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Introduction: Morgagni hernia is a rare entity that accounts for 3-5% of diaphragmatic hernias. They are mostly asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. Surgical treatment is indicated once diagnosis is made. Abdominal or thoracic accesses are possible using open or minimally invasive technique., Methods: We report two cases of laparoscopic assisted repair of Morgagni hernia conducted by primary closure of the diaphragmatic defect with extracorporeal nonabsorbable sutures anchoring the diaphragmatic edge at the muscular fascia of the abdominal wall., Results: Both patients had an uneventful postoperative recovery. The operative time was 90 and 60 minutes and the postoperative hospitalization was 4 and 2 days respectively., Conclusions: Laparoscopic intervention for Morgagni hernia repair is easy, safe and less invasive compared to the open one, with reduced hospitalization time. Primary closure of the diaphragmatic defect with extracorporeal nonabsorbable sutures is an effective technique for Morgagni hernia; defects larger than 20-30 cm2 should be repaired using a prosthetic patch.

Background: Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) was performed in the treatment of great and small saphenous veins (GSVs, SSVs), perforating veins (PVs), and varicose collaterals (VCs). OBJECTIVE To verify the outcome in PVs and VCs., Materials and Methods: Four hundred eighty-two limbs of 306 patients were studied. EVLA was performed on 167 GSVs, 52 SSVs, and 534 PVs of 303 limbs and on VCs of 467 limbs; 133 GSVs were stripped, 300 of saphenofemoral junctions (SFJs) and 45 saphenopopliteal junctions (SPJs) were interrupted. Limbs were selected using duplex ultrasound examination and photographs; PVs-VCs diameter (<4 mm) and VC length were measured. EVLA was performed using a 808-nm diode laser, 0.6-mm fibers, continuous emission, 4 to 10 W, and 10 to 20 J/cm. Follow-up on 467 limbs occurred over a mean 27.5 months (range 3 months to 6 years); 98 limbs were followed up for longer than 4 years., Results: Operating time range from 10 to 30 minutes per limb. Blood vaporization, thrombosis, fibrosis, and atrophy prevailed in PVs and in the large VCs (>4 mm) and massive coagulation in the smaller (<4 mm). High rate of occlusion was seen, with different rates of patent PV-VC mainly in diameter >6 mm. Thirty-nine out of 511 patent PVs (7.6%) and 96 out of 778 VCs (12-13%) were re-treated using EVLA or foam sclerotherapy. Minor complications occurred in 88 of the 778 (11%)., Conclusions: EVLA of PVs and VCs is effective and faster than surgery in 2- to 6-mm PVs and VCs using an 808-nm diode laser., (© 2011 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.)

Background: Peritoneal recovery after uncomplicated serum manipulation usually lasts 7 days and high values of serical CA 125 are measured following abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to assess a possible correlation between peritoneal manipulation and serical CA 125 levels following abdominal surgery for benign diseases., Patients and Methods: Twenty-eight patients with abdominal benign disease were operated on. They were pooled into three groups of low, intermediate and high peritoneal manipulation, according to the extent of laparotomy and length of surgical peritoneal manipulation. Venous blood samples (5 ml) were taken from each patient 24-48 hours before surgery, 12-24 hours after surgery and on the 4th and 7th postoperative day. CA 125 levels were quantified by microparticle enzyme immunoassay., Results: After surgery, patients having high peritoneal manipulation showed significantly higher levels of CA 125 compared to the preoperative levels. In particular, the length of peritoneal manipulation was correlated with increasing levels of the marker (p<0.0001)., Conclusion: Peritoneal manipulation was significantly correlated to serum CA 125 levels; therefore its role as marker of peritoneal surgical injury should be considered.

Background: Despite recent advances in organ preservation, immunosuppression, and surgical techniques, the biliary tree is still considered the Achilles' heel of liver transplantation. The aim of this study is to retrospectively analyze the incidence of biliary complications and identify risk factors that might predispose to the development of biliary problems., Methods: From January 2004 to December 2007, 117 consecutive liver transplantations were retrospectively analyzed for the development of biliary complications by the review of medical records. Patients were divided into group 1 with biliary complications (n = 43) and group 2 without biliary complications (n = 74)., Results: The overall biliary complication rate was 36.8% (leakage 6% and stricture 30.8%). Univariate analysis indicated that significant predictors of biliary complications were the time interval between portal and arterial reperfusion (p = 0.037) and macrovacuolar steatosis of the graft > 25% (p = 0.004). Stepwise logistic regression model demonstrated that a macrosteatosis of the graft > 25% (OR = 5.21 CI 95% [1.79-15.15], p = 0.002) was the only independent risk factor predicting biliary complications after liver transplantation. No differences in patient's and graft's survival were noted between the two groups., Conclusion: According to our experience, transplanting a liver with > 25% of steatosis is a risk factor for the development of biliary complication., (© 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Aim: To determine prior to surgery whether a fine needle biopsy is able to define a hepatocellular carcinoma grading, or not., Material of Study: Thirty patients, who all underwent liver resection for HCC. In every case a fine needle biopsy of the neoplasm was taken prior to surgery, and after the operation a complete microscopic assessment of tumor grade according to Edmondson and Steiner classification was taken., Results: We found no correlation between fine needle biopsy grading and post surgical one. We also found no correlation between fine needle grading and other relevant elements, alpha-fetoprotein levels and number of neoplastic nodules., Discussion: Considering the small number of patients in the study, fine needle biopsy seems to be unfit to determine HCC grading before surgery, this is probably due to the different levels of neoplastic differentiation present into every single nodule and to the characteristics of Edmondson and Steiner classification. In Literature there is at least one study, similar to ours, showing problems in the correct attribution of grading level using this classification. Other authors consider the possibility to modify the scale from a 4-levels one to a 3-levels one., Conclusions: In spite of these discouraging results, and with a strict follow up monitoring any tumor seeding, we think fine needle biopsy is still fundamental for controversial cases, and for new studies on hepatocellular carcinoma, like those over vascular invasion or the molecular profile of the neoplasm.

Background: Endosaphenous laser ablation is used in the treatment of great saphenous vein insufficiency with various methods, with and without surgical interruption. However, its mode of action and indications are not yet clear., Methods: To verify the mode of action of endosaphenous laser ablation by duplex ultrasound (DUS) follow-up, with the support of histologic observations of eight cases, 44 of 182 affected limbs (CEAP C2 to C6) were selected for intravenous laser ablation of the great saphenous vein. Saphenofemoral junction incompetence was treated by surgical interruption. An 808-nm diode laser (Eufoton, Trieste, Italy) was used (variable pull-back velocity, 1 to 3 mm/s; power, 12 to 15 W; energy, 30 to 40 J/cm). In eight limbs the venous fragments were studied under light microscopy at 5 minutes and after 1 and 2 months. In 44 limbs DUS and clinical examinations were performed from 7 days to 1, 2, 6, and 12 months., Results: Variously organized thrombi containing necrotic inclusions and patent areas were observed in the vein lumen. Neither neovascularization nor thrombus extension were detected at the groin by DUS examination. Progressive venous diameter decrease and thrombus fibrotic transformation up to the hypotrophic venous disappearance at 12 months were followed up (P < .00001). Not occluded (18.8%), recanalized short segments (22.7%), two entirely recanalized saphenous veins with varicose recurrence (4.5%), and postoperative phlebitis (13.6%) were observed. Nonocclusions and phlebitis prevailed in the larger veins (P < .05)., Conclusion: The healing process is based on vein thrombosis, fibrosis, and venous atrophy. Saphenofemoral interruption makes venous occlusion easier and prevents potential thrombotic complications and recurrence by recanalization. DUS monitoring makes possible to follow-up the thrombus involution and perform early retreatment. The 808-nm endosaphenous laser should be mainly applied to veins of <10 mm in diameter.

Introduction: The variations in methods of pancreatic stump management and the volume of literature available on both main pancreatic duct and pancreaticoenetric anastomosis leak indicates the concern associated with the leak and the continuing efforts to prevent it. Herein we analyzed the role of pancreatic leakage followed by pancreatic surgery on the incidence of postoperative morbidity., Patients and Methods: From 1989 to 2005, we performed 76 pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and 26 distal pancreatectomy (DP), assumed as control case). During DP the parenchymal transection was performed with a linear stapler. The surgical reconstruction after PD was as follows: 11 manual nonabsorbable stitch closure of the main duct, 24 closure of the main duct with linear stapler, 17 temporary occlusion of the main duct with neoprene glue, and 24 duct-to-mucosa anastomosis., Results: In the PD group, morbidity rate was 60%, caused by pancreatic leakage, with an incidence of 48%, hemorrhagic complication, occurred in 10% of patients following surgical procedure and infectious complication, with an incidence of 15%. After distal pancreatectomy we recorded 80, 7% no complications, 3, 9% leakage, 15, 4% hemoperitoneum. By multivariate analysis bleeding complications, biliary anastomosis leakage, and infectious complications were consequences of pancreatic leakage (P = 0.025, P = 0.025, and P = 0.025, respectively). A significant statistical difference was recorded analyzing re-operation rates between closure of the main duct with linear stapler versus temporary occlusion of the main duct with neoprene glue (t = 0.049) and closure of the main duct with linear stapler versus duct-to-mucosa anastomosis (t = 0.003)., Conclusions: On the ground of our results of bleeding complication, biliary anastomosis leakage and infectious complication were consequences of pancreatic leakage: failure of a surgical anastomosis has serious consequences, particularly in case of anastomosis of the pancreas to the small bowel, because of the digestive capacities of activated pancreatic secretions.

The best therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still debated. Hepatic resection (HR) is the treatment of choice for single HCC in Child A patients, whereas liver transplantation (LT) is usually reserved for Child B and C patients with single or multiple nodules. The aim of this study was to compare HR and LT for HCC within the Milan criteria on an intention-to-treat basis. Forty-eight patients were treated by LT and 38 by HR. The median time on the waiting list for transplantation was 118 days. The estimated overall survival was significantly higher (P = 0.005) in the LT group than in the HR one. The estimated freedom from recurrence was also significantly higher (P < 0.0001) for LT patients than for HR ones. Indeed, the probability of HCC recurrence after resection was higher than after transplantation achieving 31% and 76% for HR and 2% and 2% for LT at 3 and 5 years after surgery. Multivariate analysis confirmed that transplantation was superior to resection in terms of patient's survival and risk of HCC recurrence. We conclude that LT is superior to HR for small HCC in cirrhotic patients assuming that LT should be performed within 6-10 months after listing to reduce the dropouts for reasons of tumor progression.

Background: Perforation of the esophagus still carries high morbidity and mortality rates, and there is no gold standard for the surgical treatment of choice., Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of patients treated for esophageal perforation in the last decade at the General Surgery Unit of the University of Udine. Patients suffering from perforation secondary to surgical procedures or neoplastic disease were ruled out., Results: Eight males (66.7%) and four females (33.3%) met the inclusion criteria. The cause of perforation was iatrogenic in seven cases (58.3%) and spontaneous in five (41.7%). The perforation was in the cervical esophagus in five cases (41.7%) and at thoracic level in the other seven (58.3%). Two patients (16.7%) with cervical lesions were treated conservatively; two (16.7%) underwent primary closure and the insertion of a drainage tube; one patient with a distal cervical lesion underwent diversion esophagostomy; six patients had resection of the entire thoracic esophagus and terminal cervical esophagostomy; one had segmental resection of the distal thoracic esophagus and lateral diversion esophagostomy. In the five patients whose reconstruction was postponed, esophagogastroplasty surgery was performed with an anastomosis at cervical level in four cases and at thoracic level in one. The global mortality rate was 25%. Late diagnosis-more than 24 h after the perforation event-seems to be the only factor correlated with fatal outcome (p = 0.045)., Conclusions: The choice of treatment for perforation in a healthy esophagus depends mainly on the site and size of the lesion. Cervical lesions may be amenable to conservative treatment or require primary surgical repair, while thoracic lesions with associated sepsis or major loss of substance demand an aggressive approach, with esophageal resection and delayed reconstruction seeming to be the safest option.

Aim: Regarding the surgical treatment of esophageal cancer, a question was raised by the introduction of minimally invasive surgery, because of the technical complexity of the techniques involved and its uncertain benefits. We evaluated the impact of laparoscopic esophagectomy on the surgical approach to esophageal cancer., Patients and Methods: From January 2002 to March 2006, 22 non-randomized patients were recruited to undergo esophagectomy for neoplastic disease. The esophagectomy and esophagogastroplasty were performed using the laparoscopic transhiatal technique (THE) in 9 cases, while a combined laparoscopic gastric mobilisation and right transthoracic incision (TT/LE) was performed in the other 13., Results: Mean follow up was 21+/-3.23 months, range 2-46 months. Overall cumulative survival was 84.0% at 12 months, 61.3% at 24 months, 51.0% at 36 months. THE achieved better results than TT/LE on the ground with regard to the time it took to complete the procedure (p=0.046) and the hospital stay times (p=0.039), and the time in ICU, postoperative oral feeding resumption, number of retrieved lymph nodes., Conclusion: The clinical benefits of minimally invasive techniques regard the time it takes to complete the procedure, the time in ICU, postoperative oral feeding resumption and the hospital stay times. Minimally invasive surgery might be not less curative and effective than open surgical procedures, as found in our small non-randomzed series of patients. Larger series should confirm these results.

We treated three cases of early portal vein thrombosis (PVT) by minimally invasive percutaneous transhepatic portography. All patients developed PVT within 30 days of major hepatic surgery (one case each of orthotopic liver transplantation, splenectomy in a previous liver transplant recipient, and right extended hepatectomy with resection and reconstruction of the left branch of the portal vein for tumor infiltration). In all cases minimally invasive percutaneous transhepatic portography was adopted to treat this complication by mechanical fragmentation and pharmacological lysis of the thrombus. A vascular stent was also positioned in the two cases in which the thrombosis was related to a surgical technical problem. Mechanical fragmentation of the thrombus with contemporaneous local urokinase administration resulted in complete removal of the clot and allowed restoration of normal blood flow to the liver after a median follow-up of 37 months. PVT is an uncommon but severe complication after major surgery or liver transplantation. Surgical thrombectomy, with or without reconstruction of the portal vein, and retransplantation are characterized by important surgical morbidity and mortality. Based on our experience, minimally invasive percutaneous transhepatic portography should be considered an option toward successful recanalization of early PVT after major liver surgery including transplantation. Balloon dilatation and placement of a vascular stent could help to decrease the risk of recurrent thrombosis when a defective surgical technique is the reason for the thrombosis.

Objectives: The incidence of lymphocele after kidney transplantation ranges from 0.6% to 16%. The management of lymphocele is still controversial. Percutaneous needle aspiration and external drainage, with or without the injection of sclerosing solutions, are associated with high recurrence and complication rates. Open or laparoscopic intraperitoneal marsupialization requires hospital admission, general anesthesia, and, sometimes, extensive surgical dissection., Methods: We report our experience treating recurrent symptomatic lymphocele with intraperitoneal drainage using a Tenckhoff catheter on an outpatient basis in 7 consecutive patients. In all cases, the lymphocele was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography 26 to 90 days after kidney transplantation. The mean diameter of the lymphocele was 14 +/- 6 cm. Percutaneous drainage was the initial approach, which was also used to differentiate between urinoma and lymphocele and to rule out infection. The lymphocele recurred within 1 month in all cases. The recurrent lymphoceles were treated on an outpatient basis using intraperitoneal drainage with a Tenckhoff catheter inserted into the lymphocele under ultrasound guidance. After administration of local anesthesia, two 1-cm vertical incisions were performed: one to access the lymphocele and the other to access the peritoneal cavity. A Tenckhoff catheter was inserted in the lymphocele and tunneled into the peritoneal cavity., Results: All procedures were completed on an outpatient basis without any complications. The catheter was removed 6 months later with no evidence of recurrent lymphocele at ultrasound follow-up in all cases., Conclusions: This outpatient surgical approach using ultrasound-guided intraperitoneal drainage with a Tenckhoff catheter appears to be a simple, effective, and safe method for treating unilobular recurrent symptomatic lymphocele after renal transplantation.

Aim: The most frequent urologic complications after renal transplantation involve the uretero-vescical anastomosis (leakage, stenosis, and reflux), with a frequency of 1% to 30% in different series., Methods: We present our results in a prospective randomized trial performed from October 2004 to September 2005, in a cohort of 36 patients, who underwent renal transplantation from cadaveric donor at our institution. A uretero-vescical anastomosis according to Lich-Gregoir was used in 18 cases (group A), whereas an anastomosis according to Knechtle was performed in other 18 patients (group B), respectively. The groups were comparable for donors and recipients characteristics. The mean donor age was 46.3 years vs 44.9 years, and the mean duration of cold ischemia was 1 086+/-296 min vs 1 100+/-381 min for group A and for group B respectively. The mean recipient age was 47.5 years vs 46.1 for group A and group B, respectively., Results: No differences were evidenced between the two uretero-vescical anastomosis in term of surgical complications, infections or patient and graft survival at one year of follow-up. Stenosis and leakage involved 2 patients for each group respectively. Numbers of infections, days of antibiotic therapy were similar between the two groups., Conclusion: Our early experience does not evidence differences between the two types of uretero-vescical anastomosis.

Extrahepatic disease (EHD) has been considered a contraindication to hepatectomy. Over the last few years, some series reported interesting 5-year survival rates after resection with hepatic colorectal metastases and EHD free margins. Between August 1989 and October 2005, 116 patients underwent liver resection for colorectal metastases at Surgical Department of the University of Udine, Italy. Among these, we reviewed the data of 5 patients affected by EHD. In 3 patients there were also an anastomotic recurrence of the primary tumor, in 3 patients diaphragm was infiltrated by contiguous liver metastases. We performed in all the patients minor liver resections. We have associated the radiofrequence ablation of a lesion not surgically resectable with liver resection in one case. The surgical procedure was always considered as curative. We observed no case of operative mortality. The mean survival of the entire cohort is 23.2 months (range 4-42 months). Our study, even if based upon a limited number of patients, supports the thesis that extrahepatic disease in patients affected by colorectal cancer with hepatic metastases should not be considered as an absolute contraindication to liver resection especially for the cases in with local radical cure exeresis is achievable.

Background: We conducted this study to evaluate the immediate venous morphologic alterations produced in the great saphenous veins by the endovenous diode 808-nm laser used for the treatment of superficial venous insufficiency and varicose veins of the lower limbs and to clarify the clinical implications of the histologic findings., Methods: Chosen for the study were 24 limbs of 16 patients with CEAP classification 3 to 6, ultrasound-documented greater saphenous insufficiency, and venous diameters between 3.9 mm and 17 mm (mean, 8.04 mm) without phlebitis, saphenous aneurysms, congenital malformations, or deep venous insufficiency. All limbs underwent surgical saphenofemoral disconnection, and the greater saphenous vein was treated with an endovenous diode 808-nm laser by continuous emission at 8 to 12 W and variable retraction speed (1 mm/s). Spinal or local, but not tumescent, anesthesia was used. Twenty-nine specimens (3 to 5 cm long) of 24 proximal greater saphenous and five anterior accessory saphenous veins were excised and studied by light microscopy for diameter and thickness of the venous wall, extent of injury into the intima, media, and adventitia, as well as penetration of thermal damage., Results: The histologic evaluation showed thermal injury to the intima in all specimens and full-thickness intimal injury in 22 specimens (75%); the average penetration of thermal injury in 29 specimens was 194.40 microm (range, 10 to 900 microm; 14.61% of the mean wall thickness); complete intimal circumference injury occurred in 8 specimen veins <10 mm in diameter (27.5%), full thickness damage in 6 (20.7%), and perforation in 2 (6.9%)., Conclusions: Saphenous ablation using 808-nm laser by variable retraction speed, combined with saphenofemoral interruption, leads to sufficient vein wall injury to assure venous occlusion. Full thickness thermal injury or perforation is infrequent. Optimal results can be obtained in veins <10 mm in diameter.

Many abdominal wall reconstruction techniques have generally failed to pay attention to a number of anatomical considerations concerning the continuity of the thoraco-lumboabdominal fascia that envelops the dorsal and ventral muscles. We have introduced a new surgical technique (round mesh) developed to improve the abdominal wall weakness or pathology (hernia, laparocele) with the aim of restoring the muscular synergy between the anterior and posterior trunk compartments, thus improving sacroiliac stability, posture, and standing effort endurance. One hundred patients of both sexes were enrolled in this investigation. All were affected by abdominal wall impairment, frank hernia or laparocele, and had been complaining of lumbar and sciatic pain for long periods without any definite intervertebral disk pathology. They underwent pre- and postoperative subjective and objective evaluation and insertion of a prefascial polypropylene mesh with a posterior martingale that passes across the spine and paravertebral muscles, ending in two wider rectangles that are criss-crossed ventrally and finally sutured to the iliopubic brim. All the patients improved either subjectively or objectively with the round mesh procedure. This new technique is particularly useful in cases of reduction or impairment of the recti abdominis, transverse and oblique muscles, because simple suture and plication of these muscles is no guarantee of long-term functional restoration.

Various surgical techniques have been proposed for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency of post-thrombotic recanalized deep veins of the lower limbs. The preferable method seems to be represented by intravenous valvuloplasty except for the cases affected by extensive valvular damage. For this reason some experimental autologous, heterologous and prosthetic venous valves have been proposed. Such a problem emerged for 1 patient (male, aged 78 years, right limb, leg dystrophy, multiple ulcerations at the ankle) which was selected by duplex, Doppler venous pressure index, photoplethysmography and ascending phlebography. An iliac-femoral and popliteal post-thrombotic, recanalized, decompensated venous insufficiency and one Cockett's perforator incompetence were diagnosed (CEAP classification: C6s Es As2d14 Pr). A bicuspid apparently repairable popliteal valve was detected by phlebography. A traditional intravenous valvuloplasty was planned but the valve was not found at surgical exploration. A monocuspid valve reconstruction by intimal flap vein was performed. The following results were obtained and controlled after one year: stable ulceration healing, dystrophy reduction, improvement in the quality of life, normalization of the hemodynamic parameters and of the radiological morphology of the new valve. It can be concluded that monocuspid valvular repair by intimal flap can be successfully performed in cases affected by secondary valveless deep venous insufficiency of the lower limbs.

Aim of the paper is to evaluate 43 extrapleural pneumonectomy performed from 1988 to May 2000. Criteria for extrapleural pneumonectomy were pleural biopsy by thoracoscopy, potentially completely resectable unilateral disease by computed tomography and predicted postresection forced expiratory volume >1,3 L/sec. The resections regarded 33 pleural mesothelioma, 9 pleural lung-carcinosis and 1 pleural melanoma effusion. The perioperative mortality rate was 2,2% (1 death) and morbidity 21,4%.

Objective: To verify some of the previous findings of venous valves described in the literature, their pathophysiological significance and clinical implications., Materials and Methods: The elementary components of 65 proximal valves of the long saphenous vein and their interrelationships were subjected to histopathological examination. Valves were taken from patients subjected to long saphenous vein surgical removal for varicose veins of the lower limbs. Measurements and morphological evaluations were performed by optical microscopy., Results: The valvular sinus, agger and proximal portion of the cusp underwent parallel variations of thickness. Thickening of the proximal portion of cusp was related to increase in smooth muscle cells in the agger and to elastic layer dissociation. Thickening of the distal portion of cusp depended on the collagen component; sometimes it was shortened, crumpled and led to the formation of a thickened border. The vein wall in a commissural aneurysm was usually thinner than in the valvular sinus. Alterations in the intima, in the elastic membrane and in the media were found in the 98% of the valvular annulus. Ectasis and asymmetry of the venous wall were mainly related to the muscular hypoplasia of the media., Conclusions: The development of primary venous insufficiency seems to be due to the following tissue alterations: dilatation of the valvular annulus and hypotrophy of the cusp. The hemodynamic mechanical injury increases the tissue damages of both annulus and cusps. This pathophysiologic interpretation of venous insufficiency suggests the need for detailed diagnostic procedures before reparative surgery of valves.

A major problem with the use of umbilical cord/placental blood (UCB) is the limited blood volume that can be collected from a single donor. In this study, we evaluated a novel system for the collection of UCB and analyzed the kinetics of output of hematopoietic stem cells in the collected blood. Sequential UCB fractions were collected from 48 placentas by gravity following common procedures. When UCB flow was ended, collection was continued using the device. Nucleated cell (NC) density in each fraction was evaluated and the expression of CD34, CD38 and other hematopoietic markers was assessed by flow cytometry. The total collected volume was 60.9 +/- 26.2 ml (mean +/- SD, range 17-141.5). The device yield (volume collected using the device/total volume) was 26.5 +/- 15.1%. No significant difference was observed in NC count in sequential fractions. A significant increase in CD34(+) cell content in sequential fractions and a 2.07 +/- 1.18-fold increase in the percentage of CD34(+) cells in the last versus first fraction were observed. Furthermore, within the CD34(+) population, the percentage of CD38(-) pluripotent stem cells in the first fraction was 3.24 +/- 1.39, while in the last fraction it raised to 34.43 +/- 22.62. Thus, at the end of a collection performed following current procedures, further blood rich in the most primitive progenitor cells can be recovered. Therefore, the optimization and standardization of collection procedures are required to obtain maximal recovery from each placenta and increase the percentage of UCB units suitable for clinical use.

Videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the treatment of choice for simple cholelithiasis. Now many surgeons consider the laparscopic procedure usable also in the complicated biliary lithiasis like acute cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis. The authors report their recent experience of the laparoscopic treatment of biliary lithiasis, regarding 221 non-selected patients (69% symptomatic cholelithiasis, 20% chronic cholecystitis, 4.5% acute cholecystitis, 4.5% coledocolithiasis, 2% hydrops). The diagnostic-therapeutic protocol and the results are described and compared with the beginning of their experience, when they treated only symptomatic gallbladder stone disease, and with the reports of the literature. The authors concluded that the laparoscopic procedure is a good chance for the surgeon in the treatment of all cases of benign biliary disease. But, in particular for patients with choledocholithiasis, he has be able to know all the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities, to choose the best in every single case.

Objective: A prospective study was performed in order to compare results obtained in the treatment of early and/or limited primary varicose veins of the lower limbs using two different procedures: external valvuloplasty and high ligation or disconnection of the sapheno-femoral junction., Materials and Methods: 116 limbs (113 patients) were selected. 57 with normal cusps in dilated valves were subjected to external valvuloplasty with Silicone prosthesis under Doppler control (intraoperative angioscopy in 16 cases); 59 limbs were subjected to high ligation or disconnection of the junction; 57 limbs out of 116 were subjected to complementary procedures. Duplex and photoplethysmographic examinations were performed before and after the surgical procedures in all patients. Doppler venous pressures were measured in 36 limbs and invasive pressures in 40 limbs. Patients were postoperatively followed up every 4 months until the 12th month., Results: Indications for valvuloplasty were found in 8.2% of cases and in 66.3% of the early varices. Clinical results were slightly superior in the reparative surgery group. Thrombotic occlusion of the proximal long saphenous vein was significantly higher in the ligation-disconnection group. Results from photoplethysmography and venous pressure measurements indicated that both operations are equally effective in the elimination of reflux in the junction.

In the last decade minimally invasive surgery has gained an increasing success and was firstly applied to the treatment of benign pathologies, and recently to the malignant ones. The Authors report two cases of inferior rectal neoplasm treated with Miles operation through a video-laparoscopic-perineal approach. The abdominal phase of the operation was performed only through 5 small laparoscopic incisions. The perineal phase and the stoma were performed using traditional technique. The method appears feasible and oncologically correct; however, further trials are needed to evaluate long-term results.

The pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is often multifactorial, as abnormal function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) may be associated to abnormalities of the esophageal peristalsis, the esophageal clearance, and the gastric reservoir. The preoperative evaluation of patients with GERD must include esophageal function tests (esophageal manometry and ambulatory pH monitoring) and evaluation of the gastric emptying in addition to UGI series and endoscopy. The information provided by these tests is essential to identify the pathophysiology of the disease in the individual patient, and tailor the operative treatment accordingly. For patients with an incompetent LES but normal esophageal peristalsis, the Nissen fundoplication is the procedure of choice. When abnormal peristalsis and delayed clearance are identified by preoperative esophageal function tests, a partial fundoplication must be chosen in order to avoid postoperative dysphagia and gas bloat syndrome. Too many eponyms have been used to describe antireflux surgery (Nissen, Rossetti, Toupet, Lind, Hill, Guarner). It is time to go beyond these eponyms, and focus on the technical details which contribute to the stability of the wrap, as this is the main determinant of long term outcome.

Background: Since the literature indicated that in the early stages of primary venous disease valves are simply dilated, some authors performed external valvuloplasty of deep and superficial venous valves with encouraging results, although some failures were observed without being sufficiently explained., Objective: To obtain further interpretations of the natural history of venous valve pathology, clarify methods for a correct diagnostic approach, and provide indications for the external valvuloplasty procedure., Methods: Forty-two proximal valves of the long saphenous vein removed for varicose veins of the lower limbs were studied with optical microscopy. The relationship between histologic alterations and age of varicose disease was investigated. Five valvuloplasties were explanted for recurrent reflux and submitted to histopathological observation. Preoperative echographic findings and histologic observations were compared. Nineteen limbs were subjected to external valvuloplasty under angioscopic control; preoperative echographic findings and angioscopic observations were compared., Results: The histologic alterations observed in venous valves were mainly hypotrophy of cusps, which seemed to be the main cause of failure after external valvuloplasty. The frequency of such hypotrophic alterations increases with the age of varicose disease but no statistically significant relationship was found. Preoperative echographic imaging of venous valves does not appear sufficiently predictive when compared with histologic and angioscopic examinations., Conclusion: Hypotrophic valve damage seems to be prevalent in patients with varicose veins of the lower limbs. Valve cusp hypotrophy may be present in early disease though some normal cusps can be found in advanced disease. When preoperative echographic visualization of cusps is doubtful, intraoperative angioscopy plays the main role in the diagnosis of venous valve disease before and during external valvuloplasty.

The authors report their experience on cervical anastomosis dehiscence in patients who had total esophagectomy and esophagogastroplasty for esophageal neoplasms. They describe, accurately and step by step, the plastic reconstructive technique (by using a vascularized transposed cutaneous flap), used to treat a symptomatic cervical fistula which occurred in 3 of the 24 patients who had esophagectomy and cervical-esophagogastroplasty. This kind of treatment led to complete healing of the fistulas, without clinical and radiological signs of fistula recurrence in all the patients treated.

The aim of the experimental study was to evaluate the possibility of performing an end-to-end anastomosis by using fibrin adhesive as the only means of suture. To this end, 24 Wistar rats were used, of which 16 underwent ilear resection and 8 underwent colotomy, and they were divided respectively into two groups. On the rats of the first group the anastomosis was performed by using only fibrin adhesive; on the rats of the second group operated the anastomosis was performed by using fibrin adhesive in association with non adsorbable suture material, while on those operated of colectomy the anastomosis was performed by fibrin adhesive and adsorbable suture material. The anatomo-phatological studies on the anastomosis have shown a similar healing process in the cases treated only with fibrin adhesive and by using absorbable material and has demonstrated the trange material from the suture, which are a possible causes of complication.

The authors have carried out their study on a woman who previously underwent QU.A.R.T. because of a medullar breast cancer. She also had pulmonary metastases resistant to chemotherapy which were then resected by mini-invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery: it was so discovered that such lesions came from an occult papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland originated in a multinodular goitre. This study has allowed the accomplishment of a right aetiologic and therapeutic classification of the patient.

Increasing interest on the short saphenous vein has been induced by its employment as autologus graft in arterial surgery and for being held responsible for the onset and development of varicose veins of the lower limbs and postoperative recurrence. These two clinical conditions require a more precise assessment of the short saphenous anatomy and its variables previously described in literature. A verify of the anatomical variations of the sapheno-popliteal junction and of the short saphenous outlet in 528 not randomized limbs was performed in separate groups by the following methods: High Resolution Echography, preoperative ascending Phlebography, preoperative Digital Phlebography, intraoperative Selective Phlebography. A high number of anatomical variations was found (29.8%) and the conclusion was that modest differences between published data by other Authors and the results of this study were found. The ideal diagnostic approach for these anatomical variations is the intraoperative Selective Phlebography in cases systematically selected by preoperative High Resolution Echography.

The aim of the paper is to give a contribution to the understanding of the role of surgery in patients with N3 lung cancer. The A. describe their results on 32 patients with N3 lung cancer operated on mediastinectomy; histological examination of the specimens showed 27 squamous cell carcinomas and 5 adenocarcinomas. The operation was performed through a median sternotomy to gain access to the left and right paratracheal nodes, pretracheal, precarinal and subcarinal nodes, subaortic and left and right hilar nodes that were removed together with the fat of the mediastinum. Left pneumonectomy was performed in 5 patients. There was no operative mortality; 12 patients were irradiated in the postoperative period with 5,000 Rads (50 Gy), while 18 or the 27 patients with squamous cell carcinoma are still alive.

Tracheal sleeve lobectomy is right upper lobectomy extended to include resection of the main bronchus, the carina and a segment of the trachea with end-to-end anastomosi of the trachea and end-to-side anstomosis of the intermediate bronchus on the main left bronchus, or the upper lobe on the trachea. This operation is possible with the aid of high frequency jet ventilation. The surgical indication of this operation is bronchoscopic and functional and guarantees a good oncological radicality in the presence of N0.

Objective: Evaluation of the feasibility and utility of angioscopy in the hemodynamic correction (French acronyms is CHIVA) of primary varicose veins disease., Experimental Design: Prospective evaluation of 25 patients, undergoing hemodynamic correction of primary varicose disease with intraoperative videoangioscopic guide. Patients have been selected according to criteria emerged from a prospective study that we had previously conducted. Follow-up lasted 1 year (range 8-18 months)., Setting: Department of Surgery, University of Ferrara, Italy. Institutional practice. One-day surgery., Patients: Their selection has been carried out in our Vascular Laboratory. The adopted clinical criteria of selection were: Primary varicose disease of the long saphenous vein territory, no previous thrombophlebitis and/or sclerotherapy. Doppler cw and Duplex criteria followed were: competent deep venous system, long saphenous vein diameter minor than 10 mm and incompetent perforating veins diameter minor than 4 mm., Interventions: 25 hemodynamic corrections according to the CHIVA method described by Franceschi. An angioscope, introduced through a distal collateral of the long saphenous vein, permitted the precise interruption of the venous-venous shunts and of the superficial venous system, just below the perforators chosen as re-entry points in the deep venous system., Measures: Clinical: varices and symptomatology reduction. Duplex and Doppler cw: detection of the superficial blood flow re-entry, in the deep venous system, through the perforators and identification of recurrences or new refluxes. Pre and postoperative Ambulatory Venous Pressure and Refilling Time have also been measured., Results: In 20 patients symptoms and varices relief were recorded (80%), in 5 patients varices reduction was observed only during walking (20%). In 2 of these latter patients there was no re-entry through the perforators, with a recurrent sapheno-femoral reflux in 1 of them. Early complications recorded were: 2 long saphenous vein thrombosis (8%); 7 ecchimosis (28%) when heparine/saline solution had been used for angioscopic clearance., Conclusions: Intraoperative angioscopy is feasible and useful when the hemodynamic situation is complex and the Duplex map is difficult to be interpreted by the surgeon. In this series the second look percentage rate has been minor compared to the percentage rates published so far by other authors.