[The Saint syndrome]

In connection with two cases authors review our current body of knowledge on Saint's triad that means the concomitant occurrence of cholelithiasis, hiatus hernia and colonic diverticulosis. Though each component of this syndrome is fairly common, the Saint's triad is relatively seldom encountered. It does happen so because not all the components are likely to cause clinical symptoms. Consequently diagnosis and subsequent therapy are targeted at the dominating symptoms. On the other hand, the existence of the syndrome is also not sufficiently known in clinical practice. Authors stress that in the event of simultaneous symptoms suggestive of atypic cholelithiasis, colonic diverticulosis and hiatus hernia one has to consider a potential Saint's triad. Therefore it is recommended to verify or exclude each of the three components to establish a precise diagnosis and adequate subsequent therapy.