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Zenker's diverticulum is a pseudodiverticulum through a muscular defect in the posterior pharyngeal wall at the area between the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscles of the pharynx and the cricopharyngeus muscle. Although endoscopic techniques have made significant progress, the surgical treatment remains the gold standard. There are two main techniques: diverticulectomy (resection of the diverticulum) and diverticulopexy. The main advantages of diverticulopexy are mostly linked to the absence of an esophageal anatomosis and its possible complications: cervical fistulae, mediastinitis, esophageal stenosis and wound infection, which allows a rapid recover with satisfactory oral intake. The purpose of this article is to describe in details the technique for diverticulopexy to the prevertebral ligament in association with a miotomy of the cricopharyngeus muscle.

Purpose: To study outcomes and functional results of a telescopic straight ileo-anal anastomosis., Methods: Thirty-six mongrel dogs were submitted to total proctocolectomy and telescopic straight ileo-anal anastomosis (ileal mucosa-submucosa pulled-through the rectal cuff). They were divided in 3 groups, sacrificed after one, two or eight weeks after the initial procedure. Gross and microscopic (degree of cooptation and signs of ischemia) aspects of the anastomosis, as well, the aspect of defecation were analyzed., Results: On microscopy all anastomosis analysed showed a continuous epithelial line and were considered good. After two-months no signs of ischemia were identified. Defecation aspect has considerably changed during the study, so no dogs presented solid defecation within the first two weeks, whereas 80% of dogs presented solid stools after two months., Conclusion: Telescopic ileo-anal anastomosis is a safe alternative and may provide good functional results after some small period of time.

Laparoscopic approaches have been increasingly used in patients with colorectal or liver cancer. Simultaneous colectomy and hepatectomy are considered safe techniques and present similar oncological results regardless of the location of the primary tumor when there are fewer than four liver metastases, since there is no increase in morbidity or decrease in survival. The development of laparoscopic techniques and materials has made the combined resection of the colon and liver a very attractive option. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the synchronous resection of the sigmoid tumor and single liver metastasis treated by purely laparoscopic colectomy and liver left lateral sectorectomy.

Context: Cystic pheochromocytomas are uncommon neuroendocrine tumors that originate from the adrenal medulla. Differing from the more frequent solid pheochromocytomas, which produce catecholamines and present adrenergic syndrome, cystic pheochromocytomas may not produce these. Their symptoms are generally associated with an abdominal mass or even pain, particularly if the mass attains large dimensions. Similarly, radiological diagnosis may also be difficult. Right-side lesions may be confounded with cystic hepatic tumors or even retroperitoneal sarcomas with cystic areas, using radiological methods. Sometimes, there may be a preoperative diagnosis of malignancy. Invasion of organs in this region (i.e. liver or kidney), or even the presence of a large retroperitoneal mass (of uncertain origin) with which multiple organs are involved, may be indicative of malignant origin., Case Report: Two cases of giant cystic pheochromocytoma that invaded the right hepatic lobe are described. These presented as abdominal masses. Both cases were malignant. They were treated by radical right nephrectomy plus right hepatectomy.

Purpose: Evaluate short results after fundoplication procedure, concerning the division of short gastric vessels., Methods: A prospective randomization of 90 patients with indication for hiatoplasty and total fundoplication with fundus mobilization was performed. They were divided into two groups: no SGV division (group A, n= 46) and with SGV division (Group B, n=44), although in both groups the gastric fundus was mobilized to perform a floppy valve. Early outcome with clinical follow up (1 year) was observed., Results: Both groups were similar regarding preoperative parameters and severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). No difference in morbidity was observed during hospital stay. Nevertheless, the median operating time was 80,2 minutes in group A and 94,1 minutes (p=0,021) in Group B. Transitory dysphagia during the first year was significantly lower in group B (46,6% versus 23,2%, p=0,012). However, in 12 months clinical outcome was similar in both groups (clinical symptoms of GERD, persistent dysphagia and reoperations)., Conclusion: There was no improvement in routine division of SGV in total fundoplication procedure when the gastric fundus was mobilized.

Background: Pelvic exenteration is the best therapeutic choice for treatment of T4 rectal cancer. Although, this operation still presents considerable mortality and high morbidity., Aim: To report on a series of 15 patients with a T4 rectal cancer at a general hospital and describe the outcomes (morbidity, mortality and long-term survival) following pelvic exenteration., Methods: Complete follow-up data were available on 15 patients who underwent pelvic exenteration for T4 rectal cancer between 1998 and 2006. These subjects comprised seven men and eight women with a mean age of 65 years. All of them presented serious incapacitating complaints. The surgical procedures included: infraelevator exenteration (n = 6), supraelevator exenteration (n = 4), posterior exenteration (n = 3) and, posterior exenteration plus partial cystectomy and ureterectomy (n = 2)., Results: The mean duration of surgery was 403 minutes (280-485). The mean blood loss was 1620 mL (300-4.800). The postoperative mortality was 6,66% (n = 1). The overall rate morbidity was 53,3% (n = 8). The pathological examination showed that all resections were R0. Lymph node involvement was present in four patients (26,66 %), and all of them died due to tumor recurrence. The overall 5-year survival rate was 35,7%., Conclusion: In spite of its aggressive nature and high morbidity, pelvic exenteration seems justified in rectal carcinoma when the disease extends to the urinary or genital tract. This procedure may offer long-term disease control.

Background: Mirizzi syndrome is a rare complication of prolonged cholelithiasis, characterized by narrowing of the common hepatic duct due to mechanical compression and/or inflammation due to biliary calculus impacted in the infundibula of the gallbladder or in the cystic duct., Objectives: To describe a series of eight consecutive patients with Mirizzi syndrome, at a single institution, submitted to surgical treatment and to comment on their aspects with emphasis on the diagnosis and treatment., Methods: Four women and four men, with a mean age of 61.6 years (42 to 82 years), presenting Mirizzi syndrome were operated between 1997 and 2003. The following items were evaluated: clinical presentation, laboratory results, preoperative evaluation, operative findings, presence of choledocholithiasis, type of Mirizzi syndrome according to the classification by Csendes, choice of operative procedures, and complications., Results: The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (87.5%) and jaundice (87.5%). All the patients presented altered hepatic function tests. The diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome was intra-operative in seven (87.5%) patients, and preoperative in one (12.5%). Cholecystocholedochal fistula associated with choledocholithiasis was observed in three (37.5%) cases. Mirizzi syndrome was classified as Csendes type I in five (62.5%) patients, type II in one (12.5%), type III in one (12,5%) and type IV in another (12.5%). Cholecystectomy, as an isolated surgical procedure, was performed in four (50.0%) patients. One (12.5%) patient was submitted to partial cholecystectomy and closure of the fistulous orifice with the central part of the infundibula. Two (25.0%) patients were submitted to cholecystectomy and side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy and another (12.5%) to side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy remaining the gallbladder in situ. Seven (87.5%) patients had an uneventful recovery and were discharged in good conditions. One (12.5%) patient presented a postoperative sepsis due to a sub-hepatic abscess, and was reoperated. There was no operative mortality., Conclusion: The preoperative diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome is difficult and an awarded suspicion is necessary to avoid lesions of the biliary tree. The problem may only become evident during the operation due to firm adherences around Calot's triangle. The success of the treatment is related to a precocious recognition of the condition, even at the time of surgery, and adapting the management considering to the individual characteristics of each case.

The authors present a case of malakoplakia, involving colon, rectum, bladder and retroperitoneum. This rare pathology, generally associated to Escherichia coli infections, result in a granulomatous disease, that can involve one or more organs. Nowadays, it is believed that the illness is due to a failure in the bactericide activity of the macrophage. This case, the first reported in our country, was treated clinically with ascorbic acid and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and is also unique in the world literature.