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Konstantinos Albanopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to Konstantinos Albanopoulos.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Two-trocar laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy versus conventional laparoscopic appendectomy in patients with acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: In order to reduce abdominal trauma and operative costs we have adopted a two-trocar laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy for patients with acute appendicitis. In the current study, the proposed technique is prospectively evaluated against conventional laparoscopic appendectomy with respect to feasibility, safety, and postoperative outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2001 and July 2003, 83 consecutive patients were admitted with clinically diagnosed acute appendicitis and were randomly assigned to two-trocar laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy (n = 40, 48.2%) or conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (n = 43, 51.8%). RESULTS: Two-trocar laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy was successfully completed in 30 patients (80.1%). Four patients initially scheduled for two-trocar laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy (10.8%) were converted to laparotomy due to excessive body weight (BMI > or = 40), while an additional 5-mm infraumbilical trocar was inserted in another 3 patients (8.1%). The procedure was associated with decreased operative time and more rapid return to normal activity compared to laparoscopic appendectomy (P < 0.001 and P = 0.038, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference regarding the duration of hospitalization or the morbidity rate between the two groups. Conversion of the initial procedure was associated with increased wound infection rate and higher morbidity (P = 0.032 and P = 0.018, respectively). CONCLUSION: Two-trocar laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy represents a promising minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of acute appendicitis. It is fast and easy to perform, and it is expected to decrease the overall cost of laparoscopic appendectomy. Its only contraindication is excessive body weight; it remains to be evaluated in the setting of perforated appendicitis and retrocecally located appendices.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Laparoscopic versus open splenectomy in patients with beta thalassemia major.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic splenectomy is considered the standard of care for the removal of the spleen in benign diseases. There are not sufficient data for the routine application of this technique in patients with beta thalassemia major. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight consecutive beta thalassemia major patients who underwent elective splenectomy were randomized for open and laparoscopic splenectomy. Patient demographics, operative time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, conversion rate, transfusions, and length of stay were recorded. RESULTS: There was no mortality in this series. There was no difference in complication rates between the two groups. Operative time was markedly increased in the group treated laparoscopically, as was the need for blood transfusions. Median hospital stay was decreased in the laparoscopic group (5 days) compared to the open group (6.5 days). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic splenectomy in patients with beta thalassemia major is feasible; however, it is more time consuming and bleeding occurs more often.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Complete endoscopic axillary lymph node dissection without liposuction for breast cancer: initial experience and mid-term outcome.

AIM: To present our initial experience with complete endoscopic axillary lymph node dissection (EALND) in 4 breast cancer patients with respect to feasibility, safety, and clinical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2003 and March 2004, 4 women consented to be treated with lumpectomy followed by complete (level I, II, and III) EALND without liposuction, at the Laparoendoscopic Unit of Athens Medical School. All 4 patients presented with a solitary breast cancer lesion smaller than 2 cm in diameter and a negative clinical and sonographic lymph node status (<1 cm). RESULTS: All the operations were completed endoscopically in less than 70 minutes (44 to 69 min). The axillary lymph node harvest ranged between 12 and 21 nodes. No lymphedema, motor nerve damage, seroma formation, or wound complications were observed. Prolonged hospitalization, owing to persistent lymphorrhoea was required for 1 patient. During a mean follow-up of 21.3 months, 2 patients reported mild hypoesthesia-paresthesia along the upper medial part of the respective arm, whereas no tumor recurrences were documented. CONCLUSIONS: Although partial EALND has not been established as the treatment of choice for axillary management, complete EALND seems to be a feasible and effective minimally invasive treatment modality, which could be safely applied in patients with positive sentinel node biopsy, treated in specialized centers.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Postchemotherapy resection of a primary mature malignant retroperitoneal teratoma in an adult: report of a case.

We herein report a rare case of a 47-year-old man with a primary mature retroperitoneal malignant teratoma. The patient received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and the residual tumor was resected. A histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of malignant teratoma with endodermal, ectodermal, and mesenchymal structures. The patient is alive and disease free at 13 months after resection.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗
PubMed2005

Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy.

BACKGROUND: The safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been proven in patients with several pre-existing clinical conditions. This study was conducted to evaluate the applicability and safety of elective LC in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions who were receiving anticoagulant treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 2002, 33 patients preoperatively receiving long-term anticoagulant therapy for pre-existing disease were scheduled to undergo elective LC for symptomatic gallstone disease in our laparoendoscopic unit. The study group included 19 patients with one valve replacement (57.6%), 1 patient (3%) with two valves replaced, and 1 patient (3%) with three cardiac valves replaced. There were also 9 patients (27.3%) suffering from chronic atrial fibrillation, 1 patient (3%) with a history of deep vein thrombosis, 1 patient with a history of pulmonary embolism, and 1 patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and systemic lupus erythematosous (SLE). Thirty-three non-anticoagulated patients matched for age and sex who were scheduled for elective LC in our department during the same period served as the control group. RESULTS: There was no intraoperative or postoperative mortality or morbidity in our series. The mean duration of the LC did not differ significantly between the anticoagulated and control groups (63.6 minutes vs. 64.9 minutes, P=0.643). All anticoagulated patients were mobilized by postoperative day 1 and were discharged from the hospital in a mean 3.6+/-0.8 days (median, 3 days; range, 3-6 days) after an uneventful postoperative course. The length of stay was significantly longer in the anticoagulated group of patients (3.6 days vs. 1.5 days in the control group, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Elective LC can be performed safely in patients under anticoagulant therapy for severe pre-existing cardiovascular disease, as long as their cardiopulmonary and coagulation parameters are carefully individualized and adjusted.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Somatostatin versus octreotide in the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal and pancreatic fistulas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Gastrointestinal and pancreatic fistulas are characterized as serious complications following abdominal surgery, with a reported incidence of up to 27% and 46%, respectively. Fistula formation results in prolonged hospitalization, increased morbidity/mortality and increased treatment costs. Conservative and surgical approaches are both employed in the management of these fistulas. The purpose of the present study was to assess, evaluate and compare the potential clinical benefit and cost effectiveness of pharmacotherapy (somatostatin versus its analogue octreotide) versus conventional therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-one patients with gastrointestinal or pancreatic fistulas were randomized to three treatment groups: 19 patients received 6000 IU/day of somatostatin intravenously, 17 received 100 microg of octreotide three times daily subcutaneously and 15 patients received only standard medical treatment. RESULTS: The fistula closure rate was 84% in the somatostatin group, 65% in the octreotide group and 27% in the control group. These differences were of statistical significance (P=0.007). Overall mortality rate was less than 5% and statistically significant differences in mortality among the three groups could not be established. Overall, treatment with somatostatin and octreotide was more cost effective than conventional therapy (control group), and somatostatin was more cost effective than octreotide. The average hospital stay was 21.6 days, 27.0 and 31.5 days for the somatostatin, octreotide and control groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that pharmacotherapy reduces the costs involved in fistula management (by reducing hospitalization) and also offers increased spontaneous closure rate. Further prospective studies focusing on the above parameters are needed to demonstrate the clinicoeconomic benefits.

Abdomen↗