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Reference is made to the experimental preliminary remark and the first, clinical observations underlying the surgical management of severe obesity, together with the techniques employed, starting with the jejunal-colic by-pass of Payne et al. This, however, led to serious liver damage and electrolyte imbalance, whereupon Payne et al. proposed end-to-side and Scott end-to-end jejunal-ileal by-pass. The end-to-end variety has been used with excellent results in 33 cases. Mason's gastric and gastroplastic techniques is till now unfrequently used. An account is also given of experimental ileo-cholecystostomy and biliopancreatic by-pass. In agreement with most other workers, a preference is expressed for the end-to-end jejunal-ileal by-pass as the most suitable technique available at present.

An association of 5-fluoruracyl (or methotrexate) and cyclophosphamide was used in the treatment of 20 cases of hormone-resistant breast cancer. Five objective regressions were obtained. Mean survival here was 28.25 (S.D. 2.87) months, as opposed to 12.75 (S.D. 6.93) months in the remainder. Side-effects of various kinds were noted in 9 patients.

On the basis of two personal cases and a review of the most recent literature, the main features of this rare pancreatic condition are reported. Special attention is paid to the post-diagnostic importance of radical exeresis. This is the only way of preventing the patient running the risk of malignant degeneration. The observation of a bisalbuminaemic band and the association with an aberrant pancreatic adenoma were of interest in the two cases described.

The results obtained in 14 patients suffering from hormone-resistant metastatic breast cancer treated with the following association: methotrexate (5-fluorouracyl in case of methotrexate intolerance), cyclophosphamide, vinblastin administered i.v. once every 10-13 days, are reported. 4 objective regression (29%) were observed but survival did not very appreciably differing therapy. In 9 cases (65%) intolerance of various types was observed but in 8 these signs regressed in a short time and the therapy was resumed.

A short account of the aetiopathogenesis of the iliac vein compression syndrome is followed by a description of a little-known form, called Cockett's syndrome, due to compression of the left iliac vein by the right common iliac artery. This syndrome should be looked for with care. If diagnosed in the "functional" stage, it can be ameliorated by means of a special surgical treatment known as "venous stocking plasty".

Three personal cases of adenolymphoma of the parotid are described and attention is drawn to the rarity and benign nature of this form. Its anatomical and pathological features are discussed, along with the various theories concerning its histogenesis. Of these, the salivary theory is the most widely accepted. Lastly, an account is given of the symptoms (primarily consisting of cosmetic damage), differential diagnosis, and treatment (simple enucleation). The long-term prognosis is always good. Recurrences (also benign) are very rare.

A comparison was made between 73 patients with colon-rectum neoplasia operated urgently due to occlusion and 85 electively operated in the absence of mechanical ileus. Six parameters were examined: 1) Duration of preoperative symptomatology; 2) Seriousness of preoperative symptomatology; 3) Extention of neoplasia at surgery; 4) Type of operation; 5) Postoperative mortality; 6) Long-term survival. It was found that obstruction often occurs within 5 months after the onset of symptoms and in cases where the tumour is still local (55%). It is attended by higher postoperative mortality (22%) and shorter survival (18 as opposed to 23 months).

Transient hypomagnesiaemia was noted postoperatively, particularly on the 1st day in patients submitted to intestinal procedures. Slight hypocalcaemia was also observed; this was often related to a low plasma Mg value. A hormonal mechanism is presumed to be the cause of this stress-linked fall in blood magnesium.

The Authors show their method to set up and to plan a T.P.N. for surgical patients. They emphasize how the introduction of the computer in the intensive therapy practice, not only helps the work of the medical corps and the hospital attendants, but it marks and plans again every day the components' dosages on the blood-metabolical alterations, daily checked on the patients. They are here showing their experiences since 1977, appraising in a critical way the directions and the results.

The results obtained in a series of 75 patients suffering from advanced cancer of the colon-rectum are examined. Survival of these patients is looked at as a function of the extent of surgical demolition, and as a function of postoperative chemotherapy. Demolition interventions were followed by much higher survival than was observed following palliative operations. At the same time, survival was higher in patients who underwent post-operative chemotherapy. The results therefore justify a more aggressive approach in advanced cancer of the colon-rectum.

Alkylating drugs, alkylating drugs + antimetabolites, and alkylating drugs + antimetabolites + Vinblastine were used to treat 62 patients. The results were assessed in terms of Karnofsky's classes and related to the following parameters: age, free interval, menopausal status, results of prior endocrine management, site of dominant metastases, length of survival. 44 failures (71%) and 18 objective responses (29%) were noted. A mean survival of 17.3 months was noted for the entire series. Subjects who failed to respond survived an average of 14 months, as opposed to 25.5 months for the responders. This difference was just significant. No relation could be shown between the results and the other parameters, whereas that between the results and the length of survival was highly significant. It is clear that the variables considered cannot be relied upon in predicting the outcome of chemotherapeutical management. If the latter is effective, however, survival will almost certainly be prolonged.

The results obtained in 26 patients suffering from metastatic cancer of the breast no longer sensitive to hormone treatment are reported. The patients were treated with ciclophosphamide (CTX) (500 mg i.v.) once a week and triethylenethiophosphamide (20-30 mg i.m.) (TSPA) every 4 weeks associated with cyclophosphamide as follows: CTX--CTX--CTX--CTX+TSPA. 9 objective regressions (34.6%) were observed. Those with objective regression lived 28 months on average (SD 23.45) and those without lived on average 11.41 months (SD 9.89). The difference is statistically significant. Side effects of various types were observed in 7 patients (27%).