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Amyand's hernia is defined as an inguinal hernia within the hernial sac containing the appendix. It is a rare disease, reported in 1% of cases of inguinal hernia repair. The appendix can be complicated by acute appendicitis in 0.13% of cases. This disease is often very difficult to diagnose, and most of the time it can be confused with an incarcerated or strangulated inguinal hernia. Often, it requires an emergent surgical treatment. This article describes the case of a 82-year-old female who was admitted for an intestinal obstruction and a bulge in the right inguinal region. An abdominal computed tomography scan showed dilated small bowel loops with multiple air/liquid levels and one loop herniating into the right inguinal canal. The patient underwent a laparotomy that showed the presence of an acute appendicitis and a necrotized ileal loop protruding into the right inguinal canal. The patient underwent an appendectomy and small bowel resection and she was discharged on postoperative day 10. Amyand's hernia can be a challenge for the surgeon. Its treatment depends on the grade of inflammation of the appendix. In fact, it can range from the simple repair of the abdominal defect with a prosthetic mesh, to appendectomy, small bowel resection and repair of the abdominal wall defect without a mesh.

Certain aspects of the epidemiology, classification and therapy of adenocarcinoma of the anorectal junction (< 5 cm from the anal verge) are not well standardised to date. To evaluate the recent advances in the surgical management we reviewed our database, focusing on the oncological and functional results of intersphincteric resection. From 1989 to 2005 we treated 183 adenocarcinomas of the anorectal junction with a curative intent by 106 total proctetomies (84 of which by intersphinteric resection), 54 abdominoperineal resections, 22 transanal local excision and 1 Hartmann procedure. Intersphincteric resections were performed in 51 males and 33 females, mean age 62, with the following clinical stages: 28 stage 1, 55 stages II and III, 1 stage IV; radiotherapy was administered preoperatively to 27 patients and postoperatively to 18. Fifty-five intersphinteric resections were performed by open surgery and 29 by laparoscopy (since 2001). All the procedures were R0 except for 2 R1 (readily converted to abdominoperineal resections). Perioperative mortality (30 days) was 1.1% and the overall morbidity was 27.7% (including a 6% leakage rate). Assessment of anal sphincter function recovery one year after restoration of bowel continuity showed good continence in 76% of the patients; 2 patients have a permanent ostomy. After an average 60-month follow-up (min. 30 months) the local recurrence rate was 2.4% and the actuarial 5-year survival rate 81.7%. Our experience shows a drop in abdominoperineal resections in the last 5 years from 56.5% to 17.8%, while the intersphincteric resection rate has increased from 32.6% to 66%. The oncological results of intersphincteric resection compare favourably with those of abdominoperineal resection and functional recovery appears satisfactory.

Experimental and clinical data have proved that anticholinesterase drugs are responsible for vigorous peristaltic contractions and for an increase of the intraluminal pressure, because they determine muscarinic effects on the smooth muscle of the intestine both in small and large intestine. Therefore, a greater incidence of intestinal anastomotic disruption has been supposed when anticholinesterases are used both in the early postoperative period, to reverse curarization, and in myasthenic patients. The authors report a case of a patient with myasthenia gravis who received maximal doses of pyridostigmine and underwent left hemicolectomy and small intestine resection and afterwards total colectomy in order to treat a sigmoid perforated diverticulitis. In the postoperative course an anastomotic leak developed after both surgical operations. The authors believe that pyridostigmine could have had an important role in the pathogenesis of the leak and assert that, when an intestinal resection has to be performed in a myasthenic patient, it could be useful to reduce in the preoperative period the administration of anticholinesterase drugs and always perform a protective ileostomy.

In stapled anastomosis following anterior rectal resection, the anastomotic occlusive web rate is unknown and the management of this complication is not well defined. A 74-year-old man underwent a curative resection of a rectal cancer and, at the same time, a jejunal resection of an incidental stromal tumor. The colorectal anastomosis, performed according to the Knight-Griffen technique, and the hand-sewn end-to-end jejunal anastomosis were covered by a protective loop ileostomy. A number of features makes the case very unusual. The anastomotic occlusive web was made up of mucosal layer in the absence of a granulation reaction. Several factors contributed to the onset and misidentification of this complication. After the endoscopic approach had failed, the condition was successfully treated during an emergency operation for intestinal perforation.

Background and Aims: The mortality in severe episodes of ulcerative colitis (UC) has been reduced from 31-61% in the 1950 to 1-3%. Nevertheless it remains high in non specialist centers. Simple criteria are necessary to predict the outcome of severe ulcerative colitis., Methods: 14 patients hospitalized for severe disease (Truelove and Witts criteria) from 1996 to 2000 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: 1. Group A: patients with severe disease surgically treated. 2. Group B: patients with severe disease responders to medical therapy Sex, age, length of steroids medical therapy, fever, stool frequency, CRP, ESR, haemoglobinemia, leukocytes, serum albumin values in the three days before the operation or during the hospitalization were collected., Results: Total colectomy with ileostomy was necessary in 8 patients (57.1%), while 6 patients (42.90%) were responders to medical therapy. No perioperative mortality was recorded. Stool frequency, CRP, ESR, haemoglobinemia, serum albumin were significantly related to surgical operation., Conclusions: 1. No uniform criteria off severe attacks, are clearly defined in Literature. 2. The length of pre-operative medical therapy has a tendency to be too high (in our series 19 + 8.2 days). 3. Stool frequency, CRP, ESR, haemoglobinemia, serum albumin were significantly modified in operated patients.

The authors refer their experience in Urgent Ulcerative Colitis. They define the various clinical maniferstations and then specify the necessary elements for a corrent nosological arrangement. About diagnosis, their confirm the inconvenience of clinical examination like as colonscopy or an opaque clysma, giving their choice to other parameters, like as clinical, hematic (PCR), microscopic and cultural of the faeces, radiological (direct abdomen radiography; abdomino-pelvic echography; abdomino-pelvic TC, better if spiral), endoscopic (rectoscopy with minimal insufflation). They explain their guideline about medical therapy, the strategy adopted in relation to its duration, the protocol of evaluation during the administration period and the predictive sighs of its possible failure. After having precised the surgical indications, they stop a little about the timing of a surgical interventation, underlining its primary importance. In the range of a surgical strategy. They give their choice to the total colectomy with associated ioleostomy for its less incidence of complications and mortality versus proctocolectomy, reserving this last one to that cases with irreprensible rectal hemorragy, with preservation of the anal canal for a possible delayed ileo-anal anastomosis. They also think, at last, that after an Urgent Total Colectomy, the immediate ileo-rectum anastomosis could have an high risk of dehiscence of the anastomosis itself and so it must be reserved only to that selected cases which offer local and general guarantees of solidity of the anastomosis and it must be preferably done joinly whit a loop ileostomy at the bottom of the anastomosis itself.

From a review of a series of 12 cases of whom 52 operated and of the literature, the Authors discuss about aetiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of severe colitis. Clinical and laboratory findings, CT and plain films of the abdomen and at last colonoscopy should be evaluated very carefully for certainty diagnosis of a severe acute colitis or toxic megacolon. They suggest a multidisciplinary approach as fundamental for medical management, for indications and correct timing of surgical procedures and to decrease postoperative morbility and mortality. Total colectomy with ileostomy is recommended in emergency surgical treatment of this colonic acute diseases, whereas for urgency operation, performed not later than 48-72 hour of adequate medical treatment, colectomy is suggested with ileorectal or ileoanal anastomosis and ileostomy.

A retrospective study on 41 patients with primary stoma creation after low anterior resection of the rectum was made. Among the 41 patients 24 had a loop colostomy (Group A) and 17 had a loop ileostomy (Group B). The two groups were well matched for each of the data analysed and there was no significant difference in the rate of complications related to stomas creation and closure. In this study the Authors suggest that loop ileostomy is the best procedure to electively defunctionate colorectal anastomoses.

Background: Only a part of patients suffering from Crohn's disease has enteric fistulae and a different behaviour of Crohn's disease with fistulae is reported in the literature. Aim of this paper is to evaluate if enteric fistulae are a factor conditioning mortality, morbidity and overall postoperative course, in patients with Crohn's disease., Methods: Data on the postoperative course of 126 laparotomies for Crohn's disease, performed between November 1993 and July 1998, have been prospectively examined. Moreover, the presence of enteric fistula has been evaluated during surgery., Results: Out of 126 interventions, in 58 (46%) enteric fistulae were present. Mortality (5.2% vs 0), morbidity (14.5% vs 7.3%), necessity for a temporary ostomy (20.4% vs 3.5%) were greater in those patients with fistula, as compared as those without fistula., Conclusions: In conclusion, it is suggested that Crohn's disease with fistulae is a different type of disease, with higher mortality and morbidity rates.

Anastomotic strictures complicating colorectal anastomoses can be difficult to treat. This condition must not be considered as an uncommon complication. In 20% of patients it may be a serious state that may require a therapy. Two patients treated successfully without complication with the transanal use of an CEEA stapler are presented. The staple cutter is safe and easy to use, and except for a conventional anoscope, no special equipment, including fluoroscope, is needed. On the basis of the successful results obtained, the procedure using staple cutter is recommended for the treatment of anastomotic stricture of the rectum.

Background: Three different intestinal anastomosis were compared during reconstructive urologic surgery; we evaluated time, cost and incidence of complications., Materials and Methods: From November 1993 to February 1997, 45 patients (43 males and 2 females) were carried out ileal resection to fashion 30 ileal neobladder, 8 ileal conduit and 7 augmentation ileocystoplasty. The patients were randomized in 3 groups; in the first the intestinal continuity was performed by B.A.R.; the second one was treated by GLA stapling device; the last underwent a manual suture with interrupted stiches double layer (vicryl)., Results: The mean follow-up was 18 months. The mean time of canalization was 6.3 days. The complications were: one intestinal subocclusion (group 1); one abdominal wound infection (group 2); one anastomotic leak and one pulmonary embolism (group 3). The mean time of anastomosis was 18, 12 and 39 minutes respectively. The average total cost was 915,000 lire in the group 1; 1,280,000 lire in the group 2; 632,000 lire in the group 3., Conclusions: We believe that Biofragmentable. Anastomosis Ring (B.A.R.) is more convenient and advisable in reconstructive urologic surgery, for their quickness, effectiveness and final total cost.

Functional assessment of pelvic pouch procedures for FAP is not different from that of UC and consists of clinical, manometric and radiologic investigations. Ileo-rectal anastomosis and pelvic pouch operation are equally effective for the disease, but function is still questionable after restorative proctocolectomy. Based on a personal series of 43 patients, relevant technical aspects influencing functional results are discussed and guidelines for a correct follow-up of these patients are presented.

Authors, believing that ileostomy is the cause of serious clinical, functional and psychological consequences, dwell upon principles of rehabilitation, which aim is the reinstatement of ileostomized patients into daily life. The most important aspect is to select the position of the stoma; it is necessary to consider some technical and functional aspects. The Authors examine local problems of the stoma, the unstable electrolytical balance, and report some therapeutical aspects. They expose early and late complications after surgical therapy and conclude underlining the advantages of a rapid social reinstatement of patients with an ileostomy.

We examine the indications and the operative options for proceeding to emergency surgery in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Emergency surgery is absolutely mandatory in case of generalized peritonitis due to bowel perforation. Other life-treating complications are acute disease not responding to medical treatment, toxic megacolon, bowel obstruction and massive hemorrhage. Early medical treatment of these conditions often prevents most severe clinical expressions and improves the prognosis. However surgery should be performed immediately if there is no improvement within 5 days of medical management in case of acute colitis, within 24-48 hours in case of toxic megacolon, within 48-72 hours in patients with intestinal obstruction or severe bleeding, or if the patient deteriorates during this period. In such circumstances, subtotal colectomy with ileostomy and mucous fistula of distal sigmoid colon is the best procedure. That is because it is relatively easy to perform and consents a simpler restorative operation than other procedures preserving the rectum. Moreover it leads to lower morbidity and mortality than the total proctocolectomy that should be reserved to patients with severe rectal disease or sphincter lesion. The most important factors influencing outcome of complicated or severe inflammatory bowel disease are the choice of the appropriate timing for surgery and the procedure performed.

The authors report a case characterized by impairment of the intestinal function clinically mimicking a mechanical obstruction in the absence of any occluding lesion of the gut lumen. Different pathological conditions, different clinical syndromes, instrumental approach for the diagnosis as well as medical and surgical treatment of pseudo-obstruction are discussed. Surgery has not been proven to be effective in the clinical management of CIIP for the irreversibility of the myopathic or neuropathic lesions. The most frequent causes of death are unnecessary surgery, ab ingestis pneumonia, cardiac arrest and malnutrition.

The indications to surgical treatment of the ulcerative colitis (RCU) are a discuss argument to date, for etiopathogenetic uncertain still being. The problems of treatment are expressed by A.G. Parks and J.H. Pemberton very well, who said that "... Its treatment, both medical or surgical, is empirical", and "... The patients with chronic ulcerative colitis heal with proctocolectomy". From 1980 to 1992 we observed 65 cases of URC. 21 (32%) of these were treated by surgery. The indications to surgical treatment were: unsuccessful of medical therapy (14 cases), toxic megacolon (3 cases), severe dysplasia (2 cases), perforation (2 cases). We have submitted 5 patients to colectomy with ileostomy, 13 patients to colectomy with ileorecto-anastomosis and 3 to proctocolectomy with definitive ileostomy. Morbidity was 14.2% (anastomotic linkage, bronchopneumonia sepsis, wound sepsis). Mortality was 4.7% for a case of large bowel multiple perforations. The treatment of the URC is a difficult choice for surgeon, because he must decide the surgery timing. To different of the Crohn's disease, that is not heal with surgery, today URC allows more surgical aggressive attitude.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. During the last few years, there was an increase in the incidence of this disease, associated with a better knowledge of NEC, and an increase in survival rate, associated with the development, even from a technological point of view, of neonatal intensive care units. In this study, the authors first perform the diagnostic procedures and describe the anatomical and clinical characteristics of NEC, then evaluate by standard criteria a series of patients observed during the last 5 years, revising the various surgical treatments adopted and the results obtained.

The immediate results of 37 restorative proctocolectomies are reported comparing morbidity of stapled vs manual procedures. The stapled technique is easier and faster but does not reduce the incidence of leakages and pelvic sepsis related to the ileal pouch. It seems, though, to be more useful in reducing the morbidity related to the ileoanal anastomosis.

The clinical course and the treatment of two patients with chronic idiopathic pseudo-obstruction are reported. Venting enterostomy to reduce the frequency of the occlusive symptoms and home parenteral nutrition to correct malnutrition have been employed, after the failure of aggressive medical treatment with prokinetic drugs. These measures improved symptoms of obstructions and allowed the reestablishment of oral alimentation. Therefore, according to medical literature, we suggest that patients with chronic idiopathic pseudo-obstruction can be safety managed for prolonged period with this treatment.

A continent ileal reservoir has been realized. The reservoir is placed outside the peritoneum, in a pre-peritoneal position, in order to allow its fixation by adhesions to the abdominal wall. Furthermore, a Benchekroun's hydraulic valve, adopted as a continent mechanism, is placed distant from the reservoir, by means of a long anti-peristaltic ileal loop, which further prevents the effects of the reservoir enlargement. The reservoir is made up using 40 cm of detubulized ileum; on the afferent loop (10 cm long) the right ureter is implanted according to the Camey-Le Duc technique, on the efferent loop (25 cm long) the left ureter is implanted according to the same technique. The remaining 15 cm of the ileum are used to realize a Benchekroun's hydraulic valve which is exteriorized by means of a skin stoma, placed on the left abdominal wall. With this technique, 18 patients have been operated; the follow-up period is 3 years for the first cases.

The Authors report their experience on ileal-anal anastomosis with a J-pouch. A videotape illustrates the surgical technique. At last functional results are shown.

The performance of the ileal conduit (Bricker's operation) is a well and minutely known surgical procedure (choice of a particular ileal loop; uretero-ileal anastomosis; uretero-cutaneostomy); however we can still observe several and different details in the operative technique management. The Authors, on the basis of their own experience of 55 cases, and after a complete review of the literature, emphasize the technical controversies of ileal loop urinary diversion; moreover they analyze the technic changes previously pointed out be several Authors, to avoid surgical complications. They conclude that the ileal conduit urinary diversion shall have less complication if: 1) the ileal loop is a short one, but with a very good blood supply; 2) antireflex techniques are not used; 3) Brooke's technique is used in performing uretero-cutaneostomy.

18 patients with Crohn's disease primarily treated with excisional surgery were studied. The crude recurrence and reoperation rate were analyzed. The influence of sex, age and length of history prior to operation was in this respect also studied.