Gigantic dispersive wave emission from dual concentric core microstructured fiber.

We achieved efficient frequency conversion from a 1064 nm subnanosecond pulse pump to a dispersive wave (DW) centered around 1535 nm in a microstructured double core fiber. We experimentally observed that at the output of a 4 m span of fiber almost half of the input pump power was transferred to a 100 nm band around the peak of the DW. Such outstanding conversion efficiency is an outcome of the fiber dispersion curve exhibiting a large normal peak around 1515 nm, which allows for the resonant energy transfer into the DW directly from the solitons which are generated nearby the pump wavelength.

[Hyperthyroidism in the elderly]. / L'ipertiroidismo nell'anziano.

UNLABELLED: Hyperthyroidism in elderly patients is not to be under-evaluated, since it is characterized in such age range by particular clinical and prognostic features. Based upon literature survey and their clinical experience, the authors discuss in the present paper clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic problems of hyperthyroidism in geriatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In the period between 1978-2003 out of 1804 patients surgically treated for thyroid disease (non neoplastic in 1470 pts.), 180 subjects presented hyperthyroidism (17%). 36 were in geriatric age-range (mean age 76 yr.; 29 females and 7 males). 26 presented a Multinodular Toxic Goiter (72.2%), whereas 9 patients complained of Plummer Adenoma (25%); only 1 patient showed Basedow disease (2.7%). RESULTS: As far as ASA classification, there were 7 ASA I, 27 ASA II and 2 ASA III. Compression of digestive tract and/or respiratory airway represented a surgical indication in 15 patients (41.6%). 12 (33.4%) were operated due to predominant cardiac symptoms (tachycardia, atrial fibrillation). The remaining 9 patients (25%) were treated for the concomitance of atypical symptoms of hyperthyroidism. We performed 15 total thyroidectomy, 7 "near totally", 8 sub-total, 6 hemithyroidectomy in case of Plummer adenoma. Postoperative mortality was nihil; p.o. morbidity was 5.5% for medical conditions (pneumonia) and surgery-related (1 laryngeal recurrent paralysis and 1 hypoparathyroidism) in 5.5%. Post-operative follow-up, conducted at 6 and 12 months from the operation, showed regression of hyperthyroidism and regression or improvement of all clinical symptoms complained by the patient. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment seems to be the only immediate and definitive cure for hyperthyroidism. Geriatric age does not seem to be a surgical contraindication.

[Current therapeutic orientation toward testicular germ cell tumors]. / Attuale orientamento terapeutico nei tumori germinali del testicolo.

Personal experience in a case of primary germinal tumor of the testis in advanced state is described. The initial treatment was chemioterapy: the patient received four complete cycles of cisplatin-based chemoterapy (PEB scheme). A surgical treatment consisted of a radical inguinal orchiectomy with high ligation of the spermatic cord at the deep inguinal ring associated with interaortocaval lymphonodes dissection. Actually, after two years from the beginning of treatment, the patient is well, without signs of neoplasm disease.

[Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. Case report]. / Sindrome da intrappolamento dell'arteria poplitea. Caso clinico.

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is an uncommon pathological entity, due to segmental popliteal artery compression by the surrounding myofascial structures. Clinical symptoms may appear acutely, with temporary ischemic attacks, or chronically, with claudicatio intermittens of the involved calf and for 30% bilateral. Treatment, generally, is surgical by simple freeing of the popliteal artery from the surrounding myofascial structures or by autologous vein (saphenous v.) interposition grafting and patching, or bypass without vessel resection. The case of a 44-year female with left calf acute pain symptoms, cold skin at the thermotouch, hypo-paresthesia with fifth toe cyanosis and walking inability is reported. The surgical treatment, because of early diagnosis, consisted of simple cut of myofibrous bundle starting from the medial head of the left gastrocnemious muscle and compressing the popliteal artery, with clinical complete resolution.

[Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the treatment of acute cholecystitis]. / Colecistectomia laparoscopica precoce nel trattamento della colecistite acuta.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to demonstrate the importance of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. METHODS: From 1998 to 2000, 66 patients were submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. All patients were submitted to US scans preoperatively and operated on by surgeon skilled in emergency laparoscopic operative technique. RESULTS: Only one patient (1.5%) had conversion to open cholecystectomy. There was no mortality and no bile duct or major vascular injuries. The overall operative morbidity rate was 3%. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.1 days. CONCLUSIONS: Author's experience and results support the validity of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the treatment of acute cholecystitis, since it reduces the postoperative length of hospital stay and hospital costs. Early treatment is always helpful for inflamed and oedematous tissue which favours dissection.

[Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair "IPOM" vs "open tension free". Preliminary results of a prospective randomized study]. / Ernioplastica inguinale laparoscopica "IPOM" vs "open tensionfree." Studio prospettico randomizzato: risultati preliminari.

AIM: The authors report the preliminary results of a prospective comparison of IPOM (group A) and "open tension free" (group B) hernioplasty in 50 patients having a mono or bilateral primitive hernia. METHODS: In group A (26 patients) hernia repair was performed using "Gore-Tex DualMesh Plus biomaterial with holes Corduroy" and in group B (24 patients) using the patch and plug technique with Marlex prosthesis. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications occurred and, in group A, no conversion was necessary. Four minor complications were obser-ved in group A (10.8%): 3 seromas and 1 transient paresthesia; 5 in group B (16%): 4 hematomas and 1 wound infection (p=n.s.). In group A only 2 patients (7.6%) needed analgesics after the first 24 hours and 12 patients (50%) in group B (p<0.001). Mean resumption of normal activity was 8 days in group A and 17 days in group B (p<0.001). At a 12-month-follow-up, no recurrence was reported in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this prospective randomized study show that IPOM may be not only a feasible and effective procedure in the treatment of recurrent and bilateral hernia or when hernia repair is performed during other laparoscopic procedures, but also in particular cases of primitive hernia such as in very active young males or heavy duty workers. However it is necessary to definitely ascertain the true incidence of recurrence in non limited series and in longer follow-up and the preliminary results of this study encourage the authors to complete the randomized study.

[Systemic Salmonella Arizona infection: description of a rare surgical case]. / Infezione sistemica da Salmonella Arizona: discussione di un raro caso chirurgico.

Salmonella arizona enteritis has been described in patients resident in the southern states of the USA and in Mexico, whereas in Europe it is rarer. The virulence of this bacillus is, however, still little known and we have few descriptions of severe systemic infections, which are all present in patients with immune system impairment. Only two cases have been reported in Italy where the infection has occurred as severe sepsis with the pathogenic agent being isolated in the blood. Here we report what is, on the basis of our knowledge, the third case in Italy of a systemic Salmonella arizona infection.

[Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair "IPOM" with Dual-Mesh]. / Ernioplastica inguinale laparoscopica "IPOM" con Dual-Mesh.

The authors report their experience on laparoscopic hernioplasty using the Intraperitoneal Onlay Mesh Repair (IPOM) in 56 patients. 34 patients had a bilateral hernia, 6 of which were recurrent and 22 had a monolateral hernia, of which 9 had recurrent hernia. Overall, a total of 90 hernias were treated. The hernia repair was performed utilizing "GORE-TEX DualMesh Plus biomaterial with holes" in the first 32 cases and the latest "...Corduroy" type in the remaining 24 cases. The prostheses were fixed with titanium spiral tacks (Protack, AutoSuture, Tyco Healthcare). No intraoperative complications occurred and no conversion was necessary. Five minor post-operative complications (5.5%), 2 seromas and 3 transient paresthesias, were observed. Four patients (7.1%) needed analgesics after the first 24 hours. Mean hospital stay was 36 hours, with a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 48. Mean resumption of normal activity was 8 days with return to work within two weeks. At an average 18 months follow-up, 3 recurrences were recorded (3.3%). The results of this study as well as the meta-analysis of the series presented in the Literature, indicate that the IPOM may be a feasible, safe and effective procedure in the treatment of recurrent and bilateral hernias or when a hernia repair is performed during other laparoscopic procedures. The IPOM has infact been shown to be faster and easier than the other more commonly performed laparoscopic hernioplasties (TAPP and TEP). These data may also suggest to utilize this technique in particular cases of primitive hernia such as very active young males or heavy duty workers. However the limited series and the short follow-up ask for randomized prospective long term studies to definitely ascertain the true incidence of recurrence and therefore the effectiveness of this attractive procedure.

[Early diagnosis importance for a correct surgical treatment of PAES (popliteal artery entrapment syndrome)]. / Importanza di una diagnosi precoce per un corretto trattamento chirurgico della PAES (sindrome da intrappolamento dell'arteria poplitea).

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is an uncommon pathological entity, caused by segmental popliteal artery compression by the surrounding myofascial structures. Clinical symptoms may appear acutely, with temporary ischaemic attacks, or chronically, with concerned calf claudicatio intermittens and for 30% are bilateral. Diagnosis, besides being based on clinical objectivity (acute and deep pain to the struck limb, mainly during active plantar hyperextension) and history-taking (subject-age and lack of atherosclerosis), is based on ultrasonographic (eco-color Doppler of the aortic-iliac-femural-popliteal trunks, tensiometric Doppler), angio-RM, angio-CT scan and dynamic angiographic exams. Treatment, essentially, is surgical by simple freeing of the popliteal artery from surrounding myofascial structures or by autologous vein (saphenous v.) interposition grafting and patching, or bypass without vessel resection. About clinical case reported by the authors, 44-years female with left calf acute pain symptoms, cold skin by the thermo-touch, hypo-paraesthesia with fifth toe cyanosis and walking inability, surgical treatment, because of precox diagnosis, consisted of simple cut of myofibrous shoot starting from medial head of the left gastrocnemious muscle and compressing popliteal artery, with clinical chart complete resolution.

[Laparoscopy in emergency: treatment of choice in acute abdomen]. / La laparoscopia in urgenza: trattamento di scelta nell'addome acuto.

From 1992 to November 1999, 225 consecutive cases of acute abdomen were observed: 163 suspicious acute appendicitis, 7 ovarian cysts with suspect torsion, 4 intestinal occlusions, 1 digestive hemorrhage due GIST (Gastro-Intestinal Stromal Tumor), 1 case of hemoperitoneum after laparoscopic appendectomy and 49 cases of acute cholecystitis. In the 225 cases of emergency laparoscopic operations for acute abdomen the diagnostic accuracy has been of 99.5%, with only one case of conversion in to laparotomy for diagnosis. The conversion from laparoscopic to laparatomic surgical technique was registers in 2 cases (1%). The realimentation started in all the cases with a liquid diet as soon as 6 hours after the operation and with solid foods the following morning. The Authors haven't registered wound contaminations. The patients of working age rehabilitated in 8 days (between 7 and 21 days). In the athletic patients the average rehabilitation time was 15 days. On the base of the results obtained with their video-laparoscopy experience in acute abdomen emergency surgery, the Authors confirm that this technique can be advised as Emergency Surgery's first choice treatment.

[Renal oncocytoma: its differential diagnosis and the indications for surgical treatment]. / Oncocitoma renale: diagnosi differenziale ed indicazioni al trattamento chirurgico.

The authors report an uncommon renal oncocytoma rate stressing difficulties that modern diagnostic modalities meet in a correct preoperative differential diagnosis with nephrocarcinoma. Oncocytoma is a low multifocal involvement. Surgical treatment is the primary choice, nephrectomy about localized monofocal lesions in advisable, with short and long term positive outcomes. In ambilateral involvement case without malignancy evident signs (scarce likelihood to infiltrate nephritic capsule, without lymphoadenopathy) conservative operations with partial resections are suggested with a five years survival from 84 to 96%.

[A rare case of gastric bleeding due to left-sided portal hypertension]. / Un raro caso di sanguinamento gastrico da ipertensione settoriale.

The authors report an uncommon gastric bleeding rate due to splenic hilum compression by a pancreatic cyst. The syndrome to be brought back to some sectorial portal hypertension form (left-sided portal hypertension) is difficult to diagnose because of absence of esophageal varices and other portal hypertension signs in an unchanged liver functionality patient. To put a correct diagnosis about gastric bottom bleeding varices without hepatic origin, the authors recommend to use arteriography and CT. Surgical treatment is proved to be the election one because of useless attempt of bleeding control through hepatic artery endoscopic sclerosis or embolization.