In this multicenter study, no significant difference in the recurrence rate and complications between laparoscopic and open methods of hernia repair was revealed.

Background and Aims: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) represent a group of enzymes that regulate cell-matrix composition playing a major role in the inflammatory response. In the present study we evaluated the ability of the MMP inhibitor Batimastat (BB-94) to modify the course of experimental colitis induced in the rat by trinitrobenzensulfonic acid (TNB). Methods: Colitis was induced in 40 rats by intracolonic administration of TNB. Animals were divided into four groups of ten rats each: group 1 received only intracolonic TNB, group 2 received TNB+5 mg/kg intraperitoneal BB-94, group 3 TNB+10 mg/kg BB-94 and group 4 TNB+20 mg/kg BB-94. The MMP inhibitor was administered 30 min before induction of colitis and twice daily until death. Ten rats receiving only intracolonic 0.9% saline served as controls. Animals were killed after seven days; segments of colon were removed and used for histological score of inflammation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Results: Rats receiving only intracolonic 0.9% saline showed no evidence of colitis. The inflammation score was 0.9, MPO activity 0.235 U/mg. Group 1 (TNB-treated rats) exhibited a high inflammation score (12.4) and MPO activity (0.715 U/mg). Conversely, BB-94-treated rats showed, compared to the TNB group, a significantly lower inflammation score and MPO activity in a dose-dependent fashion. Group 2: inflammatory score 10.1, MPO activity 0.474 (p < 0.05 vs. TNB); group 3: inflammatory score 8.3, MPO activity 0.287 (p < 0.01 vs. TNB); group 4: inflammatory score 5.0, MPO activity 0.256 (p < 0.01 vs. TNB). Conclusions: Treatment with BB-94 has dose-dependent beneficial effects on the inflammatory alterations in rat experimental colitis. Thus, the inhibition of MMPs may represent a novel therapeutic approach for treatment of intestinal inflammation.

The mucosa of the small intestine has some unique microcirculatory features that may result in significant tissue oxygenation changes even under physiological conditions. To prove this hypothesis we investigated mucosal and serosal oxygenation in an autoperfused, innervated jejunal segment in pigs. Eight animals (30-40 kg) were anesthetized, paralyzed, and normoventilated. A small segment of the jejunal mucosa and serosa was exposed by a midline laparotomy and an antimesenteric incision. Mucosal and serosal oxygen tensions were measured using Clark-type surface oxygen electrodes. Mucosal hemoglobin saturation and concentration were determined by tissue reflectance spectrophotometry. Systemic hemodynamics, mesenteric-venous acid base, and blood gas variables, as well as systemic acid-base and blood gas variables and jejunal electromyogenic potentials, were recorded. Measurements were performed after a rest period at 0, 30, 60, and 90 min. All animals remained hemodynamically stable. At time 0 the jejunal oxygen extraction ratio was 0.33 +/- 0.05, the mean serosal PO2 was 60.25 +/- 7.69, the mean mucosal PO2 was 25.47 +/- 4.41 mmHg, and the mean mucosal hemoglobin saturation was 46.36 +/- 6.22%. Mean values did not change with time. In contrast to serosal PO2, mucosal PO2, mucosal hemoglobin oxygen saturation, and hemoglobin concentration showed rhythmic oscillations with a frequency of 3.4-5 cycles/min that were unrelated to systemic hemodynamic parameters, respiratory frequency, and intestinal peristalsis. From this we concluded that the jejunal mucosa demonstrates significant, regular changes in oxygenation parameters that are locally mediated. We speculate that the physiological basis for this phenomenon is the countercurrent arrangement of microvessels in conjunction with vasomotion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The topic chosen by the Board of the Italian Society of Surgery for the 2013 annual Consensus Conference was gastric cancer. With this purpose, under the direction of 2 chairmen, 36 experts nominated by the Regional Societies of Surgery and by the Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer (GIRCG) participated in an experts consensus exercise, preceded by a questionnaire and mainly held by telematic vote, in accordance with the rules of the Delphi method. The results of this Consensus Conference, presented to the 115th National Congress of the Italian Society of Surgery, and approved in plenary session, are reported in the present paper.