Methodology: we present our experience of 81 cases of sigmoid volvulus admitted to our department.Results: preoperative endoscopic volvulus detortion was attempted in all patients, and in 39 of them the procedure was successful. The success rate of endoscopic detortion for sigmoid colon volvulus with a flexible colonoscope (60%) was higher than with a rigid rectosigmoidoscope (42%). In 19 of these 39 nonoperatively devolvulated patients, sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis was performed within 7-10 days after reduction, but 20 patients did not accept the elective operation after a non-operative treatment. Among the 61 patients undergoing urgent or elective operation for sigmoid volvulus, there were 17 laparotomies laparatomies with only detortion, 19 resections with elective anastomosis, 6 resections with primary anastomosis, and 19 resections with a Hartmann's pouch. There were 9 deaths (21%) among 42 patients who underwent an emergency operation, and one (5.2%) among the 19 patients who had elective surgery died because of a cerebral embolus.Conclusions: initial therapy with endoscopy affords decompression and an adequate preparation of patients for surgical resection, and a flexible colonoscope has notable advantages over rigid instruments for the detortion process.

This is a retrospective study of 44 surgical cases of hepatic hydatid cysts. The most common procedure was omentoplasty in 26 patients (55.3%), 10 with omentoplasty alone and 16 combined with partial cystectomy and tube drainage. The second most common procedure was external tube drainage in 15 (32.0%), where complication rates were higher (73.3%) than omentoplasty (15.4%). The most controversial aspect of hydatid surgery is the management of the cyst cavity. The major advantage of omentoplasty is that it is easy to perform and it is the best way to obliterate the remaining cavity. Hospitalization was shortest for omentoplasty. There was no mortality.

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