[Surgical treatment of colovesical fistulas (our experience)]

The Authors study the statistics of the Verona Surgical Centre, concerning 5 cases of colovesical fistula. They support the two-time operation, that is, the colon resection with colo-colic anastomosis sheltered by a decompressive transversostomy and stitching of the vesical breach. They affirm the usefulness of the operation according to Hartmann in patients facing a greater operative risk.

Cholecystostomy and PTBD in the treatment of obstructive jaundice (a comparative study)

The Authors compare two groups of patients suffering from obstructive jaundice due to neoplasia of the head of the pancreas or the terminal bile duct who undergo bile drainage by means of cholecystostomy via the percutaneous transhepatic route, in order to reduce icterus, and subsequently undergo a duodenocephalopancreatectomy. The two groups are then compared with a third group in which duodenocephalopancreatectomy was performed without a preoperative reduction in the jaundice. The decrease in bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, the drainage period, the nature and length of the post-operative course and the average total hospitalisation period are analysed. Whereas the recovery of hepatic function is comparable in the three groups, in the group undergoing percutaneous transhepatic bile drainage the post-operative course is decidedly better (lower morbidity and a shorter period of hospitalisation).

[Mechanical and chemotherapeutic preparation of the colon for surgical intervention]

The authors maintain the opportunity of a mechanical and chemotherapeutical preparation of colon for the surgical operation, and illustrate the methods thereof. They report their clinical experience about the preoperative and peroperative cleaning, and confirm the importance of decompressive transversostomy as a protection of colorectal anastomoses.

[Retroperitoneal tumors. Tactics, technics and surgical results]

Out of 33 cases of retroperitoneal tumours (TRP), collected throughout 11 years (1970-1981), 8 (24%) resulted benign, 25 (76%) malignant. Liposarcoma resulted the most frequent tumour. In 11 of the 25 cases of malignant TRP (44%), a radical removal of the tumour was performed; in 8 (32%), a palliative demolition, and in the remaining 6 (24%) a simple diagnostic laparotomy. In 10 of the 19 demolitive operations (53%) the removal was extended to contiguous organs: kidney, adrenal glands, colon, pancreas, spleen, bladder, stomach. The postoperative mortality was 6%. The cases of recurrence after operations considered radical were 5 (45%). Out of the 8 patients suffering from benign neoformations, 7 underwent simple removal, and result recovered. The global survival for malignant TRP was 20% after 5 years and 8% after 10 years; as related to the cases subjected to radical removal, it results 45% and 18% respectively. The Authors maintain the essential function of computerized axial tomography (TAC) in the preoperative anatomo-topographic outlining of the retroperitoneal mass and in the early recognition of the remote recurrences. An aggressive surgical behaviour seems to be presently the primary therapeutical solution; nevertheless, the encouraging results obtained through the complementary treatment (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) command the necessity of a pluridisciplinary management of the treatment of TRP as an essential condition for the improvement of the remote results.

[Vascular problems in destructive pancreatic surgery]

Obstacles of vascular type may hinder or prevent pancreatic destruction for tumours of the pancreas or periampullary tumours. Out of 72 major pancreatic demolitions (cephalic duodenopancreatectomy or subtotal pancreatectomy from rt to lt) there were vascular difficulties on 26 occasions (36%), of which 15 were in existence prior to development of the neoplasia (anomalies of rise and course of peripancreatic vessels, stenosis/obliteration of the common hepatic artery in pancreatic head or periampullary tumours) and 11 due to tumoral growth (direct involvement of the mesenteric-portal tract, the hepatic artery and the superior mesenteric artery). The technical solutions used are discussed individually in the light of the physiopathological repercussions consequent on any temporary or permanent interruption of important hepatic and splanchnic vascularisation vessels (hepatic artery and various mesenteric a.), in relation to operating mortality and the prospects of long-term survival. In the most complex cases of direct vascular involvement by the neoplasia, the Author's trend was orientated to a position which, while accepting demolition decisions useful for the widening of the surgical radicality margins, nevertheless avoids extensive demolition solutions imposed by conditions of necessity or considerations of principle that probably do not bring significant advantages as regards long-term prognosis for these tumours.

[Vascular problems in pancreatic demolitory surgery]

Obstacles of vascular type may hinder or prevent pancreatic destruction for tumours of the pancreas or periampullary tumours. Out of 72 major pancreatic demolitions (cephalic duodenopancreatectomy or subtotal pancreatectomy from rt to lt) there were vascular difficulties on 26 occasions (36%), of which 15 were in existence prior to development of the neoplasia (anomalies of rise and course of peripancreatic vessels, stenosis/obliteration of the common hepatic artery in pancreatic head or periampullary tumours) and 11 due to tumoral growth (direct involvement of the mesenteric-portal tract, the hepatic artery and the superior mesenteric artery). The technical solutions used are discussed individually in the light of the physiopathological repercussions consequent on any temporary or permanent interruption of important hepatic and splanchnic vascularisation vessels (hepatic artery and various mesenteric a.), in relation to operating mortality and the prospects of long-term survival. In the most complex cases of direct vascular involvement by the neoplasia, the Author's trend was orientated to a position which, while accepting demolition decisions useful for the widening of the surgical radicality margins, nevertheless avoids extensive demolition solutions imposed by conditions of necessity or considerations of principle that probably do not bring significant advantages as regards long-term prognosis for these tumours.

[The distal spleno-renal anastomosis of Warren (author's transl)]

This is a report on 28 Warren-Shunts, 17 of these patients had undergone clinical, hematological and angiographic controls 2--46 (mean 10) months after the operation. The critical evaluation of the results shows that the Warren derivation, which is selective at the moment of operation, develops in the following time some hepatofugal circulation. This is a more radical effect than the intended drainage of the gastro-esophageal venous bed alone.

Early degeneration of the cerebellar cortex, particularly the granular cells

An 8 month old infant, who died of severe gastroenteritis, presented a degeneration of the cerebellar cortex involving cells arising from the outer granular layer as well as Purkinje and Golgi II cells. Residual Purkinje cells showed vacuolar change of the cell body and dendritic abnormalities. Related lesions were atrophy of the inferior olives and degeneration of the mossy fibers.

[Distal termino-lateral spleno-renal anastomosis, using the Warren technic]

The authors describe 23 cases of distal splenorenal derivation after Warren. Of these patients, 17 received a complete followup clinical hematological and angiographic examination at an average remove of 10 months after surgery. The authors discuss their results and submit that the Warren operation, while really selcetive in most cases when performed, in the long run tends to shung rather too much blood away from the liver; in other words, the effectiveness of the shunt tends to exceed the intended drainage,which should be restricted to the gastro-esophageal vascular bed.