Multiple parameters of immune function were measured serially before and one and five weeks following operation in 14 patients with fibrocystic disease of the breast (Group A) and in 20 patients with stage 1-2 infiltrating duct carcinoma (Group B). These parameters included the following: WBC, total number and percentage of lymphocytes, numbers of B cells, T cells, T-active, T-helper and T-suppressor cells and the ratio between the latter as well as spontaneous suppressor or helper activity and the graft-versus-host reaction. Prior to operation no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups except for the number of T-helper cells, which was higher in Group B (p less than 0.05), and the spontaneous suppressor activity, which was higher in Group B (p less than 0.05). The finding of such a high percentage (80%) of negative graft-versus-host reactions five weeks after operation together with the high suppressor activity may indicate the presence of tumor micrometastases. The burden of surgery and general anesthesia was stronger in Group B, with a pronounced difference found between the groups (p = 0.0005), but the interaction between the influence of time (surgery and anesthesia) and the groups was not as great (p = 0.4864) and was found to be different for each group.

In a 14-year period 15 cases of free perforation of the small bowel in adults were treated in our department. In two patients perforation was caused by a foreign body and in six by each of the following: duplication of the small bowel, Hodgkin's lymphoma, vasculitis and steroid treatment, intussusception, adhesions, diverticulum. All patients presented with the signs of diffuse peritonitis. One patient died before surgery. Of the 14 patients operated upon, 10 underwent resection and primary anastomosis and four suturing of the perforation. In six cases the etiology remains unknown even after surgical intervention and pathological examination. The mortality rate of the 14 operated patients was 7.1%. 78.5% of the patients were operated on within 24 hours of onset of symptoms, and early surgery is considered to be the most important factor in the low mortality rate achieved in this series.

An aberrant course of the proximal splenic artery was observed in nine of 26 adult cadavers dissected for mapping of the lesser omentum. Such an aberrant course makes the artery vulnerable to iatrogenic injury. In view of this relatively high prevalence of splenic artery aberration, it is suggested that surgeons operating in the area of the lesser omentum should keep in mind the possibility of its occurrence and the dangers that it may present.

Catheter blockage in patients receiving long‐term parenteral nutrition with fat‐containing total nutrient admixture (TNA) is a relatively common complication. A study was carried out to characterize the material which is filtered out of the TNA and is a potential cause of catheter blockage. A total of 45 bags containing the same TNA solution were stored for 7 days at 4°C. The stability of the solution in all the bags was then confirmed by light microscope and Coulter Counter, to determine the particle‐size distribution, following which the solution was filtered through a 5‐μm filter. Chemical analysis was then made to determine the amount of solid particles, fat and precipitates of Mg, Zn, Ca, Na, and K in the filter contents. Each bag was found to contain 7326 ± 2681 solid particles as plasticizers and the main component of the filter contents was fat (99.4%) whereas electrolytes as precipitates constituted less than 0.5%. The amount of fat and electrolytes lost on the filter from the solution was negligible. Our analysis of the material trapped on the filter, which may block the catheter during long‐term therapy, suggests the importance of filtration and of finding a means for dissolving the fat, the main component of the filter material. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 13:641–643, 1989)

A comparative study of preoperative evaluation of rectal cancer is presented. Sixty-eight patients with rectal cancer were examined digitally and by computerized tomography and transrectal ultrasound. Preoperative staging was compared with pathologic findings at surgery. Digital examination and transrectal ultrasound were accurate in 82.8 and 76.2 percent, respectively and were superior to CT, which was accurate in 65.5 percent of cases for assessment of rectal wall invasion. All three modes play a role in preoperative assessment, but digital examination and rectal ultrasound appear to be more effective.

Reports in the literature have suggested possible impairment of immunocompetence in operating theater personnel. In a group of 18 physician anesthesiologists the following were determined: hemoglobin concentration; white blood cell count; numbers of T, B, and natural killer (NK) lymphocytes; number of T-active cells; and numbers of T-helper/inducer (Th) and T-suppressor/cytotoxic (Ts) cells; and the Th/Ts ratio. Function of T lymphocytes was evaluated using the local xenogeneic graft-versus-host reaction and spontaneous suppressor or helper activity of T cells. The same parameters were determined in a group of 18 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. It was found that no matter what their age or how long they have been engaged in anesthetic practice, anesthetists show no immunosuppression as evidenced by these parameters.

In a premature infant documented to have oesophageal atresia laparotomy revealed the additional findings of segmental dilatation of the small intestine as well as duodenal atresia, the coincidental occurrence of which is extremely rare. Resection of the dilated segment was performed with end-to-end one-layer anastomosis and side-to-side duodeno-duodenostomy and a feeding gastrostomy was created. Three months later end-to-end oesophago-oesophagostomy was successfully performed via a right thoracotomy. During the 8 years since then the child's growth and development have been normal.

Acute cholecystitis in children is a rare disease which has been associated with haemolytic anaemias, intercurrent illness and congenital anomalies. Acute inflammation and distension of the gall bladder in infancy is very rare and the underlying cause is usually not identified. This study describes two infants presenting with acute acalculous cholecystitis with marked distension of the gall bladder. It is stressed that this entity must be taken into account in the differential diagnosis when there is a palpable mass and/or tenderness in the right abdomen, particularly in the presence of intercurrent illness. Early operation is recommended and cholecystectomy is the preferred procedure.

We present the fourth case to be reported in the literature of intramural hematoma of the duodenum following endoscopic small bowel biopsy. It is the first reported to have been diagnosed by ultrasonography and confirmed by contrast roentgenograms. Conservative treatment was effective in achieving satisfactory resolution of the obstruction within seven days, as evidenced by barium meal examination. The mechanism of trauma, in light of the other cases reported in the literature, is discussed.

The phenomenon of acute cholecystitis complicating an unrelated operation has been reported with increasing frequency, and may be preceded by a variety of operative procedures and a lack of previous biliary tract symptoms. Among eight such patients treated by us, seven developed acute cholecystitis postoperatively, and in one it was discovered during operation for bleeding duodenal ulcer. Two patients had undergone wide excision of the breast; two, highly selective vagotomy; one, nephrolithotomy; one, truncal vagotomy and gastroenterostomy; and one, left hemicolectomy and colostomy. In three patients, urgent cholecystectomy was performed, and four were treated conservatively with subsequent elective cholecystectomy. Histopathological studies revealed acute and chronic cholecystitis in all eight patients and cholelithiasis in four. One patient died in septic shock. Numerous contributing factors have been suggested, including hypovolemia and biliary stasis, as well as the presence of stones. It would appear that chronic cholecystitis or other biliary pathology, as found in our eight patients, is a major factor in the development of this manifestation.

In 11 children with hypersplenism due to Gaucher's disease, partial splenectomy was planned with the aim to prevent the development of postsplenectomy sepsis and also to slow the advance of the disease in the rest of the reticuloendothelial system by permitting continuing accumulation of the beta-glucocerebroside in the remaining splenic tissue. In seven children, partial splenectomy was performed successfully, the weight of the splenic tissue removed ranging from 400 to 3,680 g. The postoperative course was uneventful and the average duration of hospitalization was 12 days. In subsequent follow-up, isotope scanning demonstrated continuing growth of the splenic remnant and there were no episodes of postsplenectomy sepsis nor evidence of increased accumulation of beta-glucocerebroside in the liver or bones. These children showed a marked improvement in the growth curve and dramatic improvement in the hematologic picture. Of the four remaining children, in two, partial splenectomy was followed by complete removal of the remaining spleen due to necrosis, whereas in two, total splenectomy was performed since the huge spleens were extensively infarcted. Our experience suggests that partial splenectomy is the treatment of choice in the management of young patients with hypersplenism due to Gaucher's disease.

To the Editor.—Endometriosis has been found to occur in almost every organ and location of the female body. This condition is well known to gynecologists, but the general surgeon is rarely faced with it in his or her practice, and, for this reason, the correct diagnosis is seldom made preoperatively. The establishment of a correct diagnosis preoperatively is important, not only for academic reasons, but mainly to avoid unnecessary anesthesia and operations in such patients. Patients.—We had occasion to operate on three patients who proved to have unsuspected endometriosis and who exemplify the pitfalls in a preoperative diagnosis of this condition. The first patient was a 32-year-old woman who was undergoing an operation because of a myomatous uterus and who was found to have a hard, irregular, nut-sized mass that was palpable in the anterior wall of the rectum. Because of a suspicion of malignancy, an anterior resection

In a 7-day-old infant referred because of bile-stained vomiting, jaundice and lack of meconium, radiological examination revealed the 'double-bubble' sign of duodenal atresia as well as dextrocardia. This infant also had a strawberry haemangioma on the right shoulder. Operation disclosed situs inversus and a preduodenal portal vein as well as duodenal atresia. A side-to-side duodeno-jejunostomy was performed successfully without damage to the anomalous vein. The history of polyhydramnion during gestation, the presence of other anomalies, the rapid onset of bile-stained vomiting and the classic 'double-bubble' sign, together appeared to indicate that the duodenal atresia was intrinsic and not due to the external pressure of the anomalous vein on the duodenum.

We present here a series of seven children with primary hyperparathyroidism caused by parathyroid adenoma. Chief cells were the primary element in six patients and water-clear cells in one patient. A brief review of the literature on primary hyperparathyroidism in children is included. Emphasis is placed on the clinical characteristics of this rare disease in children.