Hartmann's procedure (HP) is the most performed technique for acute diverticulitis. Laparoscopic lavage and drainage (LLD) is an option evaluated as definitive treatment for diverticulitis Hinchey grade II-III. Aim of the study is to analyze and compare LLD vs HP outcomes. From January 1st 2009 and December 31st 2012 we prospectively enrolled 30 patients with diagnosis of acute diverticulitis Hinchey grade II-III. Fourteen patients underwent to LLD (LLD group, LLDG) and 16 patients to HP (Hartmann group, HG). We evaluated: demographic variables, comorbidities, admission clinical status, radiological imaging, intraoperative outcomes (operative time), postoperative outcomes (admission to ICU, timing of drainage removal, restore of bowel functions, timing of oral solid intake), mortality rate (perioperative and after 12 months) and morbidity rate (surgical, infectious, cardiovascular, renal and systemic complications). Exclusion criteria were: other diseases, colon cancer's suspect or diagnosis, conversion to HP. Patients' mean age was 64.8 years in HG and 62.6 in LLDG. M:F ratio was 6:10 in HG, 8:6 in LLDG. Data showed improved outcomes in LLDG for: total operative time (p < 0.0001), admission to ICU (p 0.0447), restoration of bowel functions (p 0.0035 for gases, p 0.0152 for feces), mobilization (p 0.0087) and length of hospital stay (p 0.0132). According to literature, LLD is related to operative risk, morbidity and mortality rate and length of stay lower than HP. LLD also gives the possibility to avoid stoma. Despite limits of our study, we consider LLD as a "safe and effective" treatment for Hinchey grade II-III acute diverticulitis.

Background: Surgical informed consent forms can be complicated for patients to read and understand. We created a consent form with key information presented in bulleted texts and diagrams combined in a graphical format to facilitate the understanding of information during the verbal consent discussion. Methods: This prospective, randomized study involved 70 adult patients awaiting cholecystectomy for gallstones. Consent was obtained after standard verbal explanation using either a graphically formatted (study group, n=33) or a standard text document (control group, n=37). Comprehension was evaluated with a 9-item multiple-choice questionnaire administered before surgery and factors affecting comprehension were analyzed. Results: Comparison of questionnaire scores showed no effect of age, sex, time between consent and surgery, or document format on understanding of informed consent. Educational level was the only predictor of comprehension. Conclusions: Simplified surgical consent documents meet the goals of health literacy and informed consent. Educational level appears to be a strong predictor of understanding.

The laparoscopic repair of non-midline ventral hernia (LNM) has been debated. The aim of this study is to analyze our experience performing the laparoscopic approach to non-midline ventral hernias (NMVHs) in Northwest Italy for 6 years. A total of 78 patients who underwent LNM between March 2008 and March 2014 in the selected institutions were analyzed. We retrospectively analyzed the peri- and postoperative data and the recurrence rate of four subgroups of NMVHs: subcostal, suprapubic, lumbar, and epigastric. We also conducted a literature review. No difference was found between the four subgroups in terms of demographic data, defect characteristics, admission data, and complications. Subcostal defects required a shorter operating time. Obesity was found to be a risk factor for recurrence. In our experience, subcostal defects were easier to perform, with a lower recurrence rate, lesser chronic pain, and faster surgical performance. A more specific prospective randomized trial with a larger sample is awaited. Based on our experience, however, the laparoscopic approach is a safe treatment for NMVHs in specialized centers.

Nowadays, the optimal management of patients with cervical cancers measuring 2–4 cm desiring to maintain fertility is still uncertain. In this systematic review, we assessed the reliability of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) prior to fertility-sparing (FS) surgery in International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2018 stage IB2 cervical cancer, in terms of pathologic response, oncological and obstetric outcomes. The review of the literature was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data, using MEDLINE and PubMed, were searched for from 1 January 2005 up to 1 December 2020. We identified 20 articles and 114 women with IB2 disease, possible candidates for NACT prior to FS surgery. However, uterine conservation was achieved only in 76.7% of them. Patients reached optimal pathological response to NACT in 60.9% of cases and a TIP (cisplatin, ifosfamide and paclitaxel) regime was related to the best response. Suboptimal response to NACT appeared to be an independent negative prognostic factor. Up to 9.2% of patients recurred with a median 7.4-months DFS, and 4.6% of patients died of disease. Fifty percent of women tried to conceive after treatment and NACT prior to conization appeared to be the most promising alternative to upfront radical trachelectomy in terms of obstetric outcomes. In conclusion, NACT prior to FS surgery is an option, but the literature about this issue is still weak and FS should be carefully discussed with patients.

Aim of this study is to present our standardized laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP) technique, and to study our experience in the elderly as far as concerns preoperative and postoperative variables.