Synthetic prostheses in repair of chest wall defects after exeresis of malignancies.

Five cases of chest wall repair with synthetic prostheses following thoracectomy for malignant tumours are reported. Two patients were submitted to partial sternal resection (manubrium); in the first case Marlex mesh alone and in the second a composite graft with Methyl-methacrylate were used. The remaining cases underwent extended thoracectomy and reconstructive procedure based upon Marlex prosthetic replacement and myoplasty. No postoperative complications were observed and satisfactory stabilization of the chest wall with good cosmetic results were obtained.

[Anastomotic false-diverticulum causing an atypical dumping syndrome. A case report]. / Dumping sindrome atipica da pseudodivericolo anastomotico. Descrizione di un caso.

Aim of the study is to evaluate the causes of dumping syndromes following partial gastrectomies, and to report an unusual feature of dumping. A case of early dumping due to diverticular-like dilation of gastro-jejunal anastomosis is described with preoperative imaging and intraoperative picture. The surgical correction led to complete clinical remission; the common causes and physiopathological bases of dumping are reviewed and the role of en-Y gastro-jejunal reconstruction is underlined in order to reduce the risk of developing the syndrome.

[Significance of biliary lithiasic pathology in the etiopathogenesis of carcinoma of the large intestine]. / Significato della patologia litiasica biliare nella etiopatogenesi del carcinoma del grosso intestino.

With the purpose to study the eventual existence of a correlation between biliary lithiasis and colon-rectum carcinoma, the authors effected a retrospective study of the clinical material concerning 1283 patients hospitalized in the 1st Surgery Institute for large intestine carcinoma. The relative anamnestic data were compared with those of a control population. The results emerging from the research, checked in their statistic significance, seem to support the existence of such correlation. The hypothesis of a possible common etiopathogenesis of both diseases is proposed.

[Surgery of pulmonary and hepatic metastases]. / Chirurgia delle metastasi polmonari ed epatiche.

In recent years surgery for hepatic and pulmonary metastases has been undertaken with a curative intent in a growing percentage of cases. In the present study the Authors evaluate their own experience in such a field, and summarize the state of the art, as it appears from a review of the international literature. At present, the subject is not settled, as several aspects are matter of debate (prognostic significance of free interval, tumor doubling time, number and location of metastatic lesions, histologic type, and stage, of the primary tumor, approach to synchronous metastases, accuracy of preoperative diagnosis), with different therapeutic implications according to the hepatic or pulmonary site. Pulmonary metastases should be managed by resection through a median sternotomy, in order to allow thorough exploration of both lungs. Hepatic lesions (from colorectal primaries) should be resected with a free margin not less than 1-2 cm. The need for uniformity of selection criteria and for the establishment of protocols including adjuvant therapy is strongly felt.

[Conservative surgery in the treatment of rectal tumors. Our experience, 1986-1997]. / La chirurgia conservativa nel trattamento dei tumori del retto. Nostra esperienza 1986-1997.

OBJECTIVE: Our institution's experience with low anterior resection for primary rectal cancer was reviewed to determine cancer treatment results and to identify risk factors for pelvic recurrence. METHODS: Ninety-two patients treated for primary rectal cancer between 1986 and 1997 were studied retrospectively. All cases was classified according to Astler-Coller. Median follow up was 46 months. RESULTS: Actuarial 5-year survival for all patients was 79%. Among 28 patients who relapsed, only 9 pelvic recurrence was detected with an actuarial rate of 15% at 5 years. Lymph nodes involvement were associated with increased risk for pelvic recurrence. DISCUSSION: Low anterior resection permitted by circular stapler provides good treatment for mid-rectal cancers and for some distal rectal cancers. Pelvic recurrence is not correlated with neoplasm localization, T stage and short distal resection margins, but only with the presence of lymph nodes involvement. This result increase the value of the hypothesis that search the pelvic recurrence origin in a extra-parietal disease respect anastomotic disease. CONCLUSION: Fundamental to prevent pelvic recurrence is the surgical technique that have to remove lymph node en bloc with the rectum doing a dissection along the endopelvic fascia to Denonvillers fascia so to take away completely the mesorectum.

Pinhal virus, a new arenavirus isolated from calomys tener in Brazil

Arenavirus Sabiá was originally isolated from a fatal human infection in Brazil, and after the occurrence of the second fatal human case in São Paulo state, epidemiologic and virologic studies were performed in the area where the patient lived, aiming at the identification of the Sabiá natural rodent reservoir. A broadly cross-reactive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to screen for antibody-positive samples. Antibodies to arenavirus were detected in two of the 55 samples of Calomys tener, and from these results, samples of rodents were analyzed by a broad RT-PCR assay. RT-PCR amplification detected arenavirus sequences in five of the 55 C. tener samples, and sequencing showed that this virus is a distinct form of Sabiá virus. Thus, we describe here the evidence for the circulation of a new arenavirus in Brazil (proposed name Pinhal virus) and its genetic characterization compared to other arenaviruses. This study also suggests C. tener as a probable rodent reservoir for this virus and associates this new virus with the lineage C of New World arenaviruses. Although we have defined some characteristics of this virus, so far, there is no evidence of its involvement in human disease.

Mucinous cystadenoma occurring in heterotopic pancreatic tissue. A case report.

The first known case of mucinous cystadenoma occurring in heterotopic pancreatic tissue is described. Histogenesis, clinical behaviour, diagnostic and therapeutic problems of such tumor are analyzed as well as the endocrine and associated neoplastic diseases.