Biomedical subjects

Michael V Tirabassi

Publications and source records attributed to Michael V Tirabassi.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Geographic information system localization of community-acquired MRSA soft tissue abscesses.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue infections with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pose an ever-increasing risk to children in the community. Although historically these infections were limited to children with prolonged hospitalization, the authors have seen an increase in community-acquired infections in children without identifiable risk factors. The goal of this study is to determine the incidence of truly community-acquired MRSA soft tissue infections in our community and geographically map regions of increased risk. METHODS: After obtaining the institutional review board's approval, a retrospective chart review was conducted on 195 patients records who underwent an incision and drainage of soft tissue infections from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2003. Thirteen patients were excluded from the study because no cultures were taken at the time of incision and drainage. RESULTS: The most common organism isolated from wound culture was S aureus , 40% (73/182), of which 45% (33/73) were MRSA. Eighty-one percent (27/33) of MRSA infections were in Springfield, 1 of 18 towns represented in the patient population. Geographic information system analysis identified a significant MRSA cluster 1.96 km in diameter within the city of Springfield. CONCLUSIONS: Geography proved to be a significant risk factor for presenting with MRSA infection. Geographic maps of antibiotic resistance can be used to guide physician antibiotic selection before culture results are available. This has significant implications for the health care provider in proper antibiotic selection within the community.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Quantitation of lung sealing in the survival swine model.

PURPOSE: Small intercostal spaces and limited pleural space significantly limits the use of 12-mm stapling devices in pediatric thoracoscopic surgery. The goal of this study was to compare sealing of lung tissue by the 5-mm Ligasure (Valley Lab, Boulder, CO) device to a standard 12-mm Endo-GIA stapler (US Surgical, Norwalk, CT). METHODS: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval was obtained (#A3-02). Sixteen 10-kg female swine were divided between 2 survival surgical groups. Lung biopsy sections of the lingula were taken by 2 methods: group A, left anterolateral thoracotomy employing a 12-mm Endo-GIA stapler and group B, left thoracoscopy employing the Ligasure 5-mm instrument. After a 7-day survival period, lung burst pressures were measured by flow-controlled insufflation into the trachea. RESULTS: Burst pressure measurement reflects the first air leak. By Student's t test analysis there were no statistically significant differences between the burst pressures, biopsy weights, or operating times. Fifty percent (4 of 8) of the animals in group A (Endo-GIA), and 50% (4 of 8) of the animals in group B (Ligasure) developed the first air leak in the nonoperative lung. Two animals, one from each group, had evidence of intrapleural infections at the time of necropsy. These were asymptomatic and did not appear to affect burst pressure measurement. CONCLUSIONS: After 7 days of healing, lung biopsy sites created with both the Ligasure and the Endo-GIA stapler have burst strengths equal to or greater than that of normal lung tissue in the swine survival model.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Feasibility of thoracoscopic U-clip esophageal anastomosis: an alternative for esophageal atresia reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The authors propose that U-Clips can significantly decrease the technical difficulty of performing thoracoscopic esophageal reconstruction, thus, reducing operating time, the incidence of postoperative leak, and stricture rate. METHODS: After obtaining Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval, 3 4-kg female piglets underwent complete thoracoscopic esophageal transections. The esophagus was reconstructed thoracoscopically using S50 and S60 U-Clips over an 8F transanastomotic tube. Esophagrams were performed on postoperative day (POD) 7, 21, 44, and 77. RESULTS: Mean operating time was 57 minutes (45 to 75 min). Two of 3 piglets had no evidence of leak on POD 7 esophagrams. One animal had a small leak that resolved spontaneously on antibiotics. All 3 piglets tolerated a formula diet orally by POD 8. Over a 77-day survival period all 3 piglets had steady weight gain on an oral diet. CONCLUSIONS: U-Clips are a feasible alternative to sutures for esophageal reconstruction in thoracoscopic surgery. Further study is warranted to investigate the full potential of U-Clips in minimally invasive pediatric surgery.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed2002

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for reactive airway disease.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-induced reactive airway disease in children has been shown to be superior to medical therapy. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a safe and effective procedure in children. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of 24 patients who underwent a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for documented GERD and reactive airway disease. RESULTS: Persistent cough was the primary symptom in 22 of 24 patients, and all but one had lipid laden macrophages on bronchoscopy. The mean length of hospital stay was 2.7 days. There were no major postoperative complications. Eighteen of 24 patients are symptom free and off all medications an average of 17 months postoperatively. The average medication burden of the 6 remaining patients was reduced from 6.8 to 2.3 medications. CONCLUSIONS: Children with reactive airway disease who do not respond to medical therapy should undergo a workup for GERD. These preliminary results suggest that laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a potentially effective treatment for pulmonary manifestations of GERD.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Perforated appendicitis: is laparoscopy safe?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopy in children with perforated appendicitis. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of consecutive patients under the age of 18, operated on for perforated appendicitis between September 1997 and December 1999. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were operated on for perforated appendicitis. Eleven appendectomies were performed laparoscopically. Fifty-four patients underwent an open appendectomy. Four laparoscopic appendectomies were converted to an open procedure. The mean operative time was 79 minutes for the laparoscopic group, and 87 minutes for the open group. The mean length of hospital stay was 5.4 days versus 7.6 days for the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively. Neither of these differences was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The above data support the use of laparoscopy in the management of perforated appendicitis in children. In conclusion, laparoscopy is as safe as open appendectomy. Laparoscopy is an effective alternative with a shorter length of hospital stay compared with that for an open appendectomy for perforated appendicitis in children.

Appendectomy↗