[Inguinal hernia repair: an experimental study on mesh migration with the tension-free suturless technique. 10 year follow-up]. / Ernioplastica inguinale: studio sperimentale sulla mobilità protesica con tecnica tension-free suturless. Follow-up a dieci anni.

AIM: Can the tension-free suturless technique, used in the surgical treatment of inguinal hernia, to be the gold standard for treatment of inguinal hernia? METHODS: The tension-free suturless technique is often criticized as a fundamental principle: do not have suture. The criticism stems from concern that the mesh can migrate and cause damage to important anatomical structures. We conducted a study on the mobility of prosthesis on 33 patients, by using titanium clips that we have fixed on the meshes corner, X-rays over time, done at last, a follow-up of ten years. RESULTS: The study shows that the prosthesis moves together with the anatomical space in which there is the forces present in the inguinal canal: gravity, intra-abdominal pressure, reactive force ascending gait. Across thirty-three patients have relapsed in the first six months and two recurrences in ten years, in the reconstitution of the neo-orifice, through which passes the cord. In the remaining patients the mesh were relocated upward and medially (as identified by the clips of the increase of 10-15%). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the mesh migrates upwards and medially. Migration is more or less, depending on the patient's age and quality of its tissue. Fix the prosthesis is good practice to secure at the flag on the inguinal ligament leads to two advantages: not to frustrate the principle tension-free, since the fixed prosthesis on one side does not create moments of tension, and prevent the prosthesis returns to the opening road to relapse.

Levothyroxine replacement therapy in central hypothyroidism: a practice report.

Because of lack of well-documented laboratory criteria, we assessed the usefulness of measuring free thyroxine (FT4) levels for monitoring levothyroxine replacement therapy in patients with central hypothyroidism. This consisted of a retrospective review from 1991-1997 of patient profiles extracted into a Macintosh 4th Dimension data base from the medical information system at a tertiary care biomedical research facility. Information was also retrieved from medical records of 135 ambulatory patients treated by 42 endocrinology practitioners, and 52 ambulatory patients treated by 20 endocrinology practitioners for central and primary hypothyroidism, respectively. Patient profiles were reviewed for most recent thyroid function test results and levothyroxine dosing information. Of 112 (83%) patients with central hypothyroidism who had FT4 levels within the laboratory's reference interval, only 2 had a dosage change. The FT4 concentration was concordant with physician-assessed thyroid status in 65 (82%) of 79 patients (95% CI 72-90, p<0.02) for whom clinical assessment was available in medical records. Thyrotropin, total thyroxine, and triiodothyronine levels were not significantly associated with clinical status (p>0.12) in patients with central hypothyroidism. Despite similar demographic and levothyroxine dosing profiles, patients with central hypothyroidism had significantly lower serum FT4 and thyrotropin concentrations than those with primary hypothyroidism. The appropriateness of levothyroxine replacement therapy in most patients with central hypothyroidism is reflected by a normal FT4 concentration measured with a valid assay. Whether midnormal or upper normal values are necessary for optimal therapy, and whether the therapeutic goal should be different in children than in adults, require prospective studies with independent, objective assessment of thyroid status.

[Day Surgery. Five years of experience and activity]. / Day Surgery. Nostra esperienza dopo 5 anni di attività

BACKGROUND: The aim of this paper is to evaluate the management of an integrated unit of Day Surgery in a General Surgery Department. METHODS: An outline of the first 5 years of activity is presented. Setting of investigation: little provincial hospital. Patients have been selected on a basis of Day Surgery specific features: a total of 1,294 patients. Pathologies treated: inguinal hernias, phlebectasias, phimosis, borsitis, arthritic cysts, tendon cysts, carpal tunnel, Dupuytren's disease ("crispatura tendinum"), lymphadenitis, mammary nodules, hemorrhoids, hydroceles, varicoceles, adipomas. Patients' selection parameters, surgical operation type and modalities, postoperative course, protected discharges from hospital, follow-up and complications have all been carefully recorded. RESULTS: The most numerous operations were related to hernial pathology (54.32%) and to adipomas (10.81%). The form of anesthesia was mainly loco-regional. Only 4 cases (0.3%) had to be hospitalized for the night after operation. COMPLICATIONS: 1 serious wound infection, needing removal of the hernial prosthesis; 1 painful "tumefaction" on the inguinal wound for hernioplastic operation; 3 "seromas" in inguinal hernioplastics. CONCLUSIONS: Advantages of Day-Surgery: cut in health costs due to the reduction of admissions to hospital; reduction in hospital infections and in surgical wounds; reduction in drug use; thinning of waiting lists; increase of available beds for other pathologies; reduction of disability days; high appreciation index.

[Jeiuno-ileal diverticula complicated by perforation. Clinical case]. / Diverticolosi digiuno-ileale complicata da perforazione. Caso clinico.

The diverticular disease is rarely located in the small intestine (0.1-1.4%). The most important feature is due to the lack of a typical symptomatology which may appear only on the occasion of the complications it may incur (perforation, haemorrhage and so on). It isn't also infrequent that the surgeon may observe intestinal diverticula accidentally, on the occasion of laparotomies carried out in emergency or for other pathologies. The literature on intestinal diverticula is reviewed and personal experience in a clinical case presenting as acute abdomen is described.

Caracterización imagenológica de la sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada y el tumor de células gigantes de la vaina sinovial / Radiological features of pigmented villonodular synovitis and giant cell tumor of tendon sheath

OBJETIVO: Mostrar los hallazgos imagenológicos en la resonancia magnética (RM) de la sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada (SVP) y el tumor de células gigantes de la vaina sinovial (TCGVS), dado que son entidades que representan un diverso grupo de alteraciones en la proliferación de la sinovial. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Entre mayo de 2011 y junio de 2013, se estudiaron en nuestra institución 25 casos con diagnóstico histológico de proliferación de la sinovial. Se destacaron los distintos tipos de presentación en imágenes a través de una RM 1.5 Tesla. Los resultados fueron analizados y comparados con la literatura. RESULTADOS: La RM mostró características similares para esta patología en todos los pacientes. No obstante, se distinguieron 4 patrones principales de presentación, dependiendo de la morfología, la localización de la lesión y las características radiológicas diferenciales. Estos fueron: como dominante, el tumor de células gigantes de la vaina sinovial (n = 10), todos de localización extraarticular; la sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada de localización bursal (n = 2); la sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada de forma intraarticular focal (n = 5); y la sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada difusa (n = 8). CONCLUSIÓN: La sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada y el tumor de células gigantes de la vaina sinovial se consideran entidades similares desde el punto de vista anatomopatológico. La RM fue de gran utilidad para objetivar tanto las características radiológicas comunes como las diferenciales. Estas últimas, junto con la localización, nos permitieron clasificar 4 patrones de presentación. Su reconocimiento posibilita un adecuado seguimiento de la patología y un óptimo manejo terapéutico.

PURPOSE: To show the resonance magnetic imaging (MRI) findings of pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) and giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (PVNTS), entities with similar histology but differences in clinical and some radiological manifestations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 25 cases with histologically benign synovial proliferation in intra and extraarticular location of the extremities. It highlighted with a 1.5T MRI unit the different types of images presentation. The results were analyzed and compared with the literature. RESULTS: MRI displayed very specific imaging features in all patients. However, we were able to distinguish 4 main patterns of presentation depending on the morphology, location of the lesion and radiological differential. These were: as dominant presentation, pigmented villonodular synovitis localized form (n=10); pigmented villonodular synovitis bursal form (n=2); pigmented villonodular synovitis focal (n =5); and pigmented villonodular synovitis diffuse (n = 8). CONCLUSION: Both pigmented villonodular synovitis as well as giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath are considered similar from the point of view of the histological findings. MRI was useful to objectify both radiological features in common, such as the differential, which along with the location, allow us to classify patterns into 4 individual presentations. This recognition involves adequate radiological evaluation and is important for optimal management.

Caracterización imagenológica de la sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada y el tumor de células gigantes de la vaina sinovial

Objetivo: Mostrar los hallazgos imagenológicos en la resonancia magnética (RM) de la sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada (SVP) y el tumor de células gigantes de la vaina sinovial (TCGVS), dado que son entidades que representan un diverso grupo de alteraciones en la proliferación de la sinovial. Materiales y métodos: Entre mayo de 2011 y junio de 2013, se estudiaron en nuestra institución 25 casos con diagnóstico histológico de proliferación de la sinovial. Se destacaron los distintos tipos de presentación en imágenes a través de una RM 1.5 Tesla. Los resultados fueron analizados y comparados con la literatura. Resultados: La RM mostró características similares para esta patología en todos los pacientes. No obstante, se distinguieron 4 patrones principales de presentación, dependiendo de la morfología, la localización de la lesión y las características radiológicas diferenciales. Estos fueron: como dominante, el tumor de células gigantes de la vaina sinovial (n = 10), todos de localización extraarticular; la sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada de localización bursal (n = 2); la sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada de forma intraarticular focal (n = 5); y la sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada difusa (n = 8). Conclusión: La sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada y el tumor de células gigantes de la vaina sinovial se consideran entidades similares desde el punto de vista anatomopatológico. La RM fue de gran utilidad para objetivar tanto las características radiológicas comunes como las diferenciales. Estas últimas, junto con la localización, nos permitieron clasificar 4 patrones de presentación. Su reconocimiento posibilita un adecuado seguimiento de la patología y un óptimo manejo terapéutico.(AU)

Purpose: To show the resonance magnetic imaging (MRI) findings of pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) and giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (PVNTS), entities with similar histology but differences in clinical and some radiological manifestations. Materials and methods: We studied 25 cases with histologically benign synovial proliferation in intra and extraarticular location of the extremities. It highlighted with a 1.5T MRI unit the different types of images presentation. The results were analyzed and compared with the literature. Results: MRI displayed very specific imaging features in all patients. However, we were able to distinguish 4 main patterns of presentation depending on the morphology, location of the lesion and radiological differential. These were: as dominant presentation, pigmented villonodular synovitis localized form (n=10); pigmented villonodular synovitis bursal form (n=2); pigmented villonodular synovitis focal (n =5); and pigmented villonodular synovitis diffuse (n = 8). Conclusion: Both pigmented villonodular synovitis as well as giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath are considered similar from the point of view of the histological findings. MRI was useful to objectify both radiological features in common, such as the differential, which along with the location, allow us to classify patterns into 4 individual presentations. This recognition involves adequate radiological evaluation and is important for optimal management.(AU)