Fournier's gangrene is a rare but highly mortal infectious disease characterised by fulminant necrotising fasciitis involving the genital and perineal regions. The objective of this study is to analyse the demographics, clinical feature and treatment approaches as well as outcomes of Fournier's gangrene. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records and operative notes. Patient data were analysed by demographics, aetiological factors, clinical features, treatment approaches and outcomes. Twelve patients (five female and seven male) were enrolled in this study. The most common aetiology was perianal abscess (41·6%). Wound cultures showed a mixture of microorganisms in six (50%) patients. For faecal diversion, while colostomy was performed in six cases (50%), Flexi-Seal was used in two cases (16·6%). In four patients (33·4%), no faecal diversion was performed. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) system was effective in the last four patients (33·4%). The mean hospitalisation period in patients who used NPWT was 18 days, while it was 20 days in the others. NPWT in Fournier's gangrene is a safe dressing method. It promotes granulation formation. Flexi-Seal faecal management is an alternative method to colostomy and provides protection from its associated complications. The combination of two devices (Flexi-Seal and NPWT) is an effective and comfortable method in the management of Fournier's gangrene in appropriate patients.

Although there was less adhesion formation with PTFE and oxidized cellulose, PTFE not only impaired the tensile strength, but also induced fibrosis and inflammation. An oxidized cellulose adhesion barrier can be safely used in incisional hernia repair to prevent intra-abdominal adhesions.

Morgagni-Larrey hernia is a rare type of diaphragmatic hernia, the diagnosis of which is made incidentally by routine chest X-ray film. We describe a technique for the laparoscopic repair of Morgagni-Larrey hernia which was successfully performed in three adult patients; two women and one man. Two of the patients were asymptomatic and had herniation of only omentum into the right hemithorax; however, one was symptomatic and had herniation of the omentum and large bowel. Tension-free closure of the defects was done using Prolene mesh with a hernia stapler, helical fastener, and Endostitch. There were no early complications and the patients were discharged on the fourth postoperative day. The mean follow-up period was 41 months, and there has been no late morbidity or mortality related to this procedure. Using a laparoscopic approach to repair a Morgagni-Larrey hernia provides an excellent view of the surgical field and allows easy manipulation with minimal surgical trauma, followed by rapid recovery of the patient.

The era of videoendoscopic surgery in emergency surgery practice has facilitated a wide range of endoscopic operative procedures. In our unit the diagnosis of acute abdomen is made after sequential clinical and laboratory examination, and diagnostic laparoscopy is advocated. Laparoscopy-assisted resection of complicated Meckel's diverticulum in two adult patients was performed, and the results are discussed. Between December 1996 and June 2000, 98 patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy at the Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty Emergency Surgery Unit of Istanbul University because of signs and symptoms of acute abdomen. Among these, we have diagnosed one case of intestinal obstruction due to a volvulus around Meckel's diverticulum and one of acute abdomen masquerading as acute appendicitis but actually involving omphalomesenteric duct cyst torsion. Both of these patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopy-assisted Meckel's diverticulectomy. Diagnostic laparoscopies were performed on 46 male (47%) and 52 female (53%) patients. In all cases, laparoscopy successfully confirmed the diagnosis. Although in 27 patients the interventions were converted to open procedures, the operations were completed laparoscopically in 71 patients. Two of these patients underwent laparoscopy-assisted Meckel's diverticulectomy and their postoperative periods were uneventful. Both patients were discharged from the hospital on their fourth postoperative day. Diagnostic laparoscopy is a safe and effective method for diagnosis of acute abdomen. In emergency surgery practices in developing countries, advanced laparoscopy should be performed to reduce expenses. Laparoscopy-assisted Meckel's diverticulectomy is a safe and economic procedure and can be performed in adults for treatment of complicated cases without staplers.

These results suggest that hGH strengthened the left colonic anastomoses in rats fed a normal diet, but could not reverse the negative effects of malnutrition on colonic anastomoses.