Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Tindaro Giordano.
Inguinal hernia repair today offers several techniques, all of which are safe and capable of preventing recurrence. The authors review their experience with 1000 cases treated by the Lichtenstein, Trabucco and Shouldice techniques, analysing the technical features of each and the results achieved after a 2-year follow-up.
Pancreatic cancer has a very poor chance of being radically resected (20-25%) at the time of diagnosis. Palliation has thus proved to be the mode of treatment adopted in the majority of cases. When a radical surgical resection is not feasible, the endoscopic approach is one of the most common options among the therapeutic methods available. Endoscopic palliation for the treatment of jaundice is regarded as the best choice. It is associated with very low morbidity and no mortality. Hospitalization is short and the treatment is also inexpensive compared to other procedures. The authors report on their experience with endoscopic palliation for the treatment of inoperable pancreatic cancer.
Treatment of abdominal hernia has been revolutionised by using new prostheses. Reduction of tissue tension, elimination of wall defects and lowering of recurrences are the key aspects of the success of these devices. In Italy, prostheses are widely used. Marketing enquires show percentages of prosthesis use of over 80% for the treatment of primitive hernias and as much as 100% for recurrences. It is strongly recommended that randomised prospective studies be carried out in order to establish the advantages and disadvantages of the various techniques. Moreover, an international classification should be considered so that all surgeons can use the same language and compare their results.
Anal fistula surgery offers very little in the way of new developments. As early as the 14th century John of Arden defined the rules for surgical therapy. The numerous classifications adopted are often contradictory and unclear, and no clearly defined pathogenesis of the condition has been established. Complex anal fistula with a recess above the elevator ani muscles requires very careful and meticulous therapeutic treatment because of the risk of damaging the sphincter. In the case reported here the patient presented a very complex fistula which was followed by onset of severe haemorrhagic colitis without any clinical, endoscopic, radiological, or histological evidence of inflammatory bowel disease prior to surgical treatment.