TH. BERCHEM ince its foundation 400 years ago, Wurzburg University has 1 S followed its purpose of safeguarding tradition and acting as a meeting point for scientists from horne and abroad; in short, it is a forum for national and international exchange, in accordance with its memorandum of establishment. The historie role of Wur- zburg University has been accentuated by its faculty of medicine, surgery in particular. One name, indeed, illuminates its excellent scientific reputation, a name representing a whole dynasty of scholars: Siebold. This year we celebrate the 200th anniversary of Philipp Franz von Siebold's birth. He is one of Wurzburg's most famous scholars. However, we should remember that his grandfa- ther, Carl Caspar, originally contributed to a considerable en- hancement of this university's reputation: he was the founder and first head of surgery. CI like the idea that he came from my hometown of Nideggen in the Eifel region, but this is only of mar- ginal interest. ) When Carl Caspar came to Wurzburg in 1760, the medical faculty consisted of five students. Since then, the total number has grown to 20,000. In 1760 Wurzburg University was much dif- ferent from nowadays. Medicine at Wurzburg during the eight- eenth century meant the Juliusspital, a very famous hospital at that time and which still exists today. The garden pavilion of that hospital was Germany's first institution for anatomy.

Biofragmentable anastomoses rings represent a fascinating concept: Stan dardization of anastomoses, secure technique in application, expulsion of the material without residuals. In addition, one single technique allows to perform the classical end to end, end to side, and side to side anastomoses in most areas of the gastrointestinal tract, without any auxiliary tool. This means a great advantage of practicability. Controlled studies evidenced that the rate of complications is very small for the intestinal tract. Therefore, it is important to establish the localization for present indication and contra indications. Two chapters especially deal with upper GI anastomoses in cluding esophagus anastomoses and with BAR anastomoses in inflammatory bowel disease. This is done by analysing the data and by an exchange of experience between the clinical research groups. This book is to communi cate experimental data and to increase understanding about pathophysiology of the healing of anastomoses by means of compression anastomoses. Wiirzburg, Germany, Prof. Dr. R. ENGEMANN October 1994 Prof. Dr. A. THIEDE Contents Experimental Research Histological and Clinical Aspects of Early Healing of the Valtrac Anastomosis in the Colon R. GULLICHSEN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Colorectal Intramural Blood Supply and Microcirculation in Man M. A. R. AL FALLOUJI (With 5 Figures) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Biofragmentable Anastomosis Ring Versus Stapled Anastomoses in the Extraperitoneal Rectum: Experimental Study in Dogs N. G. CZECZKO, B. POLONIO, L. F. COLA"

In this book, the recent developments in immunology and the impact on the treatment of infections in critical care and in surgery are presented, also describing how cellular immunology influences clinical treatment. This information helps in understanding the pathogenesis of infections in surgery and critical care. The impact of a standard treatment such as antibiotic therapy is evaluated and possible future therapy modalities outlined. This book will be of interest to clinicians and immunologists as scientists of both specialties have contributed to the book.

Die Fortschritte in der Behandlung der gastrointestinalen Funktionsstoerungen verlangen umfassende Kenntnisse aller diagnostischen Verfahren. "Gastrointestinale Funktionsstoerungen" fasst das praxisrelevante Wissen fur Sie zusammen, veranschaulicht durch zahlreiche Abbildungen und Tabellen. - Alle Verfahren und Entwicklungen der gastrointestinalen Diagnostik und Therapie auf dem neuesten Stand - Pathophysiologie, diagnostische Standards, Differentialtherapie - Indikationen fur die operative Therapie - Operationskonzepte und minimal-invasive Techniken - Anleitung und praktische Hinweise fur das diagnostische Vorgehen und die therapeutischen Konsequenzen Mit diesem neuen Nachschlagewerk sichern Sie sich den aktuellen Kenntnisstand, auf den Sie in der modernen Diagnostik und Therapie nicht verzichten koennen.