Abstract. To assess the incidence, indications, and complications of (reoperative) thyroid gland surgery in an endemic region, we have retrospectively analyzed 1318 patients operated on between 1983 and 1994. There were 166 reoperations (13.5%). In comparison to the primary operation the indication for reoperation showed an increased rate of premalignant and malignant tumors (؉16%) and a decreased rate of hyperthyroid disorders (؊30%). The largest group operated on had benign multinodular goiters, with the same rate of indication for primary (57.4%) and secondary (57.8%) surgery. Permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy rate following primary operation occurred at rates of 1.7% (1983-1990) and 0.7% (1991-1994) and for secondary operation 3.5% (1983-1990) and 5.6% (1991-1994), respectively. The change in recurrent nerve palsy rate in the later years was due to a more extensive resection policy at the primary operation and a more liberal approach to reoperative surgery. The high rate of reoperation for benign goiters (13%) and the new data of goitrogenesis have therefore directed our policy to more extensive resection of the thyroid tissue at the initial operation, increasing the rate of lobectomy from 27% (1982-1990) to > 90% (1991-1994) and at the same time lowering morbidity. Extensive resection of nodular tissue during the initial operation safely reduces the incidence of recurrent goiter and subsequently reduces the rate of reoperation and eliminates the high risk of morbidity associated with reoperative thyroid surgery. The indications for reoperation should be strict, and when unavoidable a modified lateral approach may be helpful.

BACKGROUND: The optimum timing for temporary ileostomy closure after low anterior resection is still open. OBJECTIVE: This trial aimed to compare early (2 wk) versus late (12 wk) stoma closure. DESIGN: The study included 2 parallel groups in a multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at 3 Swiss hospitals. PATIENTS: Patients undergoing low anterior resection and temporary ileostomy for cancer were included. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly allocated to early or late stoma closure. Before closure, colonic anastomosis was examined for integrity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary efficacy outcome was the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index 6 weeks after resection. Secondary end points included safety (morbidity), feasibility, and quality of life 4 months after low anterior resection. RESULTS: The trial was stopped for safety concerns after 71 patients were randomly assigned to early closure (37 patients) or late closure (34 patients). There were comparable baseline data between the groups. No difference in quality of life occurred 6 weeks (mean Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index: 99.8 vs 106.0; p = 0.139) and 4 months (108.6 vs 107.1; p = 0.904) after index surgery. Intraoperative tendency of oozing (visual analog scale: 35.8 vs 19.3; p = 0.011), adhesions (visual analog scale: 61.3 vs 46.2; p = 0.034), leak of colonic anastomosis (19% vs 0%; p = 0.012), leak of colonic or ileal anastomosis (24% vs 0%; p = 0.002), and reintervention (16% vs 0%; p = 0.026) were significantly higher after early closure. The concept of early closure failed in 10 patients (27% vs 0% in the late closure group (95% CI for the difference, 9.4%–44.4%)). LIMITATIONS: The trial was prematurely stopped because of safety issues. The aimed group size was not reached. CONCLUSIONS: Early stoma closure does not provide better quality of life up to 4 months after low anterior resection but is afflicted with significantly adverse feasibility and higher morbidity when compared with late closure. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B665 . CIERRE DE LA ILEOSTOMÍA TEMPORAL: 2 VERSUS 12 SEMANAS POSTERIOR A LA RESECCIÓN RECTAL POR CÁNCER: UNA ADVERTENCIA DE UN ESTUDIO MULTICÉNTRICO CONTROLADO RANDOMIZADO PROSPECTIVO ANTECEDENTES: El momento óptimo para el cierre temporal de la ileostomía posterior a la resección anterior baja es aun controversial. OBJETIVO: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar el cierre del estom...

Intestinal duplication is a rare congenital disease. It appears throughout the gastrointestinal tract, especially in the ileum. Here we describe the rare case of a gastric duplication cyst in a 59-year-old patient. Diagnostic findings and surgical therapy are discussed. Gastric duplications in adults are extremely rare, and diagnosis is often missed. Symptoms are unspecified pain in the upper abdomen, vomiting and fever, with some patients having weight loss. Complications are rare. Chronic infections and ruptures are described. For diagnosis, CT scan with oral contrast is preferred. Endoscopy is negative in most cases. Therapy is surgery. Local excision of a small wall of gastric muscosa is sufficient in most cases, but sometimes a subtotal gastrectomy is necessary.