Biomedical subjects

Luigi Francesco Ciardo

Publications and source records attributed to Luigi Francesco Ciardo.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Peritonitis: laparoscopic approach.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy has became as the preferred surgical approach to a number of different diseases because it allows a correct diagnosis and treatment at the same time. In abdominal emergencies, both components of treatment - exploration to identify the causative pathology and performance of an appropriate operation - can often be accomplished via laparoscopy. There is still a debate of peritonitis as a contraindication to this kind of approach. Aim of the present work is to illustrate retrospectively the results of a case-control experience of laparoscopic vs. open surgery for abdominal peritonitis emergencies carried out at our institution. METHODS: From January 1992 and January 2002 a total of 935 patients (mean age 42.3 +/- 17.2 years) underwent emergent and/or urgent surgery. Among them, 602 (64.3%) were operated on laparoscopically (of whom 112 -18.7% - with peritonitis), according to the presence of a surgical team trained in laparoscopy. Patients with a history of malignancy, more than two previous major abdominal surgeries or massive bowel distension were not treated Laparoscopically. Peritonitis was not considered contraindication to Laparoscopy. RESULTS: The conversion rate was 23.2% in patients with peritonitis and was mainly due to the presence of dense intra-abdominal adhesions. Major complications ranged as high as 5.3% with a postoperative mortality of 1.7%. A definitive diagnosis was accomplished in 85.7% (96 pat.) of cases, and 90.6% (87) of these patients were treated successfully by Laparoscopy. CONCLUSION: Even if limited by its retrospective feature, the present experience let us to consider the Laparoscopic approach to abdominal peritonitis emergencies a safe and effective as conventional surgery, with a higher diagnostic yield and allows for lesser trauma and a more rapid postoperative recovery. Such features make Laparoscopy a challenging alternative to open surgery in the management algorithm for abdominal peritonitis emergencies.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Is minilaparoscopic inguinal hernia repair feasible? A preliminary experience.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopy has rapidly emerged as the preferred surgical approach to a number of different diseases because it allows for a correct diagnosis and proper treatment. It seems to be moving toward the use of mini-instruments (5 mm or less in diameter). The aim of this paper is to illustrate retrospectively the results of an initial experience of minilaparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (miniTAPP) repair of groin hernia defects performed at two institutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2000 and December 2003, a total of 303 patients (mean age, 45 years) underwent a miniTAPP procedure: 213 patients (70.2%) were operated on bilaterally and 90 (28.7%) for a unilateral defect, with a total of 516 hernia defects repaired. The primary endpoint was the feasibility rate for miniTAPP. The secondary endpoint was the incidence of mini-TAPP-related complications. RESULTS: No conversions to laparoscopy or an anterior open approach were required. There were no major complications, while minor complications ranged as high as 0.3%. CONCLUSION: While limited by its retrospective design, the present study indicates that the minilaparoscopic approach to groin hernia repair is safe and effective, making miniTAPP a challenging alternative to laparoscopy in the approach to groin hernia repair.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Minilaparoscopic appendectomy: which indications?].

Laparoscopy has gained widespread acceptance in common surgical practice as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Suspected appendicitis is still a diagnostic challenge to the general surgeon. A correct diagnosis is crucial because of the various diseases that may be responsible for the same symptoms, in order to plan the appropriate procedure or avoid an unnecessary laparotomy. Laparoscopy is the only minimally invasive technique to allow at the same time for adequate diagnosis, appropriate treatment and the best abdominal approach. Minilaparoscopy would appear to be a natural further step in the development of this technique. The aim of the present work was to illustrate retrospectively the results of an initial case-control study of minilaparoscopy vs. laparoscopy carried out at our institution. Between January and December 2002 a total of 86 patients underwent emergency and/or urgent appendectomy. Among them, 68 (79%) were operated on laparoscopically (37 [54.4%] with a minilaparoscopic approach and 31 with conventional laparoscopy), while 18 (21%) were treated by laparotomy, as performed by a well-trained surgical team. In the minilaparoscop group we registered no conversions to laparotomy and only one major postoperative complication (intra-abdominal abscess treated laparoscopically). As regards the postoperative period, generally speaking, the patients' conditions (analgesic treatment, flatus, diet, hospital discharge) were broadly the same as in the laparoscopic group. Though limited by its initial retrospective character, the present study shows that minilaparoscopic appendectomy is as safe and effective as classical laparoscopic surgery, and seems to be associated with less trauma and a more rapid postoperative recovery. Such features make minilaparoscopy a challenging alternative to conventional laparoscopy (and, of course, laparotomy) in patients referred for urgent abdominal and/or pelvic surgery.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Meckel's diverticulum: a neglected (or deliberately ignored) entity.

Meckel's diverticulum is the most common of all the possible abnormalities that incomplete obliteration of the omphalo-mesenteric duct can produce. Often it is not sought during surgery performed for other abdominal diseases, e.g. cases of appendicitis. In these situations searching for and treating Meckel's diverticulum may be regarded as simply a waste of time or unjustified because its surgical treatment is not a completely safe procedure. In our opinion the systematic search for, and treatment of, Meckel's diverticulum during surgery performed for other abdominal conditions should always be performed. Elective resection of the diverticulum is characterised by fewer postoperative complications than emergency surgery. Laparoscopy would appear to be safe and effective in the treatment of this pathology, even in cases of severe diverticulitis. We report on our last five years' experience with the surgical treatment of this rare pathology, mainly occurring in previously appendectomised patients. One aim of this study was to demonstrate the possible benefits of the laparoscopic approach, focussing attention on the advisability of searching for and resecting Meckel's diverticulum when discovered incidentally during abdominal interventions performed for other pathologies.

Adolescent↗