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Introduction We studied 21 episodes of ingestion of foreign bodies (IFO) among 15 prisoners. Patients and methods Rectrospective research in pts admitted to emergency from June 2005 to May 2105. Ingestion, management and pts outcome were analyzed. Prisoners with previous esophagogastroduodenal disease were excluded. Results All pts were males and ingestions were intentional. Esophagogastroduoduenoscopy (EGDS) was performed in 10pts (8 cases with successful removal, 1 case we did not find anything e 1 of unsuccessful EGDS, that required emergency surgey. 9 pts rejected EGDS: in 2 pts were not necessary.Among the 9 pts that rejected EGDS, 5 discharged voluntary. No mortality neither morbidity. Only 1 pt required surgery.The IFO were 34 (23 sharp, 6 flat,5 indefined). We did not observe any food bolus impaction. Multiple ingestion was found in 11 pts. Recurrent episodes were found in 4 pts. Discussion Almost all episodes can be treated conservatively with observation and endoscopy but the management of this pts has a financial impact on healthcare cost and on security costs. Prevention strategies are important to predict patient group at high risk for recurrent IFO.

Colorectal foreign bodies per annum introduced are not exceptional. They can be classified as high-lying or low-lying, depending on their location relative to the recto-sigmoid junction. High-lying rectal foreign bodies sometimes require surgery; low-lying ones are often palpable by digital examination and can removed at bedside. No reliable data exist regarding the frequency of inserted rectal foreign bodies and the literature is largely anecdotal. We review our experience on patients almost all males and heterosexual with retained colorectal foreign bodies and their outcome in Surgical Emergency Unit of a Southern Italy University hospital.

The advantages and applications of the videolaparoscopic technique (VL) versus open surgery in the treatment of acute and complicated appendicitis are not well defined. Our study examined 150 patients, 67 males and 83 females. They underwent surgery for acute appendicitis in emergency. The choice between open or laparoscopic tecnique was due to patient's clinical conditions and surgeon's experience. Two of these patients had no infiammatory process. Eleven patients were affected by gynaecological diseases. The last 137 patients underwent surgery for acute appendicitis and the diagnosis was confirmed. Among them, 35 (25%) were affected by a complicated appendicitis with diffuse or clearly defined peritonitis. In 134 patients the surgery was completed laparoscopically. The conversion rate was 2%. Morbility rate was 3%, due to intra abdominal abscesses secondary to acute complicated appendicitis. The mean operative time was 76 min and the mean hospital stay was 4.8 days. The death rate was 0%. In our experience, laparoscopic appendectomy has significant advantages over traditional open surgery in both acute and complicated appendicitis, especially in young women. In this way, we can diagnose pelvic disease that could be characterized by the same symptoms of acute appendicitis, then we suggest laparoscopic appendectomy even just to complete the diagnostic iter. Laparoscopy is useful in terms of convalescence, postoperative pain, hospital stay, aesthetic outcome and an easier exploration of the peritoneal cavity.

The authors reviewed their experience in surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer between 2003-2008.Eighty two pancreatic cancer patients (median age 66.7 +/- 12.5) with obstructive jaundice were enrolled in our study: 36 (44%) had an endoscopic biliary stent; 46 patients (56%) were eligible for surgery: 14 received a curative surgery (pancreatoduodenal resection; 4 had a laparoscopic procedure) and 32 patients with non resectable tumor a palliative surgery: 18 had a gastro-jejunal with a biliary anastomosis (in 4 patients the hepatic-jejunal anastomosis was performed in laparoscopy), 6 had a gastro-jejunal anastomosis (2 laparoscopic procedure and 8 patients had only an explorative laparoscopy.The resectability rates was 17.1%. Median age in patients treated with endoscopic biliary stent was significantly higher than those underwent surgery (72.3 +/- 12.2 vs. 63.5 +/- 9.6; p0.05). Hospital length of stay in patients underwent radical surgery was significantly higher than those who received palliative surgery (18 +/- 6 vs. 10 +/- 5; p0.05). Morbility rate, including operative mortality of .3%, was 15.2%.Laparoscopy is largerly used in major oncologic surgery for several reasons: it minimized surgical manipulations and so post-operative complications. There is enough scientific evidence of low incidence of post-operative complications and long-term results compared to those achieved with traditional surgery.

Left paraduodenal hernia is a rare congenital anomaly which arises from an error of rotation of the midgut; sometimes can be responsible for intestinal occlusion, that require surgery. In many cases of literature a prompt diagnosis and therapy reduced morbidity and mortality and almost all patients were discharged on 4th or 5th postoperative day (POD). We report a case of a 59 years old patient who underwent surgery for intestinal obstruction due to a massive left paraduodeneal hernia, that had a very long period (20 days) of postoperative ileus.

Hydatid hepatic cyst rupture into bile duct is a complication of hydatid disease. The rupture is more frequent in right or left epatic duct and occasionally in common bile duct (7-9%). A 50-year old man came to emergency room owing to jaundice, fever and abdominal pain. TC show an hydatid cyst with daughter's cyst of left liver and dilatation of biliary tree. Laboratory data of significance included an increased of liver function tests (Bilirubin, Alkaline ph., SGOT, SGPT), VES and leukocytosis. The patients was surgically treated, by total pericystectomy, colecystectomy and coledocotomy with lavage o common bile duct; finally we placed one Kehr drainage and two abdominal drainage. After 15 days of postoperative hospitalization patient was discharged. The best treatment of hydatid cyst is total pericystectomy (when possible). An alternative surgical treatment is possible for the presence of communication with biliary tree. ERCP is very important for a correct diagnosis and for a complete surgical treatment.

The Authors report the experience acquired in the management of small bowel diverticula at the Emergency Surgical Department of the University of Bari, from 1987 to 1993. After a brief illustration of the few cases observed, the Authors discuss the problems of this rare pathology, which as all types of bowel diverticula, is diagnosed with difficulty. In fact, only in case of complications, with a specific check-up, the lesions may be discovered. Although rarely, emergency surgery may be needed when complications such as bleeding or occlusion occur. Usually the treatment of minor complications (dyspepsia, gripes, steatorrhoea, constipation and diarrhoea) consists of dietetic indications and symptomatic drugs.

The author reports a case of pericardial diverticulum with gastro-oesophageal reflux treated surgically. The diagnosis and the type of treatment that must be adopted are defined. He reviews the literature and compares the described data with the observed case.

The authors report their experience with hiatus hernia surgery (9 cases of large hernia with severe gastroesophageal reflux). The fundamental role of instrumental diagnostics in establishing both a clear indication for surgical correction and the quality of the results obtained is emphasized. Technical details of the surgical treatment are report as well. On the basis of their experience and in accordance with other authors the Nissen fundoplication is considered a valid antireflux procedure. Furthermore, the abdominal approach used for this procedure allows to treat other abdominal pathologies often associated with hiatal hernia.

The authors report their experience, from 1983 to 1992, in the treatment of portal vein thrombosis and discuss various aetiological factor of obstruction also underlining the frequent and important association with portal hypertension. The authors emphasize the crucial role of the modern diagnostic techniques such as endoscopy and imaging radiology (U.S., C.T., angiography). Although these techniques not always allow a conclusive evidence in relation to aetiology, however, it is possible to have a rationale for the treatment, i.e. medical, sclerotherapeutic or surgical. As related to the surgical procedures, the authors--based on their personal experience--believe the best are the non-derivative ones.

The authors report their recent experience on the surgical treatment of inguinal hernias according to Shouldice Canadian repair, used for the undiscussed advantages. The least pre-operational preparation, the early mobilization of the patient, the reduction of the hospitalization and the almost total absence of relapses, support the application of this technique of which we auspicate a wider use.

The authors report their experience in 19 cases of primitive or secondary tumor of the hilus of the liver which couldn't benefit from radical operation. Palliative treatments--to resolve the jaundice (which is often the only responsible for a short-term exitus)--include surgical (intrahepatic bilio-digestive derivations) and non surgical procedures (PTDB, percutaneous transtumoral intubation). Considering the ephemeral results of the latter, the Authors take peripheral derivative operations into account and particularly the Soupault and Couinaud technique (intrahepatic colangiojejunostomy) performed in 7 patients with satisfying results. It is an easy and quick technique--because of constant anatomical situation of the left intrahepatic biliary distribution and of the superficial location of the duct of the III segment--which allows a lasting biliary decompression with a good residual life.

The author reports a rare case of foreign bodies ingestion treated surgically. The diagnosis and the type of treatment that must be adopted are defined. The literature is reviewed and the described data compared with the observed case.

Recent studies show that interaction between LN (heterotrimeric protein formed by a3/b3/g2 chains) and cancer cells plays an important role in tumor invasion, also in colorectal cancer. The overall survival was significantly worse in patients with free peritoneal cancer cells(FPTCs): detection of FPTCs after curative surgery is a challenge, because could improve staging and prognosis. Peritoneal citology is the current standard procedure with very low sensivity. We aimed to study the expression of LN5 in the peritoneal lavage of colorectal cancer pts and in controls with semiquantitative reverse trancriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). LN-5 overexpression was evaluated observing PCR- products intensity at electrophoresis: high intensity is correlated to overexpression. Pre and post-operative peritoneal lavages of 30 pts with colorectal cancer (13M;17F), with median age of 69 (58-84), and of 10 controls, were analyzed by conventional cytology and a semiquantitative RT-PCR. No cancer pts showed pre/postoperative negative cytology and did not express LN-5. In cancer pts. cytology was positive in 2 pts in pre/postoperative lavage. LN-5 overexpression was observed in 56,6% preoperatively and in 76,6% postoperatively. LN-5 g 2 chain was most frequent chain. Our study suggests a relationship between LN-5 and FPTCs, as shown by the low expression of lamimine in controls. LN-5 could be a useful marker to identify a subgroup of early-stage patients at increased risk of recurrence; moreover, mortality seems to correlated to LAMB3 chain. The diagnostic accuracy could be improved by using a quantitative RT-PCR or western-blot and detecting serum laminine. Finally, to validate these findings a larger number of pts with follow-up study is required.

Based on their personal experience in hepatic resective surgery the authors dwell upon details of surgical technique which, well combined and sustained by advanced technological supports (ultrasonic dissector, laser-argon clotter, intraoperative echography), allow to perform wide parenchymal resections sheltered from dangerous complications. The safety achieved in such a surgery--now routinely performed--derives not only from improved diagnostic techniques (US, CT, MNR, angiography) and advances in anaesthesia-reanimation but, above all, from precise knowledge of organon segmental anatomy and close vascular correlations between the two hepatic hemisystems.

The authors report their experience in the conservative treatment of splenic traumas observed in the period 1987-1997. They point out the difference in the incidence of splenectomy in comparison with conservative treatment (p0.001) and nonoperative management (p0.05) in the two periods examined (1987-92 and 1993-97). They stress the manifold functions of the spleen and his role in the immunitary defense above all in pediatric age, and emphasize, on the base of their experience, the conservative treatment of traumatic splenic injuries in patient carefully selected. This curative strategy is supported by the notable contribution offered by sophisticated methods of radiological imaging (echography, CT, angiography) and by the commercialization of substances at high stick capacity (Tissucol). The lack of complications at short and middle term (reoperation for restart of the hemorrhage and ischemic necrosis after ligature of the splenic artery) induces the authors to consider the conservative treatment of the splenic traumas, in the cases in which it is pursuable, an ideal therapeutic solution.

Although in most cases the diagnosis of acute appendicitis is straightforward, not all patients experience typical symptoms and other conditions may mimic appendicitis. In fact, 15-25% of appendectomies involve the removal of a normal appendix. To date, there is no literature evidence that herniation pit (HP) may mimic acute appendicitis. We report a case of a 30 year old woman admitted to the Emergency Department for severe, acute pain developing a few hours earlier in the lower right fossa, with irradiaton to the right thigh. She did not present any fever, nausea or vomiting, Blumberg's sign was absent but the psoas sign and obturator sign were both positive. WBC count was 16,000/mm3 and the Alvarado score was 4. Biochemistry profile was normal. US was unclear and transvaginal ultrasound did not show any gynecological disease. CT scan showed only an herniation pit of the right femoral neck. The patient was admitted to an orthopedic ward and treated with anti-inflammatory therapy. She was discharged after 2 days without any pain and in good conditions. Our case demonstrates that herniation pits of the right femoral neck should be considered a potential cause of right lower abdominal pain mimicking acute appendicitis, particularly if the psoas sign and obturator sign are positive and the patient is physically active.

The Authors report their fifteen years experience in the surgical treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts. They emphasize the difference in the incidence of radical procedures (pericystectomy and hepatic resections) registered in the two periods examined (1980-83 and 1987-93), stressing the role of current diagnostic imaging techniques and improved surgical procedures which allow to perform standard operations for a radical treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts. Total pericystectomy is considered the procedure of choice; rarely it can't be performed (high vascular risk in central cysts located between portal and hepatic veins) and consequently subtotal pericystectomy or conservative treatment are the only possible procedures. Hepatic resection is preferred in case of multiple cysts involving the same lobe or when a giant hydatid cyst replaces the lobe. A further therapeutical resource--in radical procedures--is offered by the use of antihelminth drugs with marked antiparasitic action (albendazole).

Aim. Gallbladder carcinoma is an uncommon cancer with a poor prognosis. In the era of laparoscopic cholecistectomy for treatment of benign diseases incidental gallbladder carcinoma has dramatically increased and now constitutes the major way patients present with gallbladder cancer and allows to detect cancer at early stages with a better prognosis. In this single-center study we report our experience with gallbladder carcinoma incidentally diagnosed during or after laparoscopic colecistectomy performed for cholelithiasis. Methods. From January 2003 to December 2011 a total of 1193 patients underwent cholecistectomy at General Surgical Unit III of University of Bari. The patients were 458 males and 735 females, mean age was 52 years (range 19-91). In 6 of 1188 patients adenocarcinoma was present in the pathologic specimens (0,5%). Results. Of 1188 patients in whom laparoscopic cholecistectomy was attempted adenocarcinoma was diagnosed histopathologically in 6 cases (0,5%). There was no suspicion of malignancy to any of them. Intraoperatively, gallbladder wall appeared abnormal in one patients and frozen section analysis revealed adenocarcinoma. In the remaining 5 cases routine histopathological studies revealed the diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma. One patient had T1 tumor, two had T2 and three had T3 tumor. Conclusions. In the present study the rate of incidental gallbladder carcinoma was 0,5%, according to the published English language literature. The risk factors widely related to the gallbladder cancer are advanced age and gallstones disease. The therapeutic approach to gallbladder cancer was applied according to the stage of tumor, but in our study this was possible only in two patients with T2 and T3 tumor since high risk and important comorbidities were the main causes for the refusal of 3 patient out of 5. Only the T1 patient underwent simple cholecystectomy. Similar to other reports in this single-center study the diagnosis of incidental gallbladder carcinoma was found to be of 0,5%, thus the diagnosis of gallbladder stones is an indication to the cholecystectomy.