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Biomedical subjects

G Bassi

Publications and source records attributed to G Bassi.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

The ratio between anterior abdominal wall surface/wall defect surface: a new parameter to classify abdominal incisional hernias.

Current classifications of incisional hernias are often not suitable. The aim of our study was to demonstrate that it is important to consider not only the wall defect surface (WDS) but also the total surface of the anterior abdominal wall (SAW) and the ratio between SAW/WDS). Twenty-three patients affected by > 10 cm size incisional hernias were examined for anthropometric analyses. The SAW, the WDS and the ratio SAW/WDS were calculated. All of the 23 patients were operated on 13 patients were treated with the Rives technique using a polypropylene mesh while the remaning ten patients had an intraperitoneal Parietex Composite mesh (PC). The two groups were compared for post-operative pain (with VAS) and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) 48 h after the operation: bladder pressure, length of the procedure, average hospital stay and return to work were calculated. In the Rives group, WDS being equal, the higher IAP values were, the lower was the ratio SAW/WDS; furthermore, SAW/WDS ratio being equal, IAP values were low in cases where intraperitoneal mesh was used. Post-operative pain, measured with VAS, was critical when there was a low SAW/WDS ratio and a high IAP. In our experience, it is possible to predict a strong abdominal wall tension if the SAW/WDA ratio is below 15 mmHg. In these cases it is advisable to use a technique requiring the use of an intraperitoneal mesh. Our experience with PC was so positive that it is used in our department for all cases where an intraperitoneal mesh is required. At present, our proposal is that the SAW/WDS ratio is to be considered as a new parameter in current classifications of incisional hernias.

Abdominal Wall↗
PubMed2004

Surgical treatment of large incisional hernias with an intraperitoneal Parietex Composite mesh: our preliminary experience on 26 cases.

BACKGROUND: The authors analyse the results of a prospective study on the use of a new type of composite mesh, Parietex Composite (PC) (Sofradim, France), positioned intraperitoneally in incisional hernias. METHODS: Twenty-six patients (9 men, 17 women), aged 51 on average (range 33-79), were treated with this mesh. Twenty-four patients underwent open surgery. Indications were: ventral hernias that were big, on the border, multirecurrent, or larger than 10 cm with important associated pathologies. Only two patients with small hernias were treated laparoscopically. RESULTS: The average follow-up of our survey was 15 months (range 6-24). All patients underwent ultrasound scans of the abdomen before surgery and 6 months after the operation, according to the Sigel technique, in order to detect the presence of visceral adhesions to the mesh. In 23 patients (88%), the bowel's motions, both spontaneous and induced, were in a normal range. We had neither intestinal occlusions nor fistulae. No deaths occurred. Postoperative complications were minor: two seromas (8%), one hematoma (4%), two parietal suppurations (8%). No mesh was removed. Only one recurrence occurred (4%). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experience with PC is so positive that this mesh is currently the one of choice in our department when an intraperitoneal implant is required.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Nutrition given to critically ill patients during high level/complex care (on Italian ICUs).

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Within a prospective study on costs in 45 Italian intensive units we reviewed nutrition support practice given during critical illness. METHODS: From June to October 1999, patients with an ICU stay longer than 47 h were studied. Nutrition (i.e. fasting, parenteral, enteral and mixed) and calorie supply by the enteral route were monitored during the first consecutive days (up to seven) of invasive support of organ failure (high-care). RESULTS: 388 patients received high-care for at least 1 day, 200 patients had seven consecutive high-care-days. Some form of nutrition was given in 90.7% of patients, 9.3% were never fed (25.8% of the cardiac patients). Parenteral nutrition was given in 13.9% of patients (78.9% of the abdominal surgery patients), 39.7% received only enteral nutrition, and 36.4% received mixed nutrition. Finally, 77.1% of the patients received nutrient by gut. Nutrition was given in 78.5% of 2115 collected days, 44.1% of the first high-care-days and 93.5% of the 7th days were positive for nutrition. Enteral calorie load on the first day was similar for enteral and mixed nutrition (range 8-14 kcal/kg), it was higher for exclusive enteral nutrition between the 4th and the 7th day (15-19 vs. 11-14 kcal/kg). It differed according to diagnosis group. CONCLUSIONS: In Italian ICUs, in complex critically ill patients, nutrition is consistently given in critical illness, gut is widely used except in abdominal surgery patients.

Critical Care↗
PubMed2004

[Non invasive mechanical ventilation in acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema: is it all done?].

The aim of the paper is to critically analyse the results obtained by recent literature concerning the most important aspects of application of Non Invasive Mechanical Ventilation for the treatment of Acute Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema, and to elaborate a definition of what is, on the whole, widely accepted, focusing the attention on those issues which still remain unanswered and therefore require further studies. MEDLINE was searched and the bibliography of a selected group of articles was perused. The literature was analysed and the information gathered has proved to address the questions in a systematic way. All studies concerning the use of a non invasive ventilation technique in the treatment of acute pulmonary edema or acute respiratory failure which included pulmonary edema have been considered. New physiological issues have been introduced on the pathogenesis of acute pulmonary edema. Even though very little non invasive ventilation has been performed outside intensive care units, a growing interest is rising in the opportunity of transferring this technique to a different setting which would include critically ill patients. No random controlled trials and studies have ever established whether positive pressure support is really better than continuous airway pressure, but several trials appear to have excluded the potential for high-risk in the use of assisted ventilation. General opinion has not yet confirmed foreseeable failures in non invasive ventilation at the time of patient admission. A good deal of favorable experimental evidence supports the use of non invasive ventilation in the acute pulmonary edema and guarantees safety when used in intensive care units. Very few trials have been carried out in order to explore application on severe pulmonary edema outside intensive care unit. A whole new world of old and new issues on patient selection criteria, ventilation times, type of ventilation and predictability of failure, could be discovered.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

[Pharmaco-epidemiologic indicators for the analysis of drug consumption at the regional level].

The analysis of drug use is often limited to the description of per capita pharmaceutical expenditure. Differences that are observed in the comparison are attributable to the specific age and gender distribution of the compared populations, and to prescriptive behaviors of general practitioners. Aim of this paper is to analyze drug prescription in a local health unit of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. In order to take into account differences in age distribution among health districts we used "weighted" populations. An in depth analysis has been carried out on antihypertensive drugs to evaluate differences in GPs' prescriptive behavior. Both the differences among districts in the level of drug use, and variability observed in antihypertensive use in the population, suggest that drug prescription might be partly inappropriate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Lipoxygenase activity on the plasmalemma of sunflower protoplasts and its modulation.

A lipoxygenase (EC 1.13.11.12) activity on the plasmalemma of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) protoplasts and its possible modulation by regulatory molecules were investigated. The activity was followed as both linolenic acid-dependent conjugated diene formation and oxygen uptake. Protoplasts exhibited a lipoxygenase activity inhibited by propyl gallate, salicylhydroxamic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene, and stimulated by the addition of CaCl2, H2O2 and ATP. The stimulation by CaCl2 and H2O2 was evident up to 1.5 mM and 5 nM, respectively. Higher concentrations of H2O2 caused a lower extent of stimulation and then became inhibitory. The stimulatory effect of CaCl2 was prevented by chelators (EGTA or EDTA), a Ca2+ channel blocker (gadolinium oxide) or a Ca2+ ionophore (A23187). Negligible lipoxygenase was released from protoplasts after 6 h incubation in 3.6 mM MES-Tris (pH 5.6), 0.5 M glycine betaine and 1 mM CaCl2, whereas mechanical disruption of cell integrity, liberating soluble lipoxygenase, strongly increased such an activity. However, microsomal membranes obtained from hypocotyls still retained a part of this activity which was also recovered in a highly purified plasma membrane preparation.

Cell Membrane↗
PubMed1994

The Nd:YAG laser in caries removal.

This paper shows how a laser can be used in the various stages of caries removal prior to the placement of a glass-ionomer restoration. In the future the laser may prove to be a valuable tool in enabling the dentist to perform surgical procedures with maximum comfort to the patient.

Anesthesia, Dental↗
PubMed1994

[Adrenal angioma simulating pheochromocytoma].

The authors report a case of adrenal angioma (a rare benign mesenchymal tumour) which was diagnosed by chance ("incidentaloma") and whose clinical and instrumental characterisation led to the hypothesis of a pheochromocytoma. The various diagnostic methods used are analysed together with results and the possible causes of their erroneous interpretation.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗
PubMed1992

[Subtotal colectomy in splenic flexure carcinoma in a patient with transverse colostomy who had undergone gastric resection (Billroth II)].

The Authors report a case of subtotal colectomy for splenic flexure adenocarcinoma in a gastro-resected patient bearing a transverse colostomy. They underline the considerable technical difficulties encountered during dissection because of multiple adhesions related to the previous operations (gastrojejunostomy and transverse colostomy). In fact, a gastric resection according to Billroth II and an emergency colostomy for bowel obstruction had been performed 20 years and 30 days respectively prior to the present operation. Nevertheless, reconstructive steps resulted easier and faster with the use of staplers.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Ubiquitous pollution by n-hexane and reference biological levels in the general population.

n-Hexane levels were determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry in environmental air and in the alveolar air, blood and urine of a group of subjects aged on average of 38 years who had not been occupationally exposed to this hydrocarbon. n-Hexane was found in all environmental air samples examined (n = 49), with the mean concentration being 104 ng/l (limit values, 1-279 ng/l). It was also found in all 49 samples of alveolar air, with the mean concentration being 50 ng/l (variation limit, 1-304 ng/l). In 64 samples of urine, n-hexane was found in only 50 samples, with the mean concentration being 1,417 ng/l (limit values, 34-8,820 ng/l). In 77 of the 90 blood samples taken, a mean concentration of 608 ng/l was detected (variation limit, 15-7,684 ng/l). Particularly the haematic and urinary concentration showed significant differences among the nine groups of individuals classified according to their work activity. The lowest levels were found in the blood and urine of farmers: 270 and 298 ng/l, respectively. The highest values were found for chemical workers (1,377 and 411 ng/l), respectively printers (585 and 2,691 ng/l respectively), and traffic wardens (740 and 8,820 ng/l, respectively). In all, 95% of the determinations of n-hexane yielded values of less than 255 ng/l in environmental samples, less than 105 ng/l in alveolar air, less than 1,475 ng/l in blood and less than 5,875 ng/l in urine. A comparison of these data revealed a significant correlation between environmental levels and alveolar (r/s = 0.769; P less than 0.00001), haematic (r/s = 0.624; P less than 0.0002), and urinary (r/s = 0.597; P less than 0.0005) values for n-hexane.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Surgical treatment of traumatic spinal injuries with cord damage. Clinical review of 12 years of experience with the Roy-Camille technique.

The authors critically review 135 cases of traumatic injuries of the spine with cord damage (75 cervical, 60 thoracolumbar) treated by posterior osteosynthesis using the Roy-Camille technique at the authors' institution from 1978 to 1989. The follow-up ranged from 6 months to 12 years. In addition to fracture and/or dislocation, most patients had severe spinal cord injury resulting in either complete or incomplete paraplegia or quadriplegia. The authors describe the surgical indications, the advantages, and the long-term results of this technique.

Cervical Vertebrae↗
PubMed1990

A rare case of primary lymphoma of bone of cervical localization.

A rare case of primary lymphoma of bone localized in the epistropheus is reported. After emphasizing the difficulty of diagnosis based solely on clinical, radiographic and laboratory data, the authors stress that biopsy is essential to diagnosis. The excellent clinical result, followed up after 5 years, was obtained with surgical excision followed by antiblastic treatment with repeated cycles of VBD, and local and regional lymph node radiotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Cinoxacin in infections of the lower urinary tract].

The results obtained in 15 patients with infections of the lower urinary tract given 500 mg cinoxacin in two daily doses for 10 days are reported. A positive response was obtained in 13 of the 15 cases. Cinoxacin is easily managed, produces no side effects and can be administered orally, all of which makes it a drug of first choice in the treatment of prophylaxis of lower urinary infections.

Adult↗