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E Ancona

Publications and source records attributed to E Ancona.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Sequential intraluminal endoscopic and laparoscopic treatment for bile duct stones associated with gallstones.

BACKGROUND: On the basis of a flowchart including prior or current jaundice or pancreatitis, abnormal liver function, ultrasound or IV cholangiography, bile duct (BD) stones were suspected in 71/593 patients referred for gallstones. METHODS: When endoscopic retrograde cholangiography detected BD stones, endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) and endoscopic BD clearance were attempted, followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). BD stones were found in 44/71 patients. The sensitivity values of preoperative conditions were: 92% for IV cholangiography, 88% for abnormal liver function, 50% for ultrasound, and 37% for jaundice at admission. RESULTS: Endoscopic clearance succeeded in 37 patients and LC was completed in 33 patients. Conversion to open surgery (9%) was comparable with the rate in patients without BD stones. The median hospital stay for the sequential endoscopic and laparoscopic treatments was 13 days (range 4-54) or 22 days if open surgery was used. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, BD stones can be endoscopically cleared preoperatively in most patients without interfering with LC.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Esophageal motor function in patients with myotonic dystrophy.

To investigate pharyngeal and esophageal motor function in myotonic dystrophy (MD), and its relationship to esophageal symptoms, we used low-compliance, high-fidelity esophageal manometry and videofluorography to evaluate 14 consecutive MD patients. Patients exhibited a consistent, typical motor pattern, involving a marked reduction in resting tone of both the upper and lower esophageal sphincters, and a reduction in contraction pressure in the pharynx and throughout the esophagus. Radiology showed hypotonic pharynx with stasis and a hypo- or amotile, often dilated, esophagus. These findings were nonspecific, however, being present in patients both with and without dysphagia, which suggests that MD patients have valid compensatory mechanisms. Dysphagia only correlated to the pharyngeal impairment at manometry. Furthermore, the results of our study suggest that not only the proximal, striated part of the gullet, but also the distal part (in which smooth muscle dominates) is involved in the disease. The latter leads to the impairment of the LES resting tone and competence, highlighting the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease in these patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Mediastinal cyst involving the oesophagus: diagnosis and results of surgical treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with mediastinal cysts involving the oesophagus. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Italy. SUBJECTS: 11 patients who presented to our department with a mediastinal cyst from 1976-1994. INTERVENTIONS: Excision of the mass through a posterolateral thoracotomy (n = 10) or by video-assisted thoracoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: 8 patients presented with retrosternal or epigastric pain, three of whom had mild dysphagia. In the remaining 3 the tumour was asymptomatic and an incidental finding on a chest radiograph. Endoscopic ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) allowed preoperative diagnosis of an extramucosal cyst in 5 of the 7 patients investigated by both tests. Masses were excised through a formal thoracotomy (n = 10) or by video-assisted thoracoscopy. Histological examination confirmed a benign cyst in all cases. There was no operative morbidity and nine patients are free of symptoms after a median follow-up of 2.3 years. CONCLUSION: Excision, preferably by thoracoscopy, is the treatment of choice for mediastinal cysts that involve the oesophagus. Special attention should be paid to the vagal nerves, and as many as possible of the muscular layers of the oesophagus should be preserved.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Functional and morphological study of the cricopharyngeal muscle in patients with Zenker's diverticulum.

Pharyngo-oesophageal function was investigated in 12 patients with Zenker's diverticulum before and after cricopharyngeal myotomy with or without diverticulectomy using low-compliance, high-frequency oesophageal manometry. Nine healthy volunteers served as controls. The amount of muscle and connective tissue in the cricopharyngeal muscle was also measured by computerized morphometry and compared with findings in cadavers with no history of dysphagia. Preoperative manometry in patients with Zenker's diverticulum showed an incomplete relaxation of the upper oesophageal sphincter (UOS) (the residual UOS pressure at swallowing was 7.9 (range 1-20)mmHg in patients versus 0.2 (-12.5-14) mmHg in controls; P < 0.001) and increased pharyngeal intrabolus pressure (21 (range 0-52) versus 9 (range 0-16) mmHg; P < 0.01), with no pharyngo-oesophageal coordination abnormalities. Both parameters significantly decreased after myotomy. Patients with Zenker's diverticulum had significantly fewer muscle fibres in the cricopharyngeus and the muscle:connective tissue ratio was significantly lower (0.94 (range 0.8-1.4) in patients versus 1.5 (1.4-3.6) in controls; P < 0.05). This study supports the theory that Zenker's diverticulum is caused by an increased intrapharyngeal pressure at swallowing due to incomplete cricopharyngeal muscle relaxation resulting from localized sclerosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Onset of oesophageal peristalsis after surgery for idiopathic achalasia.

Twenty-seven patients were treated with a Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication; some peristaltic contractions occurred in seven after operation. When clinical, radiological and manometric data in the seven patients developing peristalsis were compared with findings in the other 20, there were no differences in symptoms, lower oesophageal sphincter pressures and lengths, relief of dysphagia or oesophageal calibre reduction. Oesophageal resting pressure was lower and oesophageal contraction amplitudes were statistically higher in patients with restored peristalsis, which correlated only with the amplitude of contractions 5 cm above the lower oesophageal sphincter (P < 0.05, 95 percent confidence interval). Peristaltic contractions probably exist before treatment, but are concealed by the dilated oesophagus and the common cavity phenomenon. Achalasia is not necessarily associated with complete aperistalsis. No difference was found in the outcome of surgical treatment, and the return to peristalsis appears to be clinically relevant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Laparoscopic versus conventional surgery for suspected appendicitis in women.

The diagnosis of appendicitis remains uncertain in female patients and laparoscopy has been suggested as a valid diagnostic tool. The laparoscopic approach has recently also been proposed for the treatment of acute appendicitis, though its real value is still under debate. A clinical and economic prospective evaluation of laparoscopic surgery over a 1-year period in female patients is reported. The study involved 38 patients presenting with signs of appendicitis and assigned to open (18) or laparoscopic surgery (20). The two groups were comparable as regards age and clinical presentation of the disease. The duration of the procedures was similar (60 min). Morbidity was comparable (3 vs 2). The ratio of negative appendectomy (50% vs 44%) was also similar, but the laparoscopic approach enabled a higher number of certain diagnoses (9/10 vs 3/8 p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the median postoperative stay (3 days for laparoscopy and 4 for surgery) or in the days needed to return to normal activity (15 vs 18). The cosmetic satisfaction was higher for the laparoscopic patients. The cost of the laparoscopic approach, however, was much higher than for conventional surgery. Our results suggest that laparoscopy is a useful diagnostic tool in female patients, but that laparoscopic appendectomy should be considered with some caution in times of restricted financial resources.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Esophageal achalasia: laparoscopic versus conventional open Heller-Dor operation.

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic treatment of esophageal achalasia has recently been introduced, and the occasional reports in the literature seem to indicate considerable advantages for patients in terms of surgical trauma, postoperative discomfort, and appearance. As yet, however, no studies have directly analyzed the benefits and shortcomings of the new surgical technique by comparison with the conventional open procedure. The objective of our study was to review recent experience with the laparoscopic Heller-Dor operation (LAP-HD) at the Department of Surgery of Padua University and compare it with the traditional open Heller-Dor procedure (OPEN-HD) to assess early effectiveness in patients with primary esophageal achalasia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records of 17 patients who had LAP-HD and a matched group of 17 patients who had OPEN-HD were retrospectively reviewed. The duration of procedures, morbidity, several aspects of the postoperative course, and hospital costs were recorded and compared. Results of clinical follow-up and of manometric and pH-monitoring studies performed 6 months postoperatively were also evaluated in both patient groups. RESULTS: LAP-HD took longer than OPEN-HD (mean 178 versus 125 minutes). There was no mortality or major morbidity in either group. Postoperative pain and ileus and need for IV nutrition lasted a shorter time for LAP-HD patients (P < 0.0001). Consequently, the median postoperative hospital stay and the median interval before returning to normal activity were also shorter (4 and 14 days for the LAP-HD group versus 10 and 30 days for the OPEN-HD group, P < 0.0001). During follow-up, dysphagia recurred in 1 patient of the LAP-HD group and gastroesophageal reflux was registered in 1 patient of the OPEN-HD group. Lower esophageal sphincter pressure decreased significantly after both procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic management of achalasia leads to short-term results comparable to those of the well-established open technique. In view of the less severe surgical trauma and lower hospital cost, the laparoscopic approach is preferable, but long-term studies are needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

p53 overexpression in the multistep process of esophageal carcinogenesis.

The timing of p53 mutation in the multistep process of esophageal carcinogenesis is still under debate. We tested p53 expression in 16 samples of low-grade and 29 samples of high-grade esophageal dysplasia (ED) coexisting with esophageal squamous cancer (ESC) in 31 patients who underwent total esophagectomy. In normal mucosa, a positive immunoreaction was detected in 10 of 31 cases, always restricted to the lower half of the epithelial thickness. We detected p53-positive nuclei in 11 of 16, 23 of 29, and 23 of 31 samples of low-grade ED, high-grade ED, and ESC, respectively. Cases exhibiting positive staining in dysplastic samples also demonstrated positive immunoreaction in the carcinomatous tissue. Immunoreactivity in cancer cells was never found in the absence of positive dysplastic nuclei. A significantly higher score of immunoreactive nuclei was detected in high-grade versus low-grade and in low-grade compared with normal mucosa. These data suggest that p53 mutation may represent an early event in esophageal oncogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Echo-sclerotherapy in the management of varices of the lower extremities].

Sclerotherapy has been used with satisfactory results, for several years in the treatment of varicose veins. Nevertheless sometimes sclerosis can be incomplete because of the morphology of lower limbs or because the varicose disease is not clinically evident. In addition, sclerotherapy can give rise to severe complications due to intrarterial or extraluminal injections. In order to exceed this limits, some authors suggested to use a new technique, the echosclerotherapy, which was presented for the first time in Strasburg 1989 by Knight and Vin. Echosclerotherapy is a good help for traditional sclerotherapy, especially when it is applied in the sclerosis of the short saphenous veins, of perforating veins or in unfavourable anatomical situations. From May to November 1993 at the Second Surgical Department of Padua University, 31 patients, 29 women and 3 men, have been treated by echosclerotherapy. 25 patients had great saphenous varicose veins; 3 patients had varices due to perforating veins of the popliteal fossa and 3 patients varices due to Hunter perforating veins. In 48.4% of cases we obtained a complete sclerosis of the vessel; in 38.7% a stump remained near the sapheno-femoral junction of about two centimeters; in one case the treatment was not completed and in one case remained a stump of ten centimeters. Only in two cases Echosclerotherapy was not able to obtain sclerosis. None of the patients had major complications and nobody had deep vein thrombosis. If we consider our results altogether we can say that in 87% of cases we had good results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Excessive competence of the lower oesophageal sphincter after Nissen fundoplication: evaluation by three-dimensional computerised imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the competence of the lower oesophageal sphincter after Nissen fundoplication with that in a control group of healthy volunteers using a new computerized manometric device that integrates the pressure and length of the entire sphincter into one measurement, called the vector volume. DESIGN: Open study. SETTING: University hospital, Italy. SUBJECTS: 18 patients, 6-52 months (mean 10 months) after they had undergone Nissen fundoplication for gastro-oesophageal reflux, and 14 healthy volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: Oesophageal computerised manometric system comprising a catheter with eight side holes radially oriented to each other at 45 degrees on one level and 24-hour oesophageal pH monitoring. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences in percentage time of oesophageal acid exposure, number of episodes of gastro-oesophageal reflux, and lower oesophageal sphincter vector volume. RESULTS: The pH of the oesophagus was returned to the normal range in all patients after the Nissen fundoplication. There was a significant reduction in both the percentage time of acid exposure and the number of episodes of gastro-oesophageal reflux compared with the control group (p < 0.001). The vector volume of the intra-abdominal part of the lower oesophageal sphincter was significantly increased compared with the control group (p < 0.04). Lower oesophageal sphincter pressure measured at the respiratory inversion point, and lower oesophageal length, both increased after fundoplication to become similar to control values. When sphincter pressure was measured as a mean of the sphincter pressure curve there was a clear difference postoperatively compared with controls (p < 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Nissen fundoplication corrects abnormal gastro-oesophageal reflux but abolishes normal physiological postprandial reflux; this is caused by the gastric fundus that encircling the intra-abdominal oesophagus, restores sphincter pressure and length, and modifies its shape.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in pregnancy].

After appendicectomy, cholecystectomy is the most frequently nongynecological operation performed in pregnant women. Pregnancy has been stated to be a contraindication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) because of the unknown effects of a prolonged CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the fetus. Between September 1990 and December 1993 451 patients underwent LC at the 2nd Surgical Department of the University of Padova-Italy. Two patients were operated during the second trimester of pregnancy. LC without cholangiograms was successful in both patients and uncomplicated term delivery occurred. The Authors conclude that pregnancy is not a contraindication to LC; it can be performed safely during pregnancy and should be scheduled during the second trimester.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Outpatient surgery of varices of the lower limbs: experience of 2,568 cases at four universities.

Outpatient surgery of varices of the lower limbs is currently considered a viable alternative to traditional surgery with hospitalization. This paper reports the experience of 4 university groups (Padua, Modena, Verona, Milan), where outpatient treatment has been used since 1987. From June 1987 to June 1992, 2,568 lower limb varices were treated in this way. Different techniques of anaesthesia were used (local infiltration, combined local and general, general, subarachnoid). In all cases, crossectomy was combined with short or long saphenous stripping. There were no intra- or perioperative deaths, and only limited morbidity. Postoperative hospitalization was required in only 2 cases: for hemorrhaging of the inguinal wound in one case, and headache 2 days after spinal anaesthesia in the other. In 2 separate samples of 100 patients, 88 and 89 indicated satisfaction with the surgical treatment. In conclusion, outpatient surgery of varices can be based on the same techniques as in-patients treatment. The risks of surgery and anaesthesia in specialised centres are very limited, with scope for a variety of anaesthetic techniques according to facilities available. Patients satisfaction is high.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1995

Chronic recurrent pancreatitis in pregnancy.

This report describes a case of chronic recurrent pancreatitis due to gallstones arising in the first trimester of pregnancy. Total parental nutrition produced a normalization of pancreatic enzymes and a rapid regression of symptoms. Following another relapse of acute pancreatitis, a laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed. The pregnancy continued normally and the patient had a spontaneous delivery at the 37th week.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Thoracoscopic bilateral splanchnicotomy for pain control in unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Abdominal pain is the most common symptom of unresectable pancreatic carcinoma. The pancreas receives sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve fibers. The latter, which are the sensitive ones, reach the pancreas through the greater and lesser splanchnic nerve and the celiac ganglion. The greater splanchnic nerve originates from the thoracic ganglia T5-T8 and the lesser splanchnic nerve from T9-T11. The splanchnic nerves are composed of white nerve branches which stem from the ganglia, situated in the intercostal spaces, in the dorsal subpleural region, so they are easily visible through the pleura. The surgical treatment of pain in unresectable pancreatic carcinomas includes abdominal resection of splanchnic nerves, abdominal celiac and superior mesenteric ganglionectomy or thoracic resection of post-ganglionic splanchnic branches. Only recently monolateral thoracoscopic splanchnicotomy in association with vagotomy has been recommended. Because only the bilateral resection of splanchnic nerves ensures total control of pancreatic pain, the Authors have tried an original technique of bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicotomy. The operation is performed in sequence on the two sides, with the patient lying, on the contralateral side. The lung is excluded and three 10 mm thoracic trocars are inserted: one in the 7th space on the median axillary line (for the optic), one in the 6th space on the posterior axillary line and one in the 5th space on the anterior axillary line. The pleura is opened medially to the sympathetic trunk, at the level of the 5th intercostal space and splanchnicotomy is performed downward up to the 11th intercostal space. The drains, placed through the previously-prepared opening at the level of the 7th intercostal space, are removed on 1 post-operative day. A bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicotomy should be recommended as treatment of choice of pancreatic pain in unresectable pancreatic carcinoma, because is well tolerated by patients and ensures excellent results in terms of pain control.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1994

[Limited surgery in cancer of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus: role of autotransplants of the intestinal loop and skin flaps].

The cervical esophageal region can be involved by several cancer types as primary malignancies of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus, locally advanced tumors of the larynx and thyroid, and neoplastic recurrence after laryngectomy for cancer. These situations often require complex surgical procedures, and the integrated use of multiple surgical techniques or multistage operations. It is often a limit-type surgery that requires free loop intestinal autotransplants, local and regional skin flaps, and peduncle myocutaneous flaps, and therefore requires specific skill not only in general and thoracic surgery but also in head and neck surgery, plastic surgery and microsurgery. This paper summarizes the experience in the field of cervical esophagus replacement with jejunal free loop autotransplant (23 cases) and cutaneous or myocutaneous flaps (23 cases) at the "Centro Regionale Veneto per le Malattie dell'Esofago" from 1980 to 1993.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗
PubMed1993

Altered esophageal pain threshold in irritable bowel syndrome.

Gut motility disorders and altered pain perception were reported in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). To verify foregut involvement in IBS, we studied 30 patients using esophageal manometry and 24-hr pH monitoring of the distal esophagus. Two subgroups of patients underwent esophageal provocative tests (bethanechol 50 micrograms/kg subcutaneously and esophageal balloon distension test). Twelve healthy volunteers formed a control group. A pain threshold on esophageal distension significantly lower than in healthy subjects (11.5 +/- 1 ml vs 22.2 +/- 1.7 ml, P < 0.01) was found in IBS patients. On the other hand, no differences between patients and controls were detected in lower esophageal sphincter pressure and length, esophageal body motility, or GER pattern; furthermore, bethanechol stimulation elicited similar esophageal body motility changes. Our study could confirm no detectable basal or bethanechol-induced esophageal motility disorders in IBS patients, nor enhanced GER. Esophageal involvement in IBS consists of a lower pain threshold on esophageal distension, possibly reflecting an altered visceral receptor sensitivity or modulation throughout the gut.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Functional and morphological effects of defibrotide on renal ischemia.

Defibrotide (Df) has been reported to protect various organs from ischemic damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Df on renal function and morphology after warm kidney ischemia. Divided into two groups, 14 pigs underwent bilateral renal clamping for 90 min. One group (7 pigs) was treated with Df (32 mg/kg per h) for 6 h, whereas the control group received 5000 IU of heparin. Serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine measured for 6 days were significantly higher in the control group (peak 26.8 +/- 16.7 vs 11.0 +/- 2.9 mmol/l and 501.2 +/- 351.4 vs 230.2 +/- 68.0 mumol/l P < 0.05). Renal biopsy evidenced a lesser extent of tubular and endothelial damage in Df-treated animals. In conclusion, Df provided relevant protection against renal ischemic injury.

Animals↗