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A Puzziello

Publications and source records attributed to A Puzziello.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

Ultrasonography-guided endoscopic stent placement for malignant biliary obstruction: a preliminary report of four cases.

We present a new combination of transabdominal ultrasound (US) and biliary endoscopy, with endoscopic stent placement carried out under US guidance. Four patients (two men, two women; average age 66.2 years) underwent US-guided stent placement for palliation of ampullary carcinoma (n = 3) or pancreatic cancer (n = 1). A guide wire and a guiding catheter were endoscopically introduced and identified, by US in the common bile duct across the stricture. Hydromer-coated polyurethane angled stents (10 Fr) were finally inserted over the guide wire/guiding catheter by a pusher tube system. Successful drainage, with substantial reduction in bilirubin level, was achieved in all patients (14.2 +/- 9.5 vs. 4.2 +/- 2.9 mg/dl at 1 week). The present case series shows that endoscopic stent placement performed under US guidance is safe and effective. Further studies of larger series, including more proximal strictures, are warranted.

Aged↗

[Ultrasound-guided endoscopic drainage, without radiological examination, in patients with neoplastic biliary obstruction. Preliminary results].

AIM: Endoscopic stent insertion has become the preferred method for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction. Currently, endoscopic stent placement involves the use of contrast media and radiological equipment to achieve direct opacification of the biliary duct systems, and to determine the location and the extension of biliary obstruction. This report proposes a new combination of ultrasonography and biliary endoscopy, with endoscopic stent placement entirely performed under US-guidance. METHODS: US-guided stent placement was carried out in 8 patients. A guide-wire and a guiding-catheter were endoscopically introduced and identified, by US, the common bile duct across the stricture. Hydromer-coated polyurethane angled stents (10F) were finally inserted over the guide-wire/guiding-catheter by a pusher tube system. RESULTS: Successful stent insertion was achieved in all patients. There were no complications. Successful drainage, with substantial reduction in bilirubin level, was achieved in all patients (14.2+/-9.5 vs 4.2+/-2.9 mg/dl at 1 week). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic stent placement performed under US-guidance, is safe and effective. Further studies in a larger series, including more proximal strictures are suggested.

Aged↗

Biliary leaks after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results of the endoscopic treatment.

BACKGROUND: Significant postoperative bile leaks occur in approximately 0.8 to 1.1% of patients. The goal of endoscopic therapy is to eliminate the transpapillary pressure gradient, thereby permitting preferential transpapillary bile flow rather than extravasation at the site of leak. METHODS. Sixty-four patients were retrospectively evaluated. Endoscopic treatment comprised endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by insertion of a naso-biliary drainage or a stent. Retained stones were extracted by standard procedures. RESULTS: The cystic duct remnant was the site of bile extravasation in 50 cases, ducts of Luschka were the source in 4 cases, common bile duct in 6 cases and common hepatic duct in 4 cases. Retained bile duct stones were detected in 21 cases and papillary stenosis in 4 cases. Endoscopic therapy involved sphincterotomy in 25 cases with stones extraction in 21 cases followed by nasobiliary drain insertion, and placement of stent in the remainder. Bile leaks resolved in 96.9% of patients, on average 3 days in cases of associated stones or papillary stenosis, and 6.5 days in the remainder. Two cases of mild pancreatitis were evidenced from endoscopic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic management is the treatment of choice for postcholecystectomy bile leaks.

Adult↗

[Personal experience with the endoscopic treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts. Long-term results and analysis of prognostic factors].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the safety and utility of endoscopic treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts. Prognostic factors for the outcome of endoscopic drainage were assessed in a prospective analysis. METHODS: Forty-nine consecutive symptomatic patients were included in the study. Transmural drainage was used in 30 patients and transpapillary drainage in 19 patients. RESULTS: Successful drainage was achieved in 27/30 (90%) of patients after transmural drainage and in 16/19 (84.2%) patients after transpapillary drainage. Twelve (24.5%) patients had complications; 2 patients had bleeding, 2 had mild pancreatitis, 8 had cyst infection, in relation to the presence of necrosis (5 patients) or stent clogging (3 patients). Nine patients (20.9%) had recurrence of pseudocyst. Endoscopic drainage was a definitive treatment in 37 out of 49 (75.5%) patients (median follow-up: 25.9 months). Presence of necrosis was the only significant prognostic factor for infectious complication. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic drainage provides a successful and safe minimally invasive approach to the management of pancreatic pseudocysts.

Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal↗

Liver involvement in obese children. Ultrasonography and liver enzyme levels at diagnosis and during follow-up in an Italian population.

Our aim was to evaluate incidence and risk factors of liver involvement in obese Italian children as assessed by both ultrasonographic and biochemical parameters. In seventy-five consecutive obese children (age 9.5 +/- 2.9 years, males/females 41/34), serum levels of enzymes and ultrasonography of the liver were evaluated. Tests were repeated one, three, and six months after starting a moderate hypocaloric diet and an exercise program. Three obese children who were found to have chronic viral hepatitis were excluded from the study. Thirty-eight of 72 (53%) obese children had an ultrasonographic image of bright liver consistent with liver steatosis. The latter was severe in nine children, moderate in 16, and mild in 13. Eighteen obese children (25%) had elevated transaminase levels. Bright liver and hypertransaminasemia were not due to any of the most common causes of liver disease. Both were rapidly responsive to loss of weight, confirming that liver involvement was secondary to obesity and that steatosis or steatohepatitis rather than fibrosis were involved. Obesity duration not more than three years (odds ratio = 4.77), a higher degree of obesity (odds ratio = 2.09), and hypertransaminasemia (odds ratio = 2.15) appeared as important predictive factors of liver involvement at ultrasonography. Incidence of liver involvement assessed by means of ultrasonography is significantly higher than that revealed by measurement of serum liver enzymes. A short duration of obesity emerged as a potentially new risk factor of liver involvement in the pediatric obese population and needs to be confirmed in future studies.

Child↗

Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding: preliminary results of the University of Naples experience.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure indicated for the treatment of patients with morbid obesity. METHODS: From January 1996, eight patients successfully underwent the video-laparoscopic procedure. RESULTS: Preoperative body mass index was 44.4 +/- 4.7 (range 37.9-53.3). Mean operative time was 255 +/- 73 minutes (range 150-360). Mean hospital stay was 3 +/- 1 days. Intraoperative complications were absent. CONCLUSION: Preliminary results have been satisfactory, and encourage us to continue with LASGB.

Adult↗

Long-term follow-up after endoscopic biliary stent placement for bile duct strictures from laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The outcome of endoscopic biliary stent insertion for postoperative bile duct stenosis was retrospectively evaluated. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-seven patients with biliary stenosis from laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included from February 1992 to January 2000. One to three stents were inserted for an average of 12.4 months, with stent exchange every 3 months to avoid cholangitis caused by clogging. RESULTS: Successful stent insertion was achieved in 43/57 (75.4%) patients. Stent insertion failed in 10 patients with complete and in 4 patients with incomplete biliary obstruction. Early complications occurred in 4 patients. Late complications occurred in 5/43 patients. Five patients experienced recurrence of stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment should be the initial management of choice for postoperative bile duct stenosis.

Adult↗