

The iatrogenic gallbladder perforation with bile and, eventually, gallstones loss in the peritoneal cavity happens in the laparoscopic cholecystectomies more frequently than in the laparotomic ones. The authors have reviewed their experience and recent bibliography with the aim to clarify factors that increase risks for this adverse effect; 579 patients subjected to laparoscopic cholecistectomy: in 81 cases (13.98%) the intra-peritoneal perforation of the gallbladder wall has happened, in 26 associated to gallstones loss; 12 of these last have developed abdominal wall infections. No case of intra-peritoneal abscess was observed. The Authors believe to be proper to select patients with the clinical and instrumental evaluation. They identify emergency and flogosis as risk factors for the perforations, as well the systemic illnesses for sepsis. They emphasize the role of antibiotic prophylaxis in the high risk subjects.

[Common bile duct injuries during videolaparocholecystectomy]. / Le lesioni della via biliare principale in corso di videolaparocolecistectomia.

In the years an increase of last biliary injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy was observed. At present this occurrence rate is 0.1-3.4% of laparoscopic procedures. Probably this is to be related to less contraindications to cholecystectomy by laparoscopic procedures, with increase of more difficult operations. The intraoperative biliary injuries are due to anatomical anomalies of the local structures, mistakes of technique, flogosis of the cholecisto-choledocal region. Factors preventing iatrogenic injuries are accurate and standardized operative technique, adoption of modern instruments, intraoperative cholangiography. The Authors have reviewed their experience based on 1236 laparoscopic cholecysectomies performed in six years (1992-1998) in their own structure. Four lesions of the biliary tract (0.3%) have occurred: three Bismuth I-II and one Bismuth IV. They have always performed intraoperative cholangiography, without false negative, in contrast with present literature. They conclude underlining the need of the routine contrastrographic study of the biliary tract in all cholecysectomies as well as of an adequate training in radiological imagines interpretation.

[Peritoneal innervation and post-laparoscopic course. Role of CO2]. / Terminazioni nervose peritoneali e decorso post-laparoscopia. Ruolo della CO2.

BACKGROUND: 30-67% of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery reports shoulder pain. Besides, post-surgical course of patients undergoing converted laparoscopic procedures is similar to the course of patients who received a completely laparoscopic procedure. It is supposed that there is a temporary neurotoxic damage of the peritoneal sensitive nervous fibres defined by CO2. METHODS: A prospective review has been carried out by histologically analyzing 38 peritoneal biopsies from 10 selected patients, during different laparoscopic surgical procedures (6 cholecystectomies, 2 appendectomies, 1 selective bilateral ligature of the spermatic vessles) and at different times during each operation. Patients whom anamnesis, clinical or local conditions were suggestive for peritoneal flogosis were excluded from the study: therefore only 29 biopsies from 8 patients have been considered useful to the study. RESULTS: Histological analysis has been carried out with different methods of coloration (hematoxylin eosin, argentic staining) and at different magnifications (30x, 60x, 100x), without electronical microscopy or immunohistochemical studies. No biopsy showed signs of damage of the nervous structures. CONCLUSIONS: Certainly, the realization of a pneumoperitoneum at CO2 doesn't cause damages of the peritoneal sensitive fibres. It has been demonstrated that the abdominal introduction of CO2 causes a "relative peritoneal acidosis", directly depending from the percentage of CO2 employed: the peritoneal pH decreases to 6.9 after 15 min of pneumoperitoneum with CO2 at 100% and to 7.35% with CO2 at 5% of air. Probably this condition causes a temporary biochemical change that defines reduction of the nervous impulses and, therefore, the "peritoneization" of the patient subjected to laparoscopic procedure. The "biochemical hypoesthesia", based on a change of the peritoneal homeostasis, would translate itself in a beneficial effect for the patient, persisting also when converted to laparotomic operation due the impossibility to proceed under laparoscopy, held up by the residual pneumoperitoneum.

[Diagnosis and treatment of epigastric hernia. Analysis of our experience]. / Diagnosi e terapia delle ernie epigastriche. Analisi della nostra esperienza.

BACKGROUND: Epigastric hernias are 0.35-1.5% of abdominal hernias and 8% of midline ones. They are often of small dimensions (15-25 mm) but voluminous epigastric hernias (5-10 cm) may occur. In these cases the sac may contain epiploic appendages or viscera (ileum loops, stomach). 20% of epigastric hernias are multiple: for this reason we must consider the integrity of the whole linea alba. Ultrasound scan, showing a 100% sensibility towards this pathology, is extremely effective to achieve this aim. METHODS: We have reviewed our experience since 1989 analysing the clinical, diagnostical and therapeutical aspects and pointing out the not too distinct symptomatology of epigastric hernias, including those complicated by incarceration. We always carry out surgical correction of epigastric hernias in general anaesthesia and open the peritoneal sac in order to loosen possible adhesions. We have employed a properitoneal MESH (polypropylene) only in voluminous hernias. RESULTS: In a two years follow-up in 79% of patients, no recurrences have been observed. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical correction of epigastric hernias does not always need a prosthesis, but it may be a simple direct reconstruction as long as the suture is carried out in the correct direction depending on the dimensions of the hernial porta. On the other hand, recurring epigastric hernias and voluminous hernias, multiple or isolated, can be corrected with a polypropylene MESH placed in the properitoneal area.

[Restoration of duodenal transit in the surgical treatment of postgastrectomy syndrome. The Soupault-Bucaille procedure]. / Ripristino del transito duodenale nel trattamento chirurgico della sindrome da gastroresezione. L'intervento di Soupault-Bucaille.

Between 5-50% of patients undergoing gastric resection still develop postgastrectomy syndrome in spite of the development of surgical techniques and an improved knowledge of gastrointestinal physiopathology: unfortunately, 2-5% of these patients require surgery. The technique to be used depends on a careful clinical and instrumental evaluation aimed at identifying the dominant type of postresection syndrome and any associated lesions, on the previous operation and obviously on the intraoperative situation. Soupault-Bucaille's gastroduodenojejunoplasty aims to correct the postresection syndrome by reinserting the duodenum in the digestive circuit, interposing between it and the gastric stump a jejunal loop made from the efferent (or afferent in the case of Billroth II with efferent on the lesser gastric curvature). This reconstitutes a paraphysiological condition of the digestive circuit, reduces biliary reflux and resolves acute gastritis. It is indicated in patients affected by early or late dumping syndrome, or multi-deficiency syndromes that do not respond to pharmacological therapy. The presence of concomitant biliary reflux is not a contraindication for this procedure, but confirms the need. Roux-en-Y is able to produce better results in postgastrectomy syndromes with alkaline gastritis and/or esophagitis sustained by biliary reflux, gastric atonia and afferent loop syndromes.

[Idiopathic varicocele. Ligature of the reflexive vessels to the internal inguinal ring]. / Il varicocele essenziale. Legatura all'anello inguinale interno dei vasi reflussivi.

The idiopathic varicocele is involved in 40-50% of the male sterility. The angiographic studies undertaken by Coolsaet in the 1980 have showed the different anatomic conditions that are at origin of the varicocele, explaining the recurrence or persistence of the illness after surgical operations. The high ligature of spermatic vein (Ivanissevich), eventually with ligature of spermatic artery also (Palomo), and the micro-surgical anastomoses result in high percentage of varicocele persistence. On the basis of such considerations, the Authors reviewed their experience on 371 patient surgically treated for idiopathic varicocele by inguinal ligature of the refluxive venous vessels. They emphasize the role of the intraoperative Doppler, that consents preserving spermatic artery and not-refluxive venous vessels, and need to respect the lymphatics.

[Peritoneal cystic mesothelioma. A clinical case and review of the literature]. / Mesotelioma cistico peritoneale. Caso clinico e revisione della letteratura.

Multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma is an extremely rare benign neoplastic disease with high tendency to recur locally, but no tendency to malignancy. Correct diagnosis can be made with histopathologic examination and always with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural evaluation. A case in a twenty-eight-year-old woman is reported and the anatomo-clinical characteristics of multicystic peritoneal mesothelioma from sixty-nine cases described in the literature are specified, discussing the management of this disease and emphasizing the importance of a nondemolitive approach.

[Bile leakage in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Authors' experience]. / Coleperitoneo e colecistectomia laparoscopica. Nostra esperienza.

The Authors report their experience of two patients with bile leakage following videocholecystectomy (VLC) among a series of 163 cases. Reviewing the Literature, they analyze possible causes and mechanisms of bile spillage occurring after VCL. They also suggest some guidelines for a safe VLC, stressing the importance of the routinary placement of the sub-hepatic drainage to remove 48 hours to early detect possible bile leakages after surgery.