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Spontaneous hepatic haemorrhage in pregnancy (SHHP) is a rare event (1 woman out of 15,000). It is generally considered as an advanced state of the microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (HELLP, Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzyme levels, Low Platelet count). Furthermore, the HELLP is considered as a different form of preeclampsia. The patient, a 33-year-old-woman at 30 weeks' gestation, was admitted to hospital for preeclampsia, underwent an emergency Stark caesarean section with the extraction of an alive foetus and evidence of massive intraperitonal haemorrhage from a large hepatic haematoma. A haemostasis with gauzes of Surgicel was performed, with consequent arrest of the haemorrhage. After approximately 6 hours, a recurrence of the intraperitonal haemorrhage led to a new surgical intervention with hepatic packing with gauzes. After 4 days the patient died. The etiopathogenesis of disease is uncertain, both foetal and maternal mortality are high, and the slight number of reported cases (27) of SPPH from HELLP in international literature offer elements for debate. The following points have been put forward: 1. the monitoring of the counts of the platelets represent the only valid predictive test of HELLP. These concerned women in the third trimester of pregnancy, especially those with a history of preeclampsia; 2. the treatment must be immediate, intensive and multidisciplinary, the plasmapheresis has remarkably improved the prognosis; 3. surgical treatment performed in order to control the SPPH makes use of packing, embolization and/or fastening of the common hepatic artery and, in extreme cases, total hepatectomy with transplantation. The Authors believe it is useful to suggest a national epidemiological research in order to estimate the real incidence of the syndrome in Italy and to establish the guidelines for the medico-surgical treatment.

This retrospective study compares: hospitalization time, morbidity and mortality (patients operated for neoplastic occlusion of the left colon in emergency, without perforation), considering hanestesiologic risk and surgical technique (RPA versus RH).From April 1999 to February 2003 the Emergency Surgery of AORN of Caserta has operated, in urgency, 60 neoplastic patients with left colon occlusion realizing: 46 (76.5%) RPA [36 ASAor = III, low hanestesiologic risk (LAR), 10 ASA = orIV high hanestesiologic risk (HAR)], 12 (20%) RH (2 LAR and 10 HAR) 2 (3.5%) palliative colostomics.36 LAR patients with RPA had 5% of specific complications and 5% of medical complications. 2 LAR patients with R-H: no complication. 10 HAR patient with RPA brought 10% of specific complications and 10% of medical complications. 10 HAR patients with RH had 20% of specific complications and 10% of general complications. The middle hospitalization of LAR patients with RPA was 11 days versus 9 days of RH pz. (equal hanestesiologic risk ). The HAR pz., treated with RPA, had as middle hospitalization 15 ggs in comparison to the 9 ggs of the HRA pz. treated with RH.1/36 for LAR pz. with RPA (3%), and 0/0 for LAR pz. with RH; 1/10 for HAR pz, with RPA (10%) and 1/10 for HAR pz. with RH (10%).Resection and primary anastomosis, (correct indications and expert surgeon), gives prevalence of complications and mortality similar to the repeated surgical procedure, a better life quality, but an higher number of post-operating hospitalisation days.

Splenic artery aneurysm presented with rupture is an unusual and potentially deadly reason of intraperitoneal hemorrhage. There are a lot of pathogenetic hypothesis; timing according to disease severity and surgical choices aren't definitely codified authors present one patient with hemoperitoneum for ruptured splenic artery aneurysm affected by chronic lymphatic leukaemia too and review international literature; they underline pathogenesis, symptoms, preoperative investigations and therapy. Degeneration of the media, atherosclerotic changes and high blood flow due to pregnancy and portal hypertension could be the main pathogenetic factors. Ultrasonography is the first investigation we have to practice if we suspect hemoperitoneum. We can practice computed tomography and angiography too if cardiovascular condition are good. Rupture showing acute abdominal pain and cardiovascular collapse suggest strongly urgent operation. The choice of operation is determined by location of the aneurysm. When located in the distal third of the splenic artery, the aneurysm is resected with spleen; alternatively, when it is located in prossimal third we can perform conservative operation.

Objective of our study has been to verify if the age is a factor of additional risk for the opportunistic fungal infections and if prophylactic therapy cause real advantages in terms of reduction of morbidity, mortality and times of hospitalization. To such we report the experience of the Operational Unity of Emergency Surgery of the Hospital of Relief National and High Specialization of Caserta relatively to the patients submitted to intervention of great abdominal surgery. In the year 2000 antifungal therapy has been administered to 20 patient (of which 18 over 65 years) on the escort of an laboratory diagnosis; in the year 2001 we have administered prophylactic therapy to 53 high-risk patient (of which 48 over 65). In the group of patients essays with preventive therapy the middle hospitalization has been slightly inferior with a reduction of around 2 days of refuge for the elderly patients and of around 1.5 days in the youngest patients. Mortality in the elderly patients has been reduced from 38% of the year 2000 at 23% of the year 2001. Our data confirm that the age is an important factor of risk for the fungal infections in the surgical departments and we believe to a prophylactic therapy can be of benefit in well selected patient, although an ordinary application of antifunfal therapy can not have recommended without an laboratory diagnosis because to emerge of new resistances to the medicines.

Pica is a psychotic disorder characterized by compulsive ingestion of nonfood substances; the primary treatment is the prevention with antipsychotic therapy. When the patient ingests foreign body, endoscopical removal is recommended. Surgical treatment is necessary when an acute abdomen is present, with intestinal occlusion and/or bowel perforation. The Authors report a peculiar case of pica, and analyse the problems of organization and assistance, besides surgical approach, also on the base of international literature.