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Aims The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of the delay in the diagnosis of colorectal carcinoma, possible causes of this delay and its effects on outcome. Methods A prospective study was performed on 100 patients affected by colorectal cancer. Duration of symptoms was calculated from the date of onset of symptoms to the date of surgery. Results Sixty-nine patients suffered delays in treatment of more than 12 weeks from the onset of symptoms. In patients with symptoms of less than 12 weeks» duration there was a higher incidence of radical surgery and none of these patients presented, at the time of surgery, a neoplastic dissemination. Multivariate analysis, however, showed that the only factors with an independent effect on 5-year survival and disease-free survival were Dukes» stage and the presence of pre-operative complications. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that, independent of the diagnostic delay, the outcome of the colorectal cancer is only conditioned by tumour stage and by complicated cancer.

Colorectal cancer continues to be a major public health problem in western countries. Although some studies have reported an improvement in disease-free and overall survival, few of the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures proposed have found unanimous consent. We report some reflections on both the immediate and the long-term results of colorectal cancer surgery on the basis of our experience, represented by 1164 patients with histologically proven colorectal carcinoma, admitted to the Institute of General Surgery of Parma University between 1976 and 1993 and operated on by the same surgical team, in order to provide data for scientific discussion. A curative resection was possible in 67.9% of the cases. Our experience shows that many colorectal cancer patients will be cured with aggressive surgery, although, in recent years, adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer has advanced considerably. Statistical analyses reveal that an unfavourable prognosis is correlated with variables indicative of advanced disease. Concerning the problem of local recurrences, our results demonstrate that surgery is the only therapeutic option providing tangible results, and that intense follow-up leads to a greater number of resections carried out for local recurrence and to improved 5-year survival. Comparison of studies and scientific discussions can prove useful, above all regarding secondary prevention and, in particular, the identification of patients at risk who should undergo screening for early diagnosis and early surgical treatment.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two techniques of laparoscopic hernia repair: the transabdominal preperitoneal technique (TAPP) and the intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique (IPOM). In May 1992 a prospective randomized trial was initiated to compare TAPP and IPOM. Until October 1994, 115 patients with 148 hernias took part in the trial (59 TAPP and 56 IPOM). The TAPP took significantly longer than did the IPOM. There were no intraoperative complications, conversions to open repair, or postoperative deaths in either group. There were 10 (16.9% of patients) postoperative complications in the TAPP group and 14 (25%) in the IPOM group. The difference was not statistically significant. Neuralgias occurred in 3 cases of TAPP and 11 cases of IPOM (p0.05), local hematoma in 6 cases of TAPP and 3 cases of IPOM (NS), and urinary retention in 1 case of TAPP and in no case of IPOM (NS). Recurrences occurred in no cases of TAPP and in 8 cases (11.1% of hernias) of IPOM (p0.01). The results of the present report suggest that the IPOM technique for laparoscopic hernia repair should be avoided, whereas TAPP appears to be an excellent technique with no early recurrences.

To compare the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernioplasty (TAPP) and the open Lichtenstein technique, in 1992 a prospective randomized trial was initiated. Until 1995 108 patients with 130 hernias took part in the trial: 64 TAPP (group A) and 66 Lichtenstein (group B). 22 patients had simultaneous bilateral repairs. Laparoscopic approach (group A) was able to expose otherwise-occult controlateral hernias in 3 cases and discovered a complex hernia (a hernia with more than one defect in the wall) in 2 patient in whom a direct hernia had been diagnosed before the operation. Mean operating time for monolateral operations was significantly longer in group A (p0.05). The corresponding figures for bilateral operations were longer in group B (p0.01). No intraoperative complications, conversions from TAPP to open repair, postoperative deaths. There were not less pain quicker mobility and shorter period of disability in the laparoscopic group (group A). Ten (15.6%) postoperative complications occurred in group A: local hematoma (6 cases, 9.3%), neuralgias (3 cases, 4.7%), urinary retention (1 case, 1.6%). Eight (12.1%) postoperative complications: hematomas (3 cases, 4.5%), urinary retention (3 cases, 4.5%), neuralgias (2 cases, 3%) occurred in group B. Differences were not significant. The current follow-up period is 36 months (15-54) in median. In both groups no recurrences occurred, but 3 patients in group B who were operated on for monolateral hernia (6.5%) discovered to be affected by contralateral hernia. The results of the present report suggest that TAPP does not appear to be associated with better results in terms of complications, pain or period of disability as compared to open tension free hernia repair, but the ability of the laparoscopic approach to expose otherwise-occult defects eliminated the risk of recurrences due to missed hernias.