ABSTRACT Varix of the lower extremities is a common entity that eventually presents fatal outcome. Fatal massive bleeding due to rupture of a peripheral varicose vein is rare. The estimated incidence of these cases is 1/1000 autopsies. The case we present is unique among 26,054 autopsies performed in Milan from 1993 to 2020. It describes the investigations carried out in the suspicion of a non-natural event in an elderly woman. She was found dead at home with a large volume of blood near her feet that drained from the right leg. Pathological examination disclosed that the hemorrhage occurred by the rupture of a venous varix of the lower limb. Cases of fatal hemorrhage from peripheral variceal rupture are insidious and require proper characterization. The bloodstain pattern analysis, careful autopsy dissection by layers to demonstrate the rupture, and histologic examination of the lesion are the essential elements to find out the actual cause of death.

RESUMO O conceito de sala híbrida traduz a união de um aparato cirúrgico de alta complexidade com recursos radiológicos de última geração (ultrassom, TC, radioscopia e/ou ressonância magnética), visando a realização de procedimentos minimamente invasivos e altamente eficazes. Apesar de bem estabelecido em outras especialidades, como neurocirurgia e cirurgia cardiovascular, o uso da sala hibrida ainda é pouco explorado na cirurgia torácica. Nosso objetivo foi discutir as aplicações e as possibilidades abertas por essa tecnologia na cirurgia torácica através do relato de três casos.

ABSTRACT The concept of a hybrid operating room represents the union of a high-complexity surgical apparatus with state-of-the-art radiological tools (ultrasound, CT, fluoroscopy, or magnetic resonance imaging), in order to perform highly effective, minimally invasive procedures. Although the use of a hybrid operating room is well established in specialties such as neurosurgery and cardiovascular surgery, it has rarely been explored in thoracic surgery. Our objective was to discuss the possible applications of this technology in thoracic surgery, through the reporting of three cases.