Biomedical subjects

Luigi Boni

Publications and source records attributed to Luigi Boni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Postoperative infections after oesophageal resections: the role of blood transfusions.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative blood transfusion carries numerous potential risks concerning the transmission of infective diseases and immunodepression that can facilitate the occurrence of postoperative infectious complications. Explanation of connections between perioperative blood transfusion and postoperative septic complication worldwide is not well documented. Many studies have described a correlation between perioperative blood transfusions and postoperative infections. On the contrary, other studies indicate that factors influencing the need for blood transfusions during surgery have a greater bearing than blood transfusion per se on the occurrence of postoperative complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in our Department on 110 consecutive patients undergoing oesophageal resection for primary cancer, in order to evaluate the incidence of postoperative infections related to perioperative allogenic blood transfusions. For each patient we preoperatively recorded in a computerized data-base several known risk-factors for postoperative infections; in detail we registered the administration of allogenic perioperative blood transfusions (period of administration, number of packages administered). RESULTS: Among the enrolled 110 patients, 53 (48%) received perioperative blood transfusions: in this group postoperative infections (overall infective complications) occurred in 27 patients. After a multivariate analysis we observed that perioperative blood transfusions significantly affected as an independent variable the development of wound infections (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Blood transfusions independently affected the incidence of wound infections in patients who underwent oesophageal resection for primary cancer.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Multifocality and multicentricity are not contraindications for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: After the availability of the results of validation studies, the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has replaced routine axillary dissection (AD) as the new standard of care in early unifocal breast cancers. Multifocal (MF) and multicentric (MC) tumors have been considered a contraindication for this technique due to the possible incidence of a higher false-negative rate. This prospective study evaluates the lymphatic drainage from different tumoral foci of the breast and assesses the accuracy of SLNB in MF-MC breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with preoperative diagnosis of MF or MC infiltrating and clinically node-negative (cN0) breast carcinoma were enrolled in this study. Two consecutive groups of patients underwent SLN mapping using a different site of injection of the radioisotope tracer: a) "2ID" Group received two intradermal (i.d.) injections over the site of the two dominant neoplastic nodules. A lymphoscintigraphic study was performed after each injection to evaluate the route of lymphatic spreading from different sites of the breast. b) "A" Group had periareolar (A) injection followed by a conventional lymphoscintigraphy. At surgery, both radioguided SLNB (with frozen section exam) and subsequent AD were planned, regardless the SLN status. RESULTS: A total 31 patients with MF (n = 12) or MC (n = 19) invasive, cN0 cancer of the breast fulfil the selection criteria. In 2 i.d. Group (n = 15) the lymphoscintigraphic study showed the lymphatic pathways from two different sites of the breast which converged into one major lymphatic trunk affering to the same SLN(s) in 14 (93.3%) cases. In one (6.7%) MC cancer two different pathways were found, each of them affering to a different SLN. In A Group (n = 16) lymphoscintigraphy showed one (93.7%) or two (6.3%) lymphatic channels, each connecting areola with one or more SLN(s). Identification rate of SLN was 100% in both Groups. Accuracy of frozen section exam on SLN was 96.8% (1 case of micrometastasis was missed). SLN was positive in 13 (41.9%) of 31 patients, including 4 cases (30.7%) of micrometastasis. In 7 of 13 (53.8%) patients the SLN was the only site of axillary metastasis. SLNB accuracy was 96.8% (30 of 31), sensitivity 92.8 (13 of 14), and false-negative rate 7.1% (1 of 14). Since the case of skip metastasis was identified by the surgeon intraoperatively, it would have been no impact in the clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Our lymphoscintigraphic study shows that axillary SLN represents the whole breast regardless of tumor location within the parenchyma. The high accuracy of SLNB in MF and MC breast cancer demonstrates, according with the results of other series published in the literature, that both MF and MC tumors do not represent a contraindication for SLNB anymore.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Surgical treatment of malignant involvement of the inferior vena cava.

BACKGROUND: Resection and replacement of the inferior vena cava to remove malignant disease is a formidable procedure. The purpose of this review is to describe our experience with regard to patient selection, operative technique, and early and late outcome. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed a 12-year series of 11 patients; there were 10 males, with a mean age 57 +/- 13 years (range 27-72) who underwent caval thrombectomy and/or resection for primary (n = 9) or recurrent (n = 2) vena cava tumours. Tumour location and type, clinical presentation, the segment of vena cava treated, graft patency, and tumour recurrence and survival data were collected. Late follow-up data were available for all patients. Graft patency was determined before hospital discharge and in follow-up by CT scan or ultrasonography. More than 80% of patients had symptoms from their caval involvement. The most common pathologic diagnosis was renal cell carcinoma (n = 6), and hepatocarcinoma (n = 2). In all but 2 patients, inferior vena cava surgical treatment was associated with multivisceral resection, including extended nephrectomy (n = 5), resection of neoplastic mass (n = 3), major hepatic resection (n = 2), and adrenal gland resection (n = 1). Prosthetic repair was performed in 5 patients (45%). RESULTS: There were no early deaths. Major complications occurred in 1 patient (9%). Mean length of stay was 16 days. Late graft thrombosis or infection did not occur. The mean follow-up was 22.7 months (range 6-60). There have been no other late graft-related complications. All late deaths were caused by the progression of malignant disease and the actuarial survival rate was 100% at 1 year. Mean survival was 31 months (median 15). CONCLUSION: Aggressive surgical management may offer the only chance for cure or palliation for patients with primary or secondary caval tumours. Our experience confirms that vena cava surgery for tumours may be performed safely with low graft-related morbidity and good patency in carefully selected patients.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Reconstruction after esophagectomy in patients with [partial] gastric resection. Case report and review of the literature of the use of remnant stomach.

BACKGROUND: Bowel reconstruction after subtotal esophagectomy represents a problem when a previous distal gastrectomy was performed: usually the colon or jejunum is used. METHODS: In a 10 year period 126 patients with primary esophageal cancer underwent esophageal resection in our Department. Surgical procedures were 57% two-phase subtotal oesophagectomy, 23% transhiatal, 9% stripping, 10 three-phase total esophagectomy and 2 endoscopic resections. RESULTS: In 112 patients alimentary tract reconstruction was achieved by means of esophago-gastric anastomosis. Reconstruction was performed using colon in 10 cases and jejunum in 2. We describe the technical aspects of esophagectomy and gastric reconstruction in a patient with previous antrectomy and Billroth II reconstruction. The procedure was performed via a combined laparotomy and thoracotomy with anastomosis at the level of the azygous vein using the remnant stomach. CONCLUSION: Few technical reports have been reported in literature about the use of remnant stomach in reconstruction for subtotal esophagectomy subsequent to distal gastrectomy. Several hypotheses are made to explain the maintenance of the gastric vascular integrity as its intramural network without micro-vascular anastomosis.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Solitary pulmonary metastasis from primary melanoma of the oesophagus 5 years after resection of the primary tumor.

BACKGROUND: Primary malignant melanoma of the oesophagus (PMME) is an uncommon tumor. PMME has an aggressive biological behavior, similar to melanomas developed elsewhere in the body. Most patients die from distant metastases, and the overall 5 year survival rate is approximately 4%. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a rare case of a solitary pulmonary metastasis found 5 years after curative resection of primary esophageal melanoma. No other sites of metastatic disease were identified. Video-assisted lung wedge resection of the lung nodule was carried out successfully. CONCLUSION: This supports the concept that patients with primary melanoma of the oesophagus treated should be carefully followed up.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Ten year survival after excision of squamous cell cancer in Zenker's diverticulum: report of a case.

BACKGROUND: Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) has been increasingly recognized as a site of primary epithelial malignancy. Pitt in 1896 described the first case. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2005, 30 patients affected of esophageal diverticulum were referred to our Department. RESULTS: The pathological results revealed one case of squamous cell carcinoma. On follow-up 10 years after diverticulectomy alone, the patient was alive and well without evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Our case reported provides additional data on clinical decision when the tumor is well localized without full-thickness penetration or extension to the line of resection. In this patient, long-term survival and apparent disease control have been effected by diverticulectomy alone. A case of such long survival is very rare.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Infective complications in laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: One of the main benefits of minimally invasive surgery compared with open surgery is the significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative infections. Possible explanations include the smaller incision, minimal use of central venous catheters for parenteral nutrition, faster mobilization, reduction in postoperative pain, and better preservation of immune system function with a limited inflammatory response to tissue injury. We compare the incidence of postoperative infections after the most common laparoscopic surgical procedures with that after the corresponding open operation, and review the possible mechanisms behind these results. METHOD: Review of the pertinent literature. RESULTS: Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs), as well as most retrospective studies, show a significant reduction in incisional complications with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in comparison with open surgery (mean 1.1% vs. 4%), as well as in urinary tract and pulmonary infections. In colorectal resection, laparoscopic surgery was characterized by a significant reduction in surgical site infections (mean 5% vs. 9.5%), and the infections that did occur tended to be less severe. Again, there were fewer urinary and pulmonary infections postoperatively. Acute appendicitis represents an interesting setting to study the effect of minimally invasive surgery on infections, as it involves a potentially contaminated field. Most of the results confirm that the rates of surgical site (mean 2% versus 8%) and respiratory (mean 0.3% versus 3%) infections favor laparoscopic surgery, but minimally invasive surgery seems to be characterized by a higher incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess. The laparoscopic approach to splenectomy is clearly superior to standard laparotomy in terms of postoperative complications, including infections, although the rate of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI) remains similar because this complication is related more to spleen removal than to the surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the literature is in agreement that laparoscopic surgery is associated with better preservation of immune function and a reduction of the inflammatory response compared with open surgery. The rate of postoperative infections seems to be significantly lower.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Long-term results and quality of life of patients undergoing sequential surgical treatment for severe acute pancreatitis complicated by infected pancreatic necrosis.

BACKGROUND: Infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is one of the most severe complications of acute pancreatitis (AP). Sequential surgical debridement represents one of the most effective treatments in terms of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this paper is to describe the quality of life and long-term results (e.g., nutritional, muscular, and pancreatic function) of patients treated by sequential necrosectomy at the Department of Surgery of the University of Insubria (Varese, Italy). METHODS: Data were collected on patients undergoing sequential surgical debridement as treatment for IPN. The severity of AP was evaluated using the Ranson criteria, the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) Score, and the Sepsis Score, as well as the extent of necrosis. The surgical approach was through a midline or subcostal laparotomy, followed by exploration of the peritoneal cavity, wide debridement, and peritoneal lavage. The abdomen was either left open or closed partially with a surgical zipper, with multiple re-laparotomies scheduled until debridement of necrotic tissue was complete. The long-term evaluation focused on late morbidity, performance status, and abdominal wall function. RESULTS: In the majority of patients (68%), mixed flora were isolated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the microorganism identified most commonly (59%), often associated with Candida albicans or C. glabrata. The mean total hospital stay was 71+/-38 days (range 13-146 days), of which 24+/-19 days (range 0-66 days) were in the intensive care unit. Eight patients died, the deaths being caused by multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in seven patients and hemorrhage from the splenic artery in one. Normal exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function was observed in 28 patients (88%). At discharge, four patients had steatorrhea, which was temporary. Eight patients (23%) developed pancreatic pseudocysts, and in six, cystogastostomy was performed. Most patients (29/32, 91%) developed a post-operative hernia, but only five required surgical repair. All patients had a Short Form (SF)-36 score>60%, and 20 of the 32 patients (68%) had scores>70-80% (good quality of life). The worst scores were related to alcoholic pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of pancreatic failure (exocrine and endocrine function) is not related to the amount of pancreatic necrosis. Even with a need for repeated laparotomy and multiple surgical procedures, the abdominal wall capacity as well as long-term quality of life remain excellent.

APACHE↗

PubMed2006

Surgical site infections after thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: The history of thyroid surgery starts with Billroth, Kocher, and Halsted, who developed techniques for thyroidectomy between 1873 and 1910. Before 1950, the operative mortality rate approached 50%. The advent of general anesthesia and antisepsis and the development of fine hemostatic instruments rendered thyroid surgery safer, but the potential persists for life-threatening complications. This study was designed to identify specific risk factors for the development of surgical site infections (SSIs); to define high-risk patients; to determine the causative organisms; to illustrate the clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome; and to establish management guidelines. METHODS: A prospective analysis was carried out of complications affecting 241 consecutive patients (mean age 65+/-19 years; 76% female) undergoing cervical exploration for thyroid disease from 2000 to 2005, with particular attention to infection, and the pertinent literature was reviewed. RESULTS: Surgical site infections (SSI) affected 2% of patients. The risk of infection depended mainly on the quality of pre-operative and post-operative care and on whether there was a break in sterile technique. The use of drains and pre-operative antibiotics did not affect the incidence of SSI. No pre-operative factor foreshadowed this complication, and the definition of a high-risk population remains obscure. Surgical site infections lengthened the hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Effort should be made to improve sterile technique. Appropriate antibiotic coverage is indicated when infection develops post-operatively. The most important element in the management of SSI is adequate drainage of the incision once infection develops.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Surgical site infections in day surgery settings.

BACKGROUND: Because major complications are rare in day surgery, minor morbidities such as surgical site infections, which become evident only after patient discharge, have a major impact on the perceived quality of care. We performed an audit of such infections over a oneyear period. METHODS: All procedures were performed in a multidisciplinary day surgery setting. There were 155 inguinal hernia repairs, 44 excisions of lipomas, and 27 excisions of pilonidal cysts. All patients received antibiotic prophylaxis according to a rotation protocol. RESULTS: One patient (0.65%) operated on for inguinal hernia developed a deep incisional infection caused by Staphylococcus schleiferi. The patient was treated using selective antibiotics, and complete recovery ensued. One patient (2.27%) who underwent excision of a lipoma revealed developed a deep incisional infection associated with fever (39 degrees C) caused by Staphylococcus aureus. He was treated by daily antibiotics and application of dressings for two weeks and recovered. One patient (3.7%) treated for pilonidal cyst developed a deep incisional surgical site infection. A group A Streptococcus was isolated, and he received an intravenous antibiotic for ten days. In the seven patients treated for pilonidal cyst with the wound left open, swab specimens were taken because of persisting local pain, and the following bacteria were found: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus vulgaris, and Streptococcus constellatus. No antibiotic therapy was given, and local wound care led to complete recovery. CONCLUSION: In our day surgery unit, the rates of surgical site infection are similar to those described in the literature. Continuing audit is essential to maintain and improve the quality and standard of the surgery provided. Prevention of surgical site infection is very much the responsibility of the persons working in the operating theater. Therefore, it is vital not only to apply strict regulations concerning everyday management but also to maintain a high degree of motivation among the personnel.

Ambulatory Surgical Procedures↗

PubMed2006

Postoperative fever.

BACKGROUND: Fever is common in surgical patients. The list of potential causes is long and includes many noninfective etiologies. CAUSES: Only about 40% of fever episodes in hospitalized patients are caused by infection. Any fever in a surgical patient is a cause for concern. New or continuing fever more than three days after surgery should raise a strong suspicion of persistent illness or a new complication. On rare occasions, these fevers can be attributed to potentially life-threatening occult infections, including acute cholecystitis, antibiotic-related pseudomembranous colitis, systemic candidiasis, or transfusion-related cytomegalovirus disease. A change in the microbiology of postoperative infections has also been noticed, characterized by a greater incidence of infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, by polymicrobial flora, and by fungi. TREATMENT: Control of nosocomial infections has become more challenging recently because of widespread bacterial resistance to antibiotics and to more frequent surgical indications in elderly patients at higher risk. Early recognition and appropriate treatment of these infections relieves anxiety, reduces hospital costs, and increases patient survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: The workup and therapy for the individual patient may differ, depending on the underlying disease and clinical appearance and the clinician's suspicion for infection. Subsequent testing should be based on the clinical findings. Perhaps more money is wasted in the evaluation of early postoperative fever than on any other aspect of postoperative care.

Cross Infection↗

PubMed2006

Mechanical bowel preparation for colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Nosocomial infections are the most frequent complications of surgical patients. Most surgical site infections (SSI) are acquired intraoperatively and arise from the flora of the patient's skin, gastrointestinal tract, or mucous membranes. Although preoperative mechanical cleansing of the bowel is considered by many surgeons a cornerstone of modern elective colorectal surgery and, in association with antibiotic prophylaxis, a fundamental component of an intestinal antisepsis program, many surgeons do not perform preoperative mechanical preparation routinely. METHODS: Review of the pertinent literature. RESULTS: Some recent randomized trials and a Cochrane review found no proof that mechanical bowel preparation reduces the risk of complications after elective colorectal surgery. Indeed, there is some evidence that this intervention is associated with a higher rate of anastomotic leakage and wound complications. CONCLUSIONS: The dogma that mechanical bowel preparation is necessary before elective colorectal surgery may need to be reconsidered. On the other hand, such preparation decreases operating time by improving bowel handling during construction of the anastomosis. Moreover, it is helpful when intestinal palpation will be necessary for identification of a lesion.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis↗

PubMed2006

Cancer of the esophagus: the value of preoperative patient assessment.

In the past few years, major improvements and new technologies have been proposed and applied in esophageal surgery. Its evolution depended not only on a thorough knowledge of surgical anatomy and technique, but also on important developments in pre- and postoperative care. Esophageal resection for cancer is still associated with high morbidity and mortality. Postoperative complications may be either patient or surgeon related. Patient-related factors include age, malnutrition, immunodepression and associated diseases. The surgeon-related factors are surgical experience, hospital volume and multidisciplinary approach. Preoperative evaluation is defined as the process of clinical assessment that precedes the delivery of anesthesia. The principle is to gain information concerning patients that leads to modification of their management, and improves the outcome from surgery.

Esophageal Neoplasms↗

PubMed2006

Surgery of lymph nodes in papillary thyroid cancer.

Optimal treatment for differentiated thyroid carcinoma is controversial with respect to the extent of thyroid resection, the extent and technique of nodal dissection and use of prophylactic radioiodine treatment. Postoperative complications, such as recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and definitive hypoparathyroidism, have carried great weight in the discussion regarding how radical the surgical treatment should be. The discussion of whether total thyroidectomy or lesser procedures should be the treatment for thyroid carcinomas has been protracted. Now, reasonable agreement exists that total thyroidectomy is the best treatment and the focus of the discussion has moved to the treatment of lymph nodes. At the time of diagnosis, node metastases are a common finding in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer, in particular papillary carcinoma. The argument supporting a radical approach to lymph node excision is that the presence of node metastases increases the recurrence rate. Advocates for the conservative approach believe that little association exists between node metastases and death from thyroid carcinoma. This paper reviews relevant medical literature published in the English language on surgery of lymph nodes in differentiated thyroid cancer with well-controlled trials. Searches were last updated in June 2006.

Carcinoma, Papillary↗

PubMed2006

Technological advances in minimally invasive surgery.

Advances in technology continue at a rapid pace affecting several aspects of life; medicine is no exception. Minimally invasive surgery is, by its nature, a highly technological specialty of surgical practice. The development of new instruments and new technologies during the last few years have allowed complex procedures that were previously considered unsuitable for minimally invasive surgery. The aim of this article is to review some of these advances and the impact they are having on the managements of different surgical problems.

Biotechnology↗

PubMed2006

Thyroid surgery: new approach to dissection and hemostasis.

The essential objectives for thyroidectomy are avoidance of injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs), conservation of the parathyroid glands, an accurate haemostasis, and an excellent cosmesis. In the last 10 years, major improvements and new technologies have been proposed and applied in thyroid surgery, among these mini-invasive thyroidectomy, regional anaesthesia, and intraoperative neuromonitoring. Moreover, new devices for achieving dissection and haemostasis have been proposed. The purpose of ligating vessels is to maintain the surgical site free from an excess of blood and reduce blood loss in patients. This chapter reviews relevant medical literature published in the English language since 1990 on thyroid surgery techniques with well-controlled trials on haemostasis and dissection. Searches were last updated October 2005.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

PubMed2005

Surgical resection for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): experience on 25 patients.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are infrequent and diagnosis and prognosis could be troublesome. We present short and long term results of surgical resection for GIST at the Department of Surgery, University of Insubria, during a period of 17 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients' data, tumor characteristics, surgical procedure and survival data were analyzed retrospectively. Tumors were divided in risk classes using the classification proposed by Fletcher, based on tumor size and number of mitosis. RESULTS: Between 1987 and 2004, 25 patients underwent surgical resection for GIST. Stomach was the most common site of localization. Complete resection was achieved in 88% cases, while in 12% radical resection was not possible. The mean tumor size was 9.2 cm (1.2-30 cm): <5 cm diameter in 14/25 cases (56%), 5-10 cm in 5/25 (20%) and >10 cm in 6/25 (24%). Mitotic count was <10/50 HPF in 68% (17/25) and >10/50 in 32% (8/25). Using Fletcher's classification, tumors were divided in very low (11/25, 44%), low (4/25, 16%), intermediate (6/25, 24%) and high-risk (4/25, 16%) groups. The 5-year overall survival was 65% and 34% respectively with a statistically significant difference between tumors <5 cm and >10 cm in diameter and between complete and incomplete resection. High-risk tumors had a significantly shorter survival than low or very low risk. CONCLUSION: Our experience confirms that GIST's are uncommon and aggressive cancers. The prognosis is strictly related to tumor size and number of mitosis. Although significant advances on new chemotherapeutic regimes have been made, to date, only radical surgery offers the chance of long-term survival.

Duplicate Publication↗

PubMed2005

Injection of colorectal cancer cells in mesenteric and antimesenteric sides of the colon results in different patterns of metastatic diffusion: an experimental study in rats.

BACKGROUND: This experimental study was designed to investigate the differences in pattern of local growth and diffusion of colorectal cancer cells injected into either mesenteric (M) or antimesenteric (AM) sides of the colon. METHODS: A total of 1 x 10(6) colonic adenocarcinoma cells (line DHD/K12-TRb) were injected into the cecal wall of BDIX syngeneic male rats at an M or AM site of the colon. At six weeks after injection, all animals were sacrificed and the presence or absence of tumor in the cecum as well as regional metastasis and peritoneal carcinomatosis were determined. RESULTS: Six weeks after injection, macroscopic tumor growth was observed in 27/37 (72%) animals in group M and 21/32 (65%) in group AM (P = 0.98). In group AM, diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis was present in 19/21 rats (90.4%) versus 3/27 rats (11%) in group M; this difference was statistically significant (P = 0.025). Regional mesenteric lymph nodes were the only location in which tumor was detected in 23/27 rats (85%) in group M versus 2/21 (9.5%) in group AM; this difference too was statistically significant (P = 0.031) CONCLUSION: The patterns of diffusion of tumors implanted in mesenteric and antimesenteric sites of the colon appear to be different, although the reason for this is not clear.

Journal Article↗