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Biomedical subjects

Constantine Hatzitheofilou

Publications and source records attributed to Constantine Hatzitheofilou.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Laparoscopic appendectomy: differences between male and female patients with suspected acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: The role of laparoscopy in the management of patients with suspected acute appendicitis remains controversial. It has been suggested that laparoscopy is useful mainly in young women of reproductive age because of the high incidence of wrong diagnosis in these patients. METHODS: Different management protocols for patients with suspected acute appendicitis were prospectively used in male and female patients; women of reproductive age were treated laparoscopically, while men were randomised to open or laparoscopic appendectomy. RESULTS: From September 2002 to September 2005, 132 patients-54 women and 78 men-with suspected acute appendicitis were treated according to the protocol. The incidence of wrong diagnosis in female patients was high (26% and the conversion rate low (5.5%). In contrast, in the laparoscopic male subgroup, these rates showed a reverse relationship (5.2% and 18.5%, respectively). Morbidity did not differ between female and male patients or between the 2 arms of the male group. Laparoscopic appendectomy took longer to perform without affecting significantly the needs for postoperative analgesia, the duration of hospital stay and the time to return to normal activities when compared with open appendectomy in men. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendectomy is at least as safe as the open procedure in the male population, although it does not appear to offer any obvious advantage over the open procedure. The diagnostic advantage that laparoscopy offers to fertile women makes the procedure attractive for this population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: a prospective non randomized study.

AIM: To study the timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with acute cholecystitis. METHODS: Between January 2002 and December 2005, all American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (ASA) I, II and III patients with acute cholecystitis were treated laparoscopically during the urgent (index) admission. The patients were divided into three groups according to the timing of surgery: (1) within the first 3 d, (2) between 4 and 7 d and (3) beyond 7 d from the onset of symptoms. The impact of timing on the conversion rate, morbidity and postoperative hospital stay was studied. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-nine patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis during the index admission. Thirty six were assigned to group 1, 58 to group 2, and 35 to group 3. The conversion rate and morbidity for the whole cohort of patients were 4.6% and 10.8%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the conversion rate, morbidity and postoperative hospital stay between the three groups. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis during the index admission is safe, regardless of the time elapsed from the onset of symptoms. This policy can result in an overall shorter hospitalization.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Multiple small bowel ruptures due to ischemic enteritis: a case report.

A rare case of multiple small bowel ruptures due to ischemic enteritis (ISE) is reported. The patient was admitted to the hospital with acute abdominal pain followed by bloody diarrhoeas. Preoperative colonoscopic findings were similar to those presented in Crohn's disease. Intraoperatively, ischemic lesions and multiple ruptures were localized at the jejunum and the proximal ileum. Histopathological examination of the resected bowel segment established the diagnosis of ISE. Although ISE is not common, concurred multiple ruptures of the small bowel is a rare but actual complication.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed2005

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy under local anesthesia: tips and tricks.

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy--a new, evolving technique--is considered to be safe and painless. General and spinal anesthesia are the "gold standard" anesthetic techniques for the procedure. The stapled hemorrhoidectomy under local anesthesia is described. Emphasis is given in few tips and tricks for safe and successful application of the local anesthesia.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

New trends in the management of colonic trauma.

BACKGROUND: The management of colon trauma seems to have swung from the "diversion dogma" to a more liberal use of primary repair. However, there are still debatable issues, regarding the management of destructive injuries of the left colon. METHODS: A review of the current literature on the management of colon trauma was performed using PubMed, with secondary references obtained from key articles. CONCLUSION: There is strong evidence from prospective randomised trials that the vast majority of colonic injuries can be safely managed by primary repair. It seems, however, that there is a limited role for colostomy, particularly in high-risk patients with destructive injuries of the left colon. The final decision should be based on available scientific evidence in combination with personal experience and clinical judgement on the given patient.

Colon↗
PubMed2005

Antiangiogenic strategies in hepatocellular carcinoma: current status.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide in both adult and pediatric patients. Despite many options, no ideal treatment exists for this highly malignant tumor, and management strategies have varied accordingly. Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is an essential component of hepatocellular carcinoma biology. Innovative approaches such as targeting the nontransformed, less resistant, tumor-supporting endothelial cells are currently under investigation in hepatocellular carcinoma. This review will focus on the current knowledge of the pathophysiology of hepatocellular carcinoma angiogenesis, as well as the reported data with angiogenesis inhibitors against hepatocellular carcinoma.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗