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Biomedical subjects

F Gea

Publications and source records attributed to F Gea.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

Two-stage treatment with preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) compared with single-stage treatment with intraoperative ERCP for patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis with possible choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: An ideal treatment for choledocholithiasis in the laparoscopic era has not been established. The objective of this study was to elucidate whether a treatment strategy of performing intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during laparascopic cholecystectomy (when choledocholithiasis is confirmed by intraoperative cholangiography) is better for patients with suspected common bile duct stones than the current strategy (preoperative ERCP followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective randomized study to evaluate which of these two approaches was most benefit- and cost-effective for patients with intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis. Patients underwent either preoperative ERCP followed by a laparoscopic cholecystectomy a few weeks later (the "preoperative ERCP" group) or intraoperative ERCP (the "intraoperative ERCP" group). Intraoperative ERCP was performed using the rendezvous technique. RESULTS: There were 64 patients in the preoperative ERCP group and 59 patients in the intraoperative ERCP group. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the two groups were similar, except that the bilirubin and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels and the number of patients treated on an inpatient basis were higher in the preoperative ERCP group. Success rates were similar (96.6 % in the preoperative ERCP group vs. 90.2 % in the intraoperative ERCP group in the per-protocol study). Total morbidity, post-ERCP morbidity, and post-ERCP acute pancreatitis rates were higher in the preoperative ERCP group, but there were no differences between the two groups in the frequency of residual common bile duct stones, the conversion rate to open cholecystectomy, or surgical morbidity. The length of hospital stay and costs were lower in the intraoperative ERCP group despite the longer surgical times in this group. Univariate analysis did not find any relationship between morbidity and total bilirubin or GGT. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that morbidity was related only to the treatment group and the time spent in the operating room: the relative risk (RR) was 4.37 for morbidity and 1.015 for the time spent in the operating room); the RR for papillotomy was 5.49. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatment approaches were equally effective but the intraoperative ERCP group had less morbidity, a shorter hospital stay, and reduced costs. The lower morbidity in the intraoperative ERCP group resulted from the lower rate of papillotomy and lower rates of post-ERCP pancreatitis and cholecystitis. Total morbidity was principally related to the type of treatment approach used.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

Endoscopic treatment of postoperative fistulas resistant to conservative management using biological fibrin glue.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Postoperative fistulae occur frequently in standard surgical practice, but there is no general agreement on how to treat them. We summarize here our experience with endoscopic treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Postoperative digestive fistulae resistant to conservative treatment, in 15 patients, are retrospectively reviewed. Our series included two internal fistulas: (one rectovesical, and one high-output pleuroesophagic), and 13 external fistulas (one low-output gastrocutaneous, two low-output esophagocutaneous, seven low-output enterocutaneous, and three high-output enterocutaneous). After failure of conservative treatment, the fistulas were endoscopically located and 2 - 4 ml of reconstituted fibrin glue, Tissucol 2.0 at 37 degrees C, was injected through a catheter. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 61.2 years (38 - 86), and 60 % were men. Of the fistulas, 26.6 % were of the high-output type. The mean healing time was 16 days (5 - 40), and a mean of 2.5 sessions per patient were required (1 - 5). Complete sealing of fistulas was achieved in 86.6 % of cases; (87.5 % of the low-output and internal fistulas, and 55 % of the high-output fistulas). After follow-up ranging between 2 months and more than 3 years, only one of the sealed fistulas reopened. No complications were encountered. Overall mortality was 13.3 % (two out of 15), but in only one patient was this related to clinical deterioration because of the persistence of the fistula. CONCLUSIONS: We think that conservative treatment should not be prolonged beyond 14 days and that endoscopic treatment should be performed at that stage. Endoscopic sealing treatment achieves a very high success rate, without complications and at a lower cost. It could probably reduce the hospital stay, and avoid some unnecessary surgical interventions. Appropriate multicenter randomized trials are needed to confirm these results.

Adult↗

[Esophageal perforation and postoperative fistulae of the upper digestive tract treated endoscopically with the application of Tissucol].

We present three patients with serious gastro-esophageal complications which were treated with Tissucol. The first patient developed a rare postoperative oesophago-pleural fistula. The second suffered a traumatic esophageal perforation (possibly iatrogenic) that was discovered at the end of the removal procedure of an alimentary bolus impacted in the distal esophagus. Attempts to close the high output oesophago-pleural fistula with standard treatment were unsuccessful. It was closed with Tissucol at the third attempt, in conjunction with oesophago-jejunal stenosis by means of endoscopic dilatation. In the second patient, early Tissucol application after detection of pneumomediastinum was an effective complementary treatment to the conservative approach and rapidly closed the perforation. The third patient developed a low debit postoperative gastro-cutaneous fistula that did not resolve with conservative treatment. It was closed with only one session of Tissucol sealing. We consider that the endoscopic application of fibrin glue should become the first step in the conservative treatment of small esophageal perforations or postoperative esophageal pleural fistulae, especially in cases of high output fistulae. The success of this technique depends on the localization and selective catheterization of the fistula and on brushing the fistular opening. Total resolution of any distal stenosis is necessary to prevent reopening of the fistula.

Adult↗

[Treatment of inoperable malignant gastric stenosis with self-expanding prosthesis].

We report two patients with inoperable malignant stenosis of gastric antrum who were treated with endoscopic placement of a 22 mm Wallstent metallic prosthesis. In one patient, the endoscope was introduced simultaneously with the prosthesis. Different types of pincers were introduced through the endoscope's canal, which aided the movement and placement of the prosthesis. In the other patient, to broaden the stenosis a pediatric endoscope was introduced with a guide inside the canal, which was held straight externally and which facilitated the positioning of the prosthesis. There were no complications and the patients were discharged after 48 hours able to follow a normal oral diet. Both patients are still living, six and four months respectively after the procedure.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Monitoring of serum proteinase--antiproteinase balance and systemic inflammatory response in prognostic evaluation of acute pancreatitis. Results of a prospective multicenter study.

With the aim of studying the clinical usefulness and applicability of circulating levels of protease inhibitors, complement factors, acute phase reactants, and leukocytic enzymes in the prognostic evaluation of acute pancreatitis (AP), the present prospective multicenter study has been carried out. A total of 182 patients with AP have been included, to whom an exhaustive evolutive protocol has been applied from the time of their hospital admission (2-12 hr from the onset of the disease) until the 15th day of evolution in order to clearly define them. The severe episodes exhibit a greater consumption of alpha 2-macroglobulin, and C3 and C4 complement factors, as well as a greater increase of alpha 1-protease inhibitor, C-reactive protein and polymorphonuclear elastase than mild events, with regards to the underlying pathophysiological condition. The determination of the plasma levels of leukocytic elastase in the first hours of evolution allows a prediction of the severity of the acute pancreatitis event with a high reliability (predictive values that become higher than 90%). The clinical value of the remaining parameters analyzed, in this aspect, is less, being applicable to the monitoring of the disease.

Acute Disease↗

[Severe digestive hemorrhage of an unusual etiology. Visible isolated and bleeding esophageal vessels].

We describe two patients with massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed jet haemorrhage in the distal portion of the esophagus, from a visible vessel, without esophageal mucosal damage. In both cases arteriography was performed, and did not show vascular malformations or fistulous points. The patients were successfully treated, one with endoscopic sclerosis and balloon tamponade, and the other with endoscopic sclerosis and transcatheter embolization through left gastric artery. For the time being we do not know the true importance of these findings, but we hope that other reports help us to understand the clinical and pathologic features of this vascular lesion, and the best therapeutic approach.

Adolescent↗

[Portal hypertension secondary to an arterioportal fistula. Treatment by embolization].

We report a case of arterioportal fistula which was probably the result of percutaneous liver biopsy. Portal hypertension with hemorrhage by esophageal varices was the clinical presentation. We describe the features of the ultrasound, selective arteriography and Doppler ultrasound examination. The fistula was catheterized superselectively and successfully embolized with steel coils.

Adult↗

Study of the secretion of pepsinogen I in cirrhotic humans with and without portacaval shunt.

Thirty-nine subjects have been studied: 14 with hepatic cirrhosis who had not been subjected to surgery, 13 cirrhotic patients in whom portacaval shunt had been performed, and 12 normal controls. In all of them, we performed serum determinations of pepsinogen I, both basal and after pentagastrin stimulation, and of basal gastrin levels, as well as analyses of basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion (basal acid output and maximal acid output). The values for pepsinogen I, basal or post-stimulation, were higher (p less than 0.001) in patients with cirrhosis who had not undergone surgical shunt than in those in the control group. However, there were no statistically significant differences when these two groups were compared with the patients who had been subjected to portacaval shunt. In this last group of patients, seven had levels similar to those of the controls, and six presented higher values. Likewise, the values for gastric acid secretion were similar in the three groups of patients, and the basal gastrin level was lower (p less than 0.001) among patients with liver cirrhosis, whether or not they had undergone surgery, than among the control population. In conclusion, the functional alterations of the gastric mucosa in patients with hepatic cirrhosis are not significantly different from those found in cirrhotic patients with portacaval shunt.

Adult↗