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C Ducerf

Publications and source records attributed to C Ducerf.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Histological benefit of retreatment by pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin in patients with recurrent hepatitis C virus infection posttransplantation.

We conducted a study to evaluate the efficacy of pegylated interferon/ribavirin in patients who did not respond to previous posttransplant recurrent HCV treatment with IFN/ribavirin combination. Twenty-seven patients were consecutively included in this study and retreated with pegylated interferon alfa-2b (1.5 microg/kg/week) with ribavirin (800-1000 mg daily) for 48 weeks for genotype 1 and 4 and 24 weeks for other genotypes. We compared them with 21 untreated patients enrolled during the same period. Primary endpoint was the SVR and secondary endpoint was histological evaluation 24 weeks after ending therapy. Twenty-seven patients started therapy but 2 (7%) stopped because of side effects. On an intent-to-treat basis, eight patients (30%) had an SVR. Cyclosporine as immunosuppressive therapy during antiviral therapy (p = 0.03) and EVR (p = 0.02) were significantly associated with viral clearance. In 46 patients in whom paired graft biopsies were available, fibrosis score was improved in 76% of treated patients versus 5% in untreated patients. Among treated patients, improvement of fibrosis was not correlated to SVR. Our data show that 30% of patients who have failed prior posttransplantation treatment achieved an SVR when retreated with pegylated interferon alfa-2b/ribavirin. More interesting is that fibrosis score was improved in 65% of treated patients despite failure of HCV eradication.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Reinterventions for complication and defect of coloesophagoplasty].

AIM OF THE STUDY: To report a series of 17 patients operated for a complication oesophagocoloplasty, with evaluation of therapeutic modalities, and both early and distant results. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From 1985 to 2003, 17 patients with a mean age of 50 years (range: 23-76) were reoperated after coloplasty pediculated on left superior colic vessels. Initial diseases were caustic ingestion (N=7), cancer (N=6), oesophageal perforation (N=2), gastric lymphoma (N=1) and oesotracheal fistula (N=1). Coloplasty has been performed as a first-intent procedure in 13 cases and as a second-intent procedure after failure of a previous operation in 4 cases. Nine patients were initially operated in another center and were subsequently referred in our unit. Complications needing reoperation were graft necrosis in 8 cases (47%) and stricture in 9 cases (53%). All patients with necrosis were reoperated within the 10 first postoperative days. RESULTS: Necroses were treated by complete (N=5) or partial (N=3) resection of the coloplasty. Strictures were treated by resection-reanastomosis (N=3), right ileocoloplasty (N=2), colic stricturoplasty (N=2), a free antebrachial flap (N=1) and a tubulized latissimus dorsi myocutaneous pedicled flap (N=1). The 30-day mortality rate was 12% (N=2) and the overall morbidity rate was 66%. All deaths occurred after reoperation for necrosis. Eleven patients (65%) kept or recovered digestive continuity (including the 9 with stenosis) and 8 (73%) eat normally. Four patients with transplant necrosis died before reestablishment. Four patients operated for necrosis died before restoration of digestive continuity and 2 patients are still awaiting restoration. CONCLUSION: Use of colon as an oesophageal substitute is risky. Reoperations for stenosis allows satisfactory oral feeding, while reoperation for necrosis is associated with both high early mortality and a low rate of restoration or digestive continuity. This later requires a range of complex surgical procedures.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[Gastrojejunocolic fistula, report of two recent cases with original management].

Gastrojejunocolic fistulae, ultimate complication of anastomotic peptic ulceration, are presently uncommon. We report two recent cases of postoperative gastrojejunocolic fistulas (after duodenal ulcer surgery and total duodenopancreatectomy), which were complicated at time of diagnosis (acute peritonitis and liver cirrhosis) and required a two-stage treatment.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[Laparoscopic pancreatic resections].

The feasibility of laparoscopic pancreatic resection has been demonstrated. However, the real clinical benefit for the patients remains questioned. The best indication for a laparoscopic approach appears to be the resection of benign or neuro-endocrine tumors without a need for pancreato-enteric reconstruction (i.e enucleation or distal pancreatectomy). The use of the laparoscopic approach for malignant tumors still remains controversial. The benefits of minimally invasive surgery are clearly correlated with the successful management of the pancreatic stump. Pancreatic related complication rate (fistula and collection) is 15% when using pancreatic transection with a laparoscopic endostappler.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Long term histological improvement and clearance of intrahepatic hepatitis C virus RNA following sustained response to interferon-ribavirin combination therapy in liver transplanted patients with hepatitis C virus recurrence.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A proportion of liver transplanted patients with recurrent chronic hepatitis have a sustained virological response to combination therapy with interferon plus ribavirin. However, the long term benefit of antiviral therapy with regard to hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA clearance remains unknown in patients with HCV recurrence. This study examined the long term biochemical, virological, and histological outcome in transplanted patients with recurrent chronic hepatitis who had a sustained virological response to antiviral therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty four patients with recurrent hepatitis C were treated with antiviral therapy involving induction by combination therapy (interferon (IFN) plus ribavirin) for six months and maintenance ribavirin therapy for 12 months. Fourteen patients who had recurrent chronic hepatitis and sustained virological response to antiviral therapy were followed for three years after the end of antiviral therapy. Serum alanine aminotransferases were assessed every three months during the observation period. Serum hepatitis C RNA detected by polymerase chain reaction was evaluated every six months during follow up, and protocol biopsy procedures were performed routinely every year. Semiquantitative histopathological assessment of allograft hepatitis was performed using the Knodell score and HCV was also detected by polymerase chain reaction on frozen graft tissue samples. RESULTS: At the end of antiviral therapy, the sustained response rate was 26%. A complete response (normal serum alanine aminotransferase level and undetectable serum HCV RNA) was achieved in 13/14 (93%) patients three years after the end of treatment. A comparison of liver histology findings before and after a mean of three years after antiviral therapy showed a clear improvement in 12/14 (86%) patients. In 5/14 (36%) patients, the last biopsy showed normal or near normal histological findings. After three years of follow up, the total Knodell score was 3.2 (range 1-8) versus 8.3 (range 5-12) before treatment (p=0.001). Graft HCV RNA was detectable before treatment in all 14 patients and was undetectable at the end of follow up in 13/14 (93%) patients tested. CONCLUSION: In patients with biochemical and virological responses induced by ribavirin and interferon, a complete response was sustained in 93% for at least three years after cessation of therapy. This long term response was associated with absence of detectable intrahepatic hepatitis C RNA and marked histological improvement.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Perioperative pharmacokinetics of factor VII concentrate during liver surgery in a patient with congenital factor VII deficiency: an individual mathematical model.

A patient with congenital factor VII deficiency (baseline activity, 7%) underwent surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma. No literature reference was found concerning the management of this coagulation defect in patients requiring liver surgery. We report one such case, with special reference to the peri-operative management of factor VII replacement therapy and the pharmacokinetic behavior of factor VII. As a result of accidental suprahepatic vein lesion, a bleeding episode occurred. This was associated with an increase in factor VII clearance and volume of distribution values from 1.30 to 3.85 l/h, and from 6.51 to 13.2 l, respectively. After surgery, the patient continued to receive the concentrate every 8 h during the first nine post-operative days. No post-operative bleeding or thrombotic event was observed. The patient was discharged in good condition.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

[Hepatic artery aneurysms].

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this retrospective study was to report a series of nine aneurysms of the hepatic arteries, including real aneurysms (n = 4), pseudoaneurysms (n = 3) and false aneurysms (n = 2) observed from 1987 to 1999. PATIENTS: There were 7 men and 2 women (mean age: 58 years). In 3 cases, the aneurysm was asymptomatic and detected by sonography; in 4 cases it was revealed by rupture with a severe hemorrhage and in 2 cases by cholestasis. The aneurysm was located on right (n = 3), proper and common (n = 3), proper (n = 2), and common (n = 1) hepatic arteries. The aneurysm was associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 1), carcinoma of the head of the pancreas (n = 1) and liver metastases (n = 1). METHODS AND RESULTS: Eight patients were operated and one of them was operated three times. Hepatic arterial blood supply was restored in 6 patients with simple suture (n = 1), Goretex graft (n = 2), allograft (n = 2) and autologous vein (n = 1), with one failure which required liver retransplantation. Only one of the three attempts of embolization was successful. One patient with surgical contraindications died from hemobilia after embolization failure. During follow-up, there was one thrombosis of the common hepatic artery which had been excluded and two late deaths: one from rupture of a false aneurysm after bypass with an allograft and one by terminal progression of the cancer. The other 6 patients were alive at the time of this study. CONCLUSION: Clinical characteristics and therapeutic indications of hepatic arterial aneurysm are variable. Management is usually surgical, while embolization is reserved for special circumstances. Restoration of the hepatic arterial blood supply is necessary in aneurysms located on the proper hepatic artery.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Cryosurgery of primary and metastatic cancers of the liver].

Cryosurgery is a method of in situ destruction of tissue by a freezing process. Results of hepatic cryosurgery are now available for more than 2100 patients and allow to assess its place in the treatment of hepatic malignancies. Mechanisms of tissue destruction and indications of cryosurgery are detailed. With a peri-operative mortality rate of 1.5%, the safety of hepatic cryosurgery is now admitted. Cryosurgery has its own morbidity: increase of transaminases levels, platelets drop, myoglobinuria and rarely renal failure or cryoshock. In selected patients, hepatic cryosurgery is feasible with a laparoscopic or percutaneous approach. Long term results do not support cryosurgery as an alternative to liver resection. This technique enlarges possibilities of surgical treatment for patients with primary and metastatic liver cancers.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗
PubMed2001

Orthotopic liver transplantation for idiopathic portal hypertension: indications and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic portal hypertension is a rare clinical syndrome which may be associated with a spectrum of histological lesions, including nodular regenerative hyperplasia and incomplete septal cirrhosis. Here, we report eight adult patients with idiopathic portal hypertension who experienced an unusually severe clinical evolution characterized by the development of progressive hepatic failure requiring orthotopic liver transplantation. Our aims are: (a) to stress the distinctive clinical presentation of these patients, (b) to describe their biological and histopathological features, and (c) to evaluate the results of orthotopic liver transplantation in this rare indication. METHODS: Complete clinical charts and histological data were available in all patients. All patients were male. Their age at diagnosis ranged from 17 to 59 years. Complications of portal hypertension revealed the disease in all cases. Medical treatment was performed in all patients and portosystemic shunt in three. RESULTS: The development of progressive hepatic failure led to the indication of liver transplantation after a delay ranging from 3 to 10 years. Explanted livers showed pure nodular regenerative hyperplasia in three patients and incomplete septal cirrhosis in five. Recovery was uneventful. All patients are alive, without recurrence of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: This report points to the existence of severe cases of idiopathic portal hypertension occurring without underlying or associated systemic disease and characterized by a poor clinical course and requiring liver transplantation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Failure of traditional trough levels to predict tacrolimus concentrations.

The objective of this study was to estimate tacrolimus population parameter values and to evaluate the ability of the maximum a posteriori probability (MAP) Bayesian fitting procedure to predict tacrolimus blood levels, using the traditional strategy of monitoring only trough levels, for dosage individualization in liver transplant patients. Forty patients treated with tacrolimus after liver transplantation were studied during the early posttransplant phase (first 2 weeks). This phase was divided into four time periods (1-4 days, 5-7 days, 8-11 days, 12-14 days). Tacrolimus was administered twice daily. Approximately one determination of a tacrolimus trough level on whole blood was performed each day. The NPEM2 program was used to obtain population pharmacokinetic parameter values. With each individual pharmacokinetic parameter estimated by the MAP Bayesian method for a given period, the authors evaluated the prediction of future levels of tacrolimus for that patient for the next period. This evaluation of Bayesian fitting predictive performance was performed using the USC*PACK clinical software. Mean pharmacokinetic parameter values were in the same general range as previously published values obtained with richer data sets. However, during each period, the percentage of blood levels predicted within 20% did not exceed 40%. The traditional strategy of obtaining only trough whole blood levels does not provide enough dynamic information for the MAP Bayesian fitting procedure (the best method currently available) to be used for adaptive control of drug dosage regimens for oral tacrolimus. The authors suggest modifying the blood concentration monitoring scheme to add at least one other concentration measured during the absorptive or distributive phase to obtain more information about the behavior of the drug. D-Optimal design and similar strategies should be considered.

Bayes Theorem↗
PubMed2001

Transjugular intra-hepatic portosystemic shunt for refractory variceal bleeding.

BACKGROUND: The most dramatic complication of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients is oesophageal variceal bleeding. Moreover, patients with bleeding unresponsive to medical and endoscopic treatment have a poor prognosis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of early transjugular intra-hepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in patients with refractory variceal bleeding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: TIPS was performed for 28 patients (17 were stage Child C), successfully in 26. Variceal bleeding was controlled in all but one successfully stented patient. RESULTS: There was no mortality associated with the procedure. The two patients with a failure of TIPS insertion died of persistent bleeding in the first 48 h after failed TIPS. The 40-day mortality rate was 25%. Five patients died (one from persistent bleeding from gastric varices and four from multi-organ failure). Using multivariate analysis, the only independent factor associated with early mortality was the total bilirubin value. Fifteen surviving patients were listed for liver transplantation: four deaths occurred, eight patients were transplanted in the 6 months after TIPS and three are still waiting. Among the six patients who survived but were ineligible for transplantation, two died and four are still alive. Two episodes of early rebleeding and eight of late rebleeding occurred. Actuarial survival was 75% at one year and 52% at two years. CONCLUSIONS: Early TIPS is an effective rescue therapy for controlling refractory variceal bleeding.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed by surgery in the treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Surgery remains the treatment of choice for patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), but survival rates have not improved over the past decades. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of multimodal therapy on resectability, on the overall and on disease free survival (DFS) rates, and on the laryngeal resection rate. METHODS: Fifty-five patients (49 men and 6 women) with a mean age of 58 +/- 8 years underwent combined modality treatment for esophageal SCC. The tumor location was in the upper one-third of the esophagus in 19 patients, the middle one-third in 22 patients, the lower one-third in 9 patients, and the upper and lower one-thirds in 5 patients. The intent of combined therapy was curative in 87.3% of patients and palliative in 12.7% of patients. Neoadjuvant treatment consisted of two courses of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin on Days 1-5 and Days 21-25. Radiotherapy was commenced on Day 21 and consisted of 36 grays delivered in 12 fractions over 17 days. Surgery was performed on Day 60. RESULTS: Full neoadjuvant treatment was possible in 67.3% of patients and was uneventful in 56. 4% of patients. The resection rate was 96.4% (complete macroscopic resection with histologic clear margins [R0], 83.6%; complete macroscopic resection with microscopic disease at the resection margin [R1], 1.8%; and macroscopic residual disease [R2], 10.9%). The operative mortality rate was 0%, whereas the hospital mortality was 7.3%. Twenty-three patients had a complete macroscopic response, 12 of whom (21.8%) had a complete histopathologic response. The tumor stages according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system were pT0N0 in 12 patients, Stage 0 in 8 patients, Stage IIa in 6 patients, Stage IIb in 6 patients, Stage III in 8 patients, and Stage IV in 13 patients. Laryngeal preservation was achieved in 8 of 12 patients in whom total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy initially was indicated because of tumor response and an R0 resection. The overall survival rates at 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were 61%, 39%, and 33%, respectively, and the DFS rates were 49%, 32%, and 29%, respectively. The respective survival rates for responders were 82%, 58%, and 53%, and the DFS rates were 68%, 54%, and 48%. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant treatment is tolerated well by most patients. Combination therapy increases the resectability rate and facilitates laryngeal preservation. Significant improvements in the actuarial survival rate and the DFS rate were observed in the group of patients who achieved partial and complete responses.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Laparoscopic resection of a proximal splenic artery aneurysm.

The usual treatment for splenic artery aneurysm is resection under laparotomy. In recent years, the laparoscopic approach has consisted of ligation without resection. More recently,laparoscopic resection was reported by the Cleveland Clinic. In this paper, we describe the technique used in the laparoscopic resection of our first case of laparoscopic resection of splenic artery aneurysm (SAA). The patient was a young woman with a 12-mm SAA discovered on systematic abdominal ultrasound. The laparoscopic procedure was done successfully, and the aneurysm was resected using an ultrasonic dissector. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 3rd postoperative day. Pathological examination revealed the atherosclerotic origin of the aneurysm. The patient is doing well 12 months after surgery, with normal splanchnic Doppler ultrasound. This procedure offers a one-step definitive cure via a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Proximal bile duct cholangiocarcinomas].

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study was to report a series of 12 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma treated by curative resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1980 and 1998, curative resection was performed in 12 patients out of 33 patients with a Klatskin's tumor. Preoperative biliary drainage was performed in 6 cases. Resection was limited to the extrahepatic bile duct in one case only. Resection was extended to the liver in 11 cases including segmentectomy I (n = 9), left hepatectomy (n = 7), right hepatectomy (n = 3) and segmentectomy IV (n = 1). Postoperative brachytherapy was performed in 3 patients combined with conventional radiotherapy. Conventional radiotherapy irradiation was performed in 2 patients and was associated with chemotherapy in 1 patient. RESULTS: There was no postoperative mortality. Postoperative follow-up was uneventful in 5 patients. Actuarial survival rate at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years was 81, 57, 28 and 28%, respectively. Prolonged survivals (88 and 114 months) were observed. CONCLUSION: Hilar cholangiocarcinomas have a poor prognosis. Curative resections are usually performed with major liver resections. RM cholangiography is now the most efficient examination for selection of surgical indications and choice of the best strategy. Long-term survival can be obtained with curative surgery. Adjuvant treatment has to be assessed by controlled trials.

Actuarial Analysis↗
PubMed2000

Functional results of delayed coloanal anastomosis after preoperative radiotherapy for lower third rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess functional outcomes of patients who had a delayed coloanal anastomosis for a lower third rectal cancer after preoperative radiotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: From January 1988 to December 1997, 35 patients with an adenocarcinoma of the lower third of the rectum received preoperative radiotherapy (45Gy) followed by a rectal resection, combining an abdominal and transanal approach. Colorectal resection was performed about 32 days after the end of the radiotherapy. The distal colon stump was pulled through the anal canal. On postoperative day 5 the colonic stump was resected and a direct coloanal anastomosis performed without colostomia diversion. RESULTS: There was no mortality. There was no leakage. One patient had a pelvic abscess. One patient had a necrosis of the left colon requiring reoperation. Another delayed coloanal anastomosis could be performed. Median followup was 43 months (range 6 to 113 months). Functional results were evaluated with a new scoring system including 13 items. Function was considered good in 59% and 70% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This new procedure is a safe and effective sphincter-preserving operation that avoids a diverting stoma for patients with rectal cancer of the lower third of the rectum. This technique is well adapted for patients receiving preoperative radiotherapy, with low local morbidity and good functional results. Further adaptation could be imagined for a coelioscopic approach.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

Hemodynamic profiles during piggyback liver grafts using arterial or portal revascularization.

BACKGROUND: The order of revascularization in human liver grafts is still discussed. This study tries to answer this question in terms of hemodynamic data. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-nine patients were randomized in this study to compare hemodynamic data just before and 15 minutes after revascularization of liver grafts in relation to first hepatic artery (n = 29) or first portal vein (n = 30) revascularization procedure. RESULTS: Hemodynamic variations were significantly greater in the portal vein group than in the hepatic artery group in terms of mean arterial pressure, cardiac index, central venous pressure, pulmonary capillary pressure, and systemic vascular resistance. The latter decreased from 741.8 +/- 390.3 to 659.9 +/- 411.1 dynes/ cm5 (NS) in the hepatic artery group versus 807.7 +/-336.7 to 439.7 +/- 215 dynes/cm5 (p < 0.05) in the portal vein group. Clinical results and postoperative complications, graft characteristics, patient survival, and graft survival were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Initial arterial revascularization of the liver graft leads to a more stable hemodynamic profile during revascularization of the liver graft after vascular unclamping. This technique is always feasible and has become our reference procedure.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗
PubMed2000

Anti-hepatitis C virus core IgM antibodies correlate with hepatitis C recurrence and its severity in liver transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: The significance of immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen was studied in 60 patients with HCV infection after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction. METHODS: Patients were followed up for a mean of 28 months after transplantation. Sera collected three months before transplantation, and one and 12 months after transplantation were analysed for anti-HCV core IgM (HCV-IgM EIA 2.0 assay). After OLT protocol biopsies, procedures were performed routinely every six months. Semiquantitative histopathological assessment of allograft hepatitis was performed using Knodell's score. The results were correlated with clinical features, liver histology findings, and virological features, such as genotype and viraemic levels assessed by a branched DNA assay. RESULTS: One year after liver transplantation, 29/60 (48%) patients had chronic hepatitis on graft biopsy. The presence of anti-HCV core IgM one month (p=0.004) and 12 months (p=0.003) after OLT was positively correlated with recurrence of chronic hepatitis. The positive predictive value of anti-HCV core IgM detected one month after transplantation was 0.88. A significant relationship was observed between severity of graft disease and presence of anti-HCV core IgM 12 months after transplantation. The mean Knodell score was 8.9 in anti-HCV core IgM positive patients compared with 3.6 in those who were anti-HCV core IgM negative (p=0.001). The presence of IgM anti-HCV did not correlate with serum HCV RNA level or HCV genotype. CONCLUSION: We confirm that the presence of anti-HCV core IgM after OLT is a marker of HCV induced graft damage. The recurrence and severity of HCV hepatitis in patients undergoing OLT for HCV cirrhosis is related to the presence of anti-HCV core IgM after liver transplantation. These findings have diagnostic relevance and confirm that measurement of IgM anti-HCV core may help to better monitor the treatment of HCV recurrence after transplantation.

Adult↗