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In the past decade, several new surgical tools have revived the hope for an improved technique to treat radically hemorrhoids with less postoperative pain. Among these radiofrequency (RF), excisional surgery seems to be safe, fast, and accompanied by less postoperative pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare RF (ligasure TM) to conventional diathermy Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (MMH).Between January 2003 and July 2009, 210 symptomatic patients were randomized to undergo RF (118 patients) or diathermy MMH (92 patients). Mean follow-up was 39 ± 16 months. Clinical outcome was assessed by validated questionnaire on postoperative symptoms and satisfaction. Primary endpoints were pain and wound healing. Secondary endpoints were operative time, early and late complications (including recurrences), and patient satisfaction. Data was analyzed using chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test.Despite postoperative pain was less after RF, this difference was significant only for severe pain (expressed as VAS score7). Significant differences were observed in terms of wound healing. The two techniques were similar in terms of early and late complications.RF hemorrhoidectomy is followed by reduced severe pain and better wound healing. However, in our experience, this is not followed by earlier return to daily activities.

New Orleans , May 2010

Traditionally, adenomatous rectal lesions and unexpected malignant polyps that could not be removed endoscopically are referred to surgery. Local excision is the treatment of choice, and several techniques have been proposed. The choice of the approach requires that the tumour is excised intact, with a low recurrence rate and limited morbidity. Local excision can be a straight forward or conversely a demanding procedure due to the restricted space in which the surgeon must work and the difficulty of achieving a satisfactory exposure.We describe a modified stapled transanal rectal resection for the excision of flat lesions with a diameter up to 2 cm and located between 5 and 12 cm from the anal verge.In our experience, it is quick, simple, and easy to teach but it has not previously been reported. It provides full thickness resection with adequate lateral margins. It overcomes some of the limits of the incomplete surgical field exposure and difficult manipulation, since after the confectioning of double half purse-string suture, the suture and sectioning is made by the stapler device.

As it is being common in Japan to perform surgery in patients over 85 years old, postoperative complications such as pneumonia, heart failure, dementia, and bedridden status become big problems for patients and their family. Although some prognostic scoring systems such as POSSUM score are available, these scoring systems do not precisely predict the postoperative complications. Aim of the present study was to evaluate mortality and morbidity after the surgery and consider surgical indication in super-old patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 222 patients who underwent surgery from 2003 to 2010 at the age over 85 years and analyzed postoperative mortality and morbidity rate. In our hospital, indications of surgery in super-old patients were, 1) informed consent from patient and his/her family and 2) good pulmonary and cardiac function to tolerate operation. We evaluated POSSUM score for information, and poor POSSUM score was not considered as an absolute contraindication. Results: Among 222 operations, emergent operations were 114, while elective operations were 108. Diseases for operation were gastric cancer in 24, colorectal cancer in 49, cholecystolithiasis in 9, inguinal hernia in 19 patients. Emergent operations included perforation of GI tract for 26, acute cholecystitis for 22, intestinal obstruction for 21, inguinal hernia for 20, acute appendicitis for 10, and colorectal cancer for 7 patients. Mortality and morbidity rates in elective surgery were 1.9% (2 patients) and 31.5% (34 patients), respectively, while those in emergent operation increased to 14.9% (17 patients) and 58.4% (66 patients) (p

In this video presentation we are presenting a patient with a submucosal mass at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). At time of laparoscopic surgery, the mass was adherent to the GEJ and extended into the distal left esophagus. Resection of the mass included a portion of the lower esophageal sphincter and distal left esophagus. This area was then reconstructed primarily over a 42 Fr tapered Bougie with running 3.0 and 2.0 Vicryl® suture in two layer fashion. The patient did well post-operatively and was discharged home on day six.

Torino, 15-18 Giugno 2011