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Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy plays a major role in the surgical management of primary breast cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the assessment of axillary frozen sections of SLNs for micrometastasis diagnosis. Patients and methods: This study focused on 250 SLNs from 137 patients. Each lymph node was fully analyzed by frozen section. After fixation, serial sections were cut and stained by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and for pan-cytokeratins by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: Tumor cells were detected in 57 SLNs, 37 on frozen sections and 20 on controls. Of these 57 positive SLNs, 38 contained metastases, 9 contained micrometastases and 10 contained isolated tumor cells. The specificity and positive predictive value of SLN frozen sections for micrometastasis was 100%. The sensitivity was 83.3% for metastasis, 40% for micrometastasis; the false-negative rate was 16.7% for metastasis and 60% for micrometastasis. Conclusion: Analysis of frozen section of SLNs is an accurate method for metastasis detection, allowing concurrent axillary dissection when positive. The protocol for SLN analyses described herein shows good sensitivity for micrometastasis detection. © 2014 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Surgical Associates Ltd.

Each year, ~988,000 new cases of stomach cancer are reported worldwide. Uniformity for the definition of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) is required to ensure the improved management of patients. Various classifications do actually exist for gastric cancer, but the classification determined by lesion depth is extremely important, as it has been shown to correlate with patient prognosis; for example, early gastric cancer (EGC) has a favourable prognosis when compared with AGC. In the literature, the definition of EGC is clear, however, there is heterogeneity in the definition of AGC. In the current study, all parameters of the TNM classification for AGC reported in each previous study were individu- ally analysed. It was necessary to perform a comprehensive systematic literature search of all previous studies that have reported a definition of ACG to guarantee homogeneity in the assessment of surgical outcome. It must be understood that the term advanced gastric cancer may implicate a number of stages of disease, and studies must highlight the exact clinical TNM stages used for evaluation of the study. Article

This study presents the results of surgery in the elderly for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) from a single institution's experience. We retrospectively analyzed 898 cases of surgically treated PHPT, divided into two groups: 135 elderly patients (A) and 763 patients younger than 65 years (B). PHPT was symptomatic in 68.8 per cent patients in group A and in 81.6 per cent in group B. Unilateral temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy was observed in 0.9 per cent in group A and 0.1 per cent in group B (P > 0.05). No cervical hematomas, mortality or major cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory or metabolic postoperative complications were registered. All the patients evaluated at one year had improvement in the quality of life, with increase of bone mineral density (BMD) in 85.6 per cent and 79.8 per cent of patients in groups A and B, with no significant differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Parathyroidectomy in elderly PHPT patients is safe, with rate of morbidity similar to what observed in younger individuals. Further investigations are recommended to confirm the role of surgery as an effective approach in elderly PHPT patients.

Carcinosarcoma of the stomach is a rare biphasic tumor that consists of both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. The common carcinoma component is tubular or papillary adenocarcinoma and the mesenchymal sarcomatous components are variable but may include leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of gastric carcinosarcoma and to present a review of the available literature. We report a case of carcinosarcoma in a 62-year-old female including the clinical and histopathological features of this tumor. Following ultrasound and computed tomography scans, laparotomy was performed, revealing a large mass, followed by radical surgery. Macroscopically, a polypoid tumor was observed. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma and poorly differentiated sarcoma with a high mitotic index and necrotic areas. At present, the achievement of a definitive diagnosis is dependent on immunohistochemical staining and radical surgery. Thus, more effective diagnostic methods are required to improve patient survival.

Some techniques for the total reconstruction of the breast, regardless of the complexity, have specific complications, with varying degrees of morbidity. Therefore, we wanted to identify the most frequent complications of the main techniques used for breast reconstruction, and compare the relation to the relevant independent variables.Our study was conducted by examining the medical records of patients who had received complete reconstruction of the breast after a mastectomy due to breast cancer from January 2008 to December 2010, with a minimum follow-up of 3 years postoperatively. The data collected, such as the time of intervention, reconstruction techniques, operating time, and adjuvant treatment, were statistically correlated to the presence of complications.Of the 40 total breast reconstructions analyzed, the technique in which they were used expanders followed by replacement with implants showed the lowest prevalence of complications (16.7%, p0.000). Some surgical techniques have shown particular complications. The operative time for transplant transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap (363.57 ± 59.91 min) was significantly higher than that required for the techniques that use alloplastic materials (155.71 ± 38.02 min, p = 0, 01), but similar to that for the latissimus dorsi flap (309.69 ± 77.66 min). The operative time, the timing of reconstructive surgery, and type of adjuvant treatment was not correlated with the incidence of complications.Each technique has its indications, contraindications and complications. The application of each technique must be tailored to the individual characteristics of each patient.Adjuvant treatment, Reconstructive surgery, Results, Surgical procedure.Alcune tecniche per la ricostruzione del seno, indipendentemente dalla complessità, presentano complicanze specifiche, con vari gradi di morbilità. Abbiamo voluto identificare le complicanze più frequenti delle principali tecniche utilizzate e confrontare il rapporto con le variabili indipendenti pertinenti.Lo studio è stato condotto esaminando le cartelle cliniche dei pazienti che avevano ricevuto ricostruzione dopo mastectomia per cancro della mammella dal gennaio 2008 al dicembre 2010, con un follow-up minimo di 3 anni dopo l’intervento. I dati raccolti, come la durata di intervento, tecniche di ricostruzione, tempo di funzionamento, e il trattamento adiuvante, erano statisticamente correlati alla presenza di complicanze.Delle 40 ricostruzioni mammarie analizzate, i casi in cui sono stati utilizzati espansori seguiti da sostituzione con impianti hanno mostrato la più bassa prevalenza di complicanze (16,7%, p0.000). Alcune tecniche chirurgiche hanno mostrato particolari complicanze. Il tempo operatorio degli interventi in cui si è adoperato il lembo miocutaneo con retto dell’addome (363,57 ± 59,91 min) è risultato significativamente superiore a quello richiesto per le tecniche che utilizzano materiali alloplastici (155,71 ± 38,02 min, p = 0, 01), ma simile a quello per lembo il gran dorsale (309,69 ± 77,66 min). Il tempo operatorio, i tempi della chirurgia ricostruttiva, e tipo di trattamento adiuvante non sono significativamente correlati con l’incidenza di complicanze.Ogni tecnica ha le sue indicazioni, controindicazioni e complicanze. L’applicazione di ogni tecnica deve essere adattata alle caratteristiche individuali di ogni paziente.

Introduction Prognosis of thyroid cancer is strictly related to loco-regional metastases. Cervical lymphadenectomy has a specific oncologic role but may lead to significant increase of morbidity. Aim of the study is the analysis of surgical morbidity in cervical lymphadenectomy for thyroid cancer. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 1.765 thyroid cancers operated over a period of 25 years at S. Maria University Hospital, Terni, University of Perugia, Italy. Type of lymphadenectomy, histology and complications were analysed. Results A prevalence of differentiated and medullary cancers was observed (respectively 88% and 7.2%). Central lymphadenectomy was carried out in 425 patients, lateral modified and radical lymphadenectomy respectively in 651 and 17 cases. Following central neck dissection we observed: bilateral and unilateral temporary recurrent nerves palsy respectively of 0.7% and 3.5%, unilateral permanent palsy in 1.6% of cases, temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism respectively in 17.6% and 4.4%. After lateral neck dissection we observed: intra and post-operative haemorrhage respectively in 2% and 0.29%, respiratory distress in 0.29%, lesions of facial nerve in 0.44%, of vagus in 0.14%, of phrenic nerve in 0.14%, of hypoglossal nerve in 0.29%, of the accessory nerve, transient in 1.34% and permanent in 0.29%, permanent lesion of cervical plexus in 0.29%, salivary fistula in 0.14% and chylous fistula in 1.04% of patients. Student's t test was used to compare groups when appliable. Conclusion Central and lateral cervical lymph node dissection are associated to severe morbidity. Correct indication, surgical expertise, high volume of patients and early multidisciplinary management of complications is the key of an acceptable balance between oncologic benefits and surgical morbidity.

The aim of the study is to indicate the Amyand's hernia as a possible complication during surgery for hernia repair performed in emergencyA case Amyand's hernia complicated by the presence of acute gangrenous appendicitis perforated at the base is reported.Amyand's hernia is an hernia which is the vermiform appendix inside. This condition may remain asymptomatic and behave like a normal inguinal hernia or can simulate strangulated hernia when the hernia contains inflamed appendix.Acute appendicitis in an incarcerated inguinal hernia is a rare event. The preoperative diagnosis is very difficult because it simulates the behavior of a strangulated inguinal hernia. The treatment depends on the severity of appendicitis. The appendicitis status influences the type of surgery and the type of access.Lo scopo dello studio è quello di indicare l’ernia di Amyand come una rara variante che può complicare la procedura chirurgica durante un intervento di ernioplastica eseguito in regime di urgenza.Riportiamo un caso di ernia di Amyand, complicata da appendicite acuta gangrenosa perforata alla base. È stato praticato un intervento chirurgico con conversione da inguinotomia ad accesso pararettale destro per la gravità della peritonite.L’ernia di Amyand è un ernia contenente l’appendice vermiforme. È una condizione che può rimanere asintomatica o nel caso di appendicite acuta simulare un ernia inguinale strozzata quando è presente un appendicite acuta.L’appendicite acuta incarcerata in un ernia inguinale è un evento raro. La diagnosi pre-operatoria è radiologica o come spesso accade intraoperatoria. Il corretto trattamento chirurgico dipende dalla severità dell’appendicite.

Aim : Mediastinal goiter (MG) is characterized by compression symptoms such choking, dyspnea, sleeping apnea and dysphagia. It is significantly observed in elderly patients who due to comorbidity are associated to increased surgical risk. Total thyroidectomy is indicated to treat tracheal compression. Cervicotomy is the most used surgical access. Aim of the study was the evaluation of the role of surgery in the treatment of MG in the elderly. Methods : A retrospective analysis of twenty-eight-years on 1721 (390 over 80-years-old) cases of MG in a referral center for endocrine surgery was carried out. CT was used as a standard in the preoperative study. Surgery was performed by an experienced surgical team with standard technique via cervical approach or in selected cases via sternotomy or thoracotomy. Clinical records were examined. Results : Patients were divided into two groups: older and younger than 80-years-old. Total thyroidectomy was performed in all cases and via a cervical approach in almost 99% of patients. Tracheal dislocation and tracheomalacia were prevalent in elderly patients and were treated conservatively. Benign struma was observed in 1463 patients and a carcinoma in 258. Larger thyroid weight was observed in the elderly. The rate of complications was similar between groups. Conclusion : Total thyroidectomy via cervical approach is the treatment of choice for MG in the elderly. It should be treated only in referral centers with adequate caution for elderly patients to achieve complete cure with limited complications.

Aim Thyroid cancer prognosis is determined by several variables, even with extremely elevated survival rate. The most debated issues are the type of thyroidectomy and extension of lymphadenectomy. Aim of the study is the analysis of benefits of level VI lymphadenectomy associated to total thyroidectomy in the treatment of thyroid cancer. Patients and methods 316 total thyroidectomy with central node dissection were carried out in the Unit of Endocrine Surgery, University of Perugia. Direct parathyroid auto-implantation was carried out if damage or accidental excision occurred. High risk patients received radioiodine treatment. Results Lymph node metastases in the VI level were observed in 42% of cases with a significant difference (p 0.0042) of positive lymph node in level VI comparing tumor larger than 1 cm vs smaller than 1 cm. No significant differences were observed when considering difference of sex, and age. Significant difference (p 0.005) was shown when considering over 45 years old male patients with tumor larger than 1 cm vs smaller ones. The 78% of patients underwent iodine ablation after surgery. Recurrence rate in these patients was 3.2%, with no significant difference compared to not treated patients. Bilateral temporary recurrent nerves palsy were observed in 0.6% of cases, unilateral temporary recurrent nerves palsy in 3.4%, unilateral permanent palsy in 1.5%, temporary hypoparathyroidism in 17%, permanent hypoparathyroidism in 4.4%. Conclusions Total thyroidectomy combined to central node dissection, even in absence of risk factors and without clinical evident nodes, is the treatment of choice offering clear indications to radioiodine ablation.

Thyroid gland tumors represent 1% of malignant tumors. In Italy their incidence is in constant growth. The aggressiveness depends on the histological type. The relative non-aggressive grade of different forms of tumors is the basis for discussing the treatment of choice: total thyroidectomy vs lobectomy with or without lymphadenectomy of the sixth level in the absence of metastasis. Authors report about their experience, and they advocate, given the high percentage of multicentric forms, total thyroidectomy as treatment of choice.

The use of lasers has been of great importance in the field of endoscopy and surgery for their applications in coagulation and the ability to vaporize tissue. In the 1990s, new machines were introduced based on a different technology, the argon-plasma-coagulation (APC) system. This technology causes different biological effects without direct contact. An example is the hemostasis of bleeding. In the literature, several cases of complications have been reported during endoscopic treatment with APC. In this study, we report our experience of a case with colon explosion during an APC procedure for bleeding due to radiotherapy and also review the literature on the complications of APC treatment.

The aim of our study is to evaluate the advisability of covering stoma in Anterior Rectum Resection with TME in elderly patients.A research of both the Ministry of Health and Terni Hospital databases has been conducted so as to collect information about patients with rectal tumor. Such research allowed to identify the amount of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer, the type of intervention, and the average hospitalization time.Between January 1997 and June 2008, 209 patients have undergone chirurgical surgery at Terni hospital's General and Emergency Surgical Clinic. An Anterior Rectum Resection with TME has been performed in 135 patients out of the sample (64.59%).The average hospitalization time of geriatric patients does not show significant differences compared to that of younger patients. An age-cohort analysis has been performed among patients who have been subject to stomia and those who have not. The former have been further split up between those who underwent ileostomy and those subject to colostomy. While ileostomy patients face a similar hospitalization time across all age cohorts, geriatric colostomy patients face longer hospitalizations than younger patients.Patients subject to Anterior Rectum Resection show no meaningful differences, in terms of hospitalization time, across all age cohorts. In geriatric patients the construction of covering stoma has resulted in longer hospitalizations only when a loop colostomy was executed, as opposed to loop ileostomy.

We assessed the risk factors of the surgical treatment in the elective and emergency management. Among the 47 patients electively treated, 33 were affected by cardiocirculatory diseases, 23 by kidney diseases, 14 by metabolic and endocrine diseases, and 11 patients by respiratory diseases. In the 19 patients, who underwent emergency surgery, 75% had intestinal obstruction, and 25% had intestinal perforation.

Methods The authors present 7 cases of primary gastric stump cancer surgically treated in our department during the period 1999–2002. The age of patients was between 61 and 79 years. The average time between primary gastric resection and diagnosis of carcinoma of gastric stump was 19 years (6–32 years). All patients considered operable underwent total gastrectomy and restoration of intestinal transit according to Roux's technique.

Nella maggior parte dei casi le fistole colovescicali rappresentano una complicanza della malattia diverticolare e sono la tipologia piu comune di fistola colodigestiva; meno comuni sono le fistole colovaginali, colocutanee, coloenteriche e colouterine. Nel presente lavoro abbiamo effettuato una review della letteratura riguardante le fistole colovescicali in chirurgia colorettale per diverticolite del sigma. Decriviamo anche due casi che hanno richiesto un trattamento chirurgico, in uno in elezione e nell’altro in urgenza. In entrambi i casi abbiamo eseguito una resezione colica con anastomosi primaria e minimaresezione vesvicale con posizionamento di catetere di Foley in media per 10 giorni.

Introduction: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is characterized by local invasiveness, risk of recurrence and very poor prognosis. Methods: We retrospectively analysed the multimodality treatment of ATC in 79 patients considering the impact of surgery on survival. Results: Patients were divided in two age groups A and B (cut-off 75 years) and in two size subgroups (cut-off 5 cm). Surgery was performed in 78.5% patients of group A and 32.4% of B (p

Background . Elderly women with breast cancer are considered underdiagnosed and undertreated, and this adversely affects their overall survival. Between January 2009 and December 2010, 143 patients were admitted and treated for breast cancer at the Azienda Ospedaliera "S. Maria" Terni-Italy. The patients were divided into three groups: 70–74, 75–79, and 80 years and older. Results . Lumpectomy was performed in 42% of all patients, while mastectomy was done in 46% of patients. Adjuvant therapy such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy were done in 12%, 25%, and 38%, respectively. Forty-seven percent of patients with positive lymph nodes received chemotherapy. Eighty-six percent of patients who were estrogen receptor-positive received adjuvant hormonal therapy. Overall five-year survival was only 14% for the ≥80 age group, compared to that of 32% and 35% for the 70–74 and the 75–79 age groups, respectively. Conclusions . Surgery was performed in majority of these patients, about half received lumpectomy, the other half mastectomy. Adjuvant therapies were frequently excluded, with only hormonal therapy being the most commonly used. Overall five-year survival is significantly worse in patients ≥80 years with breast cancer.

Background Pancreatic fistula is still one of the most serious and potential complications after D2-D3 distal and total gastrectomy (4% to 6%). Despite their importance, pancreatic fistulas still have not been uniformly defined. Amylase concentration of the drainage fluid after surgery for gastric cancer can be considered as a predictive factor of the presence of pancreatic fistula. Methods From January 2009 to April 2013, 53 patients underwent surgery for gastric cancer. Amylase concentration in the drainage fluid was measured on the first postoperative day and if it was ≥1,000 UI, it was measured again on the third postoperative day. Pancreatic fistula occurred in four cases (7.5%). Pancreatic fistulas were classified using the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) criteria into different grades of severity. Two fistulas were Grade A, one was Grade B, and one was Grade C. Results Management of drainage tubes is still crucial after gastrectomy, not only for the likelihood of anastomotic leaks but also the eventual diagnosis and management of pancreatic fistula. High amylase drainage content and then the presence of the pancreatic fistula may be due to several causes: the operation itself when it includes splenectomy or pancreatic tail-splenectomy, the extended lymphadenectomy but even the ‘gently and softly’ pancreatic manipulation, according literature, may be a risk factor. Conclusions The authors assessed amylase concentration in the drainage fluid collected from the left subphrenic cavity on POD1 and POD3 in 53 patients who had undergone curative gastrectomy for cancer and concluded that amylase drainage content >3 times the serum amylase was a useful predictive risk factor for pancreatic fistula. Our work is an interim analysis and the aim of this study is to increase the accrual of the number of patients to have a significant number. For this reason, a protocol for a multicenter trial will be designed to verify whether the systematic measurement of amylase in drain fluid is better than abdominal ultrasound for the detection of pancreatic fistula after gastric cancer surgery.

Introduction The duodenum is the second seat of onset of diverticula after the colon. Duodenal diverticulosis is usually asymptomatic, but duodenal perforation with abscess may occur. Case presentation Woman, 83 years old, emergency hospitalised for generalized abdominal pain. On the abdominal tomography in the third portion of the duodenum a herniation and a concomitant full-thickness breach of the visceral wall was detected. The patient underwent emergency surgery. A surgical toilette of abscess was performed passing through the perforated diverticula and the Petzer’s tube drainage was placed in the duodenal lumen; the duodenostomic Petzer was endoscopically removed 4 months after the surgery. Discussion A review of medical literature was performed and our treatment has never been described. Conclusion For the treatment of perforated duodenal diverticula a sequential two-stage non resective approach is safe and feasible in selected cases.