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Biomedical subjects

L Franchi

Publications and source records attributed to L Franchi.

67 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

A comparison of serum interleukin-6 concentrations in patients treated by cholecystectomy via laparotomy or laparoscopy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multifunctional cytokine, is expressed by various cells after many stimuli. This cytokine release is related, among other things, to the extent of the surgically-induced trauma. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a so-called "mini-invasive" surgical procedure and, on the basis of this consideration, the aim of the present prospective non-randomized study, is to examine (a) whether the IL-6 is modified and how, in patients after LC compared to patients undergoing open cholecystectomy (OC), (b) whether these findings are indicative of an increased risk to develop infectious complications and whether they are therefore clinically significant. METHODOLOGY: Circulating IL-6 level was measured using a random access chemiluminescense-immunoassay system in 71 patients before the operation (time 0) and 1, 2, 3, 6, 24 and 48 hours after the beginning of the operation. Thirty-five patients underwent OC and 36 LC. RESULTS: The increase in the serum IL-6 during LC was found to be significantly smaller than that during OC and resulted in a smaller extent of postoperative elevations for C-reactive protein. We recorded three cases (8.5%) of postoperative infections in the "open" group and IL-6 concentration normalized only 6 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: An increase in the serum IL-6 level during LC is lower in comparison to OC and results in lower postoperative elevation in C-reactive protein. Laparoscopic surgery, associated with a small skin incision and the avoidance of open laparotomy, can thus minimize surgical stress, and provide more favorable postoperative conditions for patients. Indeed excessive and prolonged post-injury elevations are associated with increased morbidity.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Abnormalities of the maxillary incisors in children with cleft lip and palate.

Dental anomalies of the maxillary anterior teeth were studied in seventy-seven children affected by unilateral and bilateral clefts of the lip and alveolar process, with or without involvement of the palate. As for the permanent lateral incisor in the cleft area, our results show that its congenital absence is the most frequent abnormality followed by anomalies in size and shape and supernumerary teeth. Enamel hypoplasia was found to affect the permanent central incisor on the cleft side more frequently. Early recognition of tooth abnormalities during the primary dentition phase for an interceptive treatment of potentially severe problems was emphasized.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Craniofacial changes following early prosthetic treatment in a case of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with complete anodontia.

The authors describe early prosthetic treatment in a case of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia with complete anodontia. Craniofacial changes were analyzed by means of Ricketts' cephalometric analysis and superimposition methods. Early prosthetic treatment for complete anodontia determined a backward-downward rotation of the mandible with consequent normal positioning of the chin in the space, normalization in lower facial height, reduction in convexity of the face, and improvement in facial esthetics. Superimposition methods demonstrated that the direction of growth of both the maxilla and the mandible was progressing favorably. Improvements in esthetics and in the function of masticatory and perioral muscles, together with their positive psychological impact, were also discussed.

Age Factors↗