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Vertebral fractures represent the most frequent complication associated with osteoporosis. Patients harboring a vertebral fracture complain physical impairment including low back pain and spine balance alteration, i.e., kyphosis, leading to subsequent systemic complication, with an increase in morbidity and mortality risk. Different strategies are available in the management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures: medical therapy acts as a prevention strategy while surgical vertebral augmentation procedures, when correctly indicated, aim to reduce pain and to restore the physiological vertebral height. Considering the growing prevalence and incidence of this condition and its socio-economic burden, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures are of utmost importance. Our aim is to review the current strategies for the management of osteoporotic vertebral fractures providing an integrated multidisciplinary endocrinological, radiological and neurosurgical point of view.

Background: Bisphosphonates represent the gold standard treatment for Paget's disease of bone. Neridronate is a potent bisphosphonate, licensed in Italy for this use, but only few clinical trials have investigated the outcomes of this treatment. The aim of our study was to report our long-term experience with intravenous Neridronate., Methods: This is a 48 months observational, descriptive and prospective study on patients with active Paget's disease of bone treated with intravenous Neridronate. Patients underwent laboratory tests (total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, phosphate, 25 OH Hydroxivitamin D, serum protein electrophoresis, parathyroid hormone) at the time of diagnosis and every 6 months. In all subjects, mutations in the SQSTM1 and ZNF687 genes were searched. The primary endpoint was the treatment efficacy in term of rate of therapeutic response at 48 months (normalization of ALP levels or a reduction of at least 75% in total ALP excess)., Results: Fifteen patients (10 female, mean age 70.3 years) were enrolled at our division from 2016 to 2020. One was positive for the ZNF687 gene mutation. After 48-month follow-up, the therapeutic response was maintained in 80% of patients treated with intravenous neridronate. ALP values were higher at 48 months than at 6 months, but this difference was not clinically relevant because the percentage of subjects who maintained a therapeutic response at 48 months was not significantly different from that observed at 6 months (80% vs. 86.6%, P=0.62). One patient had a biochemical relapse, and was retreated with the same therapeutic regimen, achieving a good response., Conclusions: Treatment with intravenous neridronate is effective in inducing and maintaining sustained remission in patients with PDB for at least 48 months. Administration in single intravenous infusion may improve long-term compliance compared to oral formulations.

Background: Limited information is available on the application of diode laser in the treatment of peri-implant diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of the adjunctive application of diode laser in the non-surgical treatment of peri-implant mucositis during a 12-month follow-up period., Methods: The sample was composed of 73 systemically healthy patients with one implant diagnosed with peri-implant mucositis (bleeding on probing [BoP] with no loss of supporting bone). Implants were randomly assigned to mechanical debridement with hand and powered instruments and 980-nm diode laser application (test group, N.=38) or mechanical debridement alone (control group, N.=35). At the completion of active treatment patients were included in a periodontal maintenance program. Recalls were provided every three months in both treatment groups for reinforcement in oral hygiene instructions and professional implant cleaning with rubber cups. Baseline parameters were repeated at 3 and 12 months postoperatively., Results: Intragroup analysis showed that plaque index, BoP and probing depth presented statistically significant improvements when compared with baseline values (all P<0.001). No statistically significant difference in clinical outcomes was observed between treatment groups at each time point. At 12 months no significant difference in the percentage of sites showing BoP resolution was observed between test (60.9%) and control treatment (52.6%), as well., Conclusions: Based on the present results, the adjunct use of diode laser showed little but not statistically significant additional benefits in the treatment of peri-implant mucositis after an observation period of one year.

Introduction: The recent advances in technology and miniaturization of endoscopic devices have permitted the use of retrograde intra renal surgery (RIRS) to treat large and complicated kidney stones as first line therapy in alternative to percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). Systematically review the efficacy and safety of RIRS for large renal stones over 2 cm versus the current gold standard, the percutaneous nephrolithotomy., Evidence Acquisition: A large search was effected in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Ovid and Scopus regarding the treatment of renal stones over 2 cm with RIR S versus PCNL. Articles not in English and not regarding adult population were excluded. The retrieval time included a time span from 2000 to 2019. All clinical trials were further evaluated about quality and references. The eligible studies were included and analysed with RevMan 5.2 Software., Evidence Synthesis: Two randomized and nine non-randomized studies were included for a total of 1618 patients involved. Our meta-analysis showed no difference in SFR (RR =0.92, 95% CI : 0.86-0.99, P=0.03) and in mean operation time (WMD=6.34 min, 95% CI : -4.98 to 17.65, P=0.27) while shorter hospital stay was reported for RIR S (WMD=-2.15 days, 95% CI: -3.04 to -1.25, P≤0.00001). We reported moreover lower Hb drop (WMD=-0.83 g/dL, 95% CI: -1.20 to -0.45, P≤0.00001) and complications rate in favor of RIRS (RR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.71-1.09, P=0.23)., Conclusions: RIRS is challenging PCNL for the treatment of large renal stones over 2cm, becoming a safe and effective alternative with a comparable stone free rate, lower complication rate and lower hospitalization time. It is, however, of the uttermost importance to share the treatment decision with the patient due to the possibility of requiring multiple RIR S session to completely clear larger stone burdens.

Background: As there are few studies in Europe describing characteristics of breath malodor for large groups of patients, this retrospective study was designed to analyse the etiology of halitosis among patients attending a breath malodor center in Northern Italy., Methods: Clinical records of 547 consecutive patients were reviewed and data on self-perceived halitosis, organoleptic scores, volatile sulphur compound (VSC) levels, and oral health condition were extracted and analysed., Results: The prevalence of intra-oral halitosis was 90.7%. In 21 patients no objective signs of breath malodor could be found. Periodontitis and gingivitis were the main cause of bad breath in 33.9% of subjects and in combination with tongue coating in 55.2%. Only eight subjects have tongue coating as the only cause of halitosis. Ear, nose and throat (ENT)/extra-oral causes were found in 5.2% of the patients. VSC concentrations were lower in the psychogenic halitosis group, whereas no statistically significant differences were detected when comparing intra-oral and extra-oral halitosis except for (CH3)2S., Conclusions: Psychogenic halitosis is a rare condition among subjects complaining of suffering from bad breath. The most prevalent cause of halitosis is intra-oral, in particular a combination of tongue coating and periodontal disease. Tongue coating is rarely the primary cause of oral malodor.

Background: Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is considered the treatment of choice for benign hematologic diseases of the spleen. However, the role of LS in malignancies is still controversial. Technical difficulties, hemorrhagic risk, the need of pathological characterization of malignant disease, may be considered contraindications to LS in malignancies. This study aims to verify the efficacy and feasibility of LS for hematologic malignancies., Methods: One hundred and forty-five patients underwent LS for hematologic disease and were retrospectively shared in two groups: Group A (N.=83) patients with preoperative diagnosis of benign hematologic disease and Group B (N.=62) with malignancies. Bipolar spleen diameter, mean operative time, conversion rate and causes, complications and need of transfusion were evaluated., Results: Median splenic diameter was greater in Group B than in Group A with a statistically significant difference (P<0.005), and the number of accessory mini-laparotomies (P<0.005) and the conversion rate (P=0.024) in the group of patients with a diagnosis of malignancy were also higher. The mean operative time was 117.6 minutes in group A and 148.1 minutes in Group B (P<0.005). Besides, there were no significant differences relative to intraoperative and postoperative transfusions and the incidence of postoperative complications. No perioperative mortality occurred., Conclusions: The analysis of our data highlights that LS for hematologic malignancies is effective and feasible even if it associated with higher conversion rate due to splenomegaly and difficult hilum dissection. Besides, no differences in the patient outcome were highlighted. LS may be considered a safe procedure in the treatment of haematological malignancies of the spleen.

Introduction: Whether the resection of the caudate lobe, in association with major hepatectomy, improves outcomes in hilar cholangiocarcinoma is controversial., Evidence Acquisition: We performed a systematic literature review on all studies published from June 1979 to September 2016. Inclusion criteria for eligibility were the presence of parallel-groups of patients treated with major hepatectomy with either caudate lobe resection (CLR), or not (NCLR), in adult population, reporting data on overall survival (OS). We ran out a random-effect meta-analysis for survival data., Evidence Synthesis: Six retrospective studies with 969 patients (643 CLR and 326 NCLR) were included. The probability of death was significantly lower in CLR group than in NCLR group (HR 0.65; 95% CI: 0.44-0.97; P=0.035). The median survival time was in favor of CLR (WMD 3.46; 95% CI: 1.02-5.90, P=0.005]. Patients who underwent CLR were more likely to receive a R0 resection than those who did not (OR 8.26; 95% CI: 2.45-27.87; P=0.001). No moderator effects were detected at meta-regression for operative time, postoperative complication rate and pathologic findings., Conclusions: Despite the paucity of data and the retrospective nature of the included studies, our results suggest that major hepatectomy plus caudate lobe resection may improve the likelihood of R0 resection and the overall survival in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to treat mild biliary acute pancreatitis (MBAP) during index admission is recommended. However, the optimal surgical timing is controversial, considering that patients are actually often discharged from hospital and readmitted for elective cholecystectomy. Moreover, previous studies showed an uneven patients' stratification for pancreatitis severity. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of patients homogenously categorizedfor MBAP according to the newest pancreatitis classifications, undergoing cholecystectomy with different timing., Methods: We retrospectively identified all patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 2008 to 2015 for MBAP, according to the 2012 Revision of the Atlanta Classification and the Determinant-Based Classification of Acute Pancreatitis, and stratified them in two groups: index cholecystectomy (IC) and interval-delayed cholecystectomy (IDC, after at least 4 weeks)., Results: One hundred and three patients were analyzed. IC was performed in 40 patients (38.8%) while IDC in 63 patients (61.2%). The two groups were similar in comorbidities and pancreatitis severity at admission. There were no differences for conversion rate, operation length, total length of hospitalization and overall complication rates. However, IDC patients had a 33.3% rate of re-hospitalization for recurrent biliary-pancreatic events while waiting for the elective procedure and showed a higher rate of acute cholecystitis at histological diagnosis than IC (11.1% vs. 0%, P=0.041)., Conclusions: Among patients affected by MBAP, homogenously assessed following the new acute pancreatitis severity scores, the performance of cholecystectomy during the index admission is the best treatment option in order to avoid further undesired hospitalizations for recurrent biliary/pancreatic events while waiting for surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to present and validate a novel procedure for the quantitative volumetric assessment of extraction sockets that combines cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and image processing techniques., Methods: The CBCT dataset of 9 severely resorbed extraction sockets was analyzed by means of two image processing software, Image J and Mimics, using manual and automated segmentation techniques. They were also applied on 5-mm spherical aluminum markers of known volume and on a polyvinyl chloride model of one alveolar socket scanned with Micro-CT to test the accuracy., Results: Statistical differences in alveolar socket volume were found between the different methods of volumetric analysis (P<0.0001). The automated segmentation using Mimics was the most reliable and accurate method with a relative error of 1.5%, considerably smaller than the error of 7% and of 10% introduced by the manual method using Mimics and by the automated method using ImageJ., Conclusions: The currently proposed automated segmentation protocol for the three-dimensional rendering of alveolar sockets showed more accurate results, excellent inter-observer similarity and increased user friendliness. The clinical application of this method enables a three-dimensional evaluation of extraction socket healing after the reconstructive procedures and during the follow-up visits.

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Introduction: Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is an effective procedure to treat moderate or severe acute cholecystitis (AC) in high-risk patients. The ideal timing of the drainage removal is argued. The aim of this study is to analyze our experience and perform a systematic review about the ideal timing of a percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) tube removal., Evidence Acquisition: A web-based literature search was performed and studies reporting the length of the catheter maintenance were analyzed. A regression analysis between the timing of tube removal and morbidity, mortality and disease recurrence was performed. Patients who underwent PC as definitive treatment of moderate or severe acute cholecystitis at our institution between 2011 to 2015 were analyzed. Clinical and technical success, morbidity, mortality and recurrence rates were retrospectively retrieved from a perspective database., Evidence Synthesis: The systematic review yield to analyze 50 studies. None of them focused exclusively on outcome measures in relation to PC tube duration. The timing of the drain removal varied from 2 to 193 days. Regression analyses showed no correlation between length of tube maintenance and the considered outcomes. We studied 35 patients. The median age was 78 (range 52-94) and 88.5% had an ASA score ≥3. P-POSSUM estimated morbidity was 68.7% (range 34.3-99.0) and mortality was 15.8% (range 1.9-80.2). Clinical success was 97.1%. Procedure-related morbidity was 34.3%: 2 abscess, 1 bleeding, 1 biloma and 8 tube dislodgment. Biliary leakage was not observed. The observed 30-day overall mortality was 11.4%. The median follow-up was 16 months. Recurrence rate was 12.1%., Conclusions: PC is an effective procedure in high-risk patients with moderate or severe AC. At the moment there is no evidence whether the duration of PC tube may affect outcome.

Intra-operative ultrasound is an invaluable tool in hepatic surgery, either for restaging either as a guidance during resection of liver neoplasms. Nowadays, intraoperative ultrasound is still considered the most accurate diagnostic technique for detecting focal liver lesions in both hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal liver metastases, which represent the most frequent indication for liver resection. Moreover, the use of ultrasound guidance is mandatory for planning the surgical strategy, deciding the exact resection plane and during the parenchymal transection, in order to respect the surrounding vessels and biliary structures. Every surgical procedure performed on the liver is strictly dependent from the knowledge of the liver anatomy and from the ultrasounds; definitely in liver surgery the ultrasounds represent the link between the surgical anatomy and the surgical intervention. To maximize the benefit, intraoperative ultrasound should be carried out by the surgeon himself in the perspective of surgical guidance. Here is presented an updated and extensive review of the role of ultrasounds in liver surgery, describing and analyzing the possible applications of this invaluable tool from the surgeon's point of view. Technical aspects, principles of intraoperative re-staging and ultrasound-guided liver resection, application and possible advantages of laparoscopic ultrasound and new perspective in intraoperative study of the liver are discussed.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of guided-tissue regeneration therapy (GTR) in the treatment of periodontal defects on the distal surface of mandibular second molars following surgical extraction of impacted third molars., Methods: This split-mouth design study included 11 subjects who required extraction of bilateral impacted mandibular third molars and were at high risk for developing second molar periodontal defects after third molar extraction, that is mesioangular impaction and pre-existing periodontal defect (probing depth [PD] = or >5 mm) on the distal aspect of second molars. Within subjects, 1 postextraction site was randomly selected to receive scaling and root planing (SRP) of the distal surface of the second molar and the application of a polyglycolic acid/polylactic acid bioresorbable membrane (test site) and the opposite site served as control and was treated with SRP alone. The change in PD and clinical attachment level (CAL) as well as bone gain were assessed on the distal aspect of second molars over a 12-month period., Results: Although both treatment modalities resulted in improvements in clinical parameters, the application of a bioresorbable membrane was statistical significantly more effective than SRP alone in reducing PD and in promoting CAL gain (P<0.0001). In 10 GTR-treated sites a complete bone fill was achieved, while 10 out of 11 control sites had residual intrabony defect., Conclusion: Subjects at high risk for developing second molar periodontal defects after third molar removal may benefit from the GTR-therapy at the time of surgical extraction of mesioangular impacted third molars to enhance periodontal healing.

Aim: In the last years the relationship between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases has been a subject of increasing research. The identification of periodontopathic bacteria in atheromas can contribute to our knowledge of such an association. The aim of our study was to assess the concomitant presence of 5 periodontal pathogens (Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia) in periodontal pockets and in carotid atheromas recovered from the same individuals., Methods: Twenty-one patients with chronic periodontitis scheduled for endarterectomy for carotid stenosis were enrolled in the study. Subgingival plaque samples and carotid atheromas were examined using the polymerase chain reaction and reverse hybridization techniques by means of specific probes for periodontal bacteria. Human beta-globin amplification was used as internal polymerase chain reaction efficiency control., Results: Three patients were excluded because the endarterectomy specimens were negative to DNA amplification. All subgingival plaque samples were positive for at least one target micro-organism. The prevalence of Tannerella forsythia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was 72.22%, 61.11%, 55.56%, 50%, and 33.33%, respectively. No periodontal bacteria DNA was detected in any endarterectomy specimen., Conclusions: The presence of periodontal bacteria in atheromatous plaques was not confirmed by this investigation and, thus, no correlation between periodontitis bacteria and micro-organisms involved in the atherosclerotic lesions could be drawn.

Aim: Hyperhidrosis is a disabling troublesome characterized by excessive perspiration that produces a significant social and professional deficit for patients. It main involves the palmar sides of hands and feet, axillae, face and, with a lesser incidence, trunk and scalp. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy represents the best approach for this disorder. The aim of our prospective study is to assess the outcome, the safety and efficacy after thoracoscopic sympathetic block by clipping in the treatment of primary hyperhidrosis., Methods: Between september 2002 and april 2005, 281 patients (117 female and 164 male, with a mean age of 28 years) underwent Endoscopic Thoracic Sympathectomy (ETS) to treat hyperhidrosis with palmar, axillar, facial and widespread localization., Results: There were no deaths or major intra-operative problems. There was no conversion to open surgery. During intermediate and long-term follow up we obtained excellent results and few complications. In 3 patients (1.06%) we noted a major complication (Horner's Syndrome), but one patient only had the surgical operation reversed; compensatory sweating occurred in 61 individuals (21.7%). Gustatory sweating occurred in no patient., Conclusions: The clipping of the thoracic sympathetic chain is a reversible surgical technique considered safe and effective. Despite of an incidence of complications and/or compensatory sweating and according to our operatory results, we conclude that the sympathetic block by clamping is the elective treatment for hyperhidrosis.

Aim: Facial blushing represents the peculiar symptom in social phobia and is defined as the ''hallmark of embarrassment''. At present, endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) is the technique only able to guarantee long-term results in the treatment of sympathetic disorders. The aim of our study was to evaluate results, complications and the true value of 52 ETSs by two-port approach with the use of endoclips in patients with isolated facial blushing or in association with hyperhidrosis., Methods: A retrospective review of 52 subjects who underwent standard ETS by clamping between September 2002 and April 2005 was carried out. This surgical practice was performed in 26 cases (50%) for isolated facial blushing only and in other 26 cases (50%) for facial blushing associated to hyperhidrosis with changeable localizations. Under endoscopic guidance we operated an endoscopic sympathetic block (ESB) with interruption of the inter-ganglion trunk at the level of T2-T3 in 51 patients (98.07%). In 1 patient (1.92%) we performed a sympathetic block with the complete exclusion of T3 thoracic ganglion., Results: There were no intra and postoperative deaths. The effect rate was excellent in all patients with early complications in one patient (1.92%) only., Conclusions: ETS by clamping is safe and effective. Patients referred an high satisfaction in terms of complications and quality of life; specific early and late diseases are negligible.

The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the association of amelogenins and autologous bone graft in the management of mandibular class II furcation defects. This randomized case-controlled study was conducted on 2 patients who presented 2 contralateral mandibular buccal class II furcation lesions. One defect was treated by amelogenins and autologous bone graft (test site) and the other one by open flap debridement (control site). At baseline and at 12 months postoperatively, the full-mouth plaque score (FMPS) and the full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS), the probing depth (PD), the clinical attachment level (CAL) and the recession (REC) were recorded and a periapical radiograph of the selected area was taken. In addition, at 12 months a surgical re-entry was performed. Test sites had a greater horizontal PD reduction and radiographic bone filling compared to control sites. None of the treated sites achieved complete furcation closure. At the time of re-entry, furcations treated by amelogenins were partially filled by newly formed not soundable hard tissue, while furcations treated by conventional flap surgery were filled by epithelial and connective tissue. These findings suggest that the treatment of mandibular class II furcations by amelogenins and autologous bone graft may result in a significant clinical improvement. Further long-term studies conducted on a larger sample size are therefore needed to confirm our results.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical effects of non-surgical and supportive periodontal treatment on cyclosporin A-induced (CsA) gingival overgrowth (GO) in a group of transplant patients., Methods: Thirty patients received etiological periodontal treatment and were placed in a -two-monthly recall program for 12 months. Plaque index, bleeding index, probing depth, degree of GO using the Seymour index (hypertrophy index, HI) and distance between the mucogingival junction and the base and the apex of each interdental papilla were recorded at baseline and repeated 12 months after treatment., Results: At baseline, 22 patients had HI values >30% and were considered as ''responders''. A total of 376 gingival units (72.31%) in the anterior segments and 376 (54.97%) in the posterior ones presented GO with a mean HI value of 2.22 +/- 1.95 and 1.24 +/- 1.57, respectively. The etiological treatment resulted in a statistically significant improvement of all parameters assessed (P<0.0001). All patients had a decrease in the number of affected sites (mean HI values of 0.42 +/- 0.77 and 0.39 +/- 0.85 in the anterior and posterior segments) and none had HI values >30% and any gingival unit with score of 5 at the end of the observation period., Conclusions: Detailed instructions and intense motivation to oral home hygiene measures, inserted in an etiological treatment and a two-monthly maintenance therapy, appear to be effective in controlling the GO and in maintaining clinical improvements for prolonged time period.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological efficacy of local delivery of tetracycline in persistent periodontal lesions after topical therapy., Methods: A total of 44 bilateral pockets 4-5 mm deep and bleeding on probing were selected in 11 non-smokers patients, 22 treated by scaling and root planing plus tetracycline fibres (test sites) and 22 with scaling and root planing alone (control sites) in a split-mouth design. Bleeding on probing, probing depth and clinical attachment level were recorded at baseline, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The prevalence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Bacteroides forsythus and Treponema denticola was monitored by PCR at baseline, fibres removal, 6 and 12 months following treatment., Results: The improvements in clinical parameters were greater in the tetracycline than in the control group. The reduction of bleeding on probing scores was 86.4% and 40.9%, the decrease of probing depth was 2.25 mm and 1.19 mm and the gain of clinical attachment level was 2.04 mm and 0.64 mm for test and control groups, respectively, over the 12-month period. The adjunctive use of tetracycline consistently resulted in a lower percentages of sites with detectable levels of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. intermedia and P. gingivalis, while no differences were detected between treatments in the prevalence of T. denticola and B. forsythus. The pathogens could be eliminated from 3 periodontal pockets by debridement alone and from 12 sites by tetracycline at 12 months., Conclusions: Tetracycline local delivery gave the greatest advantage in the long-term treatment of periodontal persistent lesions.

Background: Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors are rare and little is known about factors related to prognosis in patients with carcinoid disease. Aim of this study is to determine the impact of clinical presentation variables on the management and survival., Methods: We have evaluated 31 consecutive patients with gastrointestinal carcinoid tu-mours who underwent surgical intervention at the I Department of Surgery of Milano-Bicocca University over 15 years (1985-1999). Tumor distribution, hormone production, prognostic factors and survival were analysed., Results: Carcinoid syndrome was the only clinical pattern diagnostic of carcinoid tumour. Most common symptoms were abdominal pain (64%), nausea and vomiting (48%). High levels of urinary 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid were significantly associated with carcinoid syndrome and metastatic disease. Tumor size, depth and gender were significant predictors of metastases. Age, gender, tumor size, metastatic spread and location were statistically significant predictors of death., Conclusions: Clinical presentation was non specific except for those patients affected by carcinoid syndrome. Ten years overall survival was 43%, with 52% metastatic spread incidence. The extent of surgical resection should be modulated on patient related risk factors. Poor prognostic factors affecting survival were: age, gender, metastatic disease, depth of invasion and tumour size.

Mesenteric cysts are rare lesions, with 1 case per 100,000 hospital admission reported. They have to be differentiated from ovarian cysts, gastrointestinal duplications and desmoid cysts. The symptoms are variable, ranging from asymptomatic cases with incidental discovery to chronic abdominal discomfort and acute abdomen. They are usually correlated to the location and the size of the lesion. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography may lead to a correct diagnosis, which is regularly made at the time of abdominal exploration. Surgery is the treatment of choice, consisting with the removal of the cyst, eventually associated with bowel resection. It has to be radical in order to prevent the recurrence of the disease. A case of mesenteric cyst in a sixty-nine-years-old woman hospitalized for chronic abdominal pain is reported. In this case the cyst has been enucleated from the mesentery with open surgery without the need for bowel resection.

Vertical banded gastroplasty, reported by Mason in 1982, is an effective method to control pathologic obesity (BMI>40 kg/m2). With the widespread of this procedure and the introduction of laparoscopic approach several complications are described in literature: gastroesophageal reflux, esophagitis, gastritis, gastric bleeding and perforations, prolonged vomit, dislocation of gastric ring, cholelithiasis, gastric fistulas, gastric stomal stenosis, dehiscence of vertical stomach staple line. From 2 to 10% of patients are reoperated because of inefficacy of treatment or short and long-term complications. Morbidity and mortality associated to reoperations are still high and it is difficult to identify criteria for an appropriate revision procedure. This can occur through endoscopy, laparotomy or laparoscopy, depending on clinical and radiologic feature. Dehiscence of vertical stomach staple line, observed in 10-20% of cases, even if asymptomatic, can lead to bad complications such as fistulas, peritonitis and sepsis. The case of a young woman, who underwent a vertical banded gastroplasty for pathologic obesity (117 kg, h 167 cm, BMI 42/m2) and subsequent laparotomies in the attempt to correct vertical staple line dehiscence, is reported. The patient came to our observation in a septic shock caused by peritonitis and ARDS and a total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophago-jejunostomy was performed.

Background: Primitive gastric lymphoma (PGL) is a rare tumour, and although its incidence is rising it is difficult to state the role of the various therapeutic methods in treating this disease. Aim of this study is to point out what sequence of treatment is more effective trying to find out some guidelines which can be useful in clinical practice., Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical data of 54 patients with PGL admitted at a University surgical department during 10 years. All the patients underwent neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy and D2 gastrectomy. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 120 months. Survival was related to: Mushoff's stage of disease, the grade according to the Working Formulation and the sequence of treatment. Statistical analysis was performed by Kaplan-Maier method and the difference between survival curves was compared by log-rank test., Results: Mean postoperative hospital stay was 12 days and morbidity was 18%. Five and 10 years overall survival rates were 70 and 85%. There was a significant difference in survival between patients with high grade PGL and those with intermediate grade (p=0.0188) as well as in those with low grade (p=0.0435). Patients in stages IE-II1E had a significantly longer survival than those in stages IIIE-IVE (p=0.0123). Patients in stages IE-II1E underwent neadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery and survived longer than those in whom surgery preceded chemotherapy (p=0.0293) instead for patients in stages IIIE-IVE neoadjuvant chemotherapy shortened survival (p=0.0403)., Conclusions: In personal opinion, in patients in stages IE-II1E chemotherapy should be carried out before surgery, while in those in stages IIIE-IVE the reverse scheme is more effective in achieving longer survival rates.

Background: Gallbladder cancer (GC) is reported in 1.5-3% of cholecystectomies. Since the introduction of laparoscopic surgery, cholecystectomies have increased and occult GC may therefore be more frequent., Methods: Here we conduct a retrospective study on a series of 1200 LC performed between January 1991 and December 1998 at our Institution, to determine whether there was an increase in GC. We also evaluated the risk factors for this outcome and the possibilities of treatment, in case of unsuspected GC discovered after LC at histological examination. Seven cases of GC undiagnosed before surgery (0.6% of the study population) were submitted to LC (against 0.3% GC discovered after open surgery). The clinical course depended on the histopathologic stage of the cancer., Results: After a median follow-up of 18 months (range 12-48), 2 pT1 patients were alive and well, 2 pT2 patients were alive and disease free (in 1 case after a surgical removal of a trocar site metastasis appeared 6 months after LC). The other 3 patients died, 2 (1 pT2 and 1 pT3) after an additional resection of the liver bed with lymph node dissection, due to peritoneal dissemination of the disease. In 2 cases we found a gallbladder polyp pre and intraoperatively, which proved to be a carcinoma., Conclusions: Undiagnosed GC is on the increase with the introduction of LC. Polypoid lesions of the gallbladder, age > 70 years: a long history of stones and a thickened gallbladder wall all represent significant risk factors. If one or more is present, examination of the gallbladder and a frozen section are recommended.

Background: Laparoscopic treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones is gaining great acceptance worldwide, but actually it requires skills and technologies too expensive for a great part of general surgeons. So endoscopic removal of CBD stones before cholecystectomy is usually performed. Since 1991 in our department we started a policy of selective preoperative cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients suspected for choledocholithiasis and waiting for laparoscopic cholecystectomy., Methods: A retrospective study has been made on a population of 1100 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the period between January 1991 and December 1997. They were 391 male and 719 female with a mean age of 52 years, 126 of whom (11.5%) were selected to have ERCP preoperatively because they had clinical, biochemical and ultrasound signs of the presence of common bile duct stones (CBDS)., Results: Successful cannulation of the CBD was achieved in 124 cases (98.4%), with failures due to ampullary diverticula. In 7 cases (5.5%) a precut was necessary to obtain cannulation. Sphincterotomy was performed in 113 patients (89.7%). In 93 patients (73.8%) stones were found (87 macrolithiasis and 6 microlithiasis); in 91 (97.8%) stones were removed in one (87) or two (4) endoscopic session. There were 2 major complications (one bleeding and one severe pancreatitis) due to ERCP or a sphincterotomy. Two patients developed symptoms from unsuspected common bile duct stones after LC and were removed endoscopically. No complications during LC were due to ERCP or ES., Conclusions: Selective preoperative ERCP is an effective way of clearing the CBD stones before laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with low rate of complications related to endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures, and short mean hospital stay (5.5 days), according to the concept of minimally invasive treatment.

Background: Inguinal hernia repair with prolene mesh according to Lichtenstein "tension free" technique has gained great acceptance worldwide, showing efficacy to consolidate the posterior wall of the inguinal canal and to reduce recurrence risk because of tension on suture lines and postoperative pain. Personal experience of 692 hernias treated with this technique is reported., Methods: From January 1989 to December 1997, 692 patients were treated according to Lichtenstein at the General Surgery Department of the San Gerardo Hospital. Mean age was 60 years (range 18-88) with a male: female ratio of 13:1. Surgery was performed under local anesthesia in 185 cases, under epidural anesthesia in 317 and under general anesthesia in 190. Hernia was primitive in 647 cases (411 obliquo-external and 236 direct), while in 45 patients it was a recurrent hernia. In this series, 619 patients had monolateral inguinal hernia, while 73 had a bilateral one. In 40 cases hernia was incarcerated and in 8 strangulated., Results: Mean hospital stay was 2.3 days (range 1-8). Eleven (1.6%) early complications, were observed, with one periprosthetic infection which resolved after patch removal, 3 hematomas, 2 seromas and 2 wound infections. Furthermore, there were 32 (4.6%) late complications with only one recurrence (0.14%) in this series and 25 cases of persistent nerve irritation., Conclusions: The results obtained with Lichtenstein "tension free" repairs of inguinal hernias confirmed this technique as easy to perform, also under local anesthesia, and associated with low rates of complications and without recurrences.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now worldwide considered the elective therapy for biliary lithiasis. Morbidity, mortality and conversion rates reported in the literature are assessed between 1 and 6%, 0 and 0.9%, 3.6 and 7.2% respectively. Data on personal experience with 1019 attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomy are reported., Methods: In the period between 1991 and 1997 1019 laparoscopic cholecystectomy were performed. Patients were 361 males and 658 females (ratio M:F 1:2), with an average age of 51 years (range 5-85). Indications were: 647 symptomatic cholelithiasis, 28 hydrops, 121 empyemas, 76 cholecystocholedocolithiasis and 13 alithiasic cholecystopathy., Results: Conversion was necessary in 61 cases, with a conversion rate of 6%. Mean duration of surgery was 65 minutes (range 30-240) with a mean hospital stay of 2.1 days (range 1-10). No deaths occurred in our series, with a morbidity rate of 1.8% (18 cases, 7 major and 11 minor). Only 1 case of bile duct injury (0.1%) is reported., Conclusions: In consideration of low conversion rate, low early and late morbidity, absence of bile duct injury, advantages for the patient and the opportunity of evolution of this surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be considered the standard treatment for biliary lithiasis.

Background: Clinical results of colic anastomosis using biofragmentable anastomosis ring (BAR-Valtrac) are presented. Such a method showed to be a real alternative technique to the usual ones., Methods: Eighty-six colic anastomosis using BAR are collected, 76 of which performed as elective surgery and 10 in emergency. The patients were 47 males and 39 females, with a mean age of 64 years. In 63 cases the patients were affected by colic neoplastic disease, in 16 by complicated diverticular disease (stenosis or perforation) and 7 patients had neoplastic disease of other organs involving the colon BAR device was used in 48 colic reconstructions after segmentary resection and in 38 colic reconstructions after left hemicolectomy. In each case 31-34 mm BAR were used., Results: No perioperative death occurred in our series. Only one case (2%) of anastomotic leak was observed, while in 3 cases (4%) intestinal canalization disorders occurred. No problems for ring expulsion occurred in any patient. Three late complications were observed, as three cases of asymptomatic substenosis discovered during instrumental follow-up and spontaneously cleared up., Conclusions: On the basis of clinical results, and according to those reported in literature BAR anastomosis is considered a safe, feasible and easy technique to perform colic anastomosis, even in emergency, limited to the intraperitoneal tract of the colon.

The diagnostic iter of a case of Streptococcus mitis endocarditis is reported. Bacterial endocarditis was diagnosed in a 32-year-old patient following ultrasound cardiography and microbiological tests. The paper stresses the importance of ultrasound cardiography in the diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis.

The action of metformin with respect to in vitro turbidimetric clarification of a glyceridic system (lipostrate) has been studied in a group of metabolically healthy subjects. It is observed that biguanide associated with 3GS, heparinoid with known structure and costant liposemec activity, significantly accentuates clarifying activity whereas biguanide alone leads to only a slight increase in the clarification index, at least 5 times less than that induced by 3GS. Results are discussed. These agree with some recent experiments on the catabolic and antiatherogenic effect in vivo of biguanide on the VLDL and LDL, fostering their conversion into high density lipoproteins.